Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran (File photo)
NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu’s ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on Saturday responded sharply to alleged objectionable comments made by state BJP president Nainar Nagendran about actor-politician Vijay and actor Trisha.DMK MP Kanimozhi NVN Somu condemned the remarks, calling it “uncivilised” to target the personal lives of those engaged in active politics. She also criticised women leaders in the Tamil Nadu BJP for not speaking out against Nagendran.
“Criticising the personal life of someone involved in politics in the public sphere is uncivilised. Moreover, speaking in a way that degrades the dignity and honour of a woman who has no connection to politics is an act that tarnishes womanhood. For Mr Nainar Nagendran, the female leaders in the BJP remaining silent without condemning this is an injustice,” Kanimozhi posted on X.Another DMK MP, Tamizhachi Thangapandian, also criticised Nagendran, saying it was “unbecoming” of the Tamil Nadu unit president of a party that leads the Union government to make disparaging remarks about a woman expressing political views while travelling in public. She added that civilised politics requires treating women with “dignity and respect.” “It is not seemly for the Tamil Nadu state president of the party ruling India to speak disparagingly about a woman travelling in public while expressing political opinions. Speaking of and treating women with dignity is what constitutes civilised politics,” Thangapandian wrote on X.The controversy erupted after Nagendran commented on Vijay’s recent rally in Salem. Referring to the actor’s lack of political experience, he suggested that Vijay should focus on his family and “come out of actor Trisha.”Vijay, who founded and heads the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), earlier addressed supporters in Salem ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections. He said that while his party may lack political experience, it does not have “experience in corruption.”“Other than scamming experience, what are the other qualities do the people who question my experience have? We don’t have experience, yes. We don’t have experience in looting,” he said, in an attack on the DMK.His remarks followed Tamil Nadu and DMK supremo chief minister MK Stalin announcing that Rs 5,000 had been credited to women beneficiaries under the Kalaignar Women’s Rights Scheme. Vijay criticised the financial assistance, describing it as a “lure” rather than a genuine welfare measure.(With ANI inputs)
