MARGAO: The sparks over the controversial film ‘The Kerala Story’, has now reached Portugal, only to be dealt with by mature minds in the Comunidade Hindu de Portugal (CHP), which cancelled the screening, in its ‘J V Gokal’ Auditorium, giving reasons for it.
Following the criticism it received from Indians having roots in Gujarat for cancelling a scheduled screening of the film and rejecting the allegation of hurting Hindu sentiments, the CHP in the clarification said it doesn’t want to screen the film in its ‘J V Gokal’ Auditorium as it does not see itself as a vehicle for inciting division amongst communities of different faiths, on the contrary, its activities are aimed at bringing together individuals of different faiths in peace and harmony.
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In a letter addressed to its members, which O Heraldo has translated to English, the CHP management issued a public note of clarification in respect of the decision it took not to exhibit the film in its auditorium.
“We are not against the projection of the film but its content and the message it gives may hurt religious susceptibilities. The film relates the conversion of Hindu girls to Islam by religious extremists who, actually, corrupt the true essence of Islam. Unfortunately, not only this episode but many that we have already lived through and witnessed give us the perfect conscience, us and our children, of the perils which the extremist minds represent. The CHP condemns vehemently such acts and is sympathetic with the victims of this behaviour,” said the CHP Director.
Citing that CHP has active participation in the inter-religious dialogue with other religious confessions namely Muslim, Jewish, Christian, etc, the letter underlined that “CHP is not a channel or a means of communication appropriate to make any divulgations which may hurt the susceptibilities of other religions.”
Specifically referring to developments surrounding The Kerala Story, the clarification letter mentioned: “Recently the CHP has been accused, particularly in social networks, about the lack of Hindu ‘sentiment’. “If our actions and our work have been dedicated to the service of Portuguese society and to the service of Hindus and of the Indian diaspora, then we also have to be consistent with the message which we want to pass on. We believe that, more than a religion or nation, it is these doings, this seva, and this philosophy which make us true Hindus,” it said. Offering “sincere apologies for any inconveniences caused, it said it was a difficult decision but assertive.”
The director said that it is important for the CHP to continue to look after the excellent relations which it has had with the diverse Muslim communities which, since Mozambique, have been friendly and pacific here in Portugal. It also maintained that the decision was not based on letters or communiqués from these communities.
“For us, the solution lies in inter-religious dialogue, cooperation and collaboration, participation in the community, associationism and voluntarism, values which we have to transmit to our children. And it does not do more than encourage polemics and controversies,” said CHP.
Earlier, CHP stated that another reason for the cancellation had to do with the work it has done and the message they want to transmit to society.
“We have at the entrance of our temple religious symbols which are not only Hindu; we have in our garden the statue of the one who died in the name of non-violence and even went on a hunger strike for people to leave aside religious divergences,” the Director recounted.
