Protests have taken place across Tamil Nadu in support of Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) President Thol.Thirumavalavan and calling for a ban on an ancient Hindu text Manusmriti, which has caused controversy over segments that denigrate women.  

In an online speech delivered on ‘Periyar and Indian Politics’ to the European Union Periyar and Ambedkar Comrades’ Federation, Thirumavalavan held forth that the Hindu scripture denigrates and enslaves women.  

“As per Hindu Dharma, all women are created by God as prostitutes. They are prostitutes as per Hindu Dharma…Manu Dharma. The status of all women is less than that of a man,” Thirumavalavan said in the event. 

Hindu-nationalist forces, headed by the BJP, have called Thirumavalavan’s commentary offensive and have been expressing opposition to his interpretation of the Manusmriti. Khushbu, who recently defected to the BJP from Congress, has demanded that Thirumavalavan tender an apology for his misogynistic comments. In an attempt to smear the VCK leader further, Tamil Nadu BJP legal cell secretary Ashwathaman filed a case against him with the Chennai City Police. Thirumavalavan has now been booked for six offences as per the Indian Penal Code. 

Following the commotion, the VCK called for a state-wide ban on the Manusmriti and organised events across Tamil Nadu on October 24 gathering public approval for the cause. Speaking on the event in Chennai, Thirumavalavan condemned the BJP’s reaction to his speech and denounced their attempts to stir up trouble within VCK’s coalition with the DMK. 

DMK President M.K. Stalin expressed his solidarity with Thirumavalavan in a statement in which he condemned the attack against the VCK chief and also denounced the case that has been filed against him by the BJP. "This spurious complaint has to be withdrawn immediately," Stalin wrote. 

Other major Tamil Nadu political parties have also come out in support of Thirumavalavan including Seeman, the chief coordinator of the Naam Tamilar Katchi. "It is cowardly that, incapable of countering ideas with ideas, some people are resorting to propagating slander," Seeman wrote. MDMK leader Vaiko, Congress leader P. Chidambaram, the Communist Party of India have also come out in support of Thirumavalavan.

However, despite the widespread endorsement of Thirumavalavan’s comments on Manusmriti, the ruling party ADMK has condemned the VCK chief’s statements. This accords with the growing perception amongst some Tamil Nadu political observers that the ADMK government, headed by Edappadi Palanisamy is playing second fiddle to the Hindu-nationalist government of the BJP at the centre. 

Read more from The Hindu, Minnambalam and The News Minute. 

Also read more from Meena Kandasamy in The Wire here.