PUDUCHERRY: The local unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sought a judicial probe into the allegations of sexual harassment and other irregularities in Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
BJP President M Visweswaran said violence and damage to property of Sri Aurobindo Ashram was not the reply to the charges levelled against Ashram management by the sisters who were evicted. It is the duty of the Ashram, which is of international repute, to safeguard itself against irregularities.
Both Central and State governments should take action in this issue without further delay and the Ashram administration should cooperate, he added.
Meanwhile All India Congress Committee (AICC)general secretary and former Union Minister V Narayanasany demanded an inquiry commission to be set up to probe into the suicide by the ashram sisters and their mother.
He said the lethargy of the government had culminated in the suicide of the sisters. The government should have a filed a review petition before moving to evict the sisters. Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president A V Subramanian said the party would write to the Union Home Minister in this regard.
Rape Charge: 2 Held
Kalapet police on Sunday took two youth into custody and are interrogating them in connection with the alleged rape of one of the five sisters when they tried to commit suicide a day after being evicted from the Sri Aurobindo Ashram.
Immediately after fishermen rescued four of the seven family members, who jumped into the sea to commit suicide and brought them to Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Post Graduate institute, the victim lodged a complaint stating that she was raped by unidentified persons. According to police, the family came to the Kalapet beach to commit suicide in the wee hours of the morning, when one of the sisters was abducted and raped by two youth. Swabs have been sent for analysis and the results are awaited for confirmation of rape. It may take about a week, official sources said.
Meanwhile, survivors of the suicide attempt, Jayashree, Nivedita, Hemalata and their father Gadadhar Prasad continue to remain in hospital where they are also being treated for mental stress and depression, sources said.