A controversial incident involving Cherian Philip, a senior leader of the Indian National Congress, has emerged after he attempted to hug Bindu Krishna, the newly elected MLA for Kollam, during a legislative party meeting at the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram. The video of the encounter shows Krishna, dressed in a white and yellow saree, initially extending her hand for a handshake. However, Philip moved in to hug her, prompting her to visibly resist and push him away. The situation escalated as he reportedly attempted to approach her again after she stepped back. The footage quickly gained traction on social media, leading to a backlash against both Philip and the Congress party, with many users condemning the behavior as disrespectful and a violation of personal boundaries. Critics have called for disciplinary and police action against Philip, stressing that public life does not excuse unwanted physical contact. As of now, neither Philip nor Krishna has commented on the incident.