Former AIADMK minister and Rajya Sabha MP CV Shanmugam has recently come under intense public scrutiny and criticism for making a highly controversial remark that likened women to election freebies.

The remark was made during an AIADMK booth committee training meeting in Tamil Nadu and has ignited a political storm, drawing strong reactions from political leaders, women’s rights activists, and the general public.

Controversial Remark and Political Reactions

India Today reported, Shanmugam stated, “Many announcements will come for the elections. They will provide mixers, grinders, goats, cows for free, and why, they might even give a wife for free to each person.” He framed this comment in the context of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin’s political strategies, highlighting Stalin’s lineage as the son of the late M. Karunanidhi and implying that such grand promises were characteristic of Stalin’s style of governance.

This statement was met with outrage, particularly from the DMK and women’s rights advocates, who branded it as sexist and misogynistic rhetoric that diminishes the dignity of women.

Tamil Nadu’s DMK minister Thirumigu Geetha Jeevan publicly condemned the remark, pointing out the many women-centric welfare schemes initiated by the DMK government to empower women, such as Vidiyal Payanam and Pudhumai Penn. She questioned whether such comments would have been acceptable during the tenure of AIADMK’s former chief Jayalalithaa or whether the current state chief Edappadi Palanisamy would have tolerated such remarks within his party.

Backdrop of Political Tensions and Legal Issues

Shanmugam is no stranger to controversy and has often been vocal in his criticism of the DMK government. Recently, he faced a fine of Rs 10 lakh from the Supreme Court for misusing judicial avenues in political battles, adding to his contentious public image.

The “free wife” remark, however, seems to be one of the most provocative statements made by him. This controversy arrives amid ongoing political rivalry between AIADMK and the ruling DMK, with welfare schemes often becoming a subject of electoral debate. The Tamil Nadu government has repeatedly defended its welfare programmes as genuine efforts aimed at social and economic empowerment rather than political giveaways.

The National Commission for Women has reportedly taken note of Shanmugam’s comment and has sought clarification, emphasizing the need for political accountability when it comes to public discourse about women.

Social and Political Implications

The remark has gone beyond mere political point-scoring, raising deeper questions about the role of political leaders in shaping social attitudes. Comments that reduce women to mere commodities or campaign tools can harm the progress made in gender equality and the societal respect owed to women.

Such rhetoric can undermine the dignity of half the population and erode trust in elected representatives. It also reinforces negative stereotypes that contribute to broader issues of discrimination and violence against women. Women’s groups and activists have urged political parties to take a firm stand against such sexist commentary and to hold their members accountable for statements that demean women.

The reaction from different quarters underscores the continuing sensitivity and importance of gender issues in Indian politics and society.

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

This incident is a clear reminder of the critical need for respectful and empathetic discourse in Indian politics. The Logical Indian believes political leaders must take responsibility for the power their words hold and use it to promote harmony, kindness, and constructive debate.

While criticism is a vital element of democracy, it should never come at the cost of respect and dignity, especially regarding half the population. The Logical Indian stresses that leadership entails modeling behaviour that fosters social cohesion and positive change. Political rhetoric should elevate public dialogue rather than diminish human dignity.