Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA)’s decision to reinstate actor Dileep into its fold has drawn the ire of several women lawyers, activists, academics, writers and artists, who have expressed their contempt in an open letter.
Reports say that the letter, while condemning AMMA’s decision, urges the Communist Party of India (M) to ‘seriously consider discussing with these elected representatives the implications of their act’ because actors Mukesh and Ganesh, who are Vice Presidents of AMMA are also the sitting MLAs from the ruling Left Democratic Front coalition in Kerala.
This letter comes after seven women actors, including the survivor of the sexual attack allegedly masterminded by Dileep, lashed out AMMA.
While actors Rima Kallingal, Geetu Mohandas and Remya Nambeesan, along with the survivor, resigned from AMMA on Wednesday, actors Revathy, Parvathy and Padmapriya, on Thursday, called for an emergency executive body meeting to get clarity on AMMA’s stance on the issue.
Actor Dileep was arrested in July 2017 for his alleged involvement in the abduction and assault of an industry colleague. He was expelled from the film body and his membership was cancelled after the arrest. On Sunday, as veteran actor Mohanlal took charge as the president of AMMA, the film body decided to take back Dileep into its fold.
The full letter is reproduced below:
With utmost shock and concern we watch the recent development in Malayalam film industry that led to the resignation of four actors from the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) This decision to take actor Dileep back into its fold shows the utter disregard AMMA as an association holds towards the survivor of a sexual assault. Dileep, the seventh accused and the alleged primary conspirator of the incident that involves the abduction and molestation of an actor, is also accused of influencing producers from casting the survivor. In such a crisis, instead of supporting the survivor, the association expressed its misogyny through a travesty, performed in its fundraising fete, with Mammootty and Mohanlal - the superstars as its highlights, ridiculing the Women’s Collective that was formed to address women’s issues in the industry. This, is not conducive to a civilised society and cannot be the accepted culture of an industry that has a formative role in determining of the consciousness of a society.
Malayalam film industry has its compelling claim to treating cinema as a responsible medium, at par with many important film cultures of the world. Given the context, this behavior is unexpected and unacceptable from a trade union that claims to represent the majority of its actors. It is outrageous that AMMA firmly chooses to be on the wrong side of the movement against sexual harassment within the film industries worldwide in the wake of the #MeToo campaign and Harvey Weinstein follow ups in the Hollywood.
What adds to our worries is that the body is headed by people’s representatives who associate with the ruling political party in Kerala. We request CPIM to seriously consider discussing with these elected representatives the implications of their act. It is also sad to point out that AMMA did not consider the potential of exploring the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, a legislative act in India that seeks to protect women from sexual harassment at their place of work in this specific case or during any instances of harassment charges reported by women within its collective.
We extend our whole-hearted support to the members of the Women’s Collective who have resigned from the Association, pledging support to the survivor and also trying to take pro-active roles in engaging with women’s question in the industry. We appreciate the statement issued by AIDWA state committee in this regard and hope CPI(M) and other organisations look into this seriously and communicate to AMMA the preposterousness of this absurd action. We also request the Government of Kerala to take immediate action to protect the survivor and to be cautious about chances of tampering with evidence in the ongoing case involving Dileep.
Uma Chakravarti Feminist Historian, Documentary Film Maker
Deepa Dhanraj, Documentary Film maker
Susie Tharu, Former Professor of English and Cultural Studies, The English and Foreign Languages University.
