Recently, Kerala Pradesh Mahila Congress President Adv. Jebi Mather wrote to DGP of Kerala insisting to take action against CPM Alleppey area committee member AP Sona on his alleged sexual predatory behaviour. The incident marks one among plethora of incidents which points out to the continuous anti-women attitude of the left but what is more interesting is that many sections of media are being silent about this incident. Playing down magnitude of a news to please certain sections having particular political affiliation seems to be the ‘modus operandi’ here. In this context, this article will look in to the misogynist attitude of the left and understand as to why certain sections of media are silent about it.
The Scandals Of The Left
Following the controversy, CPM expelled Alappuzha south area centre member AP Sona from the party for allegedly capturing obscene visuals of women on his mobile phone. The accused member has been dismissed from the party following the district committee finding his actions violating decency of the party. Meanwhile, police have deployed security in the area where AP Sona’s house is located. Officials were stationed in the area considering the possibility of a clash between two factions inside the CPM. Controversy has also surfaced over the complaint against the CPM leader not being forwarded to the police. Organisations, including the Youth Congress, have come forward criticising the CPM. A section inside the CPM also demanded the party to forward the case to the police.
The action was taken by CPM due to pressure from their voters base itself and also due to pressure from other political parties. It is pertinent to note in this situation that this is not the first time that CPM in Kerala is spreading their venomous misogynist fangs. In fact, this follows a pattern adopted by left in Kerala. Not so long ago, former minister MM Mani sparked a controversy in the Kerala Legislative Assembly by his unsavoury remark on Revolutionary Marxist Party (RMP) leader KK Rema, close on the heels of incendiary speeches against her by CPM central committee member Elamaram Kareem and Kozhikode CPM district committee secretary P Mohanan. Speaking on the issue Rama said that, ‘CPM want to insult political rivals with unsavoury comments rather than taking them on politically’, she further stated that violence and misogyny are typical nature of CPM. One must understand that Rama is a victim of CPM violence, widow at an early age her husband who was an ex-CPM worker was hacked to death by the party for not walking along party line. In another instance in the past, Kerala Police did not file a case against Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) Thiruvananthapuram councillor DR Anil even after several BJP councillors complained that he insulted women councillors. Anil is also the LDF parliamentary party secretary and passed disgraceful remarks while the lady BJP councillors signed the attendance register. He said that if they wanted money, they might as well do ‘other’ jobs. If you think this is heinous, one cannot comprehend the extent to which CPM workers will go to take advantage of women. Couple of years ago, a special POCSO court in Kerala’s Palakkad district acquitted three persons in connection with the rape of two minor Dalit sisters in Walayar, a region on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, dating back to the year 2017. The two girls, aged 13 and nine, were found hanging inside their one-room home 52 days apart and post-mortem examinations had confirmed that the minors were subjected to sexual assault before their deaths. The girl’s mother states that accused belong to CPM and police is showing leniency towards the issue due to intervention by local CPM leadership. The bestiality by party workers created a blot which cannot be removed on the face of ‘cultural Kerala’ and ruling left dispensation continues with its misogynist attitude unbridled by these instances.
The Media Silence
‘There won’t be a change, not until common people realize the venom spread by mainstream media in Kerala ‘
Left is supposed to be the forerunners of rights of the downtrodden and flag bearers of equality but in Kerala the situation is different. It is the oligarchic attitude of the left which prevails in Kerala and disappointingly the liberal media is silent on the issue. If we look at an instance in which Kerala Governor lashed out against media, we could see the situation unfolding on the ground. Governor made a remark in response to CPM’s statement that it will ramp up attacks against him for misusing his post to create ‘a constitutional crisis’. Replying to the questionnaire from media Governor stated that, “I’m not afraid. I’m simply performing my duties. The government is in the wrong here,”Khan alleged, but not before making sure that Media One and Kairali (two channels which he labelled as ‘cadre media’) were not among the crowd of reporters. “I will not speak to ‘cadre media’,” Khan said, implying that the two channels were pro-Left and catering to their agenda. It’s not only the political affiliation which creates this bias, it is also the fear against the left government who are known to hack their opponents to death in case of differences in opinion. The left also tries to take legislative route to silence the media. One such example was introduction of media regulation bill. The Bill proposes to introduce a new sub-Section 292 (A) through legislation after amending the IPC Section 292, with an objective to curb the printing, publishing, and distribution of ‘grossly indecent or scurrilous matter or matter intended for blackmail’. It also provides for the amendment of certain sections of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in line with changes in the IPC. Even though the move failed, it sounded alarm as to the intention of the left in silencing media.
Even though it’s not a forced silence many sections of left liberal media are keeping itself out from criticising CPM or pointing out to the instances of misogyny by CPM. This is wrong and it goes against every inch of ethics in journalism. As conscious citizens we must not be misled or misguided by these venomous media outlets and shall realise the truth behind the facade of these news outlets.
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