What is the connection between 'The Kerala Story' and the Lok Sabha election, and will the Manipur factor affect the BJP?............
Digital desk: The story of Kerala's 2024 Lok Sabha election is a Kerala Story. And all of this is happening just before Kerala's April 26 elections.
'The Kerala Story', a contentious 2023 film that depicts how Keralan women were forced into joining the Islamic terror group IS, is being screened in several local churches in Kerala.
Some dioceses are reportedly trying to strengthen Christian support in the state before the Lok Sabha elections by showing "The Kerala Story."
Although Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister, criticized the screenings, the BJP claims it has no involvement in them.
Given that Christians make up about 18% of Kerala's population and have the power to influence many constituencies, all eyes are on them. In reality, Kerala is home to the greatest percentage of Christians in India—roughly 22% of all Christians in India.
The BJP, which is ardently attempting to gain ground in Kerala, has historically targeted Christians and Congress voters. In Kerala, where minorities make up 46% of the population, the BJP faces a demographic challenge. Its chances of winning would undoubtedly increase if it could secure some Christian votes.
The violence in Manipur, a state 3,700 kilometers away, is claimed to have soured the campaign for the BJP, which was on track to draw in Christian voters.
What is the connection between 'The Kerala Story' and the Lok Sabha election, and will the Manipur factor affect the BJP?
'The Kerala Story' will be screened by the Idukki Diocese in Kerala this weekend, following its screening last week.
The movie was shown last week as part of a faith festival for Catechism students in Classes 10, 11, and 12 at the church operated by the Idukki Diocese.
A booklet on "love" that highlighted the dangers of "love jihad" was also released by the church.
The Kerala Catholic Youth Movement (KCYM), a youth organization headquartered in Kerala and associated with the Diocese of Thamarassery, also intends to show "The Kerala Story" across the state.
Vijayan strongly criticized the telecast of "The Kerala Story" in dioceses on Tuesday, April 9, claiming that it "aligned with the BJP and RSS agenda."
Kerala state BJP head K Surendran responded to the controversy by saying that the state's residents "wholeheartedly welcomed the film".
While the BJP claims no involvement, some view the bishops' showing of the movie as an attempt to increase support for the party. The BJP claims that only Kerala is benefiting from the developmental agenda.
"The BJP isn't involved in the screening of the Kerala Story. The party has done nothing to polarise voters," a senior BJP leader from Kerala says on condition of anonymity as he is not authorized to speak to the media.
"People know whose daughters have gone, people know the reality. The BJP hasn't done any propaganda. We are banking on Modi's development and Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas," he adds.
According to experts, one of the reasons why Christians could be hesitant to support the BJP in the polls is the ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki people in Manipur.
The problem became personal for several Keralan pastors employed in Manipur.
Experts claim that the violence in Manipur, which is seen by Christians as anti-Christian, was a turning point in their relationship with the BJP.
"The Kerala Christians were ready to accommodate the BJP, but then Manipur came as a jolt," says Joseph C Mathew. "The passive reaction of BJP leaders hasn't helped either."
As to the political analyst, the Keralan church elevated the story of love jihad and "The Kerala Story" to prominence to strengthen the Christian vote.
The BJP is attempting to spread a story about love jihad. According to Mathew, the BJP is using anti-Muslim sentiments in Kerala in an attempt to get new supporters.
However, according to Joseph C. Mathew, there are other reasons why Christians are turning away from the BJP besides the violence that has occurred in Manipur.
"Manipur was the tipping point. The Hindu ceremonies by the government, the Ramjanmabhoomi issue, have all negated the initial thought process of the Christians accommodating the BJP," he says.
Which party will the Christian voters prefer?
"I see Christian votes predominantly going to the Congress-led UDF," says Mathew.
But according to the top BJP politician from Kerala, the Manipur dispute won't affect the results of the election. This is The Kerala Story's Manipur twist, where Christian votes can help or hurt political parties' chances.
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