'Women are only for sleeping with husbands': Kerala's CPM leader sparks outrage with victory speech

CPM Leader Saed Ali Majeed

A CPM regional leader’s victory speech in Malappuram has triggered widespread outrage after he made misogynistic remarks about women and their role in politics.

Saed Ali Majeed, who won the Thennela Panchayat ward by a margin of 47 votes, made the comments while addressing supporters after his win. Majeed said that women who come into families through marriage are “not meant to be presented before strangers for a mere vote, to capture a ward, or to defeat him”. He went on to imply that women are meant “for sleeping with their husbands”, remarks that have since drawn sharp criticism, according to a ToI report.

Referring to a recent video released by the president of the Women’s League, the women’s wing of the Indian Union Muslim League, Majeed said people had been warned against speaking about the organisation. “If you are in politics, even the Thangals of Panakkad would be spoken about. Only those who have the guts to listen may enter this field. Otherwise, they should be able to stay home as housewives,” he said.

Majeed had reportedly resigned as CPM local secretary before contesting the election as an independent candidate. He went on to win the ward with 666 votes, defeating the IUML candidate by 47 votes.