Kerala CM faces backlash for mocking Opposition MLA’s height in Assembly

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan faced intense backlash after making remarks in the Assembly on Wednesday mocking the short stature of an Opposition MLA.

The comment, which opposition leader V D Satheesan condemned as ‘body shaming’, came amid a contentious debate over missing gold from Sabarimala temple idols.

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Satheesan wrote to Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer demanding that the comments be expunged from the official records.

Satheesan said by ridiculing the opposition MLA, Vijayan has “tarnished the dignity” of the Assembly and violated parliamentary propriety.

Referring to the Opposition protest in the well of the House and their alleged scuffle with watch and ward staff, including women, the Chief Minister mocked the alleged act of an opposition MLA without naming him.

The chief minister reportedly said, “There is a common saying in my village: like something stacked up to eight and three-quarters ‘atti’ (a local measure). That is all the height he has. Yet he comes here and goes on the offensive. One can clearly see that his own physical strength is insufficient for that. But, making use of the protection afforded by being an MLA, he dares to attack the watch-and-ward staff — even going so far as to be prepared to attack the female staff as well.”