A political row has erupted in Kerala over Doordarshan’s decision to broadcast ‘The Kerala Story’, which had stirred the hornet’s nest last year during its release.
When the Kerala Story came out, everyone pointed out that this was not the real Kerala story.
BJP State chief K Surendran pointed out that people, including Panchayats and Mahapanchayats in Kerala have “wholeheartedly welcomed” the film.
There was a case in Kerala High Court involving students and their parents where the DGP himself filed an affidavit.
Court Orders on the Film ScreeningThe Kerala High Court has refrained from passing any order to stop the screening of the film.
A political row has erupted in Kerala over Doordarshan’s decision to broadcast ‘The Kerala Story’, which had stirred the hornet’s nest last year during its release. Both the Congress and CPI(M) of the state have condemned Doordarshan’s decision, calling it a “tacit effort” to divide the society.
Doordarshan had earlier announced to broadcast the film, directed by Sudipto Sen, starring Adah Sharma, on April 5.
But the Idukki diocese of Syro-Malabar Catholic Church has screened the film to the catechism students during its three-day vacation training class held at its churches in the diocese from April 2.
Idukki diocese media commission chairman Fr Jins Karakkat said the reason behind showcasing the movie was to create awareness among the students from falling in love. “The movie was apt to the topic of the training class and hence was selected for screening before students,” he said as quoted by The New Indian Express.
The Political Reactions
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has asked the Doordarshan to withdraw its decision to screen the movie, saying it would create communal tensions ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
VD Satheesan, the Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly, had written to the Election Commission, asking them to direct Doordarshan to withdrawn their decision. Satheesan stated, “Kerala Story is a propaganda film based on extremely false premises and attempts to paint a bleak picture of the people of the state.”
CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan said the “timing” of the proposed telecast, just before the general elections, gives rise to genuine doubts, as the film has the propensity to garner votes for candidates pursuing sectarian ideologies.
In a letter to the EC, Govindan warned that a “controversial film” like The Kerala Story can create hatred among different religious groups and cause tension.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor said, as quoted by ANI, “To be honest, it’s really shameful. When the Kerala Story came out, everyone pointed out that this was not the real Kerala story. And yet, the lies of this film being officially circulated by an official broadcaster is truly disgusting, it’s propaganda at its cheapest and worst.”
Meanwhile, BJP minister V Muraleedharan, however, has asserted that the film is a “piece of art, and the expression of art is guaranteed in the Constitution”.
BJP State chief K Surendran pointed out that people, including Panchayats and Mahapanchayats in Kerala have “wholeheartedly welcomed” the film. “People have watched the film together because this is a real issue. Love jihad in Kerala has occurred many times and many districts, including Kannur. There are more than hundreds of victims and cases in Kerala,” he said.
He targeted the Left and Congress parties and alleged that they were playing votebank politics. “ISIS recruitment is not a fake story. Hundreds of such recruitments took place in Kerala. There was a case in Kerala High Court involving students and their parents where the DGP himself filed an affidavit. This is happening in Kerala, especially in Kannur, Kasaragod and Ernakulam. Many young women converted to Islam, were sent to Syria. This is a real story, not a fake story. Why are they afraid of it? It’s only for vote banks. Once there was a drama called ‘Kakkukali’ which was against Christ. It was a big controversy in Kerala. What was the stance of Congress and CPM then?” Surendran asked, as quoted by The Week.
Court Orders on the Film Screening
The Kerala High Court has refrained from passing any order to stop the screening of the film. The court was considering a plea moved by poet and journalist KG Suraj seeking a direction to postpone broadcasting the movie on Doordarshan until the 2024 polls are over.
Last year, the Supreme Court stayed the West Bengal government’s order to ban the film in theatres. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud had said the legal provision cannot be used to put a “premium on public tolerance. Otherwise, all films find themselves in the spot”.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had said the film was being screen across the country, and the fears against it are fictional. Those who do not wish to watch the film can “choose” to do so.
Other Controversial Dramas
Kerala Catholic Bishop Council (KCBC) had urged the Left government in Kerala to ban the staging of ‘Kakkukali’, alleging it defamed Christian asceticism.
The Malayalam play, written by Francis Noronha, revolves around a young nun and the struggles she faces in a convent.
KCBC president Cardinal Baselios Cleemis said the play created a misunderstanding about asceticism in Christianity among other religious groups. He criticised the stand of certain mainstream political parties on the matter.
State secretary of CPI(M) Govindan had then rejected the demand for banning the drama, and said those who oppose it have the right to criticise its content.
The Church had already petitioned all District Collectors to ban the staging of the play in their districts.
Data on ISIS Recruits from India
According to the US state department’s Country Reports on Terrorism 2020, there were “66 known Indian-origin fighters affiliated” with the IS as of November 2020. In September 2021, India’s National Investigation Agency said it had arrested 168 people in connection with 37 cases “of terror attacks, conspiracy and funding” inspired by the IS’s ideology.
In 2021, after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, there were reports that the four women from Kerala who had joined the IS were in jail there.
