Molestation case puts CPM on the defensive

At a time when Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is away in the US for medical treatment and the Kerala government is hard pressed to provide succour to millions of flood victims, molestation allegations against an MLA and a youth leader have put the ruling Communist Party of IndiaMarxist on the defensive.

The allegation against Shoranur MLA, P.K. Sasi, came to light earlier this week, when it was revealed that a woman had complained to the CPM national leadership about Sasi allegedly trying to molest her and that the party was investigating the matter.

The issue triggered strong criticism from the Opposition parties and on social media, with critics wondering how a complaint involving criminal activity could be kept outside the purview of the law and order system and be investigated by the party alone.

Yesterday, veteran CPM leader and chairman of the administrative reforms committee, V.S. Achuthanandan said there would be “strong action” against Sasi.

However, he added that the action should be taken only after thoroughly studying the complaint.

The complaint against its MLA is the second allegation of molestation that the CPM is facing this week.

In the second case, a woman member of the Democratic Youth Federation of India has complained to the police that one of the DYFI office-bearers, R. L. Jeevanlal had attempted to molest her.

Jeevanlal has been suspended from the party, and police are investigating the woman’s complaint.