The recent cover of the Malayalam magazine Grihalalakshmi which featured actress and model Gilu Joseph breastfeeding a child has stirred rampant controvesy. Advocate Vinod Mathew Wilson of Kerala has filed a complaint against the magazine pertaining to this stating that it was lascivious and degrades the dignity of womanhood.

However, the cover has also been praised for its bold feature and as an opportunity to de-sexualise breast feeding, with some saying that it is even ‘historic’ for the country. Gilu Joseph points out that it is a problem to interpret the picture sexually. She has also stated that she decided to do the campaign without worrying about what others may think because it is her body and only she can decide what she must do with it.

The text below the cover image translates to : Mothers tell Kerala – Please don’t stare we need to breastfeed. World reputed magazines like the TIME and Babytalk have also been atthe receiving end of this same issue. However, the majority of netizens have been showing their thumbs up for the magazine’s bold move.