First film banning in Kashmir

“Under the direction of the Maharaja, G.E.C. Wakefield got a cinematograph film produced depicting the
unhygienic conditions under which women delivered children and the harsh treatment which was meted out
to them in the homes of their husbands. The scenario for the film was written by Ram Chandra Kak,
Political Secretary, (afterwards Prime Minister). It was an effective medium of propaganda for
social reform; but Pandits reacted unfavourably to the move and opposed the public exhibition of
the film. When an attempt was made to give a show of it in Srinagar, some young men resorted to
picketting. The Englishman was blamed for interference in the domestic affairs of the community.
Base political motives were ascribed to him. Ram Chandra Kak too came in for severe criticism.
Telegrams were dispatched to the Maharaja imploring him to intervene. Finally, Wakefield yielded to
the pressure and the film was withdrawn and never shown anywhere again.”

From ‘Daughters Of The Vitasta: A History of Kashmiri women from early times to the present day’ (1959), by Prem Nath Bazaz. More about the book and the complete book here.

G.E.C. Wakefield was Prime Minister of the Princely State of Jammu and Kashmir from 1929 to 1931.

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Previously: Tamasha comes to Kashmir, on missionaries who traveled to Kashmir with Magic Lantern in around 1903.

6 Replies to “First film banning in Kashmir”

  1. The exact date isn't given in the book. But G.E.C. Wakefield had started a Kashmiri Women's Welfare Association in 1928. Among other things the association did try to spread the word using cinematographic films and Magic lanterns.

  2. An important and testimony to the fact that conservatism and opposition to freedom of expression is not an essential/unchanging feature of a any particular community.

  3. And a testimony to the fact that conservatism shall always find opposition in freedom of expression and from within.

  4. conservatism is a component of every community but what matters is how fast the majority of that community changes with time, (while preserving the basics) evolves and outgrowes the level of maturity it has at any particular point of time….glad to see that our community has been evolving well so far….

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