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“You Make One Film And Think Yourself As Intellectual, You’re Just A Film Director, That’s All”: Seeman Takes A Dig At ‘Lubber Pandhu’ Director Over His Remarks On Education At DMK’s ‘Kalviyil Sirantha Tamil Nadu’ Event

seeman lubber pandhu

Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) chief Seeman has quipped with sarcasm to comments made by debut filmmaker Tamizharasan Pachamuthu, director of Lubber Pandhu, who spoke only education is the way to success during the ‘Kalviyil Sirantha Tamil Nadu’ (Tamil Nadu that Excels in Education) event held in Chennai on 25 September 2025.

Tamizharasan, speaking at the DMK government-organised event, urged young people not to be misled by exceptions to the rule, such as celebrities who found success without formal education. “We should always stand for education. They would say, ‘Did Sachin Tendulkar study? Did Ilaiyaraaja study? Did Rahman study?’ Many people will say this—don’t believe them. The number of people who succeeded that way is maybe 100. But the number of people who succeeded because they studied is enormous. You should follow that. An exception can never be a example.” he said.

Reacting sharply to these comments, Seeman mocked the filmmaker, suggesting that directing a single film doesn’t make someone an authority on life advice or public policy.

“They’re asking, ‘Did Ilaiyaraaja study? Did Sachin Tendulkar study? Did Rahman study?’ Don’t trust the words of those people. You haven’t listened to what I’m saying. If someone makes a film, they think they’re a great scholar and come offering advice. You don’t even understand what I’m saying. Who are you to stand on that stage and speak? You’ve directed a film and a director, that’s all. What’s the reason for that? Is it the education you received? What is the reason? You need to develop your individual talent. You don’t know what I’m saying. You don’t listen to the whole speech. They just hear a part, make a comment, and get applause,” Seeman said during a recent press meet.

Turning his attention to the DMK leadership, Seeman went on to question the educational background of key figures, including Chief Minister MK Stalin and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. Taking a jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well, he added, “Okay, let’s talk about the educational qualifications of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister. Look up the qualifications of Modi Sir, he just put behind him as M.A, tell me. Even brother Udhayanidhi speaks! ‘He studied with me as my classmates and became lawyer.’ He became lawyer by studying and I became the Deputy Chief Minister without studying.’ Isn’t that what he means by that?”

Seeman’s remarks reflect a deeper critique of the DMK’s attempts to use cultural events and celebrity endorsements to reinforce its narrative around education, particularly in the run-up to the 2026 Assembly elections. His comments also point to the recurring debate in Tamil Nadu politics over merit, education, and the use of popular platforms to push political messaging.

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Vijay’s TVK Exhibits Fascist Tendencies Even Before Fighting Elections, Files Complaint Against YouTuber For Criticizing His Party Cadres

vijay tvk sattai durai murugan

A complaint has been submitted on behalf of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) against YouTuber and Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) functionary Sattai Durai Murugan, following a controversial video in which he criticized actor-turned-politician Vijay, his supporters, and appeared to mock women who attended his political events.

Actor Vijay, who recently launched a public outreach campaign and has been holding meetings across Tamil Nadu every Saturday since his political debut rally in Trichy on 13 September, ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

In response to one of Durai Murugan’s videos which has since gone viral TVK functionary Imayathamizhan has lodged an online complaint with the National Commission for Women (NCW), alleging that the video contained demeaning and sexist remarks targeting women who participated in Vijay’s events. The complaint also calls for the video’s removal and demands appropriate action against Durai Murugan.

In the now-viral video, Sattai Durai Murugan appears to ridicule women emotionally reacting to Vijay’s presence at the campaign. He narrates how one girl cried after seeing Vijay, while another wept because she couldn’t. He further mentioned that the mother of one of the girls was also present at the rally.

Durai Murugan reportedly mocked these emotional displays, calling into question the seriousness of the campaign and its supporters. He also referred to an incident where a woman was supposedly crying after losing her mobile phone at the event, suggesting that the entire scene lacked political maturity and seriousness.

While claiming not to encourage personal insults or obscene speech about Vijay himself, Durai Murugan accused Vijay’s fan base of using vulgar and derogatory language against NTK leader Seeman, urging people to challenge such hypocrisy.

