The recent comments made by leaders of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its allies, denigrating women in an obscene and vulgar manner, have sparked outrage and drawn strong reactions, potentially denting the parties’ prospects in the upcoming polls.
The DMK has faced significant backlash for stooping to new lows in demeaning women, particularly those who are beneficiaries of DMK welfare schemes. The comments, characterized by sexist slurs and derogatory remarks, have been met with stiff resistance from women across the state, who feel insulted and marginalized by such rhetoric.
One of the key reasons behind the opposition faced by DMK candidates in various constituencies is their history of making derogatory comments about women and their failure to address crucial issues, such as proper drinking water facilities, which are essential for the well-being of communities.
One of the prominent instances of such denigrating remarks occurred a couple of years ago when the Higher Education Minister, K Ponmudi, whose sentence in a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case has been suspended by the Supreme Court, made derogatory comments towards women during a public event. When women raised concerns about the lack of proper drinking water facilities in their village, Ponmudi dismissively interrupted them, suggesting that their grievances were inconsequential since they had not overwhelmingly supported him in elections.
Another incident took place in 2022, where DMK Minister K Ponmudy made disparaging remarks about women while discussing the “free bus scheme for women” introduced by the Stalin government. In a sarcastic tone, Ponmudy reminded women about the financial benefits they received, implying that they should be grateful for the government’s assistance. His comments belittled the women’s autonomy and self-respect, prompting many to reject the “free ride” and purchase tickets instead.
These instances highlight a broader pattern of sexist behaviour and derogatory language employed by DMK leaders, undermining the party’s credibility and alienating female voters. Women have expressed outrage at being objectified and demeaned by politicians, leading to a backlash against the DMK’s electoral campaign.
The derogatory remarks made by DMK leaders have not only offended women but have also fueled discontent among voters, who expect their representatives to demonstrate respect and dignity towards all citizens. The incidents have tarnished the party’s image and raised questions about its commitment to gender equality and empowerment.
இதுதான் “தமிழ் மாடல்”!
சுயமரியாதை சுயமரியாதை என்று நொடிக்கு நூறு முறை கீச்சலிடும் “திராவிட மாடல்” அரசுக்கு சுயமரியாதை என்றால் என்ன என்று பாடம் புகட்டும் மூதாட்டி.
A grandmother lands a tight slap to the entitled likes of Shri.Ponmudi, Min in the current @arivalayam govt! pic.twitter.com/rREKnU4dtp
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) September 29, 2022
Derogatory remarks made by Kathir Anand, the sitting DMK MP from Vellore constituency, and Durai Murugan, Minister of Water Resources, have sparked controversy and widespread criticism in Tamil Nadu.
In a recent rally held in Vellore, Kathir Anand made disparaging comments about women, stating that their radiant appearance and good dress were solely due to the financial assistance of Rs1,000 from the DMK government’s Women’s Basic Income scheme. His remarks implied that women used the money to purchase fairness cream and powder, which was seen as insulting to their dignity. Furthermore, he questioned whether they had already received the promised Rs1,000, suggesting scepticism about the state’s financial assistance scheme for homemakers. Kathir Anand’s comments have faced backlash from women across the state, many of whom expressed feeling insulted by his derogatory remarks, especially considering that some hadn’t even received the promised money.
கதிர் ஆனந்த் வெற்றி உறுதி செய்யப்பட்டது. 👌🏼 pic.twitter.com/74k7wKGwoI
— Savukku Shankar (@SavukkuOfficial) March 29, 2024
Duraimurugan, who allegedly tried to de robe former CM Jayalalithaa in the state assembly in 1998, is known for his sarcastic and sexist comments on fair sex and opposition leaders.
அரசு கொடுக்கும் ஆயிரம் ரூபாய் பணத்தை கல்லூரி மாணவிகள் எவ்வாறு செலவு செய்ய வேண்டும் என்பதை அமைச்சர் துரைமுருகன் அவர்கள் கூறுகிறார் கேளுங்கள்..@katpadidmk @annamalai_k pic.twitter.com/VMPyPHcami
— S.R.SEKHAR 🇮🇳 (@SRSekharBJP) April 28, 2023
Furthermore, Duraimurugan’s remarks about the government’s welfare schemes for students have been met with criticism for trivialising the importance of education and family planning. His suggestion that providing dinner to students would encourage parents to have more children has been widely denounced as insensitive and irresponsible.
In addition to his verbal remarks, the DMK government’s advertisement as part of the poll campaign has also stirred controversy. The advertisement suggests that women should undertake commercial sex work to repay loans taken by their families, insinuating that without government assistance, women would resort to prostitution. The advertisement portrays a disturbing scenario in which a man pressures his wife to engage in sex work to settle a debt, highlighting the desperate measures individuals may consider in the absence of financial support.
DMK is filled with Sick Perverted psychos….. pic.twitter.com/8PqxNhMhn3
— Vishwatma 🇮🇳 ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) April 5, 2024
These comments and advertisements have prompted widespread outrage and condemnation, with many questioning DMK Government’s ethics and commitment to women’s rights. Critics argue that such remarks perpetuate harmful stereotypes and undermine efforts to promote gender equality and empowerment.
In the advertisement, a man confronts another about repaying a loan, implying that his wife could engage in sex work to settle the debt. The lender’s inappropriate suggestion and lecherous gaze towards the woman perpetuate harmful stereotypes and objectify women, trivialising their dignity and worth.
The advertisement has drawn widespread criticism from various quarters, with many denouncing it as offensive and demeaning. Critics argue that such depictions not only reinforce harmful gender norms but also trivialise the serious issue of financial debt, portraying women as mere objects to be exploited for financial gain.
The poor man in the advertisement thanks his wife for saving their dignity by investing the Rs1000 monthly grant from the government in a chit fund with a neighbour, which helped them avoid resorting to desperate measures like prostitution to repay the loan with interest. The advertisement highlights the plight of women who have been left out of the government’s financial assistance programme, leading to frustration and anger among those who did not receive the promised aid.
TN BJP chief Annamalai has condemned the DMK party, accusing it of founding its principles on a “language of filth.” He criticised the DMK’s history of abusive language towards women and intolerance towards newcomers, stating that no other party in the state has exhibited such behaviour over the last 70 years. Annamalai’s remarks underscore the BJP’s stance against the DMK and its commitment to upholding respect for women and decency in politics.
The controversial advertisement and subsequent criticism highlight the importance of promoting gender equality and respect for women’s rights in society and politics. Political leaders must be held accountable for their words and actions, and steps should be taken to ensure that such offensive depictions and suggestions are not tolerated or normalised.
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