Thrissur: An RSS activist has been arrested for assaulting noted Malayalam film director Priyanandanan, who courted controversy over his social media remarks on women's entry at Sabarimala temple. The national award winning director was allegedly assaulted by BJP workers here on Friday.

Sarovar, a native of Vallachira in Thrissur was arrested from Kodungallur and taken to the Cherppu police station.

Priyanandanan's allegedly scandalous Facebook post had drawn flak from various quarters after which he had withdrawn it. The BJP had announced that it would file a case against the director for hurting religious sentiments.

He later put up another post stating, "I am home. Will not hide."

The miscreants allegedly poured cow dung mixed water (a purification ritual in Kerala) on him before thrashing him.

The director said he will file a police complaint. He was attacked on way to a shop near his house at Vallachira in Kerala's Thrissur district.

"It appears that this person was waiting for me. He came after me, hit me, poured cow dung water on me. All this happened around 9 a.m.

"Generally I take a walk on this particular route everyday around 7 a.m., but today I got delayed. This is not a one-man attack, there are others behind this," Priayanandanan said.

Condemning the attack, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said such attacks would not be tolerated as it was a direct attack on freedom of expression.

"This unholy act has taken place just because he made his point of view in the social media. Soon after his post came, he was under cyber attack. This will not be tolerated and appropriate action would be taken," he said.

Priyanandan, a known Left supporter, began his film career as an assistant director.

Priyanandanan's movie 'Pulijanmam' won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in 2006. His movie 'Bhakthajanangalude Sradhakku' starring popular actress Kavya Madhavan had won audience's praise. Some of his other movies are 'Neythukaran' (2001) and 'Sufi Paranja Katha' (2009).

Kerala had witnessed widespread protests after the Supreme Court allowed women of all age groups to enter the Lord Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala. Though several women attempted to enter the temple, they had to back off after frenzied protests. However, several people and outfits had come out in support of the SC's landmark judgment.

On January 2, 42-year old Bindu and Kanakadurga, 44, offered prayers at the Ayyappa temple, three months after the SC verdict, leading to widespread protests in the state.

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