GUWAHATI: State government employees will get half-day leave if they watch the film, ‘The Kashmir Files’, running in theatres here now, announced chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
On Tuesday evening, Sarma, along with his ministerial colleagues and legislators, mostly from the BJP-led coalition, watched the film. “Those who want to avail the half-day leave will have to submit the cinema tickets to their senior officers,” the chief minister said.
Sarma said that they became very emotional as it’s a true portrayal. “In Assam there is no entertainment tax and now we have given a half-day leave to government employees,” he said.
“People should see the plight of Kashmiri Pandits. The film shows how the centre of Sanatan Sabhyata faced aggression. The situation in Assam is not better than Kashmir’s. But our people are politically united and we can foresee what might come. We are ready, but Kashmiri Pandits were not,” said Sarma.
“Whether Hindus or Muslims, most people in every section want to live in harmony. Many people will compare Assam with Kashmir after watching the film. But I will say Assam is in a much better position,” he added.
Taking a dig at opposition parties for criticizing the film, Sarma asserted that ‘The Kashmir Files’ is a true story backed by historical facts. “Those behind the exodus should be treated as terrorists. Terrorism is not linked to Hindus, Muslims or Christians. Everyone should watch the movie and condemn terrorism,” Sarma said.
“The Kashmiri Pandit genocide & their exodus are a blot on humanity. Moved by the heart-wrenching portrayal of their plight in #TheKashmirFiles, which I watched along with my Cabinet colleagues and MLAs of @BJP4Assam & allies. Kudos @vivekagnihotri & co for holding out the truth,” he tweeted.
