Wednesday, February 4, 2026
ADVT 
National

'Why's That Thing In Church?’: Indian Priest Says Women Who Wear Jeans Should Be Drowned

Darpan News Desk IANS, 28 Feb, 2017 01:00 PM
    A Catholic priest in India has been filmed condemning women who wear jeans, saying they should be 'drowned in the sea'.
    Father Sharlom told a crowd in the state of Kerala that he does not wish to let women in jeans into his church.
    He also can be heard justifying a man who raped his sister because she wore 'revealing shorts and t-shirts'.
     
    The priest made the speech at a Christian convention and it was later aired on a religious television channel.
    The clip was uploaded to the internet nearly 11 months ago but it has recently gone viral.
     
    Speaking on camera, Father Sharlom says: 'After I lecture young men on the ways of God, they come to me later and tell me, "Father, after absorbing all the knowledge you give us, we exit and are exposed to semi-naked women. We’re involuntarily provoked and aroused".
     
    'When a father or a young man has come to the church to offer themselves to the God, if you’re standing beside him, having dressed provocatively enough to distract him, you’re a sinner, and you deserve to be tied down to the depths of the sea.'
    He goes on to talk about how he was visited by a man who had 'got his elder sister pregnant' for counselling.
     
    He says: 'When I asked him why he had committed the sin, he shared his sorrow with me. 
     
    'He told me when their parents left for work, it was just his sister and him alone at home. All he could see was her roaming around in her revealing shorts and tee.
     
    'If you are someone who provokes their own brother and family, my Lord won’t accept you if you come to the church.'
    Father Sharlom was approached for comment but was reluctant to discuss the video.
     
     
    He told, 'I have not uploaded it and the video has been edited with vested interest,' before reportedly hanging up the phone.
     
    Speaking on behalf of the Catholic Church, Father Paul Thellakkat in Kochi said, 'What that preacher has said is unwarranted. No priest has the right to dictate a dress code to women.'
     
    The video, shared on Facebook, has angered many people.
     
    One commenter wrote: 'These stupid words are indicating "a holier-than-thou attitude" in this priest.
     
    'His negative and arrogant remarks are gender discriminative and misogynistic. 
     
    'This preacher should have the merciful mind of Christ.'
     
    Another wrote: 'If dressing is the cause for all bad things happening to women, then why are girls in purdah and uniforms raped?'

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Contest Winner Can Keep $100,000 Prize Despite Alleged Deal To Split It: Judge

    Contest Winner Can Keep $100,000 Prize Despite Alleged Deal To Split It: Judge
    SYDNEY, N.S. — A Cape Breton judge has handed a big victory to a contest winner trying to keep a $100,000 prize despite an alleged agreement to split it with four other finalists.

    Contest Winner Can Keep $100,000 Prize Despite Alleged Deal To Split It: Judge

    Paralympian Michelle Stilwell Retires As One Of Canada's Most Decorated Athletes

    Paralympian Michelle Stilwell Retires As One Of Canada's Most Decorated Athletes
    VICTORIA — Michelle Stilwell, one of the world's most decorated Paralympic athletes and the first Canadian Paralympian to win gold in two different sports, has announced her retirement.

    Paralympian Michelle Stilwell Retires As One Of Canada's Most Decorated Athletes

    Maybe They Have A Big Sundae; $100k In Blueberries Stolen In Hamilton

    Maybe They Have A Big Sundae; $100k In Blueberries Stolen In Hamilton
    HAMILTON — Police in Hamilton say someone has made off with a lot of blueberries.

    Maybe They Have A Big Sundae; $100k In Blueberries Stolen In Hamilton

    OPP To Review About 4,000 Sex Assault Cases Deemed 'Unfounded' From 2010 To 2014

    ORILLIA, Ont. — Ontario Provincial Police say they will be reviewing approximately 4,000 sexual assault investigation reports that were designated as "unfounded."

    OPP To Review About 4,000 Sex Assault Cases Deemed 'Unfounded' From 2010 To 2014

    Trudeau Discusses Infrastructure, Economic Growth With Yukon Premier

    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Yukon Premier Sandy Silver met on Parliament Hill on Wednesday to discuss infrastructure, economic growth, energy and reconciliation with indigenous peoples.

    Trudeau Discusses Infrastructure, Economic Growth With Yukon Premier

    PC Plus Rewards Collectors Warned To Beef Up Passwords After Security Breach

    PC Plus Rewards Collectors Warned To Beef Up Passwords After Security Breach
    TORONTO — Loblaw is warning PC Plus rewards collectors to beef up their passwords after points were stolen from some members' accounts.

    PC Plus Rewards Collectors Warned To Beef Up Passwords After Security Breach