Thiruvananthapuram: It might look like an early Christmas at P.C. George MLA’s home, as heaps of postcards are to be despatched to his Aruvithara house as part of a campaign started by ‘Streekoottayma.’ In some of the postcards, angry women activists have written, “I am not a virgin. Sincerely, a prostitute.” The milder postcards simply read, “Shut up!”
The collective of women met on Tuesday evening at the secretariat demanding the arrest of Mr George and Jalandhar bishop Franco Mulackal. The bishop who allegedly raped a nun and the legislator who verbally abused her were burnt in effigy.
The collective will meet Speaker P. Sreeramakr-ishnan demanding action against Mr George. Mr Sreeramakrishnan has sought an explanation from him, but is yet to announce any action against him.
The protestors pointed out the irony of Mr George continuing to be a member of the Assembly’s ‘Committee on Privileges and Ethics’. Journalist Geetha Nazeer said, “George is not just part of the ethics committee, but had been a member of the subjects committee which was asked to study the ‘Women’s Protection Bill’ submitted to the UDF government years ago. He himself says that he has been a member of the Assembly, which decided on the powers of the State Women’s Commission.”
The structure of ‘Missionaries of Jesus’ congregation might have contributed to the powerlessness of the nuns there, suggested activist Aleyamma Vijayan. There are just about 70 nuns and their income is entirely dependent on the congregation, according to her. She said that she had met two nuns who had met the rape survivor. They told her about a heap of correspondence the nun had over two years with the Church authorities seeking justice. Despite that, there was no action, Aleyamma Vijayan said.
