Mariyakutty, an 87-year-old resident of Millumpadi near Adimaly, along with her 80-year-old friend Annamma Ouseph, gained attention for their protest against the delayed welfare pension disbursal. They resorted to seeking alms with earthen pots after the Bamboo Workers Welfare Fund Board failed to pay for four months.
Now, Mariyakutty plans a two-pronged legal battle. She intends to file a defamation suit in the Adimali magistrate court against Deshabhimani newspaper, the CPM’s mouthpiece. The newspaper falsely claimed she owned land and two houses. Her lawyer, Advocate Pratheesh Prabha, specified the case would target Deshabhimani and others spreading false news. He added Mariyakutty seeks a court directive for timely pension disbursal in the future.
Mariyakutty expressed dissatisfaction with the newspaper’s rejoinder and insisted that CPM leaders apologize in person for her to withdraw legal action. She challenged them to prove the claimed ownership of land, houses, and her daughter working abroad.
Various organizations, including the Youth Congress, support the elderly women. Advocate Pratheesha Prabha, district working president of BDJS, pledged free legal assistance. BJP’s VN Suresh revealed that actor Suresh Gopi promised a monthly pension of Rs 3,200 to Mariyakutty and Annamma from his Rajya Sabha pension. Suresh Gopi also invited them to his daughter’s wedding.
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