DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran’s remark on women in North India sparks political row

, a Member of Parliament from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), sparked controversy on Tuesday after making remarks comparing the status of women in northern states with that in Tamil Nadu during an address to students in Chennai.

Speaking at the Quaid-E-Millath Government College for Women, Maran claimed that girls in several North Indian states are often discouraged from pursuing education or employment and are instead expected to remain at home and handle household responsibilities. In contrast, he said, Tamil Nadu actively promotes women’s education and empowerment.

“Our girl students should feel proud. In many North Indian states, girl children are asked not to go for jobs and to stay inside the house doing housework. Here, we encourage our girls to study and progress,” Maran said while addressing the gathering.

The DMK leader went on to praise the Tamil Nadu government under Chief Minister M. K. Stalin, describing the state as a leader in social justice and women’s education. He attributed this focus to the legacy of the Dravidian movement and social reformer Periyar, whom he credited with laying the foundation for educational opportunities for women in the state.

Remarks trigger debate

Maran’s comments, however, drew sharp attention for their broad generalisation about northern states, prompting criticism and debate on social media and within political circles over regional stereotyping and the diverse realities of women’s education across India. The event was organised under the “Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil” (The World in Your Hands) scheme, during which Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin distributed laptops to around 900 final-year students of the college.

Addressing the students, Udhayanidhi Stalin highlighted the importance of education in women’s empowerment and social progress. He said the state government had allocated significant funds to strengthen educational infrastructure and reiterated plans to distribute laptops to nearly 10 lakh students across Tamil Nadu this year.

While the programme focused on education and empowerment, Maran’s remarks have since become the focal point of a wider political discussion on regional narratives, gender equality, and the need for balanced discourse on social issues.