George, an independent MLA of the Poonjar constituency in the Kottayam district further said that “But I strongly stand by other statements that I made regarding that woman.”
He said such a word should not have been used. I said so out of emotion and also in a melee at a press conference in Kottayam. I am sad about it
In his controversial statement, he termed the rape victim nun a "prostitute". "No one has doubt that the nun is a prostitute. 12 times she enjoyed it and the 13th time it is rape? Why didn't she complain the first time?" George had said.
Earlier in July, the nun had lodged a rape and sexual assault complaint against a bishop based in Jalandhar, Punjab at a small town near Kottayam between 2014 and 2016.
The bishop reportedly used to often visit Kerala for official work, during which he allegedly raped her on several occasions. The nun had filed a complaint in July, accusing bishop Mulakkal. Mulakkal has claimed innocence and said the truth will come out in the police investigation.
NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma had alleged that the nun was facing discrimination after levelling the charges and was not getting support from the Church.
Earlier, a group of five nuns from a convent in Kottayam, to which the victim belonged, had said they would initiate legal action against George.