Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit who was clearing the air over his alleged involvement in the ‘Sex for Degrees’ case, found himself embroiled in another controversy after he cheek-patted a woman journalist towards the fag end of a press conference at Madurai Kamaraj University.
After facing a barrage of questions on his involvement in a case of the University professor advising her students “to adjust with some officials” for marks and money, the governor, who is the chancellor of the university, was in the line of fire for what he called an ‘appreciative gesture’.
Call it unprofessional or an appreciative gesture, the cheek-pat instantly hogged national headlines with electronic media devoting hours of prime time debating and gunning for the 78-year-old governor. The governor’s act cannot be justified, but by no means does it call for such an outrage. It’s such a crying shame that the cheek-pat has drawn parallels to atrocities against women and rapes and political parties have used this episode to go to town calling not just for his resignation, but also for a CBI probe.
The question from the journo that got a cheek-pat was: “Sir, you said you are satisfied with the government’s performance. Are you satisfied when it comes to the performance of universities too?” To this, the 76-year-old governor responded with a pat on a cheek before leaving the press conference. Reportedly, the journo then rushed to the washroom and washed her face several times before narrating her story on twitter.
Perhaps the governor did not even hear the question and reacted spontaneously, probably content with the fact that he managed to wriggle out of the ‘sex for degrees’ controversy. The intention is above suspicion. The video footage shows that the cheek-pat was not suggestive or provocative. Call it unjustified, but don’t make the non-celebrity position of governor a soft target giving it a shade of disrespect to women.
At a time when the nation is going through one of the worst phases with rapes, molestations and murders raising its ugly head on a day-to-day basis, the media should play a key role in handling such issues with care. Journos cannot erupt and show fists of fury at every possible opportunity of making news, especially in sensitive cases involving women rights. The pat may be unprofessional, but not indecent.
Yes, it is uncalled for when a serious issue is being questioned. But is the pat reason enough for such an outrage? A friendly cheek-pat should not be made to look like a national disaster.
