DMK MP and the party’s Deputy General Secretary Kanimozhi has been accusing the central government of “imposing” Hindi in Tamil Nadu, escalating the party’s ongoing confrontation with the Centre over language policy.

On 29 January 2026, the Lok Sabha member shared a photograph on social media platform X of a railway station nameboard in Chennai, claiming it had been “changed from English to Hindi.” Referring to the signage at Park Town suburban railway station near Chennai’s MGR Central, Kanimozhi objected to what she described as the replacement of predominantly English display with Hindi.

Posting the image, she wrote, “It started in Kallakudi and continues to Chennai Park. They are not going to stop imposing it, and we are not going to stop opposing it”.

கல்லக்குடியில் தொடங்கியது, சென்னை பூங்கா வரை தொடர்கிறது. அவர்கள் திணிப்பதை நிறுத்தப் போவதுமில்லை. நாம் அதை எதிர்ப்பதில் ஓயப்போவதுமில்லை. https://t.co/Y9hKti0KDL

— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) January 29, 2026

Her remarks came amid renewed tensions between the DMK and the Union government on the language issue, with the party repeatedly alleging that the Centre is promoting Hindi in non-Hindi-speaking states through administrative measures and education policy interventions.

On 4 February 2026, she again shared an image – a photograph of signage at Sivakasi railway station and sharpened her attack, writing: “This Hindi imposition virus that is spreading across the land like an infectious disease must be controlled. Following Chennai Park Railway Station, name boards prioritising Hindi have now been installed in Sivakasi as well.”

நோய்த்தொற்றைப் போல ஊரெங்கும் பரவிடும் இந்த இந்தித் திணிப்புக் கிருமியைக் கட்டுப்படுத்தியாக வேண்டும்.

சென்னை பூங்கா ரயில் நிலையத்தைத் தொடர்ந்து தற்போது சிவகாசியிலும் இந்தியை முதன்மைப்படுத்தி பெயர்ப்பலகை வைக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. https://t.co/HVpxieoyrK pic.twitter.com/SJFkrRQ7Gw

— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) February 4, 2026

It is noteworthy that the signage displays three languages, Tamil, Hindi, and English, with Tamil placed at the top. In this context, it remains unclear why the issue has drawn criticism from DMK leaders and other Dravidian voices, given that Hindi does not appear as the sole language on the nameboard.

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The post “Hindi Imposition Virus”: DMK MP Kanimozhi Spews Venom Saying It Is Spreading Like Disease appeared first on The Commune.

A political war of words has erupted between the BJP and the DMK over railway budget allocations to Tamil Nadu, after DMK MP Kanimozhi alleged that the state had been sidelined in Union Government funding priorities.

The controversy began after a post highlighting railway budget allocations noted that Maharashtra had received the highest outlay, nearly ₹24,000 crore, under the Union Budget 2026–27 for railway projects.

#Maharashtra
MH gets highest budgetary allocation of ₹24k cr in #Budget2026 for Railway Projects pic.twitter.com/IhNrilDrP9

— Maharashtra Progress Tracking (@abhirammodak) February 3, 2026

Reacting to the figures, Kanimozhi wrote “Tamil Nadu, a key contributor to India’s growth, receives less than one-third of Maharashtra’s Railway Budget allocation, clearly revealing the Union Government’s skewed priorities. BJP seeks the Tamil people’s votes, but not their development.”

Tamil Nadu, a key contributor to India’s growth, receives less than one-third of Maharashtra’s Railway Budget allocation, clearly revealing the Union Government’s skewed priorities.

BJP seeks the Tamil people’s votes, but not their development. https://t.co/35GhOh6pqB

— Kanimozhi (கனிமொழி) (@KanimozhiDMK) February 5, 2026

Her remarks drew a sharp rebuttal from BJP leader K Annamalai, who accused the DMK of misrepresenting facts and deflecting responsibility for project delays.

Responding on social media, Annamalai wrote, “DMK MP Smt @KanimozhiDMK is ignorant of the facts, as always, and has no clue what is happening in Tamil Nadu under the Corrupt leadership of her brother & TN CM Thiru @mkstalin.

₹35,701 Crore worth of Railway projects are currently underway in Tamil Nadu, but their execution is delayed due to the Government of Tamil Nadu’s failure to expedite land acquisition. Of the 4,326 Hectares of land required to carry out these railway projects, the Tamil Nadu Government has, as of December 2025, acquired only 24% of the required land. There are plenty of projects that have been pending for land acquisition for almost 5 years now. 

The same applies to the National Highway projects sanctioned for Tamil Nadu. The roadblocks deliberately imposed by the Corrupt DMK Government have caused exorbitant delays in the execution of the already sanctioned project. Instead of peddling lies all day, Smt Kanimozhi should ask her brother why there is a delay in acquiring lands to complete the already sanctioned projects.”

Supporting his claims, Annamalai cited parliamentary data and railway ministry documents indicating that multiple railway infrastructure works in Tamil Nadu, covering sanctioned track length of over 2,400 km were facing delays primarily due to land acquisition bottlenecks.

Official figures presented in Parliament also indicated that out of 4,326 hectares required for railway projects in Tamil Nadu, only about 1,052 hectares, roughly 24%, had been acquired as of late 2025, leaving a substantial portion pending.

DMK MP Smt @KanimozhiDMK is ignorant of the facts, as always, and has no clue what is happening in Tamil Nadu under the Corrupt leadership of her brother & TN CM Thiru @mkstalin.

₹35,701 Crore worth of Railway projects are currently underway in Tamil Nadu, but their execution… https://t.co/SDOlVmHXSn pic.twitter.com/yyEtsy1t8Y

— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) February 5, 2026

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The post ‘₹35,701 Cr Projects Hit By Land Delays’, BJP Leader Annamalai Hits Back At DMK MP Kanimozhi’s “Skewed Priorities” Charge On Budget Allocation For TN appeared first on The Commune.

BJP leader Annamalai roasted DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi over the party’s, especially her pre-poll promise, to shut down TASMAC liquor outlets, accusing the ruling party of going back on its assurances after coming to power.

Responding to a question on the DMK’s earlier stance on prohibition, Annamalai said the promise had not been implemented despite the party forming the government.

In a sarcastic remark, he said the DMK had “executed it brilliantly,” before turning his criticism directly toward Kanimozhi.

“Kanimozhi should go see a good psychiatrist, must go see a good doctor. Show her these 15-year videos to Kanimozhi akka. If you’ve seen some clips from some films – they have a split personality – be someone in the morning and someone else at night – Remo, Ambi, Anniyan – that character changes every now and then. Kanimozhi akka has become that character.”

He continued his criticism by referring to the DMK’s election messaging and manifesto commitments.

