*AIPWA In Solidarity With The Nun Demanding Justice in Rape Case*
AIPWA stands in complete support and solidarity with the nun who has accused Bishop Franco Mulakkal of rape and sexual assault. She has accused the Bishop of repeatedly sexually assaulting her over a long period from 2014-2016. Five other nuns from the same congregation have supported her allegations.
There is in fact a long list of influential men using their positions of power and responsibility to abuse and violate women. From Baba Ram Rahim and Asaram to Tarun Tejpal and TERIs RK Pachauri, the complaints of gross abuse and misuse of power abound. In most cases when women summon the courage to speak of their experiences of abuse, they are subjected to vile slander and vilification. Moreover, they inevitably bear the brunt of an unsympathetic and uncooperative state machinery. In this case too, unfortunately, the complainant is facing all these odds.
Ever since she chose to speak up, she has been the target of a horrific campaign of victim blaming, apart from bribes and threats. The Missionaries of Jesus congregation released her photograph, in gross violation of the law. After a so-called internal probe, the Church claimed that the nun had hatched a conspiracy on someones instigation, with the help of five other nuns. She has been accused of tampering and manipulating evidence. MLA PC George has called her a prostitute. The Catholic Bishops Conference of India has completely washed its hands of any responsibility, stating that it is helpless and that it has no jurisdiction over individual Bishops. Following a public outcry, after the matter reached the Vatican, Franco Mullakal has finally stepped down and handed over charge to another priest.
Meanwhile, even as the Kerala Police admits that prima facie the allegations against Mulakkal hold, no arrests have been made as yet. They have only summoned him and asked him to participate and cooperate in the probe.
Many in Kerala and India, including members of the Christian community, however, have come out in support of the complainant. Protests demanding justice for the complainant and the immediate arrest of the accused Bishop have been organised under the banner of the Joint Christian Council. AIPWA joins the progressive voices across Kerala and India in strongly supporting these demands. Apart from immediate action against the Bishop, there has to be a curb on the campaign of victim blaming and vilification.
Kavita Krishnan,
Secretary, AIPWA
There is in fact a long list of influential men using their positions of power and responsibility to abuse and violate women. From Baba Ram Rahim and Asaram to Tarun Tejpal and TERIs RK Pachauri, the complaints of gross abuse and misuse of power abound. In most cases when women summon the courage to speak of their experiences of abuse, they are subjected to vile slander and vilification. Moreover, they inevitably bear the brunt of an unsympathetic and uncooperative state machinery. In this case too, unfortunately, the complainant is facing all these odds.
Ever since she chose to speak up, she has been the target of a horrific campaign of victim blaming, apart from bribes and threats. The Missionaries of Jesus congregation released her photograph, in gross violation of the law. After a so-called internal probe, the Church claimed that the nun had hatched a conspiracy on someones instigation, with the help of five other nuns. She has been accused of tampering and manipulating evidence. MLA PC George has called her a prostitute. The Catholic Bishops Conference of India has completely washed its hands of any responsibility, stating that it is helpless and that it has no jurisdiction over individual Bishops. Following a public outcry, after the matter reached the Vatican, Franco Mullakal has finally stepped down and handed over charge to another priest.
Meanwhile, even as the Kerala Police admits that prima facie the allegations against Mulakkal hold, no arrests have been made as yet. They have only summoned him and asked him to participate and cooperate in the probe.
Many in Kerala and India, including members of the Christian community, however, have come out in support of the complainant. Protests demanding justice for the complainant and the immediate arrest of the accused Bishop have been organised under the banner of the Joint Christian Council. AIPWA joins the progressive voices across Kerala and India in strongly supporting these demands. Apart from immediate action against the Bishop, there has to be a curb on the campaign of victim blaming and vilification.
Kavita Krishnan,
Secretary, AIPWA
No comments:
Post a Comment