Kerala CM Vijayan’s big step as sexual abuse allegations rock Malayalam film industry

The Kerala government has constituted a seven-member special police team to investigate alleged atrocities faced by women in the Malayalam film industry following multiple reports of sexual abuse and harassment by female actors. The decision was taken after a high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, an official statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Sunday said.

“In the light of recent interviews and statements of several women working in the film industry, detailing the difficulties they have faced, the Chief Minister today convened a meeting of senior police officials. It was decided to constitute a special investigation team, headed by IGP G Sparjan Kumar, to probe these complaints and revelations,” the CMO said.

The special team, led by Inspector General (IG) Sparjan Kumar, comprises four senior women IPS officers. The team will function under the supervision of Crime Branch Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) H Venkatesh. Its members include Deputy Inspector General (DIG) S Ajeetha Begum, Crime Branch Headquarters Superintendent of Police (SP) Merin Joseph, Coastal Police Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Poonkuzhali, Kerala Police Academy Assistant Director Aishwarya Dongre, AIG Ajith V and Crime Branch SP S Madhusoodhan.

The formation of the special team follows the release of the report by the Justice Hema Committee, which was set up by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress attack case. The report revealed serious cases of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry, leading to demands for accountability and justice.

The report has generated considerable controversy, leading to the resignations of two prominent figures in the industry. Director Ranjith stepped down as chairman of the state-run Kerala Chalachitra Academy, and actor Siddique stepped down as general secretary of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). These resignations came amid mounting political pressure and demands for accountability within the industry.

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, when asked about the row over the Hema committee report, said, “I think the Prime Minister has put it on record. He had said that if they come with specific complaints, the process will be initiated. He has already said it… I am not saying anything because I am not involved in the issue. But I want to rely on what the Prime Minister has said, that if the victims come forward and file a complaint against those perpetrators, the legal process will be initiated,” as reported by news agency ANI.

#WATCH | On the Hema committee report, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said, “I think the Prime Minister has put it on record. He had said that if they come with specific complaints, the process will be initiated. He has already said it… I am not saying anything because I am not… photo.twitter.com/LqjP03j14Z

—ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2024

Hema Justice Commission Report: Kerala LoP demands resignation of Culture Minister Saji Cherian

Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan, on Saturday called for the resignation of Culture Minister Saji Cherian. Satheesan alleged that the minister was siding with the perpetrators named in the Justice Hema Committee report and accused him of suppressing the report for four years. “The minister refused to support the victims and was in fact supporting the perpetrators. It is better that he resigns. He is not fit to remain a minister,” Satheesan was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Earlier, the opposition had demanded that a woman IPS officer should lead the investigation into the allegations laid out in the Hema Commission report. Satheesan argued that the government has the necessary statements of victims in the report and could initiate an investigation without disclosing their identities. However, he criticised the government for its reluctance to register a case and accused it of shielding the perpetrators.