Recipe row: Kerala CM V.D. Satheesan rejects 'sexist remark' charge, says he was misquoted
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has denied allegations of sexism following public backlash over his comments regarding the sharing of traditional cooking recipes. He clarified that his remarks were intended to be inclusive of all children and family members, not just daughters-in-law.
Why it matters
The incident reflects the ongoing public discourse on gender roles and the scrutiny of political figures regarding their public statements on social norms.
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Wednesday (July 29, 2026) rejected the charge that he had made a sexist remark in connection with his advice to mothers about sharing traditional or unique cooking recipes.
At a post-Cabinet press briefing in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Satheesan took the stand that he was misquoted as exclusively referring to daughters-in-law. The Chief Minister said he had, in fact, asked mothers to share such recipes with “their children and the person who comes as their son’s wife.”
Mr. Satheesan asked how can “children” be construed as daughters alone. “I said children. What misogyny is there when I say they and the son’s wife who is the new arrival in a house” be given these recipes, he said.
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