compensation – The Commune https://thecommunemag.com Mainstreaming Alternate Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:04:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.5 https://thecommunemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cropped-TC_SF-1-32x32.jpg compensation – The Commune https://thecommunemag.com 32 32 “Victims Still Waiting”: Calcutta High Court Raps Mamata Banerjee Govt Over Delay In Compensation For Murshidabad Violence https://thecommunemag.com/victims-still-waiting-calcutta-high-court-raps-mamata-banerjee-govt-over-delay-in-compensation-for-murshidabad-violence/ Fri, 19 Sep 2025 05:38:34 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=129121 On 17 September 2025, the Calcutta High Court sharply criticized the West Bengal government for its delay in providing compensation to Hindu families affected by the recent anti-Hindu violence in Murshidabad. The unrest, sparked by protests against the Waqf Amendment Bill, caused significant damage, with homes destroyed, businesses looted, and communities left in distress. During […]

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On 17 September 2025, the Calcutta High Court sharply criticized the West Bengal government for its delay in providing compensation to Hindu families affected by the recent anti-Hindu violence in Murshidabad. The unrest, sparked by protests against the Waqf Amendment Bill, caused significant damage, with homes destroyed, businesses looted, and communities left in distress.

During the hearing, the bench expressed deep concern over the slow response to the crisis, highlighting that many Hindu families are still waiting for support months after the violence. Despite widespread destruction, including burned houses and looted shops, the court noted that victims have not yet received meaningful compensation or assistance for their rehabilitation.

The judges demanded that the state government provide a clear timeline for disbursing compensation and a detailed rehabilitation plan for the affected Hindu families. They warned that the continued delay in providing relief could exacerbate the suffering of victims and heighten communal tensions in the already volatile Murshidabad region.

Legal experts have emphasized that the court’s intervention underscores the judiciary’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of communities impacted by targeted violence. The bench reminded the government of its duty to protect the welfare and safety of all citizens, asserting that victims of communal violence should not be left waiting for bureaucratic processes to unfold.

Eyewitness reports and local accounts from Murshidabad paint a troubling picture of the aftermath. Many Hindu families were displaced, with some seeking shelter in relief camps, while others struggled to rebuild their lives without adequate government assistance. The court’s directive is expected to expedite the distribution of compensation and bring relief to these communities.

This action by the Calcutta High Court sends a strong message to the West Bengal government that communal violence, particularly when it targets vulnerable Hindu communities, must be addressed swiftly and effectively. Authorities have been ordered to present a practical plan for immediate compensation and long-term measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The violence in Murshidabad, coupled with the court’s decisive stance, has reignited debates on communal harmony, the accountability of the government, and the protection of minority groups in West Bengal, highlighting the pressing need for preventive actions to avert further unrest.

(With Inputs From Hindu Voice)

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]]> Senior Citizens Duped Of Cash Or Gold Entitled To Up To ₹5 Lakh Compensation, Says Madras High Court https://thecommunemag.com/senior-citizens-duped-of-cash-or-gold-entitled-to-up-to-%e2%82%b95-lakh-compensation-says-madras-high-court/ Thu, 04 Sep 2025 05:40:22 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=127188 The Madras High Court has suggested that senior citizens who fall victim to fraudsters should be paid a minimum compensation of 30% of the value of the jewels or cash lost, or ₹5 lakh, whichever is lower, from the Victim Compensation Fund if the culprits remain untraced. Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy made the observation while […]

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The Madras High Court has suggested that senior citizens who fall victim to fraudsters should be paid a minimum compensation of 30% of the value of the jewels or cash lost, or ₹5 lakh, whichever is lower, from the Victim Compensation Fund if the culprits remain untraced.

Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy made the observation while disposing of a petition filed by 68-year-old P. Krishnaveni of Ma.Po.Si. Nagar, Tiruvallur district. The petitioner, who was duped of 17.5 sovereigns of jewellery in 2018, had sought a direction to police to complete the investigation. The government informed the court that the police had already filed an “untraceable report,” with liberty to reopen the case if fresh clues emerged.

