The Tamil Nadu BJP State Convenor for the TN Startup Cell, Ananthan Ayyasamy, has petitioned Tenkasi District Collector AK Kamal Kishore to investigate an incident involving school students, who were allegedly made to wait for hours and were charged a fee ranging from ₹50 to ₹500 to participate in a birthday celebration for Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. The event, organized by DMK functionaries, occurred at Syed Matriculation School near Aintharuvi, Courtallam, on 25 November 2024.
According to the petition, over 1,000 students from 20 different schools reportedly waited for long hours in the sun on the school playground and were instructed to perform yoga and chant, “Happy Birthday, Udhay Anna”.
Ananthan further alleged that several schools collected ₹500 per student as a participation fee. The BJP state convenor said students were given shields worth ₹50, bearing images of DMK leaders such as MK Stalin, Kanimozhi, Udhayanidhi Stalin and District Secretary Jayabalan for participating in the birthday celebrations. In some schools, transport costs were also reportedly charged separately.
Petitioned the Tenkasi District Collector to take stern action against the DMK functionaries and Syed Matric School of Courtalam, for collecting up to Rs.500 from 1000s of school students, having the students stand for hours during midday, and forcing the kids to recite “Happy… pic.twitter.com/kc902CaP4f
— Ananthan Ayyasamy (@AnanthAyyasamy) November 27, 2024
Background
A video has gone viral on social media that shows school students being made to stand in the middle of a playground under the scorching sun, reportedly forced to wish DMK scion and Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on his 48th birthday. The event, organized by DMK functionaries within the school premises, has sparked significant criticism against Tamil Nadu Education Minister Anbil Mahesh, with many calling it an inappropriate use of students for political purposes.
In Tenkasi, a sports competition was organized under the pretext of promoting activities like yoga and skating, to mark the 48th birthday of Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. The event, which saw the participation of 2,000 students, was part of a series of celebrations across Tamil Nadu organized by DMK cadres in honor of Udhayanidhi Stalin’s birthday on the 27th.
The controversial sports competition was held at Syed School, located on the way to Aintharuvi in Tenkasi district. V. Jayabalan, the DMK’s Tenkasi South District In-charge, presided over the event, which was inaugurated by Kalai Kathiravan, the Tenkasi Legislative Assembly Constituency In-charge.
Among the events were a yoga competition aimed at raising awareness about traditional Tamil practices, which saw 1,000 students participate. Additionally, a skating competition was held, with schoolchildren enthusiastically taking part. All students who participated in the events were awarded shields and prize certificates.
Several DMK functionaries attended the event, including District Youth Union Organizer Krishnaraja, Union Secretaries Aghajusundaram, MPM Anbazhagan, and others, as well as local political leaders such as Surandai City Secretary A.G. Ganesan, Ilanji Town Panchayat Chairman Chinnathai, and Perur Secretaries A. Sudalai and Rajarajan. Additionally, it is alleged that the DMK cadres arrived late to the event, causing the students to wait for an extended period in the scorching sun on the ground.
However, the event has sparked significant controversy. Despite previous statements from Education Minister Anbil Mahesh, who had emphasized keeping schools free of political activities, DMK cadres were allowed into the school premises. During the event, students were reportedly made to wish Udhayanidhi Stalin in advance of his birthday, leading to widespread criticism and raising questions about the politicization of educational institutions.
In response to the incident, the BJP State President for the Startup Cell has strongly condemned the matter. He issued a statement through his official X account, stating, “Why is this ok, Hon @TNSchoolEduDept minister @Anbil_Mahesh ? Torturing 1000s of kids to please your boss?Do you want to make thousands of students stand for hours in the scorching sun to wish them a happy birthday, Mr. Udhayanidhi? Is that Birthday wish that important to you @Udhaystalin ? #tenkasi #school #kids #torture. On the occasion of the birthday of Deputy Principal Udhayanidhi at a private school on Aindaruvi Road in Tenkasi district, more than a thousand schoolgirls have been forced to perform yoga in the scorching sun at 12 o’clock to wish him a happy birthday because the @arivalayam functionaries were late.”
Why is this ok, Hon @TNSchoolEduDept minister @Anbil_Mahesh ? Torturing 1000s of kids to please your boss?
உச்சிவெயிலில் ஆயிரக்கணக்கான மாணவர்களை மணிக்கணக்கில் நிற்கவைத்து பிறந்தநாள் வாழ்த்து பெறவேண்டுமா திரு.உதயநிதி அவர்களே? Is that Birthday wish that important to you… pic.twitter.com/3FFOSXpAsH
— Ananthan Ayyasamy (@AnanthAyyasamy) November 25, 2024
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