Stoking yet another row, BJP leader A N Radhakrishnan today alleged that noted Malayalam film director Kamal has links with terrorist groups and that he should leave the country if he cannot respect the nation.
"It will be better for the film maker who have doubts whether one should stand up when the national anthem is being sung to leave the country if he cannot respect the interest of the nation", he told a press conference here. "The filmmaker is associated with terrorist organisations," he alleged.
"Kamal's suitability for the position of Chairman of Chalachitra Academy is his opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the BJP leader said.
Kamal had been under attack from Sanghparivar outfits for his alleged remarks connected with playing of national anthem in cinemas during the screening of films at the IFFK in December last and also for allowing a film to be screened at the Film festival that allegedly defamed Hindu community.
Radhakrishnan had also triggered a row recently with his outburst against noted Malayalam writer M T Vasudevan Nair for latter's remark against demonetisation.
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Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly Ramesh Chennithala flayed the BJP leaders's comment and said it was a challenge to secular fabric of Kerala.
He demanded that the BJP leader withdraw the statement against Kamal and sought an apology.
By levelling charges against a personality like Kamal, BJP's real face had been exposed, he charged.
"Kamal is an artist respected by all cutting across religion and caste lines,' Chennithala said.
Taking a dig, the former KPCC President, also wanted to know from Radhakrishnan whether Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had entrusted him the task of identifying terrorists in the country.
KPCC President V M Sudheeran also condemned the remark of the BJP leader, accusing the party of trying to divide the people on communal lines.
