Thiruvananthapuram, Aug. 4:
A political row has intensified in Kerala after Transport Minister C.P. John refused to apologise for remarks on women that have drawn widespread criticism from the Opposition, with the CPI(M) accusing him of insulting women and undermining the State government’s flagship Priyadarshini free bus travel scheme.
The controversy erupted after the minister reportedly remarked that while many women send their children to expensive private schools, they prefer crowded government hospitals when family members fall ill. His comments were interpreted by critics as insensitive and dismissive of women who avail themselves of public welfare services.
Defending his stand on Tuesday, John told reporters in Kochi that he had no intention of withdrawing his remarks. “You have the right to interpret it however you wish. Let it be interpreted; let controversies happen. I stand firm by what I said,” he said.
Former Industries Minister and CPI(M) Central Committee member P. Rajeeve questioned whether John should continue as a minister after what he described as an insult to Kerala’s women.
Rajeeve alleged that the government’s handling of the Priyadarshini scheme reflected a pattern of disrespect. He claimed that the administration had first curtailed the scheme by restricting free travel to ordinary buses and had earlier discontinued the ₹1,000 Sthree Suraksha pension for poor women before introducing the free travel initiative.
CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan also demanded an unconditional apology, saying the minister had insulted “womanhood itself.” He noted that Kerala’s women have achieved significant progress through education, social reform movements and initiatives such as Kudumbashree, while also occupying more than half the seats in local self-government institutions.
Both Govindan and Rajeeve further alleged that the minister’s comments about government hospitals appeared aimed at discouraging people from using the public healthcare system in favour of private hospitals, a charge they said reflected a troubling policy direction. The controversy has added to the political heat surrounding the government’s welfare initiatives and is expected to remain a contentious issue in the days ahead.
