TN CM Vijay warns against derogatory remarks on women, vows strict action

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday issued a strong warning against personal attacks and derogatory remarks targeting women, stating that such conduct would invite immediate and uncompromising legal action.

Concluding the Assembly debate on the Home department's demands for grants, Vijay condemned what he described as a continuous flow of vulgarity and hatred in public discourse. Without naming anyone, he specifically called out double-meaning comments and defamatory language directed at women.

The Chief Minister's remarks come weeks after DMK Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was released on station bail following his arrest over remarks widely seen as a reference to actor Trisha. Vijay also invoked the alleged humiliation of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in the Assembly in 1989, calling it one of the darkest episodes in the legislature's history.

"Under the guise of politics, to those who personally disrespect our people, women or anyone else and speak in a very low and degrading manner, my request is please don't do that," Vijay said. He stressed that while sharp political criticism is acceptable in a democracy, it should not cross into personal attacks on women.

Vijay credited women for his political success and reiterated his intolerance for abusive language against them. He also objected to comments involving physical threats and references to 'breaking bones', and criticised remarks showing disregard for the people's democratic mandate.

In a reference to the opposition, Vijay cited Tamil poet Kannadasan's description of the DMK's behaviour as involving lies and money. He asserted that voters ultimately judge political parties through elections.

Addressing law and order, Vijay said a state's progress should be measured by citizens' safety and freedom, not just infrastructure. He described the police as a key pillar of economic development and promised policing free from political interference.

Reiterating a zero-tolerance approach to crime, Vijay noted that 36 people had been arrested in connection with the recent murder of a student in Coimbatore. He pointed to social factors like family support, peer influence, and substance abuse as contributors to youth crime, adding that the government would act as a responsible guardian for young people.