Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday said that the huge amount earned from 'The Kashmir Files' film should be used for the welfare of the displaced Kashmiri Pandits and rebuilding their homes.
Speaking in the Delhi Assembly, he said that the pain of the community should be felt by the people and not "be sold in crores." “The huge earnings from this movie should be either put into a new welfare foundation or existing foundations working for the Kashmiri Pandit community.” “The Kejriwal Government gave permanent jobs to 233 Kashmiri Pandit teachers. They struggled for survival in Delhi for 25 years but the BJP leaders didn't even meet them.
The BJP has been in power at the Centre and Kashmir for eight years but did not help them,” he said. Sisodia further said that the BJP spent 32 years playing politics over Kashmiri lives and is now promoting 'The Kashmir Files'.
He demanded rehabilitation of the Kashmiri Pandits immediately. "I have not been able to watch the film, as I was busy with the (Delhi) Budget. So I cannot comment on the quality of the film.
But, it's fine that a film has been made on the suffering of the Kashmiri Pandit community, and it should be seen by everyone. But, their pains should be felt by other people, and not be sold in crores," Sisodia said. The controversial film, directed by Vivek Agnihotri and starring Anupam Kher and other veteran actors, has triggered a raging debate on the exodus and subsequent sufferings of Kashmiri Pandits and grossed over Rs 200 crore at the box office.
Recently, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said in the Assembly that the film should be put on YouTube for free so that everyone could watch it. The BJP in Delhi has been demanding that the film be made tax-free in the national Capital.