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Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Battling caste in Tamil Nadu
The idea of social justice has shaped politics in Tamil Nadu for over a century. Political parties that subscribe to E V 'Periyar' Ramasamy's anti-caste ideology have had an uninterrupted run in office since 1967. Yet, caste violence, mostly targeting Dalits and perpetrated by members of castes under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, continues to roil Tamil Nadu, highlighting not just the administrative failure of successive governments but also the ideological hypocrisy of parties subscribing to the Dravidian Movement that takes pride in its anti-caste roots. The latest incident comes from Tirunelveli in southern Tamil Nadu that boasts 90% literacy, where a 27-year-old Dalit software engineer was killed for allegedly being in a relationship with a woman from the Most Backward Caste community. The woman's parents are police sub-inspectors, and the killer is her younger brother. The district was in the spotlight two years ago when a Dalit school boy and his sister were attacked by their schoolmates. The MK Stalin government had then appointed a retired judge to investigate the matter. The exhaustive Justice Chandru report found shocking evidence of not just deep-rooted caste prejudice in institutions but also a reluctance by heads of institutions to even recognise the malaise, let alone act against it. Anecdotal evidence too suggests large-scale use of caste markers among students in educational institutions, reflecting the polarisation in society. Dalits constitute close to 20% of the state's population and have become politically assertive in the past few decades. Improvement in educational standards and a shift towards service jobs have upset the traditional power relationship, triggering caste violence. Inter-caste marriages, especially when the girl is from a dominant caste, increasingly trigger a violent response, as witnessed in Dharmapuri (2012) and Udumalaipettai (2016). Unfortunately, the administrative apparatus, including the law enforcement system, has often failed to rise above caste associations and enforce the rule of law. Political parties that invoke caste pride covertly and overtly are equally to blame. For the Dravidian majors — the DMK and the AIADMK, primarily — the anti-Dalit violence suggests the failure to transcend their core vote bases, which are OBC communities, and usher in a politics that can enable the annihilation of caste. This task has been left incomplete by parties that now view politics entirely through the prism of economic development and ignore social fault lines that call for intense ideological engagement. Tamil Nadu's crisis is also the result of its economic advancement and improvement in human development indices, and its solution lies in political parties reinventing a paradigm of social justice.
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Panneerselvam shifts stance, condemns BJP over Samagra Shiksha funds controversy
In a shift from his usual position towards the Union government, the ADMK Workers' Rights Retrieval Committee coordinator and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) condemned the BJP-led Centre for not releasing funds to the State under the Samagra Shiksha scheme for 2024-25. 'Citing this [the non-acceptance of the State government to the Union government's conditions] as the reason for not providing the funds will not only affect the education of students, but also teachers. This action of the Central government is against the Right to Education Act and federalism,' Mr. Panneerselvam said in a statement, adding that the non-acceptance was a matter between the two governments. The ADMK Workers' Rights Retrieval Committee leader urged the Centre to release around ₹2,151.59 crore to the State under the scheme. From ally to 'uncertain' partner Ever since Mr. Panneerselvam rebelled against the AIADMK's former interim general secretary V.K. Sasikala in February 2017, he had been known as a staunch ally of the BJP. When he and the present general secretary of the party Edappadi K. Palaniswami came together six months later, he had publicly credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the reunion. In 2019, when Mr. Modi filed his nomination papers in Varanasi Lok Sabha constituency, Mr. Panneerselvam was among those who were there to greet him. Five years later, the former Chief Minister, who held the portfolio of Finance in the State government for about 10 years, contested as an Independent in the Ramaathapuram Lok Sabha seat unsuccessfully as part of the BJP-led alliance. But the AIADMK had faced the election only with the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and SDPI. After the Dravidian major revived its alliance with the national party in April this year, Mr. Panneerselvam's position became uncertain in view of a 'hands-off' approach of the BJP towards him, as Union Minister for Home Affairs Amit Shah made it clear that 'we will not interfere in the internal affairs of the AIADMK,' when asked about the former Chief Minister's space in the alliance. The former Chief Minister had sought an audience with the Prime Minister during his latest trip to Tamil Nadu but no meeting took place between the two leaders, even though Mr. Palaniswami, along with his colleagues, met Mr. Modi at the Tiruchi airport on Saturday (July 26) night. On Mr. Panneerselvam's further course of action, Panruti S. Ramachandran, former Minister who has been an advisor to the former Chief Minister's camp, told The Hindu on Tuesday afternoon that 'when there is no place for him in the alliance, there is no point in continuing there.' Would the BJP not approach Mr. Panneerselvam again and take him back into its fold? 'There is no possibility, because Mr. Palaniswami is there in the alliance,' replied Mr. Ramachandran, adding that 'there is no way out for him [the Committee coordinator] than finding his own way.'
