The Madras High Court has directed Tamil Nadu Police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against state Minister K Ponmudy for his allegedly derogatory remarks targeting Saivism, Vaishnavism, and women.
Justice N Venkatesh, who issued the directive, ordered that the FIR be filed without delay and a compliance report submitted to the court by April 23. The court’s directive came in response to a petition demanding legal action over Ponmudy’s controversial speech, which has sparked significant outrage across social and religious communities.
The minister’s remarks have drawn strong condemnation, prompting protests and calls for his removal. With the court’s intervention, the matter will now proceed under official investigation.
Protests erupted earlier this week, led by AIADMK’s women’s wing, condemning Ponmudy’s comments. Deputy Secretary Gayathri Raghuram accused the minister of habitual offensive rhetoric. “He keeps making such statements and offers routine apologies. This is typical of the DMK. He hasn’t been held accountable—he must be removed from the ministerial post,” she told ANI.
AIADMK spokesperson Apsara Reddy echoed the sentiment, describing Ponmudy’s remarks as disgraceful and an example of the “lowest level of politics” India has witnessed. She criticized the DMK government, saying, “MK Stalin hasn’t removed him as minister—only from a party post. Why should Tamil Nadu endure this?”
As the police prepare to initiate action in line with the court’s direction, further developments are expected in the coming days.
