‘Degrades Women’: Chennai Metro FD Ad Under Fire Over ‘Girlfriend’ Comparison; DMK MP Seeks Action

DMK MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian criticised a Chennai Metro FD ad comparing girlfriends’ interest with FD returns, calling it degrading to women. AIADMK also demanded action over the campaign.

DMK MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian criticised a Chennai Metro FD ad comparing girlfriends’ interest with FD returns.

Source : X, File Image

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

• Chennai Metro ad sparks outrage for objectifying women.
• Ad by THECOS compared girlfriend's interest with FD returns.
• DMK MP Thangapandian demanded immediate removal and stricter vetting.

An advertisement for fixed deposits by a cooperative credit society displayed inside a Chennai Metro coach has sparked controversy after DMK MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian accused it of portraying women as objects.

Chennai Metro FD Ad Sparks Controversy

The advertisement campaign was launched by the Thiruvalluvar Transport Corporation Employees’ Co-operative Credit Society Ltd (THECOS), a financial services organisation that describes itself as a “reliable service provider for transport employees of Tamil Nadu”.

The poster carried the slogan: “Girlfriend may give 0% interest, but our FD gives 14.40%.” The advertisement sought to highlight the returns offered on fixed deposits by drawing a comparison with personal relationships.

DMK MP Demands Immediate Removal

Thangapandian was among the first to criticise the campaign, urging the Chennai Metro Rail administration to remove the advertisement from the public transport network, which is used by thousands of people every day.

“An advertisement displayed inside the Chennai Metro Rail that degrades women and portrays them as objects is shocking. It is essential to ensure that advertisements in public places take into account the dignity of women,” Thangapandian said in a post on X.

சென்னை மெட்ரோ இரயிலுக்குள் இடம்பெற்றுள்ள ஒரு விளம்பரம் பெண்களை இழிவுபடுத்தும் வகையிலும், அவர்களை ஒரு பொருளாகச் சித்தரிக்கும் வகையிலும் குறிப்பிடப்பட்டிருப்பது அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது.

பொது இடங்களில் பெண்களின் கண்ணியத்தைக் கருத்தில் கொண்டு விளம்பரங்கள் இடம்பெறுவதை உறுதி செய்ய… pic.twitter.com/8bKvka4nD6

— தமிழச்சி (@ThamizhachiTh) September 6, 2026

She called for the advertisement to be removed immediately and urged authorities to strengthen advertising vetting guidelines to prevent similar incidents in the future.

AIADMK Also Criticises Campaign

The controversy also drew criticism from opposition figures. AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan called for legal action against those responsible for approving and displaying the advertisement.