Thiruvananthapuram: Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) leader and Kerala’s minister for electricity, M.M. Mani has attracted the wrath of women with a misogynistic remark against women tea plantation workers in Munnar who are united under the banner of Pembilai Orumai (women’s union).
In his latest outburst, Mani, who is known for making coarse comments, hinted that the women’s unity members had illicit relations, and that policemen and journalists had imbibed liquor during the strike last year in the plantation sector in Munnar.
Pembilai Orumai leaders immediately launched a sit-in strike in Munnar on Sunday, demanding that the minister personally visit Munnar and apologise to them. On Monday, Idukki district observed a day-long strike, called by the National Democratic Alliance.
An unrepentant Mani said he would not apologise to Pembilai Orumai since he had already made a public apology over the issue, and that his statement had been twisted by the media.
Several women leaders of the CPM condemned Mani’s statement against the women in Munnar, with some of them saying that the comments were hurtful to all women.
Popular Malayalam film actress Manju Warrier commented on social media that “at least some people in society have the belief that they can say anything or do anything to women. If a responsible person like a minister also speaks like them, what message does it send to the society at large?
“The stench that emanates from the statement by M.M. Mani against Pembilai Orumai members is shaming the whole land. By his statement the minister has hurt all women who are attempting to stand up with dignity,” Warrier said.
Poetess Sugathakumari commented that Mani had no right to continue in his post as minister. “I am letting the CPM and the chief minister know the protest of all women in Kerala,” she said, adding that she hoped the chief minister would take an appropriate decision.
