Chennai, August 15
Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran has triggered a political row after making an allegedly derogatory remark about Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and his mother at a function at the party headquarters in Chennai.
Nagenthran made the comment while responding to an Assembly remark by Vijay, where the Chief Minister had mockingly referred to his “father.”
“If you search for your father in the Assembly, how would anyone know? If you go home and ask your mother, she will tell you who your father is. Asking for a father in the Assembly—who would know that?” Nagenthran said.
The statement drew widespread criticism from political leaders, who accused the BJP leader of dragging the Chief Minister’s mother into a political dispute and violating the standards of public discourse.
Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore condemned the remarks and demanded that Nagenthran tender an unconditional apology to Vijay, his mother and the people of Tamil Nadu.
In a post on X, Tagore alleged that the BJP State president had spoken out of political frustration. He accused Nagenthran of repeatedly resorting to offensive language and insulting women to gain attention, saying such conduct had no place in democratic politics.
Advocate Varthini also filed a complaint with the office of the Director-General of Police, seeking legal action against Nagenthran. She alleged that his comments were defamatory and offensive, and could provoke public resentment.
Varthini said political leaders were entitled to criticise their opponents and question government policies, but personal attacks involving family members were unacceptable. She said the speech had caused her distress as a woman and mother and urged police to examine it and act appropriately.
Minister Vinod also denounced the comment and demanded a public apology, saying political rivalry should never undermine civility and dignity in public life.
