Cow dung poured on award winning filmmaker in Kerala

Cow dung was poured on national award-winning filmmaker Priyanandanan at Thrissur in Kerala on Friday morning. He was also manhandled.

Priyanandanan suspected that the attack was in retaliation over his Facebook post regarding the Sabarimala women entry issue last week. He had already withdrawn the post following allegations that it hurt religious sentiments.

Priyanandanan told the media that the attack on him happened as he went to a shop near his house at Vallachra, about 10 kilometres from Thrissur city, by around 9.30 a.m. A couple of activists came towards him. One of them poured cow dung over his head and assaulted him. The assailant also asked him if he would dare to criticise Lord Ayyappa of Sabarimala again. The accused were local people, suspected to be BJP-RSS activists, he said.

Priyanandan took treatment at a nearby government hospital. The police launched a search for the accused. One person was said to be in police custody in this connection. But the police were yet to confirm.

Priyanandanan, a recipient of the national film award for the best feature film in 2006 for his file 'Pulijanmam', was caught up in a controversy over his Facebook post on Sabarimala issue last week. The BJP-RSS and various Hindu outfits staged a protest march to his house alleging that he hurt religious sentiments. A police complaint was also filed against him. Threats were also raised against Priyanandanan.

Subsequently, Priyanandanan withdrew the post. He did not tender an apology but maintained that he was withdrawing the post as he felt that the language he used was not ideal.

Condemning the attack on Priyanandanan, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that it was another instance of growing intolerance in the society. The Sangh Parivar was triggering it, he alleged.

Meanwhile, Kerala Governor P Sathasivam on Friday justified the action of the Left Government in favour of entry of women in the 10-50 age group to Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. Delivering the annual policy address in the Kerala Assembly, the Governor said that since the Supreme Court lifted the ban on entry of women in 10-50 age group to the Ayyappa temple, the State Government had the constitutional obligation to implement it. He also added that the Left government would take several initiatives to ensure gender equality. A museum of the social reforms would be set up in this connection.