“Before elections, ‘I’ll shut down TASMAC’; after elections, escape. Then, five years later, as the head of DMK’s election manifesto committee, if you ask for the 2021 white paper of promises, they’ll laugh and won’t talk about it. So, we don’t know how Kanimozhi speaks – is she speaking as Anniyan, Ambi, or Remo? She has become an amazing politician who speaks in changing ways, our dear akka Kanimozhi.”

The remarks come amid continuing political exchanges between the BJP and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam over prohibition policy and the functioning of Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation, the state-run liquor retail network.

While the DMK had, during previous election campaigns, spoken about steps toward reducing liquor dependence and regulating sales, opposition parties including the BJP have repeatedly alleged that no substantive move has been made toward shutting TASMAC outlets.

DMK leaders have previously defended the government’s position, citing revenue dependence and regulatory challenges, though no immediate response was issued to Annamalai’s latest remarks at the time of publication.

அம்பி, ரெமோ, அந்நியன் என்று தேர்தலுக்கு முன்பு பின்பு மாறிவிடும் கனிமொழி – தலைவர் @annamalai_k pic.twitter.com/TqnHuMdx8k

— Krishna Kumar Murugan (@ikkmurugan) February 4, 2026

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The post “She Changes Character Every Now & Then. Is She Speaking As Ambi, Anniyan Or Remo?” Annamalai Roasts DMK MP Kanimozhi Over Pre-Poll Promise To Shut TASMAC appeared first on The Commune.

High-level negotiations between the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Indian National Congress over a pre-poll alliance for the forthcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections have reached a stalemate, following the Congress’ insistence on power-sharing arrangements and a substantially higher seat allocation.

Sources familiar with the talks said the impasse deepened after the Congress pressed for a share in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet in the event of an electoral victory, sought an allocation of 41 Assembly seats, and demanded two Rajya Sabha nominations. The DMK, however, has categorically rejected any proposal involving power-sharing in Tamil Nadu.

Kanimozhi Meets Congress Leadership in Delhi

In an attempt to arrest the growing friction, DMK MP and Deputy General Secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi met senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, at their residence in New Delhi.

During the meeting, Kanimozhi is learnt to have conveyed the DMK leadership’s firm position that the party would not be in a position to allot more than 27 Assembly seats to the Congress. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the Congress had contested 25 seats as part of the DMK-led alliance and won 18.

She is also said to have ruled out the Congress’ demand for a share in the Tamil Nadu government, making it clear that the DMK would continue to head the government independently if the alliance were to retain power.

DMK Offers Rajya Sabha Seat, Puducherry CM Post

While rejecting the demand for Cabinet berths in Tamil Nadu, the DMK reportedly offered the Congress a Rajya Sabha nomination and the Chief Minister’s post in Puducherry, which is also due to go to polls alongside Tamil Nadu.

Congress leaders, however, conveyed that they were keen on expanding the party’s organisational base and political visibility in Tamil Nadu, and therefore wanted a larger number of constituencies to contest. They also reiterated their position that a share in power was essential to rebuild the party in the State.

Kanimozhi is said to have assured the Congress leadership that their demands would be conveyed to the DMK high command, which would respond after internal consultations.

Social Media Escalation and Madurai North Flashpoint

Despite the high-level talks, tensions continued to play out publicly, particularly on social media. Virudhunagar MP Manickam Tagore shared posts reiterating the Congress’ claim over the Madurai North Assembly constituency, including photographs of wall posters declaring that the Congress would field a candidate there.

The demand for Madurai North, a seat currently held by DMK MLA K Thalapathi, had earlier triggered a sharp backlash from the DMK, with party leaders pointing out that several Congress MPs had secured their electoral victories only with the backing of the DMK’s organisational machinery.

Veiled TVK Overtures Add Pressure

The situation was further complicated by statements from senior Congress functionaries, including Professionals’ Congress chairman Praveen Chakravarty, which were widely interpreted as a veiled signal that the party was open to exploring an alternative alliance with the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK).

While a section of Congress leaders, including Chakravarty and AICC Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar, are believed to favour keeping the TVK option open, several senior leaders in the State unit have reportedly argued in favour of continuing say the DMK alliance, citing electoral arithmetic and stability.

DMK sources, meanwhile, expressed strong reservations about Chodankar’s public statements over the past few months, describing them as brusque and counterproductive. Party insiders noted that it was Chodankar’s initial public demand for a significantly higher number of seats — based on claims of rising Congress popularity — that first opened the current rift.

Rahul Gandhi’s Conditions Reportedly Rejected

According to sources briefed on the Delhi discussions, Rahul Gandhi conveyed that the Congress leadership was seeking 41 seats, two Rajya Sabha positions, and a share in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet as part of any renewed alliance arrangement.

Kanimozhi reportedly informed him that the DMK leadership had unequivocally rejected the demand for power-sharing in Tamil Nadu, reiterating that ministerial positions in the State were non-negotiable.

 

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A post shared by Tamil Janam (@tamiljanam)

Alliance Dangling In The Air, High Command to Decide

With neither side willing to concede ground on the key issues of seat-sharing and power participation, the alliance remains in a delicate balance. The DMK has made it clear that it cannot accede to the Congress’ demands, while the Congress leadership is yet to formally communicate its final decision.

Party sources indicated that while negotiations would continue, the ultimate call would rest with the Congress high command. Both parties are conscious that a prolonged public standoff could weaken their bargaining positions, particularly with the TVK also awaiting clarity on potential realignments.

For now, despite reassurances from Congress leaders that the DMK alliance remains their preferred option, the lack of a concrete agreement has left the future of the coalition uncertain, with the clock ticking toward the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections.

Source: OneIndia Tamil

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The post DMK Rejects Congress’ Demand For Power Sharing, Alliance Dangling appeared first on The Commune.

Using data from the Central government’s MPLADS portal, the X handle Ye Thik Karke Dikhao has highlighted that DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi’s account shows zero completed works, even as crores of rupees were released for projects across two Lok Sabha terms.

Kanimozhi, the Thoothukudi DMK MP since 2019, is listed as having recommended multiple projects and utilised a significant portion of her MPLADS allocation, with no completed work reflected on the portal.

18th Lok Sabha: Funds Released, No Work Completed

According to data cited by Ye Thik Karke Dikhao from the official MPLADS website, Kanimozhi’s record for the ongoing 18th Lok Sabha is as follows:

• Allocated limit: ₹9.80 crore
• Expenditure shown: ₹1.81 crore
• Works recommended: 41
• Works completed: 0

While the portal marks the payment status of projects as “successful”, it shows no photographs, no completion entries, and no ground-level evidence of any work being completed.

17th Lok Sabha: Five Years, Zero Completed Projects

The same pattern is visible during Kanimozhi’s full five-year tenure in the 17th Lok Sabha (2019–2024):

• Allocated limit: ₹9.81 crore
• Expenditure shown: ₹9.21 crore
• Works recommended: 65
• Works completed: 0

Despite over ₹9 crore shown as utilised and payments cleared for all listed projects; the MPLADS portal reflects zero completed works and zero photographs uploaded for the Thoothukudi constituency.

