Chennai: In response to the outrage against his act of patting in the cheeks of Women Journalist in yesterday’s Press Meet at Chennai Raj Bhavan. TN Governor Banwarilal Purohit has tendered an apology.
Earlier, The Chennai Press Club has strongly condemned the indecent behaviour of TN Governor Banwarilal Purohit with a woman journo, Ms. Lakshmi Subramanyam, The Special Correspondent of ‘The Week’ Magazine, during the press meet yesterday.
In a strongly worded press release issued today, Press Joint Secretary Bharathi Tamizhan says, the action of Governor would amount to an offence under Section 356 of IPC, (outraging the modesty of a woman).
The statement further says, “The Governor being the constitutional head of the state is expected to set an example by his words and actions. But, we are sorry to say, your behaviour in yesterday’s press meet was neither exemplary nor condonable”.
Chennai press club also called for an immediate public apology from Banwarilal Purohit to avoid further precipitation of the issue.
TN Governor apologies:
In his letter addressed to Ms. Lakshmi Subramanyam, Banwarilal has stated that he patted in her cheeks, as the question raised by her happened to be very good.
Expressing his regret for the act of Banwarilal said, “I gave a pat on your cheeks considering you to be like my granddaughter. It was done with an affection and appreciation for your performance as Journalist. I do understand from your mail that you were feeling hurt by the incident. I wish to express my regret and apologies for assuage your sentiments that have been hurt.”.
Immediately after the Press Meet, Journalist Lakshmi Subramanyam took to twitter expressing her displeasure towards the Governor’s unwarranted behavior.