'Standing with supporters of terrorism': Modi calls out Congress for opposing 'The Kerala Story'

At a BJP election rally in Karnataka's Bellari, Modi said bombs, guns, and pistols may create loud noise, but they cannot create the kind of hollowing effect on society that a terrorist conspiracy can.

“The courts have also expressed concerns about this form of terror, and currently, there are debates about the movie 'The Kerala Story,' which focuses on such a conspiracy,” Modi said.

He accused Congress of opposing the film about terrorism and standing with those who justify terrorist actions.

'The Kerala Story' depicts the alleged radicalisation and conversion of young Hindu and Christian women to Islam in Kerala and their recruitment into the terrorist organisation Islamic State or ISIS.

Both Congress and CPI(M) have criticised the movie for painting Kerala as a hub of religious extremism and spreading hate propaganda against the state. They have accused the filmmakers of exaggerating and distorting the reality of Kerala.

Modi said, “'The Kerala Story' portrays a terrorist conspiracy in one state of the country, which has elicited concerns about the destructive impact of such acts of terror. A terrorist conspiracy has come to light in a state where people are so hardworking and talented.”

He said the pre-poll surveys stating that Congress has an edge over BJP in the May 10 elections is ‘disinformation’.

Congress used corruption to loot the country since the eve of Independence and now it is using ‘disinformation’ to fool the people, Modi alleged, adding that it will "go to any extent for appeasement".

"The Congress is afraid to see the huge support we are receiving. They get frightened even if I utter 'Jai Bajrangbali,’" he declared, and urged the audience to repeat the chant with him multiple times, as he had done in his previous rally in the state.

Modi said the Congress party equated the banned Islamic group Popular Front of India (PFI) with Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, affiliated with the RSS.

In its manifesto for the Karnataka elections, Congress stated that it will ban such groups that promote "enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. The BJP has always taken a tough stance on terrorism, but whenever the party takes action against it, the Congress party opposes it, he stated.

“The entire world is currently concerned about terrorism, which is against humanity, human values, and development. It is surprising that Congress has surrendered to terrorism for the sake of its vote bank. Can a party like this protect the people of Karnataka and their interests? Under such an environment of terror, the industries, IT sector, farmers, and rich culture and heritage of Karnataka will be destroyed. The Congress party has sheltered and supported terrorism,” thundered Modi.