The Kerala Story: CPM screened BBC docu, why the double standard: K Surendran

Kozhikode: BJP state president K Surendran has come out against the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government accusing it of double standard for wanting to ban the upcoming controversial film The Kerala Story.

“When films and plays attacking Christians and Hindus have been permitted here on the grounds of freedom of expression, why not adopt the same stand for a film on terrorism? Let people watch and decide," Surendran said here on Monday.

The BJP leader referred to the controversial play 'Kakkukali' that drew protests from a section of Christians for allegedly portraying its monastic community in a bad light.

"There were many protests against Kashmir Files too. But there was no such thing when 'Kakkukali' was staged... the CPM arranged halls to screen a documentary (BBC documentary) but why the double standard now", he asked.

Surendran said that there was no involvement of Sangh Parivar in the movie. "The Sangh Parivar has no agenda. We have not sponsored the film," said Surendran.

The BJP leader urged the Chief Minister to provide the exact number of recruitments done by ISIS in the state. "If the dispute is about the number of people that were recruited to ISIS, the chief minister can clarify it. He can provide the numbers”.

The BJP leader has asked 'why films can't be simply treated as film'. "Kerala has come a long way, no one attacks theatres in protest of films."

On being asked about the claims made in the film's trailer that 32,000 Kerala women were forcefully converted and recruited to ISIS, Surendran said "Are all films based on facts?"

"It's just a film, not a history textbook. If the numbers are fewer, fine. No one is writing an exam on it.

Meanwhile, BJP leader and son of Congress veteran A K Antony, Anil Antony also attacked the ruling CPI(M) and Congress on Monday accusing them of hypocrisy.

"Both the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, Youth Congress Kerala, and CPI(M) Kerala State Committee, who gladly supported the BBC World documentary that tried to undermine the sanctity of Indian institutions are opposing the screening of The Kerala Story with all their might. Every freedom the opposition claims to fight for increasingly proves to be selective hypocrisy for narrow political gains," said Anil.

“The Kerala Story is highlighting some of the societal issues by taking the case of a few young girls and the trials and tribulations they faced. Irony dies a thousand deaths when both Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee and Communist Party of India (Marxist) that were the so-called supporters of free speech when a BBC World documentary was launched (in a blatant attempt to subvert the conclusions of the highest court of India and thus weaken our institutional authority) are now clamoring for a ban of this movie. Opposition’s fight for any freedom is subjective to narrow hypocritical political gains," said Anil.