Dalit Poet Who Accused PuKaSa Member of Molestation Says: "When an Actress with Caste and Class Privileges is Fighting, I Have Nothing Except My Studies"

Thiruvanantapuram- In a powerful statement, a Dalit poet who accused a senior member of the Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangam (PuKaSa) of molestation has expressed her fears of being denied justice.

Comparing her situation to that of a prominent Malayalam actress currently fighting a high-profile sexual assault case, the poet highlighted the challenges she faces as a marginalized woman with no privileges other than her education. "When someone with popularity, caste and class privileges struggles for justice, what hope do I have? I only have my studies to fall back on. This entire situation depresses me," the poet lamented, voicing her concerns about societal ostracization and the lack of support for survivors like herself.

The Dalit poet, who first disclosed her #MeToo experience in 2021, recently resurfaced her allegations after learning that A. Gokulendran, the man she accused, was re-elected as the state secretary of the Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangam (PuKaSa).

The organization, known for its progressive stance, is closely affiliated with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kerala. This development reignited her trauma, compelling her to speak out once more.

The Mooknayak reached out to the survivor to delve deeper into her fears and the trauma she has endured.

The poet, now 30 and pursuing research work in Dalit Studies, recounted how the incidents occurred when she was a minor, between 2008 and 2012. Gokulendran, a respected figure within PuKaSa, allegedly took advantage of his position of power to harass her during cultural and literary events organized by the group. She shared harrowing details of how he made inappropriate advances, touching her in ways that made her uncomfortable and fearful. Despite her young age, she quickly realized that his behavior was predatory and wrong.

However, she remained silent for years, fearing backlash and disbelief. "I was just a child back then, and I didn’t know how to speak up. Even now, as an adult, I fear the consequences of raising my voice against someone so influential," she explained. Her fears are not unfounded, as she has seen how powerful figures in society often escape accountability.

Narrating an incident at a book fair, the poet recounted," He came to me and started talking about Sara Joseph. He said women are hesitant to write about women’s bodies, that they are reluctant to use the word “breast” in their writing. He said sex is not a sin, that when he was young, he had relations with a virgin woman, and that there was nothing unnatural about it. He said all this in a lowered voice, standing close to me in the midst of a crowd. There were people within my line of sight. I couldn’t do anything. I started crying. I didn’t have the courage to tell anyone. I felt shame and fear. Even if I had spoken up, I feared no one would support me. That fear is still a belief I carry. After that, I stopped attending many camps."

Details of the Alleged Incidents

• Initial Incident at a Literary Camp: The first alleged incident occurred during a literary camp in Ambalappuzha. The student, who attended the camp with a friend, recalls a moment when they were unsure of their transportation back home. Gokulendran offered her a ride but insisted that her friend travel separately, which made her uncomfortable. She didn't leave the event immediately. She left the restaurant where they were standing. She felt powerless to move out. From that moment, she began to fear him, perceiving his actions as inappropriate and threatening.

• Inappropriate Physical Contact: During the Ambalappuzha camp, the student recounts that Gokulendran, who was seated next to her, deliberately touched her inappropriately. Despite the crowded environment, she felt his hand repeatedly brushing against her body without any hesitation. She tried to shield herself using a file, but the experience left her deeply unsettled.

• Sexual Remarks: On another occasion, after the student had recited a poem , Gokulendran allegedly made a sexually suggestive comment, asking her if she had "lost something valuable," a reference she didn’t fully understand at the time but later recognized as inappropriate.

• Incident at a Bookstore: In yet another encounter, the student was invited to a bookstore run by Gokulendran. During this visit, he made another suggestive remark, stating that if her younger sister hadn’t been with her, he would have given her books related to sex. This comment further deepened her fear and anxiety.

• Final Confrontation at a Literary Event in 2016: Years later, in 2016, the student attended a literary event organized by the Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangam in Thiruvalla. Despite her fear, she participated in the event, hoping to reclaim her space in the literary community. However, during the event, Gokulendran once again approached her, causing her to panic. She struggled to maintain her composure and left the event feeling shattered.

The student reveals that these incidents have had a profound impact on her life, leading her to withdraw from public literary events and avoid situations where she might encounter Gokulendran. The trauma from these experiences has continued to haunt her, affecting her mental health and personal relationships.

On February 25, 2021, the survivor posted about the harassment incident on social media. In response, PuKaSa formed an informal committee—comprising Sulekha, A.G. Oleena, and P.N. Sarasamma—to investigate the accusation. However, the committee reported back to the state committee without contacting the survivor, stating only that the incident had damaged the organization. According to a TNIE report, a committee member who spoke anonymously, they were instructed only to assess the damage, with no formal mandate. Despite Gokulendran being temporarily sidelined, he was re-elected as one of the secretaries during the state conference in Kannur last month.

PuKaSa General Secretary KP Mohanan downplayed the seriousness of the accusation, claiming it was neither formally petitioned nor reported. He added that if the issue formally arises, it would be investigated. When questioned about the committee's failure to interview the survivor, Mohanan explained that the committee was informal and they could not locate her.

Speaking with The Mooknayak, the student said " When i publicly came out with my post, my then best friend tortured me saying that it will affect her too. That time my family except my sibling was against posting this. Still my extended family doesn't like me talking about it as they think it is a shame on the family. Many people suggested me i should have put it under the wraps. As a dalit woman, without any money resources and enough support i feel it is very difficult to fight on my own"

The student expressed her lack of hope for justice from PuKaSa, citing her non-membership in the organization and the reluctance of CPM party members to engage with her after the incident. She believes that attempts are being made to suppress the news by remaining silent.

She further revealed her ongoing struggles, saying, "I'm considering legal options. I've faced pressure from my family, especially from extended relatives. I'm not a PuKaSa member, and since the incident, I've been gaslighted, manipulated, victim-blamed, and ostracized."

According to a TNM report, when contacted for comment, Gokulendran stated that he was temporarily removed from PuKaSa activities following the 2021 allegations, and an investigation was conducted. He was later informed that the case was closed due to insufficient evidence. Gokulendran claimed that the woman may have misunderstood his actions or conversations but denied any inappropriate intentions. He asserted that he never engaged with her in private settings and ceased interacting freely with others after the allegations surfaced. He expressed skepticism that his current explanations would be believed, fearing they would be dismissed as mere justifications.

As the cultural and political community reacts to these allegations, the focus now shifts to how the Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangam and the CPM will address the accusations against one of their key figures. The student’s courageous act of coming forward may inspire others to share their stories, potentially leading to a broader reckoning within the organization.