The judge said he was suggesting only a “bare minimum” compensation, and that the state government could fix an even higher quantum. He noted that scams targeting senior citizens were on the rise, both in public places and at their residences, and stressed that courts could not ignore the mental agony suffered by the elderly.

Pointing out that the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) emphasises citizen protection, Justice Chakravarthy observed that Section 396 of the law provides for victim compensation in cases where offenders cannot be traced. He criticised the existing Tamil Nadu Victim Compensation Scheme, framed in 2013, for capping payouts at just ₹1 lakh, and called for a significant upward revision.

In Krishnaveni’s case, the court noted that she had been duped while on her way to a medical test with her husband, when two men posing as policemen persuaded her to place her jewellery and cash into a bag, before fleeing with it. Considering the current gold price of around ₹75,000 per sovereign, the court held she was entitled to ₹4 lakh in compensation.

The judge directed the Tiruvallur District Legal Services Authority to send a para-legal volunteer to assist the petitioner with her application and ensure the amount is delivered by demand draft or bank transfer within 12 weeks. He added that the compensation must be returned if the police later trace the culprits and recover the valuables.

(With inputs from The Hindu)

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]]> Madurai Bench Of Madras High Court Orders ₹25 Lakh Interim Compensation To Kin In Ajithkumar Custodial Death Case https://thecommunemag.com/madurai-bench-of-madras-high-court-orders-%e2%82%b925-lakh-interim-compensation-to-kin-in-ajithkumar-custodial-death-case/ Wed, 23 Jul 2025 11:57:20 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=122021 The Madras High Court on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, ordered the Tamil Nadu government to pay ₹25 lakh as interim compensation to the family of 27-year-old Ajithkumar, a temple security guard who died in police custody in June 2025. The court termed the incident a “custodial death involving physical abuse” and noted that such acts […]

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The Madras High Court on Tuesday, 22 July 2025, ordered the Tamil Nadu government to pay ₹25 lakh as interim compensation to the family of 27-year-old Ajithkumar, a temple security guard who died in police custody in June 2025. The court termed the incident a “custodial death involving physical abuse” and noted that such acts “cannot be tolerated in a civilised society and must be dealt with firmly.”

Ajithkumar, who worked at the Madapuram Temple in Sivaganga district, was taken into police custody in June in connection with a theft complaint. According to reports, a devotee had asked Ajith to park her vehicle, but since he did not know how to drive, he requested someone else to do so. Later, the devotee, identified as Nikitha, alleged that cash and gold were missing from her car.

Police detained Ajith for questioning, and he died shortly afterward under suspicious circumstances. A post-mortem revealed over 40 injury marks on his body, indicating torture in custody. A report submitted by a Sessions Court judge confirmed the physical abuse.

The Tamil Nadu government had initially offered the family ₹7.5 lakh, a housing plot, and a government job for Ajith’s brother. However, the Madurai Bench of the High Court directed the government to pay an additional ₹25 lakh as interim relief. The court added that the family may approach it again for further compensation once criminal proceedings are complete. In an earlier hearing, the bench had observed, “Even a murderer wouldn’t have inflicted such brutality.”

Amid growing public outrage, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), stating, “There should be no questions over the investigation.” He also issued a public apology to Ajithkumar’s family.

Following the court’s directive, the CBI has registered an FIR against the police personnel involved. The agency will also investigate the original theft complaint filed by Nikita.

So far, five police officers have been arrested in connection with the case. A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) has been suspended, and the Sivagangai Superintendent of Police (SP) has been placed under compulsory wait. The High Court has instructed the CBI to appoint an investigation team within a week and to submit its final report by 20 August 2025.

(With inputs from NDTV)

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]]> AR Rahman’s ‘Marakkuma Nenjam’ Concert Organizer Ordered To Pay ₹50,000 Compensation For Show Mismanagement https://thecommunemag.com/ar-rahmans-marakkuma-nenjam-concert-organizer-ordered-to-pay-%e2%82%b950000-for-show-mismanagement/ Wed, 11 Jun 2025 04:33:30 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=117219 The Chennai North District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed ACTC Events to pay ₹50,000 in compensation for the mismanagement of music composer A.R. Rahman’s ‘Marakkuma Nenjam’ concert, which was held in Chennai on 10 September 2023. The commission also ordered the company to pay ₹5,000 towards litigation costs. The complaint was filed by K.R. […]

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The Chennai North District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed ACTC Events to pay ₹50,000 in compensation for the mismanagement of music composer A.R. Rahman’s ‘Marakkuma Nenjam’ concert, which was held in Chennai on 10 September 2023. The commission also ordered the company to pay ₹5,000 towards litigation costs.

