Thursday, September 21, 2023

Cultural genocide

 


Forced assimilation is a form of cultural genocide that has been used throughout history to oppress and marginalize indigenous peoples. It is a violation of their human rights and has had devastating consequences for their cultures, languages, and ways of life.


The United Nations has taken steps to address the issue of forced assimilation and to protect the human rights of indigenous peoples. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which was adopted in 2007, affirms the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination and to maintain their own cultures, languages, and identities. The UN also has a number of other bodies and mechanisms that work to promote and protect the rights of indigenous peoples.


Despite these efforts, forced assimilation is still a problem in many parts of the world. Indigenous peoples continue to be subjected to discrimination, violence, and other forms of abuse. They are also often denied access to education, health care, and other essential services.


The UN and other international organizations need to continue to work to protect the human rights of indigenous peoples. They also need to support indigenous communities in their efforts to preserve their cultures and languages. Forced assimilation is a crime against humanity, and it must be stopped.


Here are some specific examples of how forced assimilation has been used against indigenous peoples:



*In Canada, indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in boarding schools where they were forbidden to speak their native languages or practice their traditional cultures.


**In the United States, the federal government implemented a policy of "kill the Indian, save the man" that involved forcibly assimilating Native Americans into white culture. This included boarding schools, allotments, and assimilation programs.


***In Australia, indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in "missions" and "homelands" where they were forced to work and adopt white culture.


China has been accused of carrying out a campaign of forced assimilation against Tibetans. This includes policies such as Han Chinese migration to Tibet, restrictions on Tibetan language and culture, and the suppression of Tibetan Buddhism.

China has also restricted Tibetan language and culture. Tibetan is no longer the language of instruction in most schools in Tibet, and it is difficult to find Tibetan-language media or publications. Tibetan cultural practices, such as religious festivals and traditional dress, are also suppressed. This has made it difficult for Tibetans to maintain their distinct cultural identity.


Finally, China has cracked down on Tibetan Buddhism. Many Tibetan monasteries have been destroyed or closed, and monks and nuns have been imprisoned or harassed. This has severely restricted Tibetans' ability to practice their religion freely.


The Chinese government has defended its policies in Tibet, arguing that they are necessary to promote economic development and social stability. However, Tibetans and human rights groups argue that these policies are an attack on Tibetan culture and identity.


The United Nations has expressed concern about the situation in Tibet, and has called on China to respect Tibetans' human rights. However, China has so far refused to make any significant changes to its policies in Tibet.


The large-scale migration of Kashmiri Pandits is often seen as part of an assimilationist agenda. This is because the Kashmiri Pandits were a minority community in Kashmir, and their departure led to a more homogeneous Muslim population. Some people believe that this was done intentionally in order to make Kashmir a more Islamic state.


It is possible that the assimilationist agenda was one of the factors that contributed to the migration of Kashmiri Pandits. However, it is important to remember that this was just one of many factors, and it is impossible to say for sure what role it played.


The migration of Kashmiri Pandits has had a profound impact on Kashmir. It has led to a loss of cultural heritage and diversity, and it has created a sense of insecurity among the remaining Kashmiri Pandits. The Indian government has taken some steps to address the issue, but much more needs to be done to help Kashmiri Pandits return to their homes and rebuild their lives.

The exodus of Kashmiri Hindus is a complex event with a long and contested history. There is no single agreed-upon definition of what constitutes forced assimilation or cultural genocide, and the applicability of these terms to the exodus is a matter of ongoing debate.

Some argue that the exodus was a form of forced assimilation, as it was motivated by a desire to forcibly assimilate Kashmiri Hindus into Muslim society. They point to the fact that the exodus was accompanied by widespread violence and intimidation, and that many Kashmiri Hindus were forced to leave their homes and businesses behind.


Others argue that the exodus was not a form of forced assimilation, but rather a form of cultural genocide. They point to the fact that the exodus resulted in the loss of a distinct Kashmiri Hindu culture, and that it was accompanied by a deliberate attempt to erase Kashmiri Hindu history and identity.


The documentary The Kashmir Files: Unreported is a recent attempt to document the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus. The film has been praised by some for its powerful portrayal of the events leading up to and during the exodus. However, the film has also been criticized by others for its one-sided portrayal of the events, and for its alleged use of historical inaccuracies.


Ultimately, whether the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus can be considered as forced assimilation or cultural genocide is a matter of interpretation. There is no single agreed-upon answer, and the applicability of these terms is likely to continue to be debated for many years to come.

The Kashmir Files is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language drama film written and directed by Vivek Agnihotri. The film presents a fictional storyline centred around the 1990 exodus of Kashmiri Hindus from Indian-administered Kashmir. It depicts the exodus and the events leading up to it as a genocide, a framing considered inaccurate by scholars. The film claims that such facts were suppressed by a conspiracy of silence.


The film was released in India on 11 March 2022. It was declared tax-free by six states – Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, Goa, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The film was nominated for the 69th National Film Awards in six categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Anupam Kher), Best Supporting Actor (Darshan Kumar), Best Supporting Actress (Pallavi Joshi) and Best Screenplay. The film won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration.


The film has been praised by some for its powerful portrayal of the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus. However, the film has also been criticized for its factual inaccuracies and its alleged promotion of Hindu nationalism.


Nadav Lapid, the Israeli filmmaker and jury chief of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), called the film "propaganda". He said that the film "distorts history" and "spreads hatred".


The film's director, Vivek Agnihotri, has defended the film, saying that it is a "true story" that needs to be told. He has also said that the film is not about spreading hatred, but about raising awareness about the plight of Kashmiri Hindus.


The Kashmir Files has been a box office success, grossing over ₹340 crore worldwide. The film has also been the subject of much political debate. Some politicians have praised the film, while others have criticized it.


The film's release has also coincided with a rise in communal tensions in India. Some people have accused the film of stoking communal violence. However, the film's director has denied these accusations.


The Kashmir Files is a controversial film that has generated a lot of debate. The film's factual inaccuracies and its alleged promotion of Hindu nationalism have been criticized by some. However, the film has also been praised by others for its powerful portrayal of the exodus of Kashmiri Hindus.


These are just a few examples of the many ways in which forced assimilation has been used against  peoples. It is a form of cultural genocide that has had devastating consequences for their cultures, languages, and ways of life.

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