Justice Venkatesh made it clear that people in positions of power, such as ministers, should be more careful with their words.
Madras: The Madras High Court on Thursday strongly criticized the Tamil Nadu government, particularly Minister Ponmudy, for making inappropriate and offensive comments about the Shaivite and Vaishnavite communities.
The court stated that “law is for everyone,” implying that no one, including those in power, is above the law.
The court ordered the authorities to file a First Information Report (FIR) regarding Ponmudy’s controversial remarks.
Justice Anand Venkatesh, who presided over the case, emphasized that the authorities should not file multiple cases but focus on one FIR.
“I must get an answer on what is going to happen on the complaint. The material is already available. The issue does not require an enquiry because the person who made the comment is accepting the comment,” said Justice Venkatesh, noting that Ponmudy had already admitted to making the remarks.
He further stated, “The damaging content is still there. It cannot just go on and on. We don’t know when it’ll flare up. This is a cognisance taken by the court. The moment I enter into this, it’ll get a different colour, which I don’t want to happen.”
Justice Venkatesh made it clear that people in positions of power, such as ministers, should be more careful with their words.
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He stressed that “the law is same for everyone, including the people belonging to the ruling party.”
He continued, “Someone should hesitate in the future. People shouldn’t think that when I belong to some other party or some other opposition party, I will be held. But if I belong to the ruling party, I can talk anything. That impression should never be given. Law is for everybody.”
The court also questioned why the DMK government had not taken any action when similar hate speeches were made by others.
Justice Venkatesh pointed out, “When the government takes seriously about the hate speech made by others, the same should be done when a person who is part of the government makes it. And it’s not some ordinary thing which he has uttered. We’ve all heard it.”
The Madras High Court has given the authorities a deadline until April 23 to file an FIR against the DMK minister for his remarks.
What Did Minister Ponmudy Say?
Ponmudy, the Tamil Nadu Forest Minister, stirred controversy last week by making vulgar and inappropriate comments about the Shaivite and Vaishnavite communities. While attending a meeting organized by the Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam, Ponmudy shared an anecdote that many found offensive.
He told a story about a sex worker asking a man whether he was a Shaivite or a Vaishnavite. Ponmudy then claimed that the sex worker interpreted the Shaivite tilak (a horizontal mark) as a “lying down position” and the Vaishnavite tilak (a vertical mark) as a “standing position.”
The story shocked many in the audience, but unfortunately, some in the crowd laughed at his remarks. This drew condemnation from various quarters, including the BJP and a section of the DMK leadership.
In response, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin took swift action and removed Ponmudy from his position as the Deputy General Secretary of the DMK.
