Actress Assault Case: Minister Sivankutty Says UDF Must Clarify Whether It Stands With Predator or Survivor

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Minister V Sivankutty on Wednesday said the stand taken by the Indian National Congress in the actress assault case is anti-women. His remarks came in the backdrop of strange and controversial comments made by the UDF leadership immediately after the court verdict.

Following the verdict, Adoor Prakash, the UDF convener, had publicly come out in support of actor Dileep, who was the eighth accused in the case. The minister said such a stand exposed the real position of the UDF in a case involving violence against a woman.

Sivankutty said questioning a police investigation carried out on the basis of clear and strong evidence was completely unjustified. He also termed it strange and unacceptable that the UDF was repeatedly questioning the government’s decision to proceed with an appeal in the case.

“The UDF must clearly state whether it stands with the accused or with the survivor. The government and the wider society stand firmly with the survivor. There has been no compromise at any stage — neither in the investigation nor in the conduct of the case. Attempts to create unnecessary controversy will not serve any purpose,” the minister said.

Referring to the 13 questions raised earlier by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the issue, Sivankutty said the Leader of the Opposition had failed to offer any response. “The opposition leader, who otherwise reacts three or four times a day on various issues, has no answers to these questions,” he added.