In a rather disturbing turn of events, Savad Sha, a Muslim man accused of sexually harassing his co-passenger on a KSRTC bus on 19 May 2023, was greeted with garlands and a warm reception by the All Kerala Men’s Association outside the Aluva Sub jail following his release on bail on 4 June 2023.
Now comes the funny part. Savad was garlanded and welcomed by the All Kerala Men's Association outside the Aluva Sub jail upon being released on bail yesterday. Here's a video of the "welcome" he received.
2/5 pic.twitter.com/C9jBduGkgS— Anand #IndianFromSouth (@Bharatiyan108) June 4, 2023
Savad Sha’s release from custody has taken a bizarre twist as the President of the All Kerala Men’s Association, Ajit Kumar, claimed that Savad was innocent and alleged that the victim orchestrated the incident to gain popularity on Instagram. This shocking defence by the association’s President has only fueled further skepticism regarding their stance on respecting women’s rights.
What adds to the complexity of the situation is the apparent influence and financial backing behind Savad Sha. It appears that the individuals supporting him are determined to use this incident as a deterrent, sending a message to other women not to come forward even if they experience harassment. The fact that this incident has unfolded in Kerala which is often hailed as the most literate state in India, raises serious questions about how the state regards and upholds women’s rights.
Moreover, Savad Sha’s Facebook profile suggests some affiliation with the Kerala Muslim League, a political organization, which adds another layer of concern to the situation. His Facebook posts also suggest he had been an active participant in protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The association between Savad and a political group only serves to intensify the embarrassment and dismay felt by the people of Kerala. News portals like The News Minute which would make it a point to mention the community of the accused/perpetrator if it had been a Hindu, have conveniently “forgotten” to mention Savad Sha’s community when reporting the incident.
Kerala, known for its progressiveness and emphasis on education, now finds itself grappling with the issue of respecting and protecting women’s rights.
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