DMK's A. Raja Expresses Regret Over Remarks Against Tamil Nadu Minister Nirmal Kumar

DMK deputy general secretary and Nilgiris MP A. Raja expressed regret on Sunday over remarks he had directed at Tamil Nadu Minister for Energy Resources and Law C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, following widespread criticism of his comments.

In a post on X, Mr. Raja said he was withdrawing his words, which he described as having been made in an emotional impulse. He said he had questioned the identity of a person who repeatedly mocked a leader born out of sacrifice, and added that he had no hesitation in taking back what he had said. He also warned that those who did not mend their ways would be made to do so.

The controversy followed remarks Mr. Raja is alleged to have made against Mr. Kumar during a protest in Chennai on Saturday against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. The protest condemned an alleged body-shaming gesture by the Chief Minister against DMK president and former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during a recent Assembly speech.

Mr. Raja's comments came after Mr. Kumar questioned the reason behind Mr. Stalin's arrest under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) when Emergency was proclaimed in 1976.

Responding to Mr. Raja, Mr. Kumar said that whenever questions are raised against the DMK over corruption, betrayal and lies, the party's weapon of choice is either violence or obscene speech. He added that the people would soon write the DMK's epilogue in Tamil Nadu politics.

CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam also condemned Mr. Raja, saying it was unbearable to see some DMK leaders repeatedly speak in a derogatory manner about women while party cadres cheered them on. He asked how the DMK president was watching as Mr. Kumar's mother was insulted.