Kerala govt wanted Hema Committee report hidden & why DMK allies are confused, upset | Powertrip #67

In this week’s Powertrip, a political newsletter exclusively curated for TNM and NL subscribers by Dhanya Rajendran, Shabbir Ahmed, Pooja Prasanna, and Nidheesh MK, we look into the probable reasons why the Kerala government was not keen on releasing the Hema Committee report on sexual harassment in the Malayalam film industry. With coalition politics keeping the Union BJP government from implementing key Hindutva agendas, the RSS has its own plans to make PM Modi toe its line. In Tamil Nadu, there are tremors of a political fallout after the new-found camaraderie between the DMK and BJP..Inside TrackExclusive stories, for your eyes only Why the silence, Kerala government?The Hema Committee report that looked into sexual harassment and other problems women in Malayalam cinema face has finally been released after 5 years. The Kerala government that enthusiastically formed the committee had tried every trick in the book to bury it, but had to finally give in after a court order. What is curious, however, is why the government was so keen on keeping the report under wraps.Just as the court sanctioned release of the report, actor Ranjini approached the Kerala Chief Minister’s office apart from filing a court petition seeking to prevent her name from being disclosed in the publication. Although Ranjini didn’t request that the report remain unpublished, she was apprehensive about her name being associated with it. Ranjini wanted her allegations to be known publicly but preferred not to be identified as the source. Her concerns relate to having been forced to stay away from the Malayalam film industry for nearly a year after starring in the 1988 hits Chithram and Mukunthetta Sumithra Vilikkunnu, as well as accounts of sexual harassment she had heard from others.To her team’s surprise, the government was also hesitant to release the report’s details. A senior official in the secretariat assured Ranjini’s team that the government would wait for the court’s decision before releasing the report. The official confirmed that the CM had been briefed and agreed that the report should not be hastily released before the court’s judgement. Ultimately, the Kerala High Court dismissed Ranjini’s appeal, leading to the report’s release. However, the CM’s office assured Ranjini’s team that neither her name nor any other redacted portions of the report would be released.This proactive stance by the government raised concerns among those involved who felt that the government seemed more interested in protecting the identities of the accused than the complainants. Sources from the government and the film industry give us two versions. One is that with several big names of the industry named in the report, the government does not want any trouble and wants the industry to sort out its own problems.The other is that Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Saji Cherian, under whose purview the report comes, simply does not understand its seriousness. One filmmaker told us that he doubts if Saji has even read the report.Saji Cherian may try to avoid the issue, but he is going to be under pressure to explain why the committee or government did not choose to file FIRs on the basis of what the women said. How RSS plans to arm-twist ModiTensions between the RSS and BJP have become increasingly apparent in the recent months, especially after the elections. Sources indicate that the RSS is concerned that Prime Minister Modi might dilute or neglect key Hindutva agendas due to the pressures of coalition politics. The major concern is regarding the Uniform Civil Code, which the RSS fears could be watered down.RSS sources we spoke to said that they will observe how things go for a while and start exerting pressure through their own channels. The Sangh will create public opinion in favour of some of these agendas, if the Modi government shows no signs of moving ahead on them. DMK-BJP bonhomie leaves allies confused, upsetMany were taken by surprise when Union Minister Rajnath Singh was invited to release the centenary year celebration coin of K Karunanidhi on Sunday. The DMK and BJP, which are politically and ideologically opposed to each other, seemed to be on the same page in praising Karunanidhi’s contribution to Indian politics. Rajnath Singh, often seen as the number 3 in the Modi Cabinet, even called for a standing ovation for the late Tamil Nadu CM. And a day later, MK Stalin returned the favour and profusely praised Rajnath Singh, saying even DMK men have not applauded Karunanidhi so much.The new-found fondness has not gone down well with DMK’s allies. At least two of the allies who are part of the ruling coalition in Tamil Nadu appeared confused with why the DMK and the BJP are suddenly getting close and making a public show of it. Congress, another DMK ally, is particularly upset that while listing the similarities between the two parties, the DMK and the BJP spoke of the Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi and said that both Rajnath Singh and MK Stalin had opposed it.So while the PDA has left DMK’s allies confused, Congress leaders say that they are keeping a close watch on the developments in the coming days. Well, so are we! Zero HourA political story of public importance 'Where's the Proof They Were Raped?', Biren Allegedly Says of Kuki Women Paraded Naked, 'Reward Those Arrested for Saving Them'.In part two of the Manipur tapes, a voice purportedly of chief minister N. Biren Singh can be heard telling a group of persons that they should not be defensive about the viral video of two young Kuki-Zo women that shook the conscience of the nation.‘ We should have taken the credit of saving them, clothing them and sending them home.’ PowermovesTop 5 political storiesTDP finds itself on a tightrope walk with the Waqf (Amendment) BillWhy Karnataka govt has cut ties with SBI and PNB banks Hema committee recommends tribunal to handle sexual offences in Malayalam film industryTirunelveli govt college sends 1400 letters against reservation to Justice ChandruJournalist recalls the Karnataka homestay attack horror after a trial court acquits accused