Kerala govt order probe over portrayal of a person in an Islamic attire as a terrorist sparks row

Kochi, January 11: The portrayal of a person in Islamic attire as a terrorist during a musical programme in Kerala sparked a major controversy, forcing the state government to order an inquiry into the incident. Kerala education minister V Sivankutty directed the Director of Public Education to probe the matter and also barred the performing arts society involved in the incident from participating in future state functions.

 

"MATHA, 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 a chance in future," said Sivankutty said. He also claimed that the performance was screened by a committee but was reportedly enacted without the dress used on the stage.

 

The controversy erupted last week after a person in Islamic attire was depicted as a terrorist during the five-day Kerala School Arts Festival in Kozhikode. Various Muslim organisations protested against the controversial depiction of the terrorist during a programme.

 

 

 

CPI(M) state Secretary M V Govindan said the party or government "will not take a stand against any religion or faith." CPI(M) Kozhikode District Secretariat is also conducting an inquiry into the incident at its level.

 

Congress leader K Muraleedharan demanded a public apology from chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan over this incident. "CM has the moral responsibility to answer this controversy. The Education Minister was in Kozhikode when the School Art festival was going on," he said.

 

The director of Matha Perambra said the arts society has no political inclinations.

 

"We don't endorse any political view. Here, in this organisation, people with different political views work together. The alleged scene was created unintentionally. At the end of the programme, minister Muhammad Riyas even shook hands with the performers," ANI quoted him as saying.