National Commission for Women (NCW) member and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar on Tuesday stirred a controversy after calling the Tamil Nadu government’s scheme of giving Rs 1,000 monthly to women heads of the family a ‘pitchai’ (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 that women will not vote for DMK if they are given Rs 1,000 as "alms".
"If DMK eradicates the drug menace and shuts down Tasmac, people would not need to resort to seeking Rs 1,000 alms," she added.
Following the comments, the women's wing of the DMK held protests across the state against Sundar.
Responding to the criticism, Sundar took to X to justify her comments. She 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.
Responding to the comments of Sundar, Tamil Nadu's Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Minister Geetha Jeevan 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.
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