The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has criticized the Student Federation of India (SFI) for organizing a beef festival. The SFI held the protest on Sunday in Kozhikode, Kerala. It was against the upcoming film ‘Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond’. IUML state general secretary P M A Salam called the event a “provocative” tactic. He labeled it a “cheap political gimmick.” Salam stated the SFI used it to target Muslim voters. He questioned the link between beef and any specific community. Salam noted that beef exporters and processors include BJP, RSS, and Muslim individuals. He emphasized that beef has no connection to Islam. The IUML leader accused the CPI(M), the ruling party and SFI’s parent, of misleading Muslim voters. He asserted no one forces beef consumption. Salam also criticized ‘Kerala Story 2’. He claimed such films create community divisions. He described the beef festival as “provocative.” He called it a strategy to appear pro-Muslim. This, he said, while allegedly denying them benefits and aiding the BJP. The IUML’s criticism follows a similar stance by the Muslim Students Federation (MSF). Two days prior, MSF called for boycotting ‘Kerala Story 2’. However, MSF questioned the SFI’s beef fest. C K Najaf, MSF state general secretary, stated the festival might offend Hindu religious sentiments. The SFI organized the festival at Manaveeyam Veedhi. The film’s trailers show a scene where a character is force-fed beef. This scene prompted the SFI protest. ‘Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond’ is directed by Kamakhya Narayan Singh. It is scheduled for release on February 27. Its predecessor, ‘The Kerala Story,’ won two National Film Awards.