News Tamil Nadu

DMK Which Whips Up Anti-Hindi Rhetoric Puts Communique In Hindi To Allay Fears Of North Indian Migrant Workers

March 4, 2023
The Commune

In a phone call with Nitish Kumar on Saturday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reassured his Bihar counterpart about the safety of migrant workers, amid reports of alleged attacks on people from Bihar.

According to a statement released by the chief minister’s office, as some fake videos were circulated alongside real incidents of North Indian labourers being attacked in Tamil Nadu, such as the one that occurred in a train in Tamil Nadu where a Vizhuppuram man assaulted migrant workers, Chief Minister Stalin said that those indulging in rumour-mongering were acting against the country and its integrity.

“Tamil Nadu Government and People will always stand by our migrant brothers,” Stalin told Bihar Chief Minister, according to the statement.

Stalin was quoted in the press release as saying, “Migrant workers should not be concerned. If there is a threat, you can contact the police department’s helpline numbers, which have been announced by the police.”

In this situation, the Tamil Nadu police have provided helpline numbers for migrant workers to call if there is an untoward incident. Migrant workers can contact police at 0421-2203313, 9498101300, or 9498101320.

However, the police announcement drew criticism for the DMK government because it was written in Hindi as well. Netizens pointed out that the party (DMK), which resorted to erasing Hindi sign boards with black ink, is now forced to provide assurances to migrant workers in Hindi.

It should be noted that a bus conductor of the TNSTC bus from Kavindpadi bus stand to SIPCOT industrial estate at Perundurai was placed under suspension for one day for putting up a route board in Hindi and English.

The alleged incident occurred in June 2018. Following the opposition and social media campaign by the DMK, DK, and other Dravidian parties, the ruling ADMK government was forced to suspend the conductor. Srinivasan, the bus conductor has put a route board on the bus in English and Hindi to help the migrant workers from Northern and Eastern states in the area.

The Coimbatore district administration has also been forced to issue a circular ensuring the safety of migrant workers. It is worth noting that the press release is also written in Hindi. In a statement, Coimbatore district Collector said,” Coimbatore district is an industrial district with people and workers from all over the country working in industrial companies and various industries. It is a district where the people live peacefully and safely without discrimination. All employers provide housing, food, wages, and educational opportunities for their employees. So far, the district administration has taken excellent and timely steps to maintain law and order. Misinformation is spreading on WhatsApp and social media that workers from the north state are in danger in the Coimbatore district and are fleeing the city. All of these things are rumours spread with malicious intent.”

The press release added,” To resolve the grievances and grievances of out-of-state workers, a “Committee to Redress the grievances of Migrant Workers” has been set up under the chairmanship of the Revenue Officer of Coimbatore District, and to promptly act upon the grievances received through it. So, if there is any threat to their safety or a problem at their workplace, out-of-state workers can immediately contact the Disaster Management Department at the Coimbatore District Collector’s Office at toll free number 1077.”

They further said,” You can also contact Coimbatore Municipal Commissioner of Police Office Control Room Phone / Mobile No. 0422-2300970 / 9498181213, 8190000100, 9443808277 and Coimbatore District Superintendent of Police Office Control Room Mobile No. 9498181212, 7708100100.”

 

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.