Jothimani vs Senthilnathan: How Karur Speech Sparked Police Case and Gender Debate in Politics

A police case has been registered against BJP Karur president VV Senthilnathan for allegedly making obscene and derogatory remarks about Congress MP S. Jothimani during a February 10 protest in Karur. Jothimani condemned the comments as sexist abuse.

S. Jothimani row: case filed over alleged derogatory remarks

A political controversy has broken out in Tamil Nadu after police registered a case against V. V. Senthilnathan, the district president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karur. The case relates to remarks he allegedly made about Congress Member of Parliament S. Jothimani during a protest earlier this month.

The protest was organised on February 10 in front of the Head Post Office in Karur by the BJP’s women’s wing. According to police, Senthilnathan allegedly made indecent and derogatory comments about the MP while addressing the gathering. Officials said the speech was insulting to womanhood and could disturb public peace.

Based on a complaint by Karur District Congress president Ramesh, Karur Town Police registered a case under multiple legal provisions, including sections related to insulting the modesty of a woman, public mischief and criminal defamation. The case also invokes provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.

What the FIR alleges

According to details cited from the First Information Report (FIR), the complainant accused the BJP leader of making sexually coloured and degrading statements about the elected woman MP in a public forum using amplified sound. The complaint says the remarks amounted to a direct attack on her dignity and were intended to humiliate and intimidate her.

The FIR also alleges that references of a sexual nature were used to shame the MP publicly. It further claims the speech created a real threat to her safety and could incite hostility and unrest among the public.

A video shared by Jothimani on social media allegedly shows VVSenthilnathan making crude comments and saying she should be deported from the country. Police said they are examining available evidence as part of the investigation.

Jothimani’s reaction

Reacting strongly in New Delhi, Jothimani described the comments as obscene and deeply offensive. She said no woman should face such abuse in public life.

She alleged that the remarks reduced her identity to her gender and body, ignoring her work, merit and political role. She also claimed the comments reflected a wider mindset used to silence outspoken women in politics.

Jothimani said she shared the video publicly to expose what she described as personal and sexist attacks against an elected representative.

Selvaperunthagai K, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President, also condemned Karur District BJP President Senthilnathan, calling his act of targeting Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Mr. Rahul Gandhi MP and people's representative Ms. Jothimani MP with vulgar and derogatory remarks in public highly condemnable and contrary to democratic values.

He added in his post that Senthilnathan's speech cannot be justified in any manner whatsoever.

"Political differences of opinion are the nature of democracy. However, in a situation where one cannot respond to an opinion with another opinion, using language that degrades women's dignity as a weapon only reveals the decline of political decency. The mindset of viewing women not through their labor, talent, and social service, but solely through a sexual lens is dangerous to society itself," he wrote in his X post.

BJP leader’s response

VV Senthilnathan denied any vulgar intent. He said his words were taken out of context and insisted he did not speak in a derogatory manner. He refused to apologise and instead said the MP should apologise for what he claimed was an insult to the country.

He also stated that the protest was aimed at criticising alleged attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament by opposition women MPs. This claim has been rejected by the MP and opposition leaders.

Political reactions and wider row

The controversy has triggered sharp political reactions. Congress leaders condemned the remarks and demanded strict action. Manickam Tagore said the incident reflected a broader pattern of misogyny in public discourse and called for disciplinary action.

The issue gained more attention because it came amid another controversy involving remarks by Nainar Nagendran about actor Trisha Krishnan while criticising actor Vijay. That episode had already sparked public outrage, increasing scrutiny of political speech in the state.

Opposition parties say repeated personal attacks on women leaders weaken democratic debate. They argue that criticism in politics should focus on policies and governance rather than personal remarks.

Legal position and next steps

Police confirmed that the case has been registered under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita dealing with words or gestures intended to insult the modesty of a woman, statements causing public mischief and criminal defamation. Investigators are reviewing video evidence and witness accounts.

If charges are established, the case could proceed to prosecution. Officials have not yet announced any arrest or further legal action.