Kolkata: A day after theatres in Tamil Nadu stopped screening ‘The Kerala Story’ as a “precautionary measure”, the Bengal government on Monday banned the controversial film in a bid to maintain “peace and harmony”. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee dubbed it a “distorted story” and accused the BJP of “defaming the people of Kerala with their narrative”.

Union I&B minister Anurag Thakur said Mamata was doing “injustice to the sisters and daughters of Bengal by banning the film”. The film’s producer, Vipul Amrutlal Shah, said he will “explore legal avenues if the state government doesn’t listen to us”.

The clampdown came even as the film was running across 94 halls in the state—some to packed houses—and the theatre-owners said there had been no trouble so far.

“The scenes depicted in this movie can be dangerous to the law and order and apprehending this, screening of this movie is banned in Kolkata and all districts. The state took this decision to maintain law and order,” a Bengal government release said.

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Kolkata : Even as West Bengal banned the screening of ‘The Kerala Story’ in the state, CM Mamata Banerjee slammed the film and said, “A few days ago, (some) stars, funded by BJP, came to Bengal. They came with some distorted stories, concocted stories, (and) they are preparing a film, Bengal Files.”

The CM further added: “Earlier they had prepared The Kashmir Files to condemn Kashmiris. What is the fault of the people? Now they defame the people in Kerala and the state.”

The Trinamool chief insinuated that Kerala’s governing CPM was not doing enough against the film. “I am talking about people in Kerala. I am not talking about CPM because they are working with BJP. And that BJP is showing The Kerala Story. Instead of me, it was their (CPM’s) duty to criticize it.”

“She should say whether she is standing with those who promote terrorist ideology or is against it,” Union I&B minister Anurag Thakur said about the Sudipto Sen-directed film centred on so-called “love jihad”. (With Agency inputs)

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BJP on Monday slammed West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee’s decision to ban “The Kerala Story” as “unfortunate” and said it raised serious questions on civil liberties and freedom of expression. The party said the movie is a “real account of victims, who have endured the horrors of demographic invasion and have been used as cannon fodder” for the Islamic State.