CHENNAI: DMK general secretary Duraimurugan on Friday said he regretted conducting his granddaughter's wedding with priests chanting Sanskrit mantras, which did not align with the Dravidian movement's self-respect marriage campaign, after criticism from various quarters, including Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani.

In a statement on Friday, Duraimurugan explained the circumstances that led to the Vedic wedding. He said his granddaughter, who had studied abroad, told him she was in love with someone from another caste and wanted the wedding conducted by priests with Sanskrit chants.

"I had to accept my granddaughter's wish due to her insistence. I regret the incident. No one needs to make this a political issue or turn it into a subject of debate," Duraimurugan said.

Recalling his own wedding and his son Kathir Anand's, he said the then DMK president, M Karunanidhi, conducted both ceremonies.