KOZHIKODE: The Indian Union Muslim League on Tuesday froze the state committee of Haritha, the women's wing of its student organisation, for making public its allegations against Muslim Students Federation (MSF) leaders. Police, meanwhile, registered a case against MSF state president P K Navas and Malappuram district president V Abdul Wahab for making sexually coloured remarks against Haritha leaders.
The party termed the Haritha leaders' action of making public the controversy as a "serious act of indiscipline" but shied away from taking strong action against the men. "The IUML state committee has decided to freeze the state committee of Haritha, which has committed a serious act of indiscipline by taking the controversies to the public at a time when the party was trying to resolve the differences of opinion in the MSF and Haritha," a press release issued by IUML state general secretary P M A Salam said.
It said Navas, Wahab and Malappuram district president Kabeer Muthuparamba — who have been accused of making the remarks — had been asked to submit their explanation within two weeks, following which the party would decide on further steps.
MSF senior vice prez quits
MSF senior state vicepresident A P Abdussamad tendered his resignation in protest against the “anti-women” and “anti-democratic” stand of the party while a section of IUML leaders is learnt to have expressed reservations.
The party action has raised eyebrows as it amounted to taking stern action against the complainants for approaching a statutory body like Women’s Commission with a complaint about anti-women and sexist remarks while those facing the charges have been asked to furnish just an explanation.
Vellayil police registered the case against the leaders under IPC sections 354 (1) (iv) (making sexually coloured remarks) and 509 (word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman). As many as 10 Haritha leaders had submitted a petition to the State Women’s Commission, which was forwarded to the Kozhikode district police chief.
In their complaint, Haritha leaders said Navas had -- during the MSF state committee meeting in Kozhikode on June 22 --asked their representatives to explain their opinion about an organisational matter with a remark, "even a prostitute would have a justification, you tell that". Wahab has also been accused of using derogatory words to describe them while talking over phone.
Haritha leaders also alleged attempts to portray its members with sexual overtones, to break them down mentally and personally besides levelling false charges. They had approached the commission after the IUML leadership failed to act on their complaint. The party leadership had been trying hard to make Haritha leaders withdraw their complaint. It promised to look into their complaints but the Haritha leaders wanted it to take action against the MSF leaders first.
The party action has raised eyebrows as it amounted to taking stern action against the complainants for approaching a statutory body like Women’s Commission
