In response to open revolt by a section of actresses against his reinstatement in Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), actor Dileep lashed out, claiming that he would not be active in the functioning of the organisation until his name was cleared. A translation of his statement in a Facebook post: "AMMA's decision that my expulsion, without hearing my explanation and giving me a notice, by convening an Available Executive, would not stand is a welcome one. I thank the officebearers and my colleagues. However, since I am trapped in a case in which I am absolutely not involved, I have decided that I will not be active until my name is cleared. AMMA is a support system for many actors in the state and it makes me sad to see it attacked in such a fashion," he wrote.
After four members of the Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) decided to resign from AMMA, the remaining members of WCC in AMMA called for a "constructive dialogue as well as action" on the issue. Malayalam movie industry has been witnessing a churn over AMMA's decision to reinstate Dileep, accused in the sexual assault of a fellow actress. Four members of WCC—the sexual assault survivor, Rima Kallingal, Remya Nambeesan and Geethu Mohandas had quit AMMA.
In a letter addressed to Edavela Babu, general secretary of AMMA, actresses Revathy Asha Kelunni, Padmapriya Janakiraman and Parvathy called for an emergency executive body meeting to address their concerns.
Dear Sir,
We are writing this letter to express our concern as women members of AMMA on the recent decision to bring back the expelled member (Dileep) in the general body meeting held on 24th June 2018. At this meeting, a very crucial decision was taken regarding a member who was expelled due to his involvement in the alleged assault of one of AMMA's women members. Considering the gravity of the circumstances and the matter being sub-judice, it is shocking that such an important matter was decided without listing it on the agenda or being discussed among all members prior to the meeting.
AMMA had publicly pledged full support to the member who survived the assault but the decision taken at the said meeting for reinstating the expelled member who is now a charge sheeted suspect, goes against the promise made by AMMA to the survivor.
As a result, yesterday, the survivor has resigned and in solidarity with her three other women members have also resigned. They have clearly stated their reasons and this does not reflect well on AMMA and what it does for the welfare of its women members. We as members of AMMA urge that AMMA upholds the promise it has made and should not go back on its word. Particularly so as this matter is still under legal and media scrutiny and there is strong public outcry about it.
We were unable to attend the said meeting as we were not in station and were unaware about this matter being discussed at the meeting. (If we had known we would have surely raised our concerns at the meeting prior to such a decision being made).
We understand from AMMA officials that under such exceptional circumstances there is a provision for an Emergency Executive Body Meeting to be called to address our concerns. We request for the same to be called so that we may participate, discuss & understand:
1. The expelled member's reinstatement & the implications of AMMA's decision.
2. The steps taken by AMMA to support the survivor.
3. How AMMAs bye-laws are structured to ensure welfare of all its members.
4. What AMMA can do to make women feel more included and safe.
As members who do not reside/ are not present in Kerala we are requesting the meeting to take place on either 13th or 14th of July 2018.
As members of AMMA we genuinely believe that at this critical point we will come together to serve the best interests of all our members.
In a note published by the WCC on its Facebook page, the actress subjected to the assault had written, "I am resigning from AMMA, not because of the decision to reinstate the accused actor. Even before, when the said actor snatched roles from me, the organisation did not act on my complaints. When I was subjected to such an experience, the organisation which I was also a part of, tried to protect him. I realise it is no use being a part of such an organisation any more."
Actress Remya Nambeesan, in her post, wrote that her resignation is a mark of protest against the highly irresponsible stance of the film actors's body.
Actress and filmmaker Geethu Mohandas lambasted AMMA's policies and said she should have resigned earlier. She wrote in the post that it had become difficult to question the association's policies while she was still a part of it. "Our voices are getting drowned there. That cannot be allowed anymore," she wrote.
Actress Rima Kallingal who has regularly voiced her protest wrote that she was leaving AMMA not just for one person, but rather with a hope that future generations will be able to work in the industry with courage and self respect.
Earlier, political leaders had also slammed AMMA for the move.
Senior Congress MLA, P.T. Thomas, who was one of the first to know about the actress kidnapping case in February 2017, and had reached the victim's side before informing the police, told the media on Tuesday that AMMA should reconsider its decision on Dileep.
"It is now very clear that only a handful of the artistes were genuinely with the victim. Those leading lights who took part in the protest meetings held the next day of the kidnap attempt in Kochi, were only shedding crocodile tears."
"Not a single one of them was supporting the victim. It's now time for the Kerala Assembly and the state government to react," said Thomas.
The WCC, irked by AMMA's decision to revoke the suspension of Dileep who is an accused in the actress kidnapping case, had put out a Facebook post on Monday.
"If you have decided to revoke the suspension... what has changed after he was suspended?" the WCC asked AMMA-led by Malayalam superstar Mohanlal.
"Do you know that you have decided to take back someone who is alleged to have been involved in a rape and the trial is yet to finish... don't you feel anything at all?"
Actress Rima Kallingal and her husband director Ashiq Abu were the first to voice their displeasure.
Many were surprised by the manner in which around 385 artistes of AMMA who met in Kochi last Sunday, did not utter a word when actress Urmilla Unni asked if Dileep will be reinstated. None spoke up or against it as Dileep was taken back into the fold.
In fact, AMMA members want showcause notices to be given to Dileep's former wife Manju Warrier, Parvathy, Remya Nambisan and Rima Kallingal of the WCC, who are also part of AMMA.
-Inputs from IANS