"Women are only for sleeping with husbands”: CPI(M) leader’s victory speech sparks outrage
Malappuram: A CPI(M) regional leader in Malappuram district has triggered a major controversy following a misogynistic remark made during his victory speech after winning a panchayat ward by a narrow margin.
Saed Ali Majeed, who won the Thennela Panchayat ward by 47 votes, is facing widespread criticism for comments suggesting that women are meant only to “sleep with their husbands” and should not be brought into public view for electoral purposes. The remarks were made while he was addressing supporters after the declaration of results.
According to reports, Majeed stated that women who come into families through marriage are not meant to be presented before strangers for the sake of securing votes, capturing wards, or defeating political opponents. He further implied that women should remain confined to domestic roles rather than participate in political discourse.
During the same speech, Majeed also took aim at the Women’s League, the women’s wing of the Indian Union Muslim League. Referring to a recent video released by the organisation’s president, he said that anyone entering politics must be prepared to face criticism, adding that those who lack such resilience should remain at home as housewives.
Majeed contested the election as an independent after reportedly resigning as CPI(M) local secretary. He secured 666 votes, defeating his IUML rival by a slim margin.
The remarks have drawn sharp reactions across political and social circles, with critics calling them deeply sexist and reflective of entrenched patriarchal attitudes. Demands have been raised for the CPI(M) leadership to take a clear stand on the issue.
As of now, there has been no official response from the CPI(M) district or state leadership regarding Majeed’s statements.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
