Dileep was then arrested by the Police for further investigation. Simultaneously, the WCC was formed last year by women from the Malayalam film industry after the shocking incident took place.
However, the actor came out on bail and in fact, Dileep, who’s Association Of Malayalam Movie Artistes’ (AMMA) place was revoked after being arrested, was reinstated after getting out on bail. Protests outside actor Mohanlal’s home were ongoing and the WCC conducted several press conferences and social media protests to stand against the actors who supported the actor.
In the ongoing cases, two actors from the film industry, Bhamaa, and Siddique were called in by the Kochi Special Court as prosecution witnesses. The actors’ initial statements to the Police were that the victim and Dileep had a heated argument during a rehearsal of a stage show organized by AMMA. However, in a shocking turn of events, Bhamaa and Siddique changed their statements and denied their earlier statements to the Police. Eventually, the prosecution declared the actors as witnesses turned hostile.
A brave survivor of sexual assault was courageous enough to file a Police complaint but the way this case is turning around could not be tolerated anymore.
As the news reached social media, the hashtag #AvalKoppam (with her) began trending. Several members of the Malayalam film industry reciprocated to the cases.
“It is certain, in any case, that ignorance, allied with power, is the most ferocious enemy justice can have. Neither love nor terror makes one blind: indifference makes one blind.” – James Baldwin #Avalkoppam #IStandByTheSurvivor #WCC @WCC_Cinema https://t.co/Ud2W4TPnd1
— Parvathy Thiruvothu (@parvatweets) September 19, 2020
It is so easy to ask women to file a complaint. Deal with the victim shaming & other consequences, get ostracised at work? This woman filed a police complaint 4 years ago. Powerful boys club’s continue to bully, silence & get away. In Kerala & everywhere.. #Avalkoppam 👇🏾 https://t.co/W3J812bMbZ pic.twitter.com/3vsYI8LmWy
— Sona Mohapatra (@sonamohapatra) September 21, 2020
A survivor has been put through hoops of fire and constant trauma for over three years. We have seen her stand tall and fight for justice. It has a been plain torture. I’m in shock at how witnesses are turning hostile. #Avalkoppam #IStandByTheSurvivor pic.twitter.com/P5Q4I62kZr
— Parvathy Thiruvothu (@parvatweets) September 19, 2020
Courage in real life is vry different frm courage onscreen. Courage is abt standing up despite anything. It is abt looking fear in the eye. In her incredibly difficult journey made worse by those who cld have made it better, she has shown courage. I stand by her. #Avalkoppam pic.twitter.com/dfEXsyNcWt
— Anjali Menon (@AnjaliMenonFilm) September 19, 2020
Translated, “By taking a favorable stand towards the cruelty that happened, these people are also morally favoring or leaning towards the crimes. Even after this, supporters of the accused who are hidden right now will go crawling back. They think that the legal system and the public can always be fooled. But whatever be the verdict of this case, I will stand with the survivor until the doors of the highest courts are closed. #Ionlystandwithher.”
To have a woman who has struggled to come out of the closet and has bravely filed a complaint against the gang has been let down by an entire community. As a part of that community, the least we could have done is be her pillar of support and stay strong. But to be let down after putting up two years of a fight only goes to show how this society could do anything to safeguard chauvinism, egoistic masculinity, and sexual predators.
