Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s comments mocking the short stature of an opposition MLA in the state Assembly on Wednesday drew sharp criticism from Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, who called it “body shaming”.

Opposition seeks expunging of remarks

Satheesan wrote to Assembly Speaker A N Shamseer demanding that the Chief Minister’s comments be removed from official records. He said Vijayan’s ridicule “tarnished the dignity” of the Assembly and violated parliamentary propriety.

Scuffle during Question Hour

The CM made the remarks shortly after opposition members boycotted proceedings following dramatic scenes in the House. During Question Hour, opposition MLAs clashed with watch-and-ward staff amid shouting between ruling and opposition benches over the issue of “missing” gold from the dwarapalaka idols of the Sabarimala temple.

Mocking an MLA’s stature

Referring to the protest in the well of the House and the scuffle with staff, including women, Vijayan mocked the alleged action of an opposition MLA without naming him. He used colloquial language to link the MLA’s short stature to his alleged aggressive behaviour in the Assembly, suggesting the MLA relied on protection afforded by his position rather than physical strength.

LoP’s strong response

LoP Satheesan criticised the Chief Minister, saying: “That is a politically incorrect statement. It is body shaming. Calling them progressives is meaningless. They ought to be living in 19th-century Spain.”

In his letter to the Speaker, Satheesan said Vijayan’s remarks “tarnished the dignity of the House” and breached parliamentary decorum. He quoted the CM as stating:

"There is a common saying in my village: like something stacked up to eight and three-quarters 'atti' (a local measure) (‘എട്ടു മുക്കാൽ അട്ടിയിട്ടതു പോലെ' (ettumukkal attiyittathupole)). That is all the height he has. Yet he comes here and goes on the offensive. One can clearly see that his own physical strength is insufficient for that. But, making use of the protection afforded by being an MLA, he dares to attack the watch-and-ward staff -- even going so far as to be prepared to attack the female staff as well."

Assembly tensions continue

The state Assembly has witnessed fierce opposition protests over the Sabarimala gold-plating issue.