How Will Congress Respond to the Screening of 'The Accidental Prime Minister'?

The debate over the screening of The Accidental Prime Minister is intensifying as the political landscape in India remains polarized. With the movie set to hit theaters, many are curious how the opposition party, Congress, will react. Will they seek to ban it, or will their actions be more strategic in nature?

The Verdict Is Already In

According to the trailer of the film, there is little controversy surrounding The Accidental Prime Minister. The movie has already been given a green light by the censor board, which suggests that any attempts by Congress to block it could be seen as a double-edged sword.

Initially, Congress raised some issues with the release of the movie, but these objections have now been dismissed. The passing of the film by the censor board means that it will likely go ahead as planned. The opposition party now has a decision to make: will they actively oppose the screening, or will they adopt a more passive approach to manage perceptions and publicity?

Strategic Non-Resistance

Given the current dynamics, it seems that Congress has little choice but to allow the movie to screen. Here are two key reasons why:

Freedom of Expression

Congress has been a vocal advocate for free speech, often arguing that the BJP is suppressing it. If Congress were to oppose the screening of The Accidental Prime Minister, they would risk appearing hypocritical. The opposition party faces a public relations challenge here. The more vocal they are against the film, the more it will gain publicity and interest.

Moreover, if the movie is banned in Congress-ruled states, the BJP is unlikely to tolerate it in their states, making a partial ban ineffective. The film would likely maintain its relevance and public interest regardless of local bans.

Psychological Warfare

The psychology of movies like The Accidental Prime Minister is such that the more you attempt to suppress a movie, the more it garners attention. History has shown this in the context of similar controversial films. For instance, the large-scale protests and bans on Padmavati resulted in the movie gaining immense popularity and sparking conversations about artistic freedom. The same pattern is likely to emerge here.

By opposing the screening, Congress runs the risk of inadvertently promoting the film. The public's curiosity and desire for information about the movie could drive it to the top of the charts, benefiting the BJP indirectly.

Conquering the Opposition Through Publicity

Instead of openly opposing the screening, Congress might choose to discredit the film's authenticity quietly. Their hope would be that fewer people would watch it, thereby reducing its overall impact. This strategy would involve negative campaigning and spreading misinformation to cast doubt on the film's credentials without needing to engage in direct censorship.

Conclusion

Given the current political climate and the strategic imperatives of both parties, it is likely that Congress will allow the screening of The Accidental Prime Minister. Their main goal would be to manage public perception and limit the film's impact. The political dance continues, and the screening of this controversial movie is likely to be a contentious topic in the coming weeks and months.