Thiruvananthapuram: All India Youth Front ( AIYF) on Thursday urged Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the State Culture Minister Saji Cherian to order a probe by an external agency into the Kerala State Film Awards row.
The ongoing controversy broke out last week when director Vinayan alleged that his film Pathonpatham Noottandu was unjustly ignored by the jury of the State Awards due to external influence.
Vinayan slammed director Ranjith Balakrishnan for interfering in the jury's decision on awards. Ranjith is presently the chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, which runs the state film awards selection.
Vinayan also released audio clips of a senior jury member and sub-jury chairman which supports his claims.
In their complaint to CM, AIYF has demanded a probe by an agency outside the Academy.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the jury, Goutam Ghose has denied any external influences claiming that the selection was free and fair.
However, Chief Minister has ordered an inquiry into the matter.
With inputs from IANS