Save Sabarimala leader faces #Metoo charges

Kochi: the #me too storm has caught up with Rahul Easwar, the outspoken Hindu leader who is on the forefront of a campaign against recent Supreme Court verdict that allowed woman of all ages into the sanctum sanctorum of forest shrine Sabarimala Temple, with an unnamed ‘victim’ coming out with details of sexual advances by the former on social media.

Rahul Easwar, president of Ayyappa Dharma Sena, according to the Facebook post, made sexual advances against a budding artist who was in her teens during 2003-2004. The author writing on Facebook page titled Inji Pennu, claimed that the victim narrated the incident to the writer.

In the post, the woman said she had befriended Rahul, who had invited her to HIS lat near Bakery Junction on PALAYAM route, in state capital Trivandrum, for a discussion.

“One day, Rahul invited me to his house, saying his mother is also there and we all can have a discussion. I remember THE lat was on A Brown or maroon building. I went there thinking I could meet his mother and him.

“I was starting my career as an artist too. WHEN I ENTERED HIS lat, I Got THE wind that his mother was not there. I started to get a little scared. I was very young and naive. He said, his mother just left and will be back. So I sat down as he invited me.

“He had put on some movie which was soft porn. I started to feel very uneasy. Then he started to give me a tour of his lat. HE showed A room AND SAID that Is his bedroom. Then he initiated to touch me and kiss me,” alleged the woman, who was 18-year-old then.

The post also revealed that the woman is now a well-known artist and shared the shocking experience with Inji Pennu, an activist based in US. A screen shot of the conversation which revealed the allegations against Rahul was also attached with the post.

In his reaction on Monday, Rahul Easwar denied the #Metoo allegations against him. “This is a feminist conspiracy and now the situation is such that anyone can raise allegations against reputed people. The allegation states that this incident had happened 15 years ago. How can I prove that the allegation is baseless?

“Our father, brother or son may face such allegations tomorrow”, said Rahul.

“I respect the #Metoo movement. But such fake allegations will destroy credibility of the movement. People are trying to politicise the issue. I will issue a press release with my family members on Tuesday,” he added.