The Women in Cinema Collective (WCC) came out in support of the nuns who have been protesting in Kerala against Jalandhar Bishop Franco Mulakkal, accused of sexual assault. “WCC stands with every woman who is raising their voice and fighting a lone battle against powerful patriarchal structures in society,” they wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
“We strongly urge the government and the women’s commission to immediately support the women who have shown courage to speak up and fight against those who have misused their power and position to a level of exploitation and abuse. We strongly condemn P.C.George who has slandered victims time and again and demand swift action against him.”
“At a time when Kerala has shown indomitable spirit during the devastating floods, and at a time when we have seen our nation take extremely progressive steps towards equality by striking off #377, giving our dear brothers and sisters from the LGBTQ community the freedom to be, we firmly believe that the true rebuilding of the state should also be the demolition of patriarchal structures & notions that hold us back from being a truly progressive and evolving state.”
“WCC joins the historical protest by the nuns against injustice and misogyny. This is a time when we are witnessing more women who are fearless, invincible and are determined to rise. The time of silence is over!”
The police had, earlier this week, completed a second round of investigation, which found inconsistencies in the statements of both the bishop and the nun who accused him. The police has asked Franco Mulakkal to appear before the investigating team on September 19, Inspector General of Police Vijay Sakhare said, reports PTI.
The initial round of the probe under Vaikom DySP K. Subhash had recorded statements of the bishop, nun and a cardinal among a total of 12 people. Besides, the investigators will examine the register book at the nunnery and relevant medical records. The court had recently sought to know the action taken on the basis of the nun’s complaint. A reply to this is expected on Thursday when the court resumes hearing in the case. The nun in question had accused Bishop Franco of rape and having unnatural sex with her multiple times between 2014 and 2016.
