T’puram: Culture minister Saji Cherian said the govt recognizes the full right of cultural activists working in collaboration with govt institutions to express their free opinions.Speaking to reporters, Cherian said, “We are not under any obligation that they should always agree with the positions of the govt or the LDF that leads them. Prominent cultural leaders are appointed as office-bearers of various institutions by holding fast to this democratic freedom,” he said while replying to the statement made by former Chalachitra Academy vice-chairman Premkumar. The minister clarified that the change in the office-bearers of the Chalachitra Academy was not due to their positions or opinions. “The govt fully recognizes the right of cultural activists working with govt systems to express their independent opinions. We have no obligation for these opinions to always align with the positions of the govt or the ruling LDF,” he said. He added that “it is with this democratic freedom in mind that prominent cultural leaders are appointed as office-bearers of various institutions. Therefore, the govt views the opinions of both K Satchidanandan and Premkumar as personal stances. The govt does not have a policy of sidelining anyone based on such expressions.” The minister said that “the change in the leadership of the Academy was not due to his stand or expressions. His work as VC and later as acting chairman, after Ranjith stepped down, was exemplary and satisfactory. However, with the completion of the Academy’s governing body’s term, a new committee was naturally selected. Resul Pookutty, a pride of the Indian cinema world, has taken over as the new chairman. This appointment was congratulated and accepted by Premkumar. Replacing one committee with another after the term ends is merely an administrative process, not a removal or dismissal of him. It seems there was a misunderstanding on his part.” Actor Premkumar stated that his removal from the position of chairman for supporting the ASHA workers’ strike was unjust. He mentioned to the media that he was not treated with basic courtesy and was not given a respectful farewell. Premkumar added that while he cannot be compared to poet Satchidanandan, there was a noticeable difference in how the chairpersons of the film academy and literary academy, both significant cultural institutions in Kerala, were treated.
