Another 'jihadi' allegation surfaces in AMMA as Usha Haseena accuses Lakshmipriya

Another allegation involving the use of the term "jihadi" has emerged within the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), with actor Usha Haseena accusing actor and former AMMA vice-president Lakshmipriya of making the remark against her during a professional interaction.

The claim comes a month after actress Ansiba Hassan alleged that actor Tini Tom had branded her a "jihadi" in an attempt to isolate her within the organisation. While those allegations were denied, Haseena has now alleged that Lakshmipriya herself used the same label against her.

According to Haseena, the remark was made after she questioned Lakshmipriya's public statements concerning her parents, her birth religion and the Quran. She claimed that when a colleague proposed her name for a programme, Lakshmipriya told those present not to invite her because she was a "jihadi".

Social media response

The dispute later spilled onto social media, where Haseena responded to recent comments made by Lakshmipriya online.

In her post, Haseena said the majority of AMMA's general body members had no interest in supporting individuals who "spread communal venom". She alleged that Lakshmipriya's recent statements were the reaction of someone whose efforts to bring communalism into the organisation had failed.

Haseena further claimed that attempts to create communal divisions within AMMA had been rejected by most members.

Backs Ansiba Hassan

Haseena also voiced support for actress Ansiba Hassan, who had earlier raised allegations of communal discrimination within the organisation.

She said she and several other members had chosen to stand by Ansiba and claimed that the actor had endured months of neglect and insults before speaking publicly about her experiences.

According to Haseena, Ansiba faced nearly ten months of humiliation before deciding to come forward with her allegations.

Earlier controversy 

The latest claim comes shortly after the resignation of AMMA's executive committee and revives a controversy that has continued to shadow the organisation.

Ansiba had previously accused actor Tini Tom of character assassination and of calling her a "jihadi" in an effort to force her out of AMMA. Tini Tom denied the allegation and rejected claims of communal bias.

During that dispute, Lakshmipriya had publicly defended Tini Tom and described Ansiba's allegations as "baseless" and "fabricated".

Haseena's accusation has now brought Lakshmipriya into the centre of a similar controversy, with the actor alleging that the same term was used against her during a professional gathering.

Debate over communal remarks

The issue of religious identity has remained a contentious subject within the organisation in recent months. Ansiba had earlier questioned whether she was being targeted because she was a Muslim.

Haseena's latest allegations have added to the debate, further intensifying scrutiny of claims and counterclaims of communal remarks within AMMA. Lakshmipriya has not publicly responded to the allegations made by Haseena.