K. Ponmudi, the Tamil Nadu Forest Minister and senior DMK leader, sparked controversy with a speech at a public event, where he made comments connecting Hindu religious identities with sexual positions.

Ponmudi is heard stating, "Women, please don't misunderstand," in a widely shared video from the event. The video then goes on to tell a joke about a man visiting a sex worker, who then asks the man if he is Shaivite or Vaishnavite. In the story, she explains things to the man who doesn't understand by asking if he wears a naamam (a vertical tilak linked with Vaishnavism) or a pattai (a horizontal tilak associated with Shaivism). The position is "lying down" if he is Shaivite, and "standing up" if he is Vaishnavite, she continues. 

DMK MP Kanimozhi denounced Ponmudi's remarks. In a post on X, she wrote, “Minister Ponmudi’s recent speech is unacceptable. Regardless of the reason for the speech, such vulgar remarks are condemnable.” K Annamalai, the leader of the BJP in Tamil Nadu, criticised the DMK for Minister Ponmudi's divisive comments, claiming that they were the party's norm for political speech. "Not just this Minister, the entire DMK ecosystem is vulgar, foul-mouthed, and uncouth. Hang your head in shame, Thiru @mkstalin, for leading such a disgraceful pack," wrote Annamalai. 

Actor and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar, in a post on X, tagged Chief Minister MK Stalin and asked, “Will you ever have the guts to throw him out of his chair and position? Or you and your party find sadistic pleasures in insulting women and Hinduism?” She also questioned if “the women in your household approve of these insults when they visit temples brazenly.” Singer Chinmayi Sripaada criticised Ponmudi for treating such comments as jokes and making them seem acceptable. “This is a joke. The joke is on us,” she wrote, adding, “There has GOT to be some sort of a divinity or a Goddess or a God that will punish this.”

 Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP's IT Cell, described it as an extension of the DMK's purported attacks against Hinduism. In reference to Udhayanidhi Stalin's previous statements regarding Sanatan Dharma, Malviya said, “Whether it’s DMK, Congress, TMC, or RJD, members of the I.N.D.I. Alliance seem united not by ideology, but by a shared disdain for Hindu beliefs.” The backlash led the DMK to take quick action, removing Ponmudi from his position as deputy general secretary of the party. Tiruchi N Siva has now taken over the role.