A controversial film that hit cinemas in India this month has sparked violence and even a ban. It’s a fictionalized story about Hindu and Christian women being coerced into converting to Islam and joining ISIS in Syria and Afghanistan. The film’s supporters, including India’s president and the ruling BJP party, say it is based on thousands of real-life stories. It’s detractors say it rarely happened and that the film is propaganda. Raksha Kumar reports from Mumbai.
Without federal support, local stations, especially in rural and underserved areas, face deep cuts or even closure. Vital public service alerts, news, storytelling, and programming like The World will be impacted. The World has weathered many storms, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to being your trusted source for human-centered international news, shared with integrity and care. We believe public media is about truth and access for all. As an independent, nonprofit newsroom, we aren’t controlled by billionaire owners or corporations. We are sustained by listeners like you.
Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World.