The post Concerned Christian citizens strongly criticise the screening of the ‘Kerala Story’ by the Diocese of Idukki appeared first on SabrangIndia.
]]>On Thursday April 4, 2024, Pope Francis in a very incisive message to the participants in the First Colloquium between the Dicastery for Inter-religious Dialogue and the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in the Vatican said, “We need to support each other in fostering harmony between religions, ethnic groups and cultures. In particular, I want to emphasize three aspects…: respect for diversity, commitment to our common home and the promotion of peace.”
Unfortunately, on that very day, in Kerala, the Idukki Diocese, of the Syro-Malabar Church screened a controversial film ‘The Kerala Story’. The film was shown to students of Stds. X to XII, as part of the Annual Summer Catechism programme. On April 8, several English and vernacular media both in Kerala and elsewhere, detailed this event under the title, ‘Idukki Diocese screens ‘The Kerala Story’ for Catechism Students’. A spokesperson of the Diocese has gone on record saying that the film was ‘shown to Christian students to raise awareness about the issue of ‘Love Jihad’.’
That a Catholic Diocese has screened this film, defies logic! First of all, the movie is clearly a propaganda film created to further the Hindutva narrative that is trying to destroy the secular nature of our country.
Secondly, it is replete with lies, factual inaccuracies and half-truths; so much so, that the director of the movie, publicly admitted falsehood and had to correct the figures given in the original curtain-raiser from “32,000 girls embracing Islam to just THREE!”; besides ten obnoxious scenes, had to be deleted before the Censor Board gave its certification!
Thirdly, and far more importantly, this is a film which goes against the teachings of the Church and the person and message of Jesus.
The decision by the Church authorities to screen the film, is deeply concerning because it actively sows seeds of hatred, intolerance and prejudice, among children, instead of promoting peace, compassion, and acceptance, which are the core values of Christianity. By screening such a propaganda film that is filled with lies, the Idukki Church is instilling negative emotions and discriminatory attitudes towards people of other faiths and failing to teach children about love and respect for all religions and cultures.
Such actions can have adverse effects on the future generation and society at large, particularly in the present politically charged context where hate is being weaponised to destroy the country.
Besides, the film has been given an ‘A’ certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). How could this film be ever shown to children? Will the Diocese of Idukki now be prosecuted for screening the film to children?
The Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue has emphasised the importance of strengthening and building good relations between Christians and Muslims during this Holy month of Ramadan; the Diocese of Idukki, on the other hand, seems to have chosen to promote conflict and tension between the two communities.
Like in the time of Hitler, there are always those in authority in the Churches who wish to kowtow towards those who have political power in order to keep their own ‘little empires’ safe.
A contextual adaptation of Mathew 23:15 could serve as a reminder to all of us, “woe to you bishops and religious authorities, pharisees, hypocrites! For you cross sea and land, to try to ensure that your flock does not desert you, but in the bargain, you make the members of your flock twice as much a child of hell as yourselves.”
We the undersigned, whilst strongly condemning this insensitive and unchristian act of the Diocese of Idukki,earnestly urge all Church authorities to do all they can to promote inter-religious, dialogue, reconciliation, frat
Signatories:
Dr. Kochurani Abraham, Kerala
Adv. Susan Abraham (Bombay High Court)
Adv. M A Britto, (Forum for Secularism and Democracy,Tirunelveli)
Dr. John Dayal (Ex Member, National Integration Council, GoI, Ex President, All India Catholic Union, New Delhi)
Brinelle D’Souza (Chairperson, Centre for Health and Mental Health, TISS, Mumbai)
Dr Ruth D’Souza (Citizen, Archdiocese
Dr. Joseph Victor Edwin SJ (Secretary, Islamic Studies Association, Delhi)
Midhun J. Francis SJ (Doctoral Student Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome)
Adv. Julie George, Lawyer, Mumbai
Dr. M.K. George SJ (Former Principal, Loyola College, Trivandrum)
Adv. Anastasia Gil (former Delhi Minorities Commission member)
Dr. Josantony Joseph (Human Rights Training Consultant,Former
Ozelle Lobo (Jagrut Nagarik, Ahmedabad)
Dr. Frazer Mascarenhas SJ (Former Principal, St. Xavier’s College Mumbai)
Anand Mathew IMS (Director Vishwa Jyoti Communications, Varanasi)
Dr. Suresh Mathew (Former Editor ‘Indian Currents’)
Cedric Prakash SJ (Human Rights Activist & Writer,Ahmedabad)
Ronald Saldanha SJ (Administrator, Indian Social Institute,New Delhi)
Adv. Mary Scaria SCJM (Supreme Court of India)
Varghese Theckanath s.g. (Former National President,Conference
Paul Thelakat (Writer, former editor ‘Sathyadeepam’)
Adv. Henri Tiphagne (Advocate and Executive Director People’ s Watch)
The post Concerned Christian citizens strongly criticise the screening of the ‘Kerala Story’ by the Diocese of Idukki appeared first on SabrangIndia.
]]>The post Film as Propaganda: the months between June 2023 & May 2024 appeared first on SabrangIndia.
]]>Sudipto Sen’s ‘The Kerala Story,’ and it’s not-so-hidden goal of advancing Islamophobia and furthering communal divides by depicting Hindu women being targeted, converted to Islam, and then recruited by ISIS to commit ‘Jihad,’ had already caused plenty of controversy. The film vilified both Islam and the Muslim community, with Muslim men being demonised and an anti-Muslim propaganda was disseminated. That the focal point of the film was also based on misinformation, with unverified claims of 32,000 (Hindu) women being targeted by Muslims for conversion is a moot point. This was later corrected, only after the Courts stepped in. Much damage had already been done.
And now, the trailer for Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan’s ‘72 Hoorain’, promises to further feed in to anti-Muslim propaganda, has been released.
The first clip begins with the voiceover which says, “Tumne jo Jihaad ka raasta chuna hai, wo tumko seedha Jannat me leke jayega, kunwari, anchhui hui, tumhari hongi humesha k liye. (The path of Jihaad that you have chosen, will lead you to heaven, where 72 virgin girls will be yours forever.)”
