Cong, DYFI, IUML youth wing demand ban on screening of ‘The Kerala Story’

Set to be released on May 5, ‘The Kerala Story’ claims that 32,000 women in the state converted to Islam and were recruited by ISIS.

Written by: Shaju Philip

2 min readThiruvananthapuramUpdated: Apr 28, 2023 11:28 PM IST

'The Kerala Story', starring Adah Sharma, is set to be released in cinemas on May 5. (Sudipto Sen/Twitter)

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Cong, DYFI, IUML youth wing demand ban on screening of ‘The Kerala Story’

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The Congress, CPI(M) youth wing DYFI, and Youth League of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Friday demanded a ban on the screening of multilingual movie ‘The Kerala Story’ in the state. The makers of ‘The Kerala Story’ have announced its release in Kerala and elsewhere on May 5.

Directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the film tells the story of four women who convert to Islam and join ISIS. The film claims that 32,000 women in Kerala allegedly converted to Islam and were recruited by the terror organisation.

Senior Congress legislator and Opposition Leader V D Satheesan said the film is part of “Sangh Parivar agenda” to polarise society. “The issue does not involve freedom of expression. The film trailer shows what the film wants to tell. The film is intended to insult Kerala at the international level. Kerala would stand united against the bid to foment communal polarisation,” he said.

CPI(M) youth wing DYFI, in a statement, said the film could insult religious sentiments and hence its screening should not be allowed in Kerala. “The film tries to establish Love jihad, which even the Union Home ministry had rejected. The film wants to create an impression that Kerala is a land of extremism. This is part of Sangh Parivar agenda,’’ said the statement.

The Youth League, the youth wing of IUML, said the film is sponsored by Sangh Parivar, aimed at polarising the society. “It would only create hatred among various faiths. The film gives a false impression that Muslims in Kerala are toiling to establish an Islamic state here. A case should be registered against the film director,” said Youth League state secretary P K Firoz.

However, pro-BJP Christian group Christian Association and Alliance for Social Action (CASA) came out in support of the film. CASA, in its social media page, had announced the release of the film, saying that it unveils the “love jihad’’ which had shattered several families in Kerala. CASA also flayed the Congress and the Left for their stand against the film.

Shaju Philip

Shaju Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, where he leads the publication's coverage from Kerala. With over 25 years of experience in mainstream journalism, he is one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political, religious, and developmental landscape of South India. Expertise, Experience, and Authority Decades of Regional Specialization: Shaju has spent more than two decades documenting the "Kerala Model" of development, its complex communal dynamics, and its high-stakes political environment. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive reporting portfolio includes: Political & Governance Analysis: In-depth tracking of the LDF and UDF coalitions, the growth of the BJP in the state, and the intricate workings of the Kerala administration. Crime & Investigative Journalism: Noted for his coverage of high-profile cases such as the gold smuggling probe, political killings, and the state’s counter-terrorism efforts regarding radicalization modules. Crisis Management: He has led ground-level reporting during major regional crises, including the devastating 2018 floods, the Nipah virus outbreaks, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. ... Read More

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