CHENNAI: Industries Minister S Keerthana on Sunday criticised the controversy over a video of a woman who was mistaken for her, saying the episode reflected a regressive mindset that continued to subject women to scrutiny over their appearance and personal lives.
Clarifying that the woman in the viral video was not her, Keerthana questioned why it would matter even if she had been the one featured. "The fact that a video of a woman simply going about her day can spark political hysteria tells you everything about the fragile, regressive mindset behind it," she said.
Keerthana alleged that those unable to challenge their political opponents on policies, governance or their track record were instead resorting to narratives about their personal lives. "Misogyny is the oldest weapon of those who have nothing substantive to positively contribute," she said in a social media post.
She also questioned why a woman's clothes, appearance or happiness continued to be treated as matters for public judgment. She apologised to the woman in the video for being dragged into the controversy, saying, "You look stunning, and I hope you keep living on your own terms."
Backing Industries Minister S Keerthana over the issue, DMK IT wing secretary and former minister TRB Rajaa on Sunday condemned attempts to demean women, saying political rivalry could never justify abuse or misogyny.
"I am absolutely disgusted to see some IDs trying to degrade women and their choices, even dragging in people who have absolutely nothing to do with the matter," Rajaa said in a statement.
Rejecting the justification that they did the same, he said such an argument was unacceptable, regardless of who had committed the alleged wrongdoing. "Even if your worst enemy did something wrong, it never gives anyone the right to abuse, demean or throw muck at another person. Especially a woman," he said.
Rajaa said that nothing justifies misogyny, asserting that the DMK stood firmly for women's dignity, rights and freedom.
He said the party would not tolerate any act that crossed the line of decency, irrespective of who was involved. Rajaa also urged supporters to desist from defending offensive conduct by pointing to similar actions by political opponents. "'They did it, so we did it too.' That is not an excuse. It is absolutely unacceptable," he said.
He added that the DMK IT wing would bring such matters to the attention of the party's legal wing, if necessary, for appropriate action.