Siddique and Ranjith are accused, but can't be banned from film industry, says Ranji Panicker

Actor and screenwriter Ranji Panicker has voiced his opinion on the recent controversies surrounding actor Siddique and director Ranjith, stating that discrimination exists in all sectors, not just in the film industry. 

Panicker says that the creative contributions of Siddique and Ranjith should not be restricted or halted despite the allegations against them.

"There is discrimination against women in all fields. Whether these allegations hold true or not will be revealed in the coming days. The government should take appropriate legal action," Panicker remarked, adding that Ranjith's resignation from his position might have been inevitable due to the circumstances. 

Panicker further highlighted that the film industry often garners significant attention, making allegations within it particularly controversial. Cinema is a field that attracts a lot of scrutiny, he said, expressing hope that the government-appointed committee will take the necessary steps to address the situation.

While Ranjith and Siddique are currently facing serious allegations, Panicker stressed that they have not been proven guilty. "Their creativity cannot be stifled, and it is impossible to exclude them from the film industry without concrete evidence," he stated. Panicker went on to say that such actions would not reflect a civilized society.

Serious allegations made by Bengali actress Sreelekha Mitra against Ranjith sparked widespread protests, ultimately leading to his resignation as Chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy. In a related development, Siddique also stepped down from his position as General Secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) following sexual harassment accusations by a young Malayalam actress. Siddique, in an interview with Mathrubhumi News, stated that given the gravity of the allegations, he believed it was morally inappropriate to remain in his role.