Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 11 (ANI): Singer Chinmayi Sripaada has slammed Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K Ponmudy after he made controversial remarks on Hinduism and women. She said that the minister described the joke because apparently there is a market for these jokes in a public gathering.

'This is Minister of Forests, Mister Ponmudi from Tamil Nadu. He previously held posts as a Minister for Science and Tech and Education in Tamil Nadu. He describes a 'joke' because apparently there is a 'market' for these jokes in a public gathering about a man who goes to a sex worker's house,' Sripaada posted.

'Apparently, she asks the man if he is Shaivite or Vaishnavite and goes on to describe in detail about positions if the man were Shaivite or Vaishnavite. Such a speech must have demanded Periyar's photo in the background. This is a joke. The joke is on us. No wonder they are all hand-in-glove with the molester. There has got to be some sort of a divinity or a Goddess or a God that will punish this and raze this to the ground. But doesn't look like God exists,' she added.

Following the remarks, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) dismissed Ponmudy from the position of Deputy General Secretary in the party.

Ponmudy's remarks drew sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party. CR Kesavan demanded his removal from the Ministerial post, stating that he has no 'moral rights' to stay as Minister.

Moreover, Kesavan criticised the ruling DMK and accused them of indulging in 'mere eyewash' by removing him from just the party's position and not from the Tamil Nadu cabinet.

Taking to social media post on X, the BJP leader wrote, 'When the State Emblem of Tamilnadu is a Sacred Temple Gopuram, Ponmudi, after his perverted statements deliberately attacking sacred Hindu symbols to crude sexual innuendos, he has no moral right to continue as Minister of TN Government. DMK is indulging in mere eyewash by removing him from just from the party position. This vile individual should at once be sacked as a Minister.'

Meanwhile, DMK MP Kanizmozhi condemned Minister Ponmudy's remarks, calling them 'unacceptable.'

'Minister Ponmudy's recent speech is unacceptable. Regardless of the reason for the speech, such vulgar remarks are condemnable,' Kanimozhi posted on X. (ANI)