Thiruvananthapuram, January 13, 2023 (PPI-OT):A controversy erupted in the Indian state of Kerala over the portrayal of a person dressed in Islamic attire as a terrorist in the recently concluded 61st State School Arts Festival in Kozhikode. Following complaints that the portrayal portrayed a specific community as terrorists, the Kerala state government ordered an investigation into the matter. Kerala education minister V Sivankutty ordered an investigation into the incident and barred the performing arts society involved from participating in future state functions. The education minister has requested a report within the next week.

“The organization, MATHA, or Malayalam Theatrical Heritage and Arts, which staged a show as part of the welcome song during the inauguration of the festival, will not be given any opportunity next time. The controversy will be looked into and necessary action will be taken. The reception committee viewed the program before staging it during the inauguration. But it was not a final dress rehearsal of the show,’’ he said. The theme song that sparked the controversy depicted an Army officer arresting a Muslim man who was portrayed as a terrorist. The “terrorist” in the show wore the keffiyeh, a traditional headdress of Arab men. The Indian Union Muslim League, Congress, and other organizations objected to the portrayal, inciting even more outrage.

CPI (M) leader and Public Works Minister Mohammed Riyas claimed that the show was a Sangh Parivar ploy. The CPI (M) district committee in Kozhikode stated that the criticism of the stage show was serious and demanded action. “Presenting a terrorist in Muslim attire is against the stand of the LDF government. Terrorism and extremism are not related to any particular community. It has to be examined how such a show was staged,’’ the party said in a statement.

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