Payments Cleared, Proof Missing

Across both terms, every listed project under Kanimozhi’s MPLADS account shows “payment successful” on the government portal. However, the absence of uploaded images, completion certificates, or updated work status raises a basic question flagged by the handle: what exactly were the payments released for?

Under MPLADS guidelines, district authorities are responsible for certifying completed works and uploading photographs to the portal. The data, however, shows that this process has not been completed, or not been reflected, for any of the projects attributed to Kanimozhi over nearly six years.

The same handle also exposed DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran for not ulitising MPLADS funds.

Interestingly, the same official MPLADS portal showed several other DMK MPs had their works properly updated, including photographs:

S. Ramalingam (Mayiladuthurai, 2019–2024) utilised ₹10.26 crore out of ₹11.74 crore allocated, completed 55 works, with 98% of photographs uploaded.

S. S. Palanimanickam (Thanjavur, 17th Lok Sabha) completed 23 works, with over 85% photo uploads.

Claim:
The MPLADS portal contains errors and is not being updated properly.
The news is fake, and the tweet by @YTKDIndia is false.

Fact Check:
According to data available on the official MPLADS portal:

S. Ramalingam (DMK), who represented Mayiladuthurai (2019–2024), utilised… https://t.co/JGVHdENH6c pic.twitter.com/cKUazbiTW7

— Khurpenchh FCU (@KhurpenchhFCU) January 3, 2026

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The post Funds Spent, No Works Recorded: What Official Data Shows About DMK MP Kanimozhi’s MPLADS Funds appeared first on The Commune.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) MP Kanimozhi has once again found herself at the centre of a controversy over selective outrage. The Thoothukudi MP criticised Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for addressing the All India Brahmin Conference organised by Shri Brahmin Sabha in Delhi’s Pitampura, accusing her of pandering to caste interests. In her post, Kanimozhi wrote, “Glorifying the caste system and elevating the made-up ‘greatness’ of a particular caste is the bane of this country. Even after several people are killed in the name of caste, an elected representative and a Chief Minister, speaking in praise of it, is repulsive, shameful and anti-national. This is the divide the BJP is deliberately deepening, the same oppressive structure that Periyar spent his life fighting to destroy. Recently, even the Tamil Nadu Governor asked why Tamil Nadu fights. He needs to understand that this is the battle we will never stop fighting.”

The Delhi Chief Minister, in her Pitampura address, said, “If anyone is igniting the flame of knowledge in society, it is our Brahmin community. They worship not only scriptures but also weapons. Only through weapons and scriptures can we protect society and the country today.”

“By igniting the flame of knowledge, propagating religion, and fostering a spirit of goodwill, the Brahmin community has always worked for the benefit of society. No matter which government is in power, it should work for the welfare of the Brahmin community to take them forward.”

However, Kanimozhi’s criticism rings hollow in light of her own participation in a similar caste-based conference just 18 months ago. In April 2024, she proudly shared photographs and posts about attending the Nadar Sangam conference in Tirunelveli, where she not only praised the community’s role in Tamil society but also used the platform to seek support for the I.N.D.I. alliance.

In her 2024 post, Kanimozhi described the event as an opportunity to “mobilise support for the INDI alliance“. But today, she has condemned another leader for doing exactly what she herself did — attending a community gathering and appreciating its contribution to society.

These remarks, praising a community’s traditional role in education and culture, are similar in tone and intent to Kanimozhi’s own public speeches at community events.

Kanimozhi’s selective outrage underscores the hypocrisy that defines DMK’s caste politics where identity-based mobilisation is celebrated when it benefits them politically but condemned when others do it.

In short, Kanimozhi’s criticism of the Delhi Chief Minister is not about principles. It’s about peddling hate against one particular community.

(With inputs from NDTV)

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The post Dravidian Model Hypocrisy: DMK MP Kanimozhi Criticizes Delhi CM Rekha Gupta’s Brahmin Meet, But Attended Nadar Sangam Event Herself appeared first on The Commune.

In a now-viral speech delivered in Madurai, Thoothukudi MP and DMK leader Kanimozhi appeared to mock North Indians and Hindu beliefs, questioning their rationality and scientific temper. Without naming anyone directly, she suggested that certain people from North India are so steeped in folklore that they might believe a grandmother lives on the moon rather than accepting scientific facts.

Speaking at the event, she said, “If you ask a child who was the first to go to the moon, they will give the correct answer. What will they say? Correct. (Neil) Armstrong. But if you ask some people from the north, I’m glad they haven’t been told the story we tell our children that there’s a grandmother on the moon. Isn’t that right? They haven’t been told that story. Otherwise, they would say that the first person to land on the moon was that grandmother, and she never came back; she is still there. Now, those who are telling stories that Hanuman was the first to go to the moon are not the leaders in this state of Tamil Nadu.”

VIDEO | DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi said, “If you ask children who first went to the moon, they will say Neil Armstrong. Some northern leaders, however, might claim the grandmother from our folk tales or even Hanuman first set foot on the moon. Thankfully, such people are not… pic.twitter.com/LcZHHGOZuB

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 14, 2025

Her comment has drawn sharp reactions, as it is being seen as yet another instance of the DMK’s longstanding pattern of belittling North Indians and mocking Hindu traditions.

A Pattern of Derogatory Rhetoric Against North Indians

Kanimozhi’s speech is not an isolated case. Many DMK leaders have made similar statements in recent years, reinforcing perceptions of the party’s deep-rooted hostility towards Hindi speakers and North Indian communities.

DMK MSME Minister T.M. Anbarasan

I.N.D.I ally and the DMK MSME Minister, T.M. Anbarasan, has once again found himself at the center of controversy after making disparaging remarks about North Indians in the ongoing debate over parliamentary seat delimitation. He compared the region’s population growth to pigs giving birth, a statement that has drawn widespread criticism. This comes shortly after another contentious remark at a DMK event, where he suggested that Hindi speakers in his household were involved in cattle herding—comments seen as derogatory toward migrant laborers who work hard to earn their livelihood.

At an event organized by Pallavaram North DMK to celebrate the 72nd birthday of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, which also included the distribution of welfare assistance, DMK MSME Minister T.M. Anbarasan spoke about India’s population policies and their impact on parliamentary seat allocation.

He recalled that the family planning program was first introduced in India in 1966 to curb population growth, as India remains the most populous country after China. He mentioned that the program initially promoted the slogan “We Two, Ours Two,” which later changed to “We Two, Ours One,” emphasizing the need for population control. He noted that southern states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh adhered to the central government’s guidelines on family planning, leading to a decline in population growth in these regions.

