Vijay warns of legal action over personal attacks on women

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay warned against personal attacks, vulgar remarks and double-meaning language targeting women, saying violations would invite legal action. He also recalled J Jayalalithaa's alleged Assembly humiliation and outlined measures to address youth involvement in crime

Chennai: In a stern warning apparently aimed at the opposition DMK, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Monday said personal attacks, double-meaning insults or derogatory language targeting women would draw immediate and uncompromising legal consequences.

Speaking in the state Assembly, the chief minister recalled the alleged humiliation faced by late CM J Jayalalithaa and condemned personal attacks amid controversies involving women personalities.

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Vijay was wrapping up the Assembly debate on grants for the Home department, which is held by him. In a stern tone, he made direct and indirect references to two prominent women figures — late CM J Jayalalithaa and actor Trisha, the latter of whom was apparently targeted by the DMK very recently — to underscore his stance on public decorum and political ethics.

Firstly, he recalled one of the darkest moments in the history of the House, directly referring to the late Jayalalithaa and reminding members of the alleged abuse and physical humiliation she was subjected to inside the Assembly in 1989, when the DMK was in power.

Insisting that such disgraceful political precedents must never be repeated, he declared that toxic legislative behaviour cannot be justified by citing past practices.

Secondly, addressing the recent political storm involving a top female actor, Vijay issued an indirect yet scathing rebuke of personal and vulgar attacks directed at women in public life.

In his fiery and unyielding address to the Assembly, Vijay placed the dignity and respect of women at the forefront of his administration’s agenda.

“Under the guise of politics, to those who personally disrespect our people, women or anyone else and speak in a very low and degrading manner, my request is please don’t do that. Recently, in Tamil Nadu, it seems as though a river of vulgarity and hatred is continuously flowing. Being abusive about women, making defamatory remarks, and using double-meaning words, is wrong,” Vijay said without directly naming anyone.

He stressed that while harsh political criticism is welcome in a democracy, personal attacks on women would never be tolerated. “I want to tell those who do this just one thing,” the chief minister said.

Vijay’s remarks came weeks after Leader of the Opposition DMK Udhayanidhi Stalin was released on station bail after being arrested in connection with his “double-meaning” remarks, seen as a reference to actor Trisha, while addressing party workers during a protest over the Cauvery issue.

In the Assembly, the chief minister said, “Women are the main reason behind my political victory. I will not tolerate any abusive language against them. There can be harsh political criticism, but there should not be any defamatory remarks against women. The public is watching every move,” Vijay said, criticising the political discourse and the opposition’s demeanour.

He also explicitly condemned comments involving physical threats, such as remarks about “breaking bones”, and called out statements that displayed disrespect toward the public’s democratic mandate.

Reflecting on historical political milestones, including the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), the chief minister quoted celebrated poet Kannadasan to depict the opposition’s conduct, asserting that citizens closely observe such actions and render their judgment during elections.

“Speaking lies, taking money, and carrying bags, was what the legendary Tamil poet and lyricist Kannadasan had described the DMK’s behaviour,” Vijay said.

He outlined a comprehensive vision for public security, defining the true progress of the state as something that cannot be calculated solely through physical infrastructure such as roads and factories, but is primarily measured by the safety and freedom felt by citizens in their daily lives.

The police serve as a foundational pillar of economic growth and social stability, designed to be a reassuring friend to law-abiding citizens and a source of dread to lawbreakers.

Law enforcement will operate without political interference, ensuring that all citizens remain equal before the law regardless of political affiliation, he said, emphasising that his administration welcomed constructive criticism from Assembly members to improve governance.

He reaffirmed the government’s zero-tolerance stance against crime and confirmed the arrest of 36 individuals in connection with a student’s recent murder in Coimbatore.

Rather than focusing solely on punishment, the CM identified several societal factors contributing to youth involvement in crime, including a lack of family support, negative peer pressure, exposure to social media, substance abuse and a lack of legal awareness.

Blaming the entire student community or labelling them with terms such as “drug culture” is not a sign of strong leadership, he said, pledging that the government would act as a responsible guardian for the youth and implement comprehensive measures to guide students towards a better path.