Trailer launch of controversial film 'The Bengal Files' 'stopped' by Kolkata Police
Kolkata, Aug 16 (PTI): Kolkata Police on Saturday stopped the trailer launch of 'The Bengal Files', based on the 1946 Calcutta Riots, its director Vivek Agnihotri claimed.
The trailer of the controversial film was slated to be screened at a five-star hotel in the metropolis in the afternoon.
Police personnel present at the venue refused to comment on the issue.
Agnihotri, however, alleged that it was an attack on the democratic rights of people, as the censor board had cleared the film and "the Calcutta High Court stayed a ban on it".
The screening of the trailer was first stopped by a representative of the hotel around 1 pm, who said that permission had been granted for only a press conference, he said.
"If the hotel authorities wanted to stop the screening, why had they given permission to hold the press meet in the first place? How can a film's press meet be held without screening of its trailer?" Agnihotri said.
As the trailer was shown again a little later, "suddenly five-six Kolkata Police officers entered the banquet hall where the programme was being held and stopped the screening midway," the director claimed.
The filmmaker was also seen engaged in a heated argument with the police personnel and a hotel staff.
Agnihotri indicated that the screening was stopped at the behest of the ruling Trinamool Congress and "someone at top".
He alleged ruling party also exerted pressure on the hotel management to halt the trailer midway.
He asserted that 'The Bengal Files', "which is based on facts and has passed the censor hurdle", was being prevented from screening by the regime run by Trinamool Congress.
Asked if he meant the administration helmed by Mamata Banererjee, he told reporters, "I merely said someone at the top level."
In a post on X, he said, "With anguish I inform you: Today West Bengal police, on orders of 'top authorities', illegally stopped the trailer of #TheBengalFiles. First theatres, now even a private hotel. Who fears the truth of Hindu genocide? And why? Democracy is dead in Tagore & Vivekananda's land."
"The trailer is now being seen all over the country, but since it is based in Bengal, we wanted its launch here. They don't want the atrocities on Bengali Hindus in 1946 and the fightback of people like Gopal Mukherjee to be shown in cinema. If it is a part of history, do you want to change history?" he told reporters.
"There can be only one reason behind such a move, to ignore the conspiracy to divide Bengal again," Agnihotri said.
The trailer was later screened at the BJP party office in Salt Lake before party functionaries and the media.
'The Bengal Files' delves into the communal violence in undivided Bengal during the 1940s.
The film is scheduled to release in theatres on September 5.
Producer Abhishek Agarwal told PTI that "no force can stop us to release the film on September 5."
"We are taking advice from legal experts. The trailer launch programme had no legal hurdles. We will move the court soon after today's development," he said.
State BJP leaders Shankudeb Panda and Sisir Bajoria were also present at the trailer launch programme.
Reacting to the incident, Senior TMC leader and state Education Minister Bratya Basu wondered why Agnihotri was not making a film on the Gujarat riots of 2000.
"Is he working for the RSS-BJP? And about the police and hotel authorities' action, I can say that it was purely an administrative decision," Basu added.
Panda said, "The presence of policemen at a film's trailer launch programme is unthinkable. They forcibly stopped the screening of the trailer, which proves there is no democracy in Bengal. Leave it for the audience what to see and not when the censor board had already passed it."
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India, Ethiopia elevate ties to strategic partnership as PM Modi holds talks with his counterpart
Addis Ababa (PTI): India and Ethiopia on Tuesday elevated their historical ties to a strategic partnership, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held wide-ranging talks with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali during which they discussed issues of bilateral and mutual interest.
Modi, who arrived here from Jordan on his maiden bilateral visit, was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the National Palace ahead of the bilateral talks, reflecting the vibrant India-Ethiopia relations rooted in shared history and a promising future.
"We are elevating India and Ethiopia relations to a strategic partnership. This step will provide new energy, new momentum and new depth to our ties," Prime Minister Modi said during the delegation-level talks.
He thanked PM Ali for his support in India's fight against terrorism. "The support of friendly countries in this struggle against terrorism holds great significance," Modi said.
"Today, we got the opportunity to deliberate on the key aspects of our cooperation, such as economy, innovation, technology, defence, health, capacity-building and multilateral cooperation. I am pleased that today, we have decided to double the student scholarship for Ethiopia in India," Modi said.