NDTV
17 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Actor Vijay Slams BJP For "Drama" On Cholas, Party Responds
Chennai: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor-politician Vijay has launched a scathing attack on the BJP and the ruling DMK, calling their recent posturing over Tamil pride and the Chola legacy a "coordinated drama" aimed at political gain ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Ariyalur to commemorate the 1,000th anniversary of Rajendra Chola I's maritime expedition to Southeast Asia, Vijay accused the BJP of "lecturing Tamil Nadu on its own history" while simultaneously "discriminating" against the state. "Had the DMK government given the Chola emperors the full honour they deserve, the anti-Tamil Union government wouldn't have stepped in to take credit. Instead, the DMK has welcomed PM Modi's visit as a matter of honour - this is not pride, it is surrender," said Vijay in a strongly-worded statement. The actor-politician alleged that the DMK had "mortgaged Tamil pride" to the BJP, describing it as "taking refuge under the very force it claims to oppose." He also pointed to the centre refusing to accept Keezhadi excavation findings, which the state believes establishes the antiquity of Tamil and Iron Age in this region much earlier than present estimates. "After attempting to hide strong evidence of Tamil civilisation and history at Keezhadi, the Centre's sudden talk of Chola pride is pure drama. And the DMK, founded by Annadurai, has compromised itself and surrendered to the anti-Tamil BJP," he charged. Vijay also reminded that it was his party that had last year demanded the setting up of a grand museum in Chennai celebrating the Chera, Chola and Pandya dynasties. He warned that the people of Tamil Nadu would "see through the political theatrics" and deliver a "fitting response in 2026." BJP's Karu Nagarajan responded sharply, accusing Vijay of peddling falsehoods and misrepresenting facts for political mileage. "Has any other Prime Minister embraced and showcased Tamil culture to the world like Narendra Modi? PM Modi has acted as an ambassador of Tamil pride," he said. He also dismissed Vijay's charges on Keezhadi, saying the central government had been fully supportive of archaeological excavations and discoveries in Tamil Nadu from the beginning. "It is unclear what Vijay is trying to achieve by linking the BJP and DMK. People are not fools," the BJP leader said. Though officially positioned as a cultural and historical event, Prime Minister Modi's visit to Ariyalur is being widely seen as part of the BJP's broader outreach to Tamil Nadu - a state where the party currently has little presence. With the 2026 Assembly elections on the horizon, both the BJP and emerging parties like Vijay's TVK are recalibrating their strategies. While Dravidian parties tread carefully, celebrating the Chola dynasty in a limited way, mindful of what they call "the severe caste discrimination and dominance of Aryan traditions" during the reign, the BJP is trying to capitalise on this.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
22 nurses receive Best Nursing Personnel awards in Chennai
Chennai, As many as 22 nurses received the Best Nursing Personnel and Lifetime Achievement awards 2025 during the centenary celebrations of the Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwives Council here on Monday. 22 nurses receive Best Nursing Personnel awards in Chennai Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who presented the awards, also inaugurated the centenary celebrations of TNNMC. He released the logo of the council on the occasion. Over 2.5 lakh members of the TNNMC were engaged in medical service not only in Tamil Nadu but also all over the world, he said. "From being the foundation of the rural health system, to serving as the frontline warriors who save humanity in times of pandemic, disaster, and war, nurses are always worthy of admiration," the Deputy CM said in a post on the social media platform 'X'. Speaking after giving away the awards, Udhayanidhi said the presence of nurses gave one a great sense of self-confidence and security because every child born in the world sees the face of the nurse before he/she sees his own mother. The role of nurses was unique and cannot be forgotten, he said, and lauded their service. "You all know that our Chief Minister , who was admitted in hospital, returned home yesterday. I express my gratitude to the doctors, and most importantly, the nurses like you," Udhayanidhi said. He recalled that the council was started during the rule of the Justice Party, precursor to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, in 1926. Similar to the nursing community, which vaccinated people from diseases, the Dravidian movement leaders like Periyar Ramasamy, and former Chief Ministers: C N Annadurai and M Karunanidhi, went from village to village to spread rational ideas to solve the diseases that gripped society. Health Minister Ma Subramanian, Chennai Mayor R Priya, TNNMC Registrar S Ani Grace Kalaimathi, and others spoke. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
a day ago
- Health
- News18
22 nurses receive Best Nursing Personnel awards in Chennai
Chennai, Jul 28 (PTI) As many as 22 nurses received the Best Nursing Personnel and Lifetime Achievement awards 2025 during the centenary celebrations of the Tamil Nadu Nurses and Midwives Council here on Monday. Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, who presented the awards, also inaugurated the centenary celebrations of TNNMC. He released the logo of the council on the occasion. Over 2.5 lakh members of the TNNMC were engaged in medical service not only in Tamil Nadu but also all over the world, he said. 'From being the foundation of the rural health system, to serving as the frontline warriors who save humanity in times of pandemic, disaster, and war, nurses are always worthy of admiration," the Deputy CM said in a post on the social media platform 'X'. Speaking after giving away the awards, Udhayanidhi said the presence of nurses gave one a great sense of self-confidence and security because every child born in the world sees the face of the nurse before he/she sees his own mother. The role of nurses was unique and cannot be forgotten, he said, and lauded their service. 'You all know that our Chief Minister (M K Stalin), who was admitted in hospital, returned home yesterday. I express my gratitude to the doctors, and most importantly, the nurses like you," Udhayanidhi said. He recalled that the council was started during the rule of the Justice Party, precursor to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, in 1926. Similar to the nursing community, which vaccinated people from diseases, the Dravidian movement leaders like Periyar Ramasamy, and former Chief Ministers: C N Annadurai and M Karunanidhi, went from village to village to spread rational ideas to solve the diseases that gripped society. Health Minister Ma Subramanian, Chennai Mayor R Priya, TNNMC Registrar S Ani Grace Kalaimathi, and others spoke. PTI JSP KH view comments First Published: July 28, 2025, 18:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
