More than 100 individuals were taken into custody in Maharashtra, a state in western India, following communal riots that resulted in one person's death and eight others being injured.
According to BBC News, the violence in Akola city was caused by a post on social media discussing a controversial movie called The Kerala Story.
The officials shut down internet access and enforced a curfew to restore order. A policewoman was among the individuals hurt in the confrontations.
According to the police, the violence began on Saturday as a group of people from a community assembled outside a police station in Akola to express their disapproval of a social media post about a movie.
According to reports, a conversation between two people was captured in a screenshot and shared on Instagram by one of them. A police official stated that some of the messages in the chat offended the religious beliefs of the other person, but did not provide any further information.
The office of Maharashtra's Chief Minister Eknath Shinde requested calm and directed the state police to take decisive measures against individuals involved in acts of violence.
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'The Kerala Story'
The Kerala Story, a movie that came out in theaters last week, caused a lot of controversy even before its release. The movie is about three women from southern India who join the Islamic State group. Some politicians have criticized the film as propaganda, but the creators defend it by saying that it's based on extensive research and real-life events.
Why an Indian Film is Controversial on Islamic State
The film's release has sparked debate about the portrayal of terrorism in Indian cinema and the potential for such movies to fuel Islamophobia. The controversy highlights the sensitive nature of the topic of terrorism and the need for responsible storytelling in the entertainment industry.
The Kerala Story has ignited discussions about the recruitment tactics of terrorist organizations and how they target vulnerable individuals. The film also sheds light on the radicalization process, which is often a slow and subtle indoctrination that can go unnoticed by family members or law enforcement.
While some argue that such movies may glorify terrorism, others believe that it's essential to address this issue in popular culture. It provides an opportunity for audiences to understand why people join extremist groups, what motivates them, their ideologies, and how such groups operate.
However, filmmakers must be careful not to portray any religion or community negatively as it could fuel hate crimes against innocent people. Filmmakers should strive for balance while raising awareness about sensitive topics like terrorism.
Overall "The Kerala Story" is a brave attempt at portraying real-life events but needs caution from both creators and viewers alike when dealing with controversial issues related to extremism in India.
