DMK Expels Minister Ponmudi Over Offensive Comments on Hindu Deities
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Synopsis
Chennai, April 11 (NationPress) The DMK has removed Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy from his Deputy General Secretary position due to his vulgar remarks made at a party meeting, igniting outrage from various factions, including within the party itself.
Key Takeaways
- DMK expels K. Ponmudy for vulgar remarks.
- Comments deemed offensive to Hindu communities.
- Kanimozhi Karunanidhi condemns Ponmudy publicly.
- BJP demands Ponmudy’s removal from the cabinet.
- Pressure mounts for accountability from DMK.
Chennai, April 11 (NationPress) The DMK has expelled Tamil Nadu Forest Minister and prominent party figure K. Ponmudy from his role as Deputy General Secretary due to his offensive and vulgar statements made during a recent party meeting.
The comments, regarded as highly disrespectful towards the Shaivite and Vaishnavite communities, ignited significant backlash, including disapproval from within the party ranks.
DMK MP and party member Kanimozhi Karunanidhi openly denounced Ponmudy’s remarks, labeling them as “unacceptable.”
In a strongly articulated message on her X account, she expressed: “The recent speech of Minister Ponmudy is unacceptable. Regardless of the context, such vulgar dialogues are reprehensible.”
The remarks, allegedly made during a DMK workers’ meeting in Chennai last week, prompted criticism from political figures, civil society, and the general populace.
In a viral video, Ponmudy is seen employing a sexually explicit analogy involving a prostitute to mock religious customs.
Referring to sacred Hindu symbols, he crudely described the Shaivite horizontal tilak and the Vaishnavite vertical tilak in the most vulgar of terms, reducing spiritual symbols to lewd innuendos.
Singer and activist Chinmayi Sripada also condemned the minister, stating, “This is the Forest Minister Ponmudy from Tamil Nadu. He previously held positions such as Science and Technology and Education. He considers this as a ‘joke’ because there’s a demand for such speeches in public events. Unfortunately, the joke is on us.”
The BJP vehemently criticized the comments, calling for Ponmudy’s immediate dismissal from the state cabinet.
BJP Tamil Nadu Vice-President Narayanan Thirupathy stated in a social media post, “Minister Ponmudy remaining in his position is disgraceful. CM Stalin, will you demand Ponmudy’s arrest? He has tarnished the reputation of women in Tamil Nadu with his remarks.”
Thirupathy also appreciated Kanimozhi’s condemnation of Ponmudy.
This is not the first instance the minister has stirred controversy. In a prior incident, he made disparaging comments associating North Indian migrants with selling 'pani puri' in Coimbatore, insinuating that those advocating for Hindi education end up in low-paying jobs.
Faced with increasing pressure from the public and political adversaries, the DMK acted promptly to relieve Ponmudy of his senior party role. However, there has been no formal statement or apology from the minister at the time of this report.
