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First Post
36 minutes ago
- First Post
Kerala Youth Congress chief resigns after Malayalam actor's harassment allegations. Who is Rahul Mamkootathil?
Rahul Mamkootathil resigned as Kerala Youth Congress president after facing harassment allegations by Malayalam actor Rini Ann George. While she did not reveal the name of the politician, George claimed she received offensive messages. Later, writer Honey Bhaskaran spoke out against the Palakkad MLA. However, the youth leader asserted his innocence and said he resigned to protect the party from unnecessary distractions Rahul BR, better known as Rahul Mamkootathil, is one of the Congress party's young faces in Kerala. He has now announced his resignation following allegations of harrasement. Image courtesy: Facebook Rahul Mamkootathil, the Palakkad MLA and Kerala Youth Congress chief, resigned from his party post following serious harassment allegations. Rahul BR, better known as Rahul Mamkootathil, is one of the Congress party's young faces in Kerala. A history and English literature graduate who studied at Delhi's St Stephen's College, he rose through the ranks of student politics before becoming a prominent state leader. But in recent weeks, the 35-year-old has been at the centre of controversy after facing allegations of harassment and inappropriate behaviour from Malayalam actor and former journalist Rini Ann George, followed by similar claims from writer Honey Bhaskaran. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What exactly happened? How has the leader defended himself? And what has been the Congress party's response? Here's what we know so far. Allegations against Rahul Mamkootathil Rini Ann George Malayalam actor and former journalist Rini Ann George spoke out about her ordeal in an online interview with Manorama. Without directly naming him at first, she alleged that a youth leader from a major political party had repeatedly sent her offensive messages and even invited her to a hotel. 'I came in contact with the politician through social media. His inappropriate behaviour began three years ago, when I first received objectionable messages from him,' George said. According to her, despite knowing about his behaviour, senior party members continued to support him, allowing him to climb higher in the organisation. She recalled warning him that she might report him to senior leaders, but he allegedly brushed her off, saying, 'You can go and tell anyone… who cares?' Malayalam actor and former journalist Rini Ann George spoke out about receiving inappropriate messages from Kerala Youth Congress leader Rahul Mamkootathil. Image courtesy: Instagram 'The image I had in my mind about them has been shattered. Even after my complaint, he was given several prominent positions within the party,' George told On Manorama. Explaining why she has not filed a formal complaint, she said it was out of concern for her safety and a lack of faith in the system. 'I did not wish to embarrass the political party involved,' she said, adding that her decision to speak up was to support other women who had allegedly faced similar harassment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'I have not suffered any assault; I only received these messages. But through my friends, I learned that several other women faced harassment, and I am speaking up for them,' she added. Honey Bhaskaran Soon after George's revelations, writer Honey Bhaskaran came forward with her own experience. In a Facebook post, she wrote that the Youth Congress state president had first reached out to her on Instagram on June 9, while she was travelling in Sri Lanka. He reacted to one of her photos with a heart emoji and struck up a conversation, asking about her trip and even joking about the Nilambur elections. At first, Bhaskaran said, she replied casually. But when she noticed a flirtatious tone creeping into his messages, she stopped responding and allowed the conversation to fade out. writer Honey Bhaskaran claimed that Rahul had repeatedly messaged her and later misrepresented their conversations to others. Bhaskaran alleged that Rahul later boasted about their brief chat during a drinking session, misrepresenting it as though she had approached him. 'I learned the vulgar truth behind why you messaged me,' she wrote in her post. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'I know many of his victims, and more will come forward with complaints,' she told Manorama. 'He tells every woman that she is the only one he loves, while saying the same to others." 'People like you are unfit to even be near women in public spaces, let alone continue in politics. Such men make politics itself inhuman,' she wrote. What has Rahul Mamkootathil said? After the allegations surfaced, Rahul Mamkootathil addressed the media at his residence in Adoor on Wednesday, where he announced his resignation from the post of Kerala Youth Congress chief. He stressed that his decision was not an admission of guilt but a step to protect the party from unnecessary distractions. 'As far as Youth Congress workers and party workers are concerned, they have a lot of work to do before the next assembly and panchayat elections. They cannot waste time justifying me. I respect their time. We will fight strongly against the CPI(M) government and face the elections,' he was quoted as saying by The Times of India. Rahul Mamkootathil announced his resignation from the post of Kerala Youth Congress chief. Image courtesy: Facebook/Rahul Mamkootathil Mamkootathil clarified that no one in the party had asked him to resign and described it as a move taken out of personal responsibility. He also emphasised that it was up to him to prove his innocence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'I will face these allegations individually and will face them also individually,' he added. When asked about the voice clip that surfaced on social media in which serious allegations were made against him, he said that it was not difficult to make such fake clips. On actor Rini Ann George, who made the initial claims, he maintained that she was his 'friend' and insisted that there was no formal complaint against him, reported News18. 'Is there any legal complaint against me? The lady, who made the statement, has not named me. She is a friend of mine. Is there any complaint against me in any of the police stations in the state?…' he asked, hinting he was ready to take the legal route if required. Congress to investigate allegations Responding to the controversy, Opposition Leader VD Satheesan said the party had only just received a complaint and promised that it would be handled without bias. 'The party will look into the allegations. We will check the gravity of the allegations. If it is very serious, we will take necessary action. There is a procedure; he will get an opportunity to present his side. Then only will we make a decision,' he explained. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Satheesan stressed that there would be no delay in the process. 'We will make a decision immediately. There are no complaints before the party so far. But if someone is making any allegation, we will look into it. We will take it very seriously, we will take proper action, there will be no mercy,' he added. With input from agencies