The complaint was filed by K.R. Arjun, who had purchased a ‘diamond category’ ticket for the event, originally scheduled for August 12, 2023, but later postponed due to adverse weather conditions. In his petition, Arjun alleged that ACTC Events, along with ticketing partner Big Tree Entertainment and A.R. Rahman, had engaged in negligent and unfair practices. He claimed that the event was poorly organized, leading to significant hardship for attendees. Despite his premium ticket guaranteeing a parking spot, no such facility was available, forcing him to miss the concert.

ACTC Events, in its defense, stated that the August 12 concert had to be cancelled due to unexpected heavy rainfall and damage to the venue and equipment. The company claimed that the cancellation was communicated to ticket holders through social media and other channels.

However, the commission, comprising president D. Gopinath and members Kavitha Kannan and V. Ramamurthy, found the event management company negligent. The order noted that, given the scale and publicity of the concert, it was the organiser’s responsibility to inform participants well in advance to avoid inconvenience and potential safety risks.

“Cancelling the scheduled event on August 12 citing weather conditions at the last minute caused monetary loss, mental hardship, and suffering to the public. This amounts to clear negligence,” the commission said.

While ACTC Events was held accountable, the complaint against Big Tree Entertainment and A.R. Rahman was dismissed, with the commission stating that no substantive evidence of fault was found against them.

AR Rahman’s Marakkuma Nenjam Concert

AR Rahman’s Marakkuma Nenjam concert on 10 September 2023 in Chennai turned into a chaotic disaster and one that will remain an unforgettable nightmare for fans. They faced overcrowding, traffic jams, no parking, mismanagement, poor audio, and alleged molestation and missing children. Despite paying up to ₹10,000 per ticket, many were denied entry or sat in the wrong sections due to overselling. Stampede-like conditions, lack of volunteers, and safety lapses were widely reported. Fans demanded refunds and accountability from Rahman and ACTC Events. While organisers issued a mild apology, Rahman didn’t directly address the outrage, fuelling public anger over what many called a “scam” and traumatic experience.

(With inputs from The Hindu)

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]]> Rahul Gandhi, Jharkhand Govt Announce Compensation To Family Of Man Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Tribal Women And Killed by Mob https://thecommunemag.com/rahul-gandhi-jharkhand-govt-announce-compensation-to-family-of-man-accused-of-sexually-assaulting-tribal-women-and-killed-by-mob/ Mon, 19 May 2025 08:16:03 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=115135 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has announced financial assistance of ₹1 lakh for the family of Abdul Kalam, a 22-year-old construction worker who died after being allegedly beaten by villagers. Kalam was accused of sexually assaulting and attempting to rape a tribal woman while she was bathing. In addition, the Jharkhand government, led by Hemant Soren, […]

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has announced financial assistance of ₹1 lakh for the family of Abdul Kalam, a 22-year-old construction worker who died after being allegedly beaten by villagers. Kalam was accused of sexually assaulting and attempting to rape a tribal woman while she was bathing. In addition, the Jharkhand government, led by Hemant Soren, pledged ₹4 lakh in compensation, a government job, and a house for his family.

The Siddiqui community also committed to providing ₹51,000 to Kalam’s family. State Health Minister and Congress MLA Irfan Ansari visited the victim’s residence and met with his mother, Rehana Khatoon, assuring her of continued support.

Incident Details

The incident reportedly occurred on 8 May in Kadrukhutta village, located in the Penk Narayanpur police station jurisdiction of Bokaro district. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Kalam allegedly approached the wife of a local resident, Mahavir Murmu, while she was bathing in a pond. He allegedly assaulted her from behind, touched her inappropriately, and attempted to rape her. The woman reportedly resisted, bit his hand, and screamed for help. Her cries alerted nearby villagers, who intervened and caught Kalam as he attempted to flee. He was allegedly tied to a pole and assaulted by the locals before the police arrived.