Flavia Agnes, Women’s Rights Lawyer,
Tejaswini Niranjana, Trustee, Centre for the Study of Culture and Society, Bangalore
Arunima, Professor Centre for Women’s Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University
A.K. Ramakrishnan, Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru University
Mary E John, Senior Fellow, Centre for Women’s Development Studies, New Delhi
Janaki Nair, Professor, Centre for Historical Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Anandhi, Professor, Madras Institute of Development Studies
Deeptha Achar, Professor, Faculty of Arts, M S University, Baroda
Rashmimala, Visual Artist,Vadodara
Nilima Sheikh, Artist, Baroda
Nalini Malani, Artist, Mumbai
Deepak Mathew, Professor and Head, Department of Design, IIT Hyderabad
Lalitha, Writer, Anveshi Research Centre Hyderabad
Dr. Veena Shatrugna, Medical Scientist, Hyderabad
Dr. Janaky Abraham, Delhi University
Dr. Suneetha, Co-ordinator Anveshi Research Centre Hyderabad
Satish Poduval, Professor, The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
T.T. Sreekumar, Professor, The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
Kaneez Fathima, Civil Rights Activist Hyderabad
K Anuradha, Aman Vedika , Hyderabad
Ranjit T, The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad.
Khalida Parveen, Activist Amoomat Society Hyderabad
Sarah Mathews, Sankalp, Women’s Support Alliance, Hyderabad
Madhumeeta Sinha, The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
V J Varghese, University of Hyderabad.
Asma Rasheed, The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
Ratheesh Kumar, Assistant Professor, JNU, New Delhi
Satyavati K., Bhumika Women’s Collective, Hyderabad
Rachana Mudraboyina, Telangana Hijra Intersex Samiti
Sajaya,Caring Citizen’s Collective, Hyderabad
Nikhat Fathima, Activist, Chennai
Uma Bhrugubanda , The English and Foreign Languages University
Vasudha Nagaraj, Advocate, Hyderabad
Tejaswini Madhubhushi , Hyderabad for Feminism
Gitanjali Joshua, Hyderabad for Feminism
Seetha Lakshmi, Independent Researcher and Consultant Hyderabad
Shalini Mahadev, Hyderabad for Feminism
Sujatha Sureppally, Professor, Satavahana University
Rama Melkote, Former Professor of Political Science, Osmania University, Hyderabad
Dr.Arathi. PM, Assistant Professor, Council for Social Development, New Delhi
Sherin B.S. English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad
Deepti Sreeram, Research Associate, MAHE, Manipal
Ria De, Research Scholar in Film Studies, EFLU Hyderabad
Praveena Thali, Research Scholar in Women’s Studies, University of Hyderabad
Ummul Fayiza, PhD Candidate, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Devi, Cultural Activist Hyderabad
Ashalatha, Women’s Rights Activist, Hyderabad
Vimala Morthala Writer, Activist, Hyderabad
V Sandhya National Convener POW
Girija B Independent Researcher
Ms. Sunitha, Ankuram Women and Child Development Society Hyderabad
Ms. Sumithra, Ankuram Women and Child Development Society
Shraddha Chickerur, Hyderabad for Feminism
Sreerag P. Research Scholar& Student Union President, University of Hyderabad,
Chaitanya Pingali, Writer, Lyricist, Hyderabad
Shefali Jain, Assistant Professor, Ambedkar University, New Delhi
Abha Bhaiya, Sangat South Asian Feminist Network, NewDelhi
Gautami Challagulla- Screenwriter, Independent Film maker, Hyderbad
Pamela Philippose Journalist and Researcher, New Delhi
Manjusha Madhu, PhD scholar, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Gayatri Nair, Tata Institue of Social Sciences, Hyderabad
Thulasi, Journalist, Hyderabad
Brinelle D’souza, Asst. Professor, Tata Institue of Social Sciences
Padma Velaskar Prof (retd) ,Tata Institute of Social Sciences
Bindu Menon, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi
Professor SAMITA SEN, Dean, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Studies, Jadavpur University
Nisha Biswas, scientist and activist
Julia George Streevani
Kamayani Bali Mahabal Feminist and Human Rights Activist
Geeta Seshu, Journalist, Mumbai
Lekha Narayanan, Artist, Hyderabad
Sharmila Samant Artist, Associate Prof, SNU, Dept of Arts,
Bittu Karthik, University of Hyderabad
Dipti Tamang, Darjeeling Government College
Jhuma Sen, O.P. Jindal Global University
Sadhna Arya, Satyawati College, University of Delhi.
S.Seetha Lakshmi Independent Researcher and Consultant Hyderabad