Premkumar alleges ‘double standards’ in his removal from Chalachitra academy chairperson post

As the debate over poet and Kerala Sahitya Akademi president K. Satchidanandan’s remarks on change in government refuses to die down, actor Premkumar has added fuel to the fire, alleging double standards on the part of the government in ‘removing’ him as chairperson of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.

Mr. Premkumar told mediapersons that he was denied justice when he was ‘removed’ as chairperson of the academy. He reiterated that he was not informed about the decision and got to know about it from the media.

‘Hasty transition’

The government, he said, had the discretion to bring in another team, but he felt the transition was made in a haste as he did not even get the opportunity to thank those who had worked with him. Let alone give him a proper send-off, he was not even intimated that he was no longer the academy chairperson. “That decency was not observed in my case.”

He alleged that he could see no other reason for his exit other than his remarks voicing support for the ASHA workers who were protesting then.

Even as he expressed respect for Mr. Satchidanandan, Mr. Premkumar asked why the poet who headed yet another prominent cultural institution continued in the post though he had made scathing remarks about the ‘dangers of prolonged rule and monopoly of power.’ In a Facebook post, Mr. Premkumar alleged that Mr. Satchidanandan was being allowed to continue in the post though his term had ended long ago. This was a matter of justice, which was denied to him, Mr. Premkumar said.

Minister’s response

Responding to the actor’s allegations, Minister for Culture Saji Cherian, in a statement, clarified that the government respeced the rights of cultural activists associated with government systems to express their opinions, even if they differed from the views of the government or the Left Democratic Front. Nor was there any insistence that these should always align. The government always saw opinions, be it of Mr. Satchidanandan or Mr. Premkumar, as one’s personal position. “The government has no policy of sidelining anyone for expressing their views,” Mr. Cherian said.

The Minister reiterated that the change in leadership at the Chalachitra Academy did not stem from Mr. Premkumar’s stance or opinions. Mr. Premkumar fulfilled his responsibilities efficiently and satisfactorily. However, once the governing body completed its tenure, a new team was put in place as a routine procedure. He was not removed from the post. Mr. Premkumar seems to have misunderstood what transpired, the Minister said.