Controversy has erupted as the DMK decided to invite lyricist Vairamuthu, who has been accused of sexual harassment by more than a dozen women, to preside over the Karunanidhi Kottam on 20 June 2023.
This decision by the DMK has drawn sharp criticism from the public and raised questions about the party’s stance on accountability and gender justice.
The centenary birth celebrations of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi have been underway, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin unveiling the logo “Kalaignar 100” on 2 June 2023. The logo represents the years 1924 to 2023, symbolizing the life and legacy of Karunanidhi. The former Governor of West Bengal, Gopalkrishna Gandhi, received the logo during a function held at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai.
During the event, Chief Minister Stalin also announced plans to establish a convention center in Chennai, dedicated to the late DMK patriarch, with a seating capacity of 5,000. These celebrations have been taking place district-wise, and in the upcoming event at Tiruvarur, Vairamuthu, who has faced allegations of sexual harassment in the wake of the #MeToo movement, has been chosen to preside over the Karunanidhi centenary poetry hall.
Expressing his anticipation for the event, Vairamuthu took to Twitter, stating his intention to preside at the Karunanidhi Centenary Hall and mentioning his visit to Tiruvarur and Thirukkuvalai, the birthplace of Karunanidhi.
நாளை
கலைஞர் நூற்றாண்டுக்
கவியரங்கில்
தலைமையேற்கிறேன்இன்று
திருச்சி வழியே
திருவாரூர் செல்கிறேன்மாலை
திருக்குவளை சென்று
கலைஞர் பிறந்த
வரலாற்று மண்ணை
வணங்குகிறேன்தாயில்லாத
கூட்டைத்தேடும் பறவைபோல்
நீயில்லாத
வீட்டைத்தேடி வருகிறேன்நீரூறும் கண்களோடு#கலைஞர்100 #kalaiganr100
— வைரமுத்து (@Vairamuthu) June 19, 2023
However, his participation in these celebrations has triggered a backlash, particularly from the women who accused him of sexual harassment. They argue that allowing a person facing such serious allegations to take a leading role in celebrating Karunanidhi’s centenary is an insensitive move by the DMK.
This controversy comes on the heels of another recent incident where Vairamuthu was allocated a house under the ‘Dream House’ scheme by the DMK government. The decision to honor Vairamuthu, despite the pending allegations against him, drew criticism and accusations of favoritism.
A few years ago, during the #MeToo movement, singer Chinmayi accused Vairamuthu of sexually harassing her during a professional interaction. Her accusation brought attention to the pervasive issue of workplace harassment and abuse of power in the Tamil film industry. Around 17 women have levelled sexual harassment charges against the lyricist who shares close ties with the DMK. The movement empowered several other women to come forward with their own allegations against Vairamuthu and other individuals in the industry.
The inclusion of Vairamuthu in the Karunanidhi centenary celebrations has reignited the debate surrounding the accountability of alleged perpetrators of sexual harassment and the need for a safer and more inclusive industry. The DMK government’s decision has sparked criticism and has once again raised questions about the party’s commitment to addressing issues of gender justice and supporting survivors of harassment.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the DMK and other stakeholders will respond to the concerns raised by the public and the victims of sexual harassment, and whether there will be any changes in the planned participation of Vairamuthu in the upcoming centenary event.
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