In a recent development, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) has cancelled the highly anticipated Israeli Film Festival that was scheduled to take place in Mumbai on August 21-22, 2024. The decision to cancel the event came after prominent figures from the film industry, including Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, and a group of liberal journalists and actors, raised objections and appealed for its cancellation.
According to reports, the festival was set to be held at the National Museum of Indian Cinema in Mumbai. The event was organised in collaboration with the NFDC and NMIC and was expected to showcase a variety of Israeli films, with participation from Israeli artists.
However, the festival faced significant opposition from a section of the film community known for its left-liberal leanings. This group, consisting of about 25 journalists, actors, and writers, expressed strong objections to the festival, linking it to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. They argued that hosting the festival at such a time would be insensitive, given the alleged war crimes and ‘genocide’ being committed by Israel in Gaza and Palestine.
The protest was led by veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah and his wife, Ratna Pathak Shah, who are both vocal critics of various social and political issues in India. Naseeruddin Shah has previously commented on what he perceives as an “atmosphere of fear” in the country, while Ratna Pathak Shah is known for her outspoken views on gender equality in the film industry. They were joined by documentary filmmaker Anand Patwardhan, Tushar Gandhi (who has a history of defending Naxalites), and activist Shabnam Hashmi, who has been associated with spreading misinformation during the farmers’ protests.
The letter of protest, signed by the group, made several claims, including that Israel had killed 180,000 people in Gaza—a figure derived from a study that has been widely questioned. The signatories argued that India, which recognises Palestine as a country and has consistently advocated for peace in the Israel-Hamas conflict, should not host an event that could be seen as supportive of Israel’s actions.
The letter stated, “This screening by the NFDC is being organised at a time when the entire world is witnessing Israel’s war crimes and the genocide taking place in Gaza and across Palestine.” They demanded that the festival be cancelled in light of these concerns.
In response to the mounting pressure, it was reported on Wednesday, August 21, 2024, that the NFDC had decided to cancel the Israeli Film Festival. Despite the widespread media coverage, the NFDC has yet to issue an official statement regarding the reasons behind the cancellation or the future of the event.
The silence of certain self-proclaimed activists and celebrities on the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata starkly contrasts with their vocal outrage over international issues, particularly those involving Palestine. While these figures are quick to express their indignation over the situation in Gaza and actively promote hashtags like “All eyes on Rafah,” their selective activism becomes glaringly apparent when it comes to addressing atrocities within their own country, especially when the victims are from the Hindu community.
This selective outrage is not only hypocritical but also deeply concerning. The case in point is the horrific incident in Kolkata, where a young trainee doctor was brutally raped and murdered—a crime that shocked the nation. However, the very activists who are often seen championing human rights and justice on global platforms have remained conspicuously silent about this case. Their indifference to the plight of victims in India, particularly Hindu victims, raises questions about the sincerity and consistency of their activism.
As reported earlier by Organiser, this pattern of selective outrage is not new. The same celebrities who are vociferous about conflicts in distant lands have consistently overlooked the suffering and injustice faced by people in their own country. This includes turning a blind eye to the persecution of minorities in neighbouring Bangladesh, where Hindus have been targeted with increasing frequency.
