The Kerala Story to get tax-free status in Uttarakhand, says minister; CM Dhami plans to watch the film with colleagues

The Kerala Story: After BJP ruled states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand too has decided to declare The Kerala Story tax-free. Tourism and Culture Minister of Uttarakhand Satpal Maharaj said the controversial film will be tax-free in the state.

The film, starring Adah Sharma, was released in cinemas on Friday. It deals with the events behind the alleged disappearance of thousands of women from Kerala. It depicts how women from Kerala were forced to convert to Islam and recruited by the terrorist group Islamic State.

While a formal announcement was still awaited, Maharaj said the film will be tax-free in the state soon.

Dhami says film depicts truth

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Tuesday, "The Kerala Story" depicts "the truth" and everyone should see it. "The Kerala Story is a film depicting the truth of how terrorism is being spread without using arms and ammunition. I think everyone should see the film," Dhami told reporters.

Dhami said he will watch the film with his colleagues.

The movie has generated controversy as some political parties have have accused it of false portrayal against a community. West Bengal has banned the screening of the movie in theatres and multiplexes in Tamil Nadu have cancelled shows from Sunday.

UP accords tax-free status

On the other side, UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath tweeted on Tuesday, “The Kerala Story to be made tax-free in Uttar Pradesh.” The UP CM was expected to watch the movie with his cabinet colleagues at a special screening.

Earlier, the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh also made the film tax free. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the film “exposes the conspiracy of love Jihad, religious conversion and terrorism and brings out its hideous face”.

BJP leaders across the country have urged state governments, especially in non-BJP ruled states, to extend tax-free status to ‘The Kerala Story’.

Also Read: The Kerala Story box office collection: Despite politics, Adah Sharma starrer hits Rs 57 crore

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