Youth Congress protest in Kollam demanding Kerala actor Mukesh’s resignation turns violent

KOLLAM: The Youth Congress’ protest march to the office of Kollam legislator M Mukesh on Saturday, demanding his resignation over rape allegations, turned violent as protesters clashed with police personnel.

Police lathi-charged the rioters, leaving many injured, according to footage shown on TV channels.

Several police officers were also reportedly injured in the clash between them and the Youth Congress activists.

Police resorted to lathi-charge after the protesters tried to climb over the barricades and enter the MLA’s office.

The protesters shouted slogans against the CPI(M) and Mukesh.

Protests have been held in several parts of the state by the Congress and the BJP and their respective youth and women organisations, demanding the actor’s resignation as MLA.

On Wednesday evening, an FIR (Fire Report) was registered against the actor under Section 376 of the Penal Code (IPC) (rape) at Maradu police station in Kochi city, following a complaint by a woman who has acted in a number of films.

She alleged that Mukesh had sexually abused her years ago.

Several FIRs have been registered against many well-known Malayalam film personalities, following allegations of sexual harassment against several directors and actors, in the wake of revelations in the Justice K Hema Commission report.

The Government of Kerala has established the Judiciary Hema committee following the 2017 sexual assault case against an actress and the report that exposed cases of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.

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