#MeToo Controversy Hits Kerala Politics: BJP Accuses Congress of Double Standards

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 2nd Sept. The ongoing #MeToo allegations that have engulfed the Kerala film industry have now spilled over into the political arena, creating a storm in the state’s political landscape. On Monday, senior BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar leveled severe accusations against the Congress party, highlighting claims made by former Congress leader Simi Rose Bell John about “casting couch” practices within the party.

Chandrasekhar criticized Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for their public stance on protecting women’s rights while allegedly ignoring internal complaints of harassment. He condemned the Congress for failing to investigate Bell John’s claims and accused the party of hypocrisy, asserting, “This is a very shameful example of what the Congress really is.” He emphasized that while Congress champions women’s dignity publicly, it reportedly neglects such issues within its own ranks.

The Congress party has yet to respond to Chandrasekhar’s remarks. On Sunday, the party expelled Bell John from its ranks, accusing her of attempting to defame the party and its leaders. The Congress claimed her allegations were made in collaboration with political adversaries and aimed to undermine the party’s image. Bell John, in response, demanded evidence of any alleged collusion with the ruling CPIM, challenging the party’s leadership to reveal any such details.

This controversy comes amid a broader scandal in the Malayalam film industry, where several prominent figures are facing sexual assault charges, including rape. The Association of Malayalam Movie Actors (AMMA), led by veteran actor Mohanlal, has seen resignations from its senior leadership. M Mukesh, an actor and CPIM MLA, is among those accused. These allegations follow the release of the Justice Hema Committee’s report, which investigated sexual abuse claims in Mollywood stemming from a 2017 assault case. The report, initially suppressed due to legal challenges, was made public only last month.

The escalating #MeToo allegations have intensified political rivalries in Kerala, with the BJP and Congress criticizing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s CPIM government. In an interview with NDTV last week, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor called for societal reforms, pointing out that “there must be something wrong with Indian men.”