Govt shows double standards by not removing Satchidanandan: Prem Kumar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Actor Prem Kumar has accused the government of adopting a double standard by not removing Sahitya Akademi President K. Satchidanandan over his remark that “continuous rule by the same party is not good for democracy.”

Prem Kumar said he was removed from the post of Kerala State Chalachithra Academy Chairman for supporting the ASHA workers’ protest. In a Facebook post, he sarcastically noted that Satchidanandan appears to enjoy a special privilege that was not extended to him.

He further alleged that he was removed without any prior notice at a crucial time, when preparations were underway for the International Film Festival and the state film awards.

The controversy follows recent remarks by writer and Sahitya Akademi President K. Satchidanandan in an interview, where he said that prolonged rule by a single political party could be harmful for democracy. He stated that power can ultimately weaken and damage a party and that governance should alternate periodically. Citing West Bengal as an example, Satchidanandan said that when power remained with one group for a long time, certain sections were suppressed and denied justice. He added that selfish interests often take control in such situations and argued that periodic changes in government help ensure alertness and accountability in public life.