Actor Radha Ravi has joined the AIADMK months after he was suspended from the DMK for his derogatory comments against Nayanthara.
He met Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami and Minster for Information Kadambur Raja at the chief minister’s house today. Palaniswami announced the news on Twitter.
கழக இணை ஒருங்கிணைப்பாளரும் மாண்புமிகு தமிழக முதல்வருமான திரு.எடப்பாடி கே.பழனிசாமி அவர்களை இன்று (12.6.2019) திரைப்பட நடிகரும் முன்னாள் சட்டமன்ற உறுப்பினருமான திரு.ராதாரவி அவர்கள் நேரில் சந்தித்து தன்னை கழகத்தின் அடிப்படை உறுப்பினராக இணைத்துக் கொண்டார். #AIADMK pic.twitter.com/hnXCE2FPRV
— Edappadi K Palaniswami (@CMOTamilNadu) June 12, 2019
In March, the entire film industry condemned Radha Ravi for slut-shaming Nayanthara and mocking the Pollachi sexual assault cases at the audio launch of Nayanthara’s film Kolaiyuthir Kaalam.
This was before the Lok Sabha elections when Radha Ravi was member of Dravida Munntera Kazhagam (DMK). Many AIADMK members had incidentally criticised them for not taking action. Days later, the party suspended him temporarily.
DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan issued a statement saying, “Actor Radha Ravi is being temporarily suspended from primary membership of the party and all party posts for breaching party discipline and acting in a manner that brings disrepute to the party.”
They also said he was warned several times before for his derogatory comments, but because he did not correct himself they had to take strict action. He mocked disabled children at a public event in 2017, when the DMK issued him a warning. He has also make sexist comments at various audio launches.
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Nayanthara put out a statement condemning his remarks, and also thanked the party chief MK Stalin for taking action against him.
The actor and former MLA has been in and out of both AIADMK and DMK. He joined AIADMK in the early 2000s after differences with DMK. He contested from Saidapet constituency during the 2002 assembly elections but did not win the seat. He moved back to DMK in 2017.
Radha Ravi has two court cases against him currently. Singer Chinmayi is fighting a case against her termination from the Dubbing Union, headed by Radha Ravi. She was removed after she supported sexual harassment charges against him and made allegations of mismanagement at the union.
He also has a pending Nadigar Sangam land misappropriation case against him.
Chimayi tweeted saying, “I congratulate AIADMK on welcoming Mr Radha Ravi. I’ll also say this. I don’t think there is any politician worth their salt today who actually cares for women’s safety or can take action. It is all one big boy’s club.”
I congratulate AIADMK on welcoming Mr Radha Ravi.
I'll also say this. I don't think there is any politician worth their salt today who actually cares for women's safety or can take action. it is all one big boy's club. #Shame.— Chinmayi Sripaada (@Chinmayi) June 12, 2019