Malayalam filmmaker Ranjith on Sunday stepped down as Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman following allegations of misbehaviour levelled against him by a Bengali actor. 

In an audio clip sent to a television channel, filmmaker Ranjith expressed his intention to step down from his position to prevent any negative impact on the reputation of the Left government in the state.

He also stated his determination to address the allegations against him through legal means.

Bengali actor Sreelekha Mitra alleged that the filmmaker made advances towards her during the pre-production of a 2009 movie, leading to calls for an investigation into her allegations by key LDF constituent CPI, after the Justice Hema Committee’s findings.

She recently claimed that the filmmaker behaved inappropriately during the shooting of a film he directed, a charge which Ranjith has refuted, asserting that he is the “real victim” in the case.

“The person concerned (Ranjith) is a big name in the Malayalam film industry and a national award-winning director. I went to his residence to discuss an upcoming film project, and I did not like his behaviour. He made certain advances subtly and I felt uncomfortable while we were discussing the script,” Mitra said.

“I don’t know if he has treated other female actors in the film industry in the same way. It is up to them to open up or not if they have faced a similar situation. Maybe his power and influence played a role for others to not speak out,” she added.

Ranjith resigned in the face of intense protests against him and the state government due to these allegations.

On August 24, the opposition Congress and BJP demanded his resignation, contending that he had no moral right to continue in his position.

Additionally, senior Malayalam actor Siddique resigned from the post of general secretary of AMMA in response to rape and sexual assault allegations, which emerged following the release of the Justice Hema Committee report exposing incidents of casting couch and sexual abuse in the Malayalam film industry.

After Centre approved the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for Central government employees on August 24, the Opposition has claimed credit for the NDA government’s decision to roll out UPS.

In a post on X, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge described the ‘U’ in UPS stands for Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s  U-turns. “Post June 4, the power of the people has prevailed over the arrogance of power of the Prime Minister”, he added.

He listed the few rollbacks by the Central government including a rollback in the budget regarding Long Term Capital Gain / Indexation. Sending Waqf Bill to JPC, rollback of Broadcast Bill, and recently Lateral Entry advertisement by UPSC on Centre’s direction.

The Congress chief asserted that the Opposition will keep ensuring accountability and protect 140 crore Indians from this “despotic government”.

Yesterday, PM Modi recognised the hard work of all government employees who contribute significantly to national progress. The Unified Pension Scheme ensures dignity and financial security for government employees, aligning with our commitment to their well-being and a secure future, he said in a post on X.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah Congratulated Central government employees on the approval of the Unified Pension Scheme by the Prime Minister in the Union Cabinet on Saturday.

With the approval of the scheme, the Modi government has reiterated its commitment to the financial security of Central government employees, who form the backbone of the nation’s governance, Shah emphasised.

After facing massive criticism from Opposition and government employees over the New Pension Scheme replacing the Old Pension Scheme, the Centre came up with the Unified Pension Scheme for Central government employees, which will be effective from April 1, 2025.

The UPS is akin to the Old Pension Scheme,  with an assured pension where retirees will now receive 50% of their average basic pay over the last 12 months before retirement as a pension for a minimum qualifying service of 25 years. Proportionate for a lesser service period up to a minimum of 10 years of service.

In UPS, the government has increased its contribution from 14% to 18.5%. Employee contribution will not increase and will remain at 10%. In case of a pensioner’s unfortunate demise, their family will receive 60% of the pension the employee was receiving.

As assured minimum pension under this scheme, is Rs 10,000 per month as pension, on superannuation after a minimum of 10 years of service.

The Centre has covered the inflation protection, with this the pensions will be indexed to inflation. Dearness Relief will be based on the All India Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (AICPI-IW), as in the case of serving employees.

The lump sum payment at superannuation in addition to gratuity. The 1/10 th of monthly emoluments ( pay +DA) as on the date of superannuation for every completed six months of the service. This Payment will not reduce the quantum of assured pension.

Under this scheme, provisions of UPS will apply to past retirees of NPS (who have already superannuated). Arrears for the past period will be paid with interest at PPF rates.

UPS will be available as an option to the employees. Existing NPS / VRS with NPS as well as future employees will have an option of joining UPS. Choice, once exercised, will be final.

UPS will be benefiting around 23 lakh Central government employees, as per the government.

The same architecture has been designed for adoption by State governments. If also adopted by State governments, can benefit over 90 lakh government employees who are presently on New Pension Scheme.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw on August 24 announced the UPS, ahead of the Assembly elections in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir this year.

The Haryana BJP’s request to Election Commission to postpone the October 1 Assembly election, citing holidays before and after the polls date that could lead to lower voter turnout, has drawn a jest from the Congress that BJP has accepted defeat.

The former Haryana Chief Minister and Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda took a dig at BJP saying the saffron party had accepted defeat by requesting the Election Commission to defer the Assembly election date, adding that the people were ready to throw out the incumbent government.

Speaking to a reporter, senior Congress leader Hooda said elections have been declared and it has been more than a week since it was declared.

He added, “This means that they want to postpone the election. They are accepting defeat and we want the Election Commission to hold the election on time because people do not want the government to remain in power for even a day.

Haryana’s Chief Electoral Officer Pankaj Agarwal confirmed that the commission has received a copy of the communication on Friday over e-mail. “We have received the communication from state BJP and forwarded it to the Election Commission,” Agarwal said.

Varinder Garg, a member of the BJP’s state election management committee, had cited reason that the Assembly election date of October 1 is preceded by a holiday on the weekend and followed by some holidays which may hit the voting percentage as people tend to go on vacation on long weekends which are followed by holidays.

“Saturday (September 28) is a holiday for many, while Sunday is a holiday. October 1 is a poll holiday in the state which is followed by Gandhi Jayanti on October 2, which is a holiday and October 3 is also a holiday on account of Maharaja Agrasen Jayanti,” he said.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, on his party’s Assembly election postponement request, said that the BJP state president Mohan Badoli had written to Election Commission to shift the election date in consultation with other political parties so that vote percentage can be increased.

He added, “There are holidays continuously therefore this letter has been written so that vote percentage does not go down.”