'Can't Be Mere Spectators': Madras HC Slams Ponmudi Over Obscene Remarks Insulting Hindu Sects
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
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Anbumani invites DMK to debate on caste survey
Chennai: PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss on Saturday invited chief minister M K Stalin , his cabinet colleagues, or anyone from DMK to a debate on caste survey. Anbumani continued his second-day campaign as part of his 100-day rally titled 'Urimai Meetka, Thalaimurai Kaaka' (to regain lost rights and to protect our generation) from Chengalpet constituency. After walking through the streets and distributing pamphlets to the public, he spoke at a public meeting where he criticised Stalin for not undertaking a caste survey in the state. "Collection of Statistics Act, 2008, empowers even a panchayat president to conduct a survey and collect data, but Stalin says he has no authority. Whom is he trying to fool? Our neighbour Telangana conducted a caste survey based on this act, and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi appreciated its CM Revanth Reddy," Anbumani said at the rally. He added, "In Karnataka, they conduct caste surveys twice a decade. Why are you afraid of conducting a caste survey? I invite you (Stalin), your colleagues, or anyone from DMK to debate with me on whether a state govt has power to conduct a caste survey." You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai When Anbumani commenced his rally from Tiruporur constituency on Friday, police denied permission for his march, saying party founder Ramadoss did not permit it. On Saturday, however, police reversed their stand. "The letter we sent yesterday (Friday) was an internal communication for our department and has nothing to do with denying permission for the rally. We have not stopped Anbumani's rally anywhere, and it will continue. We are just monitoring the law and order situation," said an officer at the DGP office, seeking anonymity.
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
PM Modi Inaugurates Projects Worth Rs 4,800 Crore In Tamil Nadu
Thoothukudi: Landing in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi on Saturday, returning from his overseas trip, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for projects worth Rs 4,800 crore - a high-profile visit seen as both development-focused and politically significant, just eight months ahead of the state's assembly polls. The projects include a new terminal at the Thoothukudi Airport with a capacity to handle two million passengers annually, along with key infrastructure works in highways, railways, and the VOC Port in Thoothukudi. In a region known for its historic maritime strength, PM Modi aimed to underscore how modern connectivity and energy infrastructure are at the heart of the Centre's vision for Tamil Nadu. "Infrastructure and energy have been our focus for Tamil Nadu over the past 11 years. Tamil Nadu's development is India's development," PM Modi said, asserting that the state has been a consistent priority for the Centre. PM Modi also sought to strike an emotional chord with Tamil voters by invoking revered regional icons and deities - Lord Murugan of Tiruchendur Temple, freedom fighter VO Chidambaram Pillai, who challenged British shipping dominance, poet Subramania Bharathi, and Veerapandia Kattabomman, the warrior who resisted colonial rule from this region. He recounted gifting pearls from Tuticorin to Bill Gates last year - a symbolic nod to the region's famed pearl heritage and export potential. Pitching India's growing global economic footprint, the Prime Minister highlighted the recently finalised Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom, claiming it would expand opportunities for Indian manufacturing and start-ups. "Now 91% of goods from India can be sold at lower prices in the UK," he said, adding that MSMEs, youth, and entrepreneurs will benefit significantly. "Make in India is not just a slogan - during Operation Sindoor (in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack), you saw the strength of India-made weapons that gave sleepless nights to enemies," he said. Tacitly addressing criticism from the ruling DMK and opposition parties over alleged financial bias against Tamil Nadu, PM Modi claimed the Centre had allocated Rs 3 lakh crore to the state over the past decade - three times the amount received under the UPA government. "It should be seen how much Tamil Nadu contributed then vs now, then it would expose how less Tamil Nadu gets now", DMK Spokesperson Dharaneetharan had said. PM Modi's remarks come amid sharp criticism from the DMK over the Centre allegedly withholding Rs 2,152 crore due to Tamil Nadu's refusal to implement the three-language policy - a move the state sees as Hindi imposition. The BJP has denied these allegations. Chief Minister MK Stalin, currently hospitalised, had sent a memorandum to PM Modi through Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, flagging several unfulfilled Central projects and demands for greater financial support, details of which have not been divulged yet. PM Modi's visit also includes participation in a major cultural and religious event on Sunday - the 1,000th anniversary of Chola Emperor Rajendra Chola I's maritime expedition at Gangaikonda Cholapuram in Ariyalur district. He will be joined by 25 Shaivite mutts in what is seen as a symbolic attempt to deepen the BJP's roots in Tamil Nadu's cultural matrix. Though mutts have limited political influence in Tamil Nadu compared to other southern states, BJP insiders say PM Modi is banking on a long-term revival of these institutions to create a cultural and religious connect - particularly with OBC and Brahmin communities historically patronised by the Chola rulers. The BJP, with negligible presence in the state, is trying to rebuild its base ahead of 2026. After breaking away from the BJP before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the AIADMK has now rekindled ties.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Plea in HC against Murugan statue
Chennai: Madras High Court has directed the state forest department to respond to a petition to halt construction of a 184-foot-tall Murugan statue at Marudhamalai, Coimbatore. A special division bench of Justices N Satish Kumar and D Bharatha Chakravarthy passed the order on a plea moved by animal welfare activist S Muralidharan. According to the petitioner, Marudhamalai, located within the Coimbatore forest region, lies along an important elephant corridor and is an ecologically sensitive area. "Elephants use this area as a passage to move between the Nilgiri forests and other forest zones. Constructing a 184-foot statue in this region would require the clearing of forest land, which could disrupt elephant movement and lead to an increase in human-animal conflict," he said. He claimed that no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted for the project and that necessary approvals were not obtained from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) or the forest department. Therefore, the petitioner wanted the court to direct the state govt to stay all the construction activities related to the statue. He further wanted the court to direct the authorities to close illegal resorts operating in Anaikatti, another known elephant corridor. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai
