Thiruvananthapuram: The All India Youth Front (AIYF), the youth wing of the second-largest ally of the ruling Left Front government CPI, made a plea on Thursday to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and State Culture Minister Saji Cherian. They requested an investigation by an external agency to look into the ongoing controversy surrounding the Kerala State Film Awards.
Last week, a dispute arose when director Vinayan accused director Ranjith, who currently serves as the chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy responsible for overseeing the state film awards selection, of interfering in the jury’s decision-making process during the award selection.
In their complaint to Chief Minister Vijayan, AIYF insisted on a probe conducted by an agency independent of the Academy.
Vinayan himself also lodged a complaint with Chief Minister Vijayan and provided audio clips that purportedly expose irregularities in the award selection process.
Meanwhile, the jury’s chairman, Goutam Ghose, has denied any external influence and asserted that the selection was conducted impartially and fairly.
As a result of Vinayan’s request, the Chief Minister has initiated an inquiry into the matter.