However, he criticized the northern states for not following the same measures, resulting in a significant population increase. He argued that this has now led to parliamentary seat redistribution based on population, disproportionately affecting the southern states. He pointed out that Tamil Nadu’s 39 parliamentary constituencies and other southern states’ seats are being reduced, while northern states gain more representation.

He said, “Initially, they said, ‘We Two, Ours Two,’. Then they said, ‘We Two, Ours One.’ After five years, they said, ‘We are children, why we need child’. Like Tamil Nadu, the southern states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh all accepted and strictly followed the central government’s policies, ensuring that our guys did not have more than one or two children. As a result, the population in these states decreased. However, if you look at North Indians, the population has increased significantly, breeding like pigs. Now, they are using this population as a basis for seat reorganization, which is negatively impacting our constituencies.”

அருவருப்பான பேச்சு – திமுக அமைச்சர் தா.மோ.அன்பரசன்

"வட மாநில மக்கள் பன்னிக் குட்டி போல் பெருகினார்கள்" – அமைச்சரின் மிக கீழ்த்தரமான, ஒடுங்குபோக்கான பேச்சு
தமிழ்நாட்டில் பதவியேற்று செயல்படாமல், ஒட்டுமொத்த மக்களை இழிவாக பேசி வரும் திமுக அமைச்சர்கள் – இது தான்… pic.twitter.com/ygq2F045Rb

— ᴛɪʀɪꜱʜᴀɴᴋᴀʀᴀᴘᴀɴᴅɪᴀɴ Moᴅɪꜰᴀᴍɪʟʏ (@MODIFORCE_TIRI) March 21, 2025

Anbarasan further alleged that the central government was prioritizing the northern states for political advantage, ensuring dominance in governance. He accused the government of withholding funds, including ₹2,150 crore meant for education, and neglecting the interests of the southern states. Additionally, he criticized the central government’s approach toward gubernatorial appointments, alleging interference in state governance.

This is not the first time Anbarasan has made such derogatory statements. Take a look at his history of such remarks.

Ridiculing Hindi Speakers 

Previous to the above disparaging remark, I.N.D.I ally and DMK’s MSME Minister, T.M. Anbarasan, made contentious remarks at a DMK event, stating that Hindi speakers in his household are engaged in cattle herding. His comments were seen as disparaging towards migrant laborers who earn their livelihood through hard work and perseverance.

He said, “Where are the ones who studied Hindi? Where are they? those who studied Hindi are rearing cows at my home. I’m not joking, It’s true. They are selling Panipuri, mason, carpenters. If we study Hindi we also have to go to North India and sell Panipuri.” 

அண்ணாவின் இருமொழி கொள்கையால், தமிழர்கள் உலகம் முழுவதும் பரவிக் கிடப்பதாகவும் பெருமிதம்

இந்தி படித்தவன் தன் வீட்டில் மாடு மேய்ப்பதாக அமைச்சர் தா.மோ.அன்பரசன் பேச்சு#Anna #TwoLanguagePolicy #Tamilnadu #Hindi #Cow #Minister #DamuAnbarasan pic.twitter.com/wcXpo7Jn8A

— Thanthi TV (@ThanthiTV) March 18, 2025

Grudge Over Working North Indian Migrant Laborers

In March 20224, during an event organized by Alandur Government Higher Secondary School, DMK MSME Minister T.M. Anbarasan commented that men in Tamil Nadu were not engaged in work but rather loitering in TASMAC for liquor. He noted that wherever he looked, Hindi-speaking individuals and women were the ones working, despite the content of his speech being intended as humorous, seemed to overlook the harsh reality of citizens’ lives.

Anbarasan commented, “Now women are working more than men, no men are working. Our men are heading towards TASMAC after sending their wives to work. Look, I’m not saying this for laughs… This is our family, our people, so I’m talking happily. Men don’t work, I’ve said this in many gatherings, you can check who is at the tea shop. Who is there? There is only a northerner who came through migration, even if go to Adyar Ananda Bhavan there are only Hindi speaking people. He doesn’t understand what Masala Dosa is, and we don’t understand what he is saying.”

DMK General Secretary & Minister For Water Resources Duraimurugan

On 11 March 2025, DMK General Secretary and Minister for Water Resources, Duraimurugan, expressed his hostility towards Hindi-speaking people during a DMK public meeting in Chennai East District, Thiru. V.K. Nagar North Area, while celebrating DMK chief and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu M.K. Stalin’s birthday.

He called the Hindi language as “peeda”, a Tamil slur word which means bad omen. Duraimurugan, stated that learning Hindi would bring dosham(inauspiciousness), theetu (impurity), and misfortune. “From that time on, we have been opposing it. If we say we are opposing, it is not the language itself that we oppose. In our community, there are people who learn multiple languages—multilingual poets. However, if you study this particular language, you will face Dosham (inauspiciousness), Theetu(impurity), and misfortune. If you study English, you will go up (progress), but if you study Hindi, you will go down (decline).”

He further said, “No matter how much you learn Hindi, you cannot speak like them. Even though I know to speak Telugu, I cannot speak like them (Telugu people). We can speak, but we cannot speak like them. Likewise, what I said in the beginning, the abolition of Hindi means… Keep one thing in mind… Consider a man who is at home with his wife and having children and has brought a saraku (a courtesan or a second wife), do you understand the implication? Say, he has brought a second wife then they (the first wife) will lose her privilege and the second wife will be given preference. Likewise, what did he do? He tried to impose on us and we said no.“

Then he claimed that North Indians call us barbarians. He said, “He says we are barbarians. North Indians dare to call us barbarians! We are at the pinnacle of civilization. We were the ones who wove clothes from rat hair and sent them to Greece, Persia, and the Far East. Our kings crossed the seas and raised our flag as far as Vietnam. We are the ones who studied Agam and Puram, who delved into Kalingathuparani and Tolkappiyam, the scholars of literature, the creators of civilization, the practitioners of hygiene. And yet, a minister looks at us and calls us barbarians? Hey, you are nothing but a person who doesn’t even bathe—nothing more! You don’t bathe.“

To substantiate his point and mock North Indians, Duraimurugan, the General Secretary of the DMK, shared a story. He recounted that a man once tied a bull and announced that anyone who touched it would receive 1,000 rupees. A few people attempted but stopped halfway, saying they couldn’t do the task and turned back. “Then, a North Indian was asked to do the same—go, touch the bull, and return. As he approached the bull, however, the bull suddenly pulled away and ran off. The reason? The bull itself had wounds and was reeking, and our men (Tamils), unable to tolerate the smell, backed away. But in a twist, the bull fled—not because of its own stench, but because it couldn’t bear the stench of the North Indian!”, he said.

