Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s `Shikara’ in the crosshairs of Kashmiri activists
By Newsmeter Network Published on 4 Feb 2020 8:18 PM IST
Srinagar: Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 'Shikara’ has landed into a trouble after three Kashmiri activists knocked on the door of Jammu and Kashmir High Court praying for editing and censoring “controversial and communal scenes, and dialogues from the movie”.
Majid Hydri, Iftikhar Misgar and Irfan Hafiz Lone have filed a writ petition against Vidu Vinod Chopra, NFDC, Central Board of Film Certification, union of India through ministry of information and broadcasting and Jammu and Kashmir government, urging the High Court to take possible steps to prevent polarization and communalization of atmosphere in India and particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
Based on the exodus of Kashmiri pandits, Shikara has come in the crosshairs of activists for, what they call, communal overtones and stereotyping the Muslim community of the valley.
“Besides showing the painful migration of Kashmiri pandits from the valley, a shabby and cruel picture of local population especially Muslims has been portrayed which is not only against the actual facts and events but has also the tendency of hurting the sentiments of all Kashmiris”, reads the petition.
The petitioners said from the date of pandit migration, many movies have been made on the subject but none of these blamed entire Muslim population. “it is submitted that the petitioners see a motive behind the false narration of facts in the movie and the timing of its release. Pertinently the movie is to be released on February 7”, the petition reads
Invoking CAA and NRC, the petitioners, the petitioners said the atmosphere in the country is already polarized because of the controversial laws. “Further post August 5, 2019, security forces have with hard efforts succeeded in maintaining an element of calm in the valley and all such efforts may go in vain if the movie in question is allowed to be released with the concocted ad fabricated content”, the petition reads.
The petitioners have urged the court to urge Central Board of Film Certification to review the certificate issued with regard to movie and censor and edit the controversial scenes and dialogues.
“The court may also be pleased to direct the respondents to ensure that all possible steps are taken to prevent polarization and communalization of atmosphere in India particularly Jammu and Kashmir”, reads the petition.
