Senior BJP leader and Tamil Nadu BJP Coordination Committee Convenor H Raja has criticized the DMK and its leadership for its blatant hypocrisy regarding the NEET medical entrance exam. While publicly opposing NEET in Tamil Nadu, but its leaders privately ensure their own children prepare for and appear in the same exam.

According to reports, over 1.5 lakh students from Tamil Nadu registered for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) held on 4 May 2025, with approximately 20,000 students appearing from Chennai district alone.

What drew particular public attention was the presence of the grandson of former DMK Forest Minister K. Ponmudi at an exam centre in Chetpet, Chennai accompanied by his father and former DMK MP, Gautham Sigamani.. The incident sparked criticism because, despite the DMK’s ongoing opposition to NEET, their own family members are participating in it. This mirrors similar criticism the party faces over its opposition to Hindi imposition, while simultaneously running CBSE schools that offer Hindi as a language option.

Taking to his official X (formerly Twitter) account, H. Raja mocked the situation, and questioned, “The scene where the grandson of former DMK Minister Mr. Ponmudi goes to write the NEET exam. Is the DMK’s preaching only meant for others? Not for the Dravidian Stocks?” 

திமுக முன்னாள் அமைச்சர் திரு.பொன்முடி அவர்களின் பேரன் நீட் தேர்வு எழுத செல்லும் காட்சி.

திமுகவின் உபதேசம் ஊருக்கு மட்டும் தானா?
Dravidian Stock களுக்கு இல்லையா? pic.twitter.com/NLemL64Zr1

— H Raja (@HRajaBJP) May 5, 2025

This criticism was specifically directed at former DMK Minister K. Ponmudi, who, during his tenure as Tamil Nadu’s Higher Education Minister in 2022, had openly questioned the fairness of NEET. Speaking at the 10th edition of The New Indian Express‘ ThinkEdu Conclave, Ponmudi remarked, “How can you evaluate 12 years of education with just a three-hour exam?”—a statement that underscored the DMK-led government’s firm opposition to the NEET system.

In 2021, the DMK had reaffirmed its unwavering stance against NEET, making it clear that there was no shift in policy. An official statement was issued to counter media speculation, reiterating that the State government supported medical admissions based on students’ performance in their Plus Two board exams, not through centralized entrance tests. During a virtual high-level meeting on educational policy, both Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudi and School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi reaffirmed this position, emphasizing the government’s continued resistance to NEET for professional course admissions.

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The post ‘Is The DMK’s Preaching Only For Others, Not For Dravidian Stocks?’ BJP Leader H Raja Slams DMK After Ex-Minister Ponmudi’s Grandson Takes NEET Exam appeared first on The Commune.

Senior BJP leader and Tamil Nadu BJP Co-ordination Committee Convenor H. Raja has issued a stern warning against the growing anti-Hindu rhetoric in the state. Referring to the ongoing legal proceedings against DMK Forest Minister K. Ponmudy, Raja said this should be the last instance of any leader making derogatory remarks about Hindu beliefs.

Speaking at a BJP felicitation event in Chennai’s Royapettah YMCA Ground, organized to honor the newly appointed Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran, Raja congratulated him and condemned the state police for acting with political bias. He warned that if this partiality continues, officers responsible would face strict disciplinary action similar to the crackdown during the Emergency period under Indira Gandhi’s regime.

H. Raja stated, “Today, efforts are being made to take action against a minister who speaks ill of the Hindu community. Their DNA is like that. Since the very beginning, with EVR, it has become fashionable in Tamil Nadu to mock Hinduism.”

He declared, “Let Ponmudy be the last person to do so. From now on, no one should dare to speak against Hinduism. To such an extent that women are out on the streets. I tell you with certainty, Hindus, ‘Snakes should hiss; if not, they will strike.’ That is why I am saying that these Dravidian stocks, the vile forced degenerates, the evil anti-Hindu factions, should be uprooted from the political landscape of Tamil Nadu.”

