Civil Society Criticizes 'The Bengal Files' for Promoting Division

A civil society organization has criticized the BJP, alleging that the party is attempting to create communal discord in West Bengal through the forthcoming film 'The Bengal Files', directed by the contentious filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri.

The film explores communal violence in undivided Bengal during the 1940s. Members of 'Desh Bachao Ganamancha', a group with a pro-TMC inclination, alongside prominent individuals from various fields, claim the film serves a "communal agenda" by the BJP in anticipation of the 2026 Assembly elections.

They argue it aims to distort Bengal's syncretic culture. Former state minister Purnendu Basu alleged that 'The Bengal Files' is a deliberate attempt to misrepresent Bengal's history for political gain, similar to Agnihotri's previous film, 'The Kashmir Files'.

(With inputs from agencies.)