A major political controversy has erupted in Kerala after Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) state general secretary PMA Salam made a shocking remark about Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Speaking at a women’s public meeting in Malappuram, Salam said the CM “doesn’t belong to either gender,” sparking outrage across the state’s political circles.
Controversial Comment Draws Strong Criticism
During his speech, Salam compared Kerala’s Chief Minister with his Tamil Nadu and West Bengal counterparts, MK Stalin and Mamata Banerjee. He said, “Tamil Nadu CM Stalin showed that if you are a man, you will oppose it. A strong woman like Mamata Banerjee said this communal poison won’t be accepted in Bengal. But Kerala’s Chief Minister doesn’t belong to the category of either a man or a woman and that’s why he decided to sign the scheme.”
Salam was referring to the central government’s PM SHRI education scheme, which both Tamil Nadu and West Bengal had refused to sign. He claimed that Kerala’s decision to sign the scheme was a “biggest insult” to the state.
The remark triggered immediate backlash. Kerala’s Education Minister V. Sivankutty called it “extremely despicable and insulting to cultural Kerala.” He added that such comments were “inhuman and anti-democratic” and unbecoming of a leader from a prominent political party.
IUML Leaders Distance Themselves
Following the outrage, IUML’s top leadership quickly distanced itself from Salam’s words. Party state president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal said that while political criticism is part of democracy, it should never become personal or disrespectful.
IUML national general secretary PK Kunhalikutty also stated that the party maintains respect for all political rivals. “There could be a slip of the tongue at times. Our leader has corrected Salam today,” he said. Kunhalikutty added that the real focus should be on the state government’s support of what he called an education policy influenced by Hindutva ideology.
Despite the apology, Salam’s remark continues to draw criticism from various political and social groups, with many demanding a formal public apology for the offensive statement.
Also Read: LG Sinha and CM Abdullah Clash Over Jammu and Kashmir Statehood