According to an FIR filed by Kalam’s uncle, Abdul was injured during the mob attack and later declared dead at Bokaro Thermal Hospital. His family claimed he was mentally unwell and under medical care. They argued that if he had committed a crime, legal proceedings should have been followed instead of vigilante justice. Four individuals—Rupan Manjhi, Baharam Manjhi, Sukhlal Manjhi, and Baleshwar Hansda—have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Bermo Sub-Divisional Magistrate Mukesh Machhua confirmed the state’s promise to provide ₹4 lakh, a government job, and a house to Kalam’s family. However, the family has reportedly declined the compensation, insisting on justice instead.

The incident has sparked divided reactions online. Some users criticized the Congress leadership and the state government for offering support to a man accused of a grave crime, labeling it an inappropriate use of public funds. Others expressed sympathy for Kalam, claiming he was mentally ill or targeted because of his religious background. Some labeled the incident a case of mob lynching, while others underscored the severity of the sexual assault allegations.

https://twitter.com/shamitayad1/status/1922983970779623738

Authorities continue to investigate the case to determine the full facts.

(With Inputs From OpIndia)

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]]> PMK Urges Rs 40,000 Per Acre Compensation To Paddy Farmers Affected By Unseasonal Rain https://thecommunemag.com/pmk-urges-rs-40000-per-acre-compensation-to-paddy-farmers-affected-by-unseasonal-rain/ Tue, 21 Jan 2025 12:19:59 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=105505 Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss has urged the Tamil Nadu government to provide compensation of Rs 40,000 per acre to paddy farmers whose crops were damaged by unseasonal rain. He also appealed to the government to expedite the procurement of paddy bags and recommended increasing daily procurement targets at Direct Procurement Centres (DPCs) […]

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Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss has urged the Tamil Nadu government to provide compensation of Rs 40,000 per acre to paddy farmers whose crops were damaged by unseasonal rain. He also appealed to the government to expedite the procurement of paddy bags and recommended increasing daily procurement targets at Direct Procurement Centres (DPCs) to meet farmers’ demands.

The CPI(M) has called on the state government to provide compensation of Rs 35,000 per acre to farmers for the affected crops. The CPI has also suggested increasing the permissible moisture content for paddy procurement to 22 per cent, citing challenges faced by farmers due to the unseasonal rain. In response to the widespread crop damage, the Tamil Nadu government has already appealed to the Central government to relax the permissible moisture content for paddy procurement from the current 17 per cent to 22 per cent. Food Minister R. Sakkarapani confirmed that a formal request has been sent to the Centre to address this issue.

The government revealed that paddy procurement for the 2022-23 Kharif marketing season has been ongoing since September 1, 2024. From September to January 17, 2025, a total of 1,349 DPCs facilitated the procurement of 5,72,464 tonnes of paddy from 80,634 farmers, with Rs 1,378 crore directly credited to their bank accounts. Despite these efforts, farmers in Tamil Nadu’s delta districts, often referred to as the “rice bowl” of the state, are facing severe distress. Unseasonal rain, cloudy skies, and frost have made it difficult to dry harvested paddy, resulting in grains with higher moisture content.

The districts of Mayiladuthurai, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, and Nagapattinam have been hit hard by heavy rainfall in recent days, leading to severe inundation and water stagnation. These conditions are expected to cause extensive damage to Samba paddy crops. The state has already experienced a 40 per cent drop in Samba paddy production in the Delta districts during the 2023-24 season due to a deficit in the northeast monsoon. For the current season (2024-25), while there was adequate rainfall, inadequate de-silting and drainage measures have exacerbated the situation, leaving farmers vulnerable to significant crop loss.

