Congress Criticizes CM Vijayan for Ignoring Hema Panel's Findings

The Congress on Wednesday attacked the Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government for not taking follow-up action on the explosive Hema Committee report, which probed the working condition of women in the Malayalam film industry.

Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan said it is more than 10 days since the report was officially published and that spoke about the widespread criminal acts happening in the film industry, but no action has been taken as of now.

He asked a few questions to CM Vijayan and wanted their answers. "It is a criminal act on the part of the authorities who are trying to hide the sexual attack on women and also under the provisions of the POCSO Act. The report mentions these and the Vijayan government has done nothing," said Satheesan.

While the CIC had issued the Hema Committee report after removing some pages, it has come out now that many more pages have been removed by the state government. We want to know why it was done and whether it was done to save some people," asked Satheesan.

The report points out how drugs have become part of the film industry. Wish to know what action the Vijayan government has taken, said Satheesan while asking why the Vijayan government has adopted a soft approach on the grave report.

Incidentally, the only thing that the Vijayan government has done so far is constitute a special police team comprising four women IPS officers. The team has started taking statements from the victims.

Satheesan said what the Vijayan government should do was act on the findings of the report and not wait for the victims to come out with their complaints.

The Congress party will lead a statewide protest on Thursday, their demands being the resignation of State Minister for Culture and Films Saji Cherian and actor-turned-politician State Minister for Transport K.B. Ganesh Kumar.

Minister Cherian had initially taken a very firm stand for Ranjith. And Minister Kumar, usually vocal over most matters, has fallen silent, as he too is alleged to be shielding the tainted AMMA members, of which he is also a member.