'Then you suffer', Kerala women's commission chief tells a victim; Resigns later

A snide remark at a victim of domestic harassment during a news programme has cost the chief of Kerala Women Commission very dearly. Jospehine snubbed the victim when she told her about the domestic violence that she faced.

Thiruvananthapuram: A snide remark at a victim of domestic harassment during a news programme has cost the chief of Kerala Women Commission very dearly.

Controversies are not new to MC Josephine, president of the state women's commission. Except this time, the CPM-led state government decided heads will roll at state women's commission. During a television programme, a victim of domestic violence told her ordeal to the women rights' panel chief. However, Josephine was not very kind to the woman. She asked the victim if she had approached the police and she responded saying 'no'.

What pushed her off the top seat was her reply to the victim. 'Then you suffer' Josephine snidely remarked. It did not take long for the video clip of the news program to go viral. Josephine's rude reply did not go down well with the people of Kerala. She was meted out with sharp criticism and she occupying the office of the president of State women's commission only aggravated the situation.

The CPM secretariat on Friday asked Josephine to resign, eight months ahead of the end of her tenure. A large section of the population in Kerala, including CPM cadres sought Josephine's resignation in the wake of the event. CPM finally took the decision after protests grew stronger.

It is not the first time for Josephine to draw public ire for arrogant behaviour. In the past, the Party has given her exemptions. However, this time the party was deciding to ask for her resignation.