File photo of Kerala opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday he withdrew his comment asking “if only the Federation of Young Democratic Indians (DYFI) activists could harass women “and expressed regret for this.
“My words, even if misinterpreted and taken out of context, should not cause women the slightest pain. While answering a question at yesterday’s press conference, I realized that there was an unintentional reference from me that I did not I had thought carefully. I have worked so long with political conviction and such a reference should not have happened. I withdraw my reference and express my regret. ” Chennithala said.
He further said: “Two young women were tortured as a result of serious failures by the government system. The health department is responsible for torturing a young woman in an ambulance in Aranmula and another woman by a health inspector in Thiruvananthapuram. Responsibility must be taken by these two incidents that have pushed Kerala on the brink of stigma before the world, “he said.
Chennithala added: “In addition to ensuring that the perpetrators are punished according to the law, the government must take steps to end lapses, corruption and nepotism in containing the coronavirus.”
On Tuesday, the opposition leader faced controversy when answering a question at a press conference about allegations that a junior health inspector accused of raping a woman who approached to obtain a negative certificate from Covid- 19 was a congressional activist, Chennithala said. “Is it written somewhere that only DYFI activists can sexually abuse a woman?”
“Everyone is spreading lies saying that he is a member of an NGO association and part of Congress, but my information is that he is part of the NGO Union (affiliated to the left),” Chennithala added.
The congressional leader’s comment drew criticism from CPM I was looking for apologies. Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja and CPM Secretary of State Kodiyeri Balakrishnan demanded a public apology from the leader of Congress.
Consequently, Chennithala had issued a statement in which he said that his statement was misinterpreted and that he was being shown it in low light when extracting a sentence from the press meeting.
“I tried to say that not only DYFI activists, but also NGO union members are sexually abusing women. If you go through my entire press meeting, the doubts will be cleared up,” he said.
Recently, a junior health inspector has been charged under section 376 of the IPC for rape.
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