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The ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) in Kerala has defended actor-cum-MLA M Mukesh, stating that he should not resign from his position as a legislator merely because a rape case has been registered against him. This statement came from CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan during a press conference, following the party's state committee meeting. While acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations against Mukesh, the CPI(M) has decided to remove him from the film-making policy committee, citing the need for him to step back from that specific role due to the accusations.
Govindan, in his defense of Mukesh, argued that there is no precedent for resignation in such cases, pointing out that there are currently 16 MPs and 135 MLAs across the country who are facing accusations of crimes against women but have not resigned. He further questioned the logic of demanding Mukesh's resignation on moral grounds, suggesting that if he were to resign and later be proven innocent, it would be difficult to justify his reinstatement on the same grounds. He emphasized that any return to his position as an MLA would have to be through a fresh election process.
The decision by the CPI(M) has been met with protests from both the Congress and the BJP, with their respective youth and women's wings demanding Mukesh's resignation. The allegations against Mukesh stem from an FIR registered under IPC 376 (rape) at the Maradu police station in Kochi city. The complaint was filed by a woman who had acted in a few films and alleged that Mukesh sexually assaulted her years ago. This incident comes amidst a wave of sexual harassment and exploitation allegations against several high-profile Malayalam film personalities, spurred by the revelations in the Justice K Hema Committee report. The committee, appointed by the Kerala government following the 2017 actress assault case, highlighted instances of harassment and exploitation within the Malayalam cinema industry. In response to the recent allegations, the state government formed a seven-member special investigation team to probe these cases.
The CPI(M)'s decision to defend Mukesh while removing him from the film-making policy committee highlights the complexities of navigating allegations of sexual misconduct in a political and social context. The party's stance has sparked debate and raised questions about the standards of accountability and transparency expected from public figures. The ongoing investigation by the special investigation team will play a crucial role in determining the truth of the allegations and whether further action against Mukesh is warranted.
Source: M Mukesh Need Not Resign As MLA Amid #MeToo Allegations: CPI(M)