Dileep row: Superstar Mohanlal's stock falls with Kerala Women's Commission
Kochi, June 28 : Superstar Mohanlal, who leads the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes, came under fire from the Kerala Women's Commission on Thursday over the decision to reinstate accused actor Dileep into the artistes' body.
Dileep is an accused in the February 2017 actress kidnapping case which took place in Kochi, that landed him in a Kerala jail for 85 days.
Breathing fire on Mohanlal, Commission Chairperson M.C. Josephine reminded that AMMA's Sunday decision led by the superstar was flawed. "No doubt, Mohanlal's stocks have definitely fallen," said Josephine to the media. This was the first decision taken by the new committee under Mohanlal.
Her statement came a day after four leading actresses, including the kidnap victim, resigned from AMMA.
"After this decision, the name of the organisation AMMA (mother) does not suit it anymore. The ruling Left government and the CPI-M party should look into this," added Josephine.
Dileep's reinstatement has become the centre of a row following the newly formed Women in Cinema Collective's (WCC) Facebook post on Monday and the subsequent resignation by four leading actresses from AMMA on Wednesday.
Even, Kerala Fisheries Minister J. Mercykutty on Thursday expressed surprise in the manner in which AMMA had revoked Dileep's suspension.
"It should not be forgotten that actors are icons and they should be perfect role models, but this decision that they took is baffling and not tenable.
"It's surprising that the two legislators -- Mukesh of the CPI-M and K.B. Ganesh Kumar, supporting the ruling Left government -- were also party to the decision," said Mercykutty .
PWD Minister G. Sudhakaran said that he never had a good opinion about Dileep. "He is an arrogant person. I fully support the four actress who quit AMMA, as none with any self respect can continue in the same organisation," said Sudhakaran.
Everyone is now awaiting superstar Mammootty's decision. It was Mammootty, who had announced the decision to remove Dileep from AMMA to the media, then.
However, Mammootty for the first time in several years, is not an office bearer anymore.
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VHP warns of statewide stir in Karnataka against move to ease cattle transport law
Udupi (Karnataka) (PTI): The VHP on Saturday demanded the immediate withdrawal of a proposed amendment to the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, accusing the state government of weakening a law that has deterred illegal cattle transport.
The organisation's Go Raksha Wing, Karnataka South, has also announced district-level protests on December 8.
According to officials, the existing law mandates a bank guarantee for securing the release of vehicles seized for alleged illegal cattle transportation.
On December 4, the state Cabinet proposed an amendment enabling the release of such vehicles on an indemnity bond instead.
Addressing reporters in Udupi, VHP leader and Prantha Goraksha Pramukh Sunil K R, said the government's move amounted to "sympathy for cattle lifters" and claimed that it was part of broader actions "targeting Hindus".
He argued that the law in its current form is stringent and has played a crucial role in reducing incidents of illegal cattle transport and theft.
Under the Act, vehicles involved in offences can be surrendered and, upon conviction, permanently seized by authorities. "Diluting these provisions will embolden offenders," Sunil said.
The VHP leader warned that easing the process of vehicle release would not only encourage violators but also result in rising cruelty against cattle.
Sunil further claimed that the strict enforcement of the 2020 law had brought down cases of cattle-related offences significantly. Rolling back these provisions, he said, could reverse those gains and would lead to an increase in illegal transport.
He reiterated that the government must reconsider its decision and preserve the integrity of the existing law.
