IAS officer Divya Iyer has recently faced criticism after publicly praising Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. In response to the backlash, CM Pinarayi has come to her defense, emphasizing her dedication and contributions to public service.
In Kerala, several Congress officials have attacked an IAS officer whose husband is a party member for praising the former private secretary of the chief minister who was appointed the district secretary of the ruling CPI(M) in Kannur.
CM Pinarayi Vijayan defended Divya S. Iyer, the managing director of the Vizhinjam International Seaport, when she was subjected to online abuse, criticizing the Congress’s “patriarchal mindset.”
The 2014-batch Kerala cadre IAS officer Divya Iyer, is married to Congress leader K S Sabarinadhan, a former MLA and son of late Congress veteran G Karthikeyan.
IAS Officer Divya Iyer Praises CPM Leader K K Ragesh, Faces Backlash as Pinarayi Vijayan Defends Her
“This KKR (K K Ragesh) shield is enviable even to Karna (of Mahabharat),” Iyer wrote on social media, alluding to the CPI(M) leader’s time serving as the Chief Minister’s private secretary. I could emulate a few of his virtues as someone who saw his final three years of official life. He is a model of devotion and a wellspring of diligence. We appreciate your unwavering regard for us, an art that is increasingly in risk of being lost in the corridors of power around the world.
As the post triggered online criticism, Vijayan on Wednesday said: “It (the trolling) should be seen as only the chanting of extremely immature minds. IAS officer Divya Iyer is working in the government sector. She had made a public reaction on what she had witnessed. They (Congress) see only the politics of her husband. Their thought, which is part of male dominance, is that she should not adopt a stand different from that of politics. She is being attacked over that thought.”
Through a video on Wednesday, Iyer also outlined her position: “There are many qualities in other people, and it is easy to find those qualities and share them with others.” I am currently being persecuted for sharing the virtues I discovered in some people with the world. I am occasionally compelled to consider how peculiar this universe is.
Although senior Congress legislator and Opposition Leader V D Satheesan refused to criticise her, former MP and senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan said: “There are a few civil service officers who are servile to Pinarayi Vijayan. She is one among them… This flattery will be injurious to her in future,” regarding IAS officer Divya Iyer.
Youth Congress state president and MLA Rahul Mamkootathil made a veiled attack on IAS officer Divya Iyer. “Whoever Karna was, he was on the side of Duryodhana against the side of Dharma until his death… So the question is, who is the greedy Duryodhana here,’’ said Rahul on Facebook.
In a Facebook post, Vijil Mohanan, the leader of the Youth Congress, also advised Iyer to keep in mind that the CPI(M) state headquarters does not pay her.
Conclusion:
The controversy surrounding IAS officer Divya Iyer’s praise for Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan has sparked significant public debate. While some criticize her actions, others, including CM Pinarayi, defend her, highlighting her commitment to public service. This incident underscores the complex dynamics between civil servants and political figures in India’s governance landscape.
