Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K Ponmudi was removed as DMK's Deputy General Secretary following backlash after he joked about sex workers and Hindu traditions Shaivism and Vaishnavism, reports said. Ponmudi cracked the joke during an event, a video of which was widely shared online, sparking outrage. DMK MP Kanimozhi condemned Ponmudi's speech, calling it "unacceptable" and "vulgar".