Kerala MLA P C George calls nun, who accused Bishop of rape, a ‘prostitute’
New Delhi : The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Sunday reacted sharply to Independent MLA PC George’s ‘prostitute’ remark against a Kerala nun, who has accused Jalandhar-based Bishop Franco Mullackal of raping her 13 times over a period of two years from 2014.
In an interaction with the media on Saturday, the independent lawmaker from Poonjar raised questions over the victim’s character and said, “Is there any doubt that the nun is a prostitute? Twelve times it was pleasure, 13th time it became a rape? Where was she when it happened 12 times? Whom is she telling this to? Why did she not complain on the first time it happened?… Let the three sisters be examined. Let us see if they are holy,” George had said.
In August last year, the MLA ran into controversy when he made insensitive remarks against an actress who was abducted and sexually assaulted in a car in Kochi.
Condemning the statement, NCW chief Rekha Sharma demanded strict action against the MLA. “I am ashamed of such lawmakers who are giving these statements instead of helping women. NCW has already taken up the matter & we will write to DGP demanding strict action against him,” she was quoted as saying by ANI.
Alleging that the victim was facing criticism from the Church for seeking justice, Rekha said, “I met her in person. She was protesting against the Bishop and demanding justice for herself. I’ve seen her being denounced by the church. She was denied basic facilities like ration and stipend.”
CPM’s Subhashini Ali also slammed the MLA for his remarks. “The nuns showed courage in making such allegations against someone who is head of the organisation (Bishop). In such a situation, for somebody who is a public figure, it is horrible to make this comment,” she said.
The MLA’s remarks came on a day when a group of five nuns held a public protest in Kochi to demand the immediate arrest of the Bishop.
“We have been knocking on the doors of the church and the government. There is nobody to help us in our cause,’’ Sister Anupama, one of the nuns who participated in the protest organised by the Joint Christian Council, had said. “The bishop has political clout in Kerala as well as Punjab. He is using money to influence everyone,’’ she alleged.
The nuns held placards which read “who is protecting Franco”, “we need justice”, “our life is in danger”. “We don’t have any plan to quit the congregation. We will fight within the church as well as the congregation. We don’t know what will be the fallout of this agitation,” Sister Anupama had said.
George Joseph, working president of the Joint Christian Council, said the protest was against the state government and police. “The complainant nun needs justice from the government. Bishop Mulakkal should be arrested. Once he is arrested, the church would be forced to take action against him. Hence, it is the government that should act first,’’ he told yesterday.
On Sunday, several priests have joined the protest in solidarity with the nuns. Former high court judge Kemal Pasha is slated to reach the protest venue soon.
courtesy : indianexpress.com
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
