Another plea before Kerala High Court challenging release of movie The Kerala Story; urgent listing sought

Two fresh petitions have been filed before the Kerala High Court against the release of film The Kerala Story.

The petitions were filed by Muhammed Razak KV and Thamanna Sulthana whose counsel Rakesh K also wrote to the Registrar General of the High Court for listing of the matter today since the movie is slated for release tomorrow.

In this regard, the letter by the lawyer to the Registrar General also cited an order passed by the Supreme Court yesterday in a similar plea by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind wherein it was observed that the petitioners could approach the High Court and the High Court may consider request for early listing of the case.

Another petition is already pending before the Kerala High Court against the movie.

On Tuesday, the High Court had sought the response of the Central government, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) and the producers of the movie in that petition but posted the case for further hearing on May 5.

A similar petition is also pending before the Madras High Court.

The Kerala Story is a Hindi film about a group of women from Kerala who join the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The film is slated for release on May 5, Friday.

Even before its release (scheduled this Friday), the film had invited criticism from several quarters. In Kerala, the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress party have alleged that it is a propaganda movie promoting a fake narrative and an agenda of right wing organisations.