''இவரோடு அது கடைசியாக இருக்கவேண்டும்.. இனிமேல் எந்த பயலும் இந்து மதத்தை பற்றி தவறாக பேசக்கூடாது…'' ஆவேசமாக பேசிய ஹெச்.ராஜா#BJP | #NainarNagendran | #BJPLeader | #HRaja | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/NOYKtsn8UA

— Polimer News (@polimernews) April 17, 2025

Then, Raja expressed confidence in Nainar Nagendran’s leadership, describing him as an experienced and capable leader who previously held major portfolios such as Industries and Energy during his earlier political career.

Highlighting the BJP’s goal of establishing a strong foothold in Tamil Nadu, Raja urged party workers to act as if Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself were contesting from every constituency. “Every karyakarta must commit fully, like a student who is fully prepared for an exam,” he said.

Drawing inspiration from BJP founder Dr. Syama Prasad Mukherjee, Raja emphasized the spirit of selfless service and sacrifice for the nation. “Unlike other political dynasties, especially the Karunanidhi family, BJP leaders step forward first in service, not for personal gain,” he said.

He concluded by assuring Nainar Nagendran of full support from the party’s nearly 50 lakh members in the state, adding confidently that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) would form the government in Tamil Nadu in the near future.

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Niranjan Kumar, a Dravidianist journalist associated with Puthiya Thalaimurai TV (PTTV), is facing criticism for his biased coverage of an incident where DMK Minister Ponmudi was hit with mud during a relief visit. Kumar, known for echoing pro-DMK narratives, framed the incident as a BJP plot, despite the lack of evidence and ongoing police investigation.

PTTV has once again propagated narratives for the ruling DMK government, employing fact distortion and flashy headline techniques from his base in Delhi. This time, he simply echoed the statements of DMK’s HR&CE Minister PK Sekar Babu, transforming them into an article aimed at defending the government and demonstrating his unwavering loyalty to them. There have been multiple instances where he has been caught producing biased reports that consistently favor Dravidian or Leftist ideologies, and this trend continues without any sign of change. Even when exposed for pushing one-sided narratives, Niranjan remains unapologetic, steadfast in advancing his partisan political agenda.

In this regard, Niranjan Kumar once again pushed a biased narrative in his recent coverage of an incident involving DMK Minister Ponmudi. On 3 December 2024, during Ponmudi’s visit to Villupuram to distribute relief materials and assess the damage caused by Cyclone Fengal, a group of individuals relief materials, staining his white shirt. The incident quickly went viral on social media, with initial reports suggesting that locals were angry at the government’s inefficiency in relief work.

விழுப்புரத்தில் போராட்டத்தில் ஈடுபட்டுள்ள மக்களிடம் பேச்சுவார்த்தை நடத்த சென்ற திமுக அமைச்சர் பொன்முடி மீது அப்பகுதி மக்கள் சேற்றை வாரி வீசியதாக தகவல் !#Ponmudi #FengalCyclone #DMKFailsTN pic.twitter.com/I0rK533BTX

— Bagavath Pratheep (@Bagavathprathee) December 3, 2024

However, Niranjan Kumar shamelessly framed the incident with the headline, “Throwing mud at Minister Ponmudi… BJP woman functionary in the background.” This narrative was based on an explanation given by HR&CE Minister PK Sekar Babu in an interview, and the police were still investigating the case, with no arrests reported at that time. In essence, Niranjan just parroted what the DMK minister Sekar Babu had said without investigating independently.

Meanwhile, other videos began circulating on social media showing a group of agitated youths and locals—agitated by the government’s relief efforts—tearing down DMK banners associated with Ponmudi. Netizens quickly questioned whether these youths were affiliated with the BJP, mocking the narrative. Despite the growing online discussion, Kumar continued to push his one-sided portrayal of the incident.

அமைச்சர் பொன்முடி மீது சேற்றைவாரி இறைப்பு.. பின்னணியில் பாஜக பெண்
நிர்வாகிhttps://t.co/komDivfe60

— Niranjan kumar (@niranjan2428) December 3, 2024

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DMK Forest Minister Ponmudi was widely criticised for angrily silencing a man from cyclone-hit Villupuram, who expressed distress over the lack of shelter and ration cards, while the minister was on a video call with Chief Minister Stalin.

