RMP leader Hariharan presented himself at the police station along with RMP workers. He was later granted bail.
RMP leader KS Hariharan (Facebook)
The police on Friday, 17 May, recorded the arrest of RMP leader KS Hariharan in connection with his alleged sexist remarks against former health minister KK Shailaja and actor Manju Warrier. He was later released on station bail.
He presented himself at the police station along with RMP workers. Speaking to the media, Hariharan said he would face the case legally and politically.
The Vadakara police in Kerala had on 12 May booked Hariharan under IPC section 509 (outraging the modesty of a woman) and 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot).
Hariharan, a central committee of RMP, came under fire after he told a meeting on 11 May that “Will anyone make a porn video of the teacher (Shailaja)? If it’s of Manju Warrier, one could understand it.” The audience laughed in response.
The comment drew criticism from various quarters, including the UDF. The RMP, a split-away CPI(M) group in Kerala, is with the UDF.
Incidentally, the meeting was convened to respond to the LDF’s allegation that a morphed video of Shailaja was circulated during the campaign for the Lok Sabha elections. The former minister is the LDF’s candidate in Vadakara.
In April, Shailaja accused the Congress of engaging in personal attacks against her and spreading misinformation online. She had filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India against Vadakara Congress candidate Shafi Parambil.
She claimed that her morphed images were uploaded on an Instagram page named ‘Ente Vadkara KL18’, which predominantly featured content in support of the Congress party.
Hariharan later posted an apology on Facebook post, saying friends and journalists brought to his notice that he had made an “inappropriate” remark during the speech.
The senior leader, through the post, also expressed regret for his comment. Later, he clarified that it was not done intentionally, but a “natural slip of the tongue”.
The apology, however, failed to douse the anger. On 12 May, two bike-borne men hurled a country-made bomb at Hariharan’s house at Olipramkadavu in the Malappuram district. No one was injured in the incident.
Jul 03, 2024
Jul 02, 2024
Jul 02, 2024
Jun 30, 2024
Jun 29, 2024
Jun 29, 2024
