Wed Apr 16 18:38:17 UTC 2025: ## Minister’s Speech Sparks PIL in Madras High Court
**Chennai, April 17, 2025** – A public interest litigation (PIL) petition has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking the disqualification of Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy. The petition alleges that a speech delivered by the Minister on April 8th, targeting Saivites, Vaishnavites, and women, violates his oath of office.
Advocate B. Jagannath argues that the Minister’s allegedly derogatory remarks contravene constitutional provisions requiring ministers to act without bias. The petition cites the condemnation of the speech by Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Kanimozhi as further justification for action. The speech was reportedly delivered at a meeting organized by the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam in Chennai. The PIL seeks to have the court declare the Minister’s actions incompatible with his constitutional role and subsequently disqualify him from holding any public office.
First Piper 