CHENNAI — Tamil Nadu Industries Minister Virudhai Magal Keerthana responded on July 7, 2026, to a viral video circulated online regarding claims she mocked a government school student, posting a statement on X. Keerthana stated the video in question was footage captured by the media and was not recorded by her.

Keerthana identified herself as a former government school student. "Today, some people are spreading a false story that 'he mocked a government school student.' Do you know what the truth is? I myself am a government school student. I myself studied in a Tamil-medium education. Those who mock me today for my English are, in reality, not mocking just me... they are mocking government school students like me, and millions of children studying in the Tamil medium," Keerthana said.

She added, "I studied math, science, and social science in school entirely in Tamil. I didn't have the opportunity to study French as a second language, nor the means to attend a high-end private school." Keerthana further stated, "When I entered the corporate world, I stumbled in English. I made mistakes. I learned. I'm still learning. And I have no shame in that." She questioned whether those who mock her online would similarly humiliate other students, writing, "Those who gang up online today to mock me for my English--who can guarantee that tomorrow they won't similarly humiliate a government school student who stumbles in English, or a Tamil-medium student, in the exact same way?"

The minister affirmed her purpose: "A government school student should stand on the world stage. A Tamil-medium student should be able to hold her head high and speak on any platform. Creating that environment is my purpose. Criticise me. Question my work. But don't mock the self-confidence of an entire generation." Keerthana reiterated that she did not record the circulating video. "Furthermore, I didn't record that video being circulated. It was footage captured by the media. I didn't ask anyone to take photos. Gathering news is the media's job. If you want to know the truth, ask them," she said.

Keerthana concluded her statement by saying, "For those who don't trust government schools, it's easy to mock a woman who studied in one. But the fact that this woman from that government school stands here today--that's my response."