Rehana Fathima, who tried to enter the Sabarimala shrine on Friday, Oct 19, has been transferred to Ravipuram branch from the Kochi branch of the Bharath Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). She was working as a phone mechanic in Kochi branch of BSNL. She has now been shifted to Ravipuram, to a position which will not require any customer interaction, reported The News Minute.
Though questions are being raised on the timing of the transfer, Rehana in her Facebook post clearly stated that the transfer was a decision from her side and has nothing to do with Sabarimala controversy.
The Facebook post translates as such:
“Swami forbids Five years ago, I was the one who asked for the transfer, and after the Sabarimala incident, it was ordered suddenly. It’s all the grace of Ayyappa. It will take 2 minutes to reach work for me, avoiding the traffic blocks and 6 kilometres, which used to take me 45minutes to reach.
I’m the only one who has taken my transfer to the office.”
Though media reports are also saying BSNL has started disciplinary procedures against Rehana and more actions will be taken against her.
Who is Rahena Fathima?
The 31-year old Rahena Fathima is an activist and a model and works as a Telecom Technician in BSNL. In 2014, she took part in the ‘Kiss of Love’ campaign against moral policing.
She is among the few women who tried to enter the Sabarimala shrine after the SC court’s verdict. She along with a Hyderabad journalist Kavitha Jakkala was not allowed to enter the Sabarimala Shrine. She was accompanied by 10 to 12 policemen when she descended the hill.
Expelled from the Muslim community
As she was a Muslim woman to do so, her action was condemned by the Muslim community and Times of India reported that the Muslim Jama’ath Council excluded her from the society, “for hurting religious sentiments of lakhs of Hindus and for taking part in ‘Kiss of Love’ campaign”.
Other women who tried to enter the shrine
Around 12 other women attempted to enter the shrine after Supreme Court’s verdict on September 28 which allowed women between the ages of 10- 50 years to enter the shrine. None of them was successful in doing so, reported NDTV.
