Yuvamorcha activists burn director Kamal's effigy

A group of Yuvamorcha activists, BJP's youth wing, today burned an effigy of noted film director and Kerala Chalachitra Academy Chairman Kamal, police said.
They were protesting alleged remarks of the director with regard to playing of the National Anthem in cinemas screening films during the ongoing International Film Festival of Kerala.
The issue came into focus at the festival after police took into custody 12 persons for showing disrespect to the National Anthem two days ago. They reportedly refused to stand up while it was played in cinemas.
The activists charged that Kamal was behind selecting controversial Malayalam film 'Ka Bodyscapes' which they alleged insulted Hindu religion.

Protesters held a march to the Kalabhavan theatre, one of the venues of the festival, where the police blocked them.
A minor scuffle occurred between police and protesters and later they set fire to an effigy of Kamal, police said.
Earlier in the day, BJP activists had held a march to Kamal's house at Kodungallur in Thrissur district.