Kochi: Sharing her harrowing journey at a public event in Kochi on Saturday, Sr Ranit, the survivor in the Franco Mulakkal rape case, revealed that the resilience of the Malayalam actress who survived sexual assault was what inspired her to step out publicly and fight for justice, while the unwavering presence of the fellow sisters standing beside her prevented her from taking her own life during her darkest days of “shame and isolation”.

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Speaking at ‘Unsilenced: An Evening with Sister Ranit’, organised by the Raising Our Voices (ROV) Foundation and the survivor collective Stand By Me at KMA Hall in Panampilly Nagar, Sr Ranit engaged in a candid conversation moderated by feminist theologian and writer Dr Kochurani Abraham. She was joined on stage by fellow nuns Sr Alphy and Sr Ancitta, who have stood firmly by her throughout the ordeal, besides noted journalist Dhanya Rajendran.

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Actress’s courage sparked the decision to step out

Addressing why she decided to come forward publicly despite facing relentless victim-blaming, Sr Ranit recalled being deeply moved by the Malayalam actress survivor’s determination. While critics questioned why Sr Ranit had endured abuse 13 times without filing a complaint immediately, she noted that the actress had reported the crime the very first time it occurred, yet still struggled to receive justice.

“Even after she did not get immediate justice from the court, and even as a minister hosted a banquet within a day or two of the incident, that young woman continued to pursue the case and move forward,” Sr Ranit said. “That gave me immense inspiration. I resolved to come out publicly, no matter what happened – whether people stood by me or walked away.”

Financial control within the congregation

Sr Ranit also addressed members of her own Church and congregation, highlighting the hidden hardships faced by nuns. Even while serving as the Mother General of her congregation, Sr Ranit revealed, she had no direct financial autonomy. She had to sign cheques and hand them over to the diocesan priest acting as procurator, and plead with him for basic necessities such as money to buy uniforms for first-year trainees, kitchen utensils and even rice.

‘I kept living only for the sisters who stood with me’

Recounting the aftermath of filing her police complaint on 27 June 2018, Sr Ranit admitted she had no idea how fiercely public the case would become or what legal procedures like Section 161 and Section 164 statements entailed. Overwhelmed by media scrutiny and the gruelling legal process, she remained confined indoors while sisters like Sr Anupama acted as her “hands, ears and feet” facing the outside world on her behalf.

Consumed by humiliation, she could not even step out into the courtyard for fear of being seen by stationed police officers or kitchen staff. Amidst intense emotional torture and total rejection from within her own congregation, where the sisters were forced to live divided into two separate groups under the same roof until 2023, she contemplated ending her life.

“Amidst such torture and shame, it was only because I was afraid to die and because I thought of those standing with me that I did not commit suicide,” Sr Ranit said. “I kept going solely for the sake of the sisters who stood beside me,” she added.

Solidarity, healing and livelihood

Sr Ranit credited supportive networks, including Sisters in Solidarity, for helping them survive the isolation. To keep the supporting nuns mentally engaged and prevent them from sinking into despair over the prolonged trial, well-wishers arranged for them to pursue Master's degrees and one-year computer courses. Furthermore, following the court verdict, despite earlier hate mail, thousands of supportive letters carrying messages like “Sister, be strong” poured in from the public, reaffirming their faith in society's compassion.

Out of this sustained solidarity grew ‘Stand By Me’, a collective launched in 2024 under which the sisters stitch and sell handmade clothes and bags to support themselves independently. The products were displayed and sold at the Kochi venue, with all proceeds going directly to the sisters.