logo
'Can't Be Mere Spectators': Madras HC Slams Ponmudi Over Obscene Remarks Insulting Hindu Sects

'Can't Be Mere Spectators': Madras HC Slams Ponmudi Over Obscene Remarks Insulting Hindu Sects

News1808-07-2025
Hearing the matter, Justice P Velmurugan slammed the DMK minister and said, "Nowadays these politicians feel that sky is the limit under Article 19."
The Madras High Court on Tuesday took up the suo motu case initiated over controversial remarks made by Tamil Nadu DMK Minister K Ponmudi on the tilaks of the Hindu sects, Saivites and Vaishnavites.
Hearing the matter, Justice P Velmurugan slammed the DMK minister and said, 'Nowadays these politicians feel that sky is the limit under Article 19. We can't be mere spectators. We live in a democracy with many communities."
'When they're coming to public, they must realise that they're living in a country which is meant for every person. It's not meant for any particular person. Not for the politician alone. Everyone must realise that they're living among the people," he added.
Earlier in April, Justice Venkatesh took serious note of the issue after an extract of the video containing Ponmudy's remarks was played in open court by a lawyer, during the hearing of a 2023 suo motu revision petition taken up by the court against the minister's acquittal in a case of disproportionate assets. This case was also initiated by justice Venkatesh.
Ponmudi, Tamil Nadu Forest Minister and senior DMK leader, landed into a major controversy for his speech at a public event, in which he made remarks linking Hindu religious identities with sexual positions.
In a viral video from the event, Ponmudi was heard saying, 'Women, please don't misunderstand," before narrating a joke where a man visits a sex worker, who then asks the man whether he is a Shaivite or Vaishnavite.
DMK MP Kanimozhi condemned the statement by Ponmudi. In a post on X, she wrote, 'Minister Ponmudi's recent speech is unacceptable. Regardless of the reason for the speech, such vulgar remarks are condemnable."
Following the controversy, the DMK removed Ponmudi from the post of deputy general secretary of the party.
First Published:
July 08, 2025, 12:33 IST
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

India and UK sign free trade agreement, PM Modi says farmers, MSMEs will benefit
India and UK sign free trade agreement, PM Modi says farmers, MSMEs will benefit

Scroll.in

timean hour ago

  • Scroll.in

India and UK sign free trade agreement, PM Modi says farmers, MSMEs will benefit

India and the United Kingdom on Thursday signed a Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement. The free trade agreement was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonanthan Reynolds during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United Kingdom. 'Today marks a historic day in our bilateral relations,' Modi said in a press statement beside UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer after the signing. He said that the agreement aimed to benefit Indian farmers, the micro, small and medium enterprises sector, footwear and jewellery exports, as well as the seafood and engineering goods sectors. Modi also said that British medical devices and aerospace parts would be more easily sold in India. Starmer, on his part, said that the trade deal would help British workers in cutting-edge manufacturing, and would also benefit whiskey distillers across Scotland and the service sector in London, Manchester and Leeds. The UK prime minister said that the agreement was 'the biggest and most economically significant' trade deal the United Kingdom has made since Brexit – when Britain exited the European Union in 2016. The UK government said that the trade deal was set to increase bilateral trade between the two countries by nearly 39% in the long run, The Indian Express reported. This would be equivalent to $34 billion a year compared with the projected 2040 levels of trade in the absence of an agreement, currently at $21 billion annually. In his statement, Modi also thanked Starmer for his support after the Pahalgam terror attack. 'We are united in the belief that there is no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism,' the Indian prime minister said. The terror attack at Baisaran near Pahalgam town in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 left 26 persons dead and 16 injured. The terrorists targeted tourists after asking their names to ascertain their religion, the police said. All but three of those killed were Hindu. 'We also agree that the forces which espouse extremist ideologies should not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms,' Modi added. 'Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account.' The Indian prime minister also said that 'today's era demands development, not expansionism'. New Delhi and Britain had announced the free trade agreement in May after more than three years and 14 rounds of negotiations. With the agreement, India opens its doors to high-end British cars and whisky in a phased manner. The agreement ensures comprehensive market access for goods across all sectors, covering all of India's export interests, The Indian Express reported. India's Commerce and Industry Ministry had earlier said that the country would benefit from tariff elimination on approximately 99% of tariff lines, covering nearly 100% of trade value.

Right-wing activists thrash NGO members over suspicion of religious conversion
Right-wing activists thrash NGO members over suspicion of religious conversion

