Plathottathil Chakochan George likes his 'bold' politician image, taking on all comers unmindful of the pitfalls. The 67-year-old Poonjar MLA has been elected to the Kerala assembly seven times, and today retains his popularity as an independent, without the crutch of the two big fronts in the state. His only problem: a complete lack of control over what comes out of his mouth. On September 8, he breached all earlier limits when he accused a 45-year-old Catholic nun of being a prostitute. This, after she accused Fr Franco Mulakkal, currently the bishop in Jalandhar, Punjab, of rape. PC, as he is popularly known, made the comment even as the Kerala police are investigating the matter, travelling to Punjab to question the cleric.

The MLA based his indictment on the 'fact' that the nun did not file a complaint till she was raped for the 13th time. He suggested that the victim might have enjoyed the sexual abuse. To make matters worse, all this came on the day (September 8) when five nuns from the victim's convent began an indefinite protest outside the Kerala High Court in Kochi to demand justice.

While George insisted he was "sticking to his stand", National Women's Commission (NCW) chairman Rekha Sharma has summoned him to appear on September 20. But unrepentant as ever, the MLA claimed he is yet to receive the summons. "I will react after getting the letter," PC said with his usual swagger, adding that the NCW didn't have the power to prosecute him. He claimed the nun is taking advantage of the law to entrap the bishop and malign the church's image. Meanwhile, her relatives are preparing to initiate legal action against the MLA. The victim's sister, also a nun, said she was "pained" by the comments. "How can a person of his stature make such nasty, insensitive comments against someone who has undergone such pain?" Sister Anupama asks.

George has clearly kicked up a storm. A social media campaign with the hashtag "ShutupPC" has gone viral. And a galaxy of politicians, writers and others have come out to demand justice for the rape survivor. CPI(M) politburo member M.A. Baby has appealed to church leaders to support the nun in what has until now been a lonely battle. Meanwhile, state DGP Loknath Behera said he has sought legal counsel on filing a criminal case against George. The rape case itself is proceeding a tad too cautiously, the cops interrogated Bishop Mulakkal nearly a month ago, considering that the Church is involved.