Church screens Manipur documentary amid 'The Kerala Story' row, another opens doors to conduct Eidgah

'I was of the view that such a propaganda film should not be in a children's class. If we do, we too will become part of that propaganda. So in order to give the message to stay away from that controversy and not forget the violence in Manipur, the 15-minute long documentary was shown,' Vicar said.

Thiruvananthapuram: Amidst the row over a Kerala church screening the film The Kerala Story, another church in Kerala countered the move by screening a documentary on Manipur violence. The Ramadan day on Wednesday also witnessed a church in Kerala opening up its premises for the nearby mosque to conduct the Eidgah.

The St. Joseph's church under the Syro-Malabar Catholic church at Sanjopuram in Kochi screened the documentary 'Manipur - The Cry of the oppressed' for students of the church's Bible class on Wednesday.

Vicar of the church Fr. Nidhin Panavelil told the media that everyone knows that The Kerala Story was part of an agenda and hence the decision of some churches to screen it would not make any impact. Instead the documentary on Manipur that narrates real incidents should be screened.

At Manjeri in Malappuram hundreds of Islamic believers offered prayers at the Ed Gah at premises of the Nicholas memorial CSI church.

Eid Gah used to be held at the premises of a nearby school. But the school was occupied for election arrangements and hence the Eid Gah committee was looking for alternative space. Subsequently the church offered their premises. Priests of the church also attended the meeting held in connection with Eid Gah.

Vicar of the church Fr. Joy Maslamani said that at a time when attempts to spread hatred were going on such instances that highlighted the communal harmony prevailing in Kerala assumed more relevance.

Meanwhile, apart from many Muslim religious leaders some Christian priests Kerala also flayed the decision of the Idukki Catholic diocese and some other Christian forums to screen 'The Kerala Story' that too when the Lok Sabha polls are approaching.

Imam of Palayam in Thiruvananthapuram V P Suhaib Moulavi said while addressing believers at the Eid Gah that those who promote films like 'The Kerala Story' should not become tools in the hands of those with vested agendas trying to spread hatred. He also said that spreading hate could not be considered as freedom of artistic creativity.

Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese of Malankara Jacobite Syriac Orthodox Church Geevarghese Mar Coorilos said in a social media post that churches should screen love stories and not hate stories.

Social media campaigns highlighting a series of deaths of nuns at various churches in Kerala over the years are also doing the rounds as a counter reaction to the decision of some churches to screen the controversial film.