"Doordarshan Should Not Become Propaganda Machine Of BJP-RSS”: Kerala CM On ‘Kerala Story’ Broadcast
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has strongly criticised Doordarshan National for its decision to broadcast the film “The Kerala Story,” which he alleges incites polarization and exacerbates communal tensions. In a tweet on X, chief minister Vijayan, who leads the Communist Party of India (Marxist) government in the state, condemned the national news broadcaster”s role, urging it to withdraw the screening of a film that appears to serve the interests of the BJP-RSS combine.
The controversial film, starring Adah Sharma and directed by Sudipto Sen, revolves around the theme of “love jihad” and has drawn widespread criticism for allegedly spreading Islamophobic propaganda. Released in May, “The Kerala Story” grossed over Rs. 200 crore in India but has faced negative reviews, with critics accusing it of fueling Hindu nationalist propaganda.
The movie depicts the story of three Hindu and Christian students allegedly manipulated by Muslim men to join the Islamic State group, echoing the “love jihad” theory propagated by Hindu nationalists.
”The decision by Doordarshan National to broadcast the film “Kerala Story”, which incites polarisation, is highly condemnable. The national news broadcaster should not become a propaganda machine of the BJP-RSS combine and withdraw from screening a film that only seeks to exacerbate communal tensions ahead of the general elections. Kerala will remain steadfast in opposing such malicious attempts to sow hatred,” Mr Vijayan wrote on X.
The Kerala chief minister’s remarks come amidst growing concerns in India about the role of media in shaping public discourse and the potential consequences of promoting divisive narratives ahead of general elections. With “The Kerala Story” being labeled as controversial and accused of spreading communal tensions, the debate surrounding freedom of expression and responsible broadcasting has been reignited.
Doordarshan, the national broadcaster of India, was earlier also accused of laying the ground and promoting the controversial Ramjanmabhoomi movement with its religious serials which were broadcast during the late 1980s and early 1990s. These serials often depicted the Hindu epic Ramayana and showcased the religious and cultural significance of Lord Ram and Ayodhya. By airing such content, Doordarshan indirectly contributed to the dissemination of narratives that emphasized the importance of the Ramjanmabhoomi site in Ayodhya and reinforced Hindu sentiments associated with it, as argued by Arvind Rajagopal in his “Politics After Television”.
One of the most notable examples is the telecast of the TV series “Ramayan,” directed by Ramanand Sagar, which aired on Doordarshan from January 1987 to July 1988. The series gained immense popularity and became a cultural phenomenon, attracting millions of viewers across the country. Its portrayal of Lord Ram”s life and teachings, including his birth in Ayodhya, resonated deeply with Hindu audiences and helped reinforce the historical and religious significance of the Ramjanmabhoomi site, argued Rajagopal.
