‘Censoring The Kashmir Files will mean censoring Information’: Former New Zealand Deputy PM
Peters said the film is about true & real events surrounding the 1990 ethnic cleansing of Hindus in Kashmir and today over 400,000 Kashmir Pandits remain in exile after 32 years.
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Mumbai, March 19: Winston Peters, former deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand, expressed his support for the movie ‘The Kashmir Files’ and held that censoring the movie is an attack on the freedom of New Zealanders.
He added, “The film is about true and real events surrounding the 1990 ethnic cleansing of Hindus in Kashmir and today over 400,000 Kashmir Pandits remain in exile after 32 years.” He further stated that censoring the movie would be equal to denying the attack of 9/11.
Shanks said the concerns raised by the Muslims were “valid and serious”, so it was important to “take stock and pause”. As the movie is under review, its release in New Zealand has been postponed.
This came in response to reports that the chief censor of New Zealand was reviewing the movie again after the Muslim community in the country demanded a ban on the film. Peters shared his views in a Facebook post earlier today.
Peters, who is leading the New Zealand First party since its inception in 1993, wrote, “The ‘Kashmir Files’ Censored: Another Attack on the Freedom of New Zealanders. The ‘Kashmir Files’ has been shown in America, Australia, India and many other locations around the world. To date the film has been viewed by over 1.1 billion people.”
He added, “The film is about true and real events surrounding the 1990 ethnic cleansing of Hindus in Kashmir and today over 400,000 Kashmir Pandits remain in exile after 32 years.” He further stated that censoring the movie would be equal to denying the attack of 9/11.
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Notably, recently, certain communal organizations in the country urged New Zealand Censor Board to ban the film’s release there. In response, Director Vivek Agnohotri urged Indians in New Zealand to pay close attention, and stand united against extremists.
The Muslim community in New Zealand had an issue with the film and planned to oppose its screening. He further alleged that the Muslim communities had sent threats to the board, threatening to demonstrate in front of the theatres if the film was released.
Also Read | New Zealand to re-evaluate release of ‘The Kashmir Files’ after ‘communal groups’ pressurize Censor Board to ban it
However, chief censor David Shanks had said that there is no question of banning the movie, and only its classification is being reviewed. He had said members of the Muslim community approached him with concerns that the film “could raise anti-Muslim sentiment and potential hatred”.
Shanks said the concerns raised by the Muslims were “valid and serious”, so it was important to “take stock and pause”. As the movie is under review, its release in New Zealand has been postponed.
