Higher Education and Social Justice Minister R Bindu described the charges as “serious and embarrassing” for the political establishment.
Published Aug 21, 2025 | 11:33 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 21, 2025 | 12:47 PM
File photo of Kerala Youth Congress president Rahul Mamkootathil. (RahulMamkootathilBrigades/Facebook)
Synopsis: Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil is under mounting pressure to step aside after fresh allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against him. It is also learnt that a formal complaint has reached the party’s national leadership.
Youth Congress Kerala President and Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil is under mounting pressure to step aside after fresh allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against him, with party leaders themselves joining the chorus for accountability.
On Wednesday, 20 August, actor Rini Ann George revealed that a prominent political leader had invited her to a five-star hotel and subjected her to obscene messages. Though she did not name anyone, discussions within Congress circles linked the allegations to Mamkootathil.
However, matters escalated after expatriate writer Honey Bhaskaran publicly accused him of similar misconduct, sparking widespread criticism across party groups and social media.
Rini said a youth leader, also a people’s representative, sent her obscene messages and made inappropriate demands. The leader, according to her, is a representative of the people and an active face in television debates and protest marches.
Rini said she first came into contact with the leader through social media, but was soon shocked by the messages she began receiving.
“I advised him that he should not behave in such a manner, being a young leader who is expected to be a role model. But his reply was, ‘What happened to political leaders involved in big cases of women harassment?’,” she recounted.
According to the actor, the leader even suggested meeting in a five-star hotel room. She said she reacted strongly, but the behaviour resurfaced. Despite informing party leaders, Rini said, the only assurance she received was that it would be resolved.
“Instead, he was given positions and honours. Many others have complaints against him, yet no one speaks out,” she said.
Asked why she chose not to reveal the name of the leader or his party, Rini explained that she did not wish to tarnish the movement as a whole, noting that she was on friendly terms with many leaders in it.
She also admitted concerns about her safety. “Even if I reveal the name, nothing will happen to him. Only I will be put in danger,” she said.
Rini said the incidents began three and a half years ago, and while she was not physically harassed, she knows of others who have faced worse experiences. She added that if such behaviour continues, she would be compelled to take further action.
In a social media post, Honey claimed Mamkootathil first approached her via Instagram, but later disparaged her to others, projecting her as someone pursuing him. She alleged that Mamkootathil has similarly deceived many women, often assuring them of exclusive affection.
Honey further accused Vatakara MP Shafi Parambil of shielding Mamkootathil despite receiving multiple complaints from women. “Many of his victims are female Congress workers, and more women may come forward soon,” she said.
While clarifying that she currently has no plans to pursue legal action, Honey challenged Mamkootathil to initiate a defamation case if her claims were false.
Later, an audio clip allegedly of Youth Congress State General Secretary RV Sneha emerged online. In the audio message, circulated within the party circles, she demanded that Mamkootathil respond to the allegations.
“Allegations have been raised by many girls. Such allegations cannot always be dismissed with a laugh. If he has done wrong, he and the party have a responsibility to step aside from the investigation. Every story is coming out like a mega-serial,” she said.
Sneha added that if the accusations are false, Mamkootathil should file legal action against those making them. The Congress leadership, rattled by the widening controversy, is considering asking Mamkootathil to resign from the Youth Congress presidency pending an inquiry.
It is also learnt that a formal complaint has reached the party’s national leadership.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan termed the complaint as “serious in nature,” assuring that it would be dealt with “utmost seriousness.” Calling the complainant “like a daughter,” Satheesan said he had suggested action “the way a father would respond to his daughter’s grievance.”
On whether Rahul would be asked to step down from the Youth Congress state president’s post, Satheesan maintained that the party would follow due process. “The complaint will be examined thoroughly. The party will also hear what the accused has to say before initiating appropriate action,” he said.
However, Satheesan avoided a direct reply when asked if Rahul would be asked to relinquish his MLA post.
Meanwhile, Higher Education and Social Justice Minister R Bindu of the CPI(M) weighed in, describing the charges as “serious and embarrassing” for the political establishment.
“Misbehaving with women and sending obscene messages should never happen, especially from youth leaders. Political movements must take action on such complaints. The allegations themselves are an embarrassment to the political sector,” she said in Kozhikode.
CPI(M) leader and MLA KK Shailaja demanded stringent legal action against Mamkootathil. In a social media post, Shailaja said revelations — including charges of forcing women to undergo abortions — cannot be brushed aside by mere resignations from party posts.
“His mindset is a challenge to women and the public at large. His continued existence as a representative of the people is a disgrace to the entire Kerala Legislative Assembly,” she wrote.
Shailaja also criticised the Congress leadership, alleging that it ignored repeated complaints against Rahul and even rewarded him with positions of responsibility.
She further accused Mamkootathil and Parambil of orchestrating abusive campaigns against women through fake social media IDs, making it difficult to take legal action.
“The Congress leadership protected and supported such people for political gain. Now they have responded without any change. This demands accountability,” Shailaja said, calling for strong legal proceedings against Rahul over the serious criminal allegations.
With internal dissent brewing and external pressure mounting, Rahul Mamkootathil finds himself in a tight spot.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil with inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