–IANS

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]]> Dravidian Model: ₹10 Lakh Compensation For Bootleg Liquor Deaths, ₹5 Lakh For Crowd Mismanagement Fatalities https://thecommunemag.com/dravidian-model-%e2%82%b910-lakh-for-bootleg-liquor-deaths-%e2%82%b95-lakh-for-crowd-mismanagement-fatalities/ Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:30:10 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=90509 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced ₹5 lakh compensation for the families of five people who died at the IAF airshow in Chennai, significantly less than the ₹10 lakh granted for the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy victims. The disparity in compensations has sparked criticism, with many questioning the DMK government’s handling of the airshow and […]

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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced ₹5 lakh compensation for the families of five people who died at the IAF airshow in Chennai, significantly less than the ₹10 lakh granted for the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy victims. The disparity in compensations has sparked criticism, with many questioning the DMK government’s handling of the airshow and the inconsistency in relief measures.

Despite the massive turnout and prior arrangements, the event’s overcrowding led to chaos, putting the administration under fire for gross mismanagement. Stalin expressed condolences but has faced increasing scrutiny over the incident.

Mismanaged Air Show

The IAF airshow at Chennai’s Marina Beach left 5 people dead, and several hospitalised at the end of the event on 6 October 2024. The DMK government has come under fire for mismanaging the event grossly. Several DMK members even tried to pin the blame on the IAF for the chaos.

In what seems to look like a pacifying measure, Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh to the deceased’s next of kin.

On his X handle, he condoled the deaths and wrote, “It is extremely painful and sad that five people died due to heatstroke and medical reasons while attending the Air Force adventure program in Chennai. Apart from conveying my deepest condolences to the bereaved family, I have also ordered Rs 5 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s General Relief Fund.”

He explained the preparations for the air show, noting that facilities and administrative support were arranged according to the requirements and requests of the Indian Air Force.  “Arrangements were made to conduct the IAF Air Show in Chennai Marina. Facilities and administration assistance was provided as per IAF requirements and demand. Arrangements were made to provide one great event to people of Chennai with the coordination of Fire and Rescue Department, Police Department, Chennai Corporation and Health Department,” he said.

The airshow, organized to celebrate the Indian Air Force’s 92nd anniversary, brought Marina Beach to life earlier in the day, drawing a record-breaking 15 lakh spectators—the largest audience ever for an airshow, setting a new record in the Limca Book of Records. Stalin also mentioned that, despite efforts to avoid a stampede, the unexpected overcrowding created challenges for the public. “Because of this stampede was averted. Due to unexpected overcrowding, public suffered after the event in reaching their vehicles and accessing public transport. Next time, we would focus more and arrangements would be done when similar big events are planned,” he added.

₹10 Lakh For Hooch Tragedy 

In June 2024, with the unfolding of the hooch tragedy in Kallakurichi which killed at least 65 people and several others losing eyesight, Chief Minister Stalin announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh for each family who lost a loved one and ₹50,000 for those undergoing treatment.

Additionally, the Madras High Court questioned the State government and urged it to reconsider the decision to give ₹10 lakh as compensation to families of victims who lost their lives in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. The bench comprising Acting Chief Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq expressed reservations about the amount being too high and questioned the rationale behind such compensation.

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]]> Hooch Tragedy Victims Made To Wait For DMK Scion Udhayanidhi Stalin To Come And Give Them Cash Relief https://thecommunemag.com/hooch-tragedy-victims-made-to-wait-for-dmk-scion-udhayanidhi-stalin-to-come-and-give-them-cash-relief/ Thu, 20 Jun 2024 13:16:00 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=79014 The village of Karunapuram comes to terms with the deaths of their fellow villagers and family members due to the illicit liquor.  Every street in the village is witnessing funerals as the community mourns those who died from consuming illicit liquor. The people have a single demand from the government: to completely stop the sale […]

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The village of Karunapuram comes to terms with the deaths of their fellow villagers and family members due to the illicit liquor. 

Every street in the village is witnessing funerals as the community mourns those who died from consuming illicit liquor. The people have a single demand from the government: to completely stop the sale of hooch and illegal arrack so that marginalized families can live without fear.

In response to this tragedy, Chief Minister Stalin announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for each family who lost a loved one and ₹50,000 for those undergoing treatment. However, the bereaved families of the deceased individuals are still waiting for Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports Development Udhayanidhi Stalin to deliver the promised relief funds of ₹10 lakh each. Some of the widowed women sat there, pale-faced, waiting on a hot sunny afternoon.

