DMK Removes K Ponmudy From Party Position Amid Controversial Remarks Against Hinduism; BJP Demands Ouster From Cabinet

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) took to X to announce the removal of Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K Ponmudy from the party’s post of Deputy General Secretary, following widespread condemnation of his recent controversial comments on Hinduism and women.

However, the party has yet to clarify whether he will be dismissed from his ministerial role in the Tamil Nadu cabinet.

Ponmudy’s remarks, which included crude jibes against the Hindu sects of Shaivism and Vaishnavism as well as women, drew intense backlash, particularly from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which labelled the DMK’s move as inadequate and cosmetic.

BJP leader CR Kesavan said on X, "When the State Emblem of Tamilnadu is a Sacred Temple Gopuram, Ponmudi, after his perverted statements deliberately attacking sacred Hindu symbols to crude sexual innuendos, he has no moral right to continue as Minister of TN Government. DMK is indulging in mere eyewash by removing him from just from the party position. This vile individual should at once be sacked as a Minister."

Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai launched a scathing attack on X, saying, "This is DMK’s standard of political discourse in Tamil Nadu. Thiru Ponmudi was once the Higher Education Minister of Tamil Nadu & now Minister for Forests and Khadi, and the youth of Tamil Nadu are expected to tolerate this filth? Not just this Minister, the entire DMK ecosystem is vulgar, foul-mouthed, and uncouth. Hang your head in shame, Thiru @mkstalin, for leading such a disgraceful pack."

Within the DMK, MP Kanimozhi also condemned Ponmudy’s comments on X, saying, "Minister Ponmudy's recent speech is unacceptable. Regardless of the reason for the speech, such vulgar remarks are condemnable."

In a related reshuffle, DMK MP Trichy Siva, previously Policy and Publicity Secretary, has been appointed Deputy General Secretary in place of Ponmudy.

Tamil Nadu BJP Vice President Narayanan Thirupathy welcomed Kanimozhi’s statement but reiterated calls for legal action. "It is a shame that Minister Ponmudi is still in office… M K Stalin, will you order the arrest of K Ponmudy?" he asked in a social media video.

The DMK has so far remained silent on whether Ponmudy will retain his cabinet position.

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