Chennai, April 12 -- An obscene comment allegedly made by Tamil Nadu Forests Minister K Ponmudi lost his job as the DMK's Deputy General Secretary on Friday. Ponmudi, known for use of uncharacteristic language, was accused of humiliating southern State's Hindus who are either Vaishnavites or Shaivites.

Addressing a public meeting at Villupuram, Ponmudi had narrated a crass joke made in the past in some meetings held by the Dravidian movement, allegedly linking Shaivite and Vaishnavite symbols to sexual positions.

His speech went viral in the social media, leading to demand by furious members of the Hindu community for his ouster from the Government. What Ponmudi said in his speech is unprintable by any standards. What is significant is ...