Cheif Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in support of director Kamal
Director Kamal was in the news recently after a controversy surrounding the arrest of IFFK delegates for not standing up during the national anthem in theatres. The director who is also the Chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy questioned the reason for police to enter the cinema halls without informing the organizers.
The 21st International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) was held in Thiruvananthapuram from Dec 9-16. Six delegates were arrested during the Festival for showing dissent towards the national anthem by not standing up. This created an uproar among people who had diverse opinions about the new directive by the Supreme Court.
Director soon labeled as an anti-national and Yuva Morcha activists staged protests in front of his residence for allegedly supporting the arrested delegates. The activists raised slogans against Kamal and burned his effigy. As a mark of showing their protest, they even sang the national anthem in front of his house. The groups called out Kamal as a Muslim, Kamaluddin, and an anti-national.
The director received support from any prominent film personalities and soon the hashtag “IsupportKamal” started trending in social media pages.
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Now, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has come out in support of the veteran filmmaker, saying that efforts are being made to communalise the national anthem issue and that he would not allow it.
“Kamal does not need any certificate of patriotism from the Sangh Parivar units. This kind of intolerance will not be allowed in the State”, said Pinarayi Vijayan.
BJP activists and Yuva Morcha activists staunchly criticized the director claiming that he was talking against the national anthem and that he should be sent to Pakistan. Kamal responded that he had nothing against the Supreme Court’s order to compulsorily play the national anthem before screenings. He was of the opinion that police should have informed the organizers before entering the cinema halls to arrest the delegates, because chances were high for a revolt and things would have turned ugly.
Now that the Chief Minister himself has addressed the issue and came out in support of Kamal, let’s hope the issue settles down causing no further troubles
