In the trial of the #Metoo defamation case against @LeenaManimekali, today is the second day of cross examination of director Susi Ganesan. The case is yet to be called. Silverscreen will live-tweet the proceedings in the court.
"It is outrageous that predators and rapists can protect themselves with defamation laws while the women who dared to speak up are witch-hunted," Leena had said in an interview to Silverscreen earlier.
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Juliet, who is South Chennai District Treasurer, AIDWA is here. She says, “AIDWA is in solidarity with Leena. She is an accomplished director and unfairly accused in this case. This women’s day, we stand by her and support her in her way to win this case”.
The case has been called now.
Ramalingam (Leena's lawyer): you’ve submitted some past Facebook posts saying this is Leena’s comments. But these are not Leena’s comment. She has just shared a news article.
Susi: These are reviews of her “aabaasa kavithaigal” (pornographic poems). This is proof that she writes “aabaasa kavithaigal” that the Hindu Munnani Katchi has objected to.
Ramalingam: but these are not Leena’s own comments.
Susi: This is OneIndia online’s comments about Leena’s writing.
Ramalingam: request the court to record that the explanation for evidence no. 1 is false.
Court records.
Even as Susi objects.
Court records.
Even as Susi objects.
As per exhibit B2, she’s has translated famous poet in Tamil. This has been published in Anandha Vikatan’s monthly magazine called Thadam. Ramalingam just wants to state this on record for the moment.
Exhibit B3, she has tweeted under the hashtag #GoBackModi.
Susi Ganesan: This is to prove she’s a controversial person.
Ramalingam: please don’t say things you’re not asked. I strongly object to this.
Ramalingam tells the court about #gobackmodi as a campaign.
R: This campaign/hashtag is used by thousands of people across TN, Kerala, Karnataka. She’s just one among them.
R: This campaign is active whenever Modi comes to TN. And thousands of people express their comments rejecting Modi.
Judge: I’m also part of the community. I know what’s going on.
Susi: I’m showing these documents to show that she uses the words ‘thodanadungi Modi’ to demonstrate her mananilai.
R: he is doing character assassination and slut shaming.
Ramalingam: Governor inappropriately touches a reporter’s face and everyone from @KanimozhiDMK have raised objection. @LeenaManimekali also objected. Why have you submitted this as evidence?
Susi: I’m showing that she has called a constitutional authority a sexual abuser.
A debate ensues in court about this comment.
Susi agrees that his reason for this evidence is that she called a constitutional authority, a governor a sexual harasser.
Ramalingam: She’s calling a spade a spade. Everyone agrees.
Susi accuses lawyer of being one sided.
Judge: How court proceedings work is that your lawyer will speak for you. Their lawyer will speak for them. I’ll review everything in depth.
Exhibit B5. This is a meme. Ramalingam translates as “geli padam”. They discuss a bit. Everyone agrees to call it a meme in Tamingilam in court as well.
Dostoevsky is a popular Russian writer. Bergman is a renowned Swedish director. The meme is a picture of a kiss between these two, with Goddard watching.
Susi: I also agree it’s a meme. I’m just saying that she has posted this meme.
Susi: she can’t claim that she just shared. She is responsible for it. It shows her “mananilai” (state of mind).
Judge: we don’t know if she created it or just shared. Recording.
Ramalingam: what’s your objection to Dostoevsky and Bergman kissing?
Susi: nothing. I just want to state on record that Leena is a woman who is aanum aanum muthamiduvadhai rasikkira penmani. (A women who enjoys watching two men kiss).
Ramalingam: Next evidence. Indian express published an article about Kerala court judgment saying being a Maoist is not a crime.
Susi: She has added that “Modi might even say he’s plotting to kill him”. This shows how she’s venomously manipulating even news.
Ramalingam: but this was the time when Modi mentioned in several public meetings that his life is threatened by Maoists. I want this on record.
Court records.
Ramalingam: do you know that Modi has said this?
Susi: yes I know, it’s common knowledge.
R: Leena is a politically conscious person. Who boldly and openly registers her opinions publicly.
B7 — Lois Sophia, a 28 year old student and research scholar, was arrested for merely saying fascist BJP ozhiga to Tamilisai Sounderrajan in an airport.
Leena shared the news about this and said, “if you’re imprisoning people for speaking against government, I’ll also say fascist BJP down down”.
Susi: I present this to show that she makes a habit of engaging herself with “paraparappu sambavam” (controversial issues) of the time.
Ramalingam: But just like Leena, thousands of people have done this. And it’s a common comment widely expressed. The court records.
R: 21/2/2017 she posts her first account of sexual harassment. She does so without naming anyone. Her second post on 14/10/2018, she names the perpetrator. I state on record that everything said is truth and nothing but the truth.
Susi: Naan marukkiren (I object). I state that this is false, fabricated and published with the intention to malign me.
R: next evidence is a slanderous essay about Leena published in an online magazine called Vinavu. (Judge asks if any of the journalists in court is from Vinavu). It’s run by Marxist-Leninist. Just because Leena is a member of CPIM, the magazine is attacking her.
Susi said, that vinavu essay is a review of her aabaasa kavidhai. (To which R points out who it is run by marxist-leninists)
R: The beauty or aabaasam (obscenity) of art is in the eye of the beholder. Do you agree?
S: Thavaru. (Wrong). In my eyes, the poem was 'kangal koosugira aabaasam' (roughly tr. obscenity that irked eyes).
Ramalingam: In India, in Hindu temples there are nude sculptures. Are you aware of them?
S: Yes, I’m aware.
R: the same way, there are also “punarchi seivathupol” (mating) sculptures. Are you aware?
S: yes.
R: do you agree these are art?
S: No. I don’t think it’s art.
S: No. I don’t think it’s art.
R: Leena’s posts about being kidnapped in a car, and being sexually harassed by you. Have you posted a counter to that?
Susi says that he has expressed his denials to the press and it has been widely published.
R: But have you filed your denial statement to the court.
S: No.
(judge confirms that he hasn’t filed the denial.)
(judge confirms that he hasn’t filed the denial.)
R: I say that it is because you think it will be baadhagam (harmful) for you.
S: I deny this. I can submit if needed.
Judge asks if they can break for lunch. Ramalingam requests for 3:30. We’ll be back at 3:30pm to continue live tweeting. Hat tip to @_tharkuri who is in the court room.
We are back in the court of Judge Mohanambal S.
Waiting for proceedings to begin.
Judge Mohanambal is back in court. Apologises for delay; she was held up at a women’s day celebration.
Adv. Ramalingam had to leave at 430. After discussion, it was decided to adjourn. Posted for 27th of March next.
A couple of corrections in this thread:
Susi Ganesan mentioned Hindu Makkal Katchi and not Hindu Munnani Katchi.
Leena was a member of CPI. She is no longer.
With this we come to the end of our live-tweet. More detailed coverage of the case will follow on our website.
Susi Ganesan mentioned Hindu Makkal Katchi and not Hindu Munnani Katchi.
Leena was a member of CPI. She is no longer.
With this we come to the end of our live-tweet. More detailed coverage of the case will follow on our website.
We meant Tamilagam*