However, the heavens opened up with heavy rain, seemingly mourning the tragedy that has struck Kallakurichi. While it was expected that the funerals would take place by evening, the continuous rain has halted further proceedings in Karunapuram village.

The Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Udhayanidhi Stalin, is facing criticism for making the bereaved families of the deceased wait to receive the promised relief funds of ₹10 lakh each.

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]]> Tamil Nadu’s Recurring Illicit Liquor Tragedies: Backlash Over Compensation For Illicit Liquor Deaths https://thecommunemag.com/tamil-nadus-recurring-illicit-liquor-tragedies-backlash-over-compensation-for-illicit-liquor-deaths/ Thu, 20 Jun 2024 10:38:04 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=78963 At least 37 people have lost their lives from consuming spurious liquor in Karunapuram, Kallakurichi district on 19 June 2024. The victims included two women and a transgender person, with 82 others currently receiving medical treatment. In response to the tragedy, the Tamil Nadu government has deployed over 2,000 police personnel from various districts to […]

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At least 37 people have lost their lives from consuming spurious liquor in Karunapuram, Kallakurichi district on 19 June 2024. The victims included two women and a transgender person, with 82 others currently receiving medical treatment. In response to the tragedy, the Tamil Nadu government has deployed over 2,000 police personnel from various districts to Kallakurichi.

Following the incident, District Collector Sravan Kumar Jatavath was transferred, and Superintendent of Police Samay Singh Meena was suspended by the state government. Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi expressed shock at the incident, prompting Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to establish a commission headed by Justice B. Gokuldas, a former High Court judge, to conduct a thorough investigation. In support of the affected families, Chief Minister Stalin announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for each deceased person’s family and ₹50,000 for those currently undergoing treatment.

However, there has been public backlash on social media regarding the compensation, with netizens pointing out historical instances and criticisms. This includes references questioning the rationale behind such compensation, contrasting it with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s stance against compensating victims of illicit liquor consumption.

Recently, an explosion at a firecracker unit in Sengamalapatti near Sivakasi resulted in the tragic deaths of ten workers, including six women, with at least ten others hospitalized due to severe injuries. This incident occurred on 9 May 2024. Just two days ago, the DMK government had announced compensation of ₹3 lakh each for the victims. It is worth noting that the work these individuals were engaged in was legitimate. However, there has been significant criticism regarding the current compensation of ₹10 lakh per deceased person’s family for victims of illicit liquor consumption. Netizens have particularly highlighted a statement made by Nitish Kumar in December 2022 during an Assembly session, where he firmly stated that no compensation would be provided to those who died after consuming illicit liquor, emphasizing that there should be no sympathy for them. This statement has resonated widely on social media.

In addition, there is a growing sentiment among netizens that instead of compensating victims from the Chief Minister’s fund, the compensation should be sourced from arrack sellers perpetuated this incident.

Last year, a similar incident occurred where numerous individuals fell critically ill and required intensive hospital care after consuming illicit liquor in the Marakkanam areas of Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu. Reports indicated that 410 individuals were arrested across 10 districts, including Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Thiruvallur, Villupuram, Nagai, Mayiladuthurai, and Cuddalore, in connection with the illegal sale of liquor. Among them, 150 people were remanded in custody, while approximately 260 offenders were released on bail and ten individuals were reported missing.

According to the Directorate General of Police (DGP) office, authorities seized 8,748 liters of adulterated liquor and 4,720 bottles of spirits as part of ongoing operations against illicit liquor across various districts. On 14 May 2023, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin announced compensation of ₹10 lakh for each family of the deceased and ₹50,000 each for the 12 individuals hospitalized due to the incident.

This year, within a span of just one year, a similar unfortunate incident has occurred again with alarming intensity, which is deeply disheartening.

Netizen Criticism

A netizen stated, “This is a good government, If you drink & die it will give 10 lakhs”

Another netizen wrote, “5 lakh if ​​you go abroad for work and die. 10 lakhs if you die after drinking illicit liquor.”

Another netizen wrote, “Wrong precedent. Why should the government provide relief to those who died after drinking illicit liquor?”

