All India Democratic Women’s Association (AIDWA) national secretary PK Sreemathi has filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI), demanding strict action against IUML leader A. Irshad for his alleged misogynistic remarks against Kayamkulam LDF candidate U. Prathibha.
According to the petition, the statements allegedly reduced the candidate to a “marketable beauty item,” making a derogatory and sexually suggestive comment about her character and appearance.
In her submission, Ms. Sreemathi added that the remarks amounted to “slut-shaming” and a deliberate attempt to defame the candidate’s dignity. According to her, the language used was meant to create a hostile environment for a woman running for office, thereby undermining her right to campaign freely.
The complaint also alleges that the statements violate the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which specifically prohibits personal attacks, especially those aimed at private life. She emphasizes that political criticism must be limited to the public record and performance, while the remarks in question focused only on gender and physical appearance.
The AIDWA leader urged the ECI to exercise its plenary powers under Article 324 of the Constitution and take immediate notice of the matter. It demanded action, including a direction to the IUML leader to stop making such remarks, a campaign ban barring him from public appearances during the election period, registration of an FIR under relevant legal provisions, initiation of corrupt practice proceedings against the candidate and the party benefiting from the remarks, and a direction to the district authorities to act to prevent breach of peace.
It also called for the person’s official recognition to be revoked for the remainder of the campaign and called on the political party concerned to publicly distance itself from the remarks.
Published – 25 March 2026 22:43 IST
