A campaign video of Congress’ Lok Sabha candidate from the Kannur constituency in Kerala is facing severe criticism for its misogynistic and sexist overtones.
The video, shared by Congress’ K Sudhakaran on his official Facebook handle, is purportedly directed at his main rival, sitting woman MP from Kannur, PK Sreemathy, of the CPI(M).
It indirectly implies that ‘it is a mistake to send a woman to Parliament from Kannur’ and that ‘a man should be sent instead’.
In the video, a man – purportedly the patriarch of the house – is seen expressing his regret at sending his daughter ‘there’ (referring indirectly to the Parliament) as she is “incapable of getting things done”.
To this, a man visiting the house says: "It won't work if she goes and talks... She went once, right? They did not understand what she said. Educating her and making her a teacher has been a waste."
“I told you earlier. The heir (a man) should go and ask... You didn’t listen. Now, only he must go,” the visitor adds.
Admitting his “mistake”, the patriarch then says: "You are right. I made one mistake, anybody can make one. Took some time to understand.”
Following this, the visitor reiterates, "He is a man. If he goes, he will get it done."
And even though Sudhakaran shared a disclaimer along with the video – saying that it does not refer to any characters, dead or alive, or “those who have made speeches in Parliament” – the subtext makes it clear that it is an attack ad directed at Sreemathy.
The moniker “Sreemathy Teacher” is often used to refer to the MP in political circles.
Social Media Backlash
Many Twitter users were quick to slam Sudhakaran for his regressive views:
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