Video of municipal staff falling at DMK councillor’s feet in Tindivanam sparks criticism

A video of a municipal staffer, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste, falling at the feet of a DMK woman councillor in Tindivanam Municipality, drew sharp criticism from the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) and the AIADMK on Wednesday (September 3, 2025).

The video shows Muniyappan, a junior assistant, falling at the feet of Ramya Raja, 33, Councillor of Ward 20 in Tindivanam Municipality, apologising for certain remarks he had made against her. The incident occurred on August 29.

However, in her complaint lodged with the Tindivanam Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ms. Ramya said Mr. Muniyappan touched her inappropriately in the guise of falling at her feet.

Councillor’s complaint

The complaint states she had gone to the office for some work when she saw Mr. Muniyappan searching for some files. She asked him to engage another staff member to assist him. He objected to this and made a disrespectful comment, she alleged. “I complained to the Municipal Commissioner, who asked me to submit a written complaint. I went to the office at around 5 p.m. the same day,” she said in her complaint.

Ms. Ramya said she was waiting in the Commissioner’s chamber with a few other staff when Mr. Muniyappan touched her inappropriately under the pretense of falling at her feet. She then lodged a complaint with the police seeking action against him.

VCK’s complaint

Meanwhile, Tindivanam Municipality Vice-Chairperson Rajalakshmi Vetrivel, belonging to the VCK, in a counter-complaint lodged with the police, alleged that Ravichandran, husband of Municipal Chairperson Nirmala, had chided Mr. Muniyappan for speaking against the councillor.

She alleged that Mr. Muniyappan was forced to fall at Ms. Ramya’s feet, and demanded that action be taken under provisions of the Scheduled Caste and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

Police sources said Mr. Muniyappan, who appeared before the Tindivanam DSP, had submitted a written statement that he fell at the feet of the councillor of his own accord as he wanted to avoid an escalation of the issue.

A case has been registered under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and the investigation has commenced, the police said.