News18

timean hour ago

  • News18

Right-wing activists thrash NGO members over suspicion of religious conversion

Agency: Indore, Jul 24 (PTI) Right-wing activists on Thursday allegedly bashed up members of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Indore over suspicion of religious conversions, showed a video that surfaced in the public domain. The NGO has denied the charge, stressing that it works across various sectors for rural uplift. No police complaint concerning the alleged assault has been received yet, an official said. The alleged incident took place outside the Indore Press Club premises, where Howl Group founder Sourav Banerjee and other members of the NGO had arrived to address a press conference on the allegations. Two women associated with the NGO were also present. A group of individuals disrupted the press conference, creating a commotion. When he and others stepped out of the venue, they were assaulted by right-wing workers, who accused the NGO of indulging in religious conversion, showed a video. 'We have been working in Shukrawasa village of Dewas district for the past five years in areas such as education, healthcare, employment and legal aid. The suspicion around (religious) conversion is completely baseless," Banerjee told reporters. Banerjee said the right-wing activists assaulted the NGO members without any evidence. 'Let them bring even a single person whom our NGO has converted," he challenged. He alleged that some 'corrupt and anti-social elements" in Shukrawasa were spreading rumours against the organisation and obstructing their work for personal gain. Meanwhile, local Bajrang Dal leader Avinash Kaushal, who was present at the site, alleged that the NGO was converting innocent Hindu villagers to Christians and had 'brainwashed" some youths into distancing themselves from their families. Ravindra Parashar, in charge of the Central Kotwali police station, said no formal complaint has been received from any party regarding the incident outside the Press Club premises. PTI HWP LAL NR view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 19:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Bihar Election 2025, a battle of fish fry, mutton rogan josh and biryani?
Bihar Election 2025, a battle of fish fry, mutton rogan josh and biryani?

Mint

timean hour ago

  • Mint

Bihar Election 2025, a battle of fish fry, mutton rogan josh and biryani?

Bihar Election 2025: These days, 'Fish fry', 'mutton rogan josh', and 'biryani' are more talked about in Bihar than the state's own speciality 'litti chokha', for all political reasons. The controversy over "mutton rogan josh" being served at a meeting of NDA leaders in Bihar, Patna, is the latest showdown in which culinary preferences have triggered political debates. For RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, "mutton rogan josh" is not just a non-veg delicacy but a jibe and revenge against those who accused him of being "seasonal sanatani" for eating fish fry, apparently during Navratri. New entrant Prashant Kishor's biryani also makes a mention on the menu of controversies. Here's how food choices are giving Bihar politicians a taste of politics. Last year, just ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Tejashwi Yadav was embroiled in controversy over a video showing him grabbing a bite of fish fry in between election campaigns. "Kuch logon ko bahut mirchi lagega," Tejashwi's ally Mukesh Sahani said as he enjoyed the meal alongside the former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar. While many, including several BJP leaders, slammed Tejashwi for eating a non-vegetarian meal during Navratri, the RJD leader claimed that the footage was shot before Navratri festival -- when the Hindu community observe austerities. Top BJP leaders Rajnath Singh and Giriraj Singh had accused Tejashwi of "appeasement politics." Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also said the INDIA bloc leaders were inspired by a 'Mughal' mindset and they enjoy hurting the sentiments of the people. But Tejashwi claimed that he deliberately posted the video late to check the 'IQ' of BJP leaders, who have 'no knowledge and never talked about real issues..." He launched another video of himself enjoying oranges in a helicopter. He took the potshots at the BJP and questioned if anyone would be offended by the color orange. The latest dish on Bihar's political controversy menu is Mutton Rogan Josh. Tejashwi Yadav, who has repeatedly drawn flak from the ruling NDA for consuming non-vegetarian food during Navratra and Saawan, hit back at NDA leaders for savouring mutton in the holy month of Saawan -- that too on a Monday. Saawan Mondays, also known as Saawan Somwars, are the Mondays that fall during the Hindu month of Saawan (also known as Shravan). This month is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and observing fasts and performing puja on these Mondays is considered highly auspicious. Yadav posted an undated video on X, showing a container with a label "mutton rogan josh" written on it. The Times of India reported that the video was shot in the central hall of the Bihar Assembly on Monday. Yadav wrote, "With the boundless blessings and grace of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, BJP ministers and MLAs are relishing mutton 🥩 on the Mondays of Saawan." "We have no objection to anyone's food choice, but the PM should not be 'selective' in his attacks. While he finds it pleasing that his party leaders eat mutton during Shravan, he doesn't hesitate to attack opposition leaders even though they avoid non-vegetarian foods," Tejashwi posted on social media. "Maybe the caterer also arranged for the mutton dish along with vegetarian food, but did Tejashwi only watch who ate the mutton?" state BJP spokesperson Manoj Sharma was quoted by TOI as saying on Tuesday. Last week, Union minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lalan Singh triggered a similar controversy when he hosted a mutton party for his supporters in Lakhisarai In a video that went viral, Lalan — a former national president of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) - is heard saying that he arranged both "vegetarian and non-vegetarian" foods. Speaking to PTI Video, Tejashwi took a dig at Singh, saying, 'We have been called anti-Sanatan by them. I hope Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Motihari tomorrow, will be full of appreciation for Lalan.' Recently, reports claimed that Jan Suraaj leader Prashant Kishor's rally in Kishanganj, Bihar, saw a sudden rush of people after news spread that biryani was being brought for those who attended the gathering. Zee News reported on the incident, claiming that as Kishor spoke at the rally, the audience was sparse, but once the food distribution began, the crowd swelled, leading to chaos and a "mad scramble" for the biryani. A viral video, that captured the chaos, reportedly showed how some people stood on the wall to get biryani. Many people were seen jumping over the wall and bringing biryani from the other side, NDTV reported. Mint could not verify the authenticity of the video. We have been called anti-Sanatan by them. I hope Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Motihari tomorrow, will be full of appreciation for Lalan. Local organisers reportedly claimed that provisions were made for around 5,000 people, but the situation, eventually, spiralled out of control. The incident left many wondering if Jan Suraaj's message of change can resonate with voters beyond the lure of free food, the report added.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store