AIADMK MP C.Ve. Shanmugam stokes controversy over derogatory reference to female actor during protest in Villupuram

AIADMK Rajya Sabha Member C.Ve. Shanmugam, on Tuesday (March 17, 2026), stoked a controversy after he made a derogatory reference to a female actor during a protest organised by the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Villupuram.

Mr. Shanmugam made the comment at the protest while criticising Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s ‘Unga Kanava Sollunga’ scheme.

“While the former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam encouraged students to dream, the Chief Minister has gone a step further, asking people to share their dreams,” he said, before making a controversial remark alluding to dreams and a female actor.

The remarks triggered sharp backlash from various political parties.