‘Contains hate speech, manipulated facts’: Bengal govt defends ban on Kerala Story

Justifying the ban on The Kerala Story in West Bengal, the state government told the Supreme Court the film is based on “manipulated facts and contains hate speech in multiple scenes” that may hurt “communal sentiments and cause disharmony”, according to a LiveLaw report.

The West Bengal government said it imposed a ban under section 6(1) of the West Bengal Cinema Regulation Act, 1954 on the basis of intelligence reports that the “hate speech in multiple scenes” in the film may hurt communal sentiments, subsequently leading to a law and order situation. The Mamata Banerjee-led government also raised questions on the producers bypassing the Calcutta High Court and directly approaching the Supreme Court. 

The makers of The Kerala Story had filed a petition challenging the West Bengal government’s ban and had also accused the Tamil Nadu government of imposing a “shadow ban” on the movie. The Tamil Nadu government termed the remarks as “false and sweeping allegations” made with “malafide intentions” for publicity.

“During surveillance, it has been observed that the audience makes very objectionable comments whenever they see a particular scene where Hindu or or Christian girls are seen tortured. It has also been observed that while coming out of movie halls people discuss among themselves to limit their interaction with Muslims and or that these Muslims ought to be taught a lesson,” the West Bengal government’s affidavit said. 

At least two incidents of violence in Maharashtra and Jammu and Kashmir have been reportedly linked to the controversy around the film.

The movie has received support from several BJP leaders, similar to the controversial film Kashmir Files.