Former The News Minute (TNM) ‘journalist’ Ramanathan and currently associated with the office of DMK minister TRB Rajaa, has been accused of online harassment and cyber-bullying amid a wider controversy involving the DMK’s IT wing.
The allegations were raised by Dravidian stockist writer Meena Kandasamy, who recently stated that she had been subjected to sustained online abuse, including character assassination and coordinated attacks, by accounts linked to the ruling party’s digital network. Among those she identified was Ramanathan, who operates under the handle “Madarassi” on X.
As reported in The New Indian Express, Kandasamy alleged that Ramanathan was among individuals who targeted her following her critical remarks about the DMK, including her statement that the party should not be returned to power on grounds of women’s safety. She further claimed that despite the scale of the harassment, no action had been taken against those involved. Kandasamy also criticised Minister Rajaa for not issuing an apology, stating that she had received calls from his office following her recent post but no acknowledgment of responsibility. She contrasted this with an earlier instance involving the Naam Tamilar Katchi, where its leader Seeman had intervened after similar complaints.
Now let us take a look at Ramanathan, the person who reportedly called and messaged Kandasamy.
Ramanathan’s role has drawn particular attention due to his professional trajectory. He is reported to have worked as a journalist/project head with The News Minute before transitioning to a role linked to Minister Rajaa’s office.
It is also alleged that his association with Rajaa overlapped with his time in journalism as his reportage during this time include a hitjob on former CM J Jayalalithaa’s associate, VK Sasikala and her extended family network, often referred to as the “Mannargudi cartel,” which detailed the rise of figures such as V. Dhivaharan.
In addition, he has also authored pieces favourable to Minister Rajaa’s political positioning, further fuelling debate over potential conflicts of interest.
In 2023, Ramanathan also authored a piece on the expose done by Madan Ravichandran.
But this was how he was described – “a member of the TNM business team”.
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