Hema panel report: Kerala Opposition leader seeks culture minister’s resignation

Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan, has sought the resignation of Culture Minister Saji Cherian, alleging that the Left leader was taking sides with the perpetrators of the atrocities mentioned in the Justice Hema Committee report.

The recently-released Hema Committee report has caused a political turmoil in the state. The report had revealed instances of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry, prompting calls for action against the guilty.

Minister’s allegation

Satheesan on Saturday (August 24) alleged that Cherian refused to release the report for four years claiming that a case can be registered only if a complaint was filed.

The minister refused to stand with the victims and was, in fact, standing with the perpetrators, Satheesan said.

“It is better that he (Cherian) tenders his resignation from the post. He is not fit to remain a minister...,” Satheesan said.

Probe demand

The opposition party demanded that a female IPS officer should investigate the allegations on the Hema Committee report.

“There are statements in connection with sexual atrocities against women. It is a criminal offence not to register a case after learning about atrocities against women. The government has all the statements of the victims in the report,” the Congress leader said.

He said the government can conduct an investigation without revealing the names of the victims. “But the government is taking a stand that not even a case will be registered in the matter. The government is standing with the perpetrators,” Satheesan alleged.

(With agency inputs)