Attacking women crosses the line, won’t remain silent
In Short
The TVK founder said that attacking women has crossed the line and that he won’t remain silent
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Attacking women crosses the line, won’t remain silent
Dharapuram (TN): Lashing out against escalating personal attacks and “crude rhetoric in the state’s political discourse”, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Sunday issued a “stern warning” to opposition parties against targeting women.
The TVK founder said that attacking women has crossed the line and that he won’t remain silent. He made the remarks during roadshow in bypoll bound Dharapuram in Tiruppur district and alleged DMK leaders were attacking women.
Pointing to recent political speeches targeting women leaders, he said, “I told you earlier if you vote for the DMK and certain others, it amounts to endorsing those who speak obscenely about women and humiliate them in public spaces. I didn’t say that just to score political points. Look at what happened the day before yesterday”. He was referring to certain alleged controversial remarks by DMK president M K Stalin against TVK’s Dharapuram bypoll candidate P Satyabama. Vijay and his party leaders have described Stalin’s criticism as amounting to “body-shaming” the woman candidate.
“What kind of vile speech did he (Stalin) make against our sister, Sathyabama. It was so vulgar that one cannot even bear to listen to it. And is he the only one speaking like this. Every single person he has nurtured and brought up is delivering the exact same cheap rhetoric.”
“Speak whatever you want about me. I will take it. But if you dare speak against our sister, or against the mothers, sisters, and daughters of our households, I will not stay quiet. This marks a return to the era of MGR,” he said referring to late CM and AIADMK founder M G Ramachandran.
At Dharapuram, Vijay started the roadshow on his preferred customised caravan around 1 pm and was expected to cover a 40-km stretch before campaign ends for the October 6 bypolls at 6 pm on Sunday.
During his roadshow, the TN CM also interacted with the voters. He also took a bullock cart ride for a short distance. He also received several gifts, flowers, garlands and party towels during the road show. On the way, he offered prayers at Moolanur Vanchiamman shrine, where he was accorded traditional temple honours.
At many places, people showered flower petals on him. The planned campaign route is expected to cover more than 20 public-contact points over 40 km in the Dharapuram area.
The campaign procession will pass through key stretches, including the Periyar statue junction, five roads junction, and Meenakshipuram, Kulathupalayam, Karaiyur and so on.
This was Vijay’s second campaign visit to the constituency, following his September 30 rally.
