"However, after we completed our initial classification process, concerns were raised with me about potential risk of harm to the Muslim community in relation to the release of this film. These concerns appeared to us to be genuine, and sufficiently serious to cause us to pause and review our classification for this film", Shanks remarked.
"This is an incredibly emotional topic for many Hindu, Muslim, Indian, and Pakistani New Zealanders. Internationally, there has been significant debate over its content and the facts. Regardless of what the film is about, we cannot rewrite history. We can only learn, debate, and discuss its impacts", Lee remarked.
He also pointed out that "The Kashmir Files" was widely regarded as "based on facts" and had been "defended by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi".
"An individual has shown the courage to expose the truth, but this ecosystem is hell-bent on shaming his efforts. They also do not want to understand or allow others to do the same. They do not want to accept the truth, nor do they want the truth to be revealed in front of the world. The type of campaign that has been launched against the movie in the last few days is astounding", Modi stated.
"Terrorism in all its forms, no matter what its source, should be exposed and opposed. This attempt at selective censorship would amount to one further attack on the freedom of New Zealanders and people worldwide", said Peters.