'The Kerala Story' contains hate speech: West Bengal to SC
What's the story
Defending its ban on The Kerala Story, CM Mamata Banerjee's West Bengal government told the Supreme Court in its affidavit the film contains "manipulated facts" and "hate speech."
Responding to a petition, it said this might hurt people's faith and trigger disharmony between communities.
The state government added petitioners should have approached the Calcutta High Court, which is hearing four cases over this issue.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The Kerala Story has been mired in controversies since the launch of its trailer in April.
The movie portrays an alleged large-scale targeted proselytization campaign in Kerala to lure women from other faiths and recruit them to the international terror group ISIS.
Some have termed it a propaganda piece targeting Muslims and the Kerala government led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPIM).
Hearing
Ban based on intelligence inputs: West Bengal government
Responding to a writ petition filed by the film's production company Sunshine Pictures, the West Bengal government told the apex court that it decided to ban the movie based on intelligence inputs after the movie was released in 90 theaters across the state on May 5.
The film's public exhibition was banned under Section 6(1) of the West Bengal Cinema Regulation Act, 1954.
Affidavit
Movie polarizing audience on communal lines: Government
The affidavit said, "During surveillance, it has been observed that the audience makes very objectionable comments whenever they see a particular scene where Hindu or Christian girls are seen tortured."
"It has also been observed that while coming out of movie halls people discuss among themselves to limit their interaction with Muslims and or that these Muslims ought to be taught a lesson."
Statement
Why should you ban it: CJI to state government
Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud noted that TKS has been running across India.
He said, "Why should the state of West Bengal ban the film? If the public does not think that the film is worth seeing, they will not see it."
However, the government said no two states could have uniform parameters for maintaining law and order as they vary demographically.
Tamil Nadu
Not banned, film withdrawn because of poor response: Tamil Nadu
Meanwhile, the petition also alleged the movie was facing a "shadow ban" in Tamil Nadu after theater owners received indirect threats to take down the movie.
It requested the SC to order the Tamil Nadu government to make security arrangements to prevent protests against the film.
But TN's government told the SC that theater owners withdrew the movie due to poor box office performance.
Figures
Figures claimed changed from 32,000 to 3 after backlash
The first trailer of the film claimed the plot was about the mass proselytization of 32,000 women from other faiths into Islam and their eventual propulsion into ISIS.
However, after receiving massive backlash before the film's release, the producers changed the figures in the trailer's description on YouTube and other social media platforms from 32,000 to merely three women.