JOIN USCongress MP K Sudhakaran has stirred up a hornet’s nest with his remark that the Suryanelli rape victim was into prostitution.
He also incurred the wrath of women leaders in the CPM and his own party. AICC secretary Shanimol Usman from Kerala said: “With his statement, Sudhakaran has brought shame to the women in the state and he should apologise. How did he dare to issue an irresponsible statement when the whole state was demanding stern punishment for the culprits?’’
Mahila Congress state president Bindu Krishnan appealed to the Congress leadership to warn the MP and pressure him into withdrawing the statement. CPM politburo member Brinda Karat said if Congress president Sonia Gandhi was sincere towards addressing the plights of rape victims, she should pull up Sudhakaran. Veteran CPM leader V S Achuthanandan and party state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan also condemned the remarks.
CPM Rajya Sabha member T N Seema demanded that a case be registered against Sudhakaran.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Mullapally Ramachandaran, sought a clarification from KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala on the MP’s remark. “There was no point in the KPCC chief’s excuse that he was not aware of the remark as he was in Delhi on party duty,’’ said Ramachandaran.
Despite drawing flak, Sudhakaran reiterated that he stood by his words. Nearly two years ago, he kicked up another row by stating at a public function that he was a witness to two Supreme Court judges accepting bribe. However, he could not substantiate the allegation.