Even he goes on to ridicule North Indians, equating them to pigs and piglets for having many children, exercising his individual right. However, the DMK minister and general secretary, whose party advocates for individual rights, mocks them by saying, “Our guy says ‘we two, ours one,’ but he (North Indians) has produced (kids) like pigs there.“

DMK Deputy General Secretary & MP A Raja

Similar to the above DMK deputy general secretary and Nilgiris MP A. Raja speaking at an event in Coimbatore, made derogatory remarks about Hindi speakers. He said, “They say if we learn Hindi, we will get jobs. But the Hindi speakers who have come here are only doing construction labour jobs or in fields. Earlier they were only selling panipuri. Now they are working in farms.”

He further proudly stated, “Children from TN who studied English and Tamil are studying in America, England, Australia. So why should we study Hindi? The right to ask that question has been given to us by our Chief Minister.”

"இந்தி படித்தவர்கள் இங்கு வந்து சித்தாள் வேலை தான் செய்கின்றனர்" திமுக எம்பி ஆ.ராசா பேச்சு.!#Raja #DMK #Threelanguageformula #BJP #CentralGovt #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/71rW2YpXpf

— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) February 19, 2025

Former DMK Minister of Dairy Mano Thangaraj

In October 2022, DMK Minister Mano Thangaraj was once again accused of promoting xenophobia against North Indians. He made controversial remarks, including negative stereotypes, particularly targeting Gujaratis. Thangaraj claimed that North Indians roam around in loincloths and suggested that learning Hindi would lead to jobs in labor sectors, such as working at Parotta stalls and street vendors.

Speaking at an unknown event, Mano Thangaraj said, “Today, the Tamil community and the Indian community is mired in illusion. In north India, people even today roam around in loincloth. If you get an opportunity, go to Gujarat and see. No need to go anywhere else. Once you land there, they will deceive you showing Ahmedabad, Gandhi Nagar, etc. Don’t even look that side. Ask them to show the rural area. Go see the rural area. If you see the rural areas, you will see those people only wear loincloth.”, DMK Minister Mano Thangaraj said.

He further said “In a public meeting yesterday, I asked people who are working in the parotta shops and chicken stalls here. North Indians. How can I get a job studying Hindi? They are coming to work here in parotta shops. I don’t have labourers here to work. From where am I getting labourers? I catch and bring Hindiwallas as labourers here. I pity them. They don’t know the language. They don’t know anything. If they learn Tamil, it will help them. They will get a job learning Tamil. Will I get a job learning Hindi? Such idiots they are. If we tell this, they are asking us to learn Hindi. Now a few our children know Hindi. I don’t have any problem with that. It’s not wrong. Why is the Central Government not making all 22 languages as official language?”

Another #DMK minister insults Indians from North

This time it’s Mano Thangaraj, minister of milk and dairy development from DMK @MrSinha_ @MeghUpdates @amitmalviya @UnSubtleDesi @HLKodo

pic.twitter.com/9OxnmxScR2

— Arvintha (@ArvinthaB) January 7, 2024

DMK Minister for Municipal Administration, Urban and Water Supply KN Nehru About Bihari And Lalu Yadav

In 2021, DMK Minister for Municipal Administration, Urban & Water Supply KN Nehru, while addressing an employment camp at the DMK office in Trichy, said, “Biharis lack brain as Tamilians have. People from Bihar are not as intelligent as Tamilians.”

“As Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad Yadav packed the Railways with Biharis, especially at lower-level jobs, despite the fact that Biharis were less brainy than Tamils,” DMK Minister KN Nehru has claimed.

“Over 4,000 Biharis work at the Southern Railway’s Golden Rock Workshop in Tiruchy. Similarly, the majority of railway crossing gatekeepers are Biharis. This is all due to the handiwork of Lalu Prasad Yadav.  When he was railway minister, he had all of his fellow Biharis copy the railway exams and then get them jobs on the railways. These people speak neither Tamil nor Hindi and lack the intelligence that we Tamils possess. Yet they are working in Tamil Nadu,” DMK Minister KN Nehru stated.

TKS Elangovan Says Hindi Will Make Tamils Shudras

Another DMK MP and senior leader TKS Elangovan spread hatred against Hindi speakers, saying, “Hindi is the language of backward states, Hindi will make us Shudra.” Elangovan also made hateful remarks citing that speaking Hindi will make us Shudras.

TKS Elangovan said, “Hindi is the native tongue in only underdeveloped states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Look at West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Punjab. Aren’t all these developed states? Hindi is not the mother tongue of the people of these states. Hindi will convert us to Shudras. Hindi will be no good for us.”

Elangovan claimed that speaking Hindi would enslave them. Accusing Hindi lovers of destroying the culture, he added, “They are trying to destroy the culture and trying to impose Manu Dharma through Hindi. This should not be allowed. If we did, we will be slaves, Shudras.”

Hindi Speakers Do Menial Jobs Said DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran

Dhayanidhi Maran, DMK MP, stated in a public meeting that people who learned Hindi work as construction workers and wash toilets in Tamil Nadu, whereas Tamilians hold high-level positions in the IT sector.

He said, “We asked you to study Tamil and English. you studied. Look at Sundar Pichai, he is now the CEO of Google. He would have been a construction worker if he had studied Hindi. Our children hold high-level positions in IT firms and earn a good living. Look at those who studied Hindi. They work as construction workers and clean toilets.”

This other time, while speaking at a public meeting he had called north Indians and Hindi speaking people as ‘idiots’ who will vote for BJP.

DMK MP
.@Dayanidhi_Maran
calls North Indians as fools, will this come under hate speech….
pic.twitter.com/U2RjZigFlZ

— Vishwatma ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) March 5, 2023

Maran’s comments sparked widespread condemnation, including from Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav, who criticized the disparaging remarks and stressed the importance of respecting people from different parts of the country. Former Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad also challenged Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over Maran’s statement, calling for an end to disrespect towards Bihar’s people.

#WATCH | Patna, Bihar: On DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran's Statement, Bihar Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav says, "Karunanidhi's party is the DMK. The DMK believes in social justice. If any leader of that party has said something about the people of UP and Bihar, then it is condemnable. We do… pic.twitter.com/qtEuDUOYcr

— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2023

‘Vadakkan’ Slurs Hurled By DMK MLA TRB Rajaa And His IT Wing

DMK MLA TRB Rajaa had spewed venom against north Indians umpteen number of times. He had once said ‘Vadakkans’ (slur for North Indian) don’t have a sense of democracy adding that Biharis will remain at the bottom because of their voting choices.

Isai, the DMK state deputy secretary of the IT wing, has used slurs like “Paani puri vaayan” and “Paanparak Vaayan” to insult north Indian migrant workers.

