THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The row over Mohanlal-starrer, ‘L2: Empuraan’ continued to trigger political reactions in Kerala Saturday with Congress accusing BJP of showing intolerance towards the movie citing intense criticism being raised against it on right-wing social media handles.
However, state BJP functionaries chose not to make any adverse remarks against the Prithviraj-directed film, even as the party and Sangh Parivar activists continued to criticise it.
The film has become a topic of hot debate over its critique of right-wing politics and covert mention of the Gujarat riots.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal alleged that BJP’s criticism of the movie was part of the intolerance of Sangh Parivar. Pointing out the recently released movies like ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’ and ‘Emergency’, he said such films were critical of Congress, but BJP welcomed all of them. “BJP should introspect whether it is right to show intolerance only when they are criticised,” he said.
Venugopal added the uproar against the movie should be seen in the context of recent SC verdict quashing an FIR lodged by Gujarat Police against Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi for allegedly posting an edited video of a provocative song. The Congress MP recalled SC’s observation that even if a large number of persons dislike the views expressed by another, the right of the person to express the views must be respected and protected.
Kerala education minister V Sivankutty came out against the reported move to re-censor the film. He said Gujarat riot and Godhra were part of Indian history and generations would see and know about it whatever scissors have been used to cut it.. “Freedom of expression is cornerstone of democracy,” Sivankutty said.
Meanwhile, junior minority affairs minister George Kurian said he hasn’t yet seen the movie, but will watch it.
A section of right-wing outfits have demanded the revoking of Lt Col rank of Mohanlal in the wake controversial contents in the movie.