New Delhi / Chennai: DMK Member of Parliament Dayanidhi Maran has triggered a major political controversy after remarks he made about women from northern India surfaced and drew strong criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The controversy stems from comments Maran made during an event at Quaid-E-Millath Government College for Women in Chennai, where he contrasted the social expectations of women in Tamil Nadu with those in parts of North India. Maran reportedly said that while girls in Tamil Nadu are encouraged to pursue education and careers, women in several northern states are often expected to stay at home, focus on household work and “bear children”.
“In North India, girls are told not to take up jobs, to stay inside the house, do kitchen work and bear a child,” Maran was quoted as saying. “But here in Tamil Nadu, the emphasis is on education and empowerment.”
The comments came during an occasion where laptops were being distributed to female students under the state government’s Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil scheme, aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for women.
Political Backlash
The BJP was quick to condemn the remarks, demanding that Maran apologise to the people of India, especially those from Hindi-speaking and northern states. Party spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathy described Maran’s comments as offensive and lacking “common sense,” accusing him of portraying northern communities as “uneducated and uncivilised.”
Another BJP leader, Anila Singh, called the remarks “unfortunate” and questioned Maran’s understanding of India’s cultural diversity, noting that reverence for women is an integral part of the nation’s traditions.
Defence from DMK
Leaders within Maran’s own party have defended him, saying his intent was to highlight the importance of women’s education and empowerment rather than demean any region. DMK’s TKS Elangovan said that progress in women’s education is influenced by the policies of state governments, pointing to Tamil Nadu’s record on female literacy and workforce participation as a model.
DMK sources noted that Maran’s comments should be contextualised within broader debates on educational opportunities rather than being viewed as disparaging remarks about northern women.
Wider Debate on Regional Disparities
The episode has ignited a larger national conversation on regional disparities in women’s education, empowerment and social norms. Critics argue that generalisations about entire regions, especially on sensitive topics such as gender roles, risk deepening societal divides and feeding into political polarisation ahead of key elections.
The controversy has also attracted commentary on social media, with many users and commentators debating the merits and implications of Maran’s remarks, and their resonance with ongoing discussions about language, culture and development across different states.
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