Banned but Viral: Dhruv Rathee Releases Arvind Kejriwal’s ‘Unbreakable’ Documentary

The political corridors are abuzz with debates over the recently released documentary Unbreakable, centered on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Produced amidst growing political tensions, the documentary delves into the lives and struggles of key AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Satyendra Jain. However, the documentary has quickly become a lightning rod for controversy, sparking debates over freedom of expression, political propaganda, and the legality of its screening.

Youtube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlTqvapKydk&t=402s

Banned by Delhi Police, Uploaded by Dhruv Rathee

Initially, the Delhi Police banned the screening of Unbreakable, citing violations of the Model Code of Conduct in light of the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections. Despite this, the documentary found a new lease on life when prominent social media influencer Dhruv Rathee uploaded it online. Rathee titled the release “Watch This Documentary Before It Gets Banned,” which only amplified the intrigue and attention surrounding it. The video quickly went viral, attracting millions of views.

Critics argue that Rathee’s decision to share the documentary aligns him with AAP’s narrative, raising questions about his impartiality. Others view his actions as a challenge to censorship and an exercise of free speech.

The Timing and Political Strategy

The release of Unbreakable coincides with the high-stakes Delhi Assembly elections, raising suspicions of it being a calculated move to garner public sympathy and political mileage for AAP. The documentary portrays the arrests and struggles of senior AAP leaders—framed as a crusade against corruption—while alleging targeted political attacks from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, using agencies like the CBI, ED, and IB.

This isn’t the first time the AAP has resorted to visual storytelling. In 2013, the party released a similar video about its origins during the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare. However, the authenticity and motives behind such productions have often come under scrutiny.

Content and Allegations

The documentary claims to reveal an “untold story of a political movement” but has drawn sharp criticism for being a propaganda tool rather than a factual narrative. Critics have highlighted several inaccuracies and omissions, including:

Claim of First Sitting Chief Minister in Jail: The documentary presents Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest as unprecedented, ignoring historical precedents such as Tamil Nadu’s J. Jayalalithaa and others who faced legal action while in office.

Unverified Assertions: Allegations of a conspiracy by the BJP to dismantle the AAP lack concrete evidence and rely heavily on conjecture.

Selective Presentation: The documentary paints AAP leaders as martyrs while glossing over serious accusations, such as the liquor policy scandal and hawala transactions linked to Satyendra Jain.

Legal and Ethical Questions

The Delhi Police’s ban on the documentary’s public screening was based on its violation of the Election Commission’s guidelines, which require prior approval for politically sensitive content during the election period. Additionally, questions have been raised about the documentary’s funding. Critics have called for transparency, suggesting that the money spent on its production could have originated from questionable sources, including proceeds from alleged corruption cases.

Dhruv Rathee’s Role

Dhruv Rathee, known for his political commentary, has been accused of bias for promoting the documentary. His critics argue that his involvement undermines the objectivity of his platform, while supporters see his actions as a stand against censorship.

Historical Patterns

The controversy around Unbreakable echoes past incidents where AAP’s narrative has clashed with its actions. Several founding members, including Yogendra Yadav, Prashant Bhushan, and Kumar Vishwas, have parted ways with the party, citing internal corruption and deviation from its original principles. This raises questions about whether AAP’s “struggle” is against external forces or internal discord.

Broader Implications

The Unbreakable controversy reflects larger debates in Indian politics around:

Freedom of Expression vs. Political Propaganda: Where does one draw the line between exercising free speech and spreading partisan narratives?

Election Code Compliance: Should political parties have greater accountability for media they produce during election periods?

Transparency in Funding: How can political campaigns ensure that funding for promotional materials adheres to ethical and legal standards?

Conclusion

Unbreakable has undoubtedly succeeded in sparking a national conversation, but it has also exposed deep fractures in India’s political and media landscape. Whether viewed as a heartfelt tribute to AAP’s journey or a calculated piece of propaganda, its release underscores the growing role of media in shaping political narratives. For voters, the key takeaway is to critically analyze such content, separating fact from fiction, before forming opinions.