Actor Kasthuri and Activist Namitha Marimuthu Join BJP

Quick Summary

• Actor Kasthuri Shankar and transgender activist Namitha Marimuthu joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Chennai on friday.
• The joining took place at the Kamalalayam, the BJP’s state headquarters in Tamil Nadu.
• Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendhiran welcomed their decision and expressed happiness about their political journey starting with the BJP.
• FEFSI Siva, president of the Arts and Culture wing of BJP, was also present during the event.

Indian Opinion Analysis
The induction of prominent individuals such as actor Kasthuri Shankar and transgender activist Namitha Marimuthu into the Bharatiya Janata Party signals continued efforts by political parties to diversify membership with peopel from varied professional backgrounds and communities. This move may indicate an effort by BJP Tamil Nadu to expand its outreach within arts, culture, and marginalized groups like the transgender community-a demographic often seeking greater portrayal in politics. However,sustained efforts would be necesary for such gestures to culminate into meaningful inclusivity or tangible policy advocacy for these groups in both regional and national contexts.

Read more: Published – August 16, 2025 07:25 pm IST