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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
Leader of opposition VD Satheeshan has criticised the church and stated that the move to screen the movie was ‘not in the interest of the state’.
Idukki – In a move termed by the church as ‘necessary’, the Idukki diocese of Syro-Malabar Catholic Church has screened the ‘The Kerala Story’ movie to the catechism students during its three-day vacation training class held at various churches in the diocese from April 2.
However, political parties have reacted critically, with the two main parties criticising the move, while the BJP and the Parivar groups welcome the decision.
“It was in the last few days that the Idukki diocese screened the movie Kerala Story as part of the Intensive training programme for the plus-one, plus-two students. Every year we conduct these programmes by specializing in certain focussed subjects. This year we chose the subject of ‘Love’. We have decided on this subject in the current year because there have been several cases in this area where girls from the community are falling into the trap where they are being cheated by boys from a particular community following which their families are left with huge turmoil. Hence, we decided to screen the movie and also, we have requested a review from the youngsters who watched it”, said Father Jince Karakkat, spokesperson of the Syro Malabar church, Idukki to The New Indian.
Leader of opposition VD Satheeshan has criticised the church and stated that the move to screen the movie was ‘not in the interest of the state’. “It was wrong to screen the movie for youngsters. The movie was intended to tarnish the image of the state”, said VD Satheeshan to the media.
Meanwhile, BJP state president K Surendran welcomed the Idukki diocese’s decision to screen the movie during the catechism classes from April 2 onwards. “We welcome the decision of the Idukki diocese to screen the movie at the various parishes. This is indeed a vindication of our stance on the matter. There have been several instances where girls from Hindu-Christian communities have been trapped and later had to join ISIS. There are cases registered and still, parents are fighting the cases”, said BJP state president and NDA candidate, K Surendran to The New Indian.
The Left and the Congress in Kerala had lodged separate complaints with the Election Commission of India against Doordarshan’s decision to air the controversial movie, alleging it could potentially divide the society along religious lines and urged the poll panel to intervene and stop its screening.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had condemned Doordarshan’s decision and asked the public broadcaster to withdraw from screening the controversial movie, saying it would only “exacerbate communal tensions” ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.
With less than 20 days before the crucial Loksabha polls, the Kerala story has now taken centre stage of the ‘narrative war’ in Kerala politics with the prominent Christian diocese of Idukki screening the movie for the students giving a shot in the arm for the BJP in Idukki and Kottayam where the party is yet to make a major impact.
Christian groups like the CASA and NPP (National Progressive Party) have backed the NDA in the upcoming polls. The decision to screen the Kerala story has given a shot in the arm to both the groups who had been raising the contentious issue for the past few years.
