Is The Kerala Story Sequel a 'Hate Campaign' Against the State?
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Key Takeaways
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 18 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, on Wednesday expressed his disapproval regarding the anticipated release of a sequel to The Kerala Story. He suggested that this film was part of a calculated effort to incite animosity towards the state and jeopardize its secular integrity.
In his remarks, Vijayan stated that the original film was riddled with outrageous inaccuracies, communal propaganda, and anti-Kerala sentiments, and noted that it had been dismissed by the citizens of Kerala.
He asserted that the film, which is framed as an artistic endeavor, aimed to convey a misrepresented and adverse portrayal of Kerala.
“Kerala has responded by promoting the ‘true Kerala story’, one that is grounded in brotherhood and secularism,” the Chief Minister remarked.
Vijayan further accused groups connected to the Sangh Parivar of magnifying the film’s narrative, depicting inter-faith marriages as divisive plots and instances of coercion.
He emphasized that Kerala possesses a rich history of communal harmony and accused those attempting to tarnish the state's image of being part of a wider campaign.
Describing the proposed sequel as a continuation of an ongoing misinformation strategy, the Chief Minister stated that efforts to label Kerala as a hub of extremism should be firmly opposed.
“Those who strive to disrupt the peace and social unity of our state are the genuine enemies of Kerala,” he stated.
Moreover, he raised concerns about the criteria used for granting screening approvals, referencing an earlier incident where a film titled Beef purportedly faced a ban while other films with divisive themes were permitted.
Vijayan asserted that Kerala maintains strong performance on development metrics and has a history of communal harmony and social coexistence.
“Deceptive propaganda cannot undermine Kerala’s secular foundation,” he urged, encouraging citizens to uphold constitutional principles and reject divisive narratives.
He called for solidarity, advocating for citizens to counter misinformation with truth and reaffirm the state’s dedication to secularism and social unity.
“Kerala is our pride. Truth must triumph over falsehood. We must unite for that,” he concluded.