Kerala CM, LoP condemn national film awards for controversial ''Kerala Story''
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 1 (PTI): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday sharply criticised the decision to award national film honours to "The Kerala Story", directed by Sudipto Sen, accusing the jury of betraying the proud tradition of Indian cinema.
Leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, V D Satheesan, also criticised the decision to award national honours to The Kerala Story, alleging that the BJP government is using the National Film Awards as part of its hate campaign.
Filmmaker Sudipto Sen won the Best Director award for his film "The Kerala Story", which also received the award for Best Cinematography. The film had courted controversy for its portrayal of women in Kerala being forcefully converted and recruited by the terror group Islamic State.
"We register our strong protest against this action. Every Keralite, and indeed every believer in democracy across the country, must raise their voice against this injustice. We must unite against the politics that seeks to turn art into a weapon for fostering communalism," Vijayan said in a statement here.
He said that by granting awards to a film built on falsehoods with the aim of defaming Kerala and spreading communalism, the award jury had insulted the proud tradition of Indian cinema, which has long stood for communal harmony and national upliftment.
"In doing so, they are advancing the Sangh Parivar's agenda of turning cinema into a weapon for implementing a communal agenda," the Chief Minister said.
He, however, hailed the achievements of Malayalam cinema when the 71st National Film Awards were announced, calling it a "remarkable success".
"The moment was made even more special with Urvashi and Vijayaraghavan -- whose exceptional talent has enriched Malayalam cinema -- winning the awards for Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actor, respectively. May these honours inspire Malayalam cinema to soar to new heights with even more outstanding films," Vijayan said.
In his statement, Satheesan said the film The Kerala Story was given an award solely with the intention of promoting religious hatred. "This is unacceptable," he said.
He accused the Sangh Parivar -- which, according to him, is leading a campaign against Christians -- and the BJP government of "politicising" even the National Film Awards.
"By spreading falsehoods about Kerala, the BJP and the Sangh Parivar, which practise divisive politics, are trying to gain political advantage. This will not succeed," he said. He also congratulated the other award winners.
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Woman threatens to end life as police official refuses to accept love proposal, FIR registered
Bengaluru (PTI): A woman was booked on charges of obstructing a police inspector from discharging his official duties and threatening to commit suicide if he did not accept her love proposal, police said on Wednesday.
The 45-year-old inspector attached to the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station here alleged that the woman repeatedly harassed him, they said.
According to his complaint, the harassment began on October 30, when he started receiving calls from an unknown woman from multiple phone numbers.
During these calls, she allegedly spoke incoherently and claimed to have close links with several highly placed individuals, including the Chief Minister, Deputy CM, Home Minister and other political leaders.
Police said the woman sent photographs via WhatsApp purportedly showing herself with these dignitaries and claimed she could use their influence to compel the inspector to accept her proposal. She also allegedly threatened to use her contacts against him if he refused.
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The inspector said that he advised her to visit the police station and submit a written complaint if she had any grievance. However, she did not do so and instead continued to repeatedly call and send messages, which disturbed his official duties, the FIR said.
According to the FIR, on November 7, the woman allegedly visited his office and handed over an envelope containing some tablets along with handwritten letters. The letters contained emotionally charged and inappropriate content, and the woman claimed they were written using her blood, indicating obsessive behaviour.
Despite being clearly informed that the number she was contacting was an official departmental number meant for public service, she allegedly continued making unnecessary calls and messages, causing mental harassment and obstruction to his day-to-day duties, he alleged.
During the inquiry, police learnt that the woman had allegedly exhibited similar behaviour with other police and government officials in the past, it stated.
On December 12, she allegedly went to his police station and shouted and threatened to commit suicide and ruin the inspector's career if he did not respond to her proposal, prompting him to lodge a complaint.
"Based on the complaint, a case was registered against the woman under Sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty), 351(2) (criminal intimidation) and 221 (obstructing a public servant in discharge of public functions) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Ramamurthy Nagar Police Station. The matter is under investigation," police said.
