Journalists in Tamil Nadu are angered by Governor Banwarilal Purohit’s gesture of patting a senior journalist on her cheek, which has now led them to write a formal letter to him demanding an apology for the same. “Mr Governor, we, the journalists of Tamil Nadu, demand that you offer an unconditional apology to the journalist in question and also assure all journalists of Tamil Nadu that you will not violate their rights in the future,” the letter read.
On Tuesday evening, Banwarilal Purohit held a conference regarding allegations of sexual favours being sought by an assistant professor of Devanga Arts college in Virudhunagar, affiliated to the Madurai Kamaraj University (of which governor is the chancellor).
After dismissing a barrage of questions about allegations of sexual misconduct against him, the governor decided to reply to a question asking about the progress he had made in learning Tamil. Soon after that, senior reporter Lakshmi Subramanian, asked if he was satisfied with the performance of the universities. To this, Banwarilal Purohit patted on the journalist’s left cheek and got away.
The journalist was infuriated and vented her anger on Twitter. In a series of tweets, she expressed her disgust on being touched, in whatever manner be, without her consent. “Washed my face several times. Still not able to get rid of it. So agitated and angered Mr Governor Banwarilal Purohit. It might be an act of appreciation by you and grandfatherly attitude. But to me you are wrong,” she tweeted. “This, moments after he dismissed a barrage of questions about allegations of sexual misconduct against himself. Unprofessional behaviour – and completely uncalled for to touch a stranger without her consent, especially a woman,” she added.
Washed my face several times. Still not able to get rid of it. So agitated and angered Mr Governor Banwarilal Purohit. It might be an act of appreciation by you and grandfatherly attitude. But to me you are wrong.
— Lakshmi Subramanian (@lakhinathan) April 17, 2018
Washed my face several times. Still not able to get rid of it. So agitated and angered Mr Governor Banwarilal Purohit. It might be an act of appreciation by you and grandfatherly attitude. But to me you are wrong.
— Lakshmi Subramanian (@lakhinathan) April 17, 2018
The journalist was right in voicing her dissent and made us realise that not everything is to be tolerated, no matter whatever the intention behind it be. She was only doing her role and it was absolutely inappropriate and unprofessional of the governor to pat her cheek without her consent.