Kerala CM V.D. Satheesan’s advice to mothers to pass on ‘traditional recipes to daughters-in-law’ sparks row

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s remark at a public event recently, in which he asked mothers to “pass on traditional cooking methods to their daughters-in-law” has kicked up a controversy, with many criticising it as sexist and propagating gender stereotypes.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Pampa Literature Festival at Chengannur on Saturday (July 25, 2026), Mr. Satheesan said “everything traditional, including art, should be preserved.”

“The previous generations passed on their traditional methods to us. But today, no one passes it on to the next generation. Some mothers make special dishes with their own recipes. I often complain to some of them that they do not teach their children how to make them. They should pass on the method to their children or their daughter-in-law,” he said.