RJ Sayema and director Vivek Agnihotri’s Twitter spat over film ‘Kashmir Files’

New Delhi: The Kashmir Files is making waves indeed, not just in multiplexes but also on Twitter. On Wednesday, noted Radio Jockey (RJ) Sayema and film director Vivek Agnihotri engaged in a Twitter spat over an incident at an OYO hotel, attributed to the movie.

The RJ-director sparring on Twitter began over an undated video in which a Kashmiri man is denied an OYO hotel room in Delhi. Tagging the video, RJ Sayema blamed the ‘divisive & hate filled’ movie The Kashmir Files for discrimination against Kashmiri youth.

मोहतर्मा, आप RJ हैं। कभी बुलाइए अपने radio show में। मिल के बातचीत करते हैं और दूध का दूध और पानी का पानी करते हैं। मंज़ूर है तो DM करिए। https://t.co/PgQxylrmGV

— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) March 23, 2022

Vivek’s dare vs Sayema’s posers

Expressing strong reservations, director Vivek Agnihotri called out Sayema for spreading false narrative and challenged her for a debate on the movie.

“Call me at the radio show. Debate will unearth the underlying truth,” he tweeted.

RJ Sayema was a bit hesitant in accepting Vivek’s dare, however added that ‘she is much more than an RJ’.

She also asked Vivek Agnihotri whether he will accept the blame for rising cases of hateful instances and commentary against Muslim community and will he condemn it.

My radio show is designed on a very specific and different theme. This discussion won’t fit in.
However, I am much more than just an RJ.
And I am curious why aren’t you condemning hateful trends, violence inciting instances in the name of #KashmirFiles ? https://t.co/Zz4McQUmb2

— Sayema (@_sayema) March 23, 2022

To this, Vivek replied, “lets have a dialogue with much more of you. Get a moderator of your choice. Don’t run away from dialogue.”

Sayema again replied to him and asked him not to deviate from the issue and reply to her ‘pointed question’.

Let’s have a dialogue with that ‘much more’ of you. Get a moderator of your choice. This is the golden moment in India’s history. Don’t run away from dialogue.

Pl RT if you want a democratic dialogue between me and @_sayema on Kashmir. https://t.co/rUYl3DYoAE

— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) March 23, 2022

Vivek Agnihotri’s film The Kashmir Files, released on March 11, has ignited heated discussion and debates across the country over atrocities & barbaric treatment of Kashmiri Hindus during the 1990s. Some incidents of altercation, fracas & slogan-shouting have also been reported from some multiplexes.

Not the first case of denial of room to Kashmiri youth

Nasir Khuehami, the national spokesperson of Jammu & Kashmir Students Union, who posted this video said it was the only incident and blamed it on the Kashmir Files.

However, digging the Twitter timelines, one gets to know that this is not just an isolated incident.

A twitter used named The Hawk Eye replied to Sayema and shared screenshots of newspaper cuttings which report that similar incidents happened in 2016.

Yes everything is on Vivek. Now check the dates of incidents. This is controversial since many yrs. Some cases may be consequences of security measures. But whatsoever may the reason, let’s drive our agenda against The Kashmir Files & incite people. pic.twitter.com/WMPZeEDjsx

— The Hawk Eye (@thehawkeyex) March 23, 2022