Madras High Court Orders FIR Against TN Minister Ponmudi for Offensive Remarks on Hindu Beliefs

The Madras High Court has directed Tamil Nadu police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against the state’s Higher Education Minister, K Ponmudi, by April 23. The order follows public outrage over a speech in which the minister allegedly made offensive remarks about Saivite and Vaishnavite Hindus, including derogatory references to women.

Justice N Anand Venkatesh, who issued the order while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL), cautioned that if police fail to act, the court will initiate suo motu proceedings. “There is no escape from this,” the judge said, urging the authorities to treat the case with the same seriousness as other hate speech incidents, regardless of the speaker’s political stature.

The PIL, filed by advocate and Vaishnavite Hindu B Jagannath, seeks Ponmudi’s disqualification and criminal prosecution. The petitioner claimed that Ponmudi’s speech included lewd analogies linking religious practices to sex work, thereby mocking Saivism and Vaishnavism. Jagannath argued that the remarks violated the secular obligations of a Cabinet Minister and undermined the dignity of public office.

Further, the PIL questioned whether the public meeting had official permission and accused the police of deliberate inaction due to political influence. The complaint also outlined Ponmudi’s prior controversies, including a corruption case in which the Supreme Court granted conditional relief, and his temporary removal as DMK Deputy General Secretary amid the backlash.

Jagannath also referenced an Enforcement Directorate case from July 2024 involving alleged illegal red earth mining during Ponmudi’s tenure as Mines Minister. The probe led to the provisional attachment of assets worth ₹14.21 crore, with findings indicating the misuse of mining licenses granted to the minister’s son and associates, and alleged diversion of funds abroad.

Ponmudi’s recent comments have sparked criticism from various quarters, including from DMK MP Kanimozhi, who is also the Chief Minister’s sister.