9th May 2023, Mumbai: The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) recently condemned the ban of the film “The Kerala Story” in the state of West Bengal. The state government banned the movie, citing the maintenance of peace and the prevention of incidents of hatred and violence in the region. However, IMPPA argues that banning a film is a serious violation of the freedom of expression, as well as the rights of the audience to see all films that have been certified as “fit” for public exhibition by the Central Board of Film Certification.
IMPPA requested that the West Bengal government immediately withdraw the ban and ensure the safety and protection of the screening of the film. They pointed out that banning a film is not a solution, as it denies the constitutional rights of citizens. IMPPA’s president, Ashoke Pandit, also condemned the banning of the film, stating that it was a big attack on the freedom of expression of a filmmaker and was sending the wrong signal to the entire country.
The Kerala Story” is a film that allegedly depicts the story of three women who are trafficked to ISIS camps after being converted to Islam through marriage. The state of West Bengal became the first to ban the film. However, the movie has been made tax-free in the BJP-ruled states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, which has sparked continuing political outcry.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee defended the decision to ban the film, stating that it was to avoid any incident of hatred and violence and maintain peace in the state. Nevertheless, IMPPA argues that no state government has the right to deprive people of their rights to see all films that have been certified for public exhibition by the Central Board of Film Certification, and that banning films is a serious violation of constitutional rights.