The ruling party in Tamil Nadu, the DMK, lacking substantial critique against the BJP, has resorted to circulating outdated videos featuring BJP Tamil Nadu leaders, and peddling the narrative as if they were recent incidents.
On 24 March 2024, the DMK IT Wing circulated an older video dating back to September 2018, depicting an incident involving Tamilisai Soundararajan, who at that time served as the president of the Tamil Nadu BJP. The event transpired during a Vinayagar Chathurthi programme organized by the Hindu Munnani. Following the programme, while Tamilisai was addressing reporters, Kathir, an auto driver and resident of Saidapet, interjected, expressing concern about the rising fuel prices.
Before Kathir could finish his query, he was grabbed from behind by the private guards, who reportedly pulled him by his hair and forcibly removed him. The media projected Tamilisai as smiling while Kathir was allegedly getting handled roughly. In a video statement, Kathir explained that he had voiced his frustration over the escalating fuel prices, aiming to represent the grievances of fellow auto drivers. However, he claimed that BJP party members misunderstood his intentions.
In defense against accusations of mistreatment, a BJP spokesperson stated to NDTV, “Our members perceived the manner in which the man posed his question as indicative of inebriation. While he was indeed handled roughly, there was no physical beating.”
அக்கா அக்கா
ஒரு நிமிஷம் 🙄🙄 pic.twitter.com/mr25JLDuoh— DMK IT WING (@DMKITwing) March 24, 2024
Tamilisai Soundararajan, known for her gentle demeanor, promptly paid a visit to the Kathir’s home bearing sweets. Expressing concern for his well-being, she clarified that she was unaware of the incident and emphasized that it had been misinterpreted. However, Soundararajan asserted that the autorickshaw driver was intoxicated at the time of the occurrence, as reported by the news agency ANI. She refuted the portrayal by the media suggesting that she was smiling during the assault, explaining that she was engaged in conversation with reporters and unaware of the situation behind her. Soundararajan further explained that her colleague intervened to remove the intoxicated Kathir for the safety of others, acknowledging that any form of mistreatment was unacceptable.
A Friendly visit to house of Auto driver kathir today who wanted to speak to me.he himself acknowledged that no one hurted him. Request media friends to ignore false propoganda. pic.twitter.com/vcHEZ27x76
— Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@DrTamilisai4BJP) September 18, 2018
As all the incidents described above widely covered in newspapers and videos, the IT Wing of the DMK seized upon this old video and began circulating it as if it happened recently. In response, the Tamil Nadu BJP official took X platform, mocked them, highlighting the absurdity of their actions stated, “DMK in scarcity of content! What is it @arivalayam…. It seems you have dried up without content @arivalayam. You have taken an event that took place five years ago, and dusted it and brought it back, why you are rolling this much for survival @arivalayam? On that day, she @DrTamilisai4BJP went to the auto driver’s house and met him. After doing so much, you forgot to cover the bun over the head @arivalayam!”
கன்டென்ட் பஞ்சத்தில் திமுக!
என்னங்க @arivalayam… கன்டென்ட் கிடைக்காம ரொம்ப காஞ்சு போய் இருக்கீங்க போல @arivalayam? 🤣
இல்ல, அஞ்சு வருஷத்துக்கு முன்னாடி நடந்த ஒரு நிகழ்வை, மீண்டும் தூசி தட்டி தேடி எடுத்துட்டு வந்து இந்த உருட்டு உருட்டுறீங்களே எதுக்கு இந்த பொழப்பு @arivalayam?… https://t.co/Cbfwzi0vSc pic.twitter.com/nph4HoYUVl
— BJP Tamilnadu (@BJP4TamilNadu) March 26, 2024
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