Justice P Velmurugan, who heard the case, said that the judiciary could not be mere spectators as India is a democracy with many communities.
Published Jul 08, 2025 | 12:51 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 08, 2025 | 12:51 PM
Former Tamil Nadu Minister K Ponmudy.
Synopsis: The Madras High Court took up the suo motu case against former Tamil Nadu minister K Ponmudy over his remarks against Saivism and Vaishnavism. Justice P Velmurugan, who heard the case, said that the judiciary could not be mere spectators as India is a democracy with many communities.
The Madras High Court on Tuesday, 8 July, took up the suo motu case against DMK MLA and former Tamil Nadu minister K Ponmudy over his remarks made on a public stage, where he referenced sex workers to criticise Saivism and Vaishnavism.
The controversy arose after Ponmudy, then the state forest minister, allegedly made remarks during a Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam event in Villupuram.
Justice P Velmurugan, who heard the case, said that the judiciary could not be mere spectators as India is a democracy with many communities.
“Nowadays, these politicians feel that the sky is the limit under Article 19. When they’re coming to the public, they must realise that they’re living in a country which is meant for every person. It’s not meant for any particular person. Not for the politician alone. Everyone must realise that they’re living among the people,” the judge noted.
On Saturday, the court had warned of ordering a CBI probe if the Tamil Nadu police hesitated to investigate the cases against Ponmudy.
However, when the Advocate General informed the court that the complaints against Ponmudy had been closed, it said it would keep the suo motu case pending.
“I’ll see how the investigation is going. If they’re aggrieved, they can approach the authorities,” said Justice Velmurugan.
“You’ll have acknowledgement from the complainants (for closing the complaints). If any person comes and says they’ve not been served with notice (before closing), this court will come down heavily. 140 crore people are living in this country. Everyone picking up the mic must understand it. A strong message should go out. Otherwise, we won’t be able to stop it,” he noted, reported LiveLaw.
“Everyone is taking the mic and saying so many things as if they’re the king. As if no one can do anything against the king. The court cannot just watch and tolerate all this,” the court said and adjourned the case to 1 August.
Earlier, the AG had informed the court that five complaints had been filed against Ponmudy and that they had been forwarded to the respective police stations for further action.
During the hearing of a disproportionate assets case against Ponmudy before Justice Anand Venkatesh, he emphasised that, in line with the Supreme Court’s directive that hate speech cases must be registered suo motu, failure to do so would amount to contempt of court.
Earlier, the DMK had removed Ponmudy from the post of deputy general secretary of the party for his remarks. Following his removal from the post, Tiruchi N Siva was appointed as the Deputy General Secretary of the DMK.
MP and DMK’s Deputy General Secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi and BJP Mahila Morcha National President and Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan had condemned Ponmudy.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
