Bengal MP Locket Chatterjee Slams Mamata Banerjee Over Ban on Film “The Kerala Story”

New Delhi (India), May 9, 2023: In a scathing attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Locket Chatterjee criticized the state government’s decision to ban the recently released film “The Kerala Story.”

Chatterjee accused Banerjee of being “anti-Hindu, anti-India, and anti-women” for imposing the ban. She suggested that the ban was an attempt to hide something, as the film focused on the issue of ISIS. The MP claimed that Banerjee’s action was driven by a desire to secure Muslim votes, despite seeking support in the name of Bengalis.

The controversy surrounding “The Kerala Story” escalated after Mamata Banerjee ordered an immediate ban on its screening in West Bengal, citing concerns of potential “incidents of hatred and violence.” This decision has made Bengal the first state to ban the film.

The ban has ignited a political clash between the ruling Trinamool Congress and the opposition BJP. The film depicts the forced conversion of women from Kerala to Islam and their recruitment by the Islamic State.

The film’s producer, Vipul Shah, has announced plans to challenge the ban legally, emphasizing the need for freedom of expression. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders have also voiced their support for the film, highlighting its aim to expose the consequences of terrorism in society, particularly in Kerala. PM Modi criticized the Congress party for attempting to ban the film and accused them of backing terrorist elements.

Despite the backlash, Mamata Banerjee stands firm on the ban, with the state government issuing a directive to take action against any cinema hall that violates the ban on “The Kerala Story.”