The Kerala Story: The voices of protest are not stopping after the film got the National Award, now the FTII student organization has raised objections

The 7th National Film Awards were announced recently. This time, the National Film Award has been given to the films released in the year 2023. The film 'The Kerala Story' has also received the National Film Award. Director Sudipto Sen has been given the National Award for Best Director for the film. Many viewers are happy with this. But, at the same time, the voices of protest have also started. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly objected to the film getting the Best Director and Best Cinematography awards. Many other leaders have also protested. Now the FTII student organization has also condemned it.

FTII student organization said, 'Dangerous'

According to news agency PTI, a student organization of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) has strongly condemned the decision to give the National Film Award to 'The Kerala Story' and said that the government-backed recognition of the film is not only disappointing but also dangerous. This film, which came out in the year 2023, showed the reality of forced conversion and recruitment of women in Kerala by the terrorist group Islamic State. There was a lot of controversy over this.

'This is not a film, it is a weapon'

The FTII Students' Union said in a statement that 'The Kerala Story' is not a film but a weapon. It said, 'The state has once again made its position clear. If any propaganda in the name of cinema matches its majoritarian, hate-filled agenda, it will reward it. 'The Kerala Story' is not a film; it is a weapon. It is a false narrative aimed at defaming the Muslim community and defaming the entire state, which has historically stood for communal harmony, education, and resistance.

Said- 'We will not remain silent'

The statement from the student organization said, 'When a government institution promotes a film that spreads misinformation and fear against minorities, it is not only recognizing art, but also legitimizing violence. It is writing the script for lynching, social exclusion, and political discrimination in the future. It further said, 'We refuse to believe that Islamophobia is now worthy of awards and we also refuse to remain silent as the industry we want to enter is being reshaped to reward lies, bigotry and fascist ideology. We, as students and citizens, will not stop calling it what it is.

Many leaders have protested.

Let us tell you that Congress leader KC Venugopal has also protested against 'The Kerala Story' getting the National Award. He called it an example of promoting a hate-spreading agenda. Apart from this, Kerala's General Education Minister, Vasudevan Sivankutty, has also objected to 'The Kerala Story' getting the award on social media. He criticized this decision of the jury members.