Commenting on the latest directorial by Vivek Agnihotri, “The Kashmir Files”, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that the movie depicts “several things that people did not know” and which have now come to the public domain.
The movie, which focuses on the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley in the 1990s, has been mired in controversy since its release on March 11 with the BJP and Opposition parties sparring over the portrayal of the incidents.
“If someone makes a film, they have a perspective. I think it is good that several things, which people didn’t know, have come to the public domain and people now have fresh knowledge of the same,” Manoj Sinha said.
When asked about the film receiving the PM’s approval, the Governor said, “I think the PM thought well of it. Someone might have a different opinion, if someone wants to make a different film, then they have the right to do it. Where else will you find a country better than this where you can reside by saying whatever you want?”
His remarks came after PM Modi expressed his support for the film and called it a “very good movie”.
Further, Sinha informed that the Jammu and Kashmir administration has recently signed a MoU with Apollo. “It’s true that we don’t have big private players here. We have recently signed a MoU with Apollo. They are going to build a hospital in Jammu. We have 3-4 proposals for Srinagar too. I think they will show results soon,” he said.
He said that only three medical colleges including GMC Srinagar, GMC Jammu and SKIMS were there in Jammu and Kashmir earlier. “Once there were only three medical colleges here – GMC Srinagar, GMC Jammu and SKIMS. PM gave seven new medical colleges, two AIIMS, two cancer institutes. Compared to other states in terms of medical education and health infrastructure, you’ll find government infrastructure in a better position,” he added.