“The Kerala Story” hits theaters; producers agree to remove teaser claiming conversion of 32K women
Kerala High Court denies stay on release of controversial film
Ernakulam: In its ruling on Friday, the Kerala High Court denied a stay of the release of the controversial film The Kerala Story. The High Court bench of Justices N Nagaresh and Mohammed Nias CP said Kerala society would accept the movie for what it is. In addition, the court asked how a fictional story can create sectarianism and conflict in society. Additionally, the court sought information regarding the trailer.
News agency ANI quoted Kerala High Court as saying: “Nothing will happen just because the film is screened. The teaser of the film was released in November. What was offensive in the film? What is wrong in saying that Allah is the only God? The country gives the citizens the right to believe in their religion and God and spread it. What was offensive in the trailer?”
The Kerala High Court bench has responded to a set of petitions that demanded the cancellation of the censor certificate of a film, claiming that it would corrupt the minds of innocent people. The petitioners have also asserted that the existence of 'Love Jihad' in the state has not been confirmed by any agency. Quoting the Kerala HC, Business Today wrote, “So many movies have already come out about such organisations. There have been references against Hindu monks and Christian priests in many films before. Did you see all this in the way of fiction? What is so special now? How does this movie create sectarianism and conflict in the society?
The Kerala High Court has ruled that the trailer of a film contains nothing that could be deemed offensive to any specific community. The court has also highlighted that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), has watched the movie and deemed it suitable for publication. The movie's producer, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, has agreed to edit the teaser by removing a segment that claimed that over 32,000 women from Kerala had been recruited by ISIS.
According to reports, Shah has informed the High Court that the contentious portion will be taken down from their social media accounts . This announcement comes in the wake of severe criticism and public outcry against the makers of the film. Furthermore, following the backlash, the creators have removed the disputed figure of 32,000 from the trailer description on YouTube, and instead, have described it as the story of three women from Kerala.
"The Kerala Story" explores the topic of alleged forced conversion of young women to Islam in Kerala and their subsequent induction into the militant Islamist group, ISIS. The movie is available in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam languages and features actors Adah Sharma, Siddhi Idnani, Sonia Balani, and Yogita Bihani in prominent roles.
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4 held for sexually assaulting woman, girl on moving bus after social media alert in UP's Agra
Agra (UP) (PTI): Four people were arrested, after a prompt response by police following a social media alert, for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and a girl inside a moving bus here, officials said on Tuesday.
According to an official police statement, at 12:27 am on April 27, information was received on the social media platform X about an incident of sexual assault on a bus travelling from Kanpur to Ahmedabad, which was approaching Namner crossing in Agra.
Acting under the direction of Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar, the Agra Police social media team immediately alerted the Rakabganj police station within minutes and coordinated with the victims to confirm the incident and obtain the exact location, it stated.
Police teams launched intensive checking at Namner crossing and intercepted the bus as it reached the spot. The four accused involved in the incident were apprehended on the spot, and legal action was initiated against them, the statement said.
The police said the swift response and coordination between the social media team and field units ensured timely action, bringing relief to the victims and other passengers, who expressed gratitude towards the police, it added.
