Following the footsteps of Dravidianist mouthpieces like Sun News and Puthiya Thalaimurai, the parent organization of the DMK – Dravidar Kazhagam leader Veeramani has made a statement on the distressing tragedy of the Cuddalore train accident.
Veeramani attributed the tragic train accident in Cuddalore, which claimed the lives of three school students, to the employment of railway staff who allegedly do not know Tamil. The incident has reignited debates over language-based employment policies in Tamil Nadu.
Earlier on 8 July 2025, at around 8 AM, a school van attempting to cross a railway gate at Chemmaguppam near Cuddalore was struck by the Villupuram-Mayiladuthurai passenger train. The collision resulted in the deaths of three students, while several others sustained injuries.
In a strongly worded statement, Veeramani blamed the accident on the alleged linguistic incompetence of the gatekeeper, identified as Pankaj Sharma, a non-Tamil speaker from North India. He criticized the railway administration for what he called a “poor practice” of appointing personnel unfamiliar with the local language, claiming it endangered public safety.
Expressing grief over the incident, Veeramani extended condolences to the bereaved families and praised the Tamil Nadu government’s swift response. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin immediately announced compensation of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased, ₹1 lakh for the severely injured, and ₹50,000 for those with minor injuries from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
He urged authorities to halt the recruitment of non-Tamil speakers in critical roles within the state, calling it a recurring cause of avoidable tragedies. His remarks align with the long-standing Dravidian political stance advocating for linguistic priority in employment.
(With inputs from Sathiyam TV)
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
