One Person Dies of Clashes in Maharashtra Over “The Kerala Story” in India

The controversial post was linked to the film The Kerala Story.

Countercurrents Collective — 15 May 2023: One person has died after two groups clashed over a social media post about the movie “The Kerala Story” in Maharashtra’s Akola district. Eight people, including two policemen, were injured in this incident in Akola. Thirty people have been detained by the police in connection with the violence. After this incident, the Maharashtra Police has issued an alert in the entire state. To control the situation, the police department had to impose section 144 in many areas where there was violence. Internet services also had to be suspended.

The controversial post was linked to the film The Kerala Story. Earlier some people gheraoed the Ramdaspeth police station regarding this post. After this, another group reached the Old City Police Station. Gradually the number of people turned into a crowd and the situation became uncontrollable.

In another incident in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir one student injured over altercation about “The Kerala Story”. Jammu and Kashmir Students Association said in a Facebook post”We Have received distressing calls from GMC Jammu, reporting that a group of Kashmiri students have been injured as a result of a recent altercation over the Kerala Story issue. 1 student was attacked with an iron rod & sustained head injuries with 12 stitches. We strongly urge @OfficeOfLGJandK to intervene & take immediate action to address the Situation. Rqsting to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident & take appropriate measures to ensure the safety & security of all students. It is critical that we work together to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future & to foster an environment of peace & tolerance on campus.”

A massive controversy erupted around the film after its trailer claimed that 32,000 women from Kerala had gone missing and joined the terrorist group ISIS. However, in the face of protests, the contentious figure in the trailer was later withdrawn. Its trailer description was later changed to a story of three women from Kerala.

The Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal banned the film ‘The Kerala Story’ citing “maintenance of peace” and to avoid incidents of “hatred and violence” in the state.

Meanwhile BJP ruled states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh gave the movie tax exemptions.

Helmed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, the film evoked sharp opposition from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who called it “RSS propaganda”.

Congress MP from Kerala, Shashi Tharoor accused the makers of “misrepresenting” Kerala.

Courtesy and source- Countercurrents