Instead of answering questions, Tamil Nadu Governor pats journalist's cheek
What's the story
Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit has found himself at the centre of another controversy as he patted a journalist's cheek, after a press conference. Purohit called a press conference at Raj Bhavan to clear his name from Nirmala Devi row. The lecturer had allegedly asked girls for sexual favors to higher education officials in exchange for money, better grades and claimed to know Purohit.
Details
Governor tries evading journalist's questions
The reporter from The Week, Lakshmi Subramanian wrote about her uncomfortable run-in with the Governor. She recalled the Governor called the allegations on the Nirmala Devi controversy baseless and sent an aura that reiterated his position as head of the state. After the conference, Subramanian asked him if he was satisfied with the government and university's performance, and the 78-year-old patted her cheek, instead.
Quote
Washed my face several times, recalls the journalist
"He patted on my left cheek and got away. It was a crowded press conference, and I was transfixed for a moment by that gesture. I rushed to the washroom and washed my face several times," wrote Lakshmi Subramanian.
Controversy sparked
Touching a woman without consent in unacceptable
Lakshmi wrote her job was to ask questions and she expected answers, not a 'grandfatherly gesture' (as many termed his action). DMK Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi said, "Even if the intention is above suspicion, a person, who holds a public office has to understand that there is a decorum to it." Many on Twitter too slammed the Governor's unprofessional behavior.
Twitter Post
Netizen asks if Banwarilal Purohit has 'lost it'?
Has #BanwarilalPurohit totally lost it or what? May be he was just trying to show how much ‘older’ he was. Unfortunately, maturity and awareness don’t seem to correlate properly with age 🤦♀️ UNLESS if this was a planned diversion. 🤔 hmm #DontTouchMeGovernor pic.twitter.com/usBjI0BZgv
— Avvai Pethi (@AvvaiPethi) April 18, 2018