Udhay, Vijay & Politics

DMK neta’s comments were typical of toxic masculinity. TN CM responded wrong but pulled back

The Madras High Court was right to quickly grant bail to Tamil Nadu opposition leader Udayanidhi Stalin after he was detained by police. It was also good that the Tamil Nadu government did not ask the court to keep him in jail.

But that does not make Udayanidhi’s comments at a public meeting acceptable. Even if he did not directly mention women, many people felt his words encouraged rude and disrespectful behaviour. Leaders are expected to speak responsibly because people listen to them and often copy their behaviour. His remarks reflected the kind of “toxic masculinity” that treats women with disrespect and makes sexist jokes seem normal.

Sadly, this is not just one person’s mistake. Politicians from many parties have made insulting or sexual comments about women in recent years. Party leaders should act quickly against such behaviour instead of ignoring it. Since Udayanidhi is himself a senior leader, people expect even better conduct from him.

The Tamil Nadu government’s first reaction was also worrying. Across India, governments sometimes use the police against opposition leaders. That is not healthy for democracy. If a politician says something offensive, the best response is criticism, debate, and action in the assembly—not immediately sending the police.

For a short time, it looked as if the Tamil Nadu government might repeat this bad habit. Fortunately, it stepped back and did not push for Udayanidhi to remain in custody. That was the right decision. In a democracy, politicians should fight with ideas and words, not by using the police against one another.

Read more: Madras HC orders Udhayanidhi Stalin’s release after arrest over ‘double meaning’ remark

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