Visuals of Osama Bin Laden, Ajmal Kasab, Yakub Memon, Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar are also showcased in the teaser video. The director has said in one of his statements that, “The slow poisoning of the mind by perpetrators turns ordinary individuals into suicide bombers. Let us remember that even the bombers themselves, with families like ours, have fallen victim to the twisted beliefs and brainwashing of terrorist leaders. Trapped within the deadly illusion (and lure) of 72 virgins awaiting them in heaven, they embark on a path of wilful destruction, ultimately meeting a gruesome fate,” reports Zee News. Co-producer Ashoke Pandit opined, “The movie will definitely make you ponder certain beliefs prevailing in the society and how they are a mere figment of imagination. It will make you think about the concepts and ideologies that are not even close to reality in any way, and how they are merely used to brainwash people to mould them into terrorists in the name of jihad.”
The teaser can be viewed here: https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1665244845391380480
As is evident from the description of this movie as well as the words used to promote it, this will be just another anti-Muslim (and anti-Islam) propaganda movie which will depict a Muslim person embarking on the journey of ‘Jihad’ to ensure a place in heaven and enjoy their afterlife with 72 virgin women. As was observed after the release of the Kerala Story, the steady series of release of such propaganda-filled movies appear aimed at Hindu women as the target audience, so that a widespread fear can be instilled in their minds against Muslim men. To substantiate the Hindutva extremist promoted bogey of ‘Love-Jihad’, these fictionalised misinformed movies are now being released.
There are several more such propaganda filled movies set to be released this year in the run up to the general elections of 2024. The teaser for ‘Accident or Conspiracy Godhra’, directed by MK Shivaaksh and produced by BJ Purohit and Ramkumar Pal, has been released and the movie is set to be released in theatres soon. According to the teaser, the film promises to “show the truth” behind what caused the riots. The teaser calls the attack on Sabarmati Express ghastly. Was it a well-planned attack that led to the Gujarat riots or was it a result of a fit of frenzy? The film is ostensibly based on the Nanavati Commission report, which was the commission of inquiry appointed by the government of Gujarat to probe the Godhra train burning incident. The report had upheld the latterly promoted “conspiracy” theory behind the Godhra train fire. The perpetrators behind the Godhra fire involved Muslims from the Signal Falia area and there was no evidence regarding the involvement of any religious or political party in the conspiracy in the post-Godhra violence.
As per the makers of the film, “This movie was made after a lot of hard work and five years of research. Many shocking facts were discovered during the research for this movie, which are well presented in the movie with proof,” as reported by Indiatimes. again, it is evident from the description that this film will be similar to Vivek Agnihotri directed ‘The Kashmir Files’, which had presented a moulded one-sided movie on the Kashmir exodus of the Pandits and painted the Kashmiri Muslims as the sole perpetrators, forgetting to factor in sufferings of the Kashmiri Muslims into the script. Here too, surely the Godhra movie will not talk of the mass rape burning and murder of innocent Muslims in the aftermath of the Godhra train burning, or the charred remains of dead women and children found and buried in an unrecognisable state.They will not mention Bilkis Bano and her continued struggle for justice, as this will not further their divisive agenda.
The teaser can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m80n5BtUglU&t=24s
Another such movie named Tipu, which is a biopic based on the life of Tipu Sultan- the 18th century ruler of the then Mysore kingdom, had been made a few months ago. The announcement regarding the release of Tipu came along with the country-wide release of The Kerala Story. The said announcement of the film was accompanied by a short video clip that makes multiple claims which come off as Islamophobic in nature. The video clip claims that during Tipu’s time, “8000 temples and 27 churches were destroyed.” It also adds, “Four million Hindus were forced to convert to Islam and forced to eat beef.” It further goes on to claim that “more than one lakh Hindus were imprisoned” and that “over 2000 Brahmin families were wiped out in Calicut.” The film’s poster depicts an image of Tipu Sultan with what appears to be black paint smeared on his face, with the tagline: The story of a fanatic sultan. Significantly, the historical sources on which this movie is said to be based upon are unclear.
The teaser can be viewed here: https://twitter.com/taran_adarsh/status/1654021559156350976
The list of propaganda movies planned does not end there. Another forthcoming movie “Ajmer 92” has been deemed as a communally charged movie that has the potential to create a “divide and rift” in the society. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind president Maulana Mahmood Madanion has urged the central government to ban this movie and “discourage those who are trying to divide society on communal lines”.
So far a quick search reveals that at least 20 anti-Muslim and anti-minority propaganda films are in the making and scheduled to be released before the general elections of 2024. The main agenda behind releasing such movies is to keep divisions rife, the blood boiling, ensuring that votes are cast on this perpetrated hatred and othering rather than bread and butter issues next year.
Powerful politicians from the present regime and the ideological outfits backing it seem clearly out to exploit mass cinema’s potent properties. Playing on the minds and opinions of the public, such films either instil fear regarding the impending Muslim threat to the nation, or glorify majoritarian politics and beliefs, trigger communal violence, control dissent and all opposing parties or forces, including real, alternative narratives. Propaganda films serve as successful political tools used by political parties to shape a nation’s present belief systems. On one hand, they are promote violent anti-Muslim sentiments, while on the other hand, also glorifying a mythical Hindu mythology and past. Movies with such depictions are also slated for release. Adhi Purush, another movie based on the Ramayana, is slated to be released soon. Additionally, the teaser of Randeep Hooda starrer ‘Swatantra Veer Savarkar’ is also out, which attempts to glorify the life of a political leader who was an aggressive votary of an exclusivist Hindu Nation, the Hindu Rashtra.
