What is ‘The Kerala Story’ Controversy’?

The Kerala Story's caption claims that it is based on a true story, yet there is no concrete proof to support the veracity of the data shown

‘The Kerala Story’, a film which puts the spotlight on forced conversion and radicalisation of women in Kerala, has run into a controversy ever since its trailer was released on May 3 .

The film directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah starring Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani and Siddhi Idnani has become a flashpoint of sorts for BJP-ruled states and those ruled by the Opposition parties.

The film was released on May 5. West Bengal on Monday banned the screening of the film in the state stating that the film has potential to incite violence. Many cinema halls in Tamil Nadu too has stopped screening the movie due to poor response and also fearing a law and order situation in the state.

What is the controversy over ‘The Kerala Story’?

The film centres around forced conversion to religion, and according to reports, 32,000 women in Kerala were converted to Islam and many of them were sent to Syria under ISIS control when the terrorist organization was at the peak of its power.

After the trailer of the film was released on May 3, a petition was submitted to the Supreme Court asking for a stay of execution due to the “worst kind of hate speech” and “audio-visual propaganda” it included.

However, the Supreme Court refused to entertain the request, with the bench saying, “There are varieties of hate speeches. This film has got certification and has been cleared by the board.”

It is not like someone steps up to the podium and begins speaking incoherently. If you want to object to the movie’s release, you ought to challenge the certification and do through appropriate forum, SC added.

Moreover, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also slammed the movie makers terming it as “propaganda” by “the Sangh Parivar”.

Following backlash, the teaser of the movie on YouTube which initially read as “heart breaking and gut-wrenching stories of 32,000 females in Kerala…” was changed to “true stories of three young girls from Kerala.”

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor also accused the film makers of indulging in “gross exaggeration” and “distortion” of the state’s reality and offered Rs one crore to anyone on proving that 32,000 women in Kerala were allegedly forced to convert to Islam.

Meanwhile, director Sudipto Sen and producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah maintain that “The Kerala Story” is based on real events.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the film during an election rally in Karnataka and said that the film tried to “expose the consequences of terrorism in a society”.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is planning to watch the movie on May 11 along with his Cabinet colleagues and family.

The Kerala government has criticized the movie as an intentional attempt to “spread hate” and further divide the state along racial lines. However, the state has not stopped screening of the film.

Earlier, the Kerala high court had refused to stay the release of the film. Next week, the Supreme Court is set to hear an appeal against the high court’s order.

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