Kochi. Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly and Congress leader V.D. Satheesan on Monday alleged that the Left government in the state was trying to protect those who sexually harassed women in the Malayalam film industry and hence was not initiating an inquiry into the Justice Hema Committee report. A day after the state government formed a special team to investigate the sexual harassment allegations, Satheesan questioned why male officers were posted over a female IPS officer in the investigation team.
Addressing a press conference in his constituency North Paravur, Satheesan said, “The opposition is demanding that a team led by a senior woman IPS officer should be formed to investigate based on the statements of the victims who deposed before the Hema Committee. But the Hema Committee was not even mentioned in the press release issued by the Chief Minister’s Office regarding the investigation.” The state government on Sunday constituted a seven-member team led by Inspector General (IG) Saprajan Kumar, which includes four senior IPS officers.
The Leader of Opposition alleged that the government has adopted a stance that it will not investigate the official statements and evidence presented before the committee constituted by it. Satheesan said, “This stance of the government is unacceptable.” He said that even the court has questioned what is the obstacle in investigating on the basis of the Hema Committee report.
Satheesan said, “People associated with the government are saying that if the victims stick to their statements, then an investigation can be conducted. In which case of sexual harassment are the victims asked if they will stick to their statements? The government’s attempt is to save the culprits.” He said that asking the victims to record their statements again is to humiliate them.
Satheesan also criticised the state’s Culture Minister Saji Cherian over the case and alleged that he has been holding a different opinion from the beginning. He said, “By tampering with the report, protecting the culprits and insulting the victims, Cherian has seriously violated the oath taken during his tenure and is not fit to remain a minister. If he does not resign, the Chief Minister should demand his resignation.”
Satheesan also criticised Congress party leader and actor Dharmajan Bolgatti who allegedly insulted a female journalist during a television show. He said, “If there is a mistake, we will not defend it like the Marxist Communist Party (CPI-M). Our stand is that we will not defend those who have committed a mistake.”