Chennai, January 14, 2026: DMK Member of Parliament Dayanidhi Maran has sparked a political and social debate following remarks he made comparing women’s status in northern India with that in Tamil Nadu. Speaking at the Quaid-E-Millath Government College for Women in Chennai, Maran claimed that in several northern states, girls are often discouraged from pursuing education and careers, and are instead expected to remain at home and focus on household work.

Maran, addressing a gathering of students, said, “Our girl students should be proud. In North Indian states, they ask girl children not to go for jobs and to stay inside the house and do housework, but here we want our girls to study.” He praised the ruling DMK government and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, describing Tamil Nadu as “the best state in India” and lauding the administration’s efforts in continuing the Dravidian movement’s focus on social justice and women’s education.

The DMK MP also referred to social reformer Periyar, noting that the Dravidian ideology had laid the foundation for girls’ education in the state, and said the current government was following in those footsteps.

However, Maran’s remarks quickly drew criticism for their sweeping generalisation about northern states, prompting a debate on social media and in political circles about regional stereotyping. Critics argued that the statements oversimplified the diverse realities of women’s education across India.

The event at the women’s college was part of the state government’s “Ulagam Ungal Kaiyil” (The World in Your Hands) scheme. As part of the initiative, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin distributed laptops to 900 final-year students, highlighting the government’s focus on empowering women through education.

Stalin, in his address, emphasised the transformative role of education for women and praised the students for their achievements. “I am happy to distribute laptops to all of you. Once girls complete their education, they contribute significantly to society. We are proud of our girl students,” he said. He also traced the college’s history, noting that former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had named the institution in 1974 and strengthened its infrastructure.

According to Stalin, the state government allocated ₹2.5 crore for this initiative at the college, with a broader plan to provide laptops to 10 lakh students across Tamil Nadu this year. He stressed that the devices should be used for academic purposes rather than entertainment or social media.

Quoting Periyar, Stalin said, “He once said vessels should be taken away from girls and books should be given instead. Today, our chief minister is not only giving laptops but is also emphasising education. My wish is that you achieve even more than men in your fields.”

While the laptop distribution and emphasis on women’s empowerment were widely welcomed, Maran’s comparative remarks about northern states have kept the issue in the spotlight, highlighting the sensitivities surrounding regional narratives and women’s education in India.