Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala lawmaker P.C. George, who has attracted widespread criticism with his snide remarks about the nuns who are holding a protest against sexual abuse by a bishop, has dared to take on India’s federal National Commission for Women.
The commission has summoned him to the national capital, New Delhi over his misogynistic remarks.
“Will they chop my nose off?,” asked George, in response to being asked to present himself before the commission to explain his remarks against the nuns.
The NCW chairperson, Rekha Sharma took cognisance of George’s remarks and wrote to him, stating, “The NCW is deeply disturbed by the news item captioned ‘She is a prostitute: Kerala MLA’s shameful remark on nuns seeking arrest of rape accused’ published in various national dailies”.
Sharma said the commission “seriously condemns such objectionable and derogatory statements”, and has asked the lawmaker to appear before the commission in New Delhi on September 20.
George said he would go to Delhi if he was paid the travel fare, and that he had to study the powers of the commission first, before he took a decision.
Five nuns from the Missionaries of Jesus congregation are on a protest in Kochi, demanding the arrest of the bishop of Jalandhar in Punjab state, Franco Mulakkal, who is alleged to have raped one of their colleagues multiple times.
George had asked why the victim complained only after being raped 13 times, and alleged that the protest by the nuns was an example of the laws for protection of women being misused.
Meanwhile a social media campaign has begun, encouraging people to send adhesive tape to George, so he can keep his mouth shut.
George represents the Poonjar constituency in Kottayam district as an independent MLA.
