‘Will Women Support DMK For Rs 1,000 Alms’: BJP’s Khushbu Sundar Remark Sparks Row – News18

Actress-turned-politician Khushbu Sundar found herself embroiled in a fresh controversy ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls after calling the Tamil Nadu government’s scheme of giving Rs 1,000 monthly to women heads of the family a ‘pitchai’ (alms).

Addressing a poll rally in Chennai, the member of the National Commission for Women (NCW) said, “Will women vote for them if they are given Rs 1,000 as alms?”

Protesting against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government over the drug menace and the arrest of Tamil film producer Jaffar Sadiq in connection with a Rs 2,000-crore drugs bust, Sundar said, “If DMK eradicates the drug menace and shuts down Tasmac then people would not need to resort to seeking Rs 1,000 alms.”

Explaining her stance, Sundar, who is known for her controversial remarks, took to microblogging site X and said the DMK needed her to stay afloat in the news and all she said was to control the drug menace.

In a post on X, the actor-politician said no one condemned former union minister Murasoli Maran’s statement when he said in 1982 that free meals to the poor provided by then Chief Minister MG Ramachandran was a ‘pitchai’ (alms) thrown at them. She also cited examples of DMK leaders like K Ponmudi and EV Velu making objectionable remarks against women and the people of the state.

“All of you were blind, mute, and deaf then? All I say is stop drug menace and cut your commission from Tasmac. Help our women to save the money spent at Tasmac by working clan. The amount of pain they go through with drunken men is much more than your money. Make them independent and they won’t need your Rs 1,000,” she said in her post on X.

DMK REACTS

However, the comments of BJP’s probable candidate from Central Chennai drew sharp reactions from the ruling DMK. The DMK members slammed Khushbu for lowering the dignity of Tamil women by equating them to those who beg for a living.

According to an India Today report, Tamil Nadu’s Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Minister Geetha Jeevan reacted to Sundar’s comments and said, “Actor Kushbu has spoken in a derogatory manner, calling the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam as ‘pitchai’. She has insulted 1.16 crore women who are benefiting from this scheme.”

“This is extremely painful and shows that she doesn’t know the suffering faced by women. Do you know how helpful this Rs 1,000 is for women? Without knowing anything, you leave your home, catch hold of a mic and say anything. I condemn this,” Jeevan added.

DMK leaders and supporters on Tuesday burnt BJP executive committee member Khushbu Sundar in effigy at Nambiyur Bus Stand condemning her controversial remarks on the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam (Kalaignar Women’s Rights Grant Scheme).

Party workers took out a procession with the effigy and burnt it in front of the bus stand, raising slogans against Khushbu. They said the scheme, announced in the party’s election manifesto, was a great relief for women, and demanded that she apologise for the remarks.