Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Mar 17: A political controversy has erupted in poll-bound Tamil Nadu over respect for women after AIADMK MP C Ve Shanmugam made a misogynistic remark on Tuesday on popular actor Nayanthara while criticising the MK Stalin-led DMK government’s outreach campaign during a women safety rally, drawing sharp reactions from the ruling party.
Mr Shanmugam, a former minister, and AIADMK Rajya Sabha member, was criticising the Chief Minister’s “tell us your dream” initiative, under which volunteers will visit homes and collect public feedback and suggestions on governance. Taking a dig at the scheme, the AIADMK MP said, “I want Nayanthara, will you fulfil? Will he (M K Stalin) fulfil someone’s dream to marry Nayanthara?”
Shanmugam made the remarks in Villupuram district, his home turf, during state-wide protests organised by the AIADMK against what it calls a “collapse of governance”, rising crimes against women, and deteriorating law and order under the ruling DMK.
The DMK strongly condemned the statement, calling it inappropriate and offensive. Party spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai said, “It’s a disgusting statement made by Mr CV Shanmugam. He has to apologize for that. He has to make a public apology. The question is, the ADMK is waxing eloquence about the safety of women and how does these kind of statements augur well for the safety of women? And Mr CV Shanmugam is a repeat offender.”
“This is not the first time he has made such derogatory comments concerning women. And what does Mr Edappadi Palaniswami propose to do? Does he have the courage to question Mr CV Shanmugam? Can he ask that? If he is a true leader, if he really thinks that he’s working for the welfare of the women and safety of the women, then Mr Edappadi Palaniswami should sack Mr CV Shanmugam, should take action against Mr CV Shanmugam. Will he do that? That is the million-dollar question,” he added further.
He further added that such remarks were not new, noting past instances where similar comments had led to legal action, though one such case was later quashed by the high court. He said repeated behaviour of this kind was “a disgrace to politics” and criticised the AIADMK for allowing it to continue.
The South Indian Film Artistes Association (SIAA) has strongly condemned the “derogatory and shameful” remarks Mr Shanmugam and demanded an apology. “To Honorable Member of Parliament Mr C V Shanmugam, we have come across the extremely derogatory and shameful video of your recent speech. Since then, strong condemnations and expressions of anger from members of the film fraternity have been pouring in through mobile communications. During an election, political parties may express their views and ideologies as they wish; however, those in positions of responsibility, especially those elected by the people must exercise utmost care and dignity in their choice of words,” the South Indian Film Artistes Association said.
This is not the first time Shanmugam has courted controversy over remarks involving women. Last year, he triggered outrage after alleging that the Chief Minister might even “announce a free wife” as part of his poll promises. The statement was widely condemned as regressive.
The MP’s remarks drew sharp criticism from the ruling DMK. Party spokesperson Dr Syed Hafeezullah said, “Criticise our policies, but don’t vulgarise women. By insulting Nayanthara, he has insulted all women. This is unacceptable in a civilised society.” He also urged the AIADMK to take strict action against the MP.
The controversy comes at a politically sensitive time, with campaigning intensifying ahead of the state assembly elections. The war of words between parties has also sharpened around the issue of women’s safety.
State minister S Regupathy accused the AIADMK and BJP of creating a misleading narrative. He said, “I challenge AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami to present comparative statistics on murder rates during the AIADMK regime versus the current DMK government. The AIADMK and BJP are attempting to create a false perception that women are unsafe in Tamil Nadu.” He also highlighted measures taken by the current government to protect the confidentiality of women filing complaints.
On the other side, BJP leader Vanathi Srinivasan questioned the state government’s record, alleging rising crimes against women and accusing the administration of being insensitive. She said repeated incidents of harassment and assault were being reported and criticised the Chief Minister for not addressing the issue adequately.
AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami also targeted the DMK government, accusing it of failing to maintain law and order and raising concerns over issues such as alleged drug sales near schools and unresolved criminal cases. The AIADMK has not issued an official response so far. However, a party spokesperson distanced the organisation from the remarks, saying, “It’s not the spokesperson’s role to defend such statements.”
Unlike the previous elections, the 2026 elections in Tamil Nadu may witness triangular contest as against the decades-old bi-polar system of direct contest between the DMK and the AIADMK-led alliances. The entry into the scene of actor-turned-politician Vijay with his TVK has made the poll scenario more competitive, but the DMK-led alliance is still being considered to be ahead in the race, though only marginally.