THIRUVANANTHAPUIRAM: Rehana Fathima is an activist who made her mark in Kerala through her progressive stances and various methods of struggle. While the developments following the YouTuber Vijay P Nair’s sleazy video is being active in Kerala, another coincidence is that two years have passed since the Sabarimala women entry controversy.

Women can also hurl abuses
Talking to Kerala Kaumudi Online, the activist said one will automatically respond if heard the conversations of many including Vijay P Nair. Even those reactions are portrayed here as mob violence. The society keeps silent against the mob violence towards women. When women don’t get justice, they take law into their hands as part of their survival. Many have an idea of how women should be within the framework of patriarchal consciousness. There is an unwritten rule in this place that only men can hurl abuses. Men can do everything. The society have designed how women should behave. They should not cross that.

Govt also targets
There were many unsavoury remarks against me when videos and photos were uploaded. Majority of them were from fake IDs. I also hurled abuses at them. Many of the words used are anti-feminist and so I had limitations. Even if is ready for a debate on such subjects, they don’t know to speak politely. There is a perception in society that a woman active on social media is of morally weak. I have given cases against many. However, there was no attempt from the police to reach them. They say cyber law has their own limitations. These people tried their best to file a case against me when I posted a video. The government also joined hands with them to target a person. Women are taking law into their own hands as they have no other way. For her, it is justice. Justice that takes time is injustice, she said.

Justice not obtained
Fan Fighters first cyber attacked me in 2016. I was constantly harassed for nearly two months. None from the group were punished. They enjoy doing this when they walk freely. Men after work indulge in insulting women. Majority of them are expatriates. It was the old group Fan fighters who came to attack me in Sabarimala controversy, issue related to my house, case related to picture painting and beef controversy. They attack me whenever a chance is obtained. Even if punished now, will that be justice?

Cyber dome, the statue
My son has no fear in the controversy in painting pictures on my semi-nude body. I brought him up saying that the police and law are to protect us and not to be afraid of them. He was not afraid when the police questioned him. He knows exactly what he did. ‘I talked to them and should I come and talk again, my mother and I have no problem in drawing pictures, then who cares?’ he asked me when I was taken to the jail. All those who saw that video said that there was no need to register POCSO in it. Only the cyber dome can register case like that. The cyber dome was not willing to take action against Vijay P Nair who insulted women publicly. The cyber cells said to ignore the cases filed against several high-ranking officials.