The tragic passing of a 4-year-old boy undergoing treatment for dengue fever in Chennai’s Maduravoyal region has left the community deeply saddened. Nevertheless, it is disheartening to observe ministers of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(DMK), including Udhayanidhi Stalin, who are responsible for public welfare, engaging in emotionally charged ‘Sanatana Dharma’ politics. Demonstrating a lack of empathy, Udhayanidhi continues his Sanatana Dharma political tactic by sharing an image of a mosquito coil as a subtle jab at Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) leader Annamalai, when the state’s health care system is in need of attention.
Ayyanar and Sonia, residents of Maduravoyal, Chennai, are parents to two sons. Their elder son, Rakshan, aged 4, was a pre-KG student at a local private school. On 6 September 2023, Rakshan was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Children’s Hospital in Egmore due to a persistent fever, later diagnosed as dengue fever. Tragically, despite intensive medical care, the young boy succumbed to the illness, leaving his family devastated.
In the aftermath of Rakshan’s death, the grieving parents and relatives staged a protest, placing the boy’s body on the road. They alleged negligence on the part of municipal officials, holding them responsible for their son’s demise. Police intervened to manage the situation and initiate negotiations with the distraught family.
Residents in the area have raised concerns about the lack of proper water supply infrastructure. They claimed that the water, transported by corporation vehicles and stored in barrels due to the absence of a water pipe facility, became a breeding ground for disease-carrying mosquitoes. Furthermore, residents pointed out the absence of a functional sewage system and the illegal disposal of wastewater in the area, leading to foul odour and potential health risks for children and adults alike. They are demanding accountability and action against the responsible officers and employees of the corporation.
Amidst this dire situation, Udhayanidhi Stalin, often seen as a de facto Chief Minister, chose to engage in ‘Sanatana Dharma’ political tactics. In a move seemingly aimed at countering Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai’s characterisation of DMK as the “Dengue Malaria Kosu (Mosquito)” party, Udhayanidhi shared an image of a mosquito coil. However, this tweet was met with strong public disapproval and criticism, especially considering the fresh wound of a young child’s death from a mosquito-borne illness in their locality.
— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) September 11, 2023
Addressing Udhayanidhi Stalin in a tweet, an angry social media user expressed, “Mr. Udhayanithi Stalin, why share such an absurd post when you haven’t been able to effectively combat dengue? Much like your father, who bears a resemblance to King Nero, it seems you’re also fiddling while real issues persist.”
திரு.@Udhaystalin அவர்களே,
எதற்கு இந்த ஏளனமான பதிவு எல்லாம்?
நிஜ டெங்குவை போக்க வக்கில்லை , ஆனால் நீங்களும் உங்களது நீரோ தந்தையாரைப்போல் புல்லாங்குழல்
ஊதிக்கொண்டு இருக்கிறீர்கள்!Pic Courtesy : @VinTN pic.twitter.com/YI3qUkctY1
— Mohan Babu R (@ItsyourMB) September 11, 2023
(with inputs from News18 Tamil)
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