In a blatant display of his deep-seated sexist mindset, Congress candidate and UDF leader from Kannur, Kerala, K Sudhakaran has released a sexist video in which it is suggested that educating a woman is a mistake and that a man should be elected so “he can get things done.” Sudhakaran is one of the three working Presidents of the Congress in Kerala.
Ironically, while, on one hand, the party supremo, Rahul Gandhi tries to come across as a Messiah for women by repeating his women empowerment rhetoric, his party leader’s, are brazenly insulting women by posting sexist and misogynist videos on a public platform.
K Sudhakaran who goes around making crass remarks about women has outmatched his own records. Sudhakaram is contesting from Kunnur, Kerala and is pitted against the sitting MP from the Left, who’s also a teacher, P K Sreemati. Taking a jibe at his opponent Sudhakaran released this campaign video seeking votes.
Made in a short film format, the video focuses on a daughter and son demanding their share of the property from their father. As the father and his friend discuss the issue, the son walks into the frame complaining to the father that his sister has not managed to get things done. He then stomps off in anger. The father tells his friend that his daughter could not accomplish her task and that she was incapable of understanding the issue or communicating it effectively to the person concerned. He then says, “It was a waste educating her and making her a teacher!”.
The enthusiastic friend, who seems to share K Sudhakaran’s views on women, suggests that the father should have sent the son instead. “He is a man. If he goes, he will only come back after achieving his goal,” he claims.
#ElectionAlert – UDF candidate Sudhakaran’s blatantly sexist video; campaign ad says educating women a waste. @Neethureghu with details. pic.twitter.com/hl0Y5NCcnu
— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 17, 2019
Previously, Congress leader, K Sudhakaran had displayed similar misogynist psyche when he had said the Kerala CM is “worse than a woman” and called the minor in the infamous Suryanelli trafficking case a “prostitute”.
Recently, Congress spokesperson, Sanjay Jha, also in an attempt to deride PM Modi had exposed his sexism on Women’s Day. On 8th March 2019, Sanjay Jha the National Spokesperson of Congress tweeted “on a lighter note” wishing Prime Minister Modi a “Happy Women’s Day” and called him a “Drama Queen”.
In a bid to insult PM Modi, Sanjay Jha insinuated that comparing a man to a woman can be considered a pejorative. In fact, he even insinuated that women are “drama queens” and “blabber”. This type-casting of women, that has been encouraged for a few laughs had helped in institutionalised marginalisation of women. To insinuate that being compared to a woman is an insult, that too on International Women’s Day” only proved the anti-woman mindset that the Congress party harbours while talking tall about women empowerment.
Congress’ facade of women empowerment has been exposed several times in the past owing to their actions. Be it Rahul Gandhi’s close aide, Nikhil Alva recently booked for sexual harassment, or Congress IT cell worker named Chirag Patnaik booked for sexually harassing a female colleague or be it NSUI chief Fairoz Khan who stepped down from his post following charges of sexual misconduct.. the list seems to be never-ending.
In fact what could be seen as the biggest irony was when the Congress mouthpiece, National Herald, which was then busy pontificating about the #MeToo movement, audaciously chose not to mention allegations against its own editor.
Meanwhile, the Kerala Women’s Commission has taken suo motu cognisance against UDF candidate from Kannur K Sudhakaran for his campaign video for its misogynistic and sexist overtones.
