IDUKKI: Kerala minister for electricity and CPI leader M M Mani stirred a hornet’s nest at a public speech in Adimali town here by making controversial and derogatory remarks against members of the Penbilai Orumai, an organisation that led a successful protest against wage-hike in the plantation sector.
Members of the Penbilai Orumai, alleging that Mani called them prostitutes, staged a protest march and a sit-in in Munnar led by Gomathy Augustine and J Rajeswari, creating tension in the town.
In his speech, Mani also humiliated former IAS officer K Suresh Kumar, who led the Munnar eviction drive during VS Achuthanandan’s government in 2007. “There was a cat, our old cat. He was in the government guest house with drinks, merry and all other activities. Then there was the protest of Penbilai Orumai. They were also drinking, among other ugly activities. Their ‘activities’ were in the forest nearby. A DySP was also there. We know everything,” Mani said, in a speech filled with double entendres.
Penbilai Orumai also demanded Mani’s resignation from the Kerala cabinet and stated that he should come to Munnar to apologise to them.
"By calling us prostitutes, he humiliated the women labourers who work hard in the plantation,” Gomathi said.
Police had attempted to forcefully removed the protestors but pulled back after local residents also joined in, adding to the tension.
Drama intensified when Gomathy lay down on the road and Rajeswari was taken to a hospital after she felt discomfort during the protest.