Kerala Activist Rehana Fathima, Arrested For Hurting Religious Sentiments, Suspended from BSNL
Considering the protest against her by devotees of Lord Ayyappa and BJP activists, the BSNL had earlier transferred her to the Palarivattom telephone exchange in the city where public contact is not required.
Kottayam, November 27: Kerala activist Rehana Fathima has been suspended from her post of telecom technician at the BSNL. The state-owned company acted against her shortly after she was arrested for "hurting religious sentiments".
Fathima, 32, was booked after a Sabarimala devotee complained against her for posting "defamatory" content on social media. Subsequently, a case was filed at by police in Pathanamthitta under IPC Section 295A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs).
Considering the protest against her by devotees of Lord Ayyappa and BJP activists, the BSNL had earlier transferred her to the Palarivattom telephone exchange in the city where public contact is not required.
A controversy had erupted in Kerala after Fathima made an attempt to enter the Sabarimala temple when it was opened for monthly puja in October following the Supreme Court order allowing entry of women in the age group of 10-50.
Anticipating arrest, she had moved the high court seeking anticipatory bail, but it was rejected. Dismissing the plea, the court had directed that police could take appropriate steps in the case.
Fathima, who was also part of the 'Kiss of Love' movement in Kochi in 2014 against alleged moral policing, was among the two women who had reached the hilltop on October 19 but had to return before reaching the sanctum sanctorum due to massive protests by Ayyappa devotees.
Fathima and Hyderabad-based journalist Kavitha were taken to the hills under heavy police protection. Some young women who tried to enter the temple were targeted by devotees when the temple was opened for six days on October 17 for the first time after the apex court order.
On September 28, the Supreme court had lifted the centuries-old ban on the entry of women of menstrual age into the shrine, but a section of devotees is protesting the decision.
(With agency inputs)
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 27, 2018 10:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).