CPI(M) veteran leader M.M. Mani has once again landed in trouble for his controversial remarks during a public speech. Speaking at the CPM Area Committee meeting in Santanpara, Idukki, Mani urged party comrades to retaliate against physical assaults with similar actions, stressing that such measures are crucial for the party's survival.
“If they hit us, hit back, protest. If we don’t protest, then retaliate. Why do we protest? To rally people to our side. Retaliate... make people say what we did was right. If we don’t hit back when attacked, we’ll lose our strength through repeated assaults,” he said.
Mani also claimed that he and other leaders have been directly involved in physical assaults, adding, “The movement will not survive with just speeches.”
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This isn’t the first time Mani has stirred controversy with his statements. In 2012, he faced backlash for a speech in Thodupuzha where he openly boasted that the CPI(M) had eliminated 13 political rivals.
“When Vayalar Ravi was home minister, hundreds of cases were registered against us. We made a list of 13 people... 1, 2, 3, 4. First, we killed three from that list; one was shot dead, one stabbed, and one beaten to death,” Mani had said during the infamous address, later nicknamed the “1…2…3” speech.
The speech led to the Thodupuzha police registering a case against Mani for conspiracy and inciting riots. At that time, Mani, who served as the CPI(M)’s Idukki district secretary, was forced to step down from his position. However, in 2017, while serving as the state electricity minister, he was acquitted in the case related to the controversial speech.
In 2016, Mani found himself embroiled in yet another controversy after delivering a speech containing offensive remarks against a woman principal of a local polytechnic and threatening police officials. In the speech, he referred to the Idukki sub-inspector as a "bastard" and accused the principal of Pinavu Polytechnic of engaging in inappropriate activities behind closed doors. He remarked, “The principal has some 'other' disease; otherwise, why does she close the door?”
A year later, Mani sparked further outrage with derogatory comments about Pembilai Orumai, a women’s collective comprising socially and economically marginalized women. Referring to their protests, Mani insinuated misconduct, suggesting, “The work was happening in the nearby forests.”