DMK Forest Minister Ponmudi attempted to reassure Chief Minister Stalin through a video call that there were no issues in cyclone-hit Villupuram and that everything was under control. Just then, an unexpected individual voiced distress, revealing that they had no home, shelter, or ration cards. The person then appealed directly to the Chief Minister. Ponmudi, reacting angrily, immediately told the man to “keep quiet,” which sparked controversy and widespread criticism.

The heavy rains from Cyclone Fengal wreaked havoc in Villupuram, with Marakkanam being the worst-hit area. The Narikuravar people, residing in slums, demanded assistance. Eventually, they were relocated to safer places and accommodated in relief camps. After the rain subsided, Minister Ponmudi visited the affected areas. During this time, Chief Minister Stalin made a video call to assess the damage. Ponmudi suggested speaking with the Narikuravar nearby, and when a woman appeared to downplay the situation, a man spoke up, saying, “We don’t have homes, and we don’t even have land to build one, Thalaivare!” which prompted Ponmudi to turn the phone away from him.

Despite being urged to remain silent by the DMK cadres, the man continued speaking, saying, “What to do after eating, there is no home to stay. Give us place to stay. Half of them have ration card and others don’t have. We are asking this for four generation but you are given for the haves. We are just lamenting our concerns” leading the minister to sternly tell him, “Just keep quiet.”

The man then walked away, shouting.  The video of this incident has gone viral on social media, drawing harsh criticism. Netizens have expressed strong disapproval of Ponmudi for silencing citizens from expressing their concerns.

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Following an extensive questioning session that lasted until 3 AM on Tuesday, 18 July 2023, Tamil Nadu’s Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi was subsequently summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) once again on the same evening. On 17 July 2023, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated raids on K Ponmudi, Tamil Nadu’s higher education minister, and his son Gautham Sigamani, who is an Member of Parliament from the Kallakurichi constituency.

ED has conducted search operations under PMLA, 2002 on 17/07/2023 at seven locations connected to K. Ponmudy, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and a serving Minister of Higher Education in the Government of Tamil Nadu, and his son, Gautam Sigamani, MP.

— ED (@dir_ed) July 18, 2023

The raids were conducted at seven different locations, including Chennai. According to the ED, the searches conducted on Tuesday yielded significant findings. Incriminating documents were discovered, along with a sum of ₹81.7 lakhs in cash and British pounds. Of the seized amount, ₹13 lakhs were confiscated, and fixed deposits totaling ₹41.9 crores were frozen by the ED.

During the searches, various incriminating documents, cash amounting to Rs. 81.7 lakh, foreign currency (British pounds) equivalent to approx. Rs. 13 lakhs was seized and Fixed Deposits of Rs.41.9 Crore have been freezed.

— ED (@dir_ed) July 18, 2023

The ED stated that its investigation, in this case, centers around the alleged illegal issuance of red sand mining licenses at five different locations during the tenure of Ponmudi, who served as the Minister for Mines from 2007 to 2011. According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Ponmudi is alleged to have unlawfully granted red sand mining licenses to his son, relatives, and individuals acting as benami holders. The ED further claims that a substantial sum of hawala funds derived from this mining enterprise was utilized to acquire overseas companies. The agency stated that the profits obtained from the illegal mining operations were deposited in benami accounts and subsequently subjected to layering through numerous transactions and accounts.

The ED revealed that two foreign entities, PT Excel Mengindo in Indonesia and Universal Business Ventures FZE in the UAE, were acquired as part of the alleged illicit activities. The Indonesian company was initially bought for a nominal sum of ₹41.57 lakhs and subsequently sold for over ₹100 crore in 2022. The ED suspects that a significant amount of cash was transferred through hawala channels and utilized in the acquisition of these overseas entities.

Following the arrest of Minister V Senthil Balaji by the Enforcement Directorate, K Ponmudi becomes the second minister in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) cabinet to face questioning. In a statement from the government, it was conveyed that the Chief Minister M K Stalin assured Ponmudi of the party’s moral, political, and legal support to resist and challenge the alleged political victimization by the Union Bharatiya Janata Party government.

Ponmudi has previously faced charges of land grabbing and corruption. Recently, he was acquitted in a case involving the alleged illegal acquisition of government land during his ministerial tenure from 1996 to 2001.

(With inputs from Hindustan Times)

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