Opposition Leader and Joint Coordinator of the AIADMK party, Edappadi K Palaniswami campaigned in the suburbs of Chennai today. While addressing a crowd in Tambaram, introducing the candidates for upcoming local body polls, Palaniswami said, “The Tambaram corporation has been created for the first time. So, the AIADMK candidates have to put in a lot of hardwork for our first victory here. The members should work in unison to bag the victory. Some may have had the opportunity, some may not. So we must not give up and work for the success of the AIADMK.”

“Many months have passed since Chief Minister Stalin came to power. But the election promise made to the people has not yet been fulfilled. But he lies that 75% of the promises made in the election manifesto have been fulfilled. Stalin deserves a Nobel Prize for lying like this,” he said while speaking about the performance of the DMK government. He then listed the achievements of the AIADMK government when it was in power. 

(With inputs from Kathir News)

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The National General Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Nidhi Tripathi, has wriiten a letter to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, MK Stalin, about the case associated with the suicide of the 17-yr-old child, Lavanya in Thanjavur. The subject of the letter being, “Lavanya’s Second Murder”, Nidhi has pointed out the insensitivity of the Tamil Nadu government towards the case, and also the lack of cooperation.

Addressing the letter to the Chief Minister, Nidhi has written, “I am writing this letter to you with the ink of rage boiling in the heart and minds of the students across the length and breadth of the country for the criminal insensitivity showcased by the Tamil Nadu State Government. Your regime has witnessed a meritorious girl being harassed in a very organized manner to abandon her Hindu Dharma. Planned conversion efforts were exposed in the Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Thanjavur. The proofs of the active involvement of the missionary teachers and administrators of the school have come in front of all. My deceased sister Lavanya, on her death bed, has herself narrated the stories of harassment and torture she tolerated in the school. The whole country is calling out loud in unison demanding punishment for the culprits who pushed Lavanya down the cliff of death. It is very unfortunate to see that your government is siding with the culprits of Lavanya.”

She has then narrated that she went to visit Lavanya’s family that previous week and said that the ordeal that the child’s family is put through is “unimaginably painful”. “The younger brothers of Lavanya were taken to the police station where Tamil Nadu Police officers were pressurising them to give statements for weakening the case,” she had written. She has then asked the CM why and for whom has the victim’s family been harassed by the Tamil Nadu Police.

She has then asked if the government has been under the influence or control of any missionary. Reminding the Chief Minister and his government of their responsibility, she had written, “I wish to say to you that ensuring justice to Lavanya is primarily your responsibility. You haven’t shown any iota of seriousness towards this responsibility. People associated with you and your party have given insensitive statements. The officers in the police administration have left no stone unturned for protecting the culprits of Lavanya. The police administration has moved a few extra miles in trying to trigger a malicious campaign against the family of Lavanya.”

She then went onto say that the High Court transferred the case to the CBI because of the “lackadaisical approach” of the Central Government. Questioning the Tamil Nadu government’s move to challenge the transfer of the case, she said, “Honorable chief minister, this very decision of Madras High court is a certificate of moral decay in the government working under your leadership. The moral decay is still an understatement because your government has done the unthinkable in challenging the Madras High court decision at the Supreme Court of India. This action of your government has made it clear to one and all that you don’t wish to see Lavanya getting justice. ”

She also mentioned that the Tamil Nadu government has not cooperated with the National Commision for Women and the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. She finished her letter by saying, “Instead of working against institutional proselytization, Lavanya’s case has been converted into a political issue by your political party. CM Sir, please ensure speedy justice to Lavanya. The anger of the students will remain on the boil till the justice is met to the departed soul of Lavanya.”

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A teacher has been arrested under the POCSO Act, on February 6, for impregnating a minor 12th standard girl student, near Chennimalai in Tamil Nadu. The teacher was identified as Manikam (34), who belonged to Ambedkar Nagar near Chennimalai.

Manikam is an English language teacher of a Government aided school in the Chennimalai area. He is also married, with 2 children. The 17-yr-old student is from another government school, where she is pursuing her 12th standard. It is being reported that Manikam is like an uncle to the girl, in terms of familial relations.

4 months ago, the child’s parents have gone for their work as usual. The child was left back to be alone at home. Manikam, who had been aware of this, took advantage of the situation and went to the child’s home. He had then tried to rape the child. The girl who had been frightened by his behaviour, screamed to call for the attention of neighbours. It is being reported that Manikam then threatened to kill the child, and forced himself upon her sexually. In addition, he also threatened her against spilling the beans about the rape.

Manikam has then allegedly returned twice, to sexually abuse the girl when she has been all alone at home. In such a situation, a few days back, the child suddenly fell ill. Her parents then took her to a private Hospital in Chennimalai.

The doctors who treated the girl revealed that she was pregnant. When her parents enquired, she revealed that identity of Manikam, and narrated the incidents of sexual abuse, that she was put through. The parents then filed a complaint at the Chennimalai Police station, against Manikam.

Manikam was then arrested under the POCSO Act, by Inspector Saravanan and Sub-Inspector Umapathy. He was then produced to the Perundurai Magistrate. It is to be noted that Manikam is a well-known DMK sympathizer. He has photos along with writer Suba Veera Pandian, who is known for his Dravidian ideologies, supporting DMK. Manikam has also established his support for DMK on all of his social media pages.

யார் என்று புரிகிறதா!

இவன் தீ என்று தெரிகிறதா!! https://t.co/wSYOA68K0d pic.twitter.com/63Rz1jSJEy

— SG Suryah (@SuryahSG) February 6, 2022

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A large majority of the institutional investors of the Sun TV Network, voted against the reappointment of Kalanithi Maaran as Executive Chairman and his wife Kavery Kalanithi as Executive director, in the annual general meeting held last week.

Admittedly, these resolutions were passed with the help of promoters voting in favor. The vote, which ended on January 30, showed that 86.24% of the institutional participants voted against both the resolutions. Organizations own 12% while promoters own 3/4th of the company.

Kalanithi Maran and Kavery Kalanithi have been appointed for 5 years from 20 April 2017. Both are part of the promoter family. Remunerations of Kalanithi Maran and Kavery Kalanithi were ₹87.5 crore each in FY21, aggregating 57% of the company`s total staff cost. Sun TV proposes to reappoint them for five years from April 2022 with an annual increment of up to 25% each year, which will be decided by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

At a remuneration of ₹87.5 crore paid to Kalanithi Maran and Kavery Kalanithi each since FY18, they are the highest-paid executive directors of S&P BSE 500 companies. Mumbai-based proxy advisory firm Institutional Investor Advisory Services (IIAS) advised to vote against both the resolutions proposed by Sun TV, as the remuneration was high. They also said that the company should put a maximum limit in absolute amounts on the quantum of the remuneration paid out.

It is to be noted that Sun TV shares have declined 17% against Nifty’s 4% fall in the past three months.

(With inputs from The Economic Times)

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