Tamil Nadu

Politics

The visits lasted till late on Thursday night after Kauvery hospital issued a statement saying that there was a ‘slight decline’ in the DMK chief’s health.

TNM Staff

PTI

A slew of political leaders visited DMK President Karunanidhi’s residence in Chennai’s Gopalapuram area to enquire about his health late on Thursday night. This came hours after Kauvery hospital released a medical bulletin that said that there was a ‘slight decline’ in the health of the DMK chief. “He is currently being treated for fever due to Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) with intravenous antibiotics and fluids. He is being monitored and treated round the clock by a team of medical and nursing professionals, who are providing hospital-level care at his home,” read the bulletin. After a few senior leaders of the AIADMK called on him, Tamil Manila Congress leader GK Vasan also visited the Gopalapuram residence to enquire about Karunanidhi’s health with his son and DMK Working President MK Stalin. Leader of the Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi, Thol Thirumavalavan also dropped by to enquire about the DMK supremo’s health. Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan and Actor Sarath Kumar who is also the founder of the India Samathuva Makkal Katchi were others who visited Karunanidhi’s residence to enquire about his health. Later in the night, President of the Coordination Committee of All Tamil Nadu Farmers Association PR Pandian and State Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, Vasigaran also met Stalin after hearing the news about Karunanidhi's health. Karunanidhi was admitted to Kauvery Hospital on July 18 for a tracheotomy procedure. The hospital had then said that the former CM was admitted as part of a routine medical check-up and that the procedure has to be done every six months. He was discharged the same evening. The DMK chief has been undergoing treatment for a lung disease for several months now. He was hospitalised in October 2016 for allergy-related ailments. In December 2016, he was admitted thrice and later underwent a tracheotomy which involved creating an opening in the windpipe to enable breathing. After this procedure in December 2016, he requires a trachea tube replacement every six months. In 2017 he was admitted at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai for the same procedure.

Crime

On Wednesday, an identification parade was conducted by the police in Puzhal, where the survivor identified all the accused.

TNM Staff

A Mahila court in the city granted the police five days to question the 17 accused who were arrested in connection with the sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl in Chennai. The order comes after the girl identified all the 17 suspects in an identification parade in Puzhal prison in the presence of two magistrates on Wednesday. The girl, the magistrates, the stenographer and senior police officials were separated from the accused by a one-way glass in the conference room, where the identification parade was conducted. Each suspect was identified thrice by the girl, with change in clothes and position in the parade line-up. According to reports, the survivor told the police that one of the accused used a blue injection, powder and some cream on her body while committing the crime. Since he had worked in the Government Kasturba Gandhi Hospital for Women and Children in Chepauk, he knew about the drugs used to relieve women from their labour pain. The incident came to light on July 17, after the girl confessed about her ordeal to her elder sister. According to the complaint given by the family of the survivor, the 17 men sexually assaulted the girl for over seven months. All the accused were working in the same gated community where the girl stayed, as security guards, lift operators and handymen. Of the 17 accused, three of them are in their 60s, four in their 50s, three in their 40s and the rest in their 30s and 20s. Following the complaint, they were all taken into custody and booked under sections 6 (punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault), 10 (punishment for aggravated sexual assault) and 12 (punishment for sexual harassment upon a child) of the POCSO Act and sections 307 (attempt to murder) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. This incident sparked massive outrage with the accused getting thrashed by a few lawyers inside the Madras High Court complex after they were produced at the Mahila court. The Madras High Court Advocates Association announced that they would not represent the accused in any trial, and any lawyer who represents them would be removed from the association.

Politics

A slew of political leaders visited Karunanidhi's Gopalapuram residence after Kauvery Hospital released an advisory on the stalwart’s health.