The Indian public sphere is smeared with perpetrated hate: inflammatory speeches, inciteful and triggering social media posts, stereotypes being promoted, misinformation being spread. All this ensures that opinions are coloured and exclusion then violence results. The 1990s and 2000s have seen the mass targeted violence in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Rwanda, so much of it was enabled with a hysterical mass media, giving coinage to the term Journalism as Genocide. The Bosnian targeted killings also led to the establishment of The International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) was a United Nations court of law that dealt with war crimes that took place during the conflicts in the Balkans in the 1990s. During its mandate, which lasted from 1993 – 2017, this tribunal “irreversibly changed the landscape of international humanitarian law, provided victims an opportunity to voice the horrors they witnessed and experienced, and proved that those suspected of bearing the greatest responsibility for atrocities committed during armed conflicts can be called to account.”
Going further back to the period between the two World Wars, Nazi Germany had perfected the art of control over “mass entertainment films” to serve their agenda. Both radio and cinema enabled the regime to reach out to large groups of people, including those who didn’t read newspapers.
No work of art can be entirely separated from its creator’s politics, and the same stands true for the entertainment industry of India. The director’s subject choice, the actor’s choice of character, and the writer’s perspective and understanding of the story are crucial. These become even more important when their project seeks to re-enact and portray a historical event or a person who has had an impact on our present. In such cases, the very thin line between presenting ‘history’ and presenting a ‘propaganda’ is frequently blurred – usually on purpose- and the same is not realised by the audience who is at the receiving end of such films. The recent spike in the release of such films, with their explicit preposterous and altered representations of historical events, personalities, and issues, is nothing short of an ideological and cultural onslaught against the country’s most marginalized. The main goal is to turn the popular imagination against India’s most discriminated, be they Muslims, Christians, Dalits, Adivasis, Women, or the LGBTQIA+ community.
Related:
Hate and the Balasore train tragedy: Welcome to 2023 India
Fake News Regarding Situation of Migrant Workers in Tamil Nadu Being Made Viral
Social media platforms finally compel extremist groups to shun hate speech, fake news
What a one-sided Kerala Story does to society – Part II
The repercussions of a propaganda like “The Kerala Story”
Kerala: The Real Story, where Facts and numbers add up
‘The Kerala Story’ producer agrees to remove teaser claiming conversion of 32,000 women
The Kerala Story: now claims of true story of only 3 girls?
The Kashmir Files: Calls for Muslim genocide ring out in cinema halls, hate brews outside
The post Film as Propaganda: the months between June 2023 & May 2024 appeared first on SabrangIndia.
]]>The post Akola: Muslim men fleeing homes fearing police action appeared first on SabrangIndia.
]]>Following this, Muslim men, especially labourers from six Muslim majority areas have reportedly fled their homes fearing rampant arrests by the police. Akola SP Sandeep Ghuge refused to comment on false cases being filed against the minority community members and the alleged exodus of these men, reported The Times of India. Even the District Collector denied such claims and said that these could be just rumours. While the SP claimed that these areas are deserted because of curfew, the Collector said that there was no curfew except section 144 was imposed between 8pm and 8am in the Old City area only.
A social worker from the Akot File area claimed that police were picking up Muslim men and booking them on murder charges. He claimed that areas apart from the Old City are witnessing this exodus including Sontakke Plot, Hamza Plot, Gudwale Plot and Khair Mohammad Plot.
A civic worker, while speaking to TOI said, “Cops are harassing innocent youths. My sister is a widow, four cops entered her home at Hamza Plot at 4am on May 13 and took both her sons aged 26 and 19.” He fled his home as he feared that he would also be implicated. Another person who fled his home, said that they were the ones pacifying the mobs and the police have apprehended some of them. He also claimed that police were beating up those arrested. “Our women and kids are living with whatever we have left behind. People are living in fear”.
The social activist from Mehmood Nagar also claimed that after the day of the incident, slogans were raised and stones were pelted in Muslim dominated areas. Further, when Muslims came out to protect themselves, cops arrested them. A girl’s hijab was allegedly snatched in Patur area, yet no action was taken by cops, reported TOI.
The violence erupted after a social media post linked to the movie insulted the Prophet. A crowd had gathered outside Ramdaspeth police station to register a complaint. When another group heard of this, they headed towards a nearby shrine and damaged property and vehicles which then led to a clash as the crowd turned into a mob of both communities. Over 147 persons were arrested in connection to this violence and over a 100 persons are believed to be from the Muslim community. Internet was also suspended which was later restored on Tuesday.
Related:
CJP complaints to CP, Amravati against Sakal Hindu Samaj event, urges stringent action
The post Akola: Muslim men fleeing homes fearing police action appeared first on SabrangIndia.
]]>The post Jaipur: FIR against Sadhvi Prachi for delivering anti-Muslim hate speech appeared first on SabrangIndia.
]]>The said video showed Hindu Yuva Vahini extremist Hindu outfit in a cinema hall showcasing ‘The Kerala Story’ with a banner saying that the group was taking women to watch the movie in Rajasthan. Sadhvi Prachi, a known hate monger, was seen and heard addressing the female audience and said, “Beware girls. Now they are just 32%. The situation is so bad that they don’t let Ram Navami processions happen. If they grow beyond 40% (in population), it will become difficult for our (Hindu) daughters to roam on the streets. This is what the movie is showing. You know the situation of Kashmir, there were 5 lakh Hindus. They were the reason (that Hindus had to leave). Tell your neighbours as well about this.”
The video can be viewed here:
Notably, this hate speech by Sadhvi Prachi was delivered at the screening of a controversial movie, which itself has been criticised as containing exaggerated propaganda that not just misconstrues intra-community partnerships (‘Love-Jihad’) but exaggerates the reach and influence of ISIS, a terror group propagating the Islamic State.
Instilling such fear through communally charged hate driven events- hate speeches, trishul distribution event or rallies, yatras and procession- and hate crimes against the religious minorities- cow vigilantism and lynching- are now a regular happening in the state of Rajasthan . Rajasthan has been high on the list of target states of the Hinduvta fringe outfits since the state will have its elections towards the end of this year. The surge in incidents of communal violence and trishul distribution event, where tridents are distributed amongst Hindu men to protect their religion and nation by killing non-Hindus, have caused serious questions on the accountability in governance.
