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Politicians Who Sparked Outrage With Derogatory Remarks About Women
In India, a politician named Udhayanidhi Stalin made a joke about a famous actress named Trisha while speaking at a public meeting.
The joke was about water, but many people thought the way he said it was mean and disrespectful to women.
Police filed a case against him, and he was arrested and then released.
Stalin says he did not mean anything bad by his words, but the argument keeps going.
This is not the first time a politician has been in trouble for saying unkind things about women.
In 2014, Mulayam Singh Yadav said boys who do bad things should not always get the strictest punishment.
In 2019, Azam Khan was stopped from campaigning for three days after saying something rude about his rival.
Another politician, Pappu Yadav, apologized after saying women rise in politics through bad reasons.
Many people are asking politicians to be respectful and careful when they talk about women.
DMK leader and Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin was arrested and released after a case was filed over his alleged double-meaning remark about actress Trisha Krishnan.
At a rally during the Cauvery protest, Stalin responded to 'Trisha, Trisha' chants with a sexist remark while referring to the Cauvery water issue; he denies the allegations.
The women's wing of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam filed a complaint, and political leaders across the spectrum condemned the remarks as crass and derogatory, demanding apologies.
Azam Khan was temporarily banned from campaigning for 72 hours by the Election Commission of India after a sexually suggestive remark about rival Jaya Prada during the 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign.
Pappu Yadav apologized after the Bihar State Women's Commission issued a notice over his April 2026 claim that many women advance in politics through sexual favours.
- Who
- Udhayanidhi Stalin, DMK leader and Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu, plus other politicians including Mulayam Singh Yadav, Azam Khan, Digvijaya Singh, and Pappu Yadav.
- What
- Politicians made derogatory, 'sexist' remarks about women; Stalin's alleged double-meaning remark about actress Trisha Krishnan led to his arrest and release.
- Where
- India, primarily Tamil Nadu where the Cauvery protest rally was held; Pappu Yadav's case involved the Bihar State Women's Commission.
- When
- The Udhayanidhi Stalin controversy began on a Monday during the Cauvery protest; earlier incidents date to 2013 (Digvijaya Singh), 2014 (Mulayam Singh Yadav), 2019 (Azam Khan), and April 2026 (Pappu Yadav).
- Why
- The remarks were widely viewed as sexist and misogynistic, undermining women's dignity; critics demanded accountability and respectful public discourse.
Critics and Women's Organizations
Politicians and Defenders
Udhayanidhi Stalin's remark about Trisha Krishnan
Critics and Women's Organizations
Condemned as crass, derogatory, and misogynistic, prompting complaints, an arrest, and demands for an apology.
Politicians and Defenders
Stalin denies the alleged double meaning and says he meant nothing derogatory.
Pappu Yadav's comments on women in politics
Critics and Women's Organizations
The claim that women advance in politics through sexual favours demeans women and sparked widespread outrage.
Politicians and Defenders
Yadav apologized but insisted his comments aimed to reflect the exploitation of women in politics.
Punishment for remarks about women
Critics and Women's Organizations
Politicians should be held accountable because such comments undermine women's dignity and perpetuate misogyny.
Politicians and Defenders
Mulayam Singh Yadav argued in 2014 that offenders are 'boys' who 'make mistakes' and should not face the death penalty for sexual assault.
Key facts
- Key Figure
- Udhayanidhi Stalin, DMK leader and Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu
- Incident
- Alleged 'double meaning' remark about actress Trisha Krishnan
- Context
- Rally during the Cauvery protest, with 'Trisha, Trisha' chants
- Legal Status
- Arrested and released after a case was filed
- Complaint Filed By
- Women's wing of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam
- Other Politicians Cited
- Mulayam Singh Yadav, Azam Khan, Digvijaya Singh, Pappu Yadav
- Azam Khan Penalty (2019)
- 72-hour campaign ban by the Election Commission of India
- Pappu Yadav Outcome
- Suo motu notice from Bihar State Women's Commission; later apology
Quotes
Udhayanidhi Stalin
DMK leader and Leader of the Opposition
“"boys make mistakes"”
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