Chennai: In the latest move, Greater Chennai Corporation’s first woman duffedar (Marshal) SB Madhavi has been transferred from the position at the mayor’s office to the Manali zone. The controversy erupted over Madhavi’s defiance of a directive not to wear lipstick at an official assignment last month.

The 50-year-old official received a transfer order soon after she questioned Mayor R Priya’s Personal Assistant Siva Sankar over the validity of the ban on putting lipstick.

Replying to a memorandum dated August 6 issued by Sankar, Madhavi wrote, “If wearing lipstick is a crime, show me the government order prohibiting it.”

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Duffedar SB Madhavi’s Reaction

According to TOI, Madhavi argued that such directions violate human rights and it was mentioned in the memo ‘only if I didn’t work during duty hours.’ The charges cited in the memo were ‘dereliction of duty’ and ‘disobeying orders from seniors.’

DMK Mayor Reacts To The Lipstick Controversy

The DMK mayor, Mayor Priya said in a statement that Madhavi’s participation in a fashion show during Women’s Day celebrations has evoked criticism. The mayor clarified that Madhavi wore striking matte lipsticks and questions were raised over her appearance during official functions like receiving Ministers and embassy officials. She however refuted the claims that the duffedar’s transfer was related to wearing lipstick.

Madhavi Alleges ‘Punishment Posting’

Single parent Madhavi said that her transfer to the Manali zone is ‘a punishment posting’ as it is much further away from her previous location at the mayor’s office.

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