Published Jul 15, 2026 | 5:13 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 15, 2026 | 5:14 PM
Mohanlal has been among the celebrities who have spoken out against the drug menace. He is seen with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala.
The state government has informed the Kerala State Human Rights Commission that it has written to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting seeking legal and moral intervention to strengthen the film certification system, following concerns that certain Malayalam films are promoting drug use and violence.
The submission was made in response to proceedings initiated by the Commission on a public interest complaint, in which Commission Chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas sought action over films allegedly glorifying violence and drug abuse. Justice Alexander Thomas argued that such content could adversely influence young people.
In its report, the Cultural Affairs Department stated that film certification is carried out by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
It added that complaints received by the state regarding objectionable content in films had been forwarded to the Regional Officer of the CBFC for necessary action.
The government further said that scenes depicting violence and drug use without adequate restrictions have become a matter of serious public concern.
In view of this, it has urged the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister to strengthen the existing censorship framework.
After examining the report, Justice Alexander Thomas directed the Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Department to continue bringing such concerns to the notice of the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting whenever similar instances arise.
The move comes at a time when Kerala has launched Operation Toofan to rid the state of drugs. The anti-drug Operation has resulted in the seizure of Rs 30 crore worth of drugs in the first month.
The state is also widening the scope of the campaign by taking the fight beyond its borders, signalling a shift from isolated enforcement to a coordinated regional strategy against organised narcotics syndicates operating across South India.
The process began in June when Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan wrote to his counterparts in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, urging them to work together to curb the inter-state movement of narcotics.
In his letters, the Chief Minister called for a coordinated effort to dismantle drug syndicates that exploit state boundaries to move marijuana and synthetic drugs such as MDMA (also called Molly or Ecstasy) and crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth) across southern India.
Kerala and Tamil Nadu have, independently, raised alarm over the rapid spread of synthetic drugs, particularly MDMA, among young people.
Also Read: Divided by drugs, united by power! The story of Kochi’s ‘Goondas’ who backed Operation Toofan
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
