Hema Commission Report: UDF Will Prosecute Sexual Predators in Film Industry if It Comes to Power in Kerala in 2026, Says KPCC Chairman

K. Sudhakaran, president of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (file) | Photo credit: H. VIBHU

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Sudhakaran has said that the United Democratic Front (UDF) will prosecute sexual predators in the Malayalam film industry, irrespective of their influence, wealth or public status, if it comes to power in Kerala in 2026.

In a Facebook post on Thursday (August 22, 2024), Mr Sudhakaran accused the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) of adding insult to injury by failing to cooperate with the damning K. Hema Commission report, which documented sexual exploitation in the entertainment industry in meticulous detail.

He said the committee had brought the criminals in the film industry into the limelight, including those at the highest levels. The committee had also exposed cases of child sexual abuse, which warranted prosecution under the POCSO Act. However, the LDF government has chosen to look the other way to protect the powerful. “People in Kerala know who the criminals are,” Mr. Sudhakaran said.

He said the government had committed a crime by not acting on the report. “The Pinarayi Vijayan government’s neglect of the serious findings of the commission went against the very core of criminal jurisprudence and natural justice,” he added.

Choir of demands

Mr Sudhakaran’s social media post comes amid a growing chorus of demands from civil society, opposition leaders and film industry figures for prosecution based on the statements and evidence recorded by the Hema committee. It signalled that the UDF was on the verge of a major agitation demanding justice for women in the film industry.

On Wednesday, Opposition Leader VD Satheesan warned the government of street protests if it failed to take action on the report. The Mahila Congress protested outside the state police headquarters, demanding that the government prosecute “sexists, abusers, misogynists and exploiters” in the film industry.

Abin Varkey, vice-chairman of the Youth Congress, sent an email to the state police chief calling for prosecution based on the criminality cases recorded in disturbing detail by the Hema Commission.

Government position

Finance Minister KN Balagopal told reporters in New Delhi that the government is committed to prosecuting offenders. “The law is the same for everyone. Registration of a case is just a formality. The government can take action suo motu, and it will. No one has immunity from the law, and everyone is bound by it,” he said.

Mr Balagopal accused the opposition of politicising the sensitive issue.