Kerala polls: Expelled IUML leader Irshad booked over ‘misogynistic’ remarks against CPI(M) legislator U. Prathibha

Expelled IUML leader Irshad faces legal action for misogynistic remarks against CPI(M) legislator U. Prathibha during Kerala polls.

The Kayamkulam police on Thursday (March 26, 2026) registered a case against expelled Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader A. Irshad Chakkalassery for allegedly making sexist and misogynistic remarks against Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate U. Prathibha, MLA, at a public meeting.

Alex Varghese, District Collector, Alappuzha, who is also the District Election Officer, conducted a preliminary enquiry into a complaint lodged by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] mandalam committee. Mr. Varghese found prima facie violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which deems defamatory or objectionable remarks to be an infringement of election rules. 

The Media Certification and Monitoring Committee verified Mr. Irshad’s “defamatory and sexist” remarks and made a recommendation to Mr. Varghese via the district MCC monitoring panel. 

Mr. Varghese instructed the police to register a case and investigate the matter. Subsequently, the Kayamkulam police recorded Ms. Prathibha’s statement and charged Mr. Irshad with outraging the modesty of a woman and making baseless and misleading statements to unlawfully influence the outcome of poll results.

Officials said the police were poised to issue a notice to Mr. Irshad for questioning. 

The attack on Ms. Prathibha appeared to have put the UDF’s campaign in Kayamkulam on the defensive. Mr. Irshad’s public apology and protestations that his statement was “cherry-picked and broadcast out of context” notwithstanding, the IUML expelled him from the party’s primary membership.