'The Kerala Story' to be telecast on Doordarshan

Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi strongly criticized this decision

He urged Union government to refrain from denigrating Kerala

The Indian government has opted to broadcast the film ‘The Kerala Story’ on the state-owned television network Doordarshan, scheduled for Friday, April 5 at 8 pm.

This film, directed by Sudipto Sen portrays women from Kerala joining the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIS) and this film has become a political tool by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ever since its release on May 5, 2023.

Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, has strongly criticized this decision, asserting that Doordarshan should not succumb to becoming a mere tool of the Sangh Parivar’s communal agenda. He urged the Union government to refrain from utilizing the platform to denigrate Kerala.

Also read: The Kerala Story locks its release date on OTT

Opposition leader VD Satheesan echoed Vijayan’s sentiments, urging the Election Commission of India to intervene and prevent the airing of ‘The Kerala Story’. Satheesan described the film as propagandist, built on deceitful premises aiming to tarnish the image of Kerala’s people. He labeled it as part of the Sangh Parivar’s divisive strategy, violating the model code of conduct and disrespecting the populace of Kerala.

Satheesan further accused the Union government of strategically timing the broadcast before the Lok Sabha elections, insinuating a ploy to exploit religious divides for BJP’s electoral benefits. This move, he argues, poses a threat to the unity of Indian society and undermines the principles of fair democratic practice.