Puthiya Thalaimurai News Channel recently posted a spoof/satire video depicting the Pongal gift hamper distribution going on in the ration shops. It was posted on the digital platforms of the channel.
Since this was deleted by @PTTVOnlineNews , it is our responsibility to post it again. Pls share widely friends. #DMKFiles3
— இந்தா வாயின்கோ – Take That (@indhavaainko) January 15, 2024
Several happenings in Tamil Nadu politics are spoofed in the video. A lady who is rushing to get the money in the crowd says her name is Kannamma. The person in charge of the distribution says, ‘Why everyone has names such as Annamma and Kannamma?‘ to which the lady replies, ‘In this town everyone is named like that.‘ Further into the video, the lady waiting to get the money asks, ‘how long will you count the money? Give it soon‘ and the person in charge replies, ‘Wait, let me see if any notes are stuck together‘. The lady then replies, ‘Why are you giving your father’s money?‘ and the person in charge retorts saying, ‘Aren’t you are getting this for free, take the money and leave‘.
Both of these dialogues are jabs at controversial statements made by Sport Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and former Minister for Higher Education Ponmudi. Towards the end of the video, a cameraman asks the lady to pose with the money, which she does, but wonders if this lady will go viral as the previous lady. This indicates to previous photos of happy old ladies smiling with the money they received under DMK government’s schemes.
The video irked many DMK aficionados, and comments accusing Puthiya Thalaimurai of being a ‘sanghi’ news channel started to pour in.
Official spokesperson of the DMK, Saravanan Annadurai, also posted strongly saying, ‘This video presents a low opinion. This is not a spoof, this is proof of rotten brains‘.
கீழ்த்தரமான கருத்தை முன்வைக்கிறது இந்த காணொளி.
இது spoof அல்ல,
அழுகிய மூளைகளின் proof. https://t.co/gnU9ezLF69— Saravanan Annadurai (@saravofcl) January 14, 2024
In reply to the reactions from DMK members, Krishna Kumar aka Parisal Krishna, editor of Digital Edition of PTTV posted his apologies.
அனைவருக்கும்,
சர்ச்சைக்குரிய அந்தக் காணொளியில் பெயர்கள் குறித்து பலரும் குறிப்பிட்டது, மிகச் சரியே. அது காலையிலேயே யூட்யூபில் டிரிம் செய்யப்பட்டுவிட்டது. அதற்கான பொறுப்பை ஏற்றுக்கொண்டு மன்னிப்பு கோருகிறேன்.
மற்றபடி, அரசைக் குறைகூறும் நோக்கத்தில் அந்தக் காட்சி…
— Parisal Krishna (@iParisal) January 14, 2024
He stated that, ‘In general, the video was only made as a comedy about what happens when the government schemes are taken to the people’ and subsequently removed from the platform.
“I accept the responsibility and apologize. The scene was not shot with the intention of criticizing the government. In general, the film was only made as a comedy about what happens when the government schemes are taken to the people. It has been misunderstood. There is no intention in this. I am also sorry for the ulterior tone. I accept your criticisms to work more carefully. That tweet has since been deleted.“, he said.
A Dravidianist pointed out that the video was posted by PTTV official handle, so only they should apologise and not Parisal Krishna from his personal handle.
Valid Point. 👏 https://t.co/wF9BeTbkfi
— SKP KARUNA (@skpkaruna) January 14, 2024
Following the apology from Parisal Krishna, the official handle of Puthiya Thalaimura too issued an apology. DMK, which claims itself to be a bastion of social justice, press freedom, freedom of speech, has been sensitive to critical news targeted at them repeatedly.
This DMK stooge @iParisal did a 1 hr video mocking @annamalai_k , @VanathiBJP and @BJP4TamilNadu . Mocked Annamalai’s body language, his way of speech etc.. got personal.
But when he critiqued the DMK, he has been shown his place! That’s DMK for you. pic.twitter.com/Y5pbtUCTyT
— இந்தா வாயின்கோ – Take That (@indhavaainko) January 15, 2024
Ironically, Dravidianists like SKP Karuna who supported freedom of speech during the Annapoorani film controversy has now decided to muffle it since the video in question was critical of the DMK.
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