Kerala Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan has joined the growing league of political leaders expressing displeasure over the derogatory comments made by Electricity Minister M.M. Mani against Pengal Otrumai, the women’s collective of estate workers in Munnar.
Answering questions about the storm kicked up by Mr. Mani’s comments, he told a press conference here on Monday that it was advisable to keep one’s tongue on a leash. Without naming the Minister, he said it was important to realise the social impact of one’s utterances.
The Pengal Otrumai activists, who are on a sit-in in the town since Sunday afternoon, said there was no question of them withdrawing their agitation till the Power Minister came to them and tendered an apology for his lewd remark.
At the same time, division within the women’s group came to the fore with its president Lissy Sunny saying that Gomathy, who was the first to react to Mr. Mani’s remark, started the agitation without discussing it with others.
A dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the district on Monday demanding Mr. Mani’s resignation was total and peaceful. Private buses kept off the road and shops and business establishments remained closed.
A few private vehicles were seen plying. Long-distance services of the KSRTC were operated and vehicles carrying marriage parties also did not face any obstruction. The tourism town of Munnar and Kumily wore a deserted look with taxis keeping off the road.
Mr. Mani spent the day at his home at Kunjithanny in the district. He continued to insist that there was no reason for him to tender any apology to the Pengal Otrumai activists as he had already made his stand clear.
He said he would not resign on his own unless the party asked him to do so. He also saw no reason to change his style of functioning. He had indeed referred to the Pengal Otrumai in his speech but had not denigrated women.
