Kerala Opposition women MLAs claim that male members had molested them in Assembly,and asked that who will protect them, when the elected members were pushing and shoving each other, throwing the Speaker's chair, standing on top of the Speaker's table in the unruly violence that played out in the Kerala state legislative assembly.
But at the same time there were images of women MLAs from LDF being pushed, shoved, falling down and even an allegation of molestation. While five LDF MLA 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 creates a doubt 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 the misbehaviour towards her by the male members,and 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 from the UDF side were meant to say that why did women MLAs came to the forefront to fight,as they should have been sitting in their places or at least behind the male MLAs, but 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 victim lady in the blue saree in the photo, while 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 and 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 , "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 and they were only making their protest.
Jameela Prakasham recollects the incident and alleged,"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."
India Honest regrets on the huge deterioration in the attitude of people toward women, that has given rise in the instances of cruelty against women, now one molester or a rapist has little shame or fear on his crime, even when the parliamentarians are indulged freely in cutting jokes on the dignity of women and still goes scoot free, it is the time to expose them, and remind them that how such political leader's acts have undermined the prestige and proud of Indian culture, world over.