Growing Support for Kerala Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan Following Body Shaming Comments

Thiruvananthapuram, March 26 (NationPress) The backing for Kerala Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan's social media statement addressing the body shaming comments directed at her has significantly increased on Wednesday, with many individuals rallying to her defense.

Her Facebook message was shared on Tuesday evening, where she stated, "Heard an intriguing remark yesterday about my leadership as Chief Secretary – that it is as dark as my husband's was light. Hmmm... I need to embrace my darkness. This is a post I made this morning, which I later deleted due to the overwhelming reactions. I am reposting it because some well-wishers suggested there were points worth discussing. I concur. So here it is, again. Why did I feel compelled to highlight this particular issue? I was hurt, yes. However, these past seven months have been a constant stream of comparisons with my predecessor, and I have become quite accustomed to it. It was about being labeled dark (with that subtle implication of being a woman), as if that were something to be utterly ashamed of."

The Facebook post continues: "Darkness is as darkness does. Not merely dark in color, but dark as in the ne'er-do-well, dark as in malaise, the cold authoritarianism, the essence of despair. But why should darkness be condemned? Darkness represents the all-encompassing reality of the universe. Darkness is capable of absorbing everything, the strongest pulse of energy known to humanity. It is the color that resonates with everyone, the formal office attire, the elegance of evening wear, the essence of kajol, the promise of rain. As a child, I once asked my mother if she could put me back in her womb and bring me out again, all light and beautiful. I have spent over 50 years burdened by that narrative of not being a color deemed good enough. And I bought into that story. I failed to recognize beauty or worth in darkness. I was captivated by fair skin. By fair minds, and all that was light, good, and pure. And I felt inferior for not embodying that – as if I had to compensate in some way. Until my children. Who proudly embraced their dark heritage. Who kept discovering beauty where I saw none. Who believed that darkness was wonderful. Who helped me realize that darkness is stunning. That darkness is magnificent. That I appreciate darkness."

On Wednesday, Chief Secretary Muraleedharan remarked that she initially posted it and then removed it, but when her husband V. Venu, the former Chief Secretary from whom she succeeded, encouraged her to be strong, she decided to repost it.

"I receive immense support from my children, who mean everything to me and are my source of strength. I depend on them for everything," she noted.

However, she remains silent about who made the disparaging comment.

Among those who voiced their support were Kerala Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, former State Congress President K. Muraleedharan, Ramesh Chennithala, and many others.

Interestingly, Chief Secretary Muraleedharan is set to retire next month as this controversy has emerged.