Defamation case may be filed by Dr. Soumya Sarin against Raga Ranjini
A high-profile defamation controversy has gripped Kerala, involving Dr. Soumya Sarin, a Sharjah-based senior consultant pediatrician and neonatologist, and her husband, Dr. P. Sarin, a CPI(M)leader. The case centers on allegations of inappropriate behavior made by Raga Ranjini, a transgender woman and Congress activist, against Dr. P. Sarin during the ‘Samaragni’ yatra in Kasaragod. Dr. Soumya Sarin has responded by announcing intent of a defamation notice, escalating the controversy into a legal and political flashpoint.
The Allegations and Their Origin
The controversy began when Raga Ranjini, a transgender activist and Congress supporter, posted on Facebook, alleging that Dr. P. Sarin behaved inappropriately during a political event in Kasaragod as part of the Congress-led ‘Samaragni’ yatra. According to a report by Onmanorama, Ranjini claimed that Sarin insisted she stay the night, an invitation she declined. The post, which gained significant traction online, was subsequently deleted, with Ranjini citing family pressure as the reason for its removal. She noted that the incident reflected broader struggles in speaking out amid social stigma, particularly for transgender individuals.
The allegations surfaced shortly after Dr. Soumya Sarin defended her husband on social media against criticism targeting Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who faces separate sexual harassment allegations. This timing led Soumya to question the motives behind Ranjini’s claims, suggesting they were politically motivated to tarnish her husband’s reputation during a critical election period in Palakkad.
Dr. Soumya Sarin’s Response and Defamation Notice
Dr. Soumya Sarin, with a significant social media presence, responded swiftly to the allegations. In a Facebook post on September 3, she dismissed Ranjini’s claims as baseless and urged her to file a formal police complaint if the allegations were genuine. Excerpts from her post, as reported by Manorama News, include:
“I am talking to Raga Ranjini directly. If you have faced such an experience, why did you remain silent all this time? Why didn’t you speak out when my husband switched parties or when he criticized a youth leader accused of sexual harassment? If you have a case, file it in a police station; we will fully support the legal process.”
Soumya’s post further criticized Ranjini for previously expressing support for a party leader accused of abuse, calling it contradictory. She emphasized her independence, stating, “Don’t see me as Sarin’s wife; such a mindset is archaic. I am a different person, and my political stance is also different.” She also addressed the timing of the allegations, noting they emerged after her own social media defense of her husband, which had drawn significant media attention.
On September 8, Soumya announced her intent to file a defamation notice against Ranjini, as reported by @manoramanews on X. The notice accuses Ranjini of spreading false claims that have damaged Dr. P. Sarin’s reputation. Soumya’s legal action underscores her belief that the allegations lack evidence and were intended to malign her husband during a politically sensitive time.
Dr. P. Sarin, a medical graduate and former bureaucrat, has been a significant figure in Kerala’s political landscape. After resigning from his civil service position in 2016, he joined the Congress party, where he headed the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee’s (KPCC) digital media cell. His innovative social media campaigns during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections earned him recognition, with posts garnering millions of impressions. However, his fallout with the Congress leadership over the denial of a ticket for the Palakkad bypoll led to his expulsion in October 2024 for anti-party activities. Sarin subsequently joined the Left Democratic Front (LDF) as an independent candidate for the Palakkad bypoll, backed by the CPI(M).
Sarin’s political shift and his criticism of Congress leaders, including V.D. Satheesan and Rahul Mamkootathil, have made him a polarizing figure. The allegations by Ranjini come at a time when Palakkad is a key battleground, intensifying speculation about political motives behind the controversy.