DMK minister Ponmudy sacked from party post for remarks on Shaivism-Vaishnavism

Senior DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Minister for Forests and Khadi K Ponmudy's purported remarks on Shaivism and Vaishnavism have drawn criticism, including from his party MP Kanimozhi, and have resulted in his removal from the party post of deputy general secretary.

"The recent speech of minister Ponmudy is not acceptable. For whatever reason he had spoken, such vulgar words are condemnable," said Kanimozhi in a post on X.

Removed from party post

Following the incident, Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered Ponmudy’s removal from the post of deputy general secretary of the DMK.

DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva has taken his place as a deputy general secretary.

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During an event held on April 6 in Villupuram district, Ponmudy made remarks regarding women that were perceived as derogatory towards Shaivism and Vaishnavism.

A video of the minister making the purported remarks has gone viral. There was no immediate response from Ponmudy.

Past controversies

This is not the first time that Ponmudy has been at the centre of controversies. In October 2022, he referred to the government’s flagship initiative of providing free bus rides for women in town buses as a “freebie”. This placed the DMK administration in a difficult position, and sparked significant debate.

Ponmudy had also earlier linked North Indians with selling pani puri.

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Taking a dig at those who insist that jobs will be available for those who learn Hindi, he had wondered who was selling pani puri in the city (Coimbatore), an obvious reference to the predominantly Hindi-speaking vendors involved in the trade.

BJP demands sacking from Cabinet

The BJP slammed Ponmudy and demanded his sacking from the MK Stalin-led state cabinet.

"Minister Ponmudy continuing in his post is shameful.... CM Stalin, will you order Ponmudy's arrest," Narayanan Thirupathy, vice-president of the BJP's TN unit said in a social media post.

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He has maligned the women of Tamil Nadu with his comments, the BJP leader alleged.

Thirupathy welcomed Kanimozhi criticising Ponmudy.

(With inputs from agencies)