Follow us
Kerala's Chief Secretary, Sarada Muraleedharan, recently spoke out against the discrimination she faced due to her skin colour and gender. She shared her experience in a social media post, responding to a comment made about her tenure.
The remark compared her work to that of her husband, V Venu, who was her predecessor. The comment described her stewardship as "as black as my husband’s was white."
Muraleedharan, who succeeded Venu as Chief Secretary in August 2024, found this remark deeply upsetting.
In her post, Muraleedharan questioned the prejudice against her skin colour and gender. She expressed how painful it was to be labelled "black" in a society that often associates fair skin with beauty and goodness. Muraleedharan reflected on how she had internalised these beauty standards for over fifty years, often feeling inferior because of her darker complexion.
She explained how she had been fascinated by the idea of fair skin, thinking it made a person more valuable, while dark skin was seen as something to be ashamed of.
Also read: 7 Indians among 10 taken hostage by pirates in Africa
The Chief Secretary pointed out that the comparison with her husband had become a constant theme during her tenure. While she had grown accustomed to these comparisons, the comment about her colour was particularly hurtful.
She revealed that she chose to share her feelings in the post not only because of the pain caused but also because she felt she could now use her position to address colour-based discrimination. Muraleedharan stressed that such harmful attitudes must be resisted. She encouraged everyone to embrace their skin colour and take pride in who they are.
Muraleedharan’s post sparked strong reactions from several political figures in Kerala. Kerala's General Education Minister, V Sivankutty, expressed his solidarity with her, condemning colour-based discrimination and stating it has no place in progressive Kerala.
Excise Minister MB Rajesh was shocked that the Chief Secretary had to face such prejudice, calling it a sign of how deeply ingrained societal issues have become. CPI(M) MP K Radhakrishnan also acknowledged that caste and colour discrimination still exist in society today. Kerala's Leader of Opposition, VD Satheesan, shared Muraleedharan’s post, praising her courage and urging the issue to be discussed openly.
Muraleedharan’s experience has sparked a broader conversation about inclusivity and equality in Kerala. Her words have reminded many that colour-based discrimination must be challenged and eradicated from society.
