The documentary Disciples, directed by Pankaj Johar and Sunaina Kapoor, exposes the slow-release poison of political and religious indoctrination on young minds. Set in Vidya Mutth, a prestigious Hindu school in the holy city of Varanasi, India, the film shows how sectarian beliefs are drilled into students in the name of cultural preservation.
Controversial teachings and entrance exams
The film opens with speeches by the school's spiritual leader, Guru Avimuktesh, who advocates abolishing religious freedom and demands Indian Muslims convert to Hinduism or leave for Pakistan. A prominent Hindu figure with a large following, he personally oversees the entrance exam, captured in dynamic handheld shots. Parents watch with apprehension, knowing acceptance is an honour for the whole family.
Daily routines and ideological drilling
Focusing on new entrants Satyarth and Hari, the documentary documents their daily routines, largely revolving around Sanskrit classes. The ancient script is taught supposedly to maintain linguistic tradition, but it serves religious dogmatism. Between classes, Guru Avimuktesh preaches Islamophobic and casteist ideas packaged as fact.
Neglect and alarming transformation
The school is fanatically strict on Hindu teachings but pays little attention to pupils' mental and physical wellbeing. Lavish birthday celebrations for the leader are intercut with the students' ramshackle living quarters. More shocking is the change in the boys over mere months: Hari, once a fresh-faced youth with a gentle demeanour, begins parroting the guru's intolerant ideology with terrifying conviction.
Johar and Kapoor's film lays bare the mechanism of indoctrination, sounding an urgent alarm for a new generation growing up under the spell of extremism. Disciples is at Bertha DocHouse, London, from 28 August.
