DMK Ally's Shocker: 'Man & Woman Out Late Is Degradation,' Sparks Outrage

A political firestorm has erupted in Tamil Nadu over comments by Thiruchengode MLA and DMK ally E.R. Eswaran regarding the recent Coimbatore gang-rape case. In a clip shared by BJP leader K. Annamalai, Eswaran was seen suggesting that 'the presence of a man and a woman together late at night amounted to social degradation'. The remark has drawn widespread condemnation for alleged victim shaming. The BJP's K. Annamalai called the remarks 'regressive' and accused the ruling DMK of using its allies as 'mouthpieces to blame the victim'. The controversy also saw criticism from the TVK, whose General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna highlighted public anger over the comments, and from Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, who questioned the state's law and order situation. Eswaran later defended his statement, arguing that such crimes stem from a lack of moral education in schools.