Who Is Sarada Muraleedharan? Kerala Top Official’s Remark on Skin Colour Goes Viral

Kerala Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan has spoken out against being labeled "black," questioning why the colour is often vilified despite being the "all-pervasive truth of the universe."

Her Facebook post ignited widespread debate on social media, drawing attention to issues of gender and racial bias. Many supported her stance, sharing their own experiences and reflections on societal perceptions of skin colour.

Sarada Muraleedharan's Journey

A 1990-batch IAS officer, Muraleedharan assumed the role of Kerala's Chief Secretary in September 2024, succeeding her husband, Dr. V Venu.

Her career began with a six-year tenure (2006-2012) as the head of Kudumbashree, a Kerala government initiative focused on women's empowerment and poverty reduction. She later served as the Chief Operating Officer of the National Rural Livelihoods Mission under the Ministry of Rural Development until December 2013.

Between 2014 and 2016, she worked as the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, playing a key role in conceptualizing the Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP), which emphasized citizen participation through Gram Sabhas.

Muraleedharan has also held prominent positions such as District Collector of Thiruvananthapuram, Commissioner for Scheduled Caste Development, Director of Collegiate Education, and Secretary to the Government of Kerala in Cultural Affairs and Social Welfare. Additionally, she served as the Director General of the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) for over two and a half years.

The Controversy Over 'Black'

In her Facebook post, Muraleedharan revealed that after she took over as Chief Secretary, a comparison was made between her and her husband's tenure, with someone remarking, "It is as black as my husband's was white."

Deeply affected by the comment, she initially shared a post addressing the issue but later deleted it due to the overwhelming responses. However, after encouragement from well-wishers, she reposted it, sparking widespread discussion. The post garnered thousands of reactions, comments, and shares.

Without naming the person behind the remark, Muraleedharan stated that she wanted to call out this particular instance of bias. Since taking office, she has faced constant comparisons with her husband, but this particular comment struck a nerve due to its underlying implications about both her skin colour and gender.

A Personal Reflection

Muraleedharan spoke about her lifelong struggle with self-perception due to societal biases against darker skin tones. She recalled how, as a child, she once asked her mother if she could be reborn with fairer skin.

"For 50 years, I have lived under the narrative that my colour was not good enough," she wrote. "I, too, bought into this belief, failing to see the beauty in black and instead being fascinated by fairness."

However, she credited her children for changing her perspective. "They glorified their black heritage. They found beauty where I noticed none. They believed black was awesome. They helped me see. That black is beautiful. That black is gorgeousness. That I dig black," she wrote.

Support and Reactions

Her post resonated with many, including Kerala's Leader of Opposition, VD Satheesan, who shared it and commented, "Salute, dear Sarada Muraleedharan. Every word you wrote is touching. It deserves to be discussed. I, too, had a dark-skinned mother."

Muraleedharan's statement has reignited conversations about deep-seated colour biases and societal perceptions, encouraging many to reflect on their own experiences with prejudice and self-acceptance.