Tamil Nadu Industries Minister S. Keerthana (TVK) denied she is the woman featured in a viral video showing a person in a short black dress.
The incident highlights the intersection of digital misinformation and gender-based attacks against women in Indian politics. By addressing the controversy, the minister has centered the conversation on the nature of online harassment rather than the content of the video.
The controversy began when social media users circulated the clip, falsely claiming it showed the minister [1, 2]. Keerthana, who is 29 [1], responded to the allegations by distancing herself from the footage and expressing regret for the impact on the actual subject of the video.
"I apologise to the woman in the video for being dragged into this controversy," Keerthana said [2].
Beyond the denial, the minister criticized the motivation behind the viral campaign. She described the trolling as a reflection of a "fragile, regressive mindset" [1]. The minister argued that the attempt to shame a woman based on her attire is a recurring tactic used to undermine women in public office.
"But even if it were, why should it matter?" Keerthana said [1].
The spread of the video has also sparked political friction. Reports differ on which groups were responsible for the sharing of the clip, with some accounts pointing to supporters of the DMK and AIADMK, while others name only DMK supporters [1, 3].
Keerthana characterized the backlash as a targeted attack, stating that misogyny is the oldest weapon used against women [1]. She emphasized that such behavior seeks to police the appearance and conduct of female leaders to distract from their professional roles [1, 3].
“"It is a fragile, regressive mindset that fuels such misogynistic trolling."”
This incident reflects a broader trend of 'character assassination' via deepfakes or misattributed media targeting women in leadership. By framing the attack as a systemic issue of misogyny rather than a personal scandal, Keerthana is attempting to shift the political narrative from one of morality and dress codes to one of digital rights and gender equality.
