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Synopsis

The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Telangana High Court seeking to halt the release of the contentious film "Razakar: The Silent Genocide of Hyderabad,” citing fears of it inciting communal unrest. The hearing of the PIL is scheduled for March 11, 2024.

APCR’s concerns are rooted in the historical context of the Razakars and the sensitive nature of communal relations in the region. The Razakars were a paramilitary force associated with the Nizam's regime in Hyderabad, resisting the integration of Hyderabad into the Indian Union after independence, which is a delicate subject touching upon historical, religious, and regional identities.

The filing of the PIL was motivated by “growing concerns regarding the potentially inflammatory and divisive content of the movie, which has raised apprehensions of inciting communal disharmony,” said, Nadeem Khan, the Secretary of APCR. He also said the same was done following a collective agreement from the National Executive Committee of the organisation. Advocate Afsar Jahan, Vice President of APCR's Telangana chapter, will represent APCR in their case.

The film, slated for a March 15 release, has been mired in controversy with critics arguing it to be "blatantly Islamophobic” and lacking nuanced storytelling. The film, accused of painting a derogatory portrayal of the Muslim community, has stirred a significant uproar, particularly following the release of its initial trailer in September 2023.

The film, produced by BJP leader Gudur Narayana Reddy and directed by Yata Satyanarayana, is set to be released in five languages, including Telugu and Hindi. However, it has faced criticism regarding its depiction of the Razakars and the events subsequent to India's independence, especially concerning the Hyderabad State. The film aims to depict the alleged atrocities committed by the Razakars against the Hindu population during this turbulent period, marked by strife and the struggle for Hyderabad State’s integration into India.

Notably, the state, now divided between Telangana and parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra, was ultimately merged into the Indian Union on September 17, 1948, following the military intervention known as ‘Operation Polo’.

However, APCR and various political factions argue that the movie portrays a skewed, communal narrative, exacerbating tensions between Hindu and Muslim communities. They argue that it provides a simplified, biased narrative of the events preceding the integration of Hyderabad into India.

It is also contended that the film's narrative, mirrors themes seen in "The Kashmir Files" and "The Kerala Story," where allegedly the depiction of historical events is claimed to have been skewed to fit a particular communal narrative by dividing communities into monolithic groups of heroes and villains based on religious identity.

The timing of the film's release and its promotional campaigns has further fuelled the fire. Released in the run-up to the Telangana Assembly elections, the film's trailers have been accused of attempting to politicise Telangana's complex historical narrative by frequently equating contemporary political groups like the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) with historical figures such as the Nizams and Razakars. Critics, including the BRS working president KT Rama Rao, have voiced concerns over the film's potential to disrupt communal harmony and law and order, prompting discussions with the censor board and state authorities.

The film's creators, however, assert their intention to educate contemporary audiences about the tumultuous period following independence, aiming to present a narrative long absent from mainstream discourse.