GKPD condemns Kejriwal for 'The Kashmir Files' remarks
Darpan News Desk IANS, 25 Mar, 2022 10:31 AM
New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) The Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora (GKDP) has taken strong exception to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's recent remark on the film 'The Kashmir Files'.
"Where is the question of making it (the film) tax-free," Kejriwal said on Thursday, while reacting to the demand for making 'The Kashmir Files' tax-free.
Kejriwal also said that if filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri wants everyone to watch the movie, he should release it on YouTube so that it is available to everyone.
Taking a jibe at BJP leaders demanding to make the film tax-free in Delhi, Kejriwal said that "he (Agnihotri) has earned crores in the name of Kashmiri Pandits and you are putting up posters on the walls".
The GKPD said that the 'docudrama' (The Kashmir Files) is based on personal testimony and meticulous documentation of community records.
"The entire world was shocked to see AAP legislators laughing and making a mockery of the story of Kashmiri Pandits' genocide. A simple request by the public to make the movie tax-free was hooted by the CM, who has past track record of granting such requests. Such discriminatory and hostile behaviour on an extremely serious subject is not becoming of the highest office in Delhi administration," said Surinder Kaul, co-founder of GKPD.
Rakesh Kaul, another co-founder of GKPD, said that Delhi has been a refuge city for the Pandits, including his family, since 1947. Following their ethnic cleansing, it was Delhi that gave shops in the INA market to the Pandits to rebuild their lives.
"It was the Delhi High Court that gave legal protection to the 200 or so IDP teachers who were hired by the Delhi administration. It was Kejriwal's cabinet that had to implement this court directive. With his hostile signalling to his administration and the local populace, Kejriwal has vitiated the atmosphere for the Pandits and filled their minds with new anxieties," he added.
GKPD's international coordinator Utpal Kaul said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said that 'The Kashmir Files' has rattled those who wanted to subvert the truth that it reveals.
"Sadly, Kejriwal, instead of taking the opportunity to learn more and walk away from his past support of those who sought plebiscite and independence of Kashmir, has only sided with those who carried out genocide of the Kashmiri Pandits," he said.
Kejriwal gave eight guarantees to teachers for comprehensive education reforms in Punjab and promised that these guarantees would be implemented on priority if the AAP government is formed in 2022.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Tuesday ridiculed present Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi for his frequent accusations that he had "connived with the Badals" and harmed Punjab's interests.
The Bill has been listed for introduction, consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha. It is among 26 new Bills, which are to be introduced in the Parliament session beginning November 29.
MSP is the price that the government declares in advance and pays at the time of procurement of crops from the farmers at the Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs), popular as Mandis. The concept is derived from the fact that the farmers should not suffer losses owing to lesser rates in the open market.
The Sanyukta Kisan Morcha, an umbrella organisation of the farmers' unions, said that their protests would continue till their demands, including guarantee for minimum support price and dismissal of Union Minister Ajay Misra Teni, were met.
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Monday said the farmers' agitation against three farm laws will be always remembered as a 'watershed movement' to protect the democratic and human rights in the country.
