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Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) floor leader Sowmiya Anbumani and Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] MLA T Latha on Monday, August 24, urged the Tamil Nadu Assembly to stop using the term ‘kanni pechu’ to refer to an MLA’s maiden speech, saying the expression has patriarchal connotations.
They suggested using ‘arimuga urai’ (introductory speech) or ‘mudhal urai’ (first speech) instead.
The issue was raised during a debate on the demands for grants for the Education and Municipal Administration departments.
The discussion came up after Usilampatti Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA M Vijay alleged that the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government was responsible for the water crisis in his constituency.
When DMK members attempted to intervene during Vijay's speech, members of the Treasury Benches asked them to allow him to continue, referring to it as his ‘kanni pechu’ — his maiden speech.
Objecting to the expression, Sowmiya said the term should be avoided and suggested that the House use ‘arimuga urai’ or ‘muthal urai’ instead.
The term ‘kanni’ has different meanings in Tamil, including one associated with a young woman and virginity, and the MLAs said that its use in this context carries a gendered and patriarchal connotation.
CPI(M)’s lone woman MLA in the Assembly, T Latha, supported Sowmiya’s objection on the issue.
The matter was taken up with Speaker JCD Prabhakar, who asked Tamil Development and School Education Minister Rajmohan to share his views.
Rajmohan supported the suggestion and said the demand made by Sowmiya and Latha could be considered by the Speaker.
He also pointed out that the issue has been raised in the past. He recalled that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Vanathi Srinivasan had made a similar request after becoming an MLA in 2021, and then Speaker M Appavu had agreed to consider the suggestion.
However, the Speaker JCD Prabhakar did not issue a ruling on the matter.
According to Vanathi, the then Speaker Appavu had agreed to accept her suggestion not to use the term 'kanni pechu’. However, she said the term continued to be used under the previous DMK government.
