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by Sharad Rai
It is often said that a baby mongoose, after being born, starts biting its mother's bones. A similar situation is unfolding in Bangladesh, where the government has banned the release of the film Emergency, which chronicles the life of Indira Gandhi, the woman who played a pivotal role in the creation of Bangladesh. The film, directed and produced by Kangana Ranaut, was set to release on January 17 in India and internationally, but it has now been banned in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s Ban on Emergency and Its Historical Context
To understand the reason behind Bangladesh’s ban on Emergency, we must look back at the country's history. Bangladesh was born in 1971, at a time when Indira Gandhi was the powerful Prime Minister of India. At that time, Bangladesh was a part of Pakistan, known as East Pakistan. The government of Pakistan was oppressing the people of East Pakistan, and many began fleeing to India to escape the brutality. The Mukti Bahini (Liberation Army) led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman began fighting against Pakistan’s regime.
Amid the growing refugee crisis and escalating violence by Pakistan, Indira Gandhi made a crucial decision to send Indian troops to support the Mukti Bahini. With the might of the Indian Army, India helped break Pakistan into two, and East Pakistan became the independent country of Bangladesh. India played an instrumental role in the creation of Bangladesh, earning the gratitude of the newly-formed nation. The world recognized Bangladesh as an independent nation, and Pakistan has since viewed India as its enemy.
However, Bangladesh, now backed by Pakistan and China, has been running anti-India campaigns. Statues of the founder of the Mukti Bahini and the first President of Bangladesh, Mujibur Rahman, have been destroyed in Bangladesh. Hindu temples and the Hindu community living in Bangladesh have faced increasing persecution. Ironically, the very nation that owes its independence to Indira Gandhi’s leadership is now opposing a film about her life. The film Emergency, which focuses on a chapter of her life during the Emergency period, has been banned in Bangladesh.
In Emergency, Kangana Ranaut portrays the role of Indira Gandhi, while she is also the writer and director of the film. Other popular actors like Anupam Kher feature in the movie, and they have a significant fan following in Bangladesh. The reason for the film’s ban in Bangladesh is believed to be the growing tensions between the two countries. However, this situation could be likened to a mongoose trying to defy its mother—a country born due to Indira Gandhi’s efforts now taking a stand against a film about her.
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