News Tamil Nadu

Did EPS Copy-Paste Annamalai’s Social Media Post To Condemn DMK Govt Over Murder Of ADMK Worker Who Protested Against Illegal Mining?

January 20, 2025
The Commune

AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition, Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), faced heavy criticism from netizens after issuing a condemnation post on social media regarding the death of his party member and social activist, K Jagaber Ali. EPS allegedly copy-pasted Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai’s earlier condemnation, with only minor changes to the wording. Ali was killed while combating illegal mining in the Pudukottai district.

The condemnation came in the wake of the suspicious death of the 58-year-old activist, who was reportedly run over by a lorry near Thirumayam on 17 January 2025. Jagaber Ali, an outspoken critic of illegal mining, was known for his efforts to combat such activities in the region. His death drew widespread condemnation from various leaders, who criticized the DMK government for allegedly enabling anti-social elements that had the audacity to kill an activist for exposing illegal mining operations.

While Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K. Annamalai issued his condemnation on 19 January 2025, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, the AIADMK leader, followed suit on 20 January 2025. However, his statement was heavily criticized on social media for being largely a copy-paste of previous condemnations with only minor changes, leading to ridicule and mockery online.

Edappadi K. Palaniswami via his official X account stated, “The news that Jagbar Ali, Secretary of the Thirumayam South Union Minority Unit, a former AIADMK Union Committee member, Secretary of the Pudukkottai District Amateur Kabaddi Club, and social activist, was killed by anti-social elements who ran him over with a lorry, is truly shocking. It has been over 15 days since he met with the Thirumayam Taluk Tahsildar regarding the mineral looting, complained several times with the District Mineral Resources Assistant Director’s Office, and even complained with the District Collector, but no action was taken and now the news that anti-social elements have killed him by running a lorry over him has instilled a deep sense of fear among the people. Furthermore, this Vidya government is diverting the case by arresting only the lorry driver and leaving the real culprits – the mineral looter behind this murder. The DMK government has set a very bad precedent by not taking action against the mineral looters and betraying the person who filed the complaint by revealing his identity. We demand justice for Jagbar Ali’s death. Not only the mineral looters, but all the officials who failed to take action on the complaints he made are responsible for his death. A proper investigation should be conducted, and action should be taken against all of them.” 

Previously, on 19 January 2025, Annamalai via his official X account stated, “The news that Jagbar Ali, the Secretary of the District Amateur Kabaddi Association and a prominent social activist from the Thirumayam area of Pudukottai district, has been killed by mineral resource looters who ran him over with a lorry is very shocking. Jagbar Ali played a major role in the successful conduct of the Modi Kabaddi League matches in Pudukkottai district. He was active in various fields, including natural resource conservation and the prevention of mineral resource theft. Regarding the mineral theft, even after he met with the Thirumayam Taluk tahsildar and complained 15 days ago, raised the issue with the Assistant Director of the District Mineral Resources Department and the District Collector multiple times, but no action was taken. Now, he has been sacrificed. Tamil Nadu is ruled by anti-social elements and looters to the extent that those who work with the noble aim of protecting natural resources are losing their lives. If government officials and social activists who try to stop the looting of minerals are being killed, what can we say except that the DMK government has emboldened them by repeatedly stating that they can loot sand within ten minutes of coming to power? The DMK government has set a very bad precedent by not taking action against the mineral looters and betraying the person who filed the complaint by revealing his identity. We demand justice for Jagbar Ali’s death. Not only the mineral thieves, but all the officials who failed to take action on the complaints he made are responsible for his death. A proper investigation should be conducted, and action should be taken against all of them. Furthermore, I warn that the DMK government will face very serious consequences if it tries to divert the case by arresting only the lorry driver and others, leaving aside the real culprits, the mineral looters behind this murder.” 

Is It A Copy-Paste Job?

The statements issued by Edappadi K. Palaniswami bear strong similarities in content, structure, and wording, prompting accusations of “copy-pasting” with minor modifications from Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K. Annamalai.

Introduction and Key Details: Both statements begin by describing the shocking death of Jagbar Ali, giving his background, including his role as a social activist, his position in the AIADMK, and his efforts against mineral looting. Both mention that he was killed by anti-social elements who ran him over with a lorry.

  • Annamalai’s Version: “The news that Jagbar Ali, the Secretary of the District Amateur Kabaddi Association and a prominent social activist from the Thirumayam area of Pudukottai district, has been killed by mineral resource looters who ran him over with a lorry is very shocking.”
  • Palaniswami’s Version: “The news that Jagbar Ali, Secretary of the Thirumayam South Union Minority Unit, a former AIADMK Union Committee member, Secretary of the Pudukkottai District Amateur Kabaddi Club, and social activist, was killed by anti-social elements who ran him over with a lorry, is truly shocking.”

The Lack of Action from Authorities: Both statements highlight the fact that despite multiple complaints filed by Jagbar Ali regarding mineral looting, no action was taken, and the activists’ death followed.

  • Annamalai’s Version: “…even after he met with the Thirumayam Taluk tahsildar and complained 15 days ago, raised the issue with the Assistant Director of the District Mineral Resources Department and the District Collector multiple times, but no action was taken. Now, he has been sacrificed.”
  • Palaniswami’s Version: “It has been over 15 days since he met with the Thirumayam Taluk Tahsildar regarding the mineral looting, complained several times with the District Mineral Resources Assistant Director’s Office, and even complained with the District Collector, but no action was taken…”

The Accusations Against the Government: Both leaders criticize the DMK government for failing to take action against mineral looters and betraying the person who filed the complaints.

  • Annamalai’s Version: “I warn that the DMK government will face very serious consequences if it tries to divert the case by arresting only the lorry driver and others, leaving aside the real culprits, the mineral looters behind this murder.”
  • Palaniswami’s Version: “This Vidya government is diverting the case by arresting only the lorry driver and leaving the real culprits – the mineral looters behind this murder.”

Demand for Justice: Both statements demand justice for Jagbar Ali’s death and accountability for those involved in his death, including the officials who failed to act on his complaints.

  • Annamalai’s Version: “We demand justice for Jagbar Ali’s death. Not only the mineral thieves, but all the officials who failed to take action on the complaints he made are responsible for his death. A proper investigation should be conducted, and action should be taken against all of them.”
  • Palaniswami’s Version: “We demand justice for Jagbar Ali’s death. Not only the mineral looters, but all the officials who failed to take action on the complaints he made are responsible for his death. A proper investigation should be conducted, and action should be taken against all of them.”

In conclusion, the statements made by Edappadi K. Palaniswami closely resemble those of K. Annamalai. Palaniswami’s condemnation is essentially a rephrased version of Annamalai’s statement, with only minor changes in wording and structure. This has led to accusations from netizens of “copy-pasting” and a lack of originality.

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