CHENNAI: The Rotary International seems to be facing some embarrassment in southern States of India as a couple of its top level Rotary office-bearers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been arrested in the last over one month by the police for various reasons.
Rotary International District 3232 (Chennai) and RI District 3204 (Calicut in Kerala) are coming into focus as a few persons who are occupying top positions in these two districts are under police scanner now putting Rotary in focus for wrong reasons.
While the Rotary members in Kerala have taken a decision to remove Rotarian Dr.C.M.Aboobaker (District 3204) from the post of Rotary District Trainer for the year 2023-24 for allegations against him because of his arrest in a POCSO case (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences), several Rotary Club members in Chennai have said today that they are waiting for a similar decision to be taken against Rotary District Governor Elect Mr.Ravi Raman in Chennai who was recently arrested and released on bail by the Chennai police in a Rs.118-crore business cheating case.
The ‘Lotus Times’ media had today (on April 25th 2023) contacted Senior members of Rotary International in Kerala and Tamil Nadu to get details of the police case against its senior members and to know what is the feedback of Rotary club members in these two States. (The District Governor Elect of Rotary International District 3204 was requested to remove Dr.C.M.Aboobaker from the post of Rotary District Trainer for the year 2023-24, and advice Rotary Club of Calicut East to take appropriate decision. He is barred from attending any activities of the club till proved not guilty).
“We removed Dr.C.M.Aboobaker on 19th April 2023 from the post of Rotary district trainer for the year 2023-24 at an emergency board meeting. In Rotary, we will not have a person who is accused in serious cases. Rotary clubs should have good quality members only, and so we have decided not to have Mr.Aboobaker as a trainer. There is a police case against him in POCSO case, he was remanded by police. So, in District 3204 that covers northern Kerala region, we have decided that he cannot be a Rotary trainer which is a senior position. We also told the Rotary Club of Calicut East to suspend him as Rotary club member,” nearly 10 senior level Rotary members from Kerala have told ‘Lotus Times’ media on 25th April 2023.
Based on the action taken in Kerala, there are questions coming from senior Rotary club members in Chennai. “When action was taken in District 3204 in Kerala- Rotary Calicut East against a past district governor, we want a similar action to be taken in Chennai also. Why not in Rotary International District 3232 where an incoming governor Mr.Ravi Raman for 2023-24 is facing severe charges of financial irregularities? He was arrested by the police. So, till the police case is decided, he should be out of the Rotary post. When Kerala can do, why not in Chennai to save the Rotary International image,” a senior member had asked.
