Actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay met the families of those who died in the Karur stampede tragedy on Monday, 27 October 2025, at a private hotel in Mamallapuram. The meeting, held exactly a month after the incident, saw Vijay reportedly spend up to half an hour with each family, offering emotional and material support.

According to party sources, more than 30 families attended the session. TVK members made all logistical arrangements, including transport from Karur, hotel accommodation, and return travel. A total of 46 rooms were booked for the families, who were brought to Mamallapuram on 26 October 2025. Vijay began his meetings with the bereaved families the next morning, engaging with each individually.

Several family members said the actor appeared visibly emotional during the interactions and assured assistance such as employment or educational support for affected families. They stated that he listened to their concerns and spent time acknowledging their personal losses.

A family member of the victim alleged that local functionaries of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) attempted to dissuade them from attending the meeting by offering up to ₹30 lakh in cash. They claimed that these offers were made through intermediaries the day before the scheduled interaction but declined to identify the individuals or specify their positions in the party.

One family member alleged that even the driver of the bus that transported the families from Karur faced threats and was pressured not to proceed with the trip. The individual alleged that the intimidation came from local political figures seeking to prevent attendance at Vijay’s meeting.

In addition to allegations of bribery and coercion, the same relative raised questions about discrepancies in official records. He claimed that the death certificates for his children stated that they were dead on arrival at the hospital, whereas he maintained that one of the children was still alive when brought in. He alleged that the record did not reflect the actual sequence of events and said this caused further anguish to the bereaved families.

The Karur tragedy occurred on 27 September 2025 during a TVK rally, where 41 people lost their lives in a stampede. The cause of the incident remains under investigation, with earlier reports citing overcrowding and intense heat as contributing factors.

(Source: South First)

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Alleged journalist and anti-India, anti-Hindu propagandist Rana Ayyub met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on 16 June 2025. Ayyub shared the pictures of the meeting on her Instagram handle.

She wrote, “Met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for an exhaustive conversation ranging from Periyar to Palestine. His fight against Hindi imposition and whether the southern states can be a bulwark against religion and caste based politics. More soon” 

 

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A post shared by Rana Ayyub (@ranaayyub)

In addition to the images of the meeting with Stalin, Ayyub also shared a screenshot of Stalin’s post on the Israel-Iran war.

The “more soon” at the end of the post makes one wonder if there will be any sort of collaboration between the two.

The meeting comes at a time when several Dravidianist YouTubers have been pushing the Pakistani propaganda amid Operation Sindoor. It is noteworthy that in the aftermath of India’s precision strikes on terror hubs inside Pakistan, Rana Ayyub faced severe backlash for amplifying unverified claims from Pakistani sources, including false reports of downed Indian jets and captured soldiers.

As India’s operation unfolded, Pakistani media and online propaganda networks began circulating false narratives about retaliatory strikes. Among the most prominent voices echoing these claims was ‘journalist’ Rana Ayyub, who shared a Bloomberg article titled, “India Strikes Pakistan After Kashmir Attacks. Pakistan Says It Has Shot Down Five Indian Planes, Taken Soldiers Prisoner.”

This claim, was widely debunked, and was also not corroborated by Pakistan’s own military, as clarified by the Pakistani Defence Minister, who publicly confirmed that no Indian aircraft were shot down and no Indian soldiers were captured.

Despite mounting evidence that the reports she amplified were false, Ayyub did not retract or delete her tweet. Experts and fact-checkers have also confirmed that videos and images circulated to support Pakistan’s narrative are outdated, including footage from sectarian clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2024 and an old IAF jet crash in Rajasthan.

It is noteworthy that several Dravidianist “influencers” and journalists were also peddling Pakistani propaganda akin to what Rana Ayyub did. Additionally, apart from simping for Pakistan, there are several Dravidianists who also simp for Palestine.

About Rana Ayyub

Rana Ayyub has long been accused of pushing a narrative that is not only anti-Hindu but also alarmingly sympathetic to Islamist extremism and Pakistan’s propaganda machinery. In May 2024, she sparked outrage by declaring that there is “no proof of Islamic terrorism” in India — a statement seen as a blatant attempt to whitewash decades of Islamist attacks, including the 26/11 Mumbai massacre and bombings by groups like Indian Mujahideen and ISIS affiliates.

