Kochi city in Kerala witnessed high drama on Monday as a protest organised by the Congress against fuel price hike escalated into a confrontation between popular actor Joju George and party activists.
Police had to escort Joju away from Vyttila in Kochi after irate Congress workers refused to let him go. The rear windshield of the actor's car was smashed.
The Congress district leadership filed a complaint against Joju, alleging that he misbehaved with a woman leader. District Congress Committee (DCC) president Muhammed Shiyas claimed that Joju was drunk.
The Congress had blocked the Edappally-Vyttila bypass in protest against the fuel price hike. The Congress blames the BJP-led government at the Centre and the CPM-led state government for the hike. The busy road witnessed a massive traffic block after the Congress started blocking the road.
Joju encountered the protesters as the agitation prolonged for over an hour. "I am not here to show off. This protest is affecting people who are en route to their destinations for various needs, including hospital emergencies. They are struggling to make both ends meet amid the pandemic," the actor said after engaging in verbal duel with the Congress workers. "What will happen if I die here," he asked.
"This shouldn't be allowed to happen. The protesters are not paying attention even to the police. Political parties should work for the people. They shouldn't trouble us. I don't mean to say that the fuel price hike is not an issue. But this is not the way to protest against it. Would the prices come down with such a protest? Shouldn't our leaders show a little more maturity," an agitated Joju told media.
"We are on the way to the hospital with a patient for chemo treatment. There are kids in the vehicle," a bystander commented.
Speaking to Manorama News, Joju George refuted the charge that he was drunk. “I used to drink, but quit the habit five years ago. I don't regret questioning the protesters. I am not going to apologise,” he said. Asked about the allegation that he verbally abused women activists, Joju said, “I never misbehave with women. I know their value. This is all I have to say.”
He said he has suffered injuries in the attack by the protesters.
No nod for protest: Police
Kochi DCP Aishwarya Dongre said the police had not given a written permission to the Congress to conduct the protest, and added that a case will be registered against the protesters for blocking the road. “Joju will be subjected to medical tests to prove allegations of drunken-driving,” she said.
Congress slams Joju
Congress working president Kodikkunnil Suresh, who inaugurated the protest, said Joju should not have behaved in such a manner. “This protest is for the people. This protest was only for half an hour. It was meant to reach the ears of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It (fuel price hike) may not be an issue for an actor like Joju George, but it is a problem for the common people of the country.”
Suresh said the party had informed the police about the protest and the police should have arranged alternative systems to ensure that traffic goes smoothly.
Joju behaved like a goon: Sudhakaran
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K. Sudhakaran came down heavily on Joju. "The protests for the people's cause may create a little trouble. But one should not forget that we achieved many things through such protests. Fuel price hike may not be an issue to the rich. But that is not the case with the poor. It is natural for the slaves of the central and state governments, who defend the fuel price hike, to come against a pro-people strike. It should be condemned when film actors, who keep mum even when atrocities against women have been happening repeatedly, come out challenging a protest for the people. Such stars should show at least a little bit of social commitment," Sudhakaran wrote on Facebook.
Speaking to media in Thiruvananthapuram, Sudhakaran said Joju behaved like a 'street thug' to the protesters. "He confronted the protesters like a street goon and misbehaved with women. We seek action against him,"he said. He also justified the attack on the actor's car, saying it was a natural reaction.