THEOPTIMISTICJOURNALIST

Tamil Nadu : DMK-man hurls derogatory remarks at Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

A self-proclaimed poet from DMK, Kavignar Iniyavan has made misogynist and casteist remarks targeting Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Political Experts view this incident as Kavignar, a noteless, buying his much desired ticket to fame.

In a recent turn of events, Kavignar Iniyavan, a DMK-man, hurled derogatory remarks at the Union Finance Mininster Nirmala Sitaraman, calling her Goddess of Misfortune and Pickle-selling Mami. He spoke at a DMK party stage, terming the Union Minister ‘moodhevi munda’ and ‘pickle selling Mami’.

He said “If we send our (DMK) ladies to the Parliament with a margin of 2.5 lakh votes, there will be one ‘Moodhevi Munda’ sitting opposite to you and will ask you questions. That one (implying Nirmala Sitharaman) will not even stand in a single election. I have just one request. Hon’ble Members of Parliament, when you go to the Parliament and if that ‘pickle-selling mami’ comes and stands in front of you, tell her this – I’ve come here after winning 2.5 lakh votes, you talk if you can get one vote from Perungudi.”

The Bharatiya Janata Party reacted sharply against the remarks by the DMK-man. The BJP Tamil Nadu State President, K. Annamalai, lashed out at the misogynist remarks.

Kuppusamy Annamalai took to X and shared the video.

“The DMK has made it a habit to provide stage only to abusers whose means of survival is by passing derogatory remarks on @BJP4India’s women leaders. This sickening attitude is promoted by this Govt, which would go to any length to arrest @BJP4TamilNadu volunteers for their social media posts but takes no action for filth such as these. @BJP4TamilNadu strongly condemns the remarks made on our Hon FM Smt @nsitharaman avl and we have sought the intervention of TN Police for immediate action on this individual.”, said Annamalai.

BJP MLA from Coimbatore South, Vanathi Srinivasan stated that a police complaint would be filed against Kavignar.

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE DMK’s DICTIONARY OF SLURS AGAINST WOMEN

“Moodhevi” is the Goddess of misfortune, and is now considered a derogatory term.

“Munda” is a Tamil insult used disrespectfully towards widowed women.

“Mami” is used as a slur, particularly by Dravidian ideologues, when referring to Tamil Brahmin women in Tamil Nadu in a derogatory manner.

The reference to pickle selling is due to the fact that a number of women from the Tamil Brahmin community have traditionally been involved in making homemade pickles and selling them.

Political Experts view this incident as Kavignar, a noteless, buying his much desired ticket to fame.