Kerala CM Faces Criticism After IUML Leader's Controversial Statement

Kerala is witnessing a political storm following a controversial remark made by Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader P.M.A. Salam regarding Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The IUML leader's statement, interpreted as questioning the Chief Minister's gender, has triggered widespread outrage and political condemnation.

The controversy erupted during a Muslim League conference in Vazhakkad panchayat, where Salam criticized the Kerala government's decision to sign the Centre's PM SHRI scheme. Salam alleged that the scheme promotes Hindutva ideology and distorts historical facts, drawing a comparison with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's rejection of the scheme. He characterized Banerjee's stance as a refusal to allow "communal poison" into West Bengal, further claiming that the new education policy marginalizes languages like Arabic, Urdu, and English, favoring Sanskrit and Hindi.

However, it was Salam's alleged derogatory remark about Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that ignited the major uproar. While the exact words remain a point of contention, the statement was widely interpreted as questioning Vijayan's gender identity, sparking immediate and strong reactions from various political factions.

The CPI(M) Malappuram district committee was quick to condemn Salam's remarks as "uncultured" and demanded a public apology. The controversy has also caused increased tension within the United Democratic Front (UDF), a coalition in which the IUML is a key member. The state government has currently decided to freeze the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre concerning the PM SHRI scheme amidst rising objections.

In response to the controversy, Kerala Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan stated that P.M.A. Salam was "entitled to his personal views". However, he emphasized that the Congress party has consistently championed gender justice and equality struggles, vowing not to compromise the party's core values.

This incident occurs against a backdrop of ongoing debates about gender justice and equality in Kerala. In January 2025, P.M.A. Salam sparked a similar debate by claiming that gender equality is a "misbelief," emphasizing the IUML's focus on gender justice instead. Salam's argument was rooted in the belief that gender equality is an unrealistic goal, citing examples such as separate seating for men and women in public transport and educational institutions, as well as separate competitions in the Olympics.

The current controversy also surfaces amidst broader discussions on women's safety and security in Kerala. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has previously emphasized the importance of women feeling safe in public spaces, promising stringent action against any behavior that compromises their safety. However, critics have pointed to instances where the state government's actions have not aligned with these pronouncements, raising questions about selective justice.

The IUML's stance on gender-related issues has faced criticism in the past, including derogatory remarks made by another IUML leader, K.M. Shaji, against the LGBTQ community. Shaji's comments, made in early 2023, referred to LGBTQ individuals as a "shame" on society and the "worst kind of people," further accusing the state government of attempting to create "gender confusion".

The controversy surrounding P.M.A. Salam's recent remarks is likely to have significant political ramifications in Kerala. It has already strained relations within the UDF and provided ammunition for political opponents to criticize the IUML's stance on social issues. The incident also underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding discussions of gender and identity in the state, highlighting the need for respectful and inclusive dialogue.