TN Politics / Tamil Nadu CM Vijay Warns Against Defamatory Remarks on Women; Says 'Obscenity Will Not Be Tolerated'

Chennai, Sep 7: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has warned against making defamatory or derogatory remarks against women, saying political criticism is acceptable but obscene or double-meaning comments targeting women would not be tolerated.

Speaking in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Vijay said women had played a key role in his political journey and urged people to exercise restraint while using their freedom of expression.

Vijay Calls For Responsible Political Speech
“Speech is a personal right for everyone. But how one uses freedom of expression, we have to think about it. My request is that, for political reasons, one should not degrade people, women and others,” Vijay said.

He said recent political discourse in Tamil Nadu had seen what he described as a “river of obscenity and river of malice”, referring to remarks about women that allegedly carried double or triple meanings.

“We have the same women as mothers and sisters at home. It would be better if you keep this in mind and speak properly. I request people not to make defamatory remarks against women,” he said.

Vijay also said the law would take its course against anyone making obscene or defamatory remarks about women.

Remarks Come Days After Trisha Row
Vijay’s comments came days after Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin faced controversy over an alleged double-meaning remark that was widely linked to actor Trisha.

Udhayanidhi allegedly made the remark during a Cauvery protest meeting in August. The DMK has denied that he named Trisha and claimed the remarks were edited and misrepresented.

Police took Udhayanidhi into custody in connection with the matter, but the Madras High Court ordered his release after questioning.

“There can be harsh political criticism, but there should not be any defamatory remarks against women,” Vijay said.

Vijay Refers To Jayalalithaa In Assembly
Vijay also referred to former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa while speaking about remarks made against women in political discourse.

“We are hearing that former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was humiliated in the same Assembly by the same Opposition. Recently, a few are speaking in double meaning. Double meaning, triple meaning is being watched by people,” he said.

Udhayanidhi Accuses Vijay Of Making Baseless Claims
Speaking to reporters after the Assembly proceedings, Udhayanidhi accused Vijay of making allegations against the DMK without providing evidence.

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“The Chief Minister has spoken in his reply. For the first 11 minutes, he spoke about the police department, and we listened quietly. After that, he levelled baseless allegations against us without any proof,” Udhayanidhi said.

He claimed the Opposition had sought an opportunity to respond but was not allowed to do so.

“We asked the Speaker to give us an opportunity. The Chief Minister made many false allegations, but we were not given an opportunity to respond to any of those allegations,” he said.

Udhayanidhi maintained that allegations needed to be supported by proof.

“Whatever the Chief Minister said are only allegations; there is no proof. He only made allegations; there is no proof. An allegation must be proven,” he said.