Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Dayanidhi Maran sparked a political row after remarks made at a public event in Tamil Nadu.
Speaking about welfare schemes of the DMK government, Maran highlighted the state’s laptop distribution programme. He said the initiative had helped beneficiaries study and prepare for job interviews.
“The laptops our government had distributed are used by the beneficiaries to study and give interviews. This is what we are proud of. This is the reason we in Tamil Nadu ask you to study,” Maran said.
He then drew a contrast between Tamil Nadu and northern states while speaking about women’s roles and opportunities.
“In northern India, women are told not to do jobs and are asked to stay inside the house, work in the kitchen and give birth to children. But Tamil Nadu is a Dravidian state, where importance is given to your upliftment,” he said.
The remarks quickly triggered criticism, particularly from the BJP.
BJP reaction and DMK response
BJP leader Narayanan Thirupathy condemned Maran’s comments, calling them offensive and insensitive.
Thirupathy, while speaking to news agency ANI, questioned Maran’s judgement. He further sought an apology.
“I don’t think Dayanidhi Maran has any common sense. So this is the problem. I strongly condemn Dayanidhi Maran. He has to apologise to the people of India, particularly the Hindi-speaking people, whom he says are uneducated and uncivilised,” Thirupathy said.
DMK leader TKS Elangovan later defended the party’s broader position on women’s empowerment.
Elangovan said progress in women’s education and opportunities varied depending on the party in power in different states.
“It depends on the party which is ruling the state. Now Congress is empowering women. There is no doubt that wherever Congress is ruling, they are doing good for the education of women,” he said.
Referring specifically to Tamil Nadu, he said the state had consistently worked towards improving women’s access to education, jobs and government employment.
“Here in Tamil Nadu, we fought for women and empowered them. We gave them education. We gave them employment. We have also reserved seats in government jobs. We have been working for the advancement of women’s rights from the beginning. In the north, there is nobody to fight for the women. That’s all,” Elangovan added.