Stalin sacks Ponmudy as DMK deputy chief over controversial remarks on women

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday removed Minister K Ponmudy from his position as DMK deputy general secretary. The action followed allegations that Ponmudy made an offensive remark involving women Shaivites and Vaishnavites. DMK MP K Kanimozhi had earlier condemned his comments on the same day.

Though Stalin announced the decision in a formal statement, he did not specify any reason for Ponmudy's removal. The move came shortly after the minister’s controversial remarks sparked outrage, with the BJP demanding that he be dismissed from the cabinet.

A video of Ponmudy making the alleged remarks in the context of a sex worker has gone viral. As of now, Ponmudy, who serves as the state’s forest minister, has not issued a response.

"For whatever reason he had spoken, such vulgar words are condemnable," she said in a post on 'X.'

BJP’s Narayanan Thirupathy welcomed Kanimozhi’s criticism of Ponmudy.

Ponmudy had previously stirred controversy by linking North Indians to the sale of pani puri. While criticizing the push for learning Hindi by claiming it would improve job prospects, he remarked on who was currently selling pani puri in Coimbatore—an apparent jab at mostly Hindi-speaking vendors.

"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.

The BJP leader further accused Ponmudy of insulting the women of Tamil Nadu with his statements.

Hitting out at her party colleague, Kanimozhi said, "The recent speech of minister Ponmudy is not acceptable."