Kerala. Actor Unni Mukundan, took a jibe at leftists and called upon the Hindu community to show more courage and respond when their Gods are insulted. The actor was speaking at a function, at Kottarakkara Ganapati temple, as part of the Vinayaka Chaturthi Festival, when he made these statements. He is known for his unapologetic nationalistic and cultural pride.
Unni Mukundan said that today they say Lord Ganapati is a myth, yesterday we saw what happened in Sabarimala, tomorrow they will say Lord Krishna is a myth, and day after tomorrow they will say Lord Shiva is a myth. After all this, they will say that you are also a myth.
The actor said that he is a devotee. When someone says that our God does not exist, we have no sorrow. Devotees including me are okay with it. This is because of our magnanimous mind, but it also our shortcoming.
He urged the devotees to learn from other religions. No one can criticize or say anything about their Gods. No one is courageous to do it. At least we must say that such statements against our Gods have caused us worry. Otherwise, there is no point in celebrating these festivals.
Unni Mukundan also spoke about how people say to him that he was very courageous to take a movie like ‘Malikappuram’. The actor asked if one should be so courageous to take a movie. The biggest problem of Hindu devotees in Kerala is that they are afraid. They have turned into people without courage. Anyone can say anything and that is the beauty of our country. But we must think for whom something is said and who is listening.
The movie ‘Malikappuram’ is a movie about two children who takes a journey to Sabarimala, the abode of Lord Ayyappa. They are helped by a mysterious man who protects the children on their journey till they reach the temple.
The movie, which depicts the innocent and unbiased faith and devotion of children, was a major hit in Kerala. However, criticisms rose against the movie from leftist and Islamist corners.
Faith-based movies depicting Hindu beliefs and traditions are very rare in Kerala film industry currently. Movie makers are not interested in the genre as they fear of being labelled by the leftists, who are dominant in the Kerala film industry. However, the movie ‘Malikappuram’ was a watershed moment for the industry as it proved that there is a huge audience for such faith-based movies with themes related to Hindu culture and religion.
The Kerala Assembly Speaker, AN Shamseer, dubbed Lord Ganapati and holy Puranas as myths and a hindrance to social progress. He, however, kept silent on the myths of other religions. After his anti-Hindu remarks, several videos began circulating on social media showing him praising the Quran. Even though many Hindu organizations demanded his apology, the Speaker and the communist party ruling Kerala, have not yet apologized to the Hindu community.