Kerala Assembly: Left government ‘defensive’ on Hema committee report, says opposition

The Kerala Legislative Assembly building | Photo credit: S. GOPAKUMAR

The Congress-led UDF opposition on Friday (October 11, 2024) alleged that the Left government in Kerala was “defensive” over the incidents of sexual harassment and abuse mentioned in the Justice K. Hema Committee report, and that is the reason why this was not the case. is discussed in the State Assembly.

The Opposition’s charge came after Speaker AN Shamseer refused permission for a notice from UDF MLAs to adjourn the House of Representatives and discuss the issue of alleged lack of further investigation into the report’s findings.

Mr Shamseer said permission was denied as the matter was actively pending in the Kerala High Court.

Opposition Leader VD Satheesan, who strongly protested against the Speaker’s decision, alleged that the notice was moved as Mr Shamseer himself had said that the issue should not be raised as a question in the House of Representatives to discuss a subject in to serve or something else.

UDF walks out

“It is an insult to the House if we do not discuss this issue, which affects women. We protest strongly against this and walk away. The government is on the defensive on this issue and that is why it is not discussed in Parliament. he claimed, and the UDF staged a strike.

The Justice K. Hema Committee was set up by the Kerala government after the 2017 actors’ assault case and the report highlighted cases of harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry.