#MeToo accused lyricist Vairamuthu to be honoured with doctorate; netizens demand background check

Netizens have raised their voice against defence minister Rajnath Singh, who will be present at SRM Institute of Science and Technology in Chennai, to honour #MeToo accused lyricist Vairamuthu. They have urged the minister to conduct a background check before honouring him with the doctorate.  

Chennai: Lyricist Vairamuthu had grabbed headlines quite a number of times.  Not only for his lyrical outbursts, but for #MeToo allegations too. Now, defence minister Rajnath Singh has been invited by the SRM Institute of Science and Technology in Chennai, to present the degree of doctor of literature to Vairamuthu.

Angry netizens have raised their voice on social media, urging the minister to conduct a background check before awarding the lyricist.  

Allegations against Vairamuthu:

Well-known playback singer Chinmayi was the one who first came out boldly alleging that Vairamuthu had tried to molest her many years ago and had also made indecent solicitations to her later.

Six other women came forward:

Not only Chinmayi, but six other women too came on record alleging that they suffered similar experiences at the hands of the lyricist.

Vairamuthu's response:

Despite so many women openly naming Vairamuthu, he refused to budge, and his strong clout in politics and the film industry ensured that those who levelled charges against him were targeted with vicious calumny and mudslinging.

Now, on December 28, SRM deemed university is going to confer Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu with an honorary doctorate. Defence minister Rajnath Singh will present the degree of doctor of literature to him.

Netizens have raised their voice, claiming that the defence minister should not present the doctorate to Vairamuthu. They added that before the event, the concerned authorities should conduct a background check on the lyricist.