TNM Staff

PTI photo

After Kauvery Hospital in Chennai released an advisory about the decline in DMK President M Karunanidhi’s health on Thursday, wishes and prayers have been pouring in for the 94-year-old political stalwart. As political leaders, including those from AIADMK, visited Karunanidhi’s residence to enquire about his health, Prime Minister Narendra Modi too called on Stalin and Kanimozhi to enquire about the DMK patriarch’s well-being. In a tweet, Modi said that he had also offered his assistance and was praying for Karunanidhi’s quick recovery and good health. Spoke to Thiru @mkstalin and Kanimozhi Ji. Enquired about the health of Kalaignar Karunanidhi Ji and offered any assistance required. I pray for his quick recovery and good health. @kalaignar89 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 27, 2018 According to the advisory issued by Kauvery hospital, “He is currently being treated for fever due to Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) with intravenous antibiotics and fluids. He is being monitored and treated round the clock by a team of medical and nursing professionals, who are providing hospital-level care at his home.” In the meantime, a slew of political leaders have paid a visit to Karunanidhi’s Gopalapuram residence. AIADMK’s O Panneerselvam, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, Electricity Minister P Thangamani and Minister for Municipal Administration SP Velumani were received by Karunanidhi’s son and DMK Working President MK Stalin on Thursday night. President of the Coordination Committee of All Tamil Nadu Farmers Association, PR Pandian, and State Convenor of the Aam Aadmi Party, Vasigaran, also met Stalin hours after the hospital’s advisory was released. On Friday morning, Tamil Manila Congress leader GK Vasan, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan, actor and politician Sarath Kumar, who is also the founder of the All-India Samathuva Makkal Katchi, and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan visited Stalin. Other leaders have also tweeted, wishing Karunanidhi a speedy recovery. திமுக தலைவர் கலைஞர் அவர்கள் இரண்டு தினங்களாக சிறுநீர் தொற்றுநோயால் உடல்நலம் சற்று குன்றியிருப்பதற்கு மிகவும் வருத்தமடைகிறேன்.அவர் சிறுநீர் தொற்று மற்றும் காய்ச்சலில் இருந்து விரைவில் முற்றாக குணமாகி இயல்பு நிலைக்கு திரும்பவேண்டும் என புதிய தமிழகம் கட்சியின் சார்பாக வாழ்த்துகிறேன் — Dr K Krishnasamy (@DrKrishnasamy) July 26, 2018 I wish good health n a long life to DMK chief, Sh. #Karunanidhi ji. May his health recover soon. — Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) July 27, 2018 திமுக தலைவர் கலைஞர் அவர்கள் பூரண நலம் பெற நான் வணங்கும் இறைவனை வேண்டுகிறேன் TNBJP wishes speedy recovery of DMK leader Kalaignar and pray for the same @BJP4India @BJP4TamilNadu — Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (@DrTamilisaiBJP) July 26, 2018 My guru in politics and father figure @kalaignar89 will be fine.. he should be fine..for the people of TN.. he is the messiah of goodwill.. get well soon Appa..we are waiting to hear you roar.. — khushbusundar..and it's NAKHAT KHAN for the BJP.. (@khushsundar) July 26, 2018 Karunanidhi was admitted to Kauvery Hospital on July 18 for a tracheotomy procedure. The hospital had then said that the former CM was admitted as part of a routine medical check-up and that the procedure has to be done every six months. He was discharged the same evening. The DMK chief has been undergoing treatment for a lung disease for several months now. He was hospitalised in October 2016 for allergy-related ailments. In December 2016, he was admitted thrice and later underwent a tracheotomy, which involved creating an opening in the windpipe to enable breathing. After this procedure in December 2016, he requires a trachea tube replacement every six months. In 2017 he was admitted at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai for the same reason.

Health

Wishes for his speedy recovery have come from all quarters irrespective of political affiliations.

TNM Staff

As DMK leader M Karunanidhi is getting treated for a urinary tract infection and a fever, leaders from across the country are asking after the 94-year-old’s health. On Thursday, the Kauvery hospital – which is taking care of his treatment at his residence – issued an advisory about a slight decline in his health. “He is currently being treated for fever due to Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) with intravenous antibiotics and fluids. He is being monitored and treated round the clock by a team of medical and nursing professionals, who are providing hospital-level care at his home,” the hospital said. Hours after the news broke, a number of political leaders in Tamil Nadu visited the Stalin, Karunanidhi’s son and DMK’s Working President, to enquire about the stalwart’s health. Wishes for his speedy recovery and wellbeing have been pouring in ever since. On Friday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Stalin and Kanimozhi and tweeted saying he wished for Karunanidhi’s speedy recovery.

Crime

The police altered the FIR to death by negligence based on a legal opinion on the case.

Megha Kaveri

The Tirupur police have arrested two men for the death of Krithiga, a 28-year-old teacher in a private school, who died after allegedly attempting home birth based on YouTube videos. Karthikeyan (Krithiga’s husband) and Praveen (the couple’s friend) were arrested by the police. Though a case was initially registered under section 174 of the CrPC for suspicious death, it was later altered and filed under section 304A (Causing death by negligence). The police said that they decided to arrest the husband as the couple who did not believe in modern medicine, had not visited the doctor even once during the pregnancy and had opted for home delivery without proper knowledge. But is opting for home delivery a crime? "No", says one of the investigating officers, "The problem is that she died and her father has given a statement that he had advised the couple to meet a doctor. Moreover, they have not even registered her at an urban health centre, which is mandatory according to TN government's rules. A police officer from the Nallur police station, where the case was registered, spoke to TNM and said, “Initially we had put the case under section 174, but since this is a peculiar case, we wanted to get a legal opinion on this. We spoke