Kerala: Opposition UDF Accuses CM Of 'Misleading' On Hema Committee Report, Demands Discussion In Assembly

The Hema Committee was established over four years ago to investigate allegations of sexual harassment and abuse faced by women in the Malayalam film industry.

Satheesan pointed out that similar cases, such as the solar scam involving senior Congress leaders, were debated in the Assembly even while they were under judicial review

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The Congress-led UDF opposition in Kerala has accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of "misleading" the public by allegedly lying about the disclosure of the Hema Committee report on sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry. Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan claimed that Vijayan misrepresented the wishes of Justice Hema, who led the inquiry, stating that she had asked for the report to be withheld. However, Satheesan pointed out that in a letter to the government, Justice Hema merely advised that the report's release should follow Supreme Court guidelines.

The controversy escalated after Kerala Assembly Speaker A.N. Shamseer rejected an adjournment motion submitted by Congress MLA K.K. Rema, which sought a discussion on the Hema Committee report during Friday’s Assembly session. Satheesan strongly criticized the decision, stating, "If a matter affecting women like this is not discussed in the Assembly, it is a disgrace to the House."

The Hema Committee was established over four years ago to investigate allegations of sexual harassment and abuse faced by women in the Malayalam film industry. However, the report remained unpublished for nearly four and a half years. Satheesan said, "Govt is not ready to probe the matter...govt constituted an SIT...now victims are not ready to give evidence to SIT because govt is not giving any assurance because they have given an impression that they are with the culprits..."

In defense of the decision to deny a discussion, Speaker Shamseer stated that the matter was under the active consideration of the Kerala High Court, justifying the rejection based on legal constraints. However, Satheesan countered this argument, pointing out that similar cases, such as the solar scam involving senior Congress leaders, were debated in the Assembly even while they were under judicial review.

"Though the Speaker said the decision denying permission was his alone, it is clear the government does not wish to discuss the issue. It is on the defensive," Satheesan told reporters, accusing the ruling LDF of intentionally avoiding transparency on the matter.