M Mukesh need not resign as MLA amid MeToo allegations: CPI(M)

An actor has alleged that M Mukesh sexually abused her years ago. (File)

Thiruvananthapuram:

The ruling CPI(M) party in Kerala on Saturday said actor-turned-MP M Mukesh need not resign from the legislature just because a rape case has been filed against him.

The decision was announced by CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan at a press conference after the party’s state committee meeting.

However, MV Govindan said the party had also decided that M Mukesh would not be part of the film policy committee and would be expelled from it in view of the allegations against him.

The CPI(M) state secretary asked if the MLA, if he resigns on moral grounds, would be brought back on the same condition if his innocence is proven? “He can come back as MLA only after he is elected and not on moral grounds,” he said.

MV Govindan also pointed out that there are 16 MPs and 135 MPs in the country who are accused of committing crimes against women but have not yet resigned.

“Therefore, there is no reason for him to resign as MLA,” he said.

Protests have been held in several parts of the state by the Congress and the BJP and their respective youth and women organisations, demanding the actor’s resignation as MLA.

On Wednesday evening, an FIR (Fire Report) was registered against the actor under Section 376 of the Penal Code (IPC) (rape) at Maradu police station in Kochi city, following a complaint by a woman who has acted in a number of films.

She alleged that M Mukesh had sexually abused her years ago.

Several FIRs have been registered against many well-known Malayalam film personalities, following allegations of sexual harassment against several directors and actors, in the wake of revelations in the Justice K Hema Commission report.

The Justice Hema Committee was set up by the Kerala government after the 2017 actress sexual assault case. The report exposed cases of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam cinema industry.

After allegations of sexual harassment and exploitation were made against several actors and directors, the state government on August 25 announced the formation of a seven-member special investigation team to probe the allegations.

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