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Singapore bans controversial Indian film The Kashmir Files

Singapore bans controversial Indian film The Kashmir Files

The statement read that the film will be refused classification for its "provocative" portrayal of Muslims.
10 May, 2022

Singapore has banned a controversial Indian film about the exodus of Hindus from Muslim-majority Kashmir, citing concerns over its "potential to cause enmity between different communities".

The Kashmir Files has been praised by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing Hindu nationalist followers, and has proved a box office hit, but critics say it is loose with facts and fans anti-Muslim sentiment.

"The film will be refused classification for its provocative and one-sided portrayal of Muslims and the depictions of Hindus being persecuted in the ongoing conflict in Kashmir," the Singapore government said in a statement on Monday in response to media queries.

"These representations have the potential to cause enmity between different communities, and disrupt social cohesion and religious harmony in our multi-racial and multi-religious society," the statement added.

Singapore's 5.5 million population is made up mainly of ethnic Chinese, Malays and Indians. The Southeast Asian city-state has strict laws that punish any attempts to disrupt inter-racial and religious harmony.

Hundreds of thousands of people, many of them Hindus, fled from Kashmir after a violent uprising against Indian rule began in 1989.

Supporters of the 170-minute Hindi-language movie say it shines a light on an often overlooked chapter of Kashmir's history while others see it as evidence of the growing religious polarisation Modi's critics say he has fostered since coming to power in 2014.

Comments

Firdous May 10, 2022 11:36am
Truth is bitter
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Ahmed khan lehri May 10, 2022 12:15pm
Indians have been exposed world wide. Good gesture by Singapore government to keep harmony between communities
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Pakistan May 10, 2022 12:45pm
Of course- they are mostly of Chinese origin and have to bow to pressure from Communist China!
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DK May 10, 2022 12:52pm
It's being released online for the entire world to watch.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad May 10, 2022 01:06pm
Great move and excellent news.
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Inquisitor May 10, 2022 01:23pm
@Pakistan Your comment is ludicrous. Quite apart from expressing any opinion about the merits or otherwise of the film, you obviously are ignorant of the fact that the Singapore Chinese do not "bow to the pressure from Communist China". Quite the contrary, as they are right-leaning, certainly from the time of the leadershgip of Lee Kuan Yew.
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Tajammal May 10, 2022 01:53pm
THANKS
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FAZ May 10, 2022 02:25pm
Decision based on merit.
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Waseem Sarwar May 10, 2022 02:31pm
@DK Entire world has better things to do than watch a propaganda film.
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M. Saeed May 10, 2022 02:57pm
@Pakistan, you are Indian impostor in Pakistan-camouflage.
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Ghani K May 10, 2022 03:06pm
Kudos to Singapore's government for banning anti Muslims propaganda vehicle called the Kashmir files.
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Factsmatter May 10, 2022 03:20pm
It was released in UAE and US of all countries. Put a cork on it.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad May 10, 2022 03:23pm
Great move and excellent news.
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Syed Hasni May 10, 2022 03:35pm
I feel that Anti Muslim Rhetoric will only bring disrepute to Secular India. Anti Pakistan sentiment should not any way be portrayed as Anti Muslim. This is just one example.
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Khalid May 10, 2022 03:47pm
@DK Does matter if a lie is filmed instead of being told?
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Sayed May 10, 2022 03:57pm
All those saying negative about the film have not seen the movie, not read stories, not seen interviews of terr during those times. If they had they wouldn’t call this propaganda
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Cye May 10, 2022 04:23pm
That’s all modi is doing. Fanning religious intolerance, and making anti Muslim rhetoric, that’s his only card to play.
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Hamed May 10, 2022 04:26pm
Because of partition how many Muslims have been murdered. And how many were persecuted and kicked out.
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Attiq, Dubai May 10, 2022 05:18pm
There is a Book that divides humanity between believers and non-believers asking Believers to hate and kill non-believers. how about banning such books?
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Mr right May 10, 2022 05:29pm
In Kashmir Indians are seen as the terrorists!
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ENGR Hamid Shafiq May 10, 2022 06:36pm
Someone think wisely
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Cholas May 10, 2022 08:23pm
But they did not deny it is true story
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Ram Babu May 10, 2022 08:29pm
The film Kashmir Files is propaganda by the RSS/Hindutva emulating the hate of Hitler Nazis against Jews. This film narrates a story exactly as the right-wing wants, vilifying all the Muslims. It's a work of fiction that is exploitative, it's careless with facts and Islamophobic. The film's director, Vivek Agnihotri, is a known BJP supporter & proponent of Hindutva ideology.
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prateek May 10, 2022 08:55pm
@Attiq, Dubai .....Wow...so true. A brutal divide of humanity. well said.
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prateek May 10, 2022 08:56pm
@Ram Babu ....Sir, lets Watch the movie first.
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T-man May 10, 2022 09:05pm
Excellent decision. The movie is nothing but propaganda.
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Rajesh May 10, 2022 10:38pm
Truth is better
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Shezi May 10, 2022 10:52pm
India is not a country but subcontinent again proved.
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UHD May 10, 2022 11:04pm
What difference does it make ?
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Iqbal Ahmed May 11, 2022 03:14am
Very good decision by a Civilised government. Communal harmony is very important for a country to progress and to prosper.
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MG May 11, 2022 04:08am
Truth is always bitter
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UHD May 11, 2022 04:39am
@Attiq, Dubai Fanatics won't understand what you want to tell them !
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UHD May 11, 2022 04:44am
@Ahmed khan lehri Grapes are sour !
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Faux Preacher May 11, 2022 08:41am
Now India has started shooting on its own foot.
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krishna May 11, 2022 09:52am
I wonder why it is not banned in UAE .Any idea?
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Ash May 11, 2022 10:29am
@Firdous here the truth is one sided.
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dgfsd May 11, 2022 10:35am
@Hamed The same number if not less than Hindus and Sikhs
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Faisal Sharif May 11, 2022 12:06pm
I don't now propaganda movie marking it's audience belive it's a true story.. Well done Singapore
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Aiza May 11, 2022 08:08pm
Sensible!
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A shah May 12, 2022 01:21am
An incredible real life film
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Kris May 12, 2022 07:48am
Freedom of expression....Singapore is a joke
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