Now let's see some tweets of DMK IT Wing Deputy Sec'y, in his tweets he uses the words like Panipuri sellers, Panparak Vayans to denigrate the peoples speaking Hindi. 5/n pic.twitter.com/n0XZ92TiCu

— Soma Sundaram (@isomasundaram72) March 5, 2023

DMK Minister of Commercial Taxes, Registration and Stamp Law, Moorthy Calling For Boycott Of North Indian Businessmen

Recently, DMK Minister Murthy incited hatred towards North Indian businessmen by stating that they should not be allowed to do business in Tamil Nadu and that only Tamil businessmen should do business throughout Tamil Nadu. He also suggested that Tamil businessmen come forward to help send North Indian businessmen out of Tamil Nadu.

RS Bharathi Demeaning North Indians

DMK Organizational Secretary RS Bharathi sparked a controversy by saying that North Indians sell panipuri in Tamil Nadu and the Governor is also like them. He also compared the Governor to a migrant worker from Bihar and said that he would not have left without being beaten had Jayalalitha been alive.

He said, “I had earlier stated that those who sell Soan papdi and Panipuri don`t know the pride of Tamil Nadu. I said this in a meeting. I came to know that many have come from Bihar and I think the Governor (RN Ravi) has similarly come by train,”. 

"North Indians are fools" DMK organising secretary and Rajya Sabha MP R.S.Bharathi.
Hatred for North Indians has been consistently maintained and developed by DMK. That's the fact. pic.twitter.com/2VRTlzbFjf

— Vishwatma ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) March 4, 2023

North Indians Are Fools

At a meeting (in an undated video), Bharathi was seen saying, “The reason why Tamil Nadu is the best state in India is because of the DMK. The people in the other states are fools, they have no brains, these north Indians, I am saying this openly.”

"North Indians are fools" DMK organizing secretary and Rajya Sabha MP R.S.Bharathi. pic.twitter.com/Kc1s7VNDI8

— Arun Pudur (@arunpudur) March 4, 2023

சோகாப்பர் சொல்லிழுக்குப் பட்டு. pic.twitter.com/FqVrr7LvE1

— Savukku Shankar (@SavukkuOfficial) November 6, 2023

Says Bihar & UP People Eat Chapati Kurma At Amma Canteen

During a party meeting in Chennai in September 2024, RS Bharathi questioned the relevance of Amma Unavagam, the late Jayalalithaa’s pet project. He asked about the need for a low-cost meal scheme after her death and accused AIADMK leaders of exploiting it.

He also claimed that only the north Indian workers benefited from Amma Unavagam on Tamil Nadu taxpayers’ money.

During his speech, Bharathi criticized AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), dismissing claims that the DMK government had closed Amma Unavagam. He said, “Amma (Jayalalithaa) herself has left (died), then what is the need for Amma Unavagam? Edappadi and his gang ate idli and dosa for one and a half crore rupees while Amma (Jayalalithaa) was in the hospital. Now they are acting like the DMK has shut down Amma Unavagam, where just about 150 people eat daily,” Bharathi remarked.

Bharathi also attacked the Jayalalithaa government’s management of Amma Unavagam, alleging that “wasted food” was served there. He said, “The Jayalalithaa government served leftover food in Amma Unavagam. The chapati and kuruma served at night in Amma Unavagam are consumed by people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. We spend our tax money and feed him,” said RS Bharathi.

” அம்மாவே போய் சேர்ந்துடுச்சி.. அப்புறம் அம்மா உணவகம் எதற்கு..? “ இங்க இருக்க பீகார், உத்திரப்பிரதேசகாரர்கள் தான் வந்து சாப்பிடுகிறார்கள்.. R.S.பாரதி சர்ச்சை பேச்சு#Chennai | #DMK | #AmmaUnavagam | #RSBharathi | #ADMK | #PolimerNews pic.twitter.com/2w0GOdqx8y

— Polimer News (@polimernews) September 22, 2024

When MK Stalin Peddled Xenophobia

MK Stalin, the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, himself has incited hatred against North Indians working in Tamil Nadu. He stated, while campaigning for the 2021 state assembly elections in Tiruvannamalai on 25 March 2021, “They’re conspiring to place Hindi-speaking youngsters in jobs in Tamil Nadu and grow BJP through that here. The Edappadi Palaniswami government may be a mute spectator to this. But DMK or Tamil Nadu people won’t let that happen.”

In the run up to the 2021 Assembly elections, the DMK had also released political ads in which youngsters can be seen alleging that Edappadi Palaniswami government is giving Tamil Nadu jobs to north Indians.

Shameless…… pic.twitter.com/Srd4H264Op

— Vishwatma ( மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@HLKodo) March 5, 2023

DMK Health Minister Blames ‘North Indian’ Students For Rising COVID Cases

In 2020, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma. Subramanian blamed ‘north Indians’ for rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state.

“The disease has started increasing in educational institutions like VIT, Anna University and Sathya Sai. The reason for that is, in many states of India, the corona virus cases has not come under control, especially Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala where cases have been rising. When students from north India come into these educational institutions, the disease is spreading through them,” the Health Minister said in a press meet on June 1, 2022 when new COVID-19 clusters were being reported in different colleges in Chennai.

“VIT Kelambakkam is an educational institution with 15,000 students. The number of 1st year students who stay in hostel is around 5600. Out of this 5600, 80% of them come from north India and stay here. They came to their hostel on May 12 and 13 and have been staying here since then. The disease has spread to other students through them and now stands at 118.”, Ma. Subramanian said.

Here is the video… https://t.co/OGkqP3UWqx pic.twitter.com/sHfyYAY85f

— Indhavaainko (இந்தாவாய்ங்கோ) (@indhavaainko) June 1, 2022

DMK Higher Education Minister Takes Jibe At Hindi Speakers As ‘Pani Poori Sellers’

Speaking at the convocation ceremony of Bharthiar Univeristy in Coimbatore on 13 May 2022, Tamil Nadu Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy said that it is not necessary to learn Hindi as speakers of that language can be found selling only Pani Pooris.

“In Tamil Nadu, there are two languages – English and Tamil. While English is an international language, Tamil is a local language. We were told that learning Hindi would fetch us jobs, did we get (jobs)? You go and see in our state, in Coimbatore, who sells pani puris? They are Hindi speakers,”, the DMK Minister said.

'Hindi speakers sell 'Pani-Puri' in Coimbatore': Tamil Nadu education minister K Ponmudy mocks Hindi
Track latest news updates here https://t.co/RvRLArXwZ5 pic.twitter.com/DfndIdtWvj

— Economic Times (@EconomicTimes) May 13, 2022

This is not the first time that Ponmudy took to ridicule Hindi speakers as ‘Pani Poori Sellers’.

“Many say that if you study Hindi, you will get a job. But, many are coming to work in Chennai from northern states. A few are selling pani puri here.”, Minister Ponmudy said while addressing members of the DMK Students Wing on 30 April 2022.

