Tamil Nadu Minister Ponmudy Asks Dalit Panchayat Chairman About Her Caste On Stage, Draws Ire

"See who's the chairman of this village? You are from a downtrodden community right? You are ST right?" asked Ponmudy. 

Tamil Nadu Minister Ponmudy (File photo/ANI)

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K Ponmudy entered a controversy after he openly asked a panchayat union chairperson about the caste she belonged to and how the DMK government has led to the appointment of an oppressed woman while listing the achievements of the "Dravidian Model" on the stage during an event in Villupuram.

Following the statement of the Minister, Dalit rights activists have demanded him to issue an apology. 

According to ANI, Minister Ponmudy during a function in Villupuram said, "The Dravidian model aims to provide equal opportunity to women and the oppressed. "

"Even your panchayat union chairperson is a woman from an oppressed community. See who's the chairman of this village? You are from a downtrodden community right? You are ST right?" he asked. 

The speech immediately went viral on social media. It also received flak from activists. 

Dalit activist Shalin Maria Lawrence said, "Minister Ponmudi should apologise for insulting Dalits. What a shame. The Dravidian model has been corrupted by these casteist men. Time and again DMK leaders prove they are not progressive in any way."

"Dalits in important positions is a constitutional remedy. I really don't know how DMK thinks that they have "gifted" the positions to us like alms," she said.

Minister Ponmudi should apologise for insulting Dalits . What a shame . Dravidian model has been corrupted by these casteist men. Time and again DMK leaders prove they are not progressive in any way. https://t.co/YbHkQUsp2y

— Shalin Maria Lawrence (@TheBluePen25) September 19, 2022

However, Minister Ponmudy talking to TNIE said, the panchayat chairperson is a member of DMK and we are proud to "have made her as the panchayat chairperson without any discrimination". 

Further, he said that there is foul play by fringe groups who want to blow up his speech.