A documentary looking at the atrocities of the 2002 Gujarat riots and its after effect in modern day Gujarat has been released with its first screening taking place in the Khalili Lecture Theatre at the University of London. A screening of the documentary has also been planned at the Al-Hikmah Centre.
‘Even the Crows: A Divided Gujarat’ by Sheena and Sonum Sumaria, looks through the intimate stories of Batley’s Imran Dawood – who was the sole survivor when attacked whilst on holiday – and American-Gujarati Nishrin Jaffri Hussain – whose father, a prominent Muslim MP, was butchered during the riots.
The film explores the way in which Nerendra Modi’s politics and Hindu nationalist ideology have polarised Gujarat along religious lines.
Since the anti-Muslim riots exploded in 2002, the Muslim minority population have been denied justice and marginalised to the ghettos. Meanwhile, Modi, who has continuously been accused of instigating the riots, has ridden a wave of popularity.
The film explores Modi’s link to the violence and the minority community’s ongoing struggle for justice.
Locations for the film are based in Gujarat, the US and Batley including the Al-Hikmah Centre where a meeting regarding the documentary took place last year.
The controversial Chief Minister of Gujarat is running to be India’s next Prime Minister, even though the accusations over his involvement in the genocide which claimed the lives of over 2000 Muslims including three men from Batley and their Muslim driver still hangs over him.
The Indian elections will run from 7 April to 12 May 2014 with the results being announced on 16 May.
Even The Crows had its first screening around the anniversary of the 2002 riots and further screenings are being scheduled across the country.
A showing of the documentary will take place at the Al-Hikmah Centre on Saturday 19 April 2014 from 5pm – 7pm.
Click to see the trailer
