The release of the movie ‘The Kerala Story’ has sparked a political debate in the state of Kerala. The movie, which stars Adah Sharma, claims that 32,000 women in Kerala converted to Islam and joined the terrorist group Islamic State. However, the claims made in the movie are unsubstantiated and have caused controversy. A Muslim body, the Kerala State Committee of Muslim Youth League, has announced a reward of Rs. 1 crore for anyone who can prove the allegations made in the movie. They have also set up collection centres in every district of Kerala where people can submit details to prove their claims.

A Muslim lawyer and actor, C Shukkur, has offered Rs. 11 lahks for proof that even 32 women from Kerala converted and joined the Islamic State. He has also called for an end to the blame on a community and a state without proof, in relation to the so-called ‘love jihad’ case.

Unsubstantiated claims and calls for proof

Produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, ‘The Kerala Story’ is set to be released in cinemas on May 5. The movie is written and directed by Sudipto Sen and is portrayed as “unearthing” the events behind “approximately 32,000 women” allegedly going missing in the southern state. However, the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress have criticized the movie for falsely claiming that the women converted and were deployed in terror missions in India and the world.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also issued a statement, claiming that the movie was deliberately made with the aim of spreading hate propaganda against Kerala and promoting communal polarization. The statement further indicates that the movie is trying to spread the propaganda of Sangh Parivar, a Hindu nationalist organization, which has established itself as the centre of religious extremism in the land of secularism, Kerala.

Political implications around The Kerala Story

The release of ‘The Kerala Story’ has sparked a political debate in Kerala, with the claims made in the movie causing controversy. The offer of rewards by the Muslim body and the lawyer, as well as the criticism from the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress, highlights the sensitive nature of the allegations made in the movie. The response of the state government, particularly the chief minister’s statement, further highlights the political implications of the movie’s release.

On Sunday, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor responded to the ongoing controversy surrounding ‘The Kerala Story’ on Twitter. He posted the movie poster and commented, “It may be your Kerala story. It is not our Kerala story.”