Thiruvananthapuram, August 5: Kerala’s Transport Minister CP John has issued an apology following backlash over his comments regarding women utilizing the state’s free bus travel scheme. On Wednesday, he clarified that he never intended to offend anyone and acknowledged the need for more careful word choice.
John stated to reporters, “I never aimed to criticize anyone unfairly. I should have been more cautious while speaking. If my words hurt anyone, I apologize.”
The controversy erupted when John remarked that women were crowding the Priyadarsini buses while simultaneously sending their children to private schools.
These comments sparked widespread criticism from political parties, women’s organizations, and social media users, with many accusing the minister of insensitivity and perpetuating stereotypes about women.
In an attempt to clarify his stance, John emphasized that the Priyadarsini free travel scheme is a welfare initiative aimed at assisting economically disadvantaged groups and should not be viewed as a charitable act.
He remarked, “Free travel is not an act of generosity; it is a right. Kerala still faces severe poverty, and the Priyadarsini scheme aims to alleviate that burden.”
John also dismissed suggestions that the scheme has become a financial strain on the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), asserting that the corporation will deploy more buses on high-demand routes.
However, he admitted that the aging fleet of KSRTC remains a challenge.
This apology came just a day after his remarks ignited a political storm, forcing the government into a defensive position. While he refrained from issuing an unconditional apology, his statement appeared aimed at diffusing the controversy.
The 69-year-old CP John, a veteran in Kerala politics, began his public life as a passionate leader of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI). After being expelled from the party in 1986, he left CPI(M) with his mentor M.V. Raghavan.
He became one of Raghavan’s closest allies in the Communist Marxist Party (CMP), which is affiliated with the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). Over the decades, he has remained a prominent leader within the UDF and has recently resumed his ministerial role in the current government.
John has tasted electoral victory for the first time in this election, having faced defeat in two previous attempts. His comments have drawn condemnation from former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and all his former CPI(M) colleagues.
John’s recent remarks and subsequent apology have once again placed this outspoken minister at the center of a political controversy.
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