Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The trailer of The Kerala Story 2 sparked immediate controversy after its release, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan denouncing the film as a threat to the state’s secular values. On Wednesday, Vijayan released a statement warning that the Sudipto Sen directorial could undermine Kerala’s tradition of religious harmony, which he described as fundamental to the state’s identity.
Vijayan cited the earlier instalment of the film as having the “intent to spread hatred against the state and undermine its secular tradition. This country realised that the first part, which was filled with lies, hatred and anti-Kerala propaganda, was made with communal motives.” The second part, which is said to depict incidents of forced religious conversion, has faced accusations from several quarters of promoting propaganda.
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In his statement shared on Facebook, the Chief Minister questioned why “poisonous works produced to spread division and hatred in society” were permitted public screening, especially when films like Beef (Spanish film) have been barred from festivals just because of its title.
The Chief Minister further wrote, “They are spreading false propaganda by portraying even marriages conducted with mutual consent as examples of communalism and forced religious conversion,” criticising the film’s representation of interfaith relationships.
Vijayan also warned of outside influences seeking to disrupt Kerala’s established peace, saying, “such forces’ are hostile towards Kerala, a state with no communal riots and a tradition of mutual respect among communities. Terming them ‘enemies of the state,’ he said that they were attempting to destroy the peace and tranquillity of the region through such films.”
He urged citizens to be vigilant, emphasising, “We must collectively reject attempts to portray Kerala, a land of religious harmony that stands at the forefront of sustainable development and is a model in maintaining law and order, as a center of terrorism. It is the responsibility of each of us to ensure that Kerala’s secular foundation is not undermined by false propaganda and to reject it by upholding the values of secularism and brotherhood.”
The Kerala Story, the first film in the series, was directed by Sudipto Sen and featured Adah Sharma, Sonia Balani, Yogita Bihani, and Siddhi Idnani. Despite bans and controversy, it achieved significant box office success and won National Film Awards for Best Director and Best Cinematography.
The Kerala Story 2 is scheduled for release on February 27.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
