{
  "id": 158433,
  "title": "Kerala Transport Minister CP John under fire over remarks on free bus rides for women",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/05/kerala-transport-minister-cp-john-under-fire-over-remarks-on-free-bus",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-05T03:27:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/kerala-transport-minister-cp-john-under-fire-over-remarks-on-free-bus-rides-for-women-101785871771082.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kerala's Transport Minister CP John faced criticism on Tuesday for remarks he made about women using free bus rides under the KSRTC's Priyadarshini scheme. Speaking at a state conference of the Kerala Bus Transport Association in Palakkad, the minister expressed astonishment at women's choices concerning public health, education, and transport. He questioned why women with no means to pay for bus tickets opt for free Priyadarshini bus rides while sending their children to private schools with exorbitant fees. The minister added that when women take their fathers or husbands to government hospitals, they refuse to visit private facilities due to the inability to afford the bills. When confronted about the remarks, John clarified he was referring to the \"state of poverty\" among women, stating the speech aimed to promote the Priyadarshini scheme and describe the distress faced by those who avail it. Opposition leaders, however, were unsatisfied. CPI(M) leader KN Balagopal accused John's remarks of reflecting a feudal mindset, while CPI leader Annie Raja demanded an apology, stating the remarks insulted women and undermined the UDF's electoral support.",
  "summary": "Kerala Transport Minister CP John drew flak on Tuesday for his remarks allegedly belittling women who avail free rides in KSRTC buses under the Priyadarshini scheme implemented by the UDF government in June",
  "key_points": [
    "Kerala Transport Minister CP John made remarks on free bus rides for women.",
    "John questioned women's choices regarding public health, education, and transport.",
    "Opposition leaders criticized John's remarks as reflecting a feudal mindset."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}