Kerala Minister Apologises for Remark on Women Availing Free Bus Scheme

Kerala's Transport Minister C.P. John on Wednesday apologised for a controversial remark that appeared to suggest women were faking poverty to avail themselves of free travel on Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) ordinary buses. The apology came after two days of intense criticism from opposition parties and sections of the public.

The remark was made on Monday at the State conference of the Kerala Bus Transport Association (KBTA), a private bus owners' body that has opposed the Priyadarshini Free Travel (Women Empowerment) Scheme. The scheme, a flagship initiative of the United Democratic Front (UDF) government, allows women to travel free on KSRTC ordinary class buses.

Opposition parties, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Bharatiya Janata Party, accused the minister of insulting women by implying they were taking undue advantage of the welfare measure. They also alleged that the UDF government was pandering to private bus owners, who claim the scheme has led to a significant drop in ticket revenues.

The controversy was amplified by the fact that the scheme was a key promise in the UDF's manifesto for the 2026 Assembly elections, announced by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, during the campaign. Several Congress leaders reportedly felt that Mr John should have been more careful in his choice of words, given the political importance of the scheme.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Mr John said he “should have been more cautious” at the meeting. “I was casual. It was a small conference, and there were no mainstream mediapersons present. I should not have said what I said, and if anyone felt distressed, I apologise to them publicly. I have no false ego,” he added.

Mr John clarified that his intention was to highlight the persistence of poverty in Kerala, contrary to claims by the previous Left Democratic Front government that extreme deprivation had been eradicated. On Tuesday, he had explained that he wanted to draw attention to the hardships faced by homemakers who choose to travel free on KSRTC buses to save money for their children's education, including those studying in private schools.

The minister also affirmed that the UDF would not withdraw the scheme, and that the government would “surprise naysayers” who doubted its viability. He denied that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan had pressured him to issue the apology.

The Priyadarshini scheme has been a major political battleground in Kerala, with private bus operators opposing it on financial grounds and the government defending it as a measure for women's empowerment. The controversy has brought the scheme back into the spotlight, with political observers noting that the government's handling of the fallout could have implications for its credibility on welfare issues.

As the matter continues to generate debate, the minister's public apology is seen as an attempt to contain the political damage and reassure the public that the government remains committed to supporting women's mobility and empowerment.