CM Vijay breaks silence on ‘ambiguous’ Trish Stalin Jr row: ‘If women are insulted…’ | Today’s news
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay said on September 9 that he would not tolerate any abusive language or defamatory remarks directed at women, whom he credited with winning this year’s assembly elections.
These are Vijay’s first remarks after a massive political row over Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin’s “ambiguous” remarks regarding actor Trisha last month.
“Freedom of speech, how it is used, we should take back. At the same time, when we talk about our people or women in a degrading way, let’s not have it,” TVK chief Vijay said in the state assembly, without naming Stalin.
Vijay’s remarks came weeks after Stalin, the leader of opposition in the state assembly, was arrested and later released on bail in connection with a case involving “ambiguous” remarks that were interpreted as a reference to Trisha, who is Vijay’s close friend. Stalin did not name Trisha in his controversial remarks.
“People are watching how some are talking in double meaning. I just want to say that we all have women at home as sisters and mothers… So if women are insulted, the law will intervene,” Vijay told the rally.
What was the fight with Stain?
A massive row broke out on August 3 during the Cauvery protest in Thanjavur when supporters chanted Trish’s name while Udhayanidhi Stalin was speaking. He paused, smirked and made a remark that critics interpreted as a vulgar reference to Trisha. Stalin later denied making any objectionable remark and said he was only referring to the Cauvery issue.
Police arrested Stalin from his Chennai residence on 4 August and took him to Thanjavur for questioning. He was later released on station bail on the same day. Stalin then accused Vijay’s government of political vendetta and stated that he had no intention of insulting women.
On Monday, Vijay also took a dig at political leaders who have made comments that cross the line. “I am not responsible if I speak with a political motive. We have seen how much insults (former CM J) Jayalalithaa has faced in this rally. Again, make any comments politically and that is freedom of speech. People are watching,” Vijay said, referring to former CM and AIADMK chief Late Jayalalitha and her controversies.
If women are offended, the law will intervene.
“Women are the main reason for my political victory. I will not tolerate any offensive language against women. There can be harsh political criticism but there should be no defamatory remarks against women,” he said in his address to the state assembly on Monday.
