Congress slams screening of film on PM’s life, calls it ‘propaganda theatre’

The Union Ministry of Education has instructed schools under the Central Board of Secondary Education, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti to screen Chalo Jeete Hain, a short film inspired by episodes from PM Narendra Modi’s childhood. The film is being screened till October 2 as part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations.

In a post on X, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal said, “The Education Ministry has a new idea of ‘nation building’ — classrooms as propaganda theatres. Students are being forced to watch a film glorifying the PM’s childhood under the pretext of ‘character and responsibility’.”

According to the Ministry’s directive, the initiative aims to reinforce “selflessness, empathy and duty to the nation”. The letter states that the film, already featured in the ‘Prerana: An Experiential Learning Programme’ at Modi’s school in Vadnagar, has “left a deep impression on participants, who internalised its message and reflected it in their actions.”

The 31-minute film, directed by Mangesh Hadawale and presented by Aanand L Rai and Mahaveer Jain, tells the story of a boy named Naru, who, influenced by Swami Vivekananda’s philosophy, learns about service and responsibility.

In Delhi, Kendriya Vidyalayas and private schools such as Mount Abu Public School in Rohini have scheduled screenings, while others are sharing the YouTube link due to mid-term exams. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also re-released the film across nearly 500 cinema halls, including PVR Inox, Cinepolis, Rajhans and Miraj.

The screenings have become part of BJP-led programmes nationwide. In Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, party leaders and workers attended a show at Miraj Cinema. In Jharkhand, BJP cadres gathered at Bokaro Mall.

Venugopal added, “The BJP wants to replace textbooks with PR scripts. Maybe the next subject is: ‘How to rig democracy 101’ or ‘Mastering jumlas in 30 days’. What our children truly need is real education, skills for the 21st century and genuine employment opportunities for the future, not state-sponsored hagiography of one man.” Congress MP Manickam Tagore termed it “an insult to Gandhi’s legacy”, questioning the decision to hold screenings on Gandhi Jayanti.