Following the actions of the Idukki diocese, the Thamarassery diocese of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is stepping into the spotlight by scheduling a screening of a contentious film titled “The Kerala Story.” In the wake of diverse reactions and significant debate, this move has ignited dialogue among differing viewpoints and communities. The Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM) branch of the Thamarassery diocese has taken the lead in organizing this event, planning to showcase the film during the ‘Suvisheshotsavam’ vacation classes for youths, slated for April 12.
Father George Vellakkakudiyil, the director of KCYM for the Diocese of Thamarassery, shared insights into the decision to proceed with the screening amidst protests, stating “We have made the decision to counter the attack on the Idukki diocese by vested interests. There is no point in all the protests against the screening. It is not a banned movie. Also, it is freely available on OTT platforms.”
The rationale behind showcasing the movie, as clarified by Fr. Vellakkakudiyil, revolves around its educational value. According to him, it serves as a medium to impart caution to the younger generation about certain hazards they may face and to remain vigilant, especially in matters of the heart. He made it clear that the intention is not to sow seeds of discord against Islam as a whole, but rather to throw light on the actions of a specific faction within the community.
Fr. Vellakkakudiyil elaborated on the phenomenon referred to as ‘love jihad’, a contentious topic that has been a source of heated debate throughout the country. He pointed out, “We have nothing against Islam. But there is a section of Islamic fundamentalists who support ‘love jihad’, through which unsuspecting girls from other communities are forced to convert into Islam in the name of love.” The term ‘love jihad’ itself, he noted, has often been misconstrued or incompletely represented in media discussions.
The primary issue according to the church official does not revolve solely around terrorism but predominantly focuses on the element of conversion through deceptive means. He revealed that the KCYM had intervened in over 320 cases which were allegedly related to ‘love jihad’, indicating the seriousness with which the diocese views the matter at hand.
This is not the first instance where a diocesan authority has eagerly promoted “The Kerala Story”; previously, the Idukki diocese faced sharp criticism for its screening on April 4. Additionally, they encouraged families to watch the movie on the national broadcaster Doordarshan, eliciting a coordinated backlash from a variety of left-leaning political groups and organizations vehemently opposing the broadcast.
The actions of the Thamarassery and Idukki dioceses have undoubtedly fueled a broader conversation on the interplay between film, religious sentiments, and social issues. “The Kerala Story”, embroiled in contention, has become a catalyst for wider discourse, with both opposition and advocacy crystallizing around its screenings, highlighting the delicate balance between narrative and sensitivity in modern-day Kerala. Whether these scheduled screenings by the dioceses will pave the way for understanding or further entrench the divisions within communities remains a subject of broad and impactful discussion.
