In a scathing attack in Parilament, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal commented on the BJP’s demand to make the movie ‘The Kashmir Files,’ directed by Vivek Agnihotri, tax-free.
‘Today, BJP across the country is putting up posters for a movie in every street. Did you come into politics to do this? What will you tell your children when you go home… If a Prime Minister of a country, after running a country for right years, has to seek refuge in the feet of Vivek Agnihotri, it means he hasn’t done anything in his tenure. They are saying make Kashmir Files tax free. Put it on YouTube, it will be free for all. Why do you want it to be tax free? If you want this done so badly, tell Vivek Agnihotri and he will put it on YouTube. Everyone will watch it in one day),’ Kejriwal said.
Kejriwal went on to add ‘I read it in a newspaper yesterday, that a BJP MLA in Haryana was screening the movie for free in a park. Vivek Agnihotri tweeted immediately, asking (Haryana CM) Manoharlal Khattar to make sure that people buy the tickets to the movie. Some people are earning crores of rupees in the name of Kashmiri pandits and you (BJP) leaders have been asked to put up posters. What are you doing! Open your eyes. They are treating you like sheep,’
‘Even Hitler employed his lackeys. What did you get? Did your children get jobs, made arrangements for food and power? Only Kejriwal works for you. I have jobs (sic) to 12 lakh youngsters of Delhi, improved schools and hospital. If someone is unwell in your house, Kejriwal gets them medicine, not (Prime Minister) Modi. I want to tell all BJP workers and supporters, open your mind a bit and stop this mindless following.
They are treating you like sheep. All of you quit BJP and join AAP. You will be respected, we will not make you raise false slogans and we won’t make you put up posters of these false movies either. Do whatever, don’t promote a movie. You came into politics to do bigger, better things,’ Kejriwal scorned, as laughter rang out in the Parliament.
‘The Kashmir Files,’ based on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits in then Jammu and Kashmir in 1990, has already been declared tax-free in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh among other states.
The film which features Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Mithun Chakraborty and Darshan Kumaar in pivotal roles, has been facing backlash ever since its release, from sections of society which have accused the makers of spreading falsehoods and communal propaganda.
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