A week after CPI(M)-backed Muslim MLAs termed a Muslim League leader’s guest role in a Malayalam movie against Islam, the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) wants to play censor board on the mini-screen. The KCBC has raised concerns about the serials on Christian saints being telecast by Malayalam satellite TV channels, saying the soaps have presented distorted versions of lives of saints. Surya TV has serials on St Antony, Velankanni Matha and Asianet on Sister Alphonsa, who is slated to be declared a saint this year. Asianet recently stopped a serial on St Thomas.“In the serials, saints have been depicted as mere miracle men. Besides, history has been distorted to add dramatic moments in the programmes. Such versions would endanger the Christian faith. The Church has got several complaints from the laity about the programmes,” said Fr Johny Kochuparambil, secretary to the KCBC Commission for Social Vigil.Kochuparambil told The Indian Express that the KCBC would convey its concerns to channels and sponsors. “We will not ask the media to stop these programmes, but want to see the content to be in tune with Christian faith and history,” he said.Asianent programme director Sreekandan Nair said that his channel has not received any negative feedback on the serials. Surya TV programme director Clement was not available for comment.
