Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Excise Minister M B Rajesh stated on Sunday that everyone in the film industry should adopt the "brave stand" taken by actress Vincy Aloshious, refusing to work with individuals involved in drugs or narcotic substances.
Praising Vincy for her "brave and determined" stance, Rajesh emphasised that it is the responsibility of the film industry and its associated organisations to ensure that individuals like her are neither isolated nor sidelined for their principles.
"I spoke to Vincy Aloshious. I praised her for the brave and determined stand taken by her that she will not work with those using drugs. Everyone in the film industry should be ready to come forward and adopt this stand.
"It is the responsibility of the film industry and the various cinema organisations to ensure that such individuals are not isolated or sidelined over the stand taken by them," the minister told reporters here.
He also said that Vincy assured him that she would cooperate with the investigation in connection with the allegations made by her and that she was ready to give her statement wherever required.
Rajesh further emphasised that the state police and excise department are actively combating the drug menace, asserting that no sector will receive special consideration or exemption in the mission to eradicate narcotic substances from Kerala.
"Neither the cinema field nor celebrities will be given any special consideration in the matter, as the use of drugs is being seen as a social evil. It will be dealt with strictly. It will be stamped out with an iron fist, as I said in the past," the minister asserted.
In this endeavour to free the state from the influence of drugs, all information which would help in achieving the goal would be welcome and will be taken seriously, he added.
Vincy has lodged a complaint with the Film Chamber, alleging that actor Shine Tom Chacko behaved "inappropriately" with her under the influence of drugs.
Although she has also reported the incident to the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), she has not filed a police complaint.
(inputs from PTI)