Tamil Nadu: After severe backlash, DMK Minister Ponmudy apologises for derogatory Shaivism-Vaishnavism remarks

After severe backlash over his derogatory remarks, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader and Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy apologised and said he regretted it soon after he made those remarks. Chief Minister and DMK chief M.K. Stalin had removed Ponmudy from party posts following the backlash.

In a statement published on DMK’s handle on X, Ponmudy said he wholeheartedly apologises for the remarks and regretted it soon after he made those comments. “I sincerely apologize for the inappropriate use of words in an internal meeting held by the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam. I immediately and sincerely regretted that I had made this inappropriate comment,” Ponmudy said in the statement.

Ponmudy said he regretted making those comments despite being a senior politician. “I am deeply sorry that this speech has hurt the feelings of many people and that it has created an atmosphere in which they have to bow their heads. I apologize again and again for my words to everyone who was offended,” he added. 

During a recent event, Ponmudy made derogatory remarks on Shaivism and Vaishnavism referring to sex work. He faced severe criticism for the comments, including from his own party leaders. DMK MP Kanimozhi condemned the comments and said his comments were unacceptable.

Ponmudy, who was the party’s deputy general secretary, was removed from the post by Stalin following the backlash. He has been replaced by DMK MP Tiruchi Siva.

Former Bharatiya Janata Party president K. Annamalai slammed the minister and DMK for the comments. Annamalai charged, “Not just this Minister, the entire DMK ecosystem is vulgar, foul-mouthed, and uncouth.”