BJP Suspends Leader Who Approached Kerala HC to Ban ‘L2: Empuraan’
In a surprising move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has suspended one of its leaders, Vijeesh Vettam, who had approached the Kerala High Court seeking a ban on the screening of Mohanlal’s latest film, ‘L2: Empuraan’. Vijeesh had filed a petition on Tuesday claiming that the film’s screening could incite communal tension due to a reference to the 2002 Gujarat riots. However, the court refused to stay the film’s screening, and now Vijeesh has been suspended by the BJP on charges of indiscipline.
This development comes as a shock to many, especially given the sensitive nature of the issue at hand. The BJP’s move to suspend Vijeesh suggests that the party may be trying to distance itself from the controversy, which has sparked heated debates and discussions across the country.
For those who may not be familiar with the issue, ‘L2: Empuraan’ is a Malayalam film directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, who is also an actor and a prominent figure in the Indian film industry. The film is a sequel to the 2020 film ‘Lucifer’, which was a massive hit in Kerala and other parts of India. The new film is expected to be just as successful, given the popularity of the first installment.
However, Vijeesh Vettam, a BJP leader from Kerala, has taken umbrage with the film’s reference to the 2002 Gujarat riots, which were a major incident of communal violence in India. Vijeesh claimed that the film’s portrayal of the riots could incite communal tension and create unrest among the people of Kerala, which has a significant Muslim population.
In his petition to the Kerala High Court, Vijeesh requested that the court issue an injunction to prevent the screening of the film until a thorough review of its content had been conducted. However, the court rejected his petition, stating that the film’s screening could not be stayed without a thorough examination of the matter.
The BJP’s decision to suspend Vijeesh comes as a surprise, given the party’s reputation for being vocal about issues related to Hindutva and communalism. However, it is possible that the party may be trying to tone down its stance on the issue, especially given the backlash it has faced from various quarters.
Many have criticized Vijeesh’s petition, suggesting that it was motivated by political considerations rather than any genuine concern for the people of Kerala. Others have pointed out that the film’s reference to the 2002 Gujarat riots is a legitimate artistic expression and does not constitute a threat to communal harmony.
The controversy surrounding ‘L2: Empuraan’ has also sparked a debate about censorship and artistic freedom in India. Many have argued that the government and other authorities have no business telling filmmakers what they can and cannot depict in their films, as long as they are not promoting or glorifying violence or hate speech.
In conclusion, the BJP’s decision to suspend Vijeesh Vettam is a significant development in the ongoing controversy surrounding ‘L2: Empuraan’. While Vijeesh’s petition may have been motivated by political considerations, the issue at hand raises important questions about censorship and artistic freedom in India.
As the debate continues to rage on, it is essential that we remain vigilant and ensure that our freedom of expression is not compromised. The people of Kerala and the rest of India deserve the right to watch films that reflect the complexities and nuances of our society, without being censored or restricted by external forces.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala-bjp-member-hc-empuraan-screening-ban-9918673/lite/