In another portion of the video, Durai Murugan allegedly derided the public contributions made to TVK, questioning the strength of the party’s grassroots support and mocking Vijay’s leadership by implying he would panic even at the sight of an oncoming car.

(With inputs from Daily Thanthi)

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“Women In North India Not Considered Equal Human Beings”: Says Congress Ally DMK’s Minister TRB Rajaa

trb rajaa

Tamil Nadu Industries Minister and DMK leader TRB Rajaa has sparked a political storm with remarks comparing the status of women in Tamil Nadu to those in other Indian states, particularly in North India.

Addressing an event at Ethiraj College for Women, Rajaa stated, “Don’t think that today, just because your parents are educating you, you are easily able to access education. In India, women did not get opportunities for education so easily. 100 years ago, there were unimaginable situations where women were not even considered equal human beings. This kind of situation exists in many parts of North India even now. You should be socially aware. Especially if you are a woman in India. There is a difference between being a woman in Tamil Nadu and in any other state in India. I will very very proudly say this. No other state is on par with Tamil Nadu in this regard. The situation remains unchanged in North India. Very simple question. In North India, when we meet a woman, the first question is, where does your husband work? In Tamil Nadu, the question asked of a woman is, where do you work? This change doesn’t happen overnight. It took a century of work, at least in Tamil Nadu.”

He argued that in Tamil Nadu, women are recognized and respected for their careers, whereas in many North Indian states, societal attitudes still focus primarily on a woman’s marital status.

TRB Rajaa’s comments were backed by DMK senior leader TKS Elangovan, who said, “Women in North India are often confined to being housewives because of religious practices. They follow Manusmriti, which we don’t. The DMK government has always worked to empower women.”

TRB Rajaa has a history of derogating and abusing North Indians. He has used the slur “Vadakkan”, called them “undemocratic” and has frequently made disparaging remarks about North Indians in speeches and social media posts, contrasting them unfavorably with Tamil Nadu and Tamil culture.

(With inputs from India Today)

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How Rajdeep Sardesai Whitewashed Dawood Ibrahim’s Crimes Against India

rajdeep sardesai dawood ibrahim

Rajdeep Sardesai, one of India’s most prominent journalists, has repeatedly come under criticism for his coverage of some of the gravest attacks on India, particularly the 1993 Bombay blasts orchestrated by Dawood Ibrahim.

The 1993 serial bombings killed 275 innocent people and injured thousands, leaving Mumbai traumatized. Yet, in his commentary, Sardesai often shifted focus away from the perpetrators and the terror network, framing the narrative instead around communal dynamics and the psychology of Indian society.

Just after the blasts, Sardesai wrote an eloquent piece in Times of India back in 1993. He even wrote another piece sort of following up on the ’93 piece in 2013 in Hindustan Times.

Let’s understand the problem with both these articles.

Downplaying Dawood’s Role

Even though Dawood Ibrahim was already a prime suspect in the Bombay blasts, Sardesai emphasized that there was “no prima-facie evidence” implicating him and leaned heavily on the caveat offered by the Bombay Police Commissioner. By highlighting Dawood as a “mythical demon figure” in Hindu militant discourse rather than a criminal mastermind, Sardesai reframed the underworld don in less threatening terms.

In effect, he treated Dawood more as a controversial public figure in Hindu imagination than as a mastermind of a terrorist operation that caused massive loss of life in India. This approach inevitably diluted the perception of the 1993 blasts as a direct attack on India orchestrated by a foreign-backed criminal.

Shifting the Focus to Communal Victimhood

Instead of investigating the planning, financing, and ISI-Pakistan backing of the bombings, Sardesai pivoted the discussion to warning against stigmatizing the entire Muslim community.

He compared post-blast suspicion of Muslims to the treatment of Sikhs after 1984 or Marwaris in Assam, portraying the narrative more as a story of majoritarian hysteria than a matter of national security. While highlighting communal tensions is important, Sardesai’s emphasis came at the cost of underplaying the calculated, terrorist nature of the attack.

Reframing the Underworld as “Cosmopolitan”

Sardesai further argued that Dawood’s network was “cosmopolitan” and profit-driven, pointing out that several of Dawood’s top lieutenants, including Chhota Rajan, were Hindus. While technically true, this framing shifts focus away from the Islamist-terror link and Pakistani involvement, portraying Dawood less as a traitor working against India and more as a mere profiteering gangster.

