Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan has spoken out about facing derogatory remarks related to her skin colour, stating that the experience was unexpected and unsettling.

On Tuesday, Muraleedharan took to Facebook to share her experience of being subjected to derogatory remarks about her skin tone. Her post was in response to a distasteful comment made about the contrast in complexion between her and husband Venu, former Chief Secretary.

"Beyond individual remarks, isn’t this a reflection of an internalised societal mindset? That’s why I felt it needed to be spoken about openly. That’s how I wrote about it on Facebook," she said on Wednesday.

Muraleedharan emphasised that her position does not change her identity or how people perceive her.

"Becoming Chief Secretary does not change my colour. This colour is my reality. Holding this position does not alter my experiences, surroundings, or the mindset of people around me. There is an issue when the colour black is associated with negativity. Black has long been linked to negative meanings, and this needs to change. Can we associate black with positive things instead? When we make that shift, we can begin to see beauty within ourselves."

"When we say ‘a black heart,’ it is perceived as something problematic. This mindset needs to change. Skin colour is not just about appearance; it impacts people at various levels. Most remarks about colour happen in several spaces. Our sense of beauty influences our personality, and our personality, in turn, affects our work. When personality itself is subjected to ridicule, it affects confidence."

Muraleedharan also stressed the added challenges faced by women in expressing their opinions.

"When a woman expresses an opinion, even getting the idea across is difficult. If she is also dark-skinned, it’s almost as if she becomes invisible. It could be about appearance, speech, or even excellence in certain fields. The idea that everyone must become a doctor or an engineer also reflects this mindset."

"What makes us who we are is diversity. Instead of celebrating it, we are erasing it, which is not right. To truly celebrate diversity, we must be able to see and appreciate every aspect of it," she added.