P Rajeev Slams C P John Over ‘Misogynistic’ Remarks Against Women

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) Central Committee member P Rajeev has strongly condemned what he described as Transport Minister C P John’s misogynistic and insulting remarks against women.

“The minister’s approach is like waking up a person who is asleep by promising them a feast and then spitting directly on their face,” Rajeev said.

At the inauguration of the Priyadarshini Service, the minister had said that free travel for women was not charity but a matter of dignity. After advising women on how to invest the money saved on bus fares, he flagged off the scheme.

“After asking women to travel with dignity and pride, the minister is now insulting them. This raises doubts over whether there is a planned move to end the scheme by any means,” Rajeev said.

He said women in Keralam had never demanded free travel from any government. According to Rajeev, it was the Congress that promised during its election campaign to provide free travel on KSRTC buses to all women.

“After misleading women and securing votes, the government came to power and restricted the scheme to ordinary buses,” he alleged.

Rajeev said Keralam had never witnessed a situation in which women were insulted in this manner. The government had earlier stated that it would provide the necessary financial support to address any problems faced by KSRTC, he added.

“Instead of expanding the scheme to cover all women, the minister is now humiliating women who use the travel facility. Women who believed the promise of free travel for all, irrespective of income, are now being denied the benefit and are also being subjected to insults,” Rajeev said.

He added that there should be a discussion on whether a minister who had insulted women should continue in office.