While the MeToo movement is intensifying in India with several women coming forward to expose men who have abused them, popular Malayalam rapper Vedan, known for his scathing lyrics against the caste system and oppression, has now been accused of sexual misconduct by a few women.
As per reports, a Facebook page called Women Against Sexual Harassment first published the experiences of women he had allegedly harassed.
Though initially he tried to brush aside the allegations, on Saturday, 12 June the rapper took to social media and apologised for his misconduct. He said that he was ready to admit his mistake.
In his apology post, Vedan wrote, "I feel great self-contempt and terrible regret as I look back on the lapses in my conduct towards you, my women friends, and partners who came to me in trust and friendship. I totally deserve to feel this pain."
He admitted to having mishandled his earlier posts on the issue. "With all due sincerity and without an iota of pretence I offer my heartfelt apologies," he wrote in his Instagram post.
He also tendered apologies to all the women who were hurt due to his behaviour.
Several users had then commented under his post asking him to accept the punishments as per the law of the land if his apologies were genuine.
Meanwhile, two of the women survivors The News Minute spoke to said that Vedan has not reached out to any of the survivors personally.
One of the victims claimed that she didn't think that his apology was genuine and remarked that the accused attempted to simply mislead others into thinking that he did the right thing.
Following the allegations, filmmaker Muhsin Parari took to social media and said that that the work on his music video 'From a Native Daughter" was being stalled since Vedan, alleged of sexual harassment, was a part of it.
"In the wake of sexual harassment allegations against one of our performers Vedan, the Writing Company announces that any work pertaining to the above-mentioned music video stands stalled, until the concerned parties have been served a just resolution to the matter," Muhsin wrote.
Meanwhile, Malayalam actor Parvathy Thiruvothu on Monday took to social media and shared an apology post for 'liking' the confession posted by rapper Hirandas Murali aka Vedan in connection with sexual misconduct allegations against him.
After Vedan's post went viral, Parvathy had liked the post, which invited criticism from various quarters including the victims who alleged the actor of double standards.