The state is presently governed by the opposition Indian National Congress (INC). This FIR comes as a small yet essential step in ensuring that harmony and law and order is maintained in the state.
Related:
What a one-sided Kerala Story does to society – Part II
The repercussions of a propaganda like “The Kerala Story”
Kerala: The Real Story, where Facts and numbers add up
‘The Kerala Story’ producer agrees to remove teaser claiming conversion of 32,000 women
Rajasthan sees upsurge in Trishul Deeskha in April
Rising Instances of Hate-speech, Hate Crimes in Rajasthan condemned: PWA, Delhi
Hate Speech in Rajasthan spirals, polls at year end
The post Jaipur: FIR against Sadhvi Prachi for delivering anti-Muslim hate speech appeared first on SabrangIndia.
]]>The post What a one-sided Kerala Story does to society – Part II appeared first on SabrangIndia.
]]>At the Kollur Mookambika temple located in Byndoor Taluk of Udupi District of Karnataka, a large banner was put up inviting all Malayalee devotees to watch the movie. This was reported on Tuesday. It read, “If you want your generations also to be devotees of Maa Mookambika please watch ‘The Kerala Story’”. This banner was allegedly put up by members of Karnataka’s infamous right wing group, the ‘Hindu Jagran Vedike’,
South India’s well-known pilgrimage center, the #Kollur Mookambika Temple, has become a promotion center for the controversial ‘#TheKeralaStory’ film.
The #HJV members placed two flex banners with the writing on the banner stating, “Malayalee devotees welcome to Mookambika.” pic.twitter.com/67eMv2mh3v
— Hate Detector
(@HateDetectors) May 16, 2023
Another video surfaced on Tuesday showing Hindu Yuva Vahini in a cinema hall showcasing ‘The Kerala Story’ with a banner saying that the group was taking women to watch the movie in Rajasthan. Sadhvi Prachi, a known hate monger, was heard addressing the female audience and said, “Beware girls. Now they are just 32%. The situation is so bad that they don’t let Ram Navami processions happen. If they grow beyond 40% (in population), it will become difficult for our (Hindu) daughters to roam on the streets. This is what the movie is showing. You know the situation of Kashmir, there were 5 lakh Hindus. They were the reason (that Hindus had to leave). Tell your neighbours as well about this.”
In Rajasthan, Hindu far-right leader Sadhvi Parachi delivered a hateful speech against Muslims inside a movie theater where #TheKeralaStory was being screened. pic.twitter.com/xLxW9k6Uo9
— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) May 16, 2023
At Ichalkaranji, near Kolhapur, a video was reported on Tuesday showing an entire movie hall filled with patrons, both male and female, being administered an oath by a woman standing near the screen. The oath said. “I vow that till my last breath I will follow Sanatan Dharm and will expose the conspiracy behind religious conversion. I will protect my mother, sisters and friends. Jai Shree Ram.”
Hindu women and girls take an oath in theatre before watching Kerala Story movie – that they will fight against Love jihad and Islam fundamentalist till the last day of their lives.
At Ichalkaranji near Kolhapur. pic.twitter.com/n4siB3SjCw— दीपक प्रभु/DeepakPrabhu (@ragiing_bull) May 16, 2023
There were reports from Jammu that in the Government Medical College, some Muslim students were beaten over an altercation over ‘The Kerala Story’. The students have claimed that the administration has “taken selective action” by rusticating those students who were beaten up, reported The Quint. The scuffle broke out on Sunday where at least 5 students were injured. When the publication spoke to some students they were told that the arguments started when someone shared on an “official” WhatsApp group which was created for sharing study material only, a link of the movie saying “A Must Watch for Woke People”.
Two videos came from Rajasthan today, May 17. One from Vidyadhar and another from Jaipur. In one of the cinema halls in Jaipur, after the screening of the movie, members of Hindu far-right groups raised slogans like ‘Love jihad murdabad’, ‘Jai Shree Ram’
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
During The Kerala Story screening, members of Hindu far-right groups raise hateful slogans.
“If you want to live in India, then you must chant ‘Jai Shri Ram.’” pic.twitter.com/W9zCTVVjlV
— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) May 17, 2023
In Vidyadhar Nagar, after the screening of the movie some unknown right wing leader addressed the audience and said, “It might look like a movie but it’s a reality of our society. It is a trailer of a movement, a conspiracy in our society. If it were just a movie then VHP would not have insisted that women watch this movie. This is a reality which needs to be shown to the society. The film makers are receiving threats because the movie awakens society and women. That is why they are being threatened.”
Here are some more extracts of his speech:
“They have done their work. The ball is now in our court.”
“These Muslims are still around us. These girls are somewhere around us.”
“Girls say we want freedom and they are separated from their culture. Parents want girls to study in English schools and they are distanced from their culture. They fall in love with boys. Parents bring up their daughter but then she walks away with someone else. We need to cure this by watching this movie. We need to ensure that more and more people need to watch this movie. We need to spread the word about love jihad. It is happening around us. It is possible that he is around us with a Hindu name. so beware. I request you to say that the movie is a reality. People need to be awakened.”
The oath administered said, “After today, I will spread the word about love jihad and whenever I get the opportunity to work for the country and my religion, I will do it on priority”. The entire audience in the movie hall repeated this oath.
Location: Vidyadhar Nagar, Rajasthan
Hindu far-right groups are using The Kerala Story screenings to create hysteria against Muslims. Here a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) first delivered a speech and then administered an oath to fight the conspiracy theory of “love jihad.” pic.twitter.com/gB2OKTJDyG
— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) May 17, 2023
Clearly, the release of the film, like another one released 13 months ago, The Kashmir Files, is intended, not so much to raise consciousness on mass migration of minorities or terrorism but, instead paint all perpetrated social ills and wrongdoing with the Islamic (read Muslim) brush. That both visual cinematic efforts have been also openly lauded and backed by none less than prime minister Modi and several BJP governments has accorded them tax-free status adds another layer, state sanction to this stigmatisation and hate.
