Assam CM announces half-day leave for govt employees to watch The Kashmir Files

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced that all Assam government employees could have a half-day's leave to watch 'The Kashmir Files' provided they produce the tickets for the movie the next day. He watched the movie at a local theatre in Guwahati along with his cabinet colleagues and party members.

Glad to announce that our Govt employees will be entitled for half-day special leave to watch #TheKashmirFiles.

They will have to only inform their superior officers and submit the tickets the next day. pic.twitter.com/RNQzOk9iCK — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) March 15, 2022

CM Sarma applauded the movie in a tweet saying, “Moved by the heart-wrenching portrayal of their plight in #TheKashmirFiles, which I watched along with my Cabinet colleagues and MLAs of @BJP4Assam & allies."

The Kashmiri Pandit genocide & their exodus are a blot on humanity.

Moved by the heart-wrenching portrayal of their plight in #TheKashmirFiles, which I watched along with my Cabinet colleagues and MLAs of @BJP4Assam & allies.

Kudos @vivekagnihotri & co for holding out the truth pic.twitter.com/Li8deBW9Ld — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) March 15, 2022

CM Sarma’s announcement follows the lead of other national leaders in the country who have publicly appreciated the film. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asked all those gathered in a BJP parliamentary party meeting to watch the movie.

ALSO READ | PM Modi tells BJP MPs The Kashmir Files is a good film, everyone should watch it

Several state governments have waived the tax on the film, encouraging people to watch the movie. Among them, the most recent announcement was made by the Uttarakhand government.

CM Sarma clarified on Twitter that there is no need for a waiver as Assam doesn’t have any entertainment tax.

(With inputs from Pallav Bora)