When words failed sisters in court, people had sent their words in solidarity to sisters. Hand written letters have been pouring out in social media with love and hope.
It was following the technicality and inconsistency of words used by the survivor nun in her accounts of sexual assualt, that Kerala court had acquitted bishop Franco Mulakkal.
The court had dismissed all the evidences in totality, because the 50-year-old nun has not explicitly detailed her sexual assualt using words like “penile penetration” and others from the beginning to the end, that is while talking to her nun friends, police, doctors and court.
Since the survivor has used phrases like she was forced to “sleep with him” in her initial statements, instead of “rape” or “sexual violation” with exact details, court has dismissed her claim of having been raped 13 times, over the two year period from 2014 to 2016.
“Every woman knows that language is not an ally when we start narrating our so-called shame. To the cold hearted judiciary, your language did not have the consistency to prove the truth. But we see you,” wrote Leena Gita Reghunath, an award winning journalist in a letter hashtagged ‘avalkoppam’, meaning ‘with her always’.
The court has conveniently scrutinised the words in statements, without considering that the survivor is a nun who has vowed chastity and would have struggled with the taboo around sex and the shame of it while narrating the incidents to her sister friends and police.
Moreover, the court has count the number of smiles and hours of car travel the survivor had to exchange at the presence of Franco a day after her first sexual assault and brought them as an evidence against her. Here too the court has overlooked the complexity of sexual assault by a superior in workplace, where fear and shame is burdened on the victim.
Letters of love
For ages a woman complaining of sexual assault has been doubted of falsity, her character measured in clothes, clocked the time she was out and the smiles and laughs she had in public with men counted. Sadly, the court too wrote verdict following the same path – and called the sister “unreliable.” That is why the words of support in these letters are of great magnitude and must be read.
The letters were sent to the survivor nun and her companions Anupama, Alphy Josephine, Nina Rose and Ancett. The sisters have been in the forefront of standing with the woman.
“Win or lose in court, either way sisters have already won. Because, they have written a new history. And coming generations would sing in praise of the sisters’ protest and endurance which they had fought, staking their very existence,” wrote award winning author K.R Meera.
She also pointed out, “Your tale is our age’s glorious tale of sisterhood.”
Most of the letters are from women, including activists, journalists and artists.
Another author, Saritha Mohanan Bhama wrote, “Remember with glory that you are a revolutionary. You have brought to the courts the abuse of a 2000 year old institution.”
Sketching sisters in glory, Swathy George, Journalist wrote, “Any battle for justice is never a failure. Nor can it be lonely. So are you.”
“Your strength is our lantern,” wrote filmmaker Leena Manimekalai.
“It is not easy to do this, and we acknowledge the price you have had to pay. But please know that you are not alone. I know that the silence you have shattered is also for me. Also for my sisters. Also for my daughters,” read letter by journalist Soumya Rajendran.
“Thank you for standing tall to tell your stories where many have been silenced,” wrote film maker, Geetu Mohandas.
Kunjila Mascillamani, founder member of Women Against Sexual Harassment and filmmaker wrote: “I am so happy to have been alive to witness your brave fight.”
Wishing victories and an awesome life, actor Archana Ravi wrote, “I hope you are eating on time, sleeping, spending time on your own wellbeing. Needless to say, all of us are rooting for you.”
“In my deepest dark moment, you women have inspired me. I have felt the presence of your heart and fight lift my spirit. Will never be able to thank you all enough for this new chapter in kerala and world’s history,” actor Rima Kallingal wrote in her letter to the survivor and her companions.
Actor Parvathy Thiruvothu’s letter read: “In a world that has gotten so used to treating us as dispensable nothings, it is a revolution just to stay right here and breathe.”
“Dont tire, you are not alone,” wrote feminist author J Devika.
Bundles of letters came thanking sisters for fighting for safer workspace and community spaces. For many survivors out there sisters’ are a source of strength and hope. Many also reassured them that they are not alone and offered forever support.
“I once read that the deepest pits of hell are reserved for those of us who choose to remain silent in times of crisis. My dear sisters, I pledge my solidarity,” read letter by Agrim Prakash, digital storyteller.
Thousands of letters
“Our spontaneous idea of writing letters of solidarity to the Nuns have turned into an outpour of love and support. We are in tears reading the 1K letters in the inbox,” Leena Gita Reghunath, one of the organisers of the campaign said.
“The first batch of letters would reach them today,” Reghunath tweetd on Thursday.
The women who sent solidarity letters to the nuns on Thursday evening shared the photographs of nuns reading the letters.
“We hope that all the beautiful handwritten notes on social media will be directed to [email protected]. This email will remain open for another 3-4 days to receive your love-filled solidarity notes,” she said.
