Singer Chinmayi Sripada said that all political parties are equal and not all speak against molesters and harassers. (Image: News18)
The singer, who has been fighting for justice in a sexual harassment case for the last five years, sought action against Tamil lyricist Vairamuthu, who is said to be close to MK Stalin-led DMK.
Five years after Tamil poet and lyricist Vairamuthu accused her of sexual harassment, singer Chinmayi Sripada is still hopeful of justice. The singer lashed out at the ruling DMK for its “selective support” to those exploited by sex offenders.
“I have only one request to Chief Minister MK Stalin. The rule may not be different for sexual harassers belonging to a different party and may not be different for someone in your own circle. This is something I’ve been saying for years. If he can speak for justice for one group of people, he should be in a position to speak for others as well,” Sripada told News18.
Sripada said that all political parties are equal and not all speak against molesters and harassers. “The person who has the power to restrict me is Radha Ravi; He is with BJP. He was in the DMK when he banned me, and showing solidarity with Vairamuthu, he was quick to ban me. My case is going on in the civil court for almost five years.
The lead singer compared the abuses and trolls faced by Olympic medalist Sakshi Malik in 2018 when she spoke out against the lyricist. “Wrestlers have brought pride to the country. Sakshi has got us a medal in the Olympics. He is using the same line for Sakshi as he did for me. I really hope that justice will be done, not just for me but for all those who are fighting a lonely battle against sexual harassment and eve teasing as they all are somehow or the other close to some politician or person in power They find a way to come. said the singer.
Sripada further said that her fight was a “lonely fight” with no support from the film fraternity. She broke down saying that her family was a pillar of strength for her during her uphill battle against Vairamuthu.
“I am abused every day. In the last five years, I think I have performed a total of five songs which was way more than what I was doing before. It has been very lonely, which is why I have completely lost faith and don’t expect anything from my fraternity. I am able to fight only because of the support of my family. It is tough but my family is supporting me. I am so glad that wrestlers are standing up for each other.”
Politics over Sripada’s allegations escalated with the Tamil Nadu BJP taking on the DMK for its inaction on the issue. State president K Annamalai said: “There are 19 complaints against Vairamuthu. A singer has claimed for years that he sexually assaulted her but the police didn’t even question him. This is because he is close to MK Stalin.
The DMK has said that the law will take its own course and the party is not protecting Vairamuthu. “What happened in Delhi is different. It was the police who removed the agitating wrestlers and the government has a role in that matter. Here, it is between two persons. Chinmayi had filed a complaint. Let him pursue that complaint. I do not know the nature of the complaint. We are not protecting anyone here. There are many petitions pending before the courts and the government cannot interfere in court cases. In Delhi, the police was involved in removing the agitators,” said party leader TKS Elangovan.
