SC bans ‘The Kerala Story’ in Bengal, TMC says not responsible for tension

New Delhi: Political impasse broke out in West Bengal soon after the Supreme Court on Thursday lifted the ban on the screening of ‘The Kerala Story’ in the state, which was imposed by the Mamata government on May 8. Trinamool Congress state general secretary and party spokesperson in West Bengal Kunal Ghosh said that the state government has no responsibility in this matter after the decision of the country’s top court. Ghosh said, “The state government took precautionary measures to prevent possible tension on the screening of the story. But with the ban lifted, the state government has no further responsibility.”

State Commerce and Industry Minister Dr. Shashi Panja said that the Chief Minister will now decide on the further course of action. “Every chief minister has the right to take a decision which he feels is good for the society,” he said.

Actor-turned-politician and state BJP leader Rudranil Ghosh said the Supreme Court verdict should be an eye-opener for the West Bengal government and it should desist from taking similar “undemocratic” decisions in the matter.

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“There were no reports of tension or violence surrounding the screening of ‘The Kerala Story’ from anywhere in India. Even West Bengal did not witness any tension during the four days of screening of the film. Screening of the film The decision to ban was a wrong step. A reflection of the appeasement politics of the ruling party.”

State BJP’s senior leader and former national secretary of the party, Rahul Sinha said that court’s rebuke has become regular in the ruling party of the state. “It would be better if they take a lesson from the court orders going against them,” Sinha said.

ALSO READ: Bengal government tells Supreme Court the reason behind ban on ‘The Kerala Story’

Senior CPI(M) leader Tanmay Bhattacharya said he agreed that ‘The Kerala Story’ is a propaganda film distorting facts.

“The intent was directed towards the Left Front government in Kerala. We criticized the content of the film but our government in Kerala did not ban the screening of the film there. This is because we do not believe in banning any work of art. Let’s do it. The West Bengal government banned the release of the film for political purposes.”