Youth Congress Woman Leader Neethu Vijayan Slams Rahul Mankootathil and Ramesh Pisharody
Kochi: Youth Congress State General Secretary Neethu Vijayan has strongly criticized MLA Rahul Mankootathil and actor Ramesh Pisharody, who supported him. Neethu Vijayan stated on Facebook that the party leadership likely initiated disciplinary action against Rahul because they had a clear understanding of the matter. She added that if Rahul Mankootathil had denied the allegations, the women in Youth Congress could have walked with their heads held high. Currently, no self-respecting woman Youth Congress leader can face the public with dignity.
Neethu Vijayan questioned Ramesh Pisharody why he remained silent in the prominent case of a female colleague who was a survivor, years ago. Ramesh Pisharody had stated recently that no complaints have been filed against Rahul so far, only allegations exist. He added that protests are natural and it should be noted that there is not even a single complaint against Rahul to await a verdict. As there are only allegations, he does not need to resign from his current position until they are proven. However, Pisharody also noted that as an MLA, Rahul should have exercised more caution.
**Neethu Vijayan’s Facebook Post:**
Ramesh Pisharody,
You are a renowned star, and many Congress members, including myself, were proud of you being a Congress-affiliated personality. However, your recent statement deviates from what a Congress sympathizer would say. You are aware of the party’s disciplinary action against MLA Rahul Mankootathil, aren’t you? The party’s disciplinary action is not merely based on an FIR filed at a police station, a court conviction, or media trials. Instead, it is based on complaints received by the party and the conviction of its leaders. We understand that the leadership initiated such disciplinary action because the party had a clear understanding of the matter concerning him.
As a woman leader in Youth Congress, you may not comprehend the difficulties we face. We engage in political activities while confronting significant challenges in public life. You must remember that allegations raised against any individual within our movement also affect us. If Rahul Mankootathil had denied these allegations, we could have walked with our heads held high. Currently, no self-respecting woman Youth Congress leader can face the public with dignity. This might not be an issue for those who make acting their politics, but those who consider politics a social service will have to confront society.
Just as crises in the film industry affect all of you, the same applies to public service.
Why did you not show the same interest in expressing an opinion in the prominent case of a female colleague, a survivor, years ago? Why did you and others remain silent then? This is a decision taken by the Congress party. I am a colleague who views with great concern why former Youth Congress State President MLA Rahul Mankootathil is still unable to boldly declare these allegations false.
Instead of speaking in a personalized manner, you should respect the party’s decisions. In any case, people like you should avoid making statements that put the Congress party in a crisis. Women have remained silent all this time, fearing the cyber attacks faced by colleagues like Sneha and MLA Uma Thomas, and even the wife of beloved Congress leader KC Venugopal MP. I am writing this with the awareness that if silence continues, the eyes of many vultures will turn towards the new generation of young women. My Congress party and its leaders stand with women.
Sincerely,
Neethu Vijayan
State General Secretary
Youth Congress
Kerala