Other netizens have raised questions about the rationale behind the government’s compensation, suggesting that it may inadvertently encourage more illicit liquor consumption and related dangers. They question the basis on which such decisions are made and who advised the government in this matter. There is concern that using taxpayers’ money to compensate those who engage in irresponsible drinking and subsequently suffer consequences could perpetuate such behaviors. Calls are being made for the government to take stringent action to curb these issues. If not addressed promptly, some argue that the responsible minister should take accountability for the administrative failures and consider resigning.

https://twitter.com/sathikkbasha1/status/1803695851505688622

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The post Tamil Nadu’s Recurring Illicit Liquor Tragedies: Backlash Over Compensation For Illicit Liquor Deaths appeared first on The Commune.

]]> Dravidian Model: ₹10 Lakh For Those Who Died Consuming Spurious Liquor, Not Even A Condolence For Vedic Students Who Drowned In Srirangam https://thecommunemag.com/dravidian-model-%e2%82%b910-lakh-for-those-who-died-consuming-spurious-liquor-not-even-a-condolence-for-vedic-students-who-drowned-in-srirangam/ Thu, 18 May 2023 15:37:55 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=55978 Three Vedic school students drowned in the Kollidam River in Srirangam when they went to take a bath in the early hours of Monday (15 May 2023). The Acharya Sriman Bhattar Gurukulam Vedic School is functioning in the Melavasal Pattarthoppu area of Srirangam district. More than 50 children are staying here during the summer vacations […]

The post Dravidian Model: ₹10 Lakh For Those Who Died Consuming Spurious Liquor, Not Even A Condolence For Vedic Students Who Drowned In Srirangam appeared first on The Commune.

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Three Vedic school students drowned in the Kollidam River in Srirangam when they went to take a bath in the early hours of Monday (15 May 2023).

The Acharya Sriman Bhattar Gurukulam Vedic School is functioning in the Melavasal Pattarthoppu area of Srirangam district. More than 50 children are staying here during the summer vacations and studying Vedic lessons.

Gopalakrishnan (17), a Class 11 student from Valarasampatti in Nasiyanur in Erode district, Vishnuprasad (14), a Class 7 student of Mannargudi, Hariprasad (14), another Class 10 student from Mannargudi and Kidambi Venkatagiridhar Sai Surya Abhiram (14), a class 10 student from Guntur Sampath Nagar in Andhra Pradesh, went to the Kollidam River at 5.45 AM on Monday.

The Kaveri splits into two branches – Kaveri and Kollidam – at Mukkombu. Due to ongoing work for the drinking water project at Mukkombu, the amount of water required to be released in the Kaveri River has been reduced, and instead 1,900 cubic feet of water was released in the Kollidam River. As a result, the inflow of water into the Kollidam River increased suddenly.

There was apparently no warning issued about the sudden inflow or measures put in place to prevent people from venturing into the Kollidam River.

Unfortunately, the four students who went to the Kollidam River to take a bath without knowing that the river’s inflow were caught in the speeding river.

Vishnuprasad, Abhiram, and Hariprasad were washed away in the fast-moving water. When Gopalakrishnan tried to save them, he was also carried away by the rapidly moving water.

Fire fighters and Srirangam police reached the spot to carry out the rescue operation. The flow of water from Mukkombu Upper Anicut to Kollidam was temporarily halted for the search operation. Vishnuprasad’s body was recovered while search for Hariprasad and Abhiram’s bodies were recovered later. Except Gopalakrishnan, all the others died.

The Stalin-led DMK government, which announced a compensation of ₹10 lakhs to each of the families of the deceased who consumed spurious liquor and awarded ₹50,000 solatium to one of the culprits responsible for the tragedy, has not even expressed condolences over the unfortunate deaths of the Vedic School students, let alone announcing a solatium for them.

BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan has demanded that the Tamil Nadu government give a solatium of ₹25 lakh to each of the families of the deceased students.

(With inputs from The Hindu Tamil)

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The post Dravidian Model: ₹10 Lakh For Those Who Died Consuming Spurious Liquor, Not Even A Condolence For Vedic Students Who Drowned In Srirangam appeared first on The Commune.

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