Criticism of “nationalist propaganda” film prompts concern about upcoming Sikh Genocide release

Criticism of “The Kashmir Files” film released this month has prompted concerns about an upcoming release by the same director called “The Delhi Files”, which will be based on one chapter of India’s Sikh genocide.

“The Kashmir Files” is a release by Vivek Agnihotri, a filmmaker who has been called anti-Sikh for comments around Khalistan (movement for a free Sikh homeland), his support of Hindu extremist group the RSS and his anti-#FarmersProtest stances. The Kashmir Files, based on a fictional tale, centres on the alleged genocide of Kashmiri Pandits (Hindus) by Islamic extremists in the disputed region of Kashmir.

The film has caused controversy for its narrative which has been evoking reactions among Hindus which includes calls for the rape of Muslim children and calls for a Muslim genocide. Among those openly calling the film nationalist propaganda are a former R&AW (Research and Analysis Wing- Indian intelligence service) chief, a US law professor and even some Kashmiri Pandits themselves.

“The Kashmir Files” has been supported by the in-power nationalist BJP Party of India, with it being given tax-free showings (making tickets cheaper for the public) and even free showings across India too. The RSS also officially endorsed the film. The film has now begun getting showings outside of India too, with Vue Cinema showing it in the UK, Hoyts showing it in Australia and other international cinema groups set to follow.

“The Delhi Files” will be released in October of this year and Sikh organisations across the world are already planning how to counteract potential anti-Sikh propaganda within the film.

The Indian nationalist narrative around what happened in 1984 usually revolves around claiming Sikh separatists, led by Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale, were terrorising Punjab, forcing the Indian state into an attack on revered Sikh site Sri Harmandir Sahib in June 1984. However, in reality Sikhs across the world revere Sant Jarnail Singh Khalsa Bhindranwale to this day, with his image prominent in Sikh spaces across the world. Nationalist propaganda also downplays what occurred in November 1984, when mobs across India raped and massacred Sikhs wherever they could be found. Official government statistics often place figures of the deaths within this period at approximately 3000, depending on the source. However, Sikh estimates made based on groundwork of connecting directly with families that suffered losses estimate approximately 30,000 Sikhs were killed in just a few days, before the genocide continued with “fake encounter” massacres led by Punjab Police.

For more information on the Sikh genocide, check out sikhpa.com/sikhgenocide84.