Special Articles Tamil Nadu

Meet News18 Tamil Nadu Editor Karthigaichelvan, The Modi-Baiter And Dravidianist Journo Who Asks Some Of The “Toughest Questions” To DMK

January 19, 2024
The Commune

The recent interview of DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin by Dravidianist supporter journalist Kathigaichelvan, Editor of News18 Tamil, has received negative criticism especially because of the soft questions that were asked to the DMK scion. 

Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party President denounced the quality of the questions stating that the questions did not sound serious and it was a “friendly” interview. 

The interview ended up showing Udhayanidhi Stalin in a poor light, especially for someone who has been touted as the Deputy Chief Minister of the state. Critics argue that the quality of the questions and the responses provided by Udhayanidhi are not fitting for someone who aspires to be the Deputy CM. The body language of Udhayanidhi also did not help – as he was seen constantly shaking his feet and shifting in his seat repeatedly. 

 

Karthigalchelvan is a Dravidian propagandist journalist and a Modi-baiter. He has come under fire for some of his buttressing attitude towards the ruling DMK. 

A few years ago, he had interviewed today’s Chief Minister, MK Stalin in a similar fashion which also drew the ire of the public for not asking pointed questions. In this video which is a collection of several interviews of Stalin, he seems to be following a set template in asking the current Chief Minister questions. These questions include what he does to maintain his fitness, how he prepares for long journeys, how he gets his energy to carry out campaigns, and how he prepares himself for such things.

Pro-DMK Behaviour Exhibited By Karthigaichelvan

During a debate on News18 Tamil in June 2023, moderated by Karthigaichelvan, when one of the panelists Advocate Tamil Mani accused Senthil Balaji of corruption, citing his admission to taking money for job placements. Karthigaichelvan defended Senthil Balaji, claiming the ongoing case made labeling him corrupt premature. Despite a DMK spokesperson’s insults, Karthigaichelvan tried to maintain neutrality, softly condemning Saravanan from DMK towards the end.

During a News18 Tamil Nadu debate in October 2022, Karthigaichelvan and DMK spokesperson Constantine Raveendran faced criticism for allegedly protecting CM MK Stalin over a fake news claim related to the Sterlite protest firing. Hindu Munnani’s A.T. Elangovan pointed out the incident where Stalin falsely implicated PM Modi, but Raveendran demanded proof, limiting Elangovan’s response. Karthigaichelvan claimed ignorance and declined to express an opinion. 

Modi Hate

In the past, Karthigaichelvan had consistently expressed animosity towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2015, he shared a derogatory cartoon (now deleted) suggesting that the Union Government, led by Narendra Modi, was influenced by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Karthigaichelvan shared cartoons mocking PM Modi, implying he acts as per Hindu or secular sentiments. One cartoon depicted Modi hitch-hiking on Karunanidhi’s wheelchair during a courtesy visit. Another mocked Digital India, accompanied by a euphoric caption “Hahahaha.”

Once he was called out by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for deliberately trying to peddle anti-Modi propaganda saying that the Centre was waiving off loans taken by corporates.

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