Kerala Opposition Leader Leads Protest Against Govt Over Hema Committee Report

VD Satheesan, Kerala's Leader of Opposition, led a protest in Thiruvananthapuram accusing the government of protecting perpetrators named in the Justice Hema Committee report and Vadakara Kafir Screenshot Case. The report highlights sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry and has led to significant criticism of the state's handling.

VD Satheesan, Chief of the United Democratic Front and Leader of Opposition in Kerala, spearheaded a protest on Monday outside the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. The protest was organized to highlight alleged government protection of accused individuals named in the Justice Hema Committee report and the Vadakara Kafir Screenshot Case.

Addressing the demonstrators, Satheesan criticized Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing him of shielding those involved in sexual offenses outlined in the report. The omissions in the report, he claimed, left even prominent figures in the film industry under suspicion due to government actions. Furthermore, on Sunday, Union Minister and BJP National President JP Nadda condemned the Kerala government for delaying justice for victims of sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry and implied involvement of Communist Party leaders.

Last month, a redacted version of the 235-page Justice Hema Committee report, detailing harassment faced by women in the Malayalam cinema industry, was released. The report alleges control by a small group of male producers, directors, and actors. Initially submitted to the Kerala government in December 2019, the report's publication prompted actor Mohanlal to resign as president of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists. In response, the Kerala government announced a seven-member special investigation team on August 25 to probe the allegations further.

(With inputs from agencies.)