Wednesday, December 10, 2025
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

    'They Knew He Was Dying' Parents Guilty Of 1st-Degree Murder In Son's Death

    'They Knew He Was Dying' Parents Guilty Of 1st-Degree Murder In Son's Death
    Justice Karen Horner said Emil Radita, 60, and Rodica Radita, 54, were equally guilty of murdering 15-year-old Alexandru.

    'They Knew He Was Dying' Parents Guilty Of 1st-Degree Murder In Son's Death

    Newfoundland Police Officer Acquitted In Contentious Sexual Assault Case

    Newfoundland Police Officer Acquitted In Contentious Sexual Assault Case
    ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A jury has acquitted a Newfoundland police officer of sexually assaulting an intoxicated woman he drove home from a bar while on duty.

    Newfoundland Police Officer Acquitted In Contentious Sexual Assault Case

    Man Dead After Campervan Goes Up In Flames In Surrey, B.C.

    Man Dead After Campervan Goes Up In Flames In Surrey, B.C.
    Mounties say the victim, a 55-year-old Surrey resident, was sleeping when the blaze began.

    Man Dead After Campervan Goes Up In Flames In Surrey, B.C.

    Teacher At School In Southern Alberta Charged With Child Sex Exploitation

    Teacher At School In Southern Alberta Charged With Child Sex Exploitation
    LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — A teacher from a school in southern Alberta is facing child exploitation charges.

    Teacher At School In Southern Alberta Charged With Child Sex Exploitation

    Man Claims GPS Led Him Into Toronto Transit Tunnel Where Car Got Stuck: TTC

    Man Claims GPS Led Him Into Toronto Transit Tunnel Where Car Got Stuck: TTC
    A man who allegedly drove his SUV into a streetcar tunnel on Thursday, bringing traffic in downtown Toronto to a halt for several hours, reportedly told transit officials he was following his GPS instructions when his vehicle got stuck.

    Man Claims GPS Led Him Into Toronto Transit Tunnel Where Car Got Stuck: TTC

    Getting A Coffee Led To Arrest Of Woman Accused Of Making Hoax 911 Call: Police

      A 36-year-old woman is charged with public mischief.

    Getting A Coffee Led To Arrest Of Woman Accused Of Making Hoax 911 Call: Police