Chennai, Sep 7 (PTI) In a stern warning apparently aimed at the opposition DMK, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday said that personal attacks, double-meaning insults, or using derogatory language targeting women will draw immediate, uncompromising legal consequences.
Speaking in the state Assembly, the chief minister recalled the alleged humiliation late CM J Jayalalithaa faced and condemned the personal attacks amid controversies involving woman personalities.
In a stern tone, he made direct and indirect references to two prominent women figures to underscore his stance on public decorum and political ethics.
Firstly, he recalled one of the darkest moments in the history of the House, directly referencing to former the late Jayalalithaa, reminding members of the alleged abuse and physical humiliation she was subjected to inside the Assembly in 1989, when the DMK was in power.
Insisting that such disgraceful political precedents must never be repeated, he declared that toxic legislative behavior cannot be justified by citing past practice.
Secondly, addressing the recent political storm involving a top female actor, Vijay issued an indirect yet scathing rebuke regarding personal and vulgar attacks directed at women in public life.
In his fiery and unyielding address to the Assembly, Vijay placed the dignity and respect of women at the very forefront of his administration’s agenda.
“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. Recently, in Tamil Nadu, it seems as though a river of vulgarity and hatred is continuously flowing. Being abusive about women, making defamatory remarks, and using double-meaning words, is wrong,” Vijay said without directly naming anyone.
He stressed that while harsh political criticism is welcome in a democracy, personal attacks on women will never be tolerated. “I want to tell those who do this just one thing,” the chief minister said.
Vijay’s remarks have come weeks after Leader of the Opposition DMK Udhayanidhi Stalin was released on station bail after being arrested in connection with his “double-meaning” remarks seen as a reference to actor Trisha, while he was addressing partymen during a protest on Cauvery issue. PTI JSP JSP SA
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