https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Kerala CS Sarada Muraleedharan Responds to Colourist Remarks: ‘Black Can Absorb Anything’

The episode sheds light on the longstanding bias against dark skin in Indian society, where fairness is often associated with superiority
Indian Masterminds Stories

Kerala Chief Secretary Ms. Sarada Muraleedharan (1990-batch IAS officer, Kerala cadre) has delivered a powerful response to colourist remarks aimed at her, declaring that “Black Can Absorb Anything.” Her statement has resonated widely, shutting down critics and addressing deep-seated prejudices.

Also Read: Who Is IAS Sarada Muraleedharan, Who Speaks Out Against Color Bias in Powerful Facebook Post

The controversy arose when a social media post compared her leadership to that of her predecessor and husband, Mr. V. Venu (1990-batch IAS officer, Kerala cadre), stating that her tenure was “as black as his was white.” In response, Ms. Muraleedharan took to Facebook, embracing her identity and dismantling the negative connotations attached to dark skin.

She wrote, “Black is the all-pervasive truth of the universe. Black is that which can absorb anything, the most powerful pulse of energy known to humankind. It is the colour that works on everyone, the dress code for office, the lustre of evening wear, the essence of kajol, the promise of rain.”

She also highlighted the gendered subtext of such comments, emphasizing that being labeled “black” carried an additional layer of discrimination as a woman in leadership. “It was about being labelled black (with that quiet subtext of being a woman), as if that were something to be desperately ashamed of,” she stated.

The IAS Association strongly condemned the prejudice, issuing a statement on X: “A person’s true worth is known by her actions and achievements, not by the colour of skin. The Association also strongly condemns the attempts to intimidate an upright officer through such petty and uncivilized comments. Let’s all stand against deep-rooted prejudices and celebrate diversity.”

The episode sheds light on the longstanding bias against dark skin in Indian society, where fairness is often associated with superiority. Ms. Muraleedharan’s strong rebuttal has sparked a broader conversation on colorism and gender biases that persist in the country.

Also Read: Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary IAS Prabodh Saxena Granted 6-Month Extension, Four Possible Successors Revealed


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
ministry of rural
Two Women Officers Appointed as Deputy Secretaries in Rural Development Ministry to Boost Policy Reforms-Know more about them
RBI
Govt Clarifies Rs 500 Notes Here to Stay; RBI Focuses on Rs 100 & Rs 200 Availability
ministry of rural development
2013-Batch IPoS Officer Moona Yasmin Appointed as Deputy Secretary in Department of Rural Development
PSU Banks
India Ratings Flags Profit Dip for Banks in FY26 Despite Strong Credit Growth
Kartavya-Bhavan
PM Modi to Inaugurate Kartavya Bhavan, Ushering New Era of Efficient Governance
Chhattisgarh Forest Department
Chhattisgarh: Forest Dept Recommends Approval for Controversial Coal Mining Project in Hasdeo Arand, Over 4.5 Lakh Trees at Risk
ACC-Resized
ACC Approves 33 Technical Members for GST Appellate Tribunal; Senior IRS & IAS Officers Take Key Roles - Details Inside
all-women IFS leadership India
Historic All-Women IFS Leadership Meets Environment Secretary to Chart Future of Forest Protection
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Aditya Singh
How IAS Officer Aditya Singh is Redefining Governance in Madhya Pradesh | Video Interview 
IAS Karn Satyarthi
How IAS Karn Satyarthi Transformed Gumla Through Empathy and Innovation
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
IRAS Ananth Rupanagudi’s Take on Corruption, Reform, and Duty
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
BPSC Bihar police
From Lantern Light to Police Uniform: How Praveen Kumar from a Small Bihar Village Cracked BPSC to Become SDPO
From a lantern-lit village in Bihar to becoming an SDPO, Praveen Kumar's journey is a testament to resilience,...
IAS Priyansha Garg
Why Mindset Matters: IAS Priyansha Garg’s Mental Health Mantra for UPSC
After two failed prelims, Priyansha Garg cracked UPSC with AIR 31 in her fourth attempt, proving how...
Ashish Akshat
From Setback to State Topper: How Ashish Akshat Topped JPSC While Working Full-Time
Ashish Akshat from Dhanbad topped JPSC 2023, proving that resilience, discipline, and family support...
Social Media
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve: From India’s First Sanctuary to a Tiger Conservation Success Story | International Tiger Day Special
IAS Supriya Sahu Hails Mudumalai's Role in Tiger Conservation on Tiger Day. Declared in 1940, Now Among...
Mangroves
Mangroves: Nature’s Shield Against Disasters, Says Officer Parveen Kaswan on Mangroves Day - Watch His Post Here
Mangroves, with their dense, interlaced root systems, form a mesh-like structure that serves as a buffer...
Retired IPS Inderjit Singh Sidhu
Purpose Doesn’t Retire: How 88-Year-Old Retired DIG Becomes Chandigarh’s ‘Quiet Warrior’ of Cleanliness
Inderjit Singh Sidhu’s Dawn Patrol Earns Applause, Mahindra’s Praise for a Man Who Chose Action Over...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
ministry of rural
Two Women Officers Appointed as Deputy Secretaries in Rural Development Ministry to Boost Policy Reforms-Know more about them
RBI
Govt Clarifies Rs 500 Notes Here to Stay; RBI Focuses on Rs 100 & Rs 200 Availability
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Aditya Singh
IAS Karn Satyarthi
Ananth Rupanagudi IRAS
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT