A recent controversy erupted on social media following derogatory comments made by Ponraj Vellaichamy, a former advisor to APJ Abdul Kalam and a supporter of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). He referred to female members of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) as “prostitutes,” inciting backlash from TVK members. Vijay, the actor-turned-politician and head of TVK, has publicly condemned Ponraj’s remarks and criticized the DMK government for its inaction.
In a response shared on his X account, Vijay expressed his disapproval of Ponraj’s comments, emphasizing their disrespect towards women. His statement condemned Ponraj as a “mercenary individual” whose words fail to honor the dignity of women in Tamil Nadu. Vijay further lambasted the DMK for not addressing such comments, characterizing them as reflective of an opportunistic mindset supported by the party leadership.
The statement escalated the tension between TVK and DMK, as Vijay asserted that these derogatory comments insult all women collectively. He foresees that this incident will motivate voters to unite against the DMK in the forthcoming elections, indicating a strong resolve to eradicate the perceived “evil force” represented by the party.
The controversy was sparked by an interview in which Ponraj labeled women who support Vijay as part of a “mob of ignoramuses,” implying that they lack independent thought and are overly devoted to him. He claimed that this “mob” was willing to assume any role for Vijay, whether as a sister or partner, which he framed as an indication of their ignorance and lack of culture.
Aadhav Arjuna, the general secretary of TVK, also condemned Ponraj’s statements. He suggested that despite Ponraj’s past significance in various roles, his current alignment with the DMK has led to a neglect of basic morality and dignity.
Vijay is preparing to contest in the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, framing it as a direct battle between the values represented by TVK and the perceived wrongs of the DMK. He has previously stated that the elections will delineate the genuine interests of the Tamil people from those of the ruling party, positioning TVK as the authentic voice of the public.