By Matters India Reporter

Aluva, May 25, 2020: Police in Kerala on May 25 arrested a person in connection with the destruction of a film set depicting a church erected on the sandy bank of Periyar River at Kalady in Ernakulam district.

According to the police, they arrested Rashtriya Bajrang Dal Ernakulam district president Kari Ratheesh (Ratheesh Kalady), who led the destruction of the set erected to shoot the climax scene of the super hero film Minnal Murali.

The police said Ratheesh was being questioned and that they would soon arrest others involved in the crime.

Members of the Antharashtra Hindu Parishad (AHP) earlier claimed that they demolished the church set on May 24 with the help of their sister outfit Antarashtra Bajrang Dal.

AHP general secretary Hari Palode boasted on Facebook that they were not used to pleading to anyone, and decided to demolish the church set that was constructed near an institution associated with Adi Sankaracharya, an eighth century Hindu philosopher and theologian.

The AHP alleged that the set was built without permission, but the local panchayat (village council) refuted it.

Mini Biju, member of Kalady Town panchayat, said the film unit had secured permission before going ahead with the set construction.

“They had submitted a letter seeking permission to raise a temporary set. This was back in February before construction began. The panchayat committee had approved this request,” she added.

The film set included a ‘church’ and a ‘bell tower,” but the shooting was postponed because of the nationwide lockdown announced on March 24.

The island has a temple that holds the annual Maha Shivaratri celebrations. On the opposite banks sits the Adi Sankaracharya matt.

The film crew has called the set destruction a colossal loss and heartbreaking.

The film stars Tovino Thomas and produced by Sophia Paul under the banner Weekend Blockbusters. It is directed by Basil, who has made some superhit films in Malayalam.

The producers have discussed with the Producer’s Guild, AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists) and FEFKA (Film Employees Federation of Kerala) on the legal action to be taken in the issue, Basil said.

Palode wrote on his Facebook post along with pictures of members demolishing the set.

“When they built such a structure in front of the Mahadeva shrine in Kalady, we said no. We had also submitted several complaints. We do not have the habit of pleading. We decided to demolish it. Our self respect must be protected at all cost,” the post read.

Palode also credited members of the Anrarashtra Bajrang Dal and its Ernakulam division president Malayatoor Ratheesh for participating in the ‘service work’ of razing the church set.