Thiruvananthapuram, Aug. 1 -- Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday strongly criticised the 71st National Film Awards jury for their decision to award 'The Kerala Story' the Best Director and Best Cinematography awards, alleging that the move "lent credibility" to a narrative rooted in the "divisive" ideology of the Sangh Parivar.

"By honouring a film that spreads blatant misinformation with the clear intent of tarnishing Kerala's image and sowing seeds of communal hatred, the jury of the National Film Awards has lent legitimacy to a narrative rooted in the divisive ideology of the Sangh Parivar. Kerala, a land that has always stood as a beacon of harmony and resistance against communal forces, has been gravely insulted by thi...