Kerala Congress Leader Simi Rose Bell John, expelled from the party, complains about the party’s treatment of women

Simi Rose Bell John, expelled from the Congress party for her remarks on women’s leadership, stated that women with self-respect cannot work in the party. She criticized the treatment of female leaders, including Mahila Congress leader Lathika Subash, and alleged that her expulsion was due to her advocacy for women within Congress.

 Ex Congress party leader and PSC member Simi Rose Bell John was expelled on Sunday for her comments against the party’s treatment of women, saying that women with self respect cannot be in Congress. Her expulsion came after she made some remarks on a television interview where she said that women in congress need male patronage to be promoted. 

 John said that her ‘only sin’ was being the mouthpiece of women in the party. She said that other women leaders such as Lathika Subash, the former President of the Mahila Congress in Kerala, were also expelled for the same reason and for voicing their opinions. She gave an example of Padmaja Venugopal, daughter of K Karunakaran, a senior Congress leader who was insulted and expelled from the party. 

 John also denied the accusations that she had an alliance with the CPI(M) and dared the party to produce proof. She said that she felt threatened for her safety and accused Congress leaders such as VD Satheesan and Hibi Eden of denying her opportunities. 

 The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) justified its action saying that John’s comments were intended to tarnish the image of the party and sexually abuse the minds of the women workers. As reported by the KPCC, her conduct was a clear violation of party decorum and as such she was expelled.