Actor Mukesh need not resign as MLA: Kerala’s ruling CPM makes stand clear amid rape charges

“If Mukesh quits on moral grounds, he cannot come back on the same grounds if the court acquits him of the charges. Hence, demand for resignation will be denial of justice,” he said.

“As an MLA, he will not get any privileges in the investigation. That is the party’s stand. Mukesh will be removed as a member from the committee for formulating film policy. Justice should be delivered to all, irrespective of the stature of the people involved. There should be a free and fair probe. The Hema Committee report is being debated in other states also. There is a demand for similar committees in other states,’’ he said.

After a young woman actor accused Mukesh of rape in the aftermath of the Hema Committee report’s release, the demand for his resignation has been growing. Senior CPI leader Annie Raja was among those calling for him to quit, saying Mukesh has no “moral or legal ground to continue as an MLA”.

CPI(M) national leader Brinda Karat, in an article in the party website, also took exception to the state leadership’s justification for keeping Mukesh as MLA. CPI(M) leaders have been pointing to the Congress having two legislators with rape cases against them as a justification for keeping Mukesh in office.

Brinda Karat said, “We should not get into a diversionary — what is called in Hindi, a “tu-tu-main-main” (you did this and I did that) sort of useless argument. The focus is and must be to provide a safe environment for women everywhere — and in the context of the Hema Committee Report — in the film industry. Women must have the confidence that the government and society are with them in their brave fight for justice.”