Derogatory remarks against women will not be tolerated: Thalapathy Vijay

Derogatory remarks against women will not be tolerated in any way, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Chandrashekhar Joseph Vijay, popularly known as Thalapathy Vijay, has warned.

The information was reported by Indian media NDTV on Monday, September 7.

Noting that women have played a crucial role in his political success in Tamil Nadu, the actor-turned-politician said political criticism is legitimate, but derogatory remarks against women will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Towards the end of his statement in the legislative assembly on law and order, Vijay said freedom of expression is everyone's personal right, but everyone must be conscious of how that freedom is being used. He said no one should be belittled for political reasons, especially women.

Vijay said a tide of obscenity and hatred has been flowing in Tamil Nadu recently. Defamatory, ambiguous and indecent remarks are being made about women, even though women are mothers and sisters at home. He urged everyone to speak responsibly, keeping this in mind.

The chief minister said women in his own family have also played an important role in his journey to becoming a star and now chief minister. He said legal action would be taken against any obscenity targeting women.

Vijay's warning comes days after Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin allegedly made an indirect derogatory remark about actress Trisha.

Udhayanidhi was accused of making an ambiguous comment at a protest meeting regarding the Kaveri River in August. However, the DMK claimed his remarks were deliberately edited and misrepresented. The party said Udhayanidhi did not mention Trisha's name. Police detained him, but the Madras High Court ordered his release after interrogation.

"We are hearing that in this very assembly, the same opposition party insulted former chief minister J Jayalalithaa. Recently, some have been making ambiguous remarks. People are taking note of these double-meaning statements," Vijay said.