Muzaffarpur, Bihar: A court in Bihar has issued a summons to DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran of Tamil Nadu over his allegedly derogatory remarks about women from North India. The Muzaffarpur court has directed Maran to appear in person on February 23, 2026 to respond to the complaint.
The summons, issued by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM-1, West), was sent via registered post on February 13, 2026. The court emphasized that Maran must personally present his defense.
Why Was Maran Summoned?
Maran reportedly stated that women in North India are limited to cooking and bearing children, contrasting them with women in Tamil Nadu, who he described as educated and progressive. The remarks drew sharp criticism in North India.
A complaint was filed by advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha in Muzaffarpur, alleging that Maran’s statements were not only an insult to the dignity of North Indian women but also a deliberate attempt to incite regional hatred and disrupt national unity.
The court issued the summons under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Sections 74, 75, and 79 (insult and infringement of women’s dignity), Sections 192 and 298 (hurting religious or regional sentiments), and Sections 352 and 251(2) (intention to cause public disturbance).
Background of the Controversial Remarks
The remarks were made on January 14, 2026, at an event in Chennai. Maran highlighted that in Tamil Nadu, girls are encouraged to pursue education and career opportunities, while in North India, they are often expected to remain at home, manage household chores, and focus on childbearing. He cited examples of Tamil Nadu students benefiting from government-provided laptops and pursuing higher education with confidence, contrasting it with the perceived restrictions on girls in North India.
Who Is Dayanidhi Maran?
Dayanidhi Maran is a senior politician from Tamil Nadu and a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). He has represented Chennai Central in the Lok Sabha since 2004, winning elections in 2004, 2009, 2019, and 2024.
Maran has held key portfolios in the central UPA government, serving as Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Telecommunications (2004-2007) and Union Minister for Textiles (2009-2011). He is the son of late former Union Minister Murasoli Maran and the grandson of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. His elder brother, Kalanidhi Maran, is the founder of Sun Group.
Maran completed his graduation in Economics from Loyola College, Chennai, before entering politics and previously had associations with Sun TV and print media.
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