Chennai, 15 August (H.S.):Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagenthran has sparked a political controversy after allegedly making derogatory remarks about Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and his mother during a function at the party’s State headquarters.

Nagenthran was responding to an earlier statement by Vijay during a political exchange in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, in which the Chief Minister had mockingly referred to his ‘father.’

“If you search for your father in the Assembly, how would anyone know? If you go home and ask your mother, she will tell you who your father is. Asking for a father in the Assembly—who would know that?” Nagenthran said.

The remarks triggered widespread criticism, with political leaders accusing the BJP State president of crossing the limits of acceptable political discourse by dragging the Chief Minister’s mother into the dispute.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president Manickam Tagore strongly condemned the statement and demanded an unconditional apology from Nagenthran to Vijay, his mother and the people of Tamil Nadu.

In a post on X, Tagore alleged that Nagenthran had made the remarks out of political frustration. He accused the BJP leader of repeatedly using uncivilised language and insulting women to attract public attention, asserting that such conduct had no place in democratic politics.

Meanwhile, advocate Varthini filed an online complaint with the office of the Director-General of Police in Chennai, seeking legal action against Nagenthran.

She alleged that his remarks were defamatory, offensive and capable of provoking public resentment. While political leaders had every right to criticise opponents and question their policies, personal attacks against their family members were unacceptable, she said.

Varthini added that the speech had caused her distress as a woman and a mother and urged the police to examine it and take appropriate action.

Minister Vinod also condemned Nagenthran’s statement and demanded a public apology. Political rivalry, he said, should never be allowed to destroy civility and dignity in public life.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman