AIDWA leader P.K. Sreemathi seeks action against IUML leader for ‘misogynistic’ remarks

All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) national secretary P.K. Sreemathi has submitted a formal complaint to the Election Commission of India (ECI), seeking stringent action against IUML leader A. Irshad over his alleged misogynistic remarks made against LDF’s candidate in Kayamkulam U. Prathibha.

According to the petition, the statements allegedly reduced the woman candidate to a “salable object of beauty,” amounting to derogatory and sexually suggestive commentary on her character and appearance.

In her submission, Ms. Sreemathi added that the remarks constitute “slut-shaming” and a deliberate attempt to malign the candidate’s dignity. The language used, she said, was intended to create a hostile environment for a woman contesting elections, and thereby undermine her right to campaign freely.

The complaint also contends that the statements violate the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which explicitly bars personal attacks, especially those targeting private life. It stresses that political criticism must be limited to public record and performance, whereas the remarks in question focused solely on gender and physical appearance.

The AIDWA leader has urged the ECI to exercise its plenary powers under Article 324 of the Constitution and take immediate cognisance of the matter. She sought action including a directive to the IUML leader to cease making such remarks, a campaign ban prohibiting him from public appearances during the election period, registration of an FIR under relevant legal provisions, initiation of proceedings for corrupt practices against the candidate and party benefiting from the remarks, and a direction to district authorities to act to prevent breach of peace

She also called for withdrawal of official recognition of the person for the remainder of the campaign and urged the political party concerned to publicly dissociate from the remarks.