BSNL on Monday has begun its disciplinary procedures against activist Rehana Fathima, whose attempt to visit Sabarimala had triggered a controversy. She has been transferred to the Ravipuram branch in Kochi and more action will follow after the completion of an internal enquiry, BSNL officials said.
The Ernakulam-based model-activist, who was posted as a telephone mechanic in Kochi boat jetty branch of the government undertaking till recently, has now been given a post that involves zero relations with the public, media reports say.
“The general manager is busy with official matters and is currently out of the town. Once he returns, a decision will be taken on the unit to which she will be transferred,” said officers.
The police had registered a case against Rehana on Sunday over her social media post, which allegedly hurt religious sentiments.
She was expelled from the Muslim community by the Kerala Muslim Jama'ath Council on Saturday for "hurting the sentiments of lakhs of Hindu devotees."
Her house had earlier been vandalised by alleged pro-Hindu men on Friday following her attempt to enter the hill shrine with Hyderabad-based journalist Kavitha Jakkala. Though the South police registered a case in this regard no arrests have been made.
Rehana had stirred up a controversy in March when she posted topless photos of herself with watermelons after a Kozhikode-based professor had compared women's breasts to watermelons.
The photos received both backlash and support until they were finally taken down by Facebook.
She was also part of the Kiss of Love campaign against moral policing in 2014, and was one of the first women to participate in the "Thrissur Pulikkali" in 2016.
"Pulikkali" is a traditional dance form performed by men dressed like tigers during the festival of Onam in Kerala.
(With ENS inputs)