Singapore banned a controversial Kashmir film that India’s Modi hailed.
Singapore has outlawed a divisive Indian film portraying Hindus fleeing Muslim-majority Kashmir, citing concerns about the film’s “potential to incite hatred amongst different populations.”
“The Kashmir Files” has been praised by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his right-wing Hindu nationalist supporters, and it has been a box office success, while detractors claim it is inaccurate and promotes anti-Muslim feeling.
“The film will be denied classification due to its controversial and one-sided representation of Muslims, as well as depictions of Hindus being persecuted in the ongoing conflict in Kashmir,” the Singapore government stated in a statement to the media on Monday.
“These images have the ability to engender animosity between different populations, and they have the potential to do so.” The majority of Singapore’s 5.5 million residents are ethnic Chinese, Malays, and Indians. Any attempt to disturb inter-racial and religious harmony is punishable under the Southeast Asian city-harsh state’s regulations.
Supporters of the 170-minute Hindi-language film claim it sheds insight on an often-overlooked chapter of Kashmir’s history, while detractors believe it demonstrates Modi’s growing religious polarization since taking office in 2014.
