Reacting to article “10 Most Beautiful Female IAS and IPS officers in India” written and published by a Hindi Daily, ASP Merin Joseph, who was featured one of the women in the list called out the media for objectifying women. These are ranked not according to their achievements or their professional success, but according to their looks.
Merin Joseph took to Facebook to express her anger on the article. Merin Joseph made history last year becoming the youngest IPS officer in the Kerala cadre at the age of 25 and now serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Police of Munnar, Kerala.
Earlier, IAS officer Smita Sabharwal was referred to as ‘eye candy’ in a popular magazine, and Zilla Panchayat officer, Rohini Sindhuri was called ‘fair and beautiful,’ by a Karnataka Minister, these comments stink of a narrow-minded view of women and their capabilities.
“Have you ever wondered why we never see a list of the most handsome males in the IAS and IPS?” she asked. Joseph’s post went viral on Facebook, as many agreed with Joseph’s point and shared her view.
This is not the first time Joseph has gone viral. In 2014, a Hindi Daily published an article called IPS trainee from Kerala goes viral on Facebook because of her ‘good looks’.
“Couldn’t agree more… Media should be more sensible and responsible. Their reliance on making Masala News for TRP must be vehemently condemned,” read a comment by Hargovind Singh. Some had criticized Joseph for reacting harshly to the article.