Congress MLA V.T. Balram’s Facebook post portraying Marxist leader A.K. Gopalan (AKG) in poor light by questioning the age difference between AKG and his wife, Suseela Gopalan, has triggered a stormy debate.
Social media users have criticised the MLA, who represents Thrithala in the Assembly, for questioning the moral character of AKG, who was de facto Leader of the Opposition in the first Lok Sabha, for marrying a woman several years younger to him.
The post said AKG had married Susheela when he was legally wedded to his first wife. The post also described AKG as a ‘paedophile’ who fell in love with Suseela when she was about 12 or 13 years old.
Though no Congress or UDF leader has come out in support of Mr. Balram, his claims have drawn the ire of political observers in Communist Party of India (Marxist) circles. Police protection was provided to his office and house at Thrithala after unidentified people hurled empty liquor bottles at the office early Saturday.
MLA’s version
Mr. Balram said he had only highlighted a portion of the autobiography of AKG to counter arguments in a Facebook discussion targeting a few Congress leaders accused of sexually harassing solar scam accused Saritha S. Nair. When the comment became controversial, he put out a Facebook post saying that AKG had married Suseela when she was hardly 22.
“I do agree that AKG is an iconic character for Kerala’s communists. His contributions as a political leader and parliamentarian should be applauded. But how can this prevent us from criticising or speaking about his personal life? The mounting criticism against me is just intolerance,” says Mr. Balram.
“Mr. Gopalan was a great soul who fought against all kinds of exploitation and discrimination in society. The controversy over his love affair and marriage is insulting to our own history. We must think about the worth of such silly debates. Some people are acting as moral police towards the life of a great leader,” said writer M.N. Karassery.
CPI(M) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has condemned the remarks about AKG. He has asked the national leadership of the Congress to clarify its stand on the MLA’s remarks.
In a counter post, Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran has sought an apology from Mr. Balram for showing AKG in poor light.
