The Chief Secretary of Kerala, Sarada Muralidharan, recently shared her thoughts about her deep complexion and dark skin, which are worth listening to and reflecting upon. Her words not only challenge our beauty standards but also compel us to think about why we have stigmatised ‘black colour’ so much.

Sarada said, "Why is black considered bad? Black is the true colour of the universe. Black is the colour that can absorb everything. It is the most powerful source of energy. It is the colour that suits everyone—whether it’s formal office attire, a dazzling evening gown, eyeliner, or the colour of rain clouds."

Read in Hindi: 'हम काले हैं तो क्या हुआ...! दिलवाले हैं…!!'

The problem of colour discrimination in Indian society is not new. For centuries, fair skin has been considered ‘beautiful’, while dark skin has been deemed ‘inferior’. Where did this mindset come from? There are several reasons—ancient beliefs, the influence of foreign invaders, and the cunning strategies of modern advertisements.

In ancient times, fair skin was seen as a symbol of the ‘upper class’ in India. Then, British rule further reinforced this notion. They portrayed fair-skinned people as ‘superior’ and dark-skinned people as ‘inferior’. This mentality became so deeply ingrained that even today, fair skin is considered a ‘guarantee of success’ in our society.

According to Prof Paras Nath Chaudhary, "TV and magazine advertisements for 'fairness creams' have further solidified this mindset. These ads link fair skin to 'happiness, prosperity, and love,' while portraying dark skin as 'inferior' and 'ugly.' This is a calculated conspiracy that implants the idea in people’s minds that 'being fair is essential."

Even today, most girls in India are advised to ‘become fair’ for marriage. Parents teach their daughters from childhood that ‘a fair complexion will lead to a good match’. This mindset is not only wrong but also shatters the confidence of thousands of girls, said social activist Padmini Iyer.

Sarada Muralidharan’s words are truly worth pondering. Black is the truth of the universe. Black symbolises power. It is the colour that absorbs all other colours. Black is mysterious: it is the colour of infinite space, hiding countless secrets. Black is beautiful: from the kohl in our eyes to the darkness of the night, this colour has always been captivating. Yet, society has labeled this color as ‘evil’ and ‘inauspicious’. Is this really fair?

Change is possible, but it requires us to change our mindset. People need to understand that skin color does not determine someone’s capability or beauty. Films and advertisements must stop promoting fair skin. The importance of ‘color’ in marriage must end, said teacher Meera Gupta.

Social activist Mukta Benjamin says, "Sarada Muralidharan’s words are not just the voice of one person but represent thousands of people who suffer from inferiority complexes due to color discrimination. If we truly want to build a better society, we must change our thinking."

Youth activist Mahi Heather believes, "Black is not bad; it is the truth of the universe. Accept it, love it. Until we remove the walls of color discrimination from our eyes, we will never see true beauty."

Social activist Mukta Benjamin says, "Sarada Muralidharan’s words are not just the voice of one person but represent thousands of people who suffer from inferiority complexes due to color discrimination. If we truly want to build a better society, we must change our thinking."