Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is facing criticism after remarks he made in the state assembly allegedly mocking the height of an opposition MLA. The comments, made during a session marked by heated debates and protests, have been labeled as "body shaming" by the opposition, leading to demands for an apology and the removal of the remarks from official records.
The controversy erupted during discussions surrounding the alleged misappropriation of gold from the Sabarimala temple, a sensitive issue that has triggered repeated disruptions in the assembly. For three consecutive days, the Congress-led opposition has protested, demanding the resignation of Devaswom Minister V.N. Vasavan and the suspension of the current Travancore Devaswom Board, citing a High Court order for a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the matter.
Amidst the uproar, which included clashes between opposition members and the assembly's watch and ward staff, Chief Minister Vijayan responded to the opposition's actions with a remark that has now become the focal point of contention. While not directly naming the MLA, Vijayan used a colloquial expression to describe an opposition member as "like eight three-quarter coins stacked up," loosely translated to suggest a short stature. He further implied that the MLA's alleged aggressive behavior towards the watch and ward staff was not due to physical strength but rather the protection afforded to him as an elected official.
The Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, strongly condemned the Chief Minister's words, characterizing them as "body shaming" and "politically incorrect". Satheesan questioned the Chief Minister’s standards for judging a person's height and emphasized that a person's health or stature should not be a subject of ridicule. He also criticized the ruling party, suggesting their claims of progressiveness were undermined by such remarks. The opposition has formally requested that the Speaker of the Assembly retract the Chief Minister's comments and remove them from the official record.
In response to the ongoing protests and allegations, Chief Minister Vijayan defended his government's stance, accusing the opposition of creating a "smokescreen" and avoiding constructive dialogue. He stated that the government is open to addressing any questions or concerns raised by the opposition and is committed to a transparent investigation into the Sabarimala temple matter. He also pointed out that the opposition has not clearly stated their demands.
The controversy has further intensified the already strained relationship between the ruling and opposition parties in Kerala, disrupting assembly proceedings and drawing criticism from various quarters. The incident has sparked a debate on the decorum expected of elected officials and the importance of avoiding derogatory or discriminatory remarks in public discourse.
