On Monday, “The Sabarmati Report” was screened at the Balyogi Auditorium in the Parliament garnering significant attention, particularly due to the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several senior cabinet ministers, including Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh.
The film, directed by Dheeraj Sarna and featuring actors Vikrant Massey, Raashii Khanna, and Ridhi Dogra, focuses on the controversial events surrounding the burning of the Sabarmati Express near Godhra station on February 27, 2002, which resulted in the deaths of 59 people and several more in the following Gujarat Riots. This incident has been a pivotal moment in modern Indian history, often associated with communal tensions and political controversy whose effects are felt even in the politics of the day.
The screening was attended by members of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and has been actively promoted by the BJP, with several NDA-ruled states declaring the film tax-free to encourage public viewership. Following the screening, PM Modi praised the filmmakers for their efforts in revealing what he termed the “truth” behind the incident, a sentiment echoed by other attendees, including the film’s cast. The film’s narrative, while consistent with the government-constituted Nanavati-Mehta Commission, goes against the findings of the independent Concerned Citizens Tribunal (CCT), headed by Teesta Setalvad.
The event has sparked discussions about the film’s narrative and its implications for the political landscape, particularly given Modi’s role as Gujarat’s Chief Minister during the time of the incident, something the Supreme Court had compared to that of Nero, the Roman emperor who played the fiddle while Rome burned.
Jargon
- The Sabarmati Report: A film that dramatises the events surrounding the burning of the Sabarmati Express train in Godhra, Gujarat, on February 27, 2002, which resulted in the deaths of 59 people. The film aims to present a narrative that counters previous accounts of the incident.
- Godhra Incident: Refers to the event where a coach of the Sabarmati Express was set on fire, leading to significant communal riots across India, particularly in Gujarat. The incident is often cited in discussions about communal tensions in India.
- PM Modi: Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, who was the Chief Minister of Gujarat at the time of the Godhra incident. His leadership during and after the riots has been a subject of intense political debate.
- Tax-Free: A designation given to films by certain state governments to encourage public viewing by waiving off the entertainment tax. This is often used as a strategy to promote films that align with the ruling party’s narrative.
- NDA: National Democratic Alliance, a coalition of political parties in India led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The alliance plays a significant role in Indian politics, especially in the context of the current government.
Viewpoints 💭
- The left criticizes the screening of ‘The Sabarmati Report’ as an attempt by the BJP to rewrite history and promote a narrative that absolves Modi of any responsibility for the 2002 riots.
- They argue that the film’s tax-free status in BJP-ruled states is a misuse of state resources to propagate a politically motivated version of events.
- The left views the film as a distraction from pressing national issues such as economic challenges and unemployment, which they believe the government is failing to address.
- Critics from the left accuse the BJP of using cinema as a tool for political propaganda, aiming to influence public perception ahead of elections.
- They express concern over the film’s potential to reignite communal tensions by presenting a one-sided narrative of the Godhra incident.
- The left perceives the film as a political manoeuvre to sanitise Modi’s image, while the right views it as a truthful representation of historical events.
- While the left criticises the use of state resources for promoting the film, the right justifies it as a necessary step to correct historical narratives.
- The left argues that the film diverts attention from current socio-economic issues, whereas the right believes it addresses long-standing historical grievances.
- The left fears the film could exacerbate communal tensions, but the right sees it as a means to promote national unity by revealing the truth.
- The left accuses the BJP of using cinema for political gain, while the right considers it a legitimate tool for historical education and justice.
- The right praises ‘The Sabarmati Report’ for shedding light on what they consider the true events of the Godhra train burning, countering previous narratives they deem false.
- They support the film’s tax-free status as a means to ensure widespread access to what they believe is an important historical truth.
- The right views the film as a necessary corrective to the alleged misinformation spread by previous governments and media about the 2002 riots.
- They argue that the film’s narrative aligns with their commitment to transparency and justice for the victims of the Godhra incident.
- The right sees the screening as a reaffirmation of their stance on national security and the importance of addressing historical grievances.
Prominent Voices 📣
- Priyank Kharge (Karnataka Minister): Criticised PM Modi for prioritising film screenings over addressing pressing national issues, questioning his focus on real problems like those in Manipur.
1
- Narendra Modi (Prime Minister of India): Praised the film for its truthful portrayal of the Godhra incident, emphasising the importance of revealing facts over alleged false narratives.
3
- Amit Shah (Union Home Minister): Attended the screening, underscoring the film’s alignment with the government’s perspective on historical events.
4
5
- Yogi Adityanath (Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh): Commended the film for its narrative and its role in “exposing the truth” of the Godhra incident.
- Ashwini Vaishnaw (Information and Broadcasting Minister): Highlighted the cultural and historical significance of the film, indicating its relevance to the government’s communication strategy.
- Hema Malini (BJP MP and veteran actress): Praised the film for its sensitive portrayal of the events.
6
- Pramod Sawant (Chief Minister of Goa): Supported the film and its portrayal of events, aligning with the government’s perspective.
- Mayank Nayak (BJP MP): Asserted that the film exposes the truth and counters attempts to tarnish PM Modi’s and the Gujarat government’s reputation.
7
- Nayab Singh Saini (BJP Leader): Acknowledged the film’s role in exposing political narratives surrounding the Godhra incident.
