Thiruvananthapuram, February 18 Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed concern on Wednesday over the upcoming release of the second part of "The Kerala Story," claiming that the first installment was made with the "intent to spread hatred against the state and undermine its secular tradition."
Vijayan, in a statement issued by his office, also questioned how "works that promote division and hatred in society" were allowed to be screened, while a film like "Beef" was barred from a film festival.
He further stated that Sangh Parivar organizations had taken over and spread the false narrative conveyed by "The Kerala Story."
"They are spreading false propaganda by portraying even marriages conducted with mutual consent as examples of communalism and forced religious conversion," the CM said.
He contended that such forces view Kerala—with no communal riots and a tradition of mutual respect among communities—with hostility, and termed them "enemies of the state" attempting to destroy the peace and tranquility of the region.
"We must collectively reject attempts to portray Kerala, a land of religious harmony that stands at the forefront of sustainable development and is a model in maintaining law and order, as a center of terrorism," Vijayan said.
"It is the responsibility of each of us to ensure that Kerala’s secular foundation is not undermined by false propaganda and to reject it by upholding the values of secularism and brotherhood," he added.
The teaser of "Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond," directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh, was recently released.
The first film, "The Kerala Story," won awards for Best Direction and Best Cinematography at the 71st National Film Awards.
