Kozhikode: The Democratic Federation of India (DYFI) state secretary V K Sanoj has lodged a complaint with the state police chief demanding to register a case against K S Hariharan under IPC Sections 509 (outraging the modesty of women) and 354 A (sexual harassment) and Section 67 of IT Act.

In addition to this, the DYFI Vadakara block secretary M K Vikesh filed a complaint to the Superintendent of Police Kozhikode Rural, over RMP leader Hariharan's derogatory comments against actor Manju Warrier and CPM veteran K K Shailaja.

Hariharan has courted controversy after making a derogatory statement against K K Shailja while commenting on the alleged morphed video of the LDF Vadakara candidate. 
While rubbishing the allegations that the UDF had spread the alleged morphed porn video of the former state health minister, Hariharan used offensive language to denounce the claims. He was addressing an event inaugurated by opposition leader V D Satheesan at Vadakara here on Saturday.

"Will anyone ever try to make a porn video of the teacher (Shailaja)? We can understand if anyone makes a porn video of women like Manju Warrier,” he said during a UDF event at Kottaparamba in Vadakara on Saturday night. When he made the derogatory comment, RMP leader and Vadakara MLA K K Rema and UDF candidate for Lok Sabha Shafi Parambil were present on the stage. While the audience reacted to the speech with laughs and applause, some of the leaders on the stage were also seen giggling.

But Hariharan came under fire when the video of his speech was circulated on social media. After sensing trouble, the RMP leader took to Facebook and expressed regret for making the statement. "Friends and media persons brought to my attention that I had made an inappropriate comment in my speech at Vadakara. I sincerely regret making that comment,” he wrote.

Netizens reacted sharply against Hariharan, with many denouncing his statement. But some supported him. The LDF and UDF supporters were seen engaging in a heated debate on social media over the sexist remark. 

Meanwhile, the DYFI state secretariat condemned Hariharan's derogatory comment and demanded strong legal action against him. “The programme that was conducted to hide UDF's shamefulness during the LS polls ended up as an anti-women conference,” a press note by the organisation alleged. It also sought a response from Rema.