Kerala BJP chief K Surendran booked for body shaming women CPI(M) leaders

Kerala BJP president K Surendran stirred up a controversy after he allegedly made derogatory remarks against CPI(M) women leaders. The police have registered a case against him following a complaint by CPI(M) leader C S Sujatha.

While addressing an event based on women empowerment, Surendran said the women leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) have looted cash and become fat like putana. Putana is a demoness in Hindu mythology who was killed by the infant God Krishna.

“The women leaders of CPI(M) have become fat. They have looted cash and become fat like putana and they are mocking the women of Kerala," Surendran said during a speech at the event organised by BJP’s women’s wing in Thrissur on Sunday.

The Thiruvananthapuram city police registered a case against the BJP leader under sections 354 A (iv) (making sexually coloured comments against women) and 509 (insulting modesty of women by gesture or words) of the Indian Penal Code.

The leader of Opposition in the state Assembly, V D Satheesan, said on Tuesday that Surendran should tender an apology, as his remarks were highly condemnable and an insult to women.

“It was such an unparliamentary remark made by Surendran against women leaders of CPI(M). No political leader in Kerala has insulted the women’s community like that. We, the UDF, are condemning it. Surendran should withdraw the statements and apologise. No women, not just women from political party, should be insulted like that. It involves body shaming, it is a politically incorrect remark," he said, adding that either Surendran should apologise or a case should be filed against him.

“Why has no CPI(M) leader in Kerala reacted to such a repulsive statement from a BJP leader? Both Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan are silent… It shows the CPI(M)’s soft approach towards BJP,” Satheesan alleged.

After Congress questioned the CPI(M)’s silence over the controversy, several party leaders came out condemning Surendran’s statements.

Kerala health minister Veena George also reacted sharply against Surendran. "The remarks made by K Surendran are condemnable. Surendran has humiliated not only the women workers of CPIM but all the women. Surendranath's attitude is to see women only as bodies. Political workers should stand as examples for society. It is not the right way to make political criticism using the example of women's bodies," Veena George said.

State Industries Minister and CPI(M) leader P Rajeev said the BJP leader’s remarks against women reflect his attitude towards women. Kerala should debate such an abominable statement, which has insulted women, he said.

Kerala tourism minister PA Muhammad Riyas has also hit out at the BJP leader saying that Surendran's party should introspect.

"People show their own culture and standards through their statements. Their organisation should introspect. Body shaming is something that is being discussed nationally. The party should look into it," Riyas said.