As many as 910 cases of rape were reported in the state during the first six months of 2016.

It takes all the arrogance of power to brush off a molestation case as an isolated incident. Even as Malayalis are seething over what has happened, Kerala CPM state secretary seemed to mock the situation by saying that the incident was an isolated one and that law and order is perfectly fine. This further exposes the government’s stance on dealing with the crime.

Think through this logically. If this is how dangerous it is for a well-known personality to commute in the state, imagine what this means for the ordinary Malayali woman who has to commute alone, without any kind of protection! To officially state that this is only an isolated incident is insulting to the people of the state, not just the women.

Instead of showing empathy to the actress or addressing the media about measures that the government can take to strengthen women’s safety in Kerala, he further went on to take potshots at his political rival Ramesh Chennithala and Oommen Chandy.

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You cannot brush off the abduction and kidnapping of a popular Malayalam actor as a ‘one-off’ incident, which is what sections of the Malayalam film fraternity and the ruling party are now trying to do. The question is – why?

You are lying to the people of Kerala when you say this is an isolated incident and that the law and order situation in the state is under control. Data shows that you are lying.

As many as 910 cases of rape were reported in the state during the first six months of 2016. When you break up the data that has been widely reported, it is more shocking. More than 7909 cases of crimes against women were reported in the state till July 2016, out of which there were 2332 cases pertaining to molestation and 78 cases of kidnapping women. The total number of rape cases reported in Kerala last year was 1263.

The big question is – have any measures been taken by the state government to strengthen crack down on crimes of molestation against women and children?

It is shocking that a political party that has been voted to power is not only downplaying the rising number of crimes against women but even taking political jibes at rivals, thereby diluting the issue altogether. Clearly, playing politics is more important to CPM than showing some empathy or sensitivity to a sensitive issue like this.

Those in power need to understand that you cannot fool people with rhetoric. You cannot promise development and governance but keep silent on crimes that are increasing in the state or brush them off as isolated incidents. Women want strong action taken to strengthen the safety of women in the state. They want a society where goondas do not collude with cops and politicians. They want to be able to walk and work without fear of being abducted, molested and raped.

Walk the talk, CPI(M)! You owe it to the people who voted you to power.