Thursday, October 6 2005 10:40 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: A remark on pre-marital sex and virginity by South Indian film star Kushboo has set off a major controversy and the issue seems to have taken political colour with a Dalit party tacitly backing protests against her.

The beleaguered actress has been virtually left to fend for herself by South Indian Film Artistes Association (SIFAA).

Compounding Kushboo's troubles is a political party waiting to even out with the actress for recent vociferous and strident demand against a film director, who had made certain remarks against film actresses at a function here recently.

The Dalit group, which was waiting for a chance to settle scores, got the issue on a platter and the group's members came out on the streets not only demanding a public apology from Kushboo but also her arrest and 'deportation' from Tamil Nadu.

A major opposition party has provided tacit support to the protests against the actress.

The reason for this support is because of the popularity of Kushboo who anchors a major quiz programme on Jaya TV.

PMK founder S Ramadoss and DPI general secretary Tol Thirumavalavan, however, said their parties had no role in the series of protests against Kushboo's remarks on pre-marital sex.

At a joint press conference in Chennai on Tuesday, they said the protests were 'spontaneous' by women and they were at a loss to understand why their parties' names were being dragged into the controversy.

Editor-in-Chief of 'The Hindu' newspaper N Ram said whether or not one agrees with Kushboo but 'the intelligent and experienced' actress' 'forward-looking' views need to be respected. Thirumavalavan, however, said Kushboo's remarks were 'against public order' and deserved to be condemned by one and all.

A few weeks back, Tamil film director Thanker Bachan, who has the support of the dalit group, had at a function here made 'unsavoury' remarks against actresses who demanded severe action against him and that he tender an unqualified public apology.

At an emergency meeting of the South Indian Film Artistes Association (SIFAA), Bachan appeared and apologised for his remarks.

The dalit political party, which is part of DMK-led Democratic Political Alliance in the state, seized Kushboo's remarks and soon protests mushroomed in different parts of the state.

On September 25, Dalit Panthers of India (DPI) had stormed the office of SIFAA in the city with broomsticks and chappals demanding an apology from the actress who actually hails from Mumbai.

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), in alliance with DPI, has already been waging a war of words with the Tamil film industry demanding that Tamil films be titled in Tamil names and not in English. They had even threatened to stop screening of some of the films and staged demonstrations in many places.

PMK women's wing central Chennai district leader Deepam Jaikumar filed a civil suit in a metropolitan court on September 25 demanding action against Kushboo for defamation. The court issued notice to Kushboo asking her to appear before it on October five.

Apart from the civil suit, five women advocates of Tiruchirapalli also filed a petition in the Judicial Magistrates court, seeking action against the actress under three IPC sections. The Judicial Magistrate also directed to appear before the court on October 14.

DPI leader Thol Thirumavalavan said the traditions of Tamils was not lower than the tradition of SIFAA which had condemned his party's demonstration in front of their office.

He also warned if SIFAA did not shed its 'partisan attitude', DPI would launch an agitation against the association.