M C Josephine, the chief of Kerala Women’s Commission, apologises for her insensitive remark.
Kerala Women’s Commission chairperson M C Josephine issued an apology late Thursday after the ruling CPM took serious note of her seemingly insensitive remarks to a domestic violence victim.
On Thursday, during a phone-in programme against dowry (‘Enthinu Sahikkanam’/Why Suffer?) organised by Manorama News, Josephine appeared highly intolerant towards a woman participant who had called in. Josephine sounded impatient from the start. The fact that she couldn’t hear the caller seemed to aggravate her discomfort. When the caller stated that she had not filed a police report, Josephine replied, “Then it is better that you suffer.”
The dismissive treatment of a victim of domestic violence sparked widespread outrage. The opposition demanded that Josephine be removed immediately. According to sources, the CPM was also dissatisfied with Josephine. The party has also decided to raise the matter at the CPM state secretariat meeting on June 25. Josephine issued the apology just as it appeared that action would be taken.
“It’s true that I spoke to the woman with the freedom that mothers usually have,” Josephine admitted. “The outrage I felt at the victim’s failure to file a police report compelled me to say those words. But I later realised I shouldn’t have said that. If my words were hurtful, please accept my apologies “She stated.
Following recent incidents of violence against women, the chairperson of the Women’s Commission stated that she was in a troubled state of mind as both a mother and a woman. “The channel had asked if I could take part in this anti-dowry programme. Even though it was a busy day, I agreed, “In her apology, Josephine stated.
She claimed that an Ernakulam native called her and inquired about her domestic problems. “I couldn’t understand her because she was speaking in hushed tones. I asked her if she could speak a little louder. She then stated that she had not filed a complaint with the police “She stated.
Josephine had denied speaking inappropriately to the woman earlier in the day.
The controversy comes in the wake of recent reports across the state of young married women committing suicide after being harassed at their husband’s home for more dowry.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also intervened, appointing a special officer and announcing a special hotline for harassed women to call in and complain.