DMK MP Calls North Indian States As ‘Cow Piss States’

DMK MP from Dharmapuri DNV Senthilkumar while speaking about the National Education Policy in Lok Sabha said, “The goal of the government in the National Education Policy is to have a Gross Enrollment ratio (GER) of 50%. This has already been achieved by Tamil Nadu. Whereas, India’s national GER is around 24.6%. We are much ahead of the American GER. Why is it that the Central Government is seeing to thrust the National Education Policy upon us? We have set principles and we have set models, the Dravidian principle models, which are successful models. If they want to implement it to make India a developed state, let them implement Tamil Nadu’s model throughout the state. Instead, why is it being thrust upon us? We totally reject it. If they want, they can go implement them in Gomutra states, which they are very keen upon.”

DMK Minister Insinuates ‘Lack Of Education’ As Reason For BJP’s Victories In The ‘Hindi Belt’

In an interview to Hindustan Times, the then-Tamil Nadu Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan said that he can’t fathom how the BJP keeps getting re-elected in the ‘Hindi Belt’ and wondered if lack of education is the reason for it.

To a question by the anchor on BJP’s model of politics that couples welfare politics with Hindutva, the DMK Minister said “It is hard for me to see how BJP governments keep getting re-elected both at the Union and in other parts in the Hindi belt. And some part of me wonders whether it is lack of education, the lack of kind of opportunity and therefore the lack of hope.”

Later when the anchor tried to  his position, Palanivel Thiagarajan tread cautiously saying that he cannot understand how in the Hindi belt “these guys” keep getting re-elected.

“I’m looking for explanations. I’m trying to find maybe one of the explanation is that the lowest income levels and the worst per capita education levels are highly correlated with this outcome. I don’t have any proof. I don’t have anything. I also said there is a second alternative. That as bad as their performance looks compared to me, it may be that they are the best of bad choices. I don’t know. I just don’t have data.”, the DMK Minister said.

In the latest episode of 'On The Record' with @sunetrac, Tamil Nadu finance minister Palanivel Thiagarajan, has criticised the union government over the issue of coal shortage, power crisis and fuel price hike. pic.twitter.com/JioM6LY2Zs

— Hindustan Times (@htTweets) May 13, 2022

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The post Congress-Ally DMK MP Kanimozhi Ridicules North Indian Hindus appeared first on The Commune.

[Image Credit: Kadivaalam News]

Hundreds of auto rickshaw drivers from Thoothukudi, led by Karuppasamy, Secretary of the Muthunagar Auto Drivers Welfare Association, met DMK MP Kanimozhi at her camp office on 4 September 2025 to submit a formal petition.

In the petition, the drivers urged the MP to initiate a special resolution in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for the reopening of the Sterlite Copper plant in Thoothukudi under a “green copper” production model.

#NewsUpdate | கனிமொழி எம்.பி.யிடம் மனு

தூத்துக்குடி ஸ்டெர்லைட் ஆலையை திறக்க சிறப்பு தீர்மானம் கொண்டுவரக்கோரி ஆட்டோ ஓட்டுநர்கள் கனிமொழி எம்.பி.-யிடம் மனு அளித்தனர்

ஸ்டெர்லைட் ஆலை மூடப்பட்டதற்கு சட்டரீதியான காரணங்கள் ஏதுமில்லை என்றும், ஸ்டெர்லைட் ஆலை ஊழியர்கள், அதனை நம்பி இருந்த… pic.twitter.com/d4rt8zAO8H

— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) September 4, 2025

The petition highlighted that over a thousand families in Thoothukudi depend on auto driving for their livelihood, with many small businesses and informal workers relying on large-scale industries in the region. The Sterlite Copper plant, they said, had once supported the employment of nearly two lakh people both directly and indirectly.

They noted that the closure of the Sterlite plant allegedly without legal justification had caused widespread economic disruption, not only affecting local livelihoods but also impacting Tamil Nadu’s economy and the nation’s copper supply. Since the shutdown, copper demand has increased, leading to adverse effects such as inflation and rising import costs.

The petition referenced expert recommendations from environmental scientists, including Padma Bhushan awardee Dr. Ganapathy D. Yadav and retired environmental professor Dr. R. Nagendran, who have laid out a roadmap for operating the plant under environmentally sustainable conditions.

The auto drivers appealed to MP Kanimozhi to champion their cause by advocating for the plant’s reopening through a special legislative resolution, enabling it to resume operations with a green production approach and restore thousands of lost livelihoods in the region.

Sterlite protest & Shut Down

In 2018, fringe outfits and missionary-backed groups led a campaign against the Sterlite Copper plant, which the DMK leveraged as a political opportunity to push for its closure. However, the situation has since reversed the people of Thoothukudi are now leading calls for the plant’s revival.

The shutdown dealt a major blow to Tamil Nadu’s economy, stripping Thoothukudi of jobs and triggering financial distress. Meanwhile, Gujarat swiftly capitalized on the gap in copper production. What was once hailed as an environmental win has come full circle, with the DMK now facing the fallout of a decision it once championed.

Mounting Protests from the Ground

In July 2025, hundreds of residents staged a protest outside the District Collector’s Office, demanding the reopening of the Sterlite plant they once opposed. Villagers from Pandaram Patti South, Veerapandiapuram, fisherfolk from Threspuram, and members of women’s self-help groups rallied, stating that the plant’s closure had robbed them of jobs and economic security.

Amid heightened tensions, a strong police presence was deployed. Only a few representatives were permitted to meet the Collector and submit a petition on behalf of the demonstrators.

ஸ்டெர்லைட் ஆலையை மீண்டும் திறக்க வலியுறுத்தல்… மீனவ கிராம மக்கள் முற்றுகை போராட்டம்#THoothukudi #SterliteFactory #Fisherman #Protest #TamilNews #NewsTamil #NewsTamil24x7 pic.twitter.com/lFs3iCcd7z

— News Tamil 24×7 (@NewsTamilTV24x7) July 21, 2025

On 16 June 2025, villagers from South Veerapandiapuram, Saminatham, and nearby communities gathered outside the Thoothukudi District Collector’s Office. Their demand was simple: reopen the Sterlite Copper plant and the associated thermal power station. Many of the protesters were former employees, who now struggle to survive as low-paid laborers. According to their statements, over 300 youth from these villages had worked at the plant, and the shutdown pushed them into economic instability.

Surprisingly, the call for reopening the facility has come not just from locals, but also from the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) a key ally of the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu. INTUC national secretary Kathirvelu openly questioned the inconsistency in allowing copper smelters to operate in other states while Sterlite remains shut. He pointed out that if pollution was the concern, it should be addressed with uniform regulations across India.

INTUC maintained that the economic cost of closure has been immense. Thousands of jobs were lost—not only within Sterlite itself but across hundreds of ancillary businesses that depended on the plant’s operations.

