Kochi: The leaders of Social Forward Bloc (Samoohika Munnetta Munnani) announced that they will organise a protest against director and Chalachitra Academy chairman Ranjith on Thursday in front of Nishagandhi Auditorium in Thiruvananthapuram, which is the venue for the distribution of Kerala State Film Awards, 2022. The move marks the bloc’s protest over the remarks made by Ranjith against social reformer Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker. Legal action will be taken against Ranjith, said KP Anil Dev, bloc chairman. 

The protest will be inaugurated by Swami Satchidananda, president of Sivagiri Mutt, and will witness the participation of AIYF state secretary TT Jismon among others. 

Earlier, filmmaker Vinayan had alleged that Ranjith had insulted his film ‘Pathonpatham Noottandu’, which told the life tale of Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker, calling it “trash” and misused his position to pressurise the jury against considering the film for the awards. 

“The renaissance movement in Kerala began with Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker. The academy chairman has insulted a legendary hero. It is a shame for cultural Kerala that Ranjith continues to hold the post of academy chairman. If he does not apologise publicly, then we will organise further protests,” KP Anil Dev said at the press conference.