Maharashtra's 'Hindu Sakal Samaj' wants 'The Kerala Files' to be tax-free

The film "The Kerala Story" has courted controversy for falsely claiming that thousands of women from Kerala were being converted to Islam and recruited into ISIS. Political parties in Kerala maintain that the movie promotes the Sangh Parivar's agenda. Meanwhile, members of the "Hindu Sakal Samaj" from Nashik in Maharashtra have demanded the film be made tax-free.

Hindu Sakal Samaj group raised slogans and organised picketing against Love Jihad in many areas across Maharashtra. They believe that the film "The Kerala Story" will present the entire process of Love Jihad to the people and the girls of Hindu society will receive awareness by watching this film.

"We hope that under the leadership of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Love Jihad will be curbed in the state and victimized Hindu girls will get justice. With the help of Hindi film "The Kerala Story", its reality has now come to the fore. Spread it among the Hindu brothers keeping in view the audacious intention of the said film to be seen by all. The state government should make this film tax-free, a modest hope expressed by all Hindu community members", said members of Hindu Sakal Samaj.

On behalf of the Sakal Hindu Samaj of Nashik, a request has been made to the District Collector to make the film tax-free as soon as possible.

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A lot of questions were raised after the first teaser and then the trailer of the film dropped. It was claimed that the movie will spread hatred among the people and thus needs to be banned. However, there has been no comment from the filmmakers or its cast on the protests against the film so far.

The demand for Love Jihad Act is rising in Maharashtra and this issue was also raised in the assembly session. After the brutal murder of Shraddha Walkar, a resident of the Palghar area adjacent to Mumbai by her live-in partner, there has been a spurt in the demand to pass the Anti-Love Jihad Act.

A special team has been constituted by the state government to work on this act. This panel will study the laws related to Love Jihad in other states to formulate the same for Maharashtra. This committee will collect information about inter-religious marriages, and inter-religious live-in partners and keep in touch with them so that if any victim comes forward, they can get justice from the state government.