#ZairaWasim effect: Change of stance, BJP demands reopening of cinema halls in Kashmir

It is for the first time in recent years that a mainstream party has sought reopening of cinema halls in the sensitive Kashmir region

By: Majid Hyderi |
January 17, 2017 1:57 pm

Coming up in support of Dangal girl Zaira Wasim, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded to reopen cinema halls in Kashmir.

BJP spokesman Khalid Jahangir took to social media in support of Zaira and equally sought the reopening of cinema halls. Jahangir posted his picture on Twitter wherein he holds a placard which reads: “I support Zaira, open cinema halls in Kashmir.” The BJP leader has also tagged Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s official twitter handle to his post.

Confirming his demand, the BJP spokesman said it is the right time to set Kashmir back on the track of normalcy. “See, we all–be it politicians or the businessmen from middle class or upper middle class from Kashmir–watch movies. Whenever we go for vacations out of Kashmir, the first thing we do is watch movies. When we all do it, why should the common people of Kashmir not enjoy this right,” he told InUth. He further added, “Let the young generation of Kashmir have same facilities which rest of India enjoys.”

It is for the first time in recent years that a mainstream party, which is also an ally of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party-led government has sought reopening of cinema halls in the sensitive region.

Cinema halls have been closed in Kashmir since 1990s after armed insurgency erupted in the Valley. Both militants and separatists have been against the reopening of cinema halls.