The director of recently released Hindi film Kashmir Files is receiving flak on Twitter for making “false claims” about his movie.
Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri has been called out for claiming that the state of USA – Rhode Island has “officially recognised Kashmir Genocide” due to his film Kashmir Files.
On 14 March, Agnihotri shared a photo of a certificate on Twitter and wrote, “HISTORIC, First time in 32 years, any state in the world, the democratic & liberal state of USA -Rhode Island, has officially recognised Kashmir Genocide due to a very small film. Pl read this and decide who is the persecutor and who should get the punishment. This is #NewIndia (sic).”
A US based journalist said the claim was fake.
“I reached out to Rep.Brian Kennedy, who told me that citation was given to simply recognise the premiere of the movie at Rhode Island College & not “Hindu Genocide in Kashmir” It isn’t either a resolution approved by the state or members of House,” tweeted Raqib Hameed Naik.
“K. Joseph Shekarch, Speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, says that he is not even aware of this citation that was requested by Rep. Kennedy in off-session. It is not official position of the House,” a staffer told Naik.
“All citations requested by House members carry the pre-printed names of the Speaker and the two Leaders,” the staffer added.
People called out Agnihotri for making the claims.
A twitter user Vishal Rana said, “I appreciate you for making a movie on this challenging topic. Unfortunately, what you have stated in this tweet is not true. I reached out to Rep. Kennedy. He stated that the purpose of the certificate/citation was to recognize the premiere of the movie.”
“Anyone can request a citation and in almost 99% cases it is issued. It means nothing. It is not an endorsement. Toilet paper has more value than these citations,” another twitter user said.
