A collective of journalists in Tamil Nadu have lashed out against Governor Banwarilal Purohit for patting the cheek of a lady reporter without taking her permission. In a letter addressed to him late on Tuesday night, the journalists have demanded that he should issue an unconditional apology.
“unbecoming” of a person holding a Constitutional post. The incident took place when the 78-year-old Governor was about to leave the venue of the crowded press conference at the Raj Bhavan, which was all set to conclude.
DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi tweeted “even if the intention is above supsicion, a person who holds a public office has to understand that there is a decorum to it and violating a woman journalist’s personal space does not reflect the dignity or the respect which should be shown to any human being.” “It is not only unfortunate, but unbecoming of a person holding a constitutional post,” DMK Working President M K Stalin said in his twitter handle.
In their letter to Purohit, the collective of TN journalists too have sought to remind him that his act was even more shocking because he is a constitutional figure. “Your action today in touching the cheek of a senior lady reporter who asked you a question at the press meet was patronising at best and a violation of her rights as a woman at worst,” read the letter. “It, however, does not behove the Constitutional head of a State to throw basic courtesy and respect to the winds and attempt to touch a lady without her consent, even if the gesture may have been ‘paternal’ in nature. “
