Blinding Kashmir, Erasing History: Bollywood's War on Memory

In 2016, Kashmir faced severe unrest, with curfews, internet cuts, and pellet guns causing mass injuries and blindness. The upcoming Bollywood film 'Chauhan' trivializes this, sparking outrage among those who lived through it. Human rights groups condemned the use of pellet guns, which left thousands injured and hundreds blinded, including a 19-month-old baby. Despite international criticism, the Indian government acknowledged the injuries but did not ban the weapons. Bollywood often portrays Kashmir as a security issue, erasing Kashmiri suffering and influencing public perceptions. The film 'Chauhan' risks mocking pellet victims' suffering, raising concerns about Bollywood's role in shaping public memory and understanding of Kashmir.