Congress, BJP question Kerala government’s inaction on Hema Commission report

K Surendran and VD Satheesan

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‘Hiding the real culprits’

“The government is trying to save some individuals by playing hide and seek. The government’s actions are giving the impression to the public that everyone in the film industry is a nuisance,” Satheesan said.

“However, there are many good people in the film industry. The government is hiding the real culprits and that is why even innocent people are being humiliated in Kerala. The government should solve this problem,” Satheesan told reporters at Puthanathani in Malappuram.

The opposition leader accused the government of silence and evasion of the Hema Commission report, which revealed a series of crimes in the film industry.

He alleged that despite repeated queries, Culture Minister Saji Cheriyan refused to comment and only answered questions that suited the Prime Minister.

Satheesan said the opposition is demanding answers to five key questions.

The questions

1. Why is the government not investigating the Hema Commission report, which identifies a series of crimes?
2. Why is no action being taken despite laws (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhitha, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitha and the POCSO Act) that criminalise covering up sexual crimes against women and children?
3. Why did the government edit and delete pages and parts of the Hema Commission report, obtained through the Government Information (Public Access) Act, to protect someone?
4. What measures has the government taken in response to the findings of the Hema Commission report on the cruel treatment of women in the film industry and the uncontrolled use of drugs and narcotics?
5. Why is the government taking an anti-woman stance?

Also read: Hema Commission Report Causes BJP Split in Kerala

Claims that the report has been rejected

According to Surendran, the current stance of the government seems to completely reject the essence of the report, adding that the government is not determined enough to address the critical remarks of the commission.

He pointed out that the controversies surrounding the report are being used by the government to distract from the real problems.

“The special investigation team appointed by the government is nothing more than an instrument to mislead the public,” he said.

He also called for immediate action against Kollam MLA Mukesh, against whom serious allegations are being levelled, and demanded his resignation as a sign of the government’s sincerity.

“If the government is really concerned, it should register a case against Mukesh, interrogate him and arrest him,” Surendran urged.

He also noted that even leaders within the CPI are openly calling for Mukesh’s resignation, but the CPI(M) and the government are still protecting him.

Questions government

Besides criticising the government’s handling of the Hema committee report, Surendran questioned the decision to hold a film conclave with Mukesh amid the ongoing controversies. He also raised concerns over filmmaker Shaji N Karun’s involvement in the event and urged the government to cancel the conclave altogether.

“What kind of conclave are the hunters planning to hold?” asked Surendran, demanding clarity from the Chief Minister on the issue.

This development comes on the heels of the publication of the Hema Commission report on August 19, which exposed the sexual harassment and problems faced by female actors in the Malayalam film industry.

The Justice Hema commission was formed in 2017 following the alleged kidnapping and subsequent harassment of a female actor, allegedly orchestrated by actor Dileep.

Following allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation against several actors and directors, the state government on August 25 announced the formation of a seven-member special investigation team to probe them.

Subsequently, many complaints were received, which caused a great stir in the Malayalam film industry.

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