It also signals a clear deterioration of India to partisan governance.
Related:
The repercussions of a propaganda like “The Kerala Story”
Kerala: The Real Story, where Facts and numbers add up
‘The Kerala Story’ producer agrees to remove teaser claiming conversion of 32,000 women
The Kerala Story: now claims of true story of only 3 girls?
The Kashmir Files: Calls for Muslim genocide ring out in cinema halls, hate brews outside
The Kashmir Files: Calls for genocide and hate marches by right-wing extremists and trolls
Kashmiri Pandits refute communal claims made in The Kashmir Files
Beyond Kashmir Files, a call for reason
The Kashmir Files backed by PM, FM, CMs; continues to fuel divide
Hate floods in the wake of ‘The Kashmir Files’
The post What a one-sided Kerala Story does to society – Part II appeared first on SabrangIndia.
]]>The post Missing Women in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh appeared first on SabrangIndia.
]]>The Kerala Story and Propaganda
Let us first examine the film The Kerala Story, which exemplifies how propaganda can influence our beliefs. It led us to believe that 30,000 women were missing in Kerala. The success of The Kerala Story can be attributed to our failure to question information and uncover the underlying political motivations.
The Kerala Story, is a propaganda film about missing women in Kerala. Following pressure from the court, the producers have altered the text in the film’s teasers on YouTube, changing the statement from 32,000 missing women to three women allegedly brainwashed, converted, and sent on terror missions.
Let us start with what Prime Minister (PM) Modi said about a recent movie during the Karnataka election. He told his audience and the rest of the country about a film, Kerala story.
Modi delivered a pre-poll speech in Ballari, Karnataka, on May 5, where he stated the following:
“In these changing times, the nature of terrorism is also changing …Bombs, rifles and pistols… (have been replaced by) a new type which undermines society from within, makes no sound. The Kerala Story is a film based on one such conspiracy in Kerala”.
Prem Shankar Jha, in his column The Wire,
“Just a year after The Kashmir Files, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is once again leveraging another highly provocative film, The Kerala Story, to fuel animosity towards Indian Muslims, aiming to secure the “Hindu” vote and maintain his power in the upcoming year”
“A study by the Manohar Parrikar Institute reveals that by 2019, fewer than 100 migrants in the Gulf were believed to have been lured by ISIS, while 155 individuals in India were arrested for having ISIS connections. The claim of 32,000 recruits from India, particularly a significant number being women, is absurd. European Union and US Central Intelligence Agency estimates put the maximum strength of ISIS at around 30,000 during its peak.”
Why Fewer Indians Have Joined ISIS
Low Budgets Films – New Tool for mass propaganda
A new tactic has emerged where low-budget films are used to fuel hatred deliberately, following the success of The Kashmir Files. This is followed by a widespread propaganda campaign through news channels, influencers, articles, and various government branches to amplify and perpetuate this divisive narrative. The goal is to manipulate public sentiment and consolidate power by creating an atmosphere of hostility. The target is a vulnerable section of the Indian population, our Muslims.
Missing Women – A Study of Demographic Data
Let’s delve into the concept of “Missing women” as defined by Amartya Sen—an issue that should deeply concern all of us and remain at the forefront of our national consciousness, particularly for the government and Prime Minister Modi, who have championed initiatives like “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao.”
The Sex Ratio indicates the number of females for every 1,000 males in a particular population, revealing insights into gender distribution and societal dynamics. Meanwhile, the Child Sex ratio focuses on children aged 0-6, highlighting gender-based discrimination and practices such as female feticide.
Research suggests that boys tend to outnumber girls at birth by around 105-106 males per 100 females, a consistent pattern noted by Amartya Sen. The reasons behind this disparity are still debated. However, women tend to have a biological advantage over men, with extensive research indicating that women tend to live longer and exhibit better resistance to diseases if they receive similar healthcare, nutrition, and general medical attention. This advantage is observed not only in the later stages of life but also during infancy and even in the womb. Women have higher survival rates when provided with equal care than men.
In regions such as Europe, the United States, and Japan, where women face relatively less essential nutrition and healthcare discrimination, they significantly outnumber men. This discrepancy can be attributed, in part, to social and environmental factors that increase male mortality rates, including violence and smoking-related diseases. However, even after accounting for these factors, women’s longer lifespans stem from their biological advantages in disease resistance. Whether the higher frequency of male births has evolutionary links to women’s potentially more excellent survival rates is still an interesting topic of study.
Overall, Sen emphasises that women tend to have lower mortality rates than men at various stages of life when given similar treatment in matters of life and death. These findings underscore the importance of addressing gender disparities and ensuring equitable access to healthcare and resources to promote better health outcomes for all.
“Missing women” refers to the gender imbalance resulting from various factors, including gender-based discrimination, female feticide, infanticide, and inadequate access to healthcare and nutrition for women. It highlights the discrepancy between the expected number of females based on natural factors and the observed number, indicating the gender-based discrimination and inequalities prevalent in society. The concept of “missing women” is related to the sex ratio, an indicator of gender distribution and can be calculated for different age groups or the overall population. A sex ratio below 1,000 suggests a lower proportion of females, while a ratio above 1,000 indicates a higher proportion of females. “Missing women” serves as a reminder of the need to address gender disparities and promote gender equality by ensuring equitable access to healthcare and resources for all.
Missing Women – India
Let us study missing women in Indian States using the Sex ratio and some interrelated social metrics to see if we can link the missing women to address gender disparities.
| Metric | Kerala | Tamil Nadu | Gujarat | Haryana | Punjab | Uttar Pradesh |
| Male Literacy Rate | 96 | 87 | 86 | 84 | 80 | 77 |
| Female Literacy Rate – | 91 | 73 | 70 | 66 | 71 | 57 |
| Literacy Rate – Difference | 5 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 10 | 20 |
| MMR (per 100,000 live births) | 19 | 54 | 57 | 110 | 105 | 167 |
| Sex Ratio | 1084 | 996 | 919 | 879 | 895 | 912 |
| Child Sex Ratio | 964 | 943 | 890 | 834 | 846 | 902 |
| Missing Women ( Total) | -84 | 4 | 81 | 121 | 105 | 88 |
| Missing Women (child) | 36 | 57 | 110 | 166 | 154 | 98 |
It is important to note that negative values in the “Missing Women” row indicate a surplus of women rather than missing women. These values are calculated by subtracting the sex ratio of each State from 1000.
