22-year-old Arya Rajendran made headlines last year when she became one of the youngest leaders to hold the position of the Thiruvanthapuram Mayor in the state. This week, she decided to take the bull by the horns when it came to recent criticism on her age and maturity.
Councilor Karamana Ajith made a Facebook post on June 11 calling her a ‘mayor child’. He wrote, “Things worth lakhs, which are bought using the tax money of people, are not meant to be destroyed by LKG children of AKG centre, sitting and playing in the Mayor’s chair. I humbly remind that the Corporation is not a children’s park and that it is a place where people’s money should be responsibly managed.”
Check out the post here:
70 ലക്ഷത്തിന്റെ ‘കുട്ടിക്കളി’.
തിരുവനന്തപുരം നഗരസഭയ്ക്ക് സ്വന്തമായി രണ്ട് ഹിറ്റാച്ചിയുണ്ട്.. ഏതാണ്ട് 70 ലക്ഷം രൂപ…
Posted by Vishnu K Kumar on Friday, 11 June 2021
During a meeting on Thursday, she hit back at him after he repeatedly made the remark, AsiaNet reports. Here’s what she said:
Ms. Arya Rajendran of Thiruvananthapuram (CPI(M) is the youngest Mayor in India. The BJP the main opposition in the Council has been running a personal vilification campaign against the young Mayor taunting her age and gender.Hear her response in the council the other day. pic.twitter.com/gxwHxcmPoi
— Thomas Isaac (@drthomasisaac) June 18, 2021
She responded to the detractors saying, “Let me tell you something. Since the past six months, there have been many criticisms that you raised. Not only you, anyone in this council can say anything here that is justifiable. Many times all of you have criticized me personally, and otherwise, on my age, maturity… But now, I am forced to tell you this. Today also, some members here passed such remarks. Let me tell you clearly if I have become a Mayor at this age, I know exactly how to work accordingly and I can tell you with pride that I grew up through such a system.”
Despite the heckling from opposition members, she continued to put forth her point, “If I show you the comments of your followers, including those of the younger generation, the slandering comments they post on Facebook and WhatsApp, you will remember that this Mayor is also like ‘sisters and mothers at home’.”
Here’s what Twitter had to say:
The 22 year old mayor of Trivandrum Ms. Arya Rajendran of the [CPI(M)] is accused of being two things – young and a woman. This is her taking on the older (and of course experienced) men of the BJP. https://t.co/kD2U5Yzel1
— Jonathan (@jonathankoshyv) June 19, 2021
Hopes of new India, with spine to speak against this Fascist regime ! Inspiring @AryaRajendranS1 👍🏻👏🏻 https://t.co/cmrAASKPE6
— மனோஜ் குமார் (@manojfawkes) June 19, 2021
How to tear down #Patriarchy 101. #aryarajendran is the hero we need at every table. Well done, #Trivandrum https://t.co/FoIeh4hszq
— TheBrook (@Southern_Brook) June 18, 2021
MORE POWER TO HER ❤️…
BRAVO GIRL 👍. KEEP IT UP.. GOOD LUCK TO HER. 😊🇮🇳#womenempowerment #AryaRajendran #Mayor https://t.co/xfip6kMjdC— Alka Lamba (@LambaAlka) June 18, 2021
Superb. Well done comrade Arya Rajendran.Nice to hear such strong voice at this age. Develop yourself well. Get groomed. Bright chance to get into the top level Kerala politics. ❤❤❤❤ https://t.co/7uz9J1jUco
— கலைஞரின் உடன்பிறப்பு🖤🖤❤❤ (@EVR_ANNAMKMKS) June 18, 2021
It pains me to know that my state does not quite have egalitarian values. When a young woman became the first woman commercial pilot of the state, we applauded her. It was refreshing. But why can't we treat a young mayor the same way? Why can't we treat all genders equally? https://t.co/64DnzHEHGB
— Sreejith Mullappilli (@Mullappilli) June 18, 2021
What do you think of the young mayor’s statement? Share your views with us in the comments section.
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