The allegations that the coach of Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) M Manu had sexually abused many of his trainees have made it to the Kerala Legislative Assembly. Activist-turned-politician and member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly from the Vadakara constituency, KK Rema, on July 10 talked about this while highlighting the opinion that women in Kerala are no safer under Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) rule.
M Manu allegedly had sexually abused many of his trainees even as the officials of the sporting body looked the other way. The latest on this developing story is that he has been arrested and remanded to judicial commission even as the state Human Rights Commission has asked the KCA for more details.
As per previous news report, the accused Manu, a former cricket coach of the KCA was arrested by The Thiruvananthapuram Cantonment Police under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
According to police records, Manu exploited his students by taking advantage of a training trip to Tenkasi. As per the charges, he secretly photographed minor girls without clothes, claiming that doing so was necessary for evaluating their bodies for cricket selection.
Rema stated that despite numerous trainees complaining to the KCA about Manu’s behaviour, the institution took no action to discipline him. The authorities’ indifference forced many future players to abandon the academy to protect themselves from further molestation.
One of the trainees had told the investigating officer that Manu had taken nude pictures of the trainees and was blackmailing them demanding sexual favours.
KK Rema remarked that the situation is worse than what occurred in the Wrestling Federation of India coaching camp, where it was alleged that Brij Bhushan Singh, the then president, had molested eight female wrestlers.
Quoting Rema, “The situation is worse than what happened in the Wrestling Federation of India coaching camp where it was alleged that Brij Bhushan Singh, the then president, had molested eight female wrestlers.”
This incident led to a nationwide protest by civil society. According to Rema, Manu’s actions are worse than those alleged against Singh.
“This had led to a countrywide protest by the civil society. What Manu has done is worse than what has been alleged against Singh,” added Rema.
She also mentioned that Manu misused his position as coach by asking the girls to submit their nude pictures for the physical evaluation process by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The gullible girls believed him and submitted their pictures to Manu. Despite numerous allegations of sexual assaults against him over the last eight years, neither the KCA nor the Government of Kerala took any action.
(Quotes sourced from Daily Pioneer)