This table displays data on gender disparities in six Indian states – Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. By examining the Sex Ratio and Child Sex Ratio metrics, we can analyse the concept of missing women and compare it to other indicators, providing an academic summary of the states.
- Missing Women: Missing Women refers to the discrepancy between the expected number of females in a population and the actual number. It serves as a measure of gender disparities and potential discrimination.
- Kerala exhibits a negative value for missing women, indicating that the actual number of women exceeds the expected number by 84. This suggests a potential overrepresentation of women in the state.
- Tamil Nadu reports a relatively small value of missing women (4), indicating a close alignment between the expected and actual number of women.
- Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh show higher values of missing women, with Uttar Pradesh reporting the highest (88). These figures indicate a gender imbalance, with the actual number of women falling below the expected number.
The analysis reveals varying degrees of gender disparities among the states. Kerala has a more balanced gender distribution, reflected in its negative value for missing women and a smaller literacy rate gap. The state also demonstrates better maternal healthcare outcomes with a lower MMR.
In contrast, states like Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh exhibit more significant gaps in literacy rates, higher MMR values, and positive values for missing women. These findings indicate gender imbalances, potential discrimination against women, and challenges in education and healthcare access.
Kerala –
Other states can learn from Kerala’s success in improving sex ratios and addressing gender disparities. Kerala’s achievements can be attributed to its focus on critical areas such as literacy, healthcare, and maternal mortality rate (MMR).
- Literacy: Kerala’s emphasis on education and high literacy rates for both genders have contributed to more equitable sex ratios. Other states can prioritise education and ensure equal access to quality education for girls, empowering them and reducing gender disparities.
- Healthcare: Kerala’s robust healthcare infrastructure, particularly maternal and child health, has significantly improved sex ratios. Investing in accessible and quality healthcare services, including reproductive health, can improve health outcomes for women and children in other states.
- Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR): Kerala’s low MMR reflects its focus on maternal healthcare. Other States can learn from Kerala’s efforts to improve healthcare access, provide skilled birth attendants, and implement maternal health initiatives to reduce maternal mortality rates and improve overall well-being.
By focusing on literacy, healthcare, and MMR, States can take inspiration from Kerala’s approach and work towards achieving better sex ratios and addressing gender disparities.
1Assuming Kerala’s sex ratio in Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, it is estimated that there are 15 million missing women in UP and 5 million in Gujarat.
| In rural Maharashtra, India, some parents name their daughters Nakusha or Nakushi, which means “unwanted” in Marathi. This is because they see their daughters as unwanted and hope for a boy in the future. |
(The writer is a financial professional, also passionate about the arts, academia, and social issues related to development and human rights)
Note/Appendix
| Metric |
Definition |
| Male literacy | The percentage of literate males |
| Female literacy | The percentage of literate females |
| Literacy Rate – Difference | The difference in literacy rates between males and females |
| MMR (per 100,000 live births) | Maternal Mortality Rate per 100,000 live births |
| Sex Ratio | The number of females per 1,000 males in the population |
| Child Sex Ratio | The number of females per 1,000 males among children (0-6 years old) |
| Missing Women (Total) | The estimated number of missing women in the population |
| Missing Women (Child) | The estimated number of missing women among children (0-6 years old) |
Please note that negative values in the “Missing Women ” column indicate a surplus of women rather than missing women.
Data sources:
Related:
Kerala: The Real Story, where Facts and numbers add up
What a one-sided Kerala Story does to society
To Lord Ram, a letter of remorse and resolve
To Lord Ram, I write again for Hope
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]]>The post What a one-sided Kerala Story does to society appeared first on SabrangIndia.
]]>In Jammu, a Muslim medical student was allegedly beaten up with an iron rod by fellow students due to an altercation over the said movie. He sustained head injuries and had to get stitches for the same.
This was reported on May 15, by twitter account called @HindutvaWatch
Location: Jammu, J&K
Muslim medical student was brutally beaten with an iron rod by fellow students due to an altercation over the recently-released Bollywood movie The Kerala Story.
The student sustained head injuries & received over 10 stitches.
— HindutvaWatch (@HindutvaWatchIn) May 15, 2023
Another video came to the fore on May 6 where some people, presumably outside a movie hall, were enraged and speaking against Muslims. A man, being interviewed by a man on camera said, “If you (Muslims) cheat Hindus and do something wrong against even one Hindus, you will have to leave this country.. We will beat you up if you don’t leave our Hindu women alone. If any Muslim even looks at a Hindu woman, he should be killed there itself. They are a threat to us”. It is unclear where this video was recorded.
This was a main intention to make a movie like #KeralaStory to Incite #Hindus against #Muslims With Fake Propaganda.
After watching a movie they are now calling violence against Muslims.#TheKerelaStory #HateSpeech pic.twitter.com/Ouyd1peCS0
— Hate Detector
Another reaction video after watching the movie surfaced on May 9. A woman was interviewing some people who were exiting the cinema hall after watching ‘The Kerala story’ and asked a woman, how did she like the movie, to which the woman responded, “I am very scared.” She then asked the reporter her name and when she said her name is Alisha, the woman confirmed if she was a Hindu, to which she replied in the affirmative. Then the woman said, “It was very nice but I am scared. Everyone should watch it. Every Hindu should watch it. I got scared looking at Muslims”.
