Congress Leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Explains Why 'The Kerala Story' Is Tax Free In UP, MP

Bengal Congress chief Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Thursday criticised the tax-free status of Sudipto Sen's controversial film 'The Kerala Story' in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, attributing it to the Bharatiya Janata Party's divisive politics. According to Chowdhury, these states governed by the BJP refuse to showcase films related to revolutionary Indian personalities but willingly promote 'The Kerala Story' and 'The Kashmir Files' without any charges.

Chowdhury's remarks followed the Supreme Court's stay on the Bengal government's ban on public screenings of 'The Kerala Story.'

The court ruled that the ban imposed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's government lacked supporting evidence presented to the court. The bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, also emphasised that it is the responsibility of the elected state government to maintain law and order, considering that the film has received clearance from the censor board.

Responding to the court's order, Shashi Panja, Bengal's Women and Social Welfare Minister, stated that the Supreme Court had provided its observations. She added that the chief minister would determine the subsequent course of action. Panja highlighted that Mamata Banerjee's intention was to prevent harm to any community and avoid any law and order disturbances, prompting her to make the decision.

Amit Malviya from the BJP, who strongly criticized Mamata Banerjee when she announced the ban, accusing her of siding with radical elements instead of supporting the safety of their daughters, welcomed the Supreme Court's verdict. Malviya emphasized that it is now the responsibility of Mamata Banerjee, as the Home Minister of Bengal, to ensure the uninterrupted screening of the movie. He criticized Banerjee's frequent dog-whistles and appeasement politics, which, according to him, have undermined freedom of speech in Bengal.

Mamata Banerjee had previously announced the ban on the movie 'The Kerala Story,' stating that it was done to prevent any incidents of hatred, violence, and to maintain peace in the state. She questioned the motives behind 'The Kashmir Files' and labeled 'The Kerala Story' as distorted, suggesting that it aimed to humiliate a particular section of society.