Normalizing Muslim Alienation as the Root of Terror

Sardesai repeatedly contextualized terrorism as a reaction to Hindu-majority violence or state failure. For example, he linked Dawood’s transformation into an ISI-backed terrorist to the communal riots following the Babri Masjid demolition. Similarly, he drew analogies with the 1984 anti-Sikh pogroms and the 2002 Gujarat riots to argue that violence begets violence. While historical context is important, his narrative effectively justified Dawood’s terrorist actions as a sociological response rather than condemning them as crimes against India.

Praising or Defending Dawood?

Sardesai’s work sometimes borders on what critics describe as indirect defense. In the 2013 Hindustan Times article, he reminded readers that Dawood had once offered Toyota cars to the Indian cricket team in Sharjah if they beat Pakistan.

By portraying Dawood as a cricket fan and framing his actions as part of a broader “inconvenient truth” about riots and societal failures, Sardesai softened the image of India’s most wanted man. He questioned why Dawood became a terrorist, emphasizing the social and communal causes rather than the deliberate, planned betrayal of India orchestrated by Dawood and the ISI.

Selective Attention to Victims

In both the 1993 and 2013 writings, Sardesai highlighted victims of communal violence (1984 Sikhs, 2002 Muslims, Muzaffarnagar Muslims, Kashmiri Pandits) but largely ignored victims of Dawood-backed terrorism, such as the 275 people killed in the Bombay blasts. This selective framing centers on societal failings and communal stereotyping rather than addressing the deliberate targeting of Indian civilians by Dawood’s terror network.

Last Word

By downplaying Dawood’s criminality, reframing terrorism as a reaction to societal failures, and emphasizing communal victimhood, Rajdeep Sardesai’s coverage effectively whitewashed the 1993 Bombay blasts and other acts orchestrated by Dawood. While highlighting communal prejudice is valid, his approach shifts accountability from the perpetrators to Indian society, underplays the scale of terror, and at times even defends or praises Dawood indirectly.

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Anarchist Sonam Wangchuk Arrested After Deadly Leh Violence, Had Earlier Said “Sonam Wangchuk In Jail Will Be Equally, If Not More, Problematic”

'Climate Activist' Sonam Wangchuk’s Hunger Strike Turns Violent, BJP Office, CRPF Vehicle Torched; Blames Gen-Z While Hiding HIAL Land Defaults leh violence ladakh protest arrest

Leh Police on Friday arrested Ladakh activist Sonam Wangchuk as violent protests over statehood and Sixth Schedule demands escalated in the region. The clashes have claimed at least four lives and left over 90 people injured, officials confirmed.

The protests, led jointly by Wangchuk, the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, centre on demands for full statehood for Ladakh and constitutional safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. To press these demands, Wangchuk began a hunger strike on 10 September 2025, which he ended on 24 September 2025 after 15 days, citing rising violence.

A day before his arrest, Wangchuk spoke to NDTV and said he had already prepared himself for detention. When asked about the possibility, he replied: “If for this cause I have to be arrested, I’m preparing for that. Looking forward to it. I don’t want to be in confusion, so I have made up my mind that I will be arrested.”

He further remarked that his imprisonment would create even greater challenges for the authorities than his presence at protests: “Sonam Wangchuk in jail will be equally, if not more, problematic as Sonam Wangchuk outside participating in dialogues and discussions. It will awaken people more about how this country is being run.”

Describing his past work, the activist noted his contributions to education, collaboration with the Indian defence forces in building solar-heated shelters, and his campaign against Chinese imports: “People who have given their lives for the education of the young, defence of the country, who have worked with the Indian defence forces to build them solar heated shelters, who has launched movements against China — the made-in-China boycott movement was launched by me. If such a person is jailed and corrupt people are freely roaming around, that will be a great scene for the nation to see and understand what’s happening in our country.”

Authorities have not yet issued a formal statement on Wangchuk’s arrest.

(With inputs from News18)

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DMK Govt’s “Special Arrangements” For Vijay’s Karur Rally Include Vivek-Style ‘Take Diversions’ Too!

DMK Govt's "Special Arrangements" For Vijay's Karur Rally Include Vivek-Style 'Take Diversions' Too!

