Don't Become Propaganda Machine: CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Doordarshan Plan To Air 'The Kerala Story'

Earlier, Doordarshan announced its decision to air 'The Kerala Story' on April 5. 

VD Satheesan criticized 'The Kerala Story,' stating that it is a propaganda film built on extremely false premises and attempts to paint a bleak picture of the people of the state

A controversy has arisen in Kerala regarding the screening of 'The Kerala Story' on Doordarshan prior to the Lok Sabha elections. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticised Doordarshan's decision to air the film, expressing concern that it could heighten communal tensions. He called for the withdrawal of the film's screening. Kerala Assembly's Leader of Opposition and Congress leader VD Satheesan also urged the Election Commission of India to intervene and direct Doordarshan to retract its decision.

Doordarshan, an autonomous public service broadcaster established by the Government of India, operates as one of the two divisions of Prasar Bharati. Earlier, Doordarshan announced its decision to air 'The Kerala Story' on April 5. 

Following the announcement, Pinarayi Vijayan, taking to X, said, "The decision by @DDNational 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," he said. 

The decision by @DDNational 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…

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) April 4, 2024

Kerala Assembly LoP and Congress leader VD Satheesan also wrote to Election Commission of India demanding to insist Doordarshan to withdraw the decision to screen 'The Kerala Story' movie. The letter read"...As you are aware, Kerala Story is a propaganda film based on extremely false premises and attempts to paint a bleak picture of the people of the state...It is also in violation of model poll conduct, which forbids any effort to divide society on religious lines. In light of these contentions, I request your good self to direct Doordarshan to withdraw from its decision"