Dayanidhi Maran Remark Row: Amidst the biting cold of North India, a statement made by Dayanidhi Maran, a Member of Parliament from the ruling DMK party in Tamil Nadu, on women has heated up the political and social atmosphere in the region. His statement has not only caused a stir in the political domain but has also generated sharp outrage in the social circle. The statement clearly reflects insensitivity, narrow-mindedness, and a derogatory attitude towards women.
Maran, who has been elected MP from Chennai Central for the fourth time, while addressing a program at the Quaid-e-Millath Government College, said, "In Tamil Nadu, girls are encouraged to study, while in North India, girls are told to stay at home, cook, and have children."
His comment is being widely criticised as factually incorrect, disrespectful to women, and driven by a sense of regional superiority. People have condemned Maran's statement. Critics said that such comparisons not only devalue women from North India but also deepen the existing gender and regional divisions in society.
Controversial Statement By DMK MP Sparks Row
Maran said, "Girls in our state (Tamil Nadu) confidently carry laptops. They are seen pursuing post-graduation and giving interviews. This confidence comes to the girls of Tamil Nadu because we educate them. But what is the situation in North India? Women there do not go out to work. They manage the house, the kitchen, and the children. That is their job."
He further said, "This is Tamil Nadu, a Dravidian state, the state of Kalaignar (former CM M Karunanidhi), Anna (former CM CN Annadurai), and MK Stalin (the current chief minister). The government under the leadership of Stalin is a 'Dravidian model' government, which works on the idea of everything for everyone."
In Tamil Nadu, we encourage women to study, but what is said in North India? They say that girls should not go to work, he claimed, adding that they stay at home. "You should stay in the kitchen and have children, that's your job," the DMK leader claimed, referring North Indians.
"They say things like this. Why do global companies come to Chennai? Because everyone here is educated. Everyone here knows not only Tamil but also English. The government has also played a significant role in the advancement of women," he added.
Well, you just read the statement of DMK MP Maran above, now read what the facts say about women in North India.
What Is The Situation Of Women In North India?
According to the National Family Health Survey-5 data, women in North India are giving tough competition to women in South India on the front of women's empowerment. The idea of keeping them in the kitchen is very outdated.
Today, women in North India are setting new records, from flying Rafale jets to excelling on the sports field. Maran cannot ignore this changing picture of women's empowerment in North India over the past few decades.
North India Or South, Which Is Better In Terms Of Women's Empowerment?
If we talk about the Women's Empowerment Index (WEI) prepared by analyzing the National Family Health Survey data, the major North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have scores of 19.06 and 19.18 respectively. Meanwhile, South Indian states like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have scores of 17.36 and 17.35.
Goa, Sikkim, And Himachal Pradesh Are Ahead In Women's Empowerment
Goa is at the top with 27.4 points on the women's empowerment front. Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh have scores of 25.9 and 24.2 respectively. West Bengal (17.5), Andhra Pradesh (17.4), and Telangana (17.4) are at the lower end in this regard.
What Did Opposition Leaders Say About Maran's Statement?
A political debate has erupted over Maran's statement. BJP spokesperson Narayanan Thirupathi accused the DMK of trying to create regional divisions. He claimed that the Dravidian model has now become a weapon to insult North Indians and create a rift between Hindi-speaking and non-Hindi-speaking people. Tirupati said, "Once again, Dayanidhi Maran and the DMK have made an absurd statement. Is this the Dravidian model...? How can they insult North Indian women? This statement is highly objectionable. I don't think Dayanidhi Maran has any sense. That's the problem. I strongly condemn Dayanidhi Maran. He must apologise to the people of India, especially the Hindi-speaking people, whom he calls uneducated and uncivilised."
BJP Leader Anila Singh Termed Maran's Statement "Unfortunate."
BJP leader Anila Singh said, "Maran is forgetting that he lives in India, and India worships Shakti (divine feminine power). If he thinks he can divide Shakti into North, South, East, and West, then he has not understood the culture of this country. What is his opinion about Sonia Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and our Honorable President Droupadi Murmu? This divisive politics will not work in this country."
DMK Backs Maran
The DMK has supported Maran's statement and offered a clarification. Party spokesperson TKS Elangovan said, "The development of women depends on which party is in power in which state. Women are empowered in Congress-ruled states. They are working for the education and empowerment of women. In Tamil Nadu too, the focus is on providing good education to women. However, in North India, there is no one fighting for the rights of women."