Video showing Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister touching girl athletes’ legs sparks outrage

P. Viswanathan, C. Joseph Vijay, and Rahul Gandhi were involved in an incident at a marathon event in Melur, Madurai, where the Higher Education Minister was seen touching the legs of girl athletes. The video sparked outrage online, with some calling for official condemnation. Vidya Reddy, co-founder of Tulir-Centre for the Prevention and Healing of Child Sexual Abuse, criticized the incident, emphasizing the importance of bystander intervention and child protection policies in sports. Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, a DMK leader, accused Viswanathan of spreading lies and threatened consequences if the DMK continues to do so. A complaint was lodged against Viswanathan by lawyer Saranya Natarajan.