Ahead of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president and actor Vijay’s “Makkal Sandhippu” program in Karur, reports have emerged that the ruling DMK is executing a counterstrategy to reduce participation and weaken the impact of the event.

According to sources, DMK functionaries in Karur have begun distributing gifts such as mobile phones, T-shirts, and pants to lure TVK workers and supporters towards their side. The party is also planning to use traffic diversion measures (“take diversion as in the Vivek film”) to reroute vehicles carrying Vijay supporters into the city, thereby preventing large gatherings at his meetings.

Vijay’s state-wide outreach campaign, originally scheduled to conclude on 20 December 2025, has now been extended until 2 February 2026, due to what TVK alleges as delays in official permissions by the ruling party. His fiery speeches during the tour have drawn sharp reactions from ministers, creating a ripple effect within DMK circles.

As part of tomorrow’s Karur visit, Vijay is expected to address the public in multiple locations. However, DMK leaders, led by former minister V. Senthil Balaji, are determined to demonstrate Karur as a DMK stronghold. Recently, Balaji organized a massive DMK anniversary celebration in the district, projecting the region as the party’s fortress. Sources said he is now spearheading efforts to ensure Vijay’s event does not succeed.

TVK functionaries admitted they are struggling to counter the DMK’s strategy of offering material benefits to woo supporters. Reports indicate that DMK cadres have been instructed not to display TVK administrators’ names on banners, but only the district secretary’s photo, as part of internal campaign discipline.

For Vijay’s public meetings, TVK had shortlisted four venues in Karur viz, Karur Lighthouse Corner, Vengamedu MGR Statue, Erode Velusamipuram, and 80 Feet Road.

However, police authorities have only granted permission for one location, Velusamipuram citing security and logistical concerns.

In addition, roadworks within Karur city is reportedly being used as a pretext to divert traffic. Vehicles carrying Vijay supporters are expected to be redirected away from the main city routes using “take diversion” measures, limiting their ability to converge at the permitted venue.

Party insiders said these measures are part of DMK’s broader plan to undercut Vijay’s campaign momentum in Karur, where his growing popularity is seen as a direct challenge to the ruling party.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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Rabies Deaths Mount In Dravidian Tamil Nadu: 17-Year-Old Dies After Dog Bite Neglected

Rabies Cases On The Rise In Dravidian Model Tamil Nadu, Highest In 5 Years pitbull one health vaccination dog bite

A 17-year-old boy succumbed to rabies after failing to seek medical attention for a dog bite in Ramanathapuram district, highlighting growing concerns over the rising number of dog bite cases in the state.

The victim, identified as Raja Prakash, son of Ramanathan and a resident of Kuruvikaaran Street, Annanagar, worked at a local butcher shop. Officials reported that Raja was bitten by a stray dog nearly two months ago but neglected to get vaccinated or visit a hospital.

Within days, he began exhibiting unusual symptoms. His parents admitted him to Ramanathapuram Government Hospital, where doctors diagnosed rabies and referred him to Madurai Rajaji Government Hospital for advanced treatment. Despite medical intervention, Raja’s condition worsened, and he passed away on Wednesday night.

Raja’s body was returned to Ramanathapuram, where over 100 people attended his funeral. As a precaution, the district health department administered rabies vaccinations to all attendees.

This incident follows another recent rabies death in Tamil Nadu. Karunanidhi, 55, a construction worker from Varadalampattu village in Vellore district, died after being bitten by a stray dog on 5 September. Despite family advice, he ignored the wound. Admitted to Adukkamparai Government Hospital on 21 September 2025, he passed away on 23 September 2025.

Data from the Department of Public Health and Disease Prevention indicates a concerning trend. In 2021, over 3.19 lakh people were bitten by dogs, resulting in 19 rabies deaths. The numbers rose to 3.64 lakh bites with 28 deaths in 2022 and 4.41 lakh bites with 18 deaths in 2023. In 2025 alone, more than 3.6 lakh dog bites have been reported, with 22 deaths so far.

Health experts caution that untreated dog bites or incomplete vaccination can be fatal. Rabies symptoms typically appear within three weeks to three months and may include difficulty breathing, fear of water and light, memory loss, and sensitivity to wind.

Authorities are urging citizens to immediately seek medical care and complete post-exposure vaccination if bitten by a dog.

