Ahead of Kerala Story 2 release, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor calls film ‘hate-mongering’

COngress MP Shashi Tharoor on th strongly criticised the take ‘The Kerala Story 2’ forward of its upcoming subsequence, describing it as a “hate-mongering” production that lacked factual base and was designed to spread social division.Speaking on the controversy surrounding the film, Tharoor said its central claims were exaggerated and misleading. He rejected the narrative that thousands of people had been forcibly converted, stating that available data pointed to only a limited number of cases over several years. Tharoor argued that isolated incidents should not be projected as a nationwide phenomenon in a country as large and diverse as India.ALSO READ | In India-US trade deal, Shashi Tharoor flags unanswered questions: ‘Need for clarity’“The first film, Kerala Story, was a hate-mongering film. It lacked any foundation. They were saying that thousands of people were converted, which is not true. I think there were around 30 such cases over a number of years," he said, speaking to news agency ANI.The Congress leader further questioned the intent behind such portrayals, saying that inaccurate storytelling only serves to deepen mistrust and hostility among communities.ALSO READ | Petition filed in HC to stall release of The Kerala Story 2 and cancellation of censor certificate; notices issued"Ours is a very big country. If a case occurs here and there, it doesn't mean you should turn it into a big story and use it as propaganda…What's the point of saying things that will only spread hatred in people's minds and are not even correct?... In our childhood, films like Amar Akbar Antony used to get entertainment tax exemptions,” he added. Meanwhile, the All India Muslim Jamaat also criticised the upcoming film The Kerala Story 2, alleging that it is based on false narratives and contributes to communal disharmony. Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, said the film reflects a growing trend among filmmakers to prioritise profit over social responsibility. He alleged that such films were fuelling communal tensions, damaging Hindu-Muslim brotherhood, and were part of a “planned effort” to defame Muslims, ANI reported.ALSO READ | The Kerala Story 2 Row: What is the controversy and why CM Pinarayi Vijayan is urging people to ‘reject it’“The Kerala Story-2 is a story based on fake narratives, and nowadays a trend has started among film directors to earn money in any way possible. The films these days are increasing communal tension and destroying the Hindu-Muslim brotherhood. All these things are being done as part of a planned effort to defame Muslims,” he said.(With inputs from ANI)