“I got scared after seeing #Muslims,” said a woman in her reaction after watching ‘#TheKeralaStory‘. She first checked religion of the reporter and then gave her reaction. pic.twitter.com/kFKV8IeqAH
— Hate Detector
These are just the incidents that have been so far recorded and somehow landed up on the internet, there are certainly many more of such undocumented incidents where animosity against the Muslim community must have increased, making room for hatred against them. Most of the time this animosity is unspoken (even hidden) as it influences the mind of a person who leaves the cinema hall after viewing the movie. It is these unspoken impressions that propaganda effectively hardens to then incites hatred against a community. It is this potential for creating lasting feelings of disharmony that has led to some governments to reach out to the courts for redressal.
The serious toss up is however between free speech, democracy, censorship and reasonable restrictions on free expression. Should a movie such as this, even if propaganda, be expressly restricted under the restrictions provided for freedom of speech under Article 19(2) ? What are the dangers to taking such a line? The restrictions under this Article include restrictions in the interests of the security and sovereignty of India, friendly relations with Foreign States, public order, decency or morality in the relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence. A movie like this would and could and has definitely become a reason for incitement to violence or could disturb public order, all of it indirectly, how should this impact be curtailed?
As is apparent from the incidents entailed above, the movie has become a cause for violence, a cause for disturbance in public order, yet it has not been seen as the kind of speech that needed to be restricted under the Constitution. The debate goes on. The wider creative community needs to step in.
Related:
Kerala: The Real Story, where Facts and numbers add up
‘The Kerala Story’ producer agrees to remove teaser claiming conversion of 32,000 women
The Kerala Story: now claims of true story of only 3 girls?
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]]>The post The real Kerala story appeared first on SabrangIndia.
]]>I wasn’t really happy that he was following us, so I started a conversation with him. I asked his name. He said Bhaskaran. “I was not sure who you were, but once you reached the grave I knew who you were. I regularly water the jasmine plant you have planted there’, he said. We had a conversation about the Kanji and I tried to give him a gift. He refused, saying ‘your brother gives me money’. I later asked my brother about Bhaskaran. He belongs to the Dalit caste, my brother also tries to give him money but he wouldn’t take.
I was so happy about a mosque where the food is made by a cheerful Dalit.
Now a story about the nearby Dargah, called Mayyathumkara. Kunjikkuty was a great storyteller in our childhood. She would occasionally come to our house- with a lot of stories and songs. A Paraya (Dalit) lady, single, with great skill in making bamboo articles and she would stay with us for a few days before she disappeared, often to Mandakkadu temple.
Some 4-5 years ago I saw her on the road, aged but healthy. I asked her about her welfare. She said she was doing the caretaking of the Darga; she sweeps, cleans, puts the money devotees give in the contribution box, and so on..(incidentally, most of the devotees are Hindus) .Then she complained that the manager was not paying her well. I told her to bargain hard, and in the meantime not to put all the money in the contribution box, only after she had taken her due share. She said, no I will never do that. She didn’t take my argument that God doesn’t need money.
I wanted to ask her to sing an old song but didn’t ask fearing that her memory would be failing. I haven’t seen Kunjikkuty after that, nor did I stop there to ask. A Dalit woman caretaker of a Muslim place of worship.
These are the ordinary stories of Kerala. The Sangh Parivar story is something to fool the gullible fanatics, a political project like the Nazis of Germany. Part of the ongoing project to brainwash. This will go on- love jihad, halal jehad, land jehad, upsc jehad, spitting on food, new and new stories will appear and get circulated using the media/political power.But one day soon the country and the society will detoxify itself of such elements and their fake stories.
Dr. S. Faizi , is a renowned ecologist and this is taken from his Facebook Page.
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]]>John Rawls, a renowned philosopher, has greatly influenced the theory of justice. He believes justice should be established based on impartiality and fairness, ensuring equal opportunities for all members of a just society. The term “veil of ignorance” was coined by Rawls to suggest that people would choose equitable and fair principles of justice if they were unaware of their future circumstances. In shaping debates on social justice, equality, and democracy, his work has profoundly impacted contemporary political philosophy.
Using the “veil of ignorance” framework, let’s compare the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, and Karnataka based on some basic economic metrics.
As a means of exploring the possibility of designing a just society without considering social status, wealth, abilities, and other factors that could potentially influence an individual’s position in society, John Rawls, a prominent philosopher, developed the concept of a “veil of ignorance”. According to Rawls, if individuals were positioned behind this veil and unaware of their future circumstances, they would choose principles of justice that are impartial and equitable for everyone. To illustrate this concept, Rawls cited the example of a newborn child who was asked to select a birthplace. In Rawls’ opinion, a fair society would be one where every community member has an equal opportunity to succeed and where resources and benefits are distributed according to need rather than privilege or chance. It is also important to note that such a society would be free from discrimination or prejudice based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status. Food, shelter, healthcare, and education would be available to everyone.
The table delves into the various metrics (definition and sources are below for reference) determining a region or state’s overall well-being and development. It is important to note that the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR), Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR), Life Expectancy, Sex Ratio, Literacy Rate, Per Capita Income, and Human Development Index (HDI) all provide insights into the quality of life in a region or state.
Among all the states, Kerala is the top performer in most metrics, with the highest HDI, lowest IMR and MMR, the highest Life Expectancy, and the highest literacy rates for both sexes. Kerala’s unwavering commitment to human development and social welfare is evident in these impressive figures.
While Kerala has a lower per capita income than Gujarat, it has a higher level of human development, suggesting a more equitable distribution of resources and better living standards for its citizens. It is a shining example of how a state can prioritise the well-being of its citizens while still achieving economic growth by achieving such impressive metrics.
The “veil of ignorance” concept of philosopher John Rawls states that the best state for a person to be born in is one that provides the most significant degree of social and economic equality and opportunities for a fulfilling life, regardless of the individual’s characteristics.
In this context, Kerala is the ideal state to be born, as described in Rawls’ model. The state of Kerala stands out as a beacon of hope and progress for the rest of the country due to its emphasis on human development, social welfare, and economic growth.