(With inputs from ETV Bharat)

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DMK Govt Pastes Its Sticker Over Central PSUs Investing In TN

dmk sticker

In a familiar pattern, the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu has once again attempted to re-brand a central government driven initiative as its own, this time in the shipbuilding sector. The latest instance involves the announcement of two major investments by central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) to set up greenfield shipyards in Tamil Nadu with a combined investment of ₹30,000 crore. However, the DMK, backed by sections of the Dravidianist media, has been quick to position the development as a result of its own policies and leadership.

On 20 September 2025, Tamil Nadu’s Industries Minister TRB Rajaa announced the MoUs via his X account, describing it as “massive news” for the state’s shipbuilding industry. He stated that the agreements as a key milestone under the upcoming Tamil Nadu Maritime Transport Manufacturing Policy 2025, emphasizing that they would generate over 55,000 jobs and mark the state’s emergence as a “global hub for shipbuilding and maritime innovation.”

In his statement, Rajaa credited Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and said the move aligned with the DMK’s development vision. Following this, Stalin himself posted on social media, invoking Tamil maritime history and asserting that the “Dravidian Model” was steering southern Tamil Nadu onto the global shipbuilding map.

Predictably, DMK-simping media outlets like Puthiya Thalaimurai amplified this narrative, presenting the announcement as a direct achievement of the state government. One headline read, “Contract worth ₹15,000 crore: Minister Raja.”

The Reality: A Modi Govt-Led Initiative Under National Maritime Vision

Contrary to the narrative being peddled by the DMK and its ecosystem, these projects are part of the Government of India’s broader maritime strategy, specifically the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. The MoUs were signed between the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and the Tamil Nadu government through its investment promotion agency, Guidance Tamil Nadu, with the centre’s active involvement.

Cochin Shipyard Limited, which built the Indian Navy’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, will invest ₹15,000 crore in a commercial shipyard, creating 10,000 jobs initially. MDL, known for building Scorpene-class submarines and frontline destroyers like the Visakhapatnam-class, will invest an equivalent amount to establish a shipyard employing over 45,000 people.

Both entities are central PSUs under the Ministries of Defence and Shipping, respectively. Their strategic decision to establish shipbuilding infrastructure on India’s east coast specifically in Thoothukudi district is driven by national maritime priorities, including security and trade.

Union Government’s Role Highlighted at Signing Ceremony

The MoUs were formally exchanged on 19 September 2025 at an event organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. The ceremony was attended by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, further confirming the central government’s role in initiating and facilitating these massive investments.

Yet, in Tamil Nadu, the DMK has attempted to shift the spotlight toward its own governance, despite the projects being aligned with central government frameworks. Critics have pointed out that the DMK is merely piggybacking on the Centre’s plans while attempting to appropriate credit for political mileage ahead of elections.

Social Media Pushback: DMK’s Credit Grab Draws Ridicule

The DMK’s attempt to take ownership of the shipbuilding projects has triggered significant backlash on social media. Users have mocked the party’s habitual sticker politics,” accusing it of slapping its label on any initiative with potential visibility or public appeal, regardless of who conceived or executed it.

This episode follows a familiar pattern where central government projects in Tamil Nadu be it in infrastructure, defence, or manufacturing are rebranded locally as “Dravidian model achievements” for narrative-building purposes. However, in the digital age, such attempts are increasingly met with scrutiny and resistance from the public.

As the 2026 state elections approach, the line between genuine state-led development and opportunistic political branding is becoming increasingly blurred at least in the way it’s being projected by the ruling establishment in Tamil Nadu.

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Madras High Court Stays All Construction Work At Arunachaleswarar Temple In Tiruvannamalai

Madras High Court Stays All Construction Work At Arunachaleswarar Temple In Tiruvannamalai

In a significant ruling for devotees and heritage conservationists, the Madras High Court has issued an interim order staying all construction work inside and outside the ancient Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. The order was passed by a Division Bench currently hearing temple-related cases.

The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, which has been administering the temple since 13 December 1951, had submitted a proposal before the Court to construct a queue complex and waiting areas for devotees. The proposed construction was to be located opposite the Rajagopuram, the site of major temple festivals attended by at least 50,000 devotees.

