Kavundampalayam MLA Kanimozhi Santhosh has said that the regressive mindset of viewing women must change, while defending Minister Keerthana’s commitment to public service.
Kanimozhi Santhosh said that, as a woman and a sister, she had witnessed the situation personally. She stated that her sister, Minister Keerthana, returned to public service just four days after undergoing surgery, despite doctors advising her to take 20 days of rest.
According to Kanimozhi Santhosh, even while recovering in the hospital, Keerthana remained concerned about whether arrangements for the Chief Minister’s London visit were progressing properly.
She expressed disappointment that when Keerthana’s absence from work for a few days was discussed, some people focused not on her health, injury or recovery but linked her absence to menstruation.
Kanimozhi Santhosh said women should not be defined merely by their biological cycles and pointed out that women serve as leaders, professionals, mothers and daughters while continuing their responsibilities despite pain, illness and injuries.
She further said that discussing a woman’s body when her work cannot be criticised is not political criticism but an expression of a regressive mindset.
She called for women to be respected for their achievements and urged people to stop turning women’s bodies into subjects of political ridicule.
“Women deserve better respect, and Tamil Nadu deserves a better political culture,” she said.
Addressing Keerthana, Kanimozhi Santhosh added that she knew her sister had wanted to keep the matter private, but said that as a sister who had witnessed her dedication, she felt it was her responsibility to speak about it.