'How Will This Man Talk About Women’s Honour?': Gurumurthy Targets Vijay Over Divorce Petition

"What a time for this case to emerge. How will this man talk about women's honour in the coming election? The actor faces the biggest moral challenge. Moral challenge in an election can be fatal."

With these sharp remarks, S. Gurumurthy, editor of the Tamil political weekly Thuglak, weighed in on the reported divorce proceedings involving actor-turned-politician Joseph Vijay and his wife Sangeetha.

Gurumurthy's comments, posted on X, have added a political dimension to what is otherwise a deeply personal legal dispute. With Vijay now leading his political outfit, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, the controversy comes at a time when public image and moral positioning are expected to play a key role in the electoral arena. Gurumurthy suggested that questions around personal conduct could evolve into a "moral challenge" with potential political consequences.

Divorce Petition Filed

According to court records, Sangeetha has approached the Chengalpattu Family Court seeking dissolution of her marriage with Vijay under provisions of the Special Marriage Act.

The couple's marriage was first registered in the United Kingdom on July 10, 1998, as Sangeetha is a UK citizen. A ceremonial wedding followed in Chennai on August 25, 1999. The marriage has spanned over two decades, and the couple have children together.

In her petition, Sangeetha has alleged that Vijay has been in an adulterous relationship with an actress since April 2021. She has claimed that this relationship caused her severe emotional distress and mental suffering, amounting to a betrayal of marital trust. Though Vijay had allegedly assured her that he would end the relationship, she has stated that it continued, leading to prolonged mental cruelty.

Allegations of Emotional Neglect

The petition further states that Vijay gradually distanced himself from her emotionally, mentally, and physically. She has alleged that he withdrew from conjugal relations and deliberately neglected her, causing additional strain in the marriage.

Sangeetha has also referred to instances where Vijay allegedly travelled abroad with the actress in question. She claimed that photographs of these trips were shared on social media and widely circulated, leading to humiliation and embarrassment for her and their children. According to the plea, these developments caused repeated anguish and adversely affected the family's emotional well-being.

Despite the strain, Sangeetha has stated that she initially attempted to resolve the matter amicably. She claimed that several legal notices were exchanged privately through counsel in an effort to avoid public scandal, particularly considering the children's education and emotional stability. However, with reconciliation efforts failing, she said she had no alternative but to seek legal recourse.

Reliefs Sought

In her petition, Sangeetha has sought dissolution of the marriage under Section 27(1)(a), (b), and (d) of the Special Marriage Act. She has also requested the right to reside in the matrimonial home and sought permanent alimony commensurate with Vijay's income and public stature.

Given the high-profile nature of the case, she has requested that the proceedings be conducted in-camera to safeguard privacy. Additionally, she has sought an interim injunction restraining media houses from publishing or broadcasting material related to the proceedings.

As the legal battle unfolds, the issue has already triggered political commentary, with Gurumurthy's remarks underscoring how personal controversies can intersect with public life-especially in the heat of electoral politics.