“FORM A TRUTH COMMISSION AND HANG ME IF I AM FOUND GUILTY”

Vivek Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files portrays the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah in a bad light, without naming him. A deeply upset and angered Abdullah spoke to Group Editorial Director (Publishing) Raj Chengappa about his version of events, the exodus of Kashmiri Pandits from the Valley and the closure the community needs. Excerpts from the interview:

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FAROOQ ABDULLAH

What do you think of the film The Kashmir Files and its impact?

A. This is a propaganda movie. It has raked up the 1990 tragedy, a tragedy that affected every soul in the state, not only the Hindu brethren who had to leave the Valley, but also the Muslim majority. It was a sad situation that was created only because of some elements who were interested in ethnic cleansing. Of course, they needed to be exposed. But is it necessary to create such hype in the country against Muslims? Leave aside the Muslims in Jammu and Kashmir, the rest of the Muslims in India too are facing the brunt of something they had nothing to do with. This propaganda will lead to the destruction of the nation itself because it will cause hatred between 80 per cent of the population and the remaining 20 per cent.

Q. The film seems to blame you partly for not taking any action as CM and, in fact, for being lax and allowing the situation to get out of hand…