Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy has been dismissed from his position as the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s Deputy General Secretary over controversial remarks he made during a recent party meeting. Coming down strongly on the senior leader, DMK has taken action after facing widespread criticism across political and social circles.
Ponmudy’s comments were made at the DMK workers’ meeting in Chennai and were aimed at mocking Hindu religious symbols, including a sexually explicit analogy. In a now-viral video, the senior leader is seen using vulgar language to refer to the Shaivite horizontal tilak and the Vaishnavite vertical tilak, drawing outrage from devotees and political opponents alike.
Among the first to slam Ponmudy’s remarks was DMK MP Kanimozhi, who called the minister’s comments “unacceptable.” In a post on X, she wrote, “The recent speech of Minister Ponmudy is unacceptable. No matter the context, such vulgar speeches are condemnable.”
அமைச்சர் பொன்முடி அவர்களின் சமீபத்திய பேச்சு ஏற்றுக்கொள்ள முடியாதது. எந்த காரணத்திற்காகப் பேசப் பட்டிருந்தாலும் இப்படிப்பட்ட கொச்சையான பேச்சுகள் கண்டிக்கத்தக்கது.
— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) April 11, 2025
Singer and activist Chinmayi Sripada also criticised the minister on X, posting, “This is the Forest Minister Ponmudy from Tamil Nadu. He previously held portfolios such as Science and Technology and Education. He describes this as a ‘joke’ because there’s a market for such speeches in public gatherings. The joke, sadly, is on us.”
This is Minister of Forests, Mister Ponmudi from Tamilnadu. He previously held posts as a Minister for Science and Tech; and Education in Tamilnadu.
He describes a ‘joke’ because apparently there is a ‘market’ for these jokes in a public gathering, about a man who goes to a sex… https://t.co/Szy2YCINsF
— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) April 10, 2025
BJP has called for Ponmudy’s immediate dismissal from the cabinet. BJP state Vice-President Narayanan Thirupathy termed the remarks shameful and urged Chief Minister Stalin to take strict action. “Minister Ponmudy continuing in his post is shameful. CM Stalin, will you order Ponmudy’s arrest? He has maligned the women of Tamil Nadu with his comments,” Thirupathy said. He also welcomed Kanimozhi’s condemnation of the incident.
அமைச்சர் பொன்முடி இன்னும் பதவியில் நீடிப்பது வெட்கக்கேடு. @KanimozhiDMK அவர்களே, விமர்சிப்பீர்களா? முதல்வர் @mkstalin அவர்களே, @KPonmudiMLA யை கைது செய்ய உத்தரவிடுவீர்களா? pic.twitter.com/qhXWJCbqEs
— Narayanan Thirupathy (@narayanantbjp) April 11, 2025
This is not the first time Ponmudy has stirred the hornet’s nest. In an earlier incident, he faced criticism for remarks linking North Indian migrants in Coimbatore to low-paying jobs and for questioning the push to promote Hindi.
Faced with mounting public pressure, the DMK acted swiftly to strip Ponmudy of his senior party role. However, there has been no official apology or clarification from the minister at the time of publication.