Hans India
36 minutes ago
- Hans India
Veteran Journalists were felicitated for completing 50 years
Hyderabad: Dr Ausaf Sayeed, former Indian Foreign Service officer, Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Seychelles, and former Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, lauded the journalists for their bold coverage of Muslim affairs and cultural issues, urging them to mentor aspiring journalists. 'These experienced journalists should groom others to carry forward their cause and build on our rich experience,' he was addressing the felicitation ceremony at the Media Plus Auditorium to honor veteran journalists Mir Ayoob Ali Khan and Aziz Ahmed for their remarkable 50-year careers for their contributions to society. The event was organized by Media Plus Foundation and Gawah Urdu Weekly. Dr Sayeed emphasized education, particularly for women, as vital for community upliftment, he noted, 'If a woman in a house is educated, she ensures her children are educated.' Dr. Ausaf Sayeed presented mementos and shawls to Mir Ayoob Ali Khan and Aziz Ahmed. Afreen Khundmiri, daughter of Late Talib Khundmiri, captivated the audience with her recitation of her father's poem Time Capsule. Syed Khaled Shahbaaz conducted the proceedings with elegance. Dr Sayeed also highlighted economic empowerment, citing entrepreneurs, scientists, and hospital networks as key influencers. He shared plans for his portals, and to document contributions of Muslim journalists since 1857, stressing the need to preserve such legacies. Reflecting on his career, he added, 'I rose through hard work, not charity, proving that commitment and value addition matter regardless of one's background.' Mir Ayoob Ali Khan recounted his journey from Daily News at Rs 100 per month to United News of India, Saudi Gazette—where he covered conflict zones for 17 years—Deccan Chronicle, Times of India, and now He urged greater Muslim participation in journalism and education, saying, 'People who follow English newspapers know what's possible today.' Aziz Ahmed shared his path from part-time writing at Bharat News and Blitz to Etemaad Daily, advising, 'Give your best, and the world will recognize you.' Amirullah Khan, a 1993-batch former civil servant and Editor of the Journal of Development Policy and Practice, Syed Fazil Hussain Parvez, Chief Editor of Gawah Urdu Weekly, Khaja Naseruddin, Administrator of Dr. VRK Women's Medical College, Dr Abid Moiz and others were present.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
3-yr wait for Punjabi translation of BOCW Act continues amid bureaucratic delays
Patiala: For the past three years, Patiala-based labour rights activist Vijay Walia, who is completely visually challenged, has been waging a determined battle to secure a Punjabi translation of the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act, 1996, and the Punjab BOCW Rules, 2008. His struggle, however, continues to face bureaucratic apathy, with the latest hurdle being a two-month delay over approving a mere Rs 24,500 for translation work. The issue first arose in Aug 2022 when Walia filed an RTI application seeking copies of the BOCW Act and rules in Punjabi. The BOCW Welfare Board denied the request, stating the documents were available only in English, and even advised him to purchase the English version for Rs 676 and arrange his own translation. Challenging this, Walia appealed, and in Feb 2023, Punjab State Information Commission (PSIC) directed the board to ensure translation of the Act and rules into Punjabi and upload them on its website. In Sep 2023, the labour department informed the commission that letters had been sent to Punjabi University Patiala, GNDU Amritsar, and Panjab University Chandigarh seeking assistance with the translation. The commission instructed the department to use all possible resources, including private translators, and complete the task by Dec 15, 2023. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo Yet, nearly two years later, little progress was made. Walia said, "It has been more than three years we have been fighting to get these Acts and rules translated into Punjabi. Even the Supreme Court ruled that central Acts must be available in state languages. There are around 25 lakh construction workers in Punjab, but only six lakh are registered. If the BOCW Act is provided in Punjabi, it could help stop the exploitation of workers. It is the govt's duty to translate all central and state Acts into Punjabi." After Walia's appeal was disposed of, labour rights activist Gurmeet Singh from Thuhi village of Nabha continued the fight by filing another RTI. In response, the Labour Department claimed it sought an estimate from Punjabi University, Patiala. Records show the university submitted an estimate of Rs 24,500 on June 13, 2025, but the labour department has not approved it so far. On Aug 4, 2025, the Punjab SIC closed the matter, stating that the responsibility now rests with the language department. "In view of the above and considering that the matter rests with the language department for translation and no further intervention is required at the commission's level, the appeal case is hereby disposed of," wrote state information commissioner in the order. Walia expressed anger over the govt's reluctance to release such a small sum, while crores from the labour welfare cess fund are spent on perks. He claimed that some former officials of the Punjab Labour Welfare Board — dissolved in 2023 — continue to draw expenses for cars and drivers from the fund. Deputy secretary of the welfare board, Padamjit Singh, said the approval process for the translation costs is 'underway' and assured that funds would be released soon. He added that the issue of former officials allegedly drawing benefits would also be examined. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
