At a time when the Kerala film industry is grappling with allegations of sexual harassement after a partial release of the Hema Committee report, unveiled disturbing accounts of sexual assault and intimidation experiences by women working in the Malayalam film industry, this hasspread to Congress party in Kerala.
After the report’s release, several women have stepped forward to share their own harrowing experiences in the film world, the Congress party was pushed into an embarrassing situation when a senior party women leader from Ernakulam Simi Rosebell John claimed that women within the party were facing similar exploitation.
Speaking to a regional news channel, Rosebell alleged that female members are often required to endure exploitation to gain opportunities within the party. She also levelled allegations of sexual harassment against many Congress leaders, including opposition leader VD Satheesan.
She asserted that only by ‘impressing’ male leaders could women ascend to significant positions, often bypassing the need for talent and experience. Instead of attempting to ascertain her accusations, hours after her accusations the grand old party expelled her from the party.
In an official statement, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee said that it has expelled Simi Rosebell from the primary membership of the party for insulting female leaders before the media. It said that John’s comments were deemed derogatory and aimed at undermining and defaming Congress women leaders and workers.
The statement emphasized that John’s actions constituted a serious breach of party discipline and suggested that her remarks were intended to mentally harass Congress members and collude with political rivals.
It further alleged that Rosebell’s accusations were aimed at mentally harassing and defaming lakhs of women leaders and workers in the Congress, in collusion with political adversaries.
Leader of Opposition Satheesan, dismissing Rosebell’s claims as false, said “We supported her well. She even held positions within the All India Congress Committee (AICC)”.
KPCC President K Sudhakaran said that the Manila Congress has filed a complaint against Rosebell. He assured a thorough investigation into the matter, but said that her allegations are baseless.
In reaction to her expulsion, Simi Rose Bell John criticized the Congress party’s decision. She accused the party of expelling her for advocating women’s issues and alleging that similar expulsions had been carried out against other prominent party members without evidence.
John argued that her expulsion was part of a broader effort to suppress dissent within the party and expressed concerns for her safety. Women who have dignity, pride and nobility cannot work in this party, she said.