Tamil Nadu Minister Keerthana Responds to Speculation Over Absence

…from the London visit triggered a row after DMK functionary's critic Vaishnavi questioned the reference to the minister being away for “four days due to health reasons” and raised menstruation as a possible reason. “ Industrial minister has not come for 4 days due to health reasons, says Aadhav Arjuna! What is the explanation regarding those ‘4 days’? If it refers to a natural physiological change that occurs for women, like menstruation, then why should it be stated as the reason? " she said, as quoted by the publication. Keerthana clarifies London absence Keerthana, who was not part of Vijay’s delegation during his London visit from September 10 to 17, said she had undergone a minor procedure to…

…underwent the procedure and was advised rest and recovery. Between September 10 and 14, she coordinated the London visit investment arrangements remotely, she said in an official statement late on Wednesday. “ I had chosen not to disclose this earlier because I believe that a person's health is a private matter. I have always maintained that the public discourse should be about the work of a government, its decisions and its outcomes, rather than speculation about the personal lives or health of individuals ,” she said. “There was no other reason behind my absence from the London visit. I was recovering from a medical procedure,” she said. ‘Health is a private matter’ Keerthana said she had continued with her…

…Arjuna's comments) the opposition ecosystem did not pause to ask about what the reason was or recovery or what she (Keerthana) may have actually gone through. Their minds went straight to one reason - menstruation.” “ That reflex, that a woman's absence can only ever mean one thing, says nothing about her and everything about your regressive mindset. Women are not defined by their cycles. We are leaders, professionals, mothers, daughters carrying illness, injury and duty all at once, and still showing up. Reducing a woman's every unexplained day to her biology is an old habit of attacking a woman's body…