Tamil Nadu Political Firestorm: DMK Minister Faces Opposition Ire Over Controversial Dance Video

A controversy has erupted in Tamil Nadu, with DMK Minister S. Periyakaruppan facing severe criticism after a video surfaced showing him applauding a dance performance at Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin's birthday celebration. The video, which went viral, has triggered a political firestorm, with opposition parties and social media users alike condemning the event as inappropriate and a disgrace to Tamil culture.

The footage shows Minister Periyakaruppan seated in the front row, along with other DMK party functionaries, watching a performance by scantily-dressed young women. Critics have described the dance as "obscene" and "unbecoming of a public representative". Allegations have also surfaced that the minister invited the performers to come closer to him on stage, further intensifying the backlash.

The Tamil Nadu unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has reacted strongly to the video, calling the incident "a grave disgrace". In a social media post, the BJP questioned how women in Tamil Nadu could seek redressal when leaders themselves are allegedly engaging in inappropriate behavior. The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has also criticized the minister, with leader Pasupathy Senthil raising concerns about public decorum.

Social media has been abuzz with criticism, with users questioning the DMK's stance on feminism and Tamil culture. Some users have also circulated an older video purportedly showing the minister in a compromising position with a woman, further fueling the controversy.

This is not the first time a DMK leader has faced criticism for inappropriate behavior. Earlier this year, K. Ponmudy was removed from his DMK post following an uproar over vulgar comments he made about women and religious figures. Despite the controversy, Ponmudy was recently reinstated as one of the party's Deputy General Secretaries, raising questions about the DMK's commitment to addressing misogyny.

The DMK has yet to issue an official response to the Periyakaruppan video. Critics are urging the party leadership to clarify the motive behind the event and the decision to include a performance that is now being challenged for alleged obscenity and impropriety. The incident has raised serious questions about the standards of conduct expected from public officials in Tamil Nadu and the DMK's commitment to upholding cultural values.