Meet Ias Sarada Muraleedharan, Chief Secretary of Kerala, who calls for skin color, gender bias and Facebook Post
In Facebook posts, Muraleedharan highlights deep-rooted biases related to skin tone, describing that darkness is often associated with negative emotions.
Kerala Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan recently visited Facebook and called for social bias against dark skin color and gender discrimination. Her thinking stems from comparing her tenure with the tenure of her ex and husband V Venu, who said, “It’s as black as my husband’s white.” Muraleedharan initially removed the position due to an overwhelming response, but later reposted the question, highlighting the need for conversations on such issues.
In Facebook posts, Muraleedharan highlights deep-rooted biases related to skin tone, describing that darkness is often associated with negative emotions. She tells a childhood memory when she was four years old and asked her mother if she could be reborn as “white and beautiful.” This anecdote reflects the inner society’s preference for fairness, which made her feel deficient for years. But when they celebrate their dark legacy and see the beauty she once couldn’t see, she credits her children to help her embrace her identity.
Muraleedharan also talked about the additional challenges women face in terms of power. She noted that even at the top of bureaucracy, women with lower skin tones often struggle to be heard and “invisible.” She called for a change in social attitudes and linking black people with positive and beautiful, rather than negative.
Who is Sarada Muraleedharan?
Muraleedharan, a batch officer in 1990, took over as chief secretary in August 2024, replacing her husband with a historic transition. She has played key roles at the state and national levels, including leading the Kudumbashree mission in Kerala from 2006 to 2012 and served as Chief Operating Officer for the National Rural Livelihood Mission. She has also served as the Joint Secretary of the Panchayati Raj Department and Director-General of NIFT.
Muraleedharan’s post has sparked widespread debate on pornography and gender bias in Indian society. Her call for “owning your own black man” resonates with a powerful message of self-acceptance and challenging deeply entrenched biases.
