Memory Card’ Row Sparks Turmoil in AMMA Ahead of Elections

Quick Summary

• The Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) is facing turmoil ahead of it’s governing committee election, centered around the 2018 “memory card” issue.
• Allegations concern a meeting of female members in 2018 being videographed,with revelations about personal experiences. Disputes have emerged over the memory card’s whereabouts and fears of data leaks.
• Actors Usha Haseena and Ponnamma Babu have publicly confronted Kukku Parameswaran regarding the matter.
• Kukku Parameswaran, contesting for General Secretary, lodged a petition against alleged defamatory campaigns targeting her online and declined to reveal names involved in her petition.
• Usha Haseena counteracted by sending petitions to multiple authorities, including AMMA and state commissions, seeking clarity on the memory card issue. another member, Ponnamma Babu plans further petitions within AMMA’s WhatsApp group dynamics.
• Othre controversies have emerged: Actor Jagadeesh withdrew his presidential nomination due to perceived objections; Baburaj left general Secretary race amidst allegations tying him to Kerala’s Hema Committee report findings.
• Actor Shweta Menon faced legal challenges over previous film roles but received an interim stay from Kerala High Court.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The ongoing internal disputes within AMMA point toward broader challenges around governance structures in artistic associations, especially when sensitive issues remain unresolved for extended periods. The “memory card” controversy reflects deeper underlying concerns about clarity and trust among members while also highlighting societal tensions surrounding accountability for matters that extend back several years.

The timing-just before elections-is meaningful as it reveals how personal allegations can intersect with collective decision-making processes in cultural organizations. While a resolution on specific grievances might potentially be elusive before elections conclude,addressing such issues openly could pave the way toward robust reforms within AMMA’s administrative framework.

Given these tensions extend across democratic practices within India’s creative industries more broadly-as evidenced by other contentious withdrawals from candidacies-the outcome here could influence future governance norms in similar associations nationwide.

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