Tamil Nadu Minister Keerthana apologises for her remarks on persons with disability

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Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Minister S. Keerthana. File

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam Minister S. Keerthana. File | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Tamil Nadu Minister S. Keerthana, on Wednesday (May 13, 2026), tendered an apology for her recent remarks about persons with disability. In a social media post, Ms. Keerthana said she came to know that some of her remarks have hurt some people.

She said it was not in her intention to disrespect persons with disability. “I too, am a daughter of a disabled mother. I have that pain too. I appeal not to politicise my words made out of ignorance. If my words have hurt anyone, I express my regret and tender my apology.”

This comes after the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Minister was slammed for the use of the Tamil word ‘Oonamutror’ that refers to the persons with disability, during one of her interactions with the media.

அண்மையில் நான் தெரிவித்த கருத்துகள் சிலருக்கு வருத்தத்தை ஏற்படுத்தியிருப்பதை அறிகிறேன். மாற்றுத்திறனாளிகள் குறித்து மரியாதைக்குறைவாக பேச வேண்டும் என்ற எண்ணம் எனக்கு ஒருபோதும் இல்லை. மாற்றுத்திறனாளி தாய்க்கு பிறந்த மகள் தான் நான்; அந்த வலியும் வேதனையும் எனக்கும் உள்ளது. அறியாமல்…

— Virudhai Magal Keerthana (@Keerthana4VNR) May 13, 2026

Published - May 13, 2026 08:03 pm IST

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