Speaking in the Assembly, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay made an appeal against defamatory remarks against women.
Underscoring that women have played a major role in his political victory in Tamil Nadu, the actor-turned-politician said, “Before concluding my speech, with regard to law and order, speech is a personal right for everyone. But how does one use freedom of expression? We have to think about it. My request is that, for political reasons, one should not degrade people, women and others. This is my common request.
“I say this because, in recent times in Tamil Nadu, there is a river of obscenity and a river of malice. People are watching whoever speaks about women in a defamatory way, in double and triple meaning. We have the same women as mothers and sisters at home. It would be better if you keep this in mind and speak properly. I request people not to make defamatory remarks against women.”
Asserting that the law would act against anyone who makes obscene or defamatory remarks against women, the first-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu added, “Personally, it is people who made me what I am, be it in my earlier position as a star or in my present position as Chief Minister, and our women at home have played a key role. The law will take its course on any obscenity against women.”
His remarks came days after Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was accused of making alleged double-meaning remarks about actor Trisha.
Udhayanidhi allegedly made the remarks during a Cauvery protest meeting in August, referring to a comment that the DMK claimed had been maliciously edited and misrepresented. He later said that he had never uttered the actor’s name.
He was subsequently taken into police custody, but the Madras High Court ordered his release after questioning.
Interacting with reporters after his release, Udhayanidhi claimed that the allegations were made by the Chief Minister and that there was no proof.