Rahul Gandhi Condemns Political Weaponization of Cinema and Media
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has strongly criticized the increasing use of cinema and media as tools for political propaganda, specifically referencing the ongoing debate surrounding the film The Kerala Story. In a recent interaction with students at Marian College in Idukki, Kerala, Gandhi asserted that movies and media should serve to unite people rather than deepen societal divisions.
Video Interaction Highlights Concerns Over Media Role
Sharing a video of his engagement with the students, Gandhi emphasized that cinema and media are being "weaponized" to vilify communities and create social rifts. According to a report by news agency ANI, he captioned the post on social media, stating, "The real Kerala story - compassion, unity, and always standing by one another. Cinema and media should bring people together, not be weaponized to divide society or vilify communities."
During the video, a student raised a question about whether cinema is increasingly being utilized as a political propaganda tool to shape public perception, pointing to controversies around films like The Kerala Story. In response, Gandhi highlighted that the public has a deep understanding of Kerala's social and cultural fabric.
Public Response to The Kerala Story and Kerala's Unity
Gandhi remarked, "'The Kerala Story's' hall seems to be empty, and nobody's really watching it. And it shows you that there are people, the majority of this country, have an understanding of what Kerala is and Kerala's traditions and cultures." He further reflected on his five-year tenure as the Member of Parliament from Wayanad, sharing lessons learned from the people of Kerala.
Recalling a tragic landslide incident during his early days in Wayanad, Gandhi described the remarkable spirit of solidarity among residents. "It was quite amazing to see that somebody who's lost his family, lost his house, he's interested in helping somebody else. And it didn't matter what community that person was from, what religion, none of that mattered. It was that there's a problem, and all of us have to get together to solve the problem. I found that to be a very powerful thing," he said.
Praise for Kerala and Reiteration of Media Concerns
Gandhi also praised the people of Kerala, noting their widespread respect across the nation. "Of course, you people have made us very proud. The only thing one hears about the people of Kerala is praise," he added. However, he reiterated his concerns about the role of media and films in shaping narratives, stating, "Movies, TV, media have been weaponized to vilify people, to alienate people, to create division in society so that certain people can benefit and other people are harmed."
This statement underscores Gandhi's call for a more responsible use of media and cinema to foster unity and compassion, rather than exploiting them for political gains that could harm societal harmony.
