‘The Kerala Story’: PIL Filed Before Madras HC Seeking Ban On Film’s Release

A PIL was filed before the Madras High Court seeking a ban on the release of ‘The Kerala story’ film. The plea was mentioned today before the HC and sought for a hearing as early as today because the film is going to be released on Friday.

The plea is scheduled to be considered by a vacation bench of Justices AD Jagadish Chandira and C Sarvanan on Thursday.

The Kerala Story is a film about a group of Kerala women who join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The film is set to be released on May 5, Friday.

Aravindakshan BR, a city-based journalist, has filed a PIL and claimed that the film is a “propaganda film” made without even basic research.

According to the PIL, the film is likely to disrupt religious unity and public peace in the country.

The PIL states that the film uses no official sources to support its assertion that women from Kerala joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

“I submit that neither the Home Ministry nor the intelligence agencies have released such information, and I don’t understand why Sunshine Pictures released a teaser for the film The Kerala Story, claiming it was based on a true story,” the PIL states.

As a result, the petitioner has asked the Court to direct the Information and Broadcasting Ministry and the Tamil Nadu government to consider the petitioner’s previous representations to them and put a complete ban on the film’s release.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Supreme Court denied a plea brought by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind challenging the film’s release.

While rejecting the petition, the Supreme Court allowed the petitioner to appeal before the appropriate High Court.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud stated that the Supreme Court cannot be allowed to become a “super Article 226 court.” The aforementioned Article empowers High Courts to issue directions or writs to government officials.

Another plea has been filed with the Kerala High Court seeking a stop on the film’s release. The High Court had sought responses from the Central Government, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), and the film’s producers, but had adjourned the matter until May 5, when the film is scheduled to be released.