In a state often celebrated for its literacy, social reform movements, and relatively progressive outlook, a recent political speech in Kerala has exposed how deeply misogyny still runs beneath the surface of public life.
At a victory gathering following local body elections in Malappuram, a leader of the ruling party made remarks that reduced married women to objects meant only for their husbands at night. Women candidates fielded by a rival party were mocked for stepping into public life, with suggestions that women should not be &ldquo;displayed&rdquo; before other men for votes, but instead remain confined to their homes.
What made the moment more disturbing was not just the content of the speech, but the response it received. The crowd applauded and cheered as these remarks were delivered, normalising a mindset that strips women of agency, dignity, and political identity.
This was not an offhand comment or a private conversation. It was a public address by an elected representative, delivered on a platform of power. When such statements are voiced by political leaders, they do not exist in isolation. They reinforce harmful beliefs that women&rsquo;s bodies, choices, and ambitions are subject to male control. They also send a dangerous message that women who enter politics are violating some imagined moral boundary.
The irony is stark. Kerala has long projected itself as a model state, boasting high female literacy rates and visible participation of women in education and employment. Yet incidents like this reveal a gap between social indicators and social attitudes. Progress on paper means little when women are still told, openly and unapologetically, that their place is in silence and submission.
Misogyny in politics is not just offensive language. It has real consequences. It discourages women from contesting elections, legitimises harassment in public spaces, and reinforces the idea that leadership is a male entitlement. When such thinking is applauded, it becomes collective, not individual.
Political parties cannot afford to treat such remarks as mere &ldquo;controversies&rdquo; or personal opinions. Silence or half-hearted distancing only emboldens the mindset. Accountability must be firm and visible, not just to discipline one individual, but to signal that misogyny has no place in democratic discourse.
At its core, this incident is a reminder that progress is fragile. Education, development, and political ideology mean little if they fail to challenge patriarchy at its roots. A democracy cannot function fully when half its population is told that their role ends at the bedroom door.
Women do not need permission to be seen, heard, or elected. Any politics that suggests otherwise deserves not applause, but outright rejection.

CPM figure’s comments on women’s roles draw backlash from parties and rights groups

Kerala Leader Sparks Outrage With Sexist Remarks

CPM figure’s comments on women’s roles draw backlash from parties and rights groups

December 18, 2025 | 23:55 IST