India’s political arena is aflame over ‘The Kerala Story 2’, whose teaser has unleashed a torrent of reactions on its portrayal of love jihad and conversions. Ruling camp cheers it on, opposition bays for a ban, framing it as a communal tinderbox.
BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla unleashed a tirade against detractors, calling out Congress-left hypocrisy on expression. ‘They backed every BJP-bashing film but now crush this? Part one spotlighted love jihad truths, endorsed officially. Part two reveals extremist perils to security and women—yet vote-bank loyalty blinds them,’ he raged.
Minister Narendra Kashyap of UP affirmed its role in spotlighting anti-national conversions.
Dissent rages on. Tehseen Poonawala flagged its dubious claims, retracted in Supreme Court, and suspect timing. V. Gurunadham from AP Congress warned of inter-community clashes fueled by electoral cynicism.
Aradhana Mishra Mona (Congress) advocated restricting religious narratives to avert hatred. SP’s Sangram Singh laughed off BJP’s communal ploy as a sign of internal BJP turmoil in UP.
As voices clash, the controversy elevates beyond cinema to probe free speech’s frontiers in diverse India. ‘The Kerala Story 2’s trajectory will influence future debates on art’s role in society amid rising polarization.