When Shafi Parambil was the Chief of Youth Congress, there were restrictions for women to become active, and Mahila Congress workers are generally aware that Rahul Mamkootathil is not a nice person, M A Shahanas said.
Indian Youth Congress Kerala Culture & Literature chairperson M A Shahanas accused rape-accused Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil of misbehaving with Mahila Congress workers as old as his mother. Shahanas, who is being cyberbullied by the supporters of her own party, accused Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil of ridiculing her with his silence when she complained against Rahul.
Shahanas said she was removed from an official Congress group following her revelations against the Palakkad MLA who is on the run. However, the brutal cyber trolls and abuses can't stop her steadfastness to stand by the truth, she said. "The women in the Congress, Mahila Congress, and Youth Congress now know how Rahul is. When I saw he was ascending to the post of president, I clearly told Shafi Parambil about this matter by sending a message."
"I have not filed any complaint against Rahul Mamkootathil. I was able to keep Rahul at bay on my own. What I shared yesterday were the things I had told Shafi Parambil. No matter what complaint is filed, one doesn't get justice from the Youth Congress. It wasn't a complaint I made to Shafi about Rahul, but an opinion about him. He didn't care much. After that, Rahul became the Youth Congress President and the Palakkad MLA," M A Shahanas was quoted as saying by Manorama Online.
What MA Shahanas said about Rahul Mamkootathil
Claiming former Youth Congress state chief Rahul "is a big criminal," she said he used to send inappropriate messages to many women. "I kept quiet because I was a part of the Congress. I wished that at least one woman would come forward with a complaint. Ever since I spoke out yesterday, I have been receiving threats, including from abroad," Shahanas told Manorama Online.
Elaborating on the episode that revealed the Palakkad MLA's true colours, she said, "Rahul sent the inappropriate message when I returned from the farmers' protest in Delhi. I had requested Shafi Parambil not to make Rahul the Youth Congress president," she added. When Rahul learnt that Shahanas had travelled to Delhi to participate in the farmers' protest against the three farm laws, he allegedly texted her asking why he was not informed.
She originally thought that Rahul wanted the entire Youth Congress cadre from Kerala to have a trip to remember by joining the protest site together. However, later texts made it clear that what Rahul wanted was a trip to Delhi that involved just the two of them. Shahanas said that he was shown his place right away as she responded appropriately.
Shafi Parambil protected Rahul?
"Do you think Rahul has not behaved inappropriately with the other women in Congress? There are plenty of people he has treated this way. I am speaking out now to create a situation for them to also open up. When Shafi was the president, women were not permitted to be active. Shafi had received many complaints against Rahul. Patriarchy exists everywhere. Women must continue to be active in the Congress. That is why I am saying this now. It is people like Rahul who tarnish the party. If my complaint, made as a woman, had been considered back then, this situation would not have arisen," she said.
"If Shafi says what I said is a lie, I will release the proof. I am not afraid of party action or cyber-attacks," she further said.
A case under Sections 64(2)(f) (rape by a person in a position of trust or authority), 64(2)(h) (rape knowing the woman is pregnant), 64(2)(m) (repeated rape on the same woman), 89 (causing miscarriage without consent), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 351(3) (criminal intimidation), and 3(5) (joint criminal liability) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered against the Palakkad MLA last week.
Police have also invoked Section 66(E) of the Information Technology Act for the alleged recording and threat of misuse of private images.
Subsequently, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted and a lookout circular has been issued to prevent Mamkootathil from leaving the country.
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While the SIT was probing the case, a fresh complaint of sexual assault was made against him by another woman.
The 23-year-old woman, living outside Kerala, sent her complaint to the party high command and the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).
An FIR has reportedly been registered against Mamkoottathil on the basis of the fresh complaint.
Mamkootathil was suspended from the primary membership of the Congress on August 25.
He earlier resigned as Youth Congress state president after Malayalam actress Rini Ann George accused "a young leader" of misbehaviour, prompting protests by the BJP and the DYFI, the youth wing of the CPI(M).
Thereafter, several women and a transgender person also levelled allegations against him.
Mamkootathil was elected as MLA in November last year in a by-election to the Palakkad seat, following former MLA Shafi Parambil's election to the Lok Sabha from Vatakara.
