The incident has sparked discussions about appropriate conduct during official events and has added to the ongoing political discourse in Tamil Nadu.
Published Mar 06, 2025 | 1:10 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 06, 2025 | 1:10 PM
Zakir Hussain touching Susheela's hand. (Screengrab)
A video showing DMK councillor Zakir Hussain allegedly attempting to remove bangles from the hand of Coonoor Municipal Chairperson Susheela during an anti-Hindi imposition pledge in Tamil Nadu has sparked widespread criticism and debate on social media platforms.
The footage, which has gone viral, depicts Hussain touching Susheela’s hand and seemingly trying to take her bangle while participants recite the pledge.
Following the incident, which reportedly occurred on 1 March, several people criticised his actions. However, Hussain claimed that he held the woman’s hand in an attempt to move forward in the crowd.
BJP Tamil Nadu President K Annamalai shared the clip on social media, condemning Hussain’s actions and asserting that such behaviour is emblematic of the DMK’s conduct.
In his post, Annamalai wrote, “Thirutta (thief) and DMK can never be separated!”
இந்தி எதிர்ப்புப் போர்வையில், வளையலைத் திருடும் குன்னூர் நகர்மன்ற 25-வது வார்டு திமுக கவுன்சிலர் திரு ஜாகிர் உசேன்.
திருட்டையும் திமுகவையும் எப்போதும் பிரிக்கவே முடியாது! pic.twitter.com/1wQKadFcnY
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) March 4, 2025
Retired IPS officer M Nageswara Rao questioned the councillor’s action on X, “Watch the video to see the activity of Zakir Hussain, DMK Councillor of Ward No. 25 of Coonoor Municipal Council while taking Anti-Hindi pledge. Is he attempting to steal the bangle from the woman? OR Is he molesting the woman, which crime the Media is trying to minimise by diverting it as stealing since the accused is a Muslim & the victim woman is non-Muslim? OR Is it both?”
Watch the video👇to see the activity of Zakir Hussain, DMK Councillor of Ward No. 25 of Coonoor Municipal Council while taking Anti-Hindi pledge.
Is he attempting to steal the bangle from the woman?
OR
Is he molesting the woman, which crime the Media is trying to minimise by… pic.twitter.com/PyX2L9hUh5— M. Nageswara Rao IPS (Retired) (@MNageswarRaoIPS) March 5, 2025
BJP National spokesperson Shehzad criticised the act on X, “DMK = Dirty Mindset Kaisa! DMK Councillor Zakir Hussain constantly keeps touching a woman’s hand, even trying to steal her bangle in broad daylight and full public view. Imagine the state of affairs for women in Tamil Nadu with such elements getting DMK patronage. Will Stalin ji sack him?”
DMK = Dirty Mindset Kaisa!
DMK Councillor Zakir Hussain constantly keeps touching a woman’s hand, even trying to steal her bangle in broad daylight and full public view
Imagine the state of affairs for women in Tamil Nadu with such elements getting DMK patronage
Will Stalin… pic.twitter.com/chTgfgQdRG
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) March 5, 2025
However, Hussain has clarified the controversy surrounding the incident.
He stated that on 1 March, during Chief Minister MK Stalin’s birthday celebrations, a flag-hoisting and sweets distribution event took place in Coonoor, followed by an anti-Hindi pledge.
Hussain said that since he arrived late, several women were standing in front of him.
“To move forward, I held the hand of the Municipal Chairperson and guided her ahead,” he said. He claimed that some media outlets were falsely portraying this incident and condemned their action.
The incident has sparked discussions about appropriate conduct during official events and has added to the ongoing political discourse in Tamil Nadu.
This controversy arose amid ongoing tensions between the DMK and the Union government over the alleged imposition of Hindi. Stalin has criticised the Union government’s language policies, advocating for the promotion and recognition of the Tamil language.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
