Amidst an ongoing controversy surrounding Doordarshan's decision to broadcast the contentious film, "The Kerala Story", a church in Kerala went ahead and screened the said film. A BJP leader, speaking on Monday, commended this move, asserting that despite the controversy, the film is gaining increasing support within the state.
The screening took place at a church affiliated with the Idukki Diocese during a faith festival organized for Catechism students in classes 10, 11, and 12. Alongside the screening, the church also disseminated a booklet on the theme of "love", addressing concerns regarding 'love jihad'.
'Love jihad', a term popularized by Hindutva groups, refers to the perceived phenomenon where a Muslim man purportedly aims to convert a non-Muslim woman through a romantic relationship.
K Surendran, the state BJP chief and candidate for the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, highlighted the widespread acceptance of the film among various segments of Kerala society, including local governing bodies. He underscored the relevance of the film's narrative, depicting a Hindu woman allegedly coerced into embracing Islam and subsequently being recruited by the Islamic State in Syria.
According to Surendran, instances of 'love jihad' have been documented across Kerala, with numerous victims and cases reported, particularly in districts like Kannur. He accused both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) of opposing the film, attributing their stance to political motives rather than genuine concerns.
The screening at the Idukki Diocese church aimed to educate students about pertinent issues surrounding love and relationships, with discussions held during the session. The Archdiocese emphasized that the discussions refrained from making any communal references.
This development comes shortly after Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticized Doordarshan's decision, arguing against the broadcaster's alignment with the agenda of the BJP and RSS. He urged Doordarshan to retract its decision, alleging that the film propagated hatred against
