The Kerala High Court refused against postponing the broadcast of the movie “The Kerala Story” on the Doordarshan channel. The decision came in response to a petition seeking a delay in airing the film, which is based on the life of late Congress leader K Karunakaran.
KERALA: On Friday (5th April): The Kerala High Court rejected a petition seeking the postponement of the movie “The Kerala Story” on Doordarshan channel. The court decided not to pass any immediate orders and instead scheduled a hearing on April 11.
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The petitioner, KG Suraj, a poet, documentary filmmaker, and editor of an online magazine, requested the delay until the conclusion of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The film revolves around a group of Kerala women joining the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) and faced problems during its theatrical release in 2023.
Justice TR Ravi, presiding over the case, acknowledged Suraj’s representations made to the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Doordarshan officials on April 4. The court stated that the concerned authorities should be given sufficient time to review the representations.
Suraj alleged that “The Kerala Story” contains propaganda that could polarize voters, violating election rules and the Model Code of Conduct. He further claimed that airing the movie on a government-owned channel is an attempt by the ruling party to manipulate voters’ sentiments by spreading doubt and hatred.
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The petitioner emphasized that broadcasting such a contentious film on a state-owned channel during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is a clear violation of election rules.
Suraj argued that such a move, driven by the political agenda of the ruling party, amounts to a breach of the right to fair and free elections as guaranteed by Articles 19 and 21 of the Indian Constitution. Immediately after the announcement of the movie’s airing, Suraj sent representations to the ECI and Doordarshan officials, eventually moving to the High Court.
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The High Court, while refraining from issuing immediate orders, decided to examine the matter further on April 11. Suraj was represented by advocates SK Adhithyan, Shahina Noushad, and Reuben Charly during the proceedings.
