WHO IS REHANA FATIMA AND WHY THE CASE HAS BEEN FILED?
- Rehana Fathima is a 33-year old women’s rights activist, who shot to fame for her attempt to enter Sabrimala Temple in October 2018.
- Fathima, a telecom technician with BSNL, was earlier sacked from her job after BSNL authorities received several complaints from the public about her pictures and videos, which allegedly hurt religious sentiments.
- She was also ‘expelled’ from the Muslim community by the Kerala Muslim Jama’ath Council for her activities.
- Thiruvalla Police have registered a case against Rehana Fathima on 24 June 2020 after a video was posted by her on social media showing her children painting on her half-naked body.
- The case was registered following a complaint filed by BJP OBC Morcha leader Arun Prakash against her pointing out non-bailable offences including charges under the Juvenile Justice Act & IT Act.
- On June 19, she posted a video titled `Body and Politics’ on YouTube in which her minor son and daughter can be seen painting on her semi-naked body. Same was shared by her on Facebook as well.
- According to her, the video was made to reassert that women need to be open about sex and their bodies in a society where sex and nudity are taboo. “No child who has seen his own mother’s nakedness and body can abuse the female body. Therefore, vaccines against false perceptions about women’s body and sexuality should be initiated from home”, reads her Facebook post.
- The video has initiated massive outrage with several people slamming her for subjecting her children to such acts and then sharing the same on social media platforms.
- The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed the police to register a case against Rehana Fathima under various sections of the POCSO Act.
- The activist on Friday moved the Kerala High Court seeking anticipatory bail and has alleged that the complaint against her was because of religious and political rivalry and also added that her actions were part of the freedom of an individual.
