Wed Jan 14 05:58:21 UTC 2026: ### DMK MP’s Remarks on North Indian Women Spark Political Firestorm

The Story:
A political controversy has erupted following remarks made by DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran comparing the roles of women in Tamil Nadu and North India. Speaking at Quaid-E-Millath Government College for Women, Maran stated that while Tamil Nadu emphasizes education for girls, North India expects them to stay home, work in the kitchen, and bear children. This statement has drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, who accuse Maran of denigrating North Indian culture and engaging in divisive politics. The DMK has defended Maran’s comments, suggesting they were intended to highlight the progress made in Tamil Nadu in empowering women through education and employment.

Key Points:

  • Dayanidhi Maran, a DMK MP, claimed that Tamil Nadu women are encouraged to study, while North Indian women are expected to stay home and have children.
  • The remarks were made at an event where Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin distributed laptops to students.
  • BJP leaders, including Narayanan Thirupathy and Anila Singh, strongly condemned Maran’s statement as divisive and disrespectful to North Indian culture.
  • The DMK defended Maran, arguing his comments aimed to highlight Tamil Nadu’s commitment to women’s empowerment, with TKS Elangovan stating that in the North, “there is nobody to fight for the women.”
  • DMK sources stated that the intention was to highlight the success of women in Tamil Nadu’s industrial workforce.

Key Takeaways:

  • The incident underscores existing regional sensitivities and cultural differences within India, particularly concerning gender roles and development.
  • Political rhetoric often exploits these sensitivities to gain support, as seen by the BJP’s strong condemnation and the DMK’s defense of Maran’s statement.
  • The event highlights the ongoing debate about the progress of women’s rights and education in different parts of India.
  • The remarks could potentially influence voting patterns and regional alliances in future elections.

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