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Chennai: DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran sparked a political debate on gender equality on Tuesday by contrasting Tamil Nadu’s approach to women’s empowerment with what he described as regressive attitudes in parts of North India. His remarks came at an event where Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin distributed laptops to 898 female college students under the state’s “The World is in Your Hands” scheme.
Speaking at the Quaid-e-Millath Government College for Women in Chennai, Maran said, “In North India, they tell women not to go to work, to stay in the kitchen at home, and to have children – that this is their job. But this is Tamil Nadu. Here, we encourage women to progress. Women's progress is the progress of Tamil Nadu.”
Praise for Stalin and dravidian legacy
The Central Chennai MP hailed Chief Minister M.K. Stalin as “the best Chief Minister among all Indian states” and credited the Dravidian movement, inspired by Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, for championing girls’ education. “Periyar ignited the spark of Dravidian ideology in our state. He emphasized that girl children should receive education. Based on this, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is working,” Maran stated.
Laptop distribution initiative
Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin presided over the distribution, which is part of the DMK government’s broader efforts to boost digital access and educational opportunities for women. The event was also attended by local Corporation Councillor Chittarasu.
Maran’s comments, while celebrating Tamil Nadu’s progressive policies, are likely to fuel the ongoing political discourse on regional cultural contrasts ahead of the 2026 assembly elections.
