Minister denies viral video claim

Tamil Nadu Industries Minister S Keerthana has clarified that she is not the woman in a viral video that sparked a political row, as social media users circulated the clip while drawing comparisons with her. The video showed a woman getting out of a car in a short black dress.

Keerthana, a first-term MLA from Sivakasi representing the TVK, said in a post on X that the controversy reflected a "fragile, regressive mindset" and questioned why a woman's clothes, appearance, or joy should be treated as matters for public trial. "But even if it were, why should it matter?" she added.

The minister accused political opponents of resorting to personal attacks when they could not challenge the government on policy or governance. "When they can't challenge us on our policies, governance, or track record, they resort to manufacturing narratives about the personal lives of leaders and their family members. Misogyny is the oldest weapon of those who have nothing substantive to positively contribute," she said.

In a separate statement, Keerthana took an indirect swipe at DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, remarking, "I'm not surprised! What else can you expect from followers of a leader with a track record of deeply derogatory remarks against women?" — an apparent reference to him, though she did not name him directly.

Apology to the woman in the video

Keerthana also apologised to the woman in the video for being dragged into the controversy because of a passing resemblance. "To the woman in the video, dragged into this simply due to a passing resemblance: I'm sorry. You look stunning, and I hope you keep living on your own terms (and loving those highlights!)," she wrote.

She said the episode reflected how women in public life continued to face scrutiny over their appearance and personal choices rather than their work and political record. Keerthana, who was elected from Sivakasi in the 2026 Assembly polls, has emerged as one of the most visible faces of the TVK government in the media. Before entering electoral politics, she worked as a political consultant and campaign strategist. She is the youngest minister in the Vijay-led Cabinet and has attracted national attention for speaking several languages, including Hindi.

Political reactions

The controversy prompted condemnation from DMK leaders as well. DMK IT wing secretary TRB Rajaa said, "Nothing justifies misogyny. NOTHING. The DMK stands firmly for women's dignity, rights and freedom," and said the party's IT wing would bring such posts to the attention of its legal wing.

DMK MP Kanimozhi said women in public life had faced such attacks across party lines for years. "Criticising women over their clothes, appearance and personal lives because they cannot be confronted ideologically is an expression of cheap politics," she said.

Widening blame

The reports differ on which political groups were behind the circulation of the video. One account said social media accounts reportedly linked to DMK supporters shared the clip, while another described the posts as coming from "political opponents" without naming any party. Keerthana herself accused supporters of both the DMK and AIADMK at a separate public event of running what she called false campaigns against women online.

The differing characterisations of the source of the attacks reflect the charged political atmosphere in Tamil Nadu, where the ruling TVK faces opposition from the DMK and AIADMK. Despite the disagreement over who was responsible, all reports agree on Keerthana's core message: that women's appearance and personal choices should not be subjected to public scrutiny, and that misogyny has no place in political discourse.