'You Pulled Her Saree': Sitharaman Invokes Jayalalithaa's Humiliation In 1989 In TN Assembly To Attack DMK

During an assembly session in Tamil Nadu in 1989, Jayalalithaa was allegedly attacked by DMK MLAs and her saree was torn. She swore that day to return to the House only as a CM, which she did in 1991.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday sought to remind the DMK of an incident in the Tamil Nadu Assembly involving the humiliation of former CM Jayaram Jayalalithaa. In her speech on the no-confidence motion against the Centre, Jayalalitha said that the DMK must not forget that Jayalalithaa's saree was pulled and the party had demeaned her.

"I agree that women suffering anywhere — Manipur, Delhi, Rajasthan — will have to be taken seriously. No politics played. But I want to remind this House of one incident which happened on March 25, 1989, in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Jayalalithaa's saree was pulled in the Assembly. Then she hadn't become CM. She was the Leader of Opposition. The DMK members who were seated there heckled her and laughed at her. Has DMK forgotten Jayalalithaa? You pulled her saree, you demeaned her. That day, Jayalalithaa took an oath that she will never come to the House unless she becomes the CM. Two years later, she returned as the CM of Tamil Nadu," Sitharaman said. The historic photograph of a distraught Jayalalithaa in the torn saree gained massive public sympathy and propelled her to the CM's chair in 1991.

The 1989 Tamil Nadu Assembly Incident

On March 25, 1989, during a debate in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Jayalalithaa accused the ruling party of corruption. In response, the then Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi, allegedly made a derogatory remark questioning the authenticity of Jayalalithaa's saree. This comment was widely perceived as a personal attack on her character.

The comments sparked violence in the assembly and as Jayalalithaa walked out to exit the floor, a few DMK MLAs allegedly rushed towards her and her saree was torn.

The incident sparked outrage both within and outside the assembly. Jayalalithaa's supporters viewed it as an attack on her dignity and womanhood. In a bold move, Jayalalithaa displayed the saree she was wearing, stating that it was indeed a genuine one and retorted that Karunanidhi should not worry about her sarees but instead focus on his governance.