The department presented engineering drawings and detailed plans to the Bench, justifying the necessity of the construction. However, petitioners opposing the plan produced photographs indicating that large-scale construction had already begun within the temple premises, in apparent violation of legal provisions and prior court judgments. The photos reportedly showed massive concrete pillars erected adjacent to the ancient heritage walls of the temple.

The Bench, visibly concerned about the impact of modern constructions on the temple’s heritage, questioned the department on the necessity of introducing such structures within the sacred premises. After a detailed hearing, the Court stayed all further construction work, both inside and outside the temple until the next scheduled hearing on 16 October 2025.

The judges also expressed their intention to personally inspect the temple, citing its extraordinary heritage value and the need to protect it from any irreversible changes.

As part of the interim order, the Madras High Court directed the Department of Endowments to file a comprehensive report, supported by documentary evidence, explaining the purpose and necessity of the proposed constructions.

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TNCC Chief Selvaperunthagai Objects To EPS Calling Him A Beggar

selvaperunthagai eps tncc

On 25 September 2025, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president and MLA K Selvaperunthagai strongly criticised AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) for likening him to a “beggar in patched clothes.” The remark was made by Palaniswami a day earlier, on 24 September 2025, while mocking Selvaperunthagai’s previous affiliations with multiple political parties.

EPS during his Nilgiris campaign said, “Today, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President, Mr. Selvaperunthagai, is speaking. He has come from many parties. Have you seen beggar’s wearing patched shirt? Like a beggar’s coat that is patched up, he has switched many parties. Whenever he joins a party, he follows that party’s ideology. That is Selvaperunthagai. He is not trying to develop his party today. The state in-charge for the Tamil Nadu Congress appointed a person who is giving his opinion. The former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President, Mr. Alagiri, is giving his opinion. He demands that since they are part of the ruling coalition, they need more seats. He even demands a share in the government if the DMK comes to power again, saying the DMK will not come to power otherwise.

But Selvaperunthagai, as a Congress party president, is saying, “When Rahul Gandhi himself is not asking for a share in the government, you should not ask for it.” If he were truly a Congress loyalist, if he had a love for the Congress party, if he had worked for the Congress since the beginning, would he have had that thought? He does not have that thought at all. We must realize that the current Congress President, Mr. Selvaperunthagai, is today a supporter of the DMK and the DMK government. He is not loyal to the Congress party, but he is loyal to the DMK. He speaks loyally in the assembly, and he speaks loyally outside as well. However, the Congress workers and the Congress leaders have raised the sentiment that they want a coalition government and a share in the government. The split between the Congress and the DMK has begun now.”

While EPS questioned Selvaperunthagai’s loyalty to his party, the TNCC chief responded on social media, denouncing the “beggar in a patched shirt” remark as not just a personal attack on an elected representative, but also a disrespectful jibe at millions of economically disadvantaged people. He argued that seeking the trust of the electorate in a democracy should not be demeaned as “begging,” and accused EPS of forgetting the very people who had helped him rise to power.

TNCC chief Selvaperunthagai wrote, “To insult a representative elected by the people as a ‘beggar’ is not just an act of persecuting an individual; it is an act that degrades the dignity and lives of crores of poor and marginalized people. Such a venomous comment reveals the depth of anti-social sentiments entrenched in politics and the arrogance of prosperity that is unaware of true hardship. Seeking the trust of the people is not begging; it is the very foundation of democracy. You walked the path of leaders like MGR and Jayalalithaa, and with the votes of the marginalized, you became an MLA, a Minister, and eventually crawled your way up to become the Chief Minister. Yet, today, you stand so far removed that you cannot see the pain and life struggles of the people. You travel in someone else’s luxurious Bentley car, concealing your face in Delhi. Then, how can you know or understand the suffering and crises faced by the poor of this country? When you call me a ‘beggar – with a patched-up shirt,’ you are not just insulting me, but also the self-respect and dignity of crores of Tamils who live in humble circumstances. Even if I wear torn clothes, those clothes carry the tears, dreams, and hopes of the downtrodden people of this nation. The votes cast by the marginalized people are my voice and my political identity. I am indebted to them for their self-respect and their daily struggle for life. That dignity and that struggle are not worthy of anyone’s contempt. Do those who believe in democracy support Edappadi Palaniswami’s anti-democratic comment?”

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