She has also repeatedly downplayed Pakistan’s role in sponsoring cross-border terrorism, while instead attacking Indian security forces and the government. On global platforms and social media, Ayyub often parrots talking points that mirror Pakistan’s attempts to portray India as a fascist, intolerant state. Whether it’s defending radical elements under the guise of human rights or questioning Indian judicial outcomes in terror-related cases, Ayyub’s interventions frequently align with narratives that seek to undermine India’s sovereignty, destabilize social harmony, and demonize the Hindu majority

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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday described his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “productive” as he announced plans to relaunch bilateral trade negotiations. “A very productive meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yesterday, we announced plans to relaunch UK-India trade talks. A new trade deal will support jobs and prosperity in the UK and represent a step forward in our mission to deliver growth and opportunity across the country,” Starmer said in a post on X.

In the meeting that took place on the sidelines on the first day of the Rio G20 Summit, both leaders agreed to advance the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The collaboration aims to elevate relations in trade and investment, security and defence, technology, climate action, health, and education, according to a statement released by 10 Downing Street. “They also welcomed the recent launch of the Technology Security Initiative and discussed the opportunities for further cooperation on defence and security,” the UK PMO said. Starmer’s office also noted that both leaders agreed on the strength of cultural ties between the two countries that provide a strong foundation for further ongoing cooperation.

The British PM emphasised the relaunch of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, which had stalled earlier this year, and expressed intent to establish a “new strategic partnership” with India. “A new trade deal with India will support jobs and prosperity in the UK – and represent a step forward in our mission to deliver growth and opportunity across our country,” Starmer said after his meeting with PM Modi. He outlined Britain’s focus on deepening ties in security, education, technology, and climate change alongside the trade agreement. Prime Minister Modi echoed these sentiments, calling the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the UK “immensely important.” In a post on X, PM Modi stated, “In the coming years, we are eager to work closely in areas such as technology, green energy, security, innovation, and trade. We also want to strengthen cultural linkages.” He described the meeting as “extremely productive,” marking his first interaction with Starmer since the Labour leader assumed office in July after defeating Rishi Sunak.

Trade talks between India and the UK had stalled in March after several years of negotiations. The discussions were hindered by differing priorities — India sought increased visas for students and business people, while Britain aimed to reduce tariffs on whiskey and automobiles and sought better access to India’s service sector. Since then, the UK has witnessed political changes, with Starmer’s Labour government replacing the Conservatives. The renewed focus on trade negotiations signals a mutual commitment to advancing economic and strategic cooperation between the two nations.

–IANS

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The all-important meeting to find a way out to resolve the over 17-month-long ethnic strife in Manipur was held in New Delhi on Tuesday, sources said. Sources said that Ministers and MLAs belonging to the Meitei, Kuki and Naga communities attended the meeting called by the Intelligence Bureau under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

“Several rounds of meetings between the MHA officials and the elected representatives, civil societies and NGOs would be held in the upcoming weeks to find out a lasting solution to the ethnic crisis in Manipur,” the sources said. After around a four-hour-long meeting, neither the officials nor the Ministers and MLAs talked to the media to disclose the outcome of the meeting. Manipur Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata Singh, MLA Thongam Biswajit, belonging to the Meitei community, and representatives from the Kuki community — Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen, both ministers — attended the meeting. MLAs Ram Muviah, Awangbow Newmai and L. Dikho attended the meeting from the Naga community.

However, a highly placed source told IANS that several Ministers and legislators from the three communities — Meitei, Kuki and Naga — attended the meeting and raised their demands and viewpoints over the ethnic riot. An MLA, belonging to the Kuki community, on condition of anonymity said that they would discuss the matters of Tuesday’s meeting with their community leaders and functionaries then they would disclose their next course of action. “Because the meeting was called by the Central government, that’s why they attended the meeting. We do not have any faith in the Manipur state government,” the legislator told IANS over the phone from New Delhi.

He said that MHA’s advisor, North East Affairs, A. K. Mishra and other senior officials were present at the meeting. Tuesday’s meeting was the first deliberations convened by the government after the ethnic conflict broke out between the majority Meitei and minority Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur on May 3 last year. The vital meeting was held on Tuesday after Home Minister Amit Shah last month indicated to resolve the ethnic imbroglio in Manipur through discussions between the Meiteis and Kukis. On June 17, the Home Minister during a review meeting on the law and order situation in Manipur gave similar indications. Meanwhile, 10 MLAs, including seven BJP legislators, and several Kuki-Zo organisations including Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) and Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM) since the ethnic violence started in Manipur in May last year, have been demanding separate administrations or a Union Territory for the Kuki-Zo tribals in Manipur.

