Following the controversial airing of the Bollywood film ‘The Kerala Story’ by national broadcaster Doordarshan, the film shot back to limelight after the Idukki diocese, associated with the Syro Malabar Catholic Church, screened the film for teenagers as part of an ‘intensive training program’ aimed at raising awareness.
Directed by Sudipto Sen, the film ‘The Kerala Story’ depicts the ordeal of women from Kerala coerced into converting to Islam and joining ISIS.
Syro Malabar Catholic Church-affiliated Idukki Diocese, recently screened the movie for students in grades 10, 11, and 12. Following the ensuing media attention, the Diocese issued a statement on Monday, stating that the screening aimed to raise awareness about the consequences and dangers of love relationships.
Fr. Jins Karakkat, the Diocese’s media spokesperson, explained that they conduct an annual intensive training program for children during vacation periods, focusing on selected topics with prepared educational materials. This year’s program, held from April 2 to April 4, centred on the theme of love relationships.
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“The objective of selecting the topic was to create awareness about falling in love and their consequences, nowadays, there are circumstances in which teenagers are largely falling in love and facing dangers. So, we intended to create awareness among our children about such dangers,” priest further explained.
“The Kerala Story” was selected to effectively convey the message to the children, according to Karakkat. When questioned about the controversy surrounding the film, the priest said he had no idea and only knew that it was released on an OTT platform.
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CPI (M) VS BJP
The screening of ‘The Kerala Story’ by the Catholic diocese reignited political debate in the state on Monday. BJP state chief K Surendran and Lok Sabha candidate from Wayanad, asserted broad support for the movie, claiming it receives backing from various sections of society across Kerala. he further alleged that Hundreds of girls in Kerala are victims of Love Jihad, and this has been reported from districts including Kannur.
In contrast, ruling CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan and senior Congress leader V D Satheesan reiterated their stance that the film aims to tarnish the southern state’s image. Satheesan stressed Congress and UDF’s rejection of any attempt to humiliate Kerala, stating their opposition to both majority and minority communalism.
Govindan rebuffed ‘The Kerala Story’ as ‘anti-Kerala, anti-Communist, and anti-Muslim,’ alleging it lacks value and relevance to the state’s socio-cultural life. “The movie has no value and no connection with the socio-cultural life of the state. It’s a waste movie… made with the investment of the RSS and BJP to tarnish the state,” he claimed.
The Left leader clarified that their opposition is directed towards the film’s broadcast by the official broadcaster, Doordarshan. Despite protests from the CPI(M) and Congress, Doordarshan aired the controversial movie last week.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also condemned Doordarshan’s decision and asked it to withdraw, saying it would only “exacerbate communal tensions” ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. Vijayan urged the national broadcaster not to become a “propaganda machine” for the BJP and RSS.