Modi said that India and Ethiopia have shared contact, dialogue, and exchange for thousands of years. The two countries, which are rich in languages and traditions, are symbols of unity in diversity, he added.
"Both countries are democratic powers committed to peace and the welfare of humanity. We are co-travellers and partners of the Global South. On international platforms, we have stood shoulder-to-shoulder," he said.
The two sides signed eight MoUs/agreements, including upgrading ties to 'Strategic Partnership', customs cooperation, establishing data center at the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry, UN Peacekeeping training cooperation, debt restructuring under G20, more ICCR scholarships and AI short courses for Ethiopians, and support for maternal and neonatal healthcare.
Modi said the African Union's headquarters in Ethiopia makes the country a meeting point of African diplomacy. "Inspired by the common vision of an inclusive world, in 2023, India ensured that the African Union became a G20 member," he said.
In 2023, during India’s G20 Presidency, the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the G20.
Modi said that though this is his first visit, he felt a deep sense of belonging and warmth, reflecting the thousands of years of connection between the two countries.
On his part, Prime Minister Ali said the two countries share over thousands of years of connection through trade, diplomacy, education, culture and even in our food and traditions. "These ties continue to shape a deep friendship, collaboration and mutual respect between our people," he said.
"We also appreciate your consistent message that Africa's priorities must lead the partnership. These kinds of dignified, respectful messages for Africa are very important. Mr Prime Minister, keep pushing. That is the type of message we are expecting from all our trusted friends," Ali said.
He said this aligned fully with Ethiopia's development plan - African-owned, African-led, and African-defined.
"Today, we meet with a clear focus to shape a modern partnership, grounded in sovereignty, self-reliance and practical cooperation. Our cooperation is rooted in equality and South-South solidarity," he said.
"Our economy is performing strongly. Last year, we grew 9.2% and this year we are expecting 10.3% GDP growth. Besides GDP growth, our FDI inflow is also rising big time. India is the leading source for our FDI," he said.
"We have more than 615 Indian companies which are investing in Ethiopia. This all gives our cooperation a strong foundation of trust. I think our decision today that we elevate our historic relationship to a strategic relationship is the right decision," he added.
Ethiopia also conferred its highest award - The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia - on PM Modi. He is the first global head of state to receive this award.
Prime Minister Modi also went to the Friendship Park and Friendship Square in Addis Ababa with PM Ali.
In a warm and special gesture, PM Modi was earlier received by his Ethiopian counterpart at the airport and accorded a warm and colourful welcome.
"Ethiopia is a nation with great history and vibrant culture," Modi said.
PM Ali informed his Indian counterpart about the varieties of Ethiopian coffee during informal talks.
"At Addis Ababa airport, took part in a traditional Coffee Ceremony with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali. The ceremony beautifully highlights Ethiopia’s rich heritage," Modi said.
In a unique gesture, the Ethiopian Prime Minister drove Modi to the hotel.
On the way, he took a special initiative of taking PM Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park, which was not in the itinerary.
"Gratitude to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali for showing me glimpses of Ethiopian history and culture at the National Palace Museum in Addis Ababa. It was a powerful reminder of Ethiopia’s rich traditions," Modi said in a post on X.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Ethiopian PM’s special gestures show remarkable respect for Modi, sources said.
"Thank you Ethiopia for a welcome that was unforgettable. The Indian community showed remarkable warmth and affection. India-Ethiopia friendship is going to get even more robust in the times to come," Modi said.
When Modi arrived at the hotel, he was warmly welcomed by the members of the Indian community. Local artists performed dances. Some of them danced on the theme of the popular Hindi song 'Aisa Des Hai Mera' to welcome him.
On Wednesday, Modi will address the Joint Session of Parliament and share his thoughts on India's journey as the "Mother of Democracy" and the value that the India-Ethiopia partnership can bring to the Global South.
PM Modi arrived in Ethiopia from Jordan, where he held a one-on-one meeting with King Abdullah II at the Husseiniya Palace on Monday before the delegation-level talks.
India and Jordan also inked MoUs in the fields of culture, renewable energy, water management, digital public infrastructure and twinning arrangement between Petra and Ellora, aimed at giving a major boost to bilateral ties and friendship.
From Ethiopia, Modi will visit Oman on the final leg of this three-nation tour.
