Vivek Agnihotri calls out 'hate campaign' as foreign journalists cancel his press conference
03 May 2022 15:20:24
Mumbai, May 3: 'The Kashmir Files' director Vivek Agnihotri has always been open about the alleged steps taken against his film. Now, he has alleged that a group of foreign journalists invited him to address a press conference on his blockbuster movie.
He said he has decided to go with an 'alternate and open-house press conference in the interest of India, democracy, free speech and truth.' He invited Indian and foreign media to join him on May 5 at Press Club of India, New Delhi.
Agnihotri stated that his press conference was cancelled after some members of 'powerful media' expressed objection to it. He has now called a separate press conference to protest against the 'undemocratic', 'anti-free-speech' and 'agenda-driven' act against him.
"Few days back, the global Kashmiri Pandits diaspora informed me that the foreign correspondents club in New Delhi was very keen to host me for a press conference as many foreign media wanted to talk to me about The Kashmir Files and the truth of the Kashmiri Hindu genocide," Agnihotri said.
A press conference was fixed for the May 5 at the Foreign Correspondents Club, New Delhi at 7 PM, he said. Agnihotri continued, "On their demand, even a Zee Studio executive flew to Delhi and made all the arrangements including their unusual demand to host cocktails and dinner."
"All logistics, invites were made, but to my shock, yesterday I received a call from their president saying that the event has to be cancelled as some very powerful media have taken strong objection to this conference and have threatened to resign en masse if it is allowed. The club's management surrendered to agenda-driven, anti-free speech and anti-truth and cancelled the press conference in an undemocratic manner."
He said, "I think, dear friends, it is important to know how some agenda-driven foreign media is part of an anti-India, anti-truth and anti-free speech conspiracy. I have been a victim of the same media which has been falsely blaming Indian for spreading hate. Though I have been advised by many to let it pass as they are very powerful people, my conscience does not allow this attack on free speech."
He said he has decided to go with an 'alternate and open-house press conference in the interest of India, democracy, free speech and truth.' He invited Indian and foreign media to join him on May 5 at Press Club of India, New Delhi.