The anonymity offered by social media has virulent effects as have been proved many a times. The latest target of social media monsters active in Kerala is Rajeswari, the mother of Jisha, whose rape and murder in early 2016 had hit national headlines. The images of a cheerful Rajeswari, clad in a Kerala saree and a colourful blouse, is circulating on social media with captions defaming her.
Prejudiced Facebook and WhatsApp users allege that Rajeswari is blowing away the solatium received after her daughter's death on clothes and cosmetics. The noxious comments of the talebearers suggest that Rajeswari is only destined to lament for Jisha's tragedy all her life and should always appear as she had in those touching images captured soon after the incident. Many 'concerned' people expressed their rage against the government for dispensing 'too much public wealth' to people who don't deserve it.
However, Rajeswari has a totally different tale to tell. Admitted to Kalamassery Medical College Hospital for worsened diabetic condition, Rajeswari narrated her experiences of harassment, public shaming and other insults to Onmanorama. “I have never visited a beauty parlour in my life. My condition has been such that I could never think of beauty or personal grooming,” Rajeswari said in a trembling voice.
Rajeswari claimed the pictures circulating on social media were taken when she visited a stitching and dry-cleaning centre at Perumbavoor earlier this month. “I stitch my blouses at a shop which has a beauty parlour, a tailoring unit and a laundry house attached to it. I went there while I was on my way to our ancestral temple, where I pay regular visits after Jisha's death. When I was trying my new blouse, a young girl took my photographs from all sides so that I could see if it was fitting. Those pictures slipped out of her hands and became the new talk of the town,” Rajeswari said.
Moral police are not sparing Rajeswari even at public spaces. “Last day when I stepped out of a bank after pledging my earrings, a man shot my photographs on his mobile phone. He also questioned me about my wherewithal to buy the saree I was wearing. He even assumed its price and shamed me for it. Strangers question me when I wear a good saree or an earring different from my regular set-mundu attire. They say that I am spending their tax money for personal use,” Rajeswari said. Revealing her predicament, she said people frown at her if she was found laughing.
Expressing anguish over the attitude of the public towards her, Rajeswari said she cannot afford to stay indoors grieving after her loss. “You may have seen mothers in a similar condition spending all their life inside their house. I do definitely cry when I think about my daughter, but I can't afford to stay indoors. People question me even though I live on my own. The people who comment on my attire may even ask me to go naked. I wouldn't let anyone question my individuality,” a furious Rajeswari said. “Mother of a murdered rape victim deserves sympathy, not insults. Please do not donate money to anyone if you are ever going to mock them after it,” Rajeswari requested the public.
Rajeswari works as a caretaker in a private firm for a salary of Rs 12,000 every month. State Bank of India, Perumbavoor branch, also dispenses a sum of Rs 12,000 to her as interest on a fixed deposit. But Rajeswari says that this money reverts to the FD account, which she is unable to access on her own. She urged the bank authorities to reveal the exact amount deposited in her name and the regulations in using it. “Many people have donated money to that account. Private firms, NGOs, state governments, individuals and even political parties had helped. I do not know the exact amount that is deposited in my name. I haven't begged anyone for money. I work hard for my livelihood. I do not exploit anyone's tax money. I still live on my own,” she said.
Rajeswari revealed that she had used the compensation money only to furnish their new house and to build a compound wall around it. “Communist party has deposited an amount in a joint account. I cannot withdraw it on my own. When I was struggling to build the compound wall, I had approached them for some money. They questioned me for a long time and later refused to withdraw the sum. That account has Rs 8.25 lakh,” she said. “I wouldn't have been defamed if Jisha were alive. I am a proud mother who raised two daughters by working as a domestic helper and caretaker on daily-wage basis. Money cannot replace my daughter's life,” she added.
Admitting to jewellery purchase, Rajeswari said she had purchased gold ornaments worth Rs 2.5 lakh late last year for the wedding of her elder daughter Deepa. “Deepa asked me to buy her some gold ornaments using the money I got. I bought her a chain, some bangles and a set of earrings. I don't regret it. I have no one else to take care of me in my old age,” she said, adding, "Neither me nor my girls could ever wear gold as we were struggling to make ends meet."
Rajeswari currently lives a new house which was built after Jisha's death. The recent emotional upheaval following public harassments seems to have worsened her diabetes. She has been advised to take insulin injections on a daily basis. “I collapsed at my workplace following high fever and sugar level the other day. I am alone at the hospital. None of those who chase and mock me in public enquires about my physical and mental condition. I have to live on somehow until I join my child in the other world,” the 52 year-old broke into tears.
Leave mother alone: Jisha's sister
Jisha's sister Deepa told Onmanorama that the Facebook posts defaming her mother for her looks are extremely painful. “I have never been as close to mother as Jisha was, but she is my mother too. Please stop mocking her in public for her looks. Please mind her privacy. Not everyone can be as beautiful as a fashion model,” she said.
Deepa also reasoned that Rajeswari has been behaving abnormally exuberant after Jisha's death. “Mother was never been a lively person until Jisha's death. She was always concerned about financial problems and her work. But of late she looks very happy and full of energy. She was hardly seen crying when father died,” Deepa said.
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