New Delhi [India]: Communist Party of India (CPI) MP P Sandosh Kumar on Tuesday moved a Suspension of Business Notice in the Rajya Sabha under Rule 267 to discuss what he called a “malicious” and “targeted” attack on the Malayalam film Empuraan by the BJP and RSS.
The film has faced backlash due to alleged references to the 2002 Gujarat riots, with critics claiming it curtails freedom of speech.
“I hereby serve notice under Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) of my intention to move the following motion for the suspension of business listed for 1 April 2025. That the House suspend Zero Hour and other relevant rules relating to Question Hour and other business of the day to discuss the malicious and targeted attack on the film ‘Empuraan’ by the BJP and RSS, and the effort to curtail freedom of speech and expression enshrined in our Constitution,” Kumar wrote.
Congress Joins Protest, Moves Adjournment Motion in Lok Sabha
Congress MP Hibi Eden also moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha, calling for a discussion on the protests against Empuraan.
“The recently released movie Empuraan has been facing meaningless protests due to the depiction of certain incidents relating to the Gujarat riots,” Eden stated in his motion.
He further asserted that the movie portrays the truth about the Gujarat riots and accused the RSS-BJP of trying to suppress creative freedom.
“Empuraan is a world-class Malayalam movie that has had a highly successful box office run, with one of the biggest openings in Mollywood. However, the film is facing the hatred of the Sangh Parivar, which now wants to dictate what people should watch in India. The film reveals the truth about the Gujarat riots and exposes the Sangh’s agenda to divide Kerala and gain control of the coastline. This is why the truth is hurting the BJP and the Sangh Parivar. We cannot allow threats and violent protests by RSS-BJP to undermine creative freedom, or else we would cease to remain a democracy,” he wrote.
Congress MP KC Venugopal Weighs In
On Monday, Congress MP KC Venugopal also criticized the protests, stating that those offended by the film must have a “guilty conscience.”
“This is a clear attack on freedom of expression. I saw the film; there is nothing to protest against. It is just cinema, and everyone should see it that way,” Venugopal told reporters.