THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The capital city’s premier Trivandrum Club is in the midst of a controversy with a section of staff accusing the office-bearers, including the president and secretary, of casteist slur and physical assault. Two workers alleged that they were called by caste name and assaulted by Reny Koipram and cine director Viji Thampi along with others. On their complaint, SC/ST Commission had issued a notice to the accused.
However, they challenged the commission notice and got a 30-day stay from the High Court. Complainant T. Madhu alleged that the incident took place at 9 p.m. on December 5, 2016 when he returned after a gate meeting of the staff in support of their demands. Koipram allegedly threw liquor on his face and called him by his caste name. He also threatened him with dire consequences. He alleged that Viji Thampi used expletives while Sasthamangalam Mohan hit him on the face.
Initially, 30 workers were suspended. Of these, barring eight the rest were taken back later. The workers alleged that the club management was using their influence to suppress them. Club president Reni Koipram refuted the allegations. “He organised a gate meeting of workers during duty hours and that too in uniform. This amounted to gross indiscipline and hence they were suspended. These workers also threatened those who were on duty and damaged the two-wheelers parked on the premises,” he alleged. He said the commission directive was challenged on the ground that it had no jurisdiction. Moreover, the notice was arbitrary, illegal and unsustainable, he added.
