Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister S. Ramesh has vehemently criticized the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), asserting that the party’s fundamental nature is characterized by engaging in “obscene and derogatory” speech. The minister made these remarks on Monday, September 14, 2026, while addressing reporters, escalating the political discourse in the state.
Minister Ramesh stated that using foul language is deeply ingrained in the DMK’s “DNA.” He issued a stern warning against making disparaging remarks about Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, indicating that strict legal action would be pursued against any such offenders. While acknowledging the democratic right to protest, Ramesh strongly condemned the use of offensive language in political discourse.
The minister’s strong condemnation came in the wake of remarks made by DMK leaders, including Member of Parliament A. Raja, during a statewide protest. Ramesh accused the DMK of employing obscenity, defamation, and threats as their primary political tools. He specifically highlighted the conduct of a former HR&CE minister, stating it was particularly shameful for an individual who had held such a significant office to resort to abusive language and threats against political opponents and the general public.
Asserting that his party’s political culture is different, Ramesh declared that stooping to the level of abusive politics was not their way. He emphasized that Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had instilled higher values. However, Ramesh also issued a cautionary note, stating that “every action would have a reaction” and urged the DMK to exercise greater care in their choice of words. He remarked that political parties should be prepared for criticism, but those who mistake abuse and threats for political strategy would eventually face consequences in the political arena.
Loyola Mani, chairman of the Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation, also questioned the conduct of the DMK leaders, asking if their behavior represented the party’s true politics and if it aligned with the teachings of its founder, C.N. Annadurai. Mani suggested that the DMK had forfeited its moral right to invoke Annadurai’s name, predicting that the public would deliver a befitting lesson to the party in the upcoming Assembly by-elections.
Ministers K. Jagadeshwari and S. Keerthana also issued statements aligning with Ramesh’s views.
This political exchange follows a broader pattern of sharp retorts between the ruling party and the opposition in Tamil Nadu. Earlier in September 2026, Minister Ramesh had also criticized the previous DMK government for alleged neglect of temples across the state, pointing to specific issues of poor maintenance and lack of basic amenities in several prominent temples. He had stated that an inspection of 17 temples in Kumbakonam revealed a “deplorable state,” citing examples such as inadequate drainage systems leading to foul odors and general neglect of temple premises.
The ongoing verbal sparring underscores the intense political competition in Tamil Nadu, with parties employing strong rhetoric to attack their rivals’ records and ideologies. The focus on the nature of political discourse and the alleged use of derogatory language by the DMK has become a central theme in the current political narrative.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
