AMMA to hear actor Ansiba Hassan as she calls for ‘independent, unbiased’ panel

In an effort to ease internal tensions within the organisation, AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes) has issued a formal notice to hear its former joint secretary, Ansiba Hassan, who recently raised a banner of revolt by levelling serious allegations against the office-bearers.

The notice urged Ms. Hassan to appear before the president and general secretary of AMMA on any of the three days between June 1 and June 3. Ms. Hassan responded favourably, stating she would appear on June 1 or any day after June 7.

Signed by president Shwetha Menon and general secretary Cuckoo Parameswaran, the notice said the executive committee of AMMA had taken note of certain complaints and statements received by the association and also reported in the public domain in recent days, touching upon the conduct of members and the manner in which internal matters had been dealt with.

“In particular, the Executive Committee has noted (i) the statements made by you in the media concerning your tenure as joint secretary, the circumstances surrounding your resignation, and the conduct attributed to certain office bearers and members of the Executive Committee; and (ii) the written complaint submitted by you naming certain members of the Association. The Committee is desirous of hearing you directly on these matters so that the issues raised by you may be examined fairly and on their merits. You are further requested to bring with you, or forward in advance, copies of any documents, communications or other material referred to in your public statements and in your complaint, so that the same may be considered by the executive committee,” the notice said.

Accusations

Ms. Hassan had accused actor Tiny Tom and a section of office-bearers of subjecting her to alleged character assassination and making communal remarks targeting her. She also accused AMMA vice-president Lakshmi Priya of lodging a fake police complaint against her.

In her reply to the notice, Ms. Hassan requested the constitution of a three-member independent panel or commission for a “fair and impartial” hearing. She recommended the names of Ramesh Pisharody, Dhyan Sreenivasan, Maala Parvathi “or any unbiased personalities.” She further insisted that the entire hearing process be recorded and preserved in AMMA’s official records. This, she said, was necessary to ensure fairness since her allegations were against the president, vice-president, and an executive member of AMMA.

She added that, as her complaint against the executive member amounted to cognizable offences, she had decided to initiate legal proceedings and lodge a police complaint against the alleged offender, stating that “he publicly humiliated me and outraged my modesty before other members of the association and the public at large.”

Ms. Hassan has already lodged complaints with the authorities concerned, including the Chief Minister, regarding an alleged conspiracy by the vice-president involving the sub-inspector at the Tripunithura women’s police station, claiming her fundamental rights were violated. During an online executive committee meeting, the vice-president allegedly claimed that the president had assisted her in the matter.

“I was unlawfully detained at the police station for more than three hours and subjected to unnecessary interrogation, harassment and mental agony on the basis of a false and maliciously fabricated complaint,” Ms. Hassan said in her reply.