Kerala menstrual leave policy sparks political row as Bhagyalakshmi slams BJP councilor Sreelekha's comments

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The newly elected UDF government’s landmark proposal to grant menstrual leave to female students has sparked a fierce public debate across Kerala. While the policy stands out as one of the debut decisions of the incoming cabinet—marking the UDF's return to power after a decade—it has elicited polarised responses on and off social media. At the centre of the storm is a viral Facebook post by former Director General of Police (DGP) and current BJP councilor, R. Sreelekha, whose opposition to the move has triggered widespread backlash. In her post, Sreelekha argued that menstruation is a matter of "pride" for women and expressed concern that mandatory leave would compromise students' privacy. She contended that if a student skips classes monthly, her menstrual cycle would become public knowledge to classmates, faculty, and the local community, framing the potential lack of secrecy as an embarrassment for the girls. Sreelekha’s remarks quickly drew intense criticism from various quarters, including prominent figures in the cultural and entertainment sectors. Prominent dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi took a sharp jab at the retired IPS officer, stating it was ironic that an officer of her stature remained trapped in an outdated mindset "even in the year 2026." Netizens heavily backed Bhagyalakshmi's stance, with many pointing out the progressive shifts in contemporary society. Public commentary highlighted that menstruation has largely been deinstitutionalised as a taboo, noting that open conversations—including young men comfortably purchasing menstrual products—are now normal. Critics urged the former police chief to modernise her perspective, emphasising that the era of hiding basic biological functions out of shame is long gone. Many also expressed profound surprise that a woman who once broke barriers to hold the highest echelons of power in the state police force could harbour such regressive views. The unfolding debate underscores a widening generational and ideological divide in the state regarding women's health policies and bodily autonomy.