The 10 legislators included Letpao Haokip and Nemcha Kipgen, who are ministers in Chief Minister N. Biren Singh-led 12-member ministry in Manipur. The state and the Central governments have on a number of occasions rejected the demand for separate administrations or a Union Territory. The ethnic violence between the non-tribals Meiteis and tribal Kuki-Zo broke out in the northeastern state on May 3 last year after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest against the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status.

So far, over 230 people have been killed in the strife. As many as 11,133 houses have been set on fire, out of which 4,569 homes have been completely destroyed. A total of 11,892 cases have been registered in different police stations in connection with the ethnic violence. The state government has established 302 relief camps to provide shelter to 59,414 internally displaced persons.

–IANS

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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met several Union Ministers in New Delhi on Tuesday and discussed issues related to the state. On the second day of his visit to the national capital, he met Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Commerce & Industries Piyush Goyal, Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries H D Kumaraswamy and Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri.

During the meeting with Gadkari, he discussed the overall development of national and state Highways in the state. They discussed various projects to be taken up on priority and these include the development of Vijayawada Eastern Bypass, support for the development of State Highways through Government of India grants, fast-tracking of the Kuppam-Hosur Greenfield Project and ensuring completion within the stipulated time frame, development of the Mulapeta to Vizag greenfield coastal highway project, resolving the restrictions on the road to Bhogapuram Airport, and addressing the choke points by building elevated structures integrating Flyover and Metro, upgrading the Hyderabad-Vijayawada expressway from four to eight lanes to address high traffic and reduce accidents, development of greenfield express highway from Hyderabad to Amaravati and development of Outer Ring Road (ORR) for the capital region of Amaravati.

The Union Minister assured his commitment to Chandrababu Naidu to fast-track these projects, ensuring sustainable development and boosting Andhra Pradesh’s connectivity and economic growth. The Chief Minister and Piyush Goyal discussed a joint committee of GoAP, DPIIT and the Ministry of Shipping to expedite salt land transfer for the development of projects in a defined timeframe. They also discussed expediting works for developing Industrial parks by NICDIT and the development of industrial policy and sectoral policies to attract investment.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the Minister of Commerce and Industries assured the AP CM of considering the discussed issues and supporting the state in fulfilling its vision. Chandrababu Naidu and Kumaraswamy addressed the growth of the steel sector in Andhra Pradesh. Secretary Steel appraised the challenges RINL (Visakhapatnam Steel Plant) faced in terms of availability of raw materials, loan repayment and, further, there is a need to invest in Capex for effective capacity utilisation. The Union Minister mentioned the efforts being made by the Union government to sustain RINL through funds infusion.

The Chief Minister requested that the Centre identify ways to support RINL and ensure its sustainability of operations and effective capacity utilisation. The Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries assured us of his commitment to consider the revival of RINL and supporting the industrial landscape in Andhra Pradesh. During the meeting, Hardeep Singh Puri and the two leaders discussed the sanctioning of 65 lakhs Deepam connection under PM Ujjwala Yojana and expediting the grounding of BPCL Refinery in the state. The Union Minister assured his commitment to consider the state government’s request and provide appropriate support.

–IANS

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Tamil actor Vijay has announced that his political party, Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), will hold its first state conference on October 27 in Tamil Nadu’s Villupuram district.

Vijay announced this upcoming TVK meet in a statement on Friday.

This meeting will be held at 4 p.m. on October 27 in V. Salai village in Vikravandi block in Villupuram district. Vijay will also announce the party’s political ideology, state office-bearers, and policy-based action plans at the meet.

The actor said in the statement, “Our first-ever state conference will be celebrated as a political festival and celebration of ideologies that will guide us and the goals that we will achieve. The conference would spell out the ideology based on which the party will function.”

Vijay also said the conference’s preparatory work had already commenced and would be accelerated soon.

The Tamil actor said in the statement that TVK general secretary N. Anand would meet the Villupuram district collector and police superintendent with a fresh letter seeking permission and police security.

It may be noted that the party’s first state conference was earlier scheduled for September 23, but it was postponed due to various factors, including permission-related issues.

Vijay announced on September 8 that the Election Commission of India (ECI) recognized his party, Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

Vijay had floated his party in February 2024, saying that TVK would not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and that the party aimed to contest the 2026 Assembly elections from Tamil Nadu.

He then said that his fan club, All India Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam (AITVMI), has been working for the welfare of the people for many years but cannot bring full-fledged social, economic, and political reforms on its own, and for that, political power is required.

In the last local body polls of 2021, members of the actor’s fan AITVMI won 115 of the 169 seats they contested. Interestingly, Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan‘s party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) and actor-director Seeman’s Naam Thamizhar Katchi (NTK) drew a blank in the local body polls.

–IANS

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