Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Culture Minister Saji Cherian has said that the denial of screening permission for certain films at the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is the result of deliberate interference by the Central Government. He added that IFFK is a model festival for the world and that the current issue is unprecedented. The Minister also stated that strong protests would be lodged over the matter.

According to the Minister, the denial of screening permission was a conscious intervention by the Centre. Permission was initially withheld. A total of 187 films had submitted applications to the Central Government, and none of them were late in applying. Initially, 154 films were granted permission, followed later by approval for four more films. However, 19 films, including Palestine movies, were denied permission.

The Minister alleged that the Central Government is afraid of someone and that the denial of permission is part of a political agenda, representing an attempt to sabotage the festival. There are concerns over whether the next edition of the festival can take place.

The Minister stressed that the Centre must grant permission for the films to be screened and that detailed letters have been sent to pursue this.