Kerala Opposition women MLAs claim male members molested them in Assembly, ask who will protect them

Thiruvananthapuram: Images of elected members pushing and shoving each other, throwing the Speaker's chair, standing on top of the Speaker's table, these unruly scenes that played out in the Kerala state legislative assembly on March 13 will not fade away from Keralites' mind soon. But at the same time there were images of women MLAs from LDF being pushed, shoved, falling down and even an allegation of molestation. But the action raised many an eyebrow as five LDF mlas were suspended for the ruckus, but not even a warning or censure or even taking note of the complaint given by the women MLAs.

No action on complaints of physical assault and molestation raised by women MLA'S from the Kerala Assembly makes one wonder that if women MLA's are not safe inside the assembly how can they ensure their safety and security of women outside. The situation was that one female MLA bit another UDF male MLA and she said that it as her reflex action to misbehavior towards her. The women MLAs of the LDF also complained of physical assault.

The comments that came from the UDF after this incident created quite a furore. The cultural affairs minister of the State KC Joseph said, "Women MLAs should have some self restriction on their behaviour." Comments came out from the udf side to the effect that why did women MLAs came to the forefront to fight, they should have been sitting in their places or at least behind the male MLAs not in front. Clearly implicating that a woman even if she is an MLA, does not have the right to protest like the men.

(Jameela Prakasham, the lady in the blue saree in the photo. MLA Sivadasna Nair's hand can be seen on her midriff)

Biji Mol, an MLA said that they have every right to protest as a MLA. She said, "who is the cultural minister to decide on how a woman should behave? This statement shows his male chauvinist mentality. We will continue this fight for our rights at least the future generation of women should not face this."

Thomas Issac, MLA of the CPI(M) said that the reasons the UDF came out with are bizarre. He said, "Questions asked on why women MLAs were part of the melee. Luckily no one said the women MLAs are dressed provocatively. But many from UDF spoke as if the women MLA are provoked for this kind of action on them."

Jameela Prakasham, MLA of the LDF who was involved in the bite row said that the biting was only the end point of a series of events that preceded. She tells that their front have decided to not allow Finance minister KM Mani to present the budget. As MLAs they were only making their protest.

Jameela Prakasham recollects the incident. She alleges, "Congress MLA Sivadasan Nair had twisted my arm, hit me on the back with his knees and he kept his hand on my midriff and tried to move up. That's when I warned him to leave me. I couldn't move both my hands that's when after warning him I bit him. It was my reflex; it was with that hand that he misbehaved with me."

(In these photos, Sivadasan Nair can be seen pushing the others to come near Jameela Prakasham)

Women MLAs claim that they did not get any justice from the Speaker. They say that it happened just in front of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and he did not do anything. Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan said that they will go to any extent legally and morally to get justice. He said that women MLAs were physically assaulted and there is also sexual harassment.

In his sarcastic tone VS said, "the Speaker N Shakthan should send Minister Shibhu Baby John, MLAs, Sivadasan Nair, Dominic Presentation and MA Wahid for some treatment. The treatment can be decided by the Speaker itself. Otherwise women cannot walk freely inside the legislative assembly."

There were also criticisms that Jammela Prakasham MLA tried to attack Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and that's when the MLA's pushed them while trying to protect the chief minister. Jameela Prakasham along with the opposition leader and the other four women MLA's held a press conference. She made a presentation before the media of about 141 photographs of about one minute showing how they were assaulted and how Sivadasan Nair tried to attack her. She alleged that the acts by Sivadasan Nair will amount to sexual harassment according to the new rules. She also added that the Chief Minister and the Speaker say that the assembly is the temple of democracy but in that same place they tried to burn the honour and the dignity of women.

All the ruckus in the assembly began with the LDF calling for a protest and saying that they will not allow Finance Minister KM Mani to present the Budget as there are allegations of bribe and an FIR has been registered against him.

The women MLAs vouch that they will not leave the matter alone and will fight till they get justice. But the allegations and counter allegations and the politics between the fronts will continue. Though questions still remain unanswered. While suspension was ordered for destroying the Speaker's dais, not even a warning has been issued to those who tried to misbehave with the women lawmakers. Action aside, not even an enquiry has been ordered into the complaint filed by the women MLAs.