DMK Councillor Summoned Over Derogatory Remarks Against CM Vijay

Chennai:Police have summoned DMK ward 95 Councillor Sudha Deenadayalan for questioning over making allegedly derogatory remarks against Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at a party event in Chennai, triggering a political controversy and drawing criticism from leaders of the ruling Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK).

The police action followed a complaint lodged by TVK functionary Udhayakumar. A case was registered on Monday against the Councillor and the event organiser under three sections, and Sudha has been asked to appear for questioning.

The remarks, made at the DMK’s Mupperum Vizha on Sunday, drew an immediate rebuke from DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, who was present on the stage and publicly criticised the Councillor’s language.

The event, held at Raja Annamalai Mandram in Chennai, was attended by Chennai Mayor R. Priya, Kanimozhi, MLA P.K. Sekar Babu and other party functionaries.

Addressing the gathering, Sudha, a DMK women’s wing functionary, pointed her finger at Vijay and used an expletive while questioning his criticism of the DMK leadership.

“Who are you (…dog**) to criticise our leader, who is 73 years old? You are just 52 (...dog**),” she said, using an expletive in the course of her remarks.

Kanimozhi intervened, stressing that the DMK was an organisation that had upheld the political traditions of Periyar, C.N. Annadurai and M. Karunanidhi.

“We have come here because of the civilised politics practised by Periyar, Anna and Karunanidhi. Let them say what they want. That is their standard. We do not have to stoop to such a level,” she said, objecting to the Councillor’s speech.

Kanimozhi’s intervention was notable because it came immediately after the remarks, in front of party leaders and cadre, rather than as a subsequent response to the controversy. Her criticism also placed the focus on the standards of political discourse expected from the DMK, which is now in the Opposition following the TVK’s rise to power.

Sekar Babu, during the event, also urged party functionaries to refrain from making derogatory remarks at public meetings, stressing the need to maintain decorum in political speeches.

“It is better for everyone to stop making such derogatory remarks on public platforms. We must maintain decorum in our public speeches,” he said.

Public works minister Aadhav Arjuna, meanwhile, criticised the DMK in a post on X, accusing the party of turning political platforms into spaces for personal attacks.

Drawing a contrast with the political traditions associated with Periyar and Annadurai, Arjuna said public meetings during Periyar’s time served as platforms for promoting rational thinking, while Annadurai used them to foster political awareness.

He alleged that this tradition had deteriorated after Annadurai, with political meetings increasingly becoming forums for personal criticism and offensive language. Under former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s leadership, he claimed, DMK platforms had increasingly been used for defamatory remarks rather than substantive political debate.

Industries minister S. Keerthana also criticised the DMK, saying the people of Tamil Nadu were giving a fittingreply to what she described as the party’s politics of hatred.

“The people will continue to teach them a lesson if they criticise the Chief Minister,” she said.