Bhopal: Amid the ongoing controversy over the recently released 'The Kerala Story', the Madhya Pradesh government on Wednesday withdrew its decision to make the film tax-free in the state. No official reason has, however, been given by the state government.
On Saturday, the BJP-led Shivraj Singh Chouhan government had announced to make the controversial film tax-free. The chief minister had then said that the film creates awareness and asked parents and daughters to watch it.
Meanwhile, the film has hit the box office in Madhya Pradesh with several cinema halls going house-full. Women and girls are being seen crowding in front of the cinema halls in large numbers.
The Sudipto-Sen-directed 'The Kerala Story' is based on the large-scale conversion of Hindu women in Kerala. Earlier, following the footsteps of Madhya Pradesh government, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath had announced on Tuesday to make the film tax-free. A special screening has been arranged for the film on May 12 for Adityanath and his cabinet ministers.
Also Read: CBFC member reacts to The Kerala Story ban in West Bengal: 'You can't decide fate of the film'
The Opposition parties have criticised the movie claiming that it promotes love jihad conspiracy theory. On Monday, West Bengal chief minister Mamata banned the film in the state citing threat to law and order. Banerjee's decision has drawn criticism from the BJP with Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur saying that by banning the film the chief minister has done injustice to the sisters and daughters of West Bengal.
Though Tamil Nadu government has not banned the movie, it was removed from theatres on May 7. The decision was taken after Naan Thamilar Katachi and its leader Seeman protested threatening to break screens and theatres if the film was screened.
