Retired army officer Major Madhan Kumar outright demolished Dravidianist sympathizer and former scientist Ponraj Vellaichamy during a heated Tamil news channel prime-time debate. Ponraj attempted to glorify the internationally recognized terrorist group Hamas by portraying them as freedom fighters under the usual “sons of the soil” rhetoric and even went as far as comparing them to Indian revolutionary leader Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose — a move that Major Madhan slammed without holding back.
The debate, which was supposed to focus on the recent Iran-Israel escalation, quickly veered off course as Dravidianist influencers on the panel began defending Hamas, injecting the Palestine issue into the discussion, and painting Israel as the sole aggressor. Instead of addressing the core geopolitical and historical facts, they pushed one-sided narratives that seemed more about justifying terrorist actions than understanding the broader context, a line Major Madhan refused to let slide.
Former Major Madhan stepped in with a powerful rebuttal, “What everyone is alluding to is, they are attacking, children, causing collateral damage, and everyone condemns the anti-human actions, but no one speaks about what happened on 7th October. That was the trigger point. Everything was going smooth, diplomatic talks were going on, Mossad’s covert operations were happening here and there but on the 7th October, the terrorist organisation Hamas crossed the line – that was reason for such serious consequences.”
The anchor acknowledged Madhan’s point and confronted Ponraj directly, asking whether Hamas’s 7th October attack wasn’t the catalyst for the conflict. Ponraj, visibly cornered, dodged the question and launched into pro-Palestinian rhetoric instead. He said, “What is the root cause of the conflict?” he argued. “The fundamental thing is Israel and Palestine issue. There’s been no resolution for the issue so far. Where will the 7 lakh displaced Palestinians will go?”
The anchor pushed back, “If you see the series of events the attack began after 7th October, because of Iran’s attacks using Hamas, deployed Hezbollah and others followed.”
To which Ponraj shockingly replied, “Yes, of course they will attack. How can you say Hamas cannot retaliate during war? Of course, they will retaliate if you plan to destroy Gaza completely, which is under their control.”
This response irritated even the anchor, who sharply called out his hypocrisy asked, “We are condemning the human rights violations in Gaza. But how can you justify the unprovoked attack on civilians, including rape, on 7 October? I’m surprised you are.”
Major Madhan (retd), visibly incensed, slammed Ponraj’s attempts to legitimize Hamas, “If Hamas does all this, then is it an army? It’s a declared terrorist organization.”
Do not be surprised, the anchor also immediately jumped in to add, “Not by India!”
Ponraj, in a desperate attempt to defend his position, blurted, “All those who are against a country are terrorist organizations for them. As far as they are concerned, they are fighting for the freedom of his country. Terror means what? For whom did he do terror for what? Why is he fighting? You have encroached his territory and if he fights against this, will you call him a terrorist? How can you call him terrorist? Who is branding them terrorist organisation?”
Former Major Madhan countered emphatically, “It is a declared organisation. UN declared. The same UN that you are speaking of, the same organisation declared it.” He emphasized, “Hamas is a UN declared terrorist organisation. The UN, US has said this, ‘Hamas a terrorist organisation.’ It won’t change if you shout about it. It is a declared terrorist organisation. If you speak this outside, you won’t even get a visa.”
Ponraj, now losing ground, lamenting back provocatively, “The same US has said Pakistan as terrorist organisation and the same America is helping them, then what to say? Will India just let them be if America helps and Pakistan captures total Kashmir, will you let them? Will India be silent? Won’t India protest?”
Madhan responded sternly, “We won’t wait and watch till they capture entire Kashmir. The Indian Army or the government will not wait and watch.”
In a final attempt to blur the lines, Ponraj shamefully asked, “Then is Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose a terrorist too?”
Former Major Madhan exploded, “Don’t you dare compare Netaji to Hamas. Netaji never attacked women or kill children. Who are you comparing with whom? Is Hamas and Netaji the same?” He added, “Is the Indian National Army which fought for the freedom struggle—and will you compare Indian national leader to a terrorist organisation?”
Madhan concluded with a scathing rebuke, “If you support them that much, go and fight alongside them. Why are you talking here? Go and fight alongside them. It is a declared terrorist organisation and has committed anti-human activities. It is everyone’s duty to retaliate against such an organisation. India has supported Palestine and its people. India has been aiding them financially. Your and my tax money is going to it, but you are buttressing a terrorist organisation like Hamas.”
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