DMK suspends Radha Ravi for sexist remarks against Nayanthara

Director Vignesh Shivan, who is a close friend of Nayanthara, and actors Kamal Haasan, Taapsee Pannu and Vishal condemned the remarks after they were widely circulated on social media. In a tweet tagging Stalin and DMK leader Kanimozhi, Shivan demanded action against a “crass and sexist” Ravi.

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Nayanthara, among the most popular Tamil actors and also called as Lady Super Star, is known for her popular films as well as those discussing social issues.

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In a statement announcing Ravi’s suspension from all party posts, Stalin said the comments were unacceptable for the DMK and that Ravi was suspended for violating party discipline and bringing disrepute to it. “Party men’s public opinions should be in a dignified manner. Action will be taken against those who violate it,” Stalin said in a tweet.

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Nayanthara also issued a statement in the evening, thanking the DMK and Stalin for taking action against Ravi. “At the outset, I would like to remind Radha Ravi and the likes of misogynists like him that they were also given birth by a woman. By demeaning the status of women and passing sexist remarks, these retarded men get a feeling of machismo. I feel terribly sorry for the way they treat women in an opinionated way and my empathy remains with all the women who live in the families of these ‘macho’ men… When actors like Radha Ravi fall out of business and become irrelevant, they tend to rely on cheap popularity tactics in order to grab some limelight,” she said, adding that women were asserting their due place in this era of meritocracy. In her statement, she also asked the Tamil actors’ association, Nadigar Sangam, whether an internal complaints committee would be set up as per the Supreme Court’s order and an internal inquiry be initiated as per Vishaka Guidelines. Follow more election news here.

Meanwhile, Ravi expressed regret for his remarks. “To Nayanthara and Vignesh, I express regret. Because it is a matter of anguish that it has affected them… they hail from my cinema industry,” he told Tamil TV channel Puthiya Thalaimurai. — With PTI inputs