UCA News
Contribute

India bars film about Indira Gandhi's assassination

Filmmakers argue it is a 'balanced' account
India bars film about Indira Gandhi's assassination

Picture: Youtube

Published: August 22, 2014 08:17 AM GMT
Updated: August 21, 2014 10:00 PM GMT

Indian officials have blocked the release of a film about the assassination of former prime minister Indira Gandhi, fearing it could foster communal tension in Punjab and other northern states.

The Punjabi language film Kaum De Heere, or ‘Diamonds of a Community’, reportedly glorifies Gandhi's assassins, two Sikh men who were born in the northern Indian state. The movie had been scheduled for release on Friday.

“We have withdrawn the certificate of the film and barred it from release,” Leela Samson, chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, told ucanews.com.

Samson said she reviewed the film on Thursday after a request from the federal Home Ministry.

“The title itself suggests that the film is glorifying the killers of Indira Gandhi. They did not kill an ordinary person but a prime minister,” she said.

Gandhi was assassinated by two of her own Sikh bodyguards in 1984 in what was seen as an act of vengeance for a military operation against separatists at Sikhism’s holiest shrine – the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

The assassination sparked communal violence during which more than 3,000 Sikhs were killed in attacks across India.

Samson went on to clarify that the movie had not been banned, only barred from release. The makers of Kaum De Heere can still approach the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal to seek approval for release. 

Meanwhile, the filmmakers have defended the movie, pointing out that it is an objective depiction of actual events.

“No religion or sect has been belittled in the film. It is completely a balanced movie,” said the film’s producer Pradeep Bansal.

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia