Chennai: A case has been registered against a DMK leader over alleged defamatory remarks against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay at a party event, with the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) accusing the opposition party of turning political platforms into spaces for personal attacks.
The case was registered against Chennai Corporation Ward 95 councillor Sudha Deenadayalan, who allegedly made the remarks, and DMK functionary Muralidharan, who organised the October 7 event at the Raja Annamalai Mandram in Chennai. The case follows a complaint from TVK Harbour Area Secretary Udayakumar, the police said. No arrests have been made; a summons was issued to Ms. Deenadayalan on Tuesday.
Ms. Deenadayalan, who is also the DMK's Chennai East District Women's Wing organiser, allegedly targeted Mr. Vijay after he criticised DMK president M.K. Stalin, addressing the Chief Minister in the singular and passing derogatory remarks, police said. According to a Greater Chennai City Police release, the case was registered under provisions relating to the use of obscene language, intentional insult to provoke a breach of public peace, and spreading rumours likely to cause fear or alarm.
Video clips circulated on social media purported to show her using abusive language and making personal remarks comparing physical appearances while defending her party leadership. The comments were reportedly made in the presence of DMK deputy general secretary and MP Kanimozhi, former minister P.K. Sekar Babu and Chennai Mayor R. Priya.
TVK leaders and ministers condemned the remarks and demanded an apology from the senior DMK leaders who shared the stage. TVK general secretary and Tamil Nadu Minister Aadhav Arjuna said "the DMK is mired in ugly, vile language" and alleged its political platforms had become "disgusting".
Ms. Kanimozhi later said politicians should not define their character by the behaviour of their political opponents. The DMK also shared a video claiming that Ms. Kanimozhi and Mr. Sekar Babu had reprimanded Ms. Deenadayalan after the programme and asked her to maintain political decorum.