The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)
The Kerala Story pits CPM, Congress against BJP: ‘ Sangh agenda’ vs ‘ freedom of expression’
A PLAN to screen the 2023 film, The Kerala Story, on Doordarshan has emerged as the latest flashpoint in Kerala politics, with both CPI( M) and Congress joining hands in demanding that the national broadcaster desist from showing the contentious movie, and writing to the poll body in this regard.
The movie, which tells the story of four women who had converted to Islam before being recruited to the Islamic State, is scheduled to be screened Friday.
Last year, too, the film had created a furore in Kerala when the CPI( M) and Congress demanded that it be banned, alleging that it was part of the Sangh Parivar’s agenda to defame the state. Several Muslim organisations had also backed the demand, while pro- RSS Christian groups stood behind the movie.
CM Pinarayi Vijayan wrote Thursday in a post online, “The Union Government should stop using the nation’s official news broadcasting platform to disparage Kerala, particularly in the context of the ongoing elections. Kerala is a state where people from diverse religious backgrounds coexist harmoniously in the spirit of brotherhood. This film is a manifestation of the Sangh Parivar’s agenda to denigrate Kerala and sow seeds of religious animosity.”
A day later, senior Congress legislator and opposition leader V D Satheesan wrote to the EC to direct DD to withdraw the decision to telecast the “extremely malicious Kerala story”. “It is a propaganda film based on extremely false premises and attempts to paint a bleak picture of the state. It is part of Sangh Parivar agenda to divide the country along communal lines,” he said in the letter.
CPI( M) state secretary M V Govindan also filed a complaint with the EC, saying that the telecast is scheduled with a clear political agenda and its theme is against Muslims.
BJP state chief K Surendran said, “Why do CPI( M) and Congress, which are always vocal about freedom of expression, oppose the Kerala Story. When ‘ Meesha’ novel, which was portrayed against Hindus, became controversial, both parties stood for freedom of expression. The Congress and CPM are dividing people for vote bank politics. ISIS recruitment is a reality. Why are they afraid of it? Last year when there was a controversy over ‘ Kakkukali’, which was against nuns, what was the stand of Congress and CPM then. Christian Churches in Kerala have already shared the sentiments echoed in the film.”