The opinion that women in Kerala are no more safe under CPI (M) rule was underscored by KK Rema, MLA on Wednesday while moving a calling attention motion in the Legislative Assembly seeking an urgent discussion on the issue.
Rema chose to introduce the motion amidst allegations that the coach of Kerala Cricket Association M Manu had sexually abused many of his trainees even as the officials of the sporting body looked the other way. He has been arrested and remanded to judicial commission even as the state Human Rights Commission has asked the KCA for more details.
Rema said that though many trainees complained to the KCA about his behavior, the institution did not do anything to discipline Manu. The callousness of the authorities forced many future players to call it a day and leave the academy to save themselves from further molestation.
One of the trainees had told the investigating officer that Manu had taken nude pictures of the trainees and was blackmailing them demanding sexual favors. "The situation is worse than what happened in the Wrestling Federation of India coaching camp where it was alleged that Brij Bhushan Singh, the then president, had molested eight female wrestlers.
This had led to a countrywide protest by the civil society. What Manu has done is worse than what has been alleged against Singh," said Rema.
She also said that Manu had misused his position as coach and asked the girls to submit their nude pictures for physical evaluation process by the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI). The gullible girls believed him and submitted their pictures to Manu.
Though there were many allegations of sexual assaults against him during the last eight years, no action was taken either by the KCA or the Government of Kerala as it is said that Manu enjoys political patronage.
On Tuesday, police in Kochi filed a FIR against PK Baby, Students' Welfare Director and Syndicate Member of Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) for allegedly raping a girl student during the art festival of the University.
Baby, a CPI (M) leader whose appointment as SWD and member of Syndicate, was appointed to the posts despite the fact that he did not have the mandatory qualification and educational experience.
Save University Campaign, a body fighting to ensure the academic excellence of the institutions of higher learning in the State had raised the appointment of Baby with the Government which was ignored by the officials concerned.
Rema said these are not isolated incidents but daily events happening across the State.
A Dalit woman was physically assaulted by two CPI (M) workers at Poochakkal in Alappuzha district in front of hundreds of people. Though the young woman approached the police station, her complaint was not registered, according to Rema. The police took the attackers into custody on Wednesday when it was known that the Legislative assembly is likely to witness exchange of words between the treasury and opposition benches.
Though Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who holds the Home portfolio, was present in his office at the Legislative Complex, he chose not to attend the House and entrusted the task of replying to the opposition charges to health minister Veena George.
The Speaker AN Shamsheer also asked Rema to wind up her speech in an attempt to silence the member from further raising any issues.