The Kerala Story is a 2023 Hindi film directed by Sudipto Sen and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. The film is based on the true stories of three young women from different parts of Kerala who converted to Islam and joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The film stars Adah Sharma, Yogita Bihani, Sonia Balani and Siddhi Idnani in the lead roles.
The film narrates the ordeal of these women who were abducted, brainwashed, radicalized and turned into terrorists by religious vanguards. The film also exposes the dangerous conspiracy that has been hatched against India by these extremist groups. The film is a spine-chilling, eye-opening and thought-provoking drama that raises some pertinent questions about the issue of religious conversion and terrorism in India.
The film has received rave reviews from critics and audiences alike for its bold and honest portrayal of the reality that many people are unaware of or choose to ignore. The film has also proved to be a phenomenal success at the box-office, earning Rs 56 crore in five days. The film has been praised for its direction, writing, acting, music and cinematography.
However, the film has also faced a lot of flak and controversy from some quarters who have accused it of being communal, biased, sensationalist and defamatory. Some states like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have banned the film owing to its controversial content. A complaint has also been filed against NCP leader Jitendra Awhad for his comments on the film. Moreover, a filmmaker named Yadu Vijayakrishnan Parameswaran has claimed that the film is based on his documentary ‘The Story Theft' and has accused the makers of plagiarism.
The Kerala Story is a film that has sparked a lot of debate and discussion among the viewers and the society at large. It is a film that challenges the status quo and exposes the hidden truth that many people are afraid to face. It is a film that deserves to be watched by everyone who cares about the nation and its future.
The Legal and Social Aspects of Religious Conversion in India
Religious conversion is the practice of accepting a different faith or set of beliefs while rejecting others or renouncing one's original religion in favour of another. In India, religious conversion is a highly sensitive and controversial issue that has implications for both individual rights and social harmony.
The Constitutional and Legal Framework of Religious Conversion in India
The Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of religion to all citizens, including the right to change one's religion. Article 25 of the Constitution states that "all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion." Article 26 grants every religious denomination the right to manage its own affairs. Article 27 prohibits any tax for the promotion or maintenance of any particular religion. Article 28 prohibits religious instruction in any educational institution wholly maintained out of state funds.
However, while there are no legal barriers to religious conversion in India, there are some legal restrictions on the propagation of religion. Some states have enacted laws against proselytism, or the attempt to convert people from one religion to another by force, fraud or inducement. These laws are often referred to as anti-conversion laws or freedom of religion laws. As of early 2021, nine states have such laws: Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. These laws require prior permission from the authorities for any conversion and impose penalties for violating the provisions. Some laws also prohibit conversions for marriage purposes.
The constitutionality of these laws has been challenged in various courts on the grounds that they violate the fundamental right to freedom of religion and expression. However, the Supreme Court has upheld the validity of these laws in some cases, while striking down some provisions in others. The Supreme Court has also clarified that the right to propagate religion does not include the right to convert another person by coercion or undue influence.
The Social and Political Dimensions of Religious Conversion in India
Religious conversion in India is not only a legal issue but also a social and political one. It involves questions of identity, culture, community and national integration. It also reflects the historical and contemporary dynamics of inter-religious relations in India.
Religious conversion in India has been influenced by various factors such as caste oppression, social mobility, education, economic development, missionary activities, political movements and personal choice. Different religious groups have different views and attitudes towards conversion. Some religions are more open and tolerant towards conversion than others. Some religions actively seek converts while others discourage or prohibit it.
Religious conversion in India has also been a source of conflict and violence between different religious communities. Some religious groups perceive conversion as a threat to their numerical strength, cultural heritage and political influence.
They accuse other groups of using unethical means such as force, fraud or inducement to convert people from their faith. They also allege that conversion leads to social disharmony and national disintegration.
Some examples of such conflicts are:
The anti-Christian violence in Odisha in 2008, which was triggered by the killing of a Hindu leader by Maoist rebels but was blamed on Christian missionaries who were accused of converting tribal people by force or allurement.
The anti-Muslim violence in Gujarat in 2002, which was sparked by the burning of a train carrying Hindu pilgrims by Muslim mobs but was fuelled by allegations of Muslim men luring Hindu women into marriage and conversion through a phenomenon called "love jihad".
The anti-Sikh violence in Delhi in 1984, which followed the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards but was instigated by rumours of Sikh separatists converting Hindu women by force or deception.
These incidents show that religious conversion in India is not a simple matter of individual choice but a complex phenomenon that involves multiple actors and interests. It also shows that religious conversion in India can have serious consequences for peace and harmony in a diverse and pluralistic society.
Film overview
The Kerala Story: How Three Kerala Women Became ISIS Terrorists and Why It Matters for India
Imagine three young women from Kerala who had dreams of becoming nurses, teachers and lawyers. Now imagine them as ISIS terrorists who were kidnapped, brainwashed and trained to kill by religious vanguards. And imagine the deadly conspiracy that these extremists have hatched against India.
The Kerala Story is a movie that reveals the shocking and disturbing truth behind these women who joined ISIS. The movie is a gripping, enlightening and compelling drama that shows the reality that many people ignore or deny. The movie is a smash hit that has received rave reviews and applause from critics and audiences alike for its courageous and honest depiction of the problem of religious conversion and terrorism in India.
But the movie is also a source of controversy and dispute. Some states have banned the movie for its controversial content. Some politicians have criticized the movie for its remarks. And some filmmakers have claimed that the movie copied their work.
The Kerala Story is a movie that you need to watch. It is a movie that will make you rethink everything you know about religion, identity and nation. It is a movie that will make you care about the future of India.
