Learn to take criticism, SC tells Jayalalithaa on defamation cases

More than 200 defamation cases have been filed by the state government in the last five years, including 85 against DMK.

Chennai: The Supreme Court on Wednesday reprimanded Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for bringing defamation cases against state Opposition leaders.

According to a report in NDTV, the apex court came down heavily on the Tamil Nadu CM, telling her 'accept that you are a public figure and learn to take criticism.'

The court observed that, "Tamil Nadu is the only state which misuses state machinery to fight defamation cases."

The Tamil Nadu government had earlier informed the top court that more than 200 defamation cases have been filed by it in the last five years. 55 of these are against the media and 85 against the Opposition DMK.

Jayalalithaa, 68, has been brought to court by DMDK leader and former actor Captain Vijaykanth. Vijaykanth has been named in 28 defamation cases for comments that were critical of Jayalalithaa and her government, said the report.

Vijaykanth, in addition to accusing Jayalalithaa of corruption, has claimed that the floods that wrecked Chennai in December 2015 were artificially caused, and worsened due to mishandling of the situation by the state government.

The Supreme Court will hear the matter next on September 22, said the report.

(This article first appeared in Deccan Chronicle)