Communists, who often project themselves as champions of free speech, are ironically the most intolerant when confronted with opinions or narratives that challenge their hypocrisy. This intolerance has once again come to the fore with the announcement of the National Film Awards, particularly the recognition given to The Kerala Story, a film that portrayed the harrowing real-life accounts of young women lured, trapped, and trafficked to join the terrorist organisation Islamic State.
Instead of welcoming a bold cinematic portrayal that sheds light on a dark and disturbing chapter of Islamist radicalisation, the Communist establishment in Kerala has chosen to vilify it.
The National Film Awards were announced on August 1 in Delhi by Ashutosh Gowariker, head of the jury and a reputed filmmaker. Sudipto Sen was selected as Best Director for The Kerala Story, which also won the award for Best Cinematography.
The Kerala Story had already drawn attention for its fact-based narrative that showed women from Kerala being forcibly converted and recruited by Islamic State operatives. The film faced relentless attacks from the Left and Islamist sections since its release.
Kerala’s Cultural Affairs Minister and CPM leader, Saji Cheriyan, launched a scathing attack on the jury’s decision to honour The Kerala Story. He alleged that the award was part of a carefully orchestrated political agenda driven by the Sangh Parivar.
According to Cheriyan, the film divides communities, spreads societal hatred, and tarnishes the image of the entire state. He told a Malayalam TV channel that the film was undeserving of the award and did not meet any artistic or technical criteria. While he expressed pride over the awards received by actors Urvashi and Vijayaraghavan, he dismissed The Kerala Story as a political tool pushed by vested interests.
Cheriyan went further to allege that the award was granted not for the merit of the film, but to serve the ruling BJP’s agenda. He claimed the BJP interferes even in minor cultural decisions and accused the party of using cinema as a weapon to instil fear in society.
His statement came soon after similar criticism from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who not only denounced the award but accused the jury of betraying Bharat’s rich cinematic tradition.
Joining the chorus, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V.D. Satheesan, alleged that the award was part of the BJP’s so-called “hate campaign”.
The reactions from both CPM and Congress leaders expose a deeper anxiety — a fear of facts. For all right-thinking individuals who observe the socio-political currents of Kerala, The Kerala Story is not fiction, but a reflection of an uncomfortable truth: Love Jihad is real.
The vehemence with which both the ruling CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) are attacking the film and its recognition only confirms their desperate race to appease minority vote banks. For them, this film is a thorn in the flesh, and that explains their rage over its national acclaim.
