The BJP administrations in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh have declared the Bollywood movie “Article 370” as tax-free within their respective states.
According to PTI, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai made this announcement after viewing the film, which centers on the revocation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir, at a mall in the evening.
A day earlier, the BJP government in neighboring Madhya Pradesh had also granted the film tax-free status.
Accompanied by his wife Kaushalya Devi Sai and cabinet colleagues Ramvichar Netam and Kedar Kashyap, Sai issued a statement through the state public relations department.
Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale and featuring Yami Gautam, the film was released on February 23. “The film aptly portrays the situation in Kashmir and elucidates how Article 370 impeded its development progress and the efforts made by our leaders to nullify it,” the CM expressed. “Our belief revolves around the concept of one country, one constitution, and one emblem. Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir contradicted this fundamental principle. Our leaders vehemently opposed it since independence,” Sai remarked.
“We were committed to abrogating Article 370. This resolution was realized under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Today, Kashmir is progressing towards peace,” he added.
In the meantime, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav utilized the social media platform X to announce the decision. “In order for the state’s residents to comprehend the harsh realities of ‘Article 370’, we have opted to exempt the film ‘Article 370’ from taxes in Madhya Pradesh. Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has unlocked vast developmental prospects in Jammu and Kashmir by revoking the stigma of ‘Article 370’ from the region. This film offers an opportunity to closely examine the past and present circumstances of Jammu and Kashmir,” the CM elaborated.
On August 5, 2019, the central government nullified Article 370, thereby eliminating the special status of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir and reorganizing it into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