Definition of metric
|
Metric |
Definition | Indicator of |
| Infant Mortality Rate | The number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births per year. | Overall health and well-being of a population, as it reflects factors such as access to healthcare, nutrition, and sanitation. |
| Maternal Mortality Ratio | The number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in a given year. | Quality of maternal healthcare and the status of women’s health in a population. |
| Life Expectancy | The average number of years a person is expected to live from birth, based on current mortality rates. | Overall health and well-being of a population are influenced by factors such as healthcare, nutrition, and lifestyle choices. |
| Sex Ratio | The ratio of the number of males to the number of females in a population. | Gender balance in a population. |
| Literacy Rate – Male | The percentage of males aged 15 and above who are able to read and write. | Education levels of males in a population. |
| Literacy Rate – Female | The percentage of females aged 15 and above who are able to read and write. | Education levels of females in a population. |
| Literacy Rate – Difference | The difference between the literacy rates of males and females in a population. | Gender disparities in education levels. |
| Per Capita Income (INR) | The average income earned by each person in a population in a given year is calculated by dividing the population’s total income by the total number of people. | Standard of living and economic development in a population. |
| HDI | The Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite statistic of life expectancy, education, and per capita income indicators, ranking countries into four tiers of human development. The higher the HDI value, the higher the level of human development in a population. | Overall well-being and development of a population, taking into account factors such as health, education, and income. |
Sources
(The writer is a financial professional, also passionate about the arts, academia, and social issues related to development and human rights)
Related:
The Kerala Story: a movie with preposterous claims peppered with Islamophobia
Mallika’s changes inspires Kerala Kalamandalam to keep in step with times
The Kerala Story: When Cinema Becomes the Tool to Spread Hate
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]]>The post ‘The Kerala Story’ producer agrees to remove teaser claiming conversion of 32,000 women appeared first on SabrangIndia.
]]>The producers, however, took responsibility of taking it off its own social media handles indicating that the teaser could still be available on the internet for viewing. It is pertinent to note that, it was pointed out by many Twitter users a couple of days ago that the description of the teaser on YouTube had changed from 32,000 women to being a story inspired by lives of 3 women.
The Kerala high Court refused to pass any interim orders against the film and upheld artistic freedom as well as freedom of speech and expression and observed that, after viewing the teaser and trailer alone it cannot be said that one particular community was being targeted.
After much back and forth, the plea against the film “The Kerala Story” was heard on merits by the Kerala High Court today. On Tuesday the High Court had posted the matter for hearing today, which is the day of release of the movie. Taking their grievances to the Supreme Court, the petitioners pleaded that the court hear them. However, the apex court refused to do so and asked the petitioner to have the hearing before the high court.
Accordingly, the bench of Justice N. Nagaresh and Justice Sophy Thomas assembled for the hearing today. Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave, appearing for one of the petitioners submitted that the trailer and teaser are against the sovereignty and integrity of India and that it was a case of promoting enmity between religions. Justice Nagaresh pointed out that in the trailer people from certain religions are painted in bad light and this is not new since this has been shown before in many movies for many religions.
Senior Advocate George Poonthottam for another petitioner pleaded for recall of the certificate granted to the film by the Censor Board. He submitted that the teaser and trailer are different and the teaser claimed conversion of 32,000 women. The court then viewed the teaser and trailer in court. However, Justice Nagaresh commented, “Now tell me counsel, what is against Islam? There is no allegation against a religion, but only against the organization ISIS.” To this, Poonthottam said that the theme of the movie was that Kerala is the centre of all terrorist activity. The judge however, said that such things have been shown in many Malayalam movies and it cannot be said that the person shown in the trailer is playing the character of a cleric, when he asks some people to impregnate women and get them ready for a mission to ISIS.
Advocate Mohammad Shah also made submissions that the trailer attacks gods of other religions. Reference was made to the dialogue in the trailer where a Muslim girl is shown ridiculing Lord Shiva and says Allah is the only god that runs this world. Shah said, “Can I say your Lord is not a good God? I can say my God is good, but I cannot say your God is bad” to which Justice Nagaresh said, “But if someone says my God is the only God, wouldn’t all others be bad?”
Further Shah submitted how the impression was being created in the trailer, “Parents will think I cannot send my children to a hostel in which Muslim students also stay, they will get converted. That is the impression that they are creating here. Otherwise also, the entire atmosphere is poisonous, Your Lordships must stop it,” he said.
When Shah raised the objection to the movie claiming to tell a true story, Justice Nagaresh said that there is nothing against the Muslim community but only about ISIS. Shah then submitted that the movie causes disharmony between religions.
“Here they say that only the Hindu and Christian girls are being targeted and their parents should be careful. When they say it is a true story, what will be the mindset of the parents? They say after 20 years, Kerala will be Islamic State. This will cause disharmony,” Shah submitted.
Advocate Kaleeswaram Raj submitted, “This is a novel case where the Court is called upon to consider whether hate speech can be in the form of art.” He insisted that there should be some action on the teaser.
Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam appearing for the producers of the movie submitted that there is a disclaimer in the movie that it is a work of fiction and that it is ‘inspired by true events’.
Justice Nagaresh said, “It only says ‘inspired by true events’. There is something called freedom of speech and expression. They have artistic freedom, we have to balance that also.”
When Kadam raised a contention that how can they file an application before viewing the movie. The judge questioned the producers how they can make claims of conversion of 32,000 women. To this Kadam responded, “That was on the basis of the information we received. That was in the teaser. That will not be continued. Please record my submission. We will remove it from social media”
The court thus recorded the submission and observed that there was nothing in the teaser and trailer against an entire community. The court also noted that the Censor Board, a competent Authority, had passed the movie for publication too. The court was not inclined to pass any interim orders.
“In view of above, and taking into consideration the statement made by the producer/company that producer does not intend to retain the offending teaser in the social media handles, no further orders are required at this stage,” the court said, concluding the hearing.
Related:
The Kerala Story: When Cinema Becomes the Tool to Spread Hate
The Kerala Story: now claims of true story of only 3 girls?
The Kerala Story: a movie with preposterous claims peppered with Islamophobia
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