Kerala polls: Said once, shared forever — how slurs outlive campaigns

KOCHI: Derogatory and misogynist remarks by political leaders during election campaigns are nothing new. But unlike in the past, when such controversies faded quickly, social media now ensures they linger—and in doing so, push aside the policy debates and development issues that elections should really be about.The current campaign has already thrown up several examples. Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan drew criticism for using the word “Chettatharam”—connoting meanness— while referring to former CPM leader G Sudhakaran on a television channel. He later clarified it was meant as a political characterisation. CPM central committee member and former minister Thomas Isaac has also faced flak for remarks made on the campaign trail. The most recent controversy involves IUML leader Irshad, who described LDF candidate U Prathibha of Kayamkulam as contesting elections “by selling her oratory skills and physical beauty”— a comment that drew swift and widespread condemnation.Misogynist remarks have a long history in Kerala’s electoral politics. One of the most cited instances remains former chief minister V S Achuthanandan’s comment against UDF candidate Lathika Subhash, his rival in the Malampuzha constituency during the 2011 Assembly elections.Sociologist Jyothi S Nair says such behaviour is not confined to election season. “Derogatory words and practices have always existed in the public sphere. It is part of playing to the gallery,” she said. But the consequences today are more lasting. “The shelf life of such remarks may be short, but their reflections on social media divide people long after. It is unfortunate that when these controversies take the limelight, major issues—policies, development, governance —are neglected.” The scale at which such content spreads on social media is many times greater than in the real world, she added.Sociologist Bushara Begum points to a deeper structural problem. “Misogynist remarks stem from the patriarchal elements of our society, and they persist because there are hardly any serious repercussions,” she said. “Even if the election commission receives complaints, the outcomes are rarely meaningful. Public censure alone, if consistent, could act as a deterrent,” she said.