Wider Impact Across Industries

The plant’s closure didn’t just affect direct employees. On 6 January 2024, members of the Namakkal Lorry Owners’ and Trailer Owners’ Associations staged protests, claiming the shutdown paralyzed the logistics sector in the region. Over 6,500 trucks were impacted, and more than 600 vehicle owners had to seek alternative sources of income. Daily revenue losses were estimated at around ₹10 crore. Protesters proposed restarting the plant under strict environmental guidelines to balance development and sustainability.

In February 2025, the Thoothukudi Contractors’ Association joined the demand, highlighting job losses for 20,000 workers and severe financial strain on 400 SMEs, with income levels dropping by 40%. They have called for a Government Order to restart operations.

On 13 May 2025, representatives from the Thoothukudi People Livelihood Protection Association met with MP Kanimozhi, urging her to support efforts to revive the copper plant. Their appeal noted that the facility had supported 20,000+ families across 50 villages for over two decades. Around 64 contractors had invested in trucks and machinery solely to serve Sterlite’s logistics operations. When the plant was shut, many were left facing crippling debts, having mortgaged personal property to finance their businesses.

Association president S. Thiyagarajan criticized the misleading narrative that labeled Thoothukudi as the “cancer capital” due to the plant’s presence. He pointed to multiple independent environmental assessments that found no such link, yet the perception persisted, fueling protests and ultimately the closure.

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The post Hundreds Of Auto Drivers Petition DMK MP Kanimozhi To Support Reopening Sterlite Plant With Green Copper Production appeared first on The Commune.

In a recent press interaction held in Coimbatore, former Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai praised Members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu, including senior AIADMK leader and former Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M. Thambidurai, and DMK MP Kanimozhi, for effectively representing India’s united front against terrorism on the international stage following Operation Sindoor.

Annamalai lauded Kanimozhi for her intellect and composure, stating that she is a well-informed and articulate leader who strongly conveyed India’s position during international briefings. He extended similar praise to Shashi Tharoor, calling him an outstanding political figure who also played a key role in international briefings. Others, including Manish Tewari and Supriya Sule, were also acknowledged for their commendable participation.

He emphasized that there was no political divide in supporting the operation and also highlighted the personal initiative of Tamil Nadu MPs, noting that both Thambidurai and Kanimozhi had visited the Prime Minister’s residence to show their support.

Annamalai in the press briefing said, “As far as Kanimozhi is concerned, she is a very erudite politician, a knowledgeable leader. She represented India’s interests very well—in fact, exceptionally well. Similarly, Shashi Tharoor also went for the press briefing to key countries—he is also a fantastic politician, and he did a great job too. Manish Tewari, Supriya Sule, and others also performed very well. There’s no politics in this regarding Operation Sindoor, everyone supported it wholeheartedly. But once it concluded, many went out speak outside about Sindoor—that’s how I see it. On a personal level, as Members of Parliament from Tamil Nadu, Thambidurai and Kanimozhi both went to the Prime Minister’s residence and met him. In this matter, everyone deserves appreciation.  Kanimozhi’s remarks in the press meet about “Unity and Diversity” went quite viral. But beyond that, she also spoke at several places. Beyond the “Unity and Diversity” message, in multiple press briefings, she articulated the Central government’s stance on Operation Sindoor beautifully. So, at this moment, it is our duty to extend our appreciation and congratulations to all of them. That’s exactly what Prime Minister Modi himself did as well.”

As part of India’s diplomatic outreach following Operation Sindoor, MP Kanimozhi is leading Delegation 6, which includes leaders from across party lines such as Rajeev Rai (SP), Mian Altaf Ahmad (NC), Brijesh Chowta (BJP), Prem Chand Gupta (RJD), Ashok Kumar Mittal (AAP), and former diplomats Manjeev Puri and Jawed Ashraf. This team will travel to Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, and Russia to communicate India’s anti-terror stance.

Separately, AIADMK MP M. Thambidurai, a member of another all-party team led by BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad, addressed the Indian diaspora in Berlin. He strongly criticized Pakistan, calling it a “name-sake democracy” and linking its reliance on terrorism to consistent military failures. Thambidurai also praised Prime Minister Modi’s decisive actions against terrorism and emphasized India’s democratic progress from “Kashmir to Kanyakumari.”

He stated, “India has made significant democratic strides and has firmly responded to terrorism. PM Modi’s leadership has focused on eliminating terrorist bases, not harming civilians. That’s why we must reach out globally to garner support—because the world increasingly agrees that terrorism must end.”

This extensive global outreach includes 59 MPs, former ministers, and politicians from both the ruling NDA and opposition parties, organized into seven delegations. These teams will visit 32 countries and the European Union headquarters in Brussels.

The initiative reflects a rare bipartisan effort led by the Government of India to present a unified message: India is committed to combating terrorism at all levels and is seeking international solidarity in that mission. Each delegation is supported by experienced diplomats and comprises a diverse mix of political voices.

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DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, heading an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation to Europe, asserted on Monday that “the national language of India is unity in diversity.” Her remark came in response to a question from the Indian diaspora during an interaction in Madrid, Spain—the final leg of the delegation’s five-nation tour aimed at engaging the global community on terrorism and India’s counterterrorism operations following Operation Sindoor.

“The national language of India is unity in diversity. That is the message this delegation brings to the world, and that is the most important thing today,” Kanimozhi said, reinforcing India’s commitment to pluralism and coexistence.

Her statement holds particular weight given the DMK’s strong opposition to the Centre’s proposed three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The DMK has long argued that the policy amounts to the imposition of Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states, especially Tamil Nadu, and has instead advocated for a two-language formula—Tamil and English. The party sees the push for Hindi as a threat to federalism and linguistic autonomy.

The row flared again recently after the Union Education Ministry reiterated its emphasis on Hindi as a “link language,” drawing criticism from DMK leaders who accuse the Centre of promoting a “Hindi-Hindutva agenda” in the guise of education reform.

Addressing another question from the diaspora on terrorism, Kanimozhi said, “So much has to be done in our country and we want to do that. Unfortunately, we are being diverted. We have to deal with terrorism, war—which is absolutely unnecessary.” She assured the audience that India remains a secure nation, adding, “They may try whatever they want, they cannot derail us. We will ensure that Kashmir remains a safe place.”

The all-party delegation includes Rajeev Rai (Samajwadi Party), Mian Altaf Ahmad (Jammu and Kashmir National Conference), Brijesh Chowta (BJP), Prem Chand Gupta (RJD), Ashok Kumar Mittal (AAP), and former diplomats Manjeev Singh Puri and Jawed Ashraf.

Their tour, which covered Spain, Greece, Slovenia, Latvia, and Russia, is part of a broader outreach programme by the Indian government. Seven such delegations have been sent to 33 global capitals to counter misinformation from Pakistan and strengthen international support for India’s counterterrorism stance.

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The post “India’s National Language Is Unity In Diversity”, Says DMK MP Kanimozhi Sparking Applause In Spain appeared first on The Commune.