PM Modi On The Kerala Story: How A Film Became A Controversial Poll Issue
The Kerala Story, a Hindi film that claims to expose the terror conspiracies in the southern state, has sparked a political storm ahead of the Karnataka assembly elections. The film, which was released on May 5, has been slammed by the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan as a “hate propaganda” and a “distortion of facts”. However, the makers of the film have defended their work and said that it is based on 32 real incidents that took place in Kerala between 2016 and 2020.
The film has also found a supporter in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who mentioned it in his election rally in Karnataka’s Ballari district on Friday. PM Modi said that the film shows the “ugly truth of terrorism” and exposes the terrorists’ design. He accused the Congress party of opposing the film and standing with the “terror tendencies”. He also alleged that the Congress has shielded terrorism for the vote bank and has a problem with him chanting “Jai Bajarang Bali”.
The Prime Minister’s remarks came after the Kerala High Court and the Supreme Court refused to ban the film, stating that they did not find anything offensive in its trailer. The film has faced several petitions seeking its prohibition on the grounds that it hurts the sentiments of the Muslim community and portrays Kerala in a negative light.
The Kerala Story is directed by Vivek Agnihotri, who is known for his controversial films such as Buddha in a Traffic Jam and The Tashkent Files. The film stars Anupam Kher, Pallavi Joshi, Ashutosh Rana, Prakash Belawadi and others. The film claims to reveal how Kerala became a “hub of radicalisation” and how some political parties and organizations supported the terror activities.
The film has been criticized by many political leaders, activists, intellectuals and celebrities from Kerala, who have called it a “fictitious” and “communal” narrative that maligns the state’s image. They have also questioned the timing of the film’s release, which coincides with the Karnataka polls, where the BJP is trying to woo the voters from Kerala origin.
The film has also sparked protests and boycotts in some parts of Kerala, where some theaters have refused to screen it. The film’s crew has also faced threats and attacks from some groups who have opposed its content.
The Kerala Story is not just a film, but a political weapon that has been used by both sides of the spectrum to further their agenda. While the BJP has used it to expose the Congress and its allies for their alleged soft approach towards terrorism, the Congress has used it to accuse the BJP of spreading communal hatred and polarizing the voters. The film has also exposed the deep divide between Kerala and the rest of India on the issue of terrorism and radicalization.
