Girls educated in south, kept as slaves in north: DMK’s Dayanidhi Maran sparks row

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran triggered a fresh political controversy on Tuesday after making pointed remarks comparing the status of women in northern states with that of women in Tamil Nadu. Speaking at the Quaid-E-Millath Government College for Women in Chennai, Maran praised Tamil Nadu’s record on women’s education while criticising what he described as regressive attitudes toward girls in several northern states.

Addressing students, the former Union minister said Tamil Nadu has long prioritised education and empowerment for women, unlike parts of North India where, according to him, girls are often discouraged from pursuing studies or careers.

He remarked that their girl students should be proud, explaining that in North Indian states, girl children were often asked not to take up jobs and instead remain inside the house to do housework, whereas in their region they wanted girls to study.