On 15 January 2024, the CEO of the social media platform X shared a post. It said, “To fear parody or criticism is a sign of weakness”
To fear parody or criticism is a sign of weakness
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 15, 2024
This message holds good for MK Stalin-led DMK government in Tamil Nadu as the tweet comes in the wake of the Puthiya Thalaimurai News Channel having had to take down a spoof/satire video depicting the Pongal gift hamper distribution going on in the ration shops.
The theme for the video as well as the dialogues spoken in the video were jabs at controversial statements made by Sport Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and former Minister for Higher Education Ponmudi.
The video sparked displeasure among numerous DMK enthusiasts, with comments labeling Puthiya Thalaimurai as a ‘Sanghi’ news channel flooding in. Saravanan Annadurai, the official spokesperson of the DMK, strongly protested against it, stating, “This video presents a low opinion. This is not a spoof; this is proof of rotten brains.”
In response to the reactions from DMK members, Parisal Krishna, the editor of the Digital Edition of PTTV, issued apologies. Ironically, the DMK, self-proclaimed as a stronghold of social justice, press freedom, and freedom of speech, has shown sensitivity to critical news aimed at them on multiple occasions.
Instances Of Social Media Crackdown For Harmless Memes By DMK Govt
In June 2023, AIADMK IT wing member Gowtham faced arrest for sharing a video meme playfully referencing MK Stalin’s statement. Despite lacking derogatory content, DMK IT wing members deemed it demeaning to the CM.
சமூக வலைதளங்களில் தொடர்ந்து
விடியா ஆட்சியின் அவலங்களை வெளிக்கொணர்ந்த கழக தகவல் தொழில்நுட்ப பிரிவினை சேர்ந்த அன்புத் தம்பி @Gowthamadmk1216 மீது பொய் வழக்கு தொடர்ந்துள்ள இந்த விடியா அரசை வன்மையாக கண்டிக்கிறேன்.ஊழல் செய்த மந்திரியின் கைதுக்கு ஆர்ப்பாட்டம் நடத்துபவர்கள்,… pic.twitter.com/Aky9Wvkfny
— Raj Satyen (@satyenaiadmk) June 16, 2023
The meme, circulated by an ADMK functionary, responded humorously to MK Stalin’s cautionary video about the BJP government. Importantly, it contained no disrespectful content but cleverly used snippets from Tamil movies to humorously address each of Stalin’s statements.
In March 2023, the DMK government’s ₹7000 crore allocation in the 2023-24 budget for the Monthly Assistance Scheme For Women sparked widespread outrage. The government later announced the scheme, providing ₹1,000 per month to women heads of “eligible households” from September 15, 2023. Criticism arose as the term “eligible household” deviated from the election promise to provide “rightful money” to every woman head of the family. Memes, including one from Voice of Savukku, featuring Kavundamani and Senthil’s comedy, equating TN CM MK Stalin and FM PTR Palanivel Thiyagarajan to the actors, mocked the government’s selection criteria.
Sources : Pradheep one of the admins of @voiceofsavukku has been arrested in Cr No 52/2023 under sections 153, 505 (1) (b) and 509 IT Act for this video meme. pic.twitter.com/dT7LcsLorF
— Savukku Shankar (@SavukkuOfficial) March 22, 2023
The meme led to DMK cadre complaints and subsequent arrests. Pradeep, one of the admins of Voice of Savukku, was arrested on March 21st under sections 153, 505 (1) (b), and 509 of the IT Act for the video meme, intensifying the controversy surrounding the Monthly Assistance Scheme For Women.
In yet another instance in March 2023, Twitter allegedly took down a meme that made fun of the ‘dynastic succession’ in the DMK, featuring former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, his son and present Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin and grandson Udhayanidhi Stalin who is now a Minister in his father’s government. According to a report by The Hindu, the company said it received an order from “Tamil Nadu Law Enforcement” to remove the offensive tweet on 24 January 2023.
கருத்து சுதந்திர காவலர்கள். pic.twitter.com/W2RgU5PWbF
— Savukku Shankar (@SavukkuOfficial) March 2, 2023
The meme showed the three DMK leaders asking party veteran and Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan to do a task for them. The tweet reportedly had only 450 views, 19 retweets, and 40 likes before it was removed.
In December 2022, Tamil Nadu Police arrested AMMK functionary Csc Senthil for sharing a meme targeting the Chief Minister’s son Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Sports Ministry. Senthil, Secretary of TTV Dinakaran’s AMMK Nagapattinam district environment protection and awareness wing, posted a meme using a screenshot from the film ‘Gentleman.’ The meme humorously suggested that the new Tamil Nadu sports ministry, led by Udhayanidhi Stalin, would introduce unconventional games like “coupling” and “spooling.”
நாகப்பட்டினம் மாவட்ட கழக சுற்றுசூழல் பாதுகாப்பு மற்றும் விழிப்புணர்வு பிரிவு செயலாளர் திரு.CSC.செந்தில்குமரன் எதேச்சதிகார தி.மு.க ஆட்சியில் பொய் வழக்கில் கைது செய்யப்பட்டிருப்பது கடும் கண்டனத்திற்குரியது.அவரை உடனடியாக விடுதலை செய்ய வேண்டும் என வலியுறுத்துகிறேன். 1/2 @CMOTamilnadu
— TTV Dhinakaran (@TTVDhinakaran) December 26, 2022
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