WCC slams delay in action against P T Kunju Muhammed over jury member assault

The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) has strongly condemned the Kerala government and the organisers of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) for their failure to take swift action against senior director and Selection Committee Chairperson, P.T. Kunju Muhammed, who is accused of misbehaving with a female jury member.

While the WCC acknowledged the organisers for sidelining him from the festival, it stressed the urgent need for decisive action. The Cantonment Police have filed charges against Kunju Muhammed for outraging a woman's modesty after the victim reported the incident, which occurred when she arrived at the hotel for a selection committee meeting.

The WCC Statement:

The International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is a prestigious event that brings pride to all Malayalis, and it is our collective responsibility to preserve its integrity. It is deeply disturbing and shameful to learn that a female jury member was assaulted by senior director and Selection Committee Chairperson, P T Kunju Muhammed, during the 30th edition of IFFK. This act of harassment is unacceptable, and we strongly condemn it.

Although the victim promptly reported the incident, which took place at her work space, the response has been alarmingly slow. This delay undermines the festival's reputation and credibility. While we acknowledge that the accused has been temporarily sidelined, the lack of immediate and concrete action from the Kerala Chalachitra Academy is troubling. We call on the government, which claims to be committed to women’s rights, to take swift and decisive action.

Is this delay a sign of political influence, given the accused’s stature and connections? The victim has been denied the trust and protection she was promised. The only appropriate response is a fair, exemplary punishment during the ongoing festival, sending a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.