1 week Ago
Chennai: DMK general secretary Duraimurugan expressed regret for using an offensive term while referring to differently abled people at an event. In a statement, the senior DMK leader said CM M K Stalin had pointed out his wrong choice of words. "I was shocked and saddened after realising that I had used an obscene term while referring to differently abled," Duraimurugan said.
Duraimurugan said in the past, people born with physical challenges were referred to in derogatory terms. "It was Kalaignar (late chief minister M Karunanidhi) who coined the word ‘maatru thiranaligal' (differently abled) with compassion. We have been following it since then.
Despite that, I happened to refer to differently abled using the old, inappropriate term," Duraimurugan said. "It is a grave mistake. I extend my unconditional apology for it.
I express regret to Thalaivar Thalapathy (Stalin) as well," he said. Meanwhile, C Govindakrishnan, founder Nethrodaya, who filed a petition against Duraimurugan with the chief commission for people with disabilities for his remarks called the "unconditional apology" a victory for disabled people. He said politicians who exercised caution while referring to caste and religion should also be careful when they refer to people with disabilities.
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