Tamil Nadu CM warns against derogatory remarks targeting women, vows strict legal action

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday warned that personal attacks, defamatory remarks and double-meaning comments targeting women would invite immediate legal action, stressing that political criticism should not cross into personal abuse.

Concluding the Assembly debate on demands for grants for the Home Department, which he holds, Vijay appeared to target the opposition DMK while calling for greater political decorum. His remarks came weeks after DMK Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was released on station bail following his arrest over “double-meaning” remarks seen as referring to actor Trisha during a party protest over the Cauvery issue.

Without naming anyone, Vijay said Tamil Nadu appeared to be witnessing a “river of vulgarity and hatred” and condemned abusive language and defamatory comments against women. He said political differences could justify sharp criticism but not personal attacks.

Vijay also referred to the humiliation of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa in the Assembly in 1989, describing the incident as one of its darkest episodes. He said such conduct should never be repeated and objected to comments involving physical threats, including references to “breaking bones”.

The chief minister said women had played a central role in his political success and that he would not tolerate abusive language against them. He added that voters were watching the conduct of political parties and would ultimately judge them through elections.

On law and order, Vijay said a state's progress should be measured not only through infrastructure but also by how safe citizens feel. He said the police should remain free from political interference and ensure equal treatment under the law.

Vijay said 36 people had been arrested in connection with the recent murder of a student in Coimbatore. He also cited inadequate family support, peer influence, social media exposure, substance abuse, and lack of awareness about the law as factors that could contribute to youth crime, saying the government would take comprehensive measures rather than blame the entire student community.