Congress Protests Doordarshan’s Decision to Air ‘The Kerala Story’, Seeks EC Intervention

Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress party in Kerala has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Doordarshan’s plan to broadcast the controversial movie ‘The Kerala Story.’ The party alleges that the move is aimed at dividing society along religious lines to bolster the ruling BJP’s electoral prospects.

Both the CPI(M), in power, and the Opposition Congress have strongly protested against Doordarshan’s decision to air the film, scheduled for April 5.

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the CPI(M)’s youth wing, has announced plans for a protest march to the Doordarshan office in the state capital.

Opposition leader V D Satheesan has written to the Election Commission, urging them to direct Doordarshan to refrain from airing ‘The Kerala Story,’ which he describes as a “malicious propaganda film” intended to sow communal discord.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has condemned Doordarshan’s decision, urging the broadcaster to withdraw the screening to avoid escalating communal tensions ahead of the Lok Sabha polls. He cautioned against Doordarshan becoming a tool for BJP-RSS propaganda.

The ruling CPI(M) has echoed these sentiments, urging Doordarshan not to align with the BJP’s agenda of polarization in Kerala.

Previously, the Kerala High Court declined to block the film’s release, asserting that its trailer did not offend any specific community. The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had deemed the movie suitable for public viewing.

The film, criticized for its portrayal of conversions and radicalization, faced opposition from both CPI(M) and Congress upon its release in 2023. The BJP had alleged an unofficial ban on the film in Kerala theatres.