New Delhi, April 11 -- Senior Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader and Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K Ponmudy was dismissed from a key party post on Friday, in light of controversy over his comments on Shaivism and Vaishnavism and sex workers that sparked widespread criticism, including from DMK MP Kanimozhi and BJP state president K Annamalai. Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva is set to replace Ponmudy.

He was being "relieved from the party's deputy general secretary post", DMK President and Chief Minister MK Stalin said, without attributing any reason behind this. Rajya Sabha member Tiruchi Siva will replace Ponmudy, Stalin said, adding Siva was relieved from his Propaganda Secretary post in accordance with rules.

A video of the minister ma...