‘Kerala Story Is An Eye-Opener; Conversion By Fraud Must End’

Dharmesh Bajpai, a businessman from Lucknow who recently watched the movie, feels the issue of religious conversion requires introspection and not dirty politics. His views:

I feel that The Kerala Story is an eye opener. The issue of religious conversion in India goes largely unnoticed as many women are cheated by miscreants and forced to convert for criminal or anti-national purposes. Everyone, especially young girls, women, and parents of the girl child should watch the film as it is a wake-up call to realize the gravity of the situation.

Both state and central governments must take the issue of religious conversion seriously and initiate concrete steps to stop the menace. These practices are being conducted in a very organized manner endangering our ethics, values, and national security at large. To be precise, all Hindu girls and their parents should watch the film. This is an in-your-face cinematic work for those who believe that love is blind and it has no boundaries. A marriage is a sacrosanct relationship and must not be built on false grounds.

Unlike other films that tried to touch the issue, The Kerala Story is a thought-provoking movie which does not pulls any punches. The moral of the story is to give your children the knowledge about your religion (Hinduism) as it educates them about the dangers and trappings of vested interests.

ALSO READ: ‘The Kerala Story Seeks To Alienate One Community’

There are many hard-hitting scenes in the film which force us to rethink about how we raise our children and important aspects of Hinduism or our culture that need to be passed on to the next generation without maligning other religions or values. For example, in the film, the actress, who portrays one of the victims, innocently asks his father as to why he did not pass on the learning and the `remedy’ when it is well mentioned and taught in Hinduism. The film also portrays how ‘grooming’ can put in danger the lives and psyches of young impressionable minds.

I am both amazed and anguished by the fact that the film is being dubbed as propaganda against one community when the real message is one that concerns our children safety from terrorism. But some states have been playing petty politics over the subject and trying to divert the real issue. It is also pitiful of the politicians who, in a bid to appease a particular community, are indirectly putting our national security in danger by fanning the misdeeds of infiltrators involved in this heinous activity.

I term the act as foolish and an attempt to keep away the viewers and the public from knowing the harsh reality. Are the governments in other states (that have made the film tax-free) any less concerned about the security and interest of their people?

I would also like to call upon Bollywood brigade and the 100-crore clubbers of Indian cinema to take stand on The Kerala Story. Don’t they have the guts to stand up and utter a word for a film that, in a way, is championing the national interest and exposing those who always hide behind liberal-secular facade?

As told to Rajat Rai

Mitin Raj Singh

‘Forced Conversion Is A Bitter Truth But Kerala Story Weaponises The Issue’

Mitin Raj Singh, a movie buff who works with a reputed MNC at Banglore, says the movie merely seeks to pit one community against another. His views

Recently I watched the much-hyped movie The Kerala Story with my wife and friends. I am a well-informed citizen and proud Hindu and I am happy about the fact that someone came forward and made a movie about forced religious conversions in the country.

The movie has been at the center of controversy ever since the teaser of the film dropped and that had made me curious to watch it. The Kerala Story claims to be based on forceful conversion of 32,000-plus women in Kerala to Islam (I believe the actual number is more than this) out of which many of them were taken to ISIS-ruled-Syria as ‘brides of the Islamic State’.

Having said this, frankly speaking, The Kerala Story does little justice to the subject at hand, Instead, it seeks to pit one religion against the other and that is where the problem with the film lies. Sure, it does not want to malign Islam as a whole, but it definitely tries to provoke Hindus and poke at their sentiments. For Islamists, this movie hits where it hurts the most. It brings out the fact that promoting conversion to Islam is an organized and well networked activity. But the handling of such an importan subject leaves much to be desired.

The movie, attempting to capture the ambience of Kerala, falls short in its portrayal. In addition, the acting fails to communicate any feeling of authenticity or true connection to the inhabitants and culture of Kerala. The movie additionally incorporates a forced and unappealing Malayali accent and the dialogues are quite artificial-sounding. Over all, it is a half-baked venture.

ALSO READ: ‘We Must Counter Propaganda Films Instead of Banning Them’

The Kerala Story claims to be based on “many true stories.” However it lacks a sincere concern for the whole truth. The film constructs a narrative that tries to portray Kerala which is said to be God’s own country as a breeding ground for ISIS recruitment, implying that hundreds of people had joined the organization from the region highlighting a few events of missing females.

The whole controversy over the movie was triggered when our Prime Minister endorsed the film during the recent Karnataka election campaign and really escalated with Mamata Banerjee’s ban of the film in West Bengal.

Politicians have clearly used this movie to whip up anti-Muslim hate and violence. Already love jihad has been weaponised to allow horrific crimes. More people choosing to act on such a wrong belief will only worsen things. Before jumping into any conclusion, one should first be well read and aware of what actually happened and how easily religion is used for voting politics.

At the same time, we cannot bury our heads in sand, like an ostrich. Even if one single family has been destroyed by ISIS, their story must be told. But such an exercise must be undertaken without stoking hatred through propaganda films.

It is an irresponsible movie for sure. The Kerala Story is not The Kashmir Files when it comes to execution. However, it does, unfortunately, have the capability to stir communal tension. It could have been better and more responsibly made, for sure.

Read More: lokmarg.com

As told to Deepti Sharma

Mayawati On Religious Conversion

Unfair To Create Ruckus On Religious Conversion: Mayawati

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Sunday launched an attack on the politics being played in the country in the name of religion.

“It is unfair and worrying to create ruckus across the country regarding ‘change of religion.’ Forcibly everything is bad and changing and getting religion changed with bad intentions, both are wrong. Therefore, it is necessary to see and understand this issue from the right perspective. Due to the fundamentalist politics being done regarding this, the country gains less and loses more,” tweeted Mayawati.
Extending her greetings to the countrymen on Christmas, Mayawati expressed hope for peace and harmony among people of all religions.

She took to Twitter and said, “Hearty congratulations and best wishes to all the countrymen and especially to all the brothers and sisters who follow the Christian religion on the occasion of Christmas.”

The BSP leader also said, “Under our secular constitution, like people of all other religions in the country, these people should also live their lives with happiness, peace, and happiness, this is my wish.”

Also, Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the nation on the occasion of Christmas on Sunday.

Extending his greetings to the citizens on the occasion of Christmas, PM Modi expressed hope for further harmony and Joy.

“Merry Christmas! May this special day further the spirit of harmony and joy in our society. We recall the noble thoughts of Lord Christ and the emphasis on serving society,” PM Modi tweeted. (ANI)

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