Congress leader AK Antony, the only leader to speak out on Kannur rape
Thiruvananthapuram: The UDF and Left leaders are in a dilemma over the rape of a minor girl in Kannur by Catholic priest Fr Robin Vadakkumcherry and most have kept quiet so as not to offend the powerful Church. But senior Congress leader A.K. Antony broke ranks and condemned the incident saying the priest should be dealt with like a criminal.
KPCC president V. M. Sudheeran had also demanded stringent punishment for the priest. However, with the Assembly session on, Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala and former chief minister Oommen Chandy have remained mum.
Peravoor Congress MLA Sunny Joseph, a Roman Catholic, was tight-lipped on the incident until the local BJP and CPM leaderships queried on his silence.
A senior Congress leader belonging to Kannur told DC that Mr. Joseph had prevented the block and mandalam Congress presidents from visiting the minor girl and her family.
“However, Kannur DCC president Satheeshan Pacheni condemned the incident and KPCC general secretary Sajeev Joseph, belonging to the RC community and a resident of Kannur, visited the girl and her family," said a senior Congress leader.
Though a rape incident should not be politicised, the Opposition could have targeted the LDF government due to the nexus between the priest and the state CPM leadership, it is felt. The politicians were quick to react to the attack on the film actor, but had fallen silent on the rape of a minor girl by a priest.
Kannur Congress leaders allege that while the state CPM leadership keeps quiet, it has asked the local leaders to protest against the incident.
“Except Mr V. S. Achuthanandan, the senior Left leaders have also reserved their comments. None wants to antagonise the Church for fear of losing its votes. The Mahila Congress has also decided to remain silent,” said a KPCC general secretary.
