Highlights
- CM Yogi Adityanath declared that the disputed film ‘The Kerala Story‘ will be exempted from taxes in the state.
- Despite facing opposition and controversy due to its content, the BJP-led governments in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have announced that the film will be made tax-free in their respective states.
- The decision to make the film tax-free has sparked a debate on artistic freedom and censorship, with some praising it as a victory for free expression and others criticizing it as a political ploy.
- The controversy surrounding the film has also led to concerns about its impact on public sentiment and political discourse, with many arguing that its portrayal of events in Kerala is inaccurate and may create communal tension.
On the 9th of May Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced that the controversial movie ‘The Kerala Story’ will be made tax-free in the state. The chief minister made the announcement on Tuesday through a tweet in Hindi, stating that the film will be exempted from taxes in Uttar Pradesh.
“The decision was made in response to the controversy surrounding the film’s content, which alleged that more than 32,000 women from Kerala had gone missing and joined the terrorist organization ISIS. The film’s makers have faced opposition from various quarters, with many accusing them of propagating a false narrative that denigrates a certain community”.
Despite this, the BJP-led governments in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand have announced that the film will be made tax-free in their respective states. This move has been welcomed by the film’s producers, who claim that it will help the movie reach a wider audience and convey its message to more people.
Yogi Adityanath’s decision to make the film tax-free in Uttar Pradesh has been praised by his supporters and has also sparked a debate on artistic freedom and censorship. While some have welcomed the move as a victory for free expression and the right to artistic expression, others have criticized it as a political ploy to gain support from a particular community.
“The controversy surrounding the film has also led to concerns about its impact on public imotion & political discourse. Many have argued that the film’s portrayal of events in Kerala is inaccurate and may create a sense of communal tension in the state”.
Despite these concerns, the film’s makers have defended their work, stating that it is based on true events and is supported by factual evidence. They have also expressed their gratitude towards the BJP governments for their support and stated that they are committed to spreading the film’s message of social reform and empowerment.
