Tamil Nadu Minister’s Comments on Andhra Pradesh Women’s Education Face Backlash

Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Durai Murugan has made controversial remarks regarding women’s education in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, stating that women in these states still do not have the right to education. His comments, made on the occasion of International Women’s Day, have sparked criticism.

Durai Murugan credited Tamil Nadu’s progress in women’s education to the struggles led by social reformer Thanthai Periyar. He asserted that because of these efforts, women in Tamil Nadu have gained access to education and have been able to progress significantly. He further stated that Thanthai Periyar’s activism played a crucial role in promoting women’s education in both Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The minister also highlighted that Tamil Nadu produced its first female doctor, Muthulakshmi Reddy, as a testament to the state's advancement in women’s rights. However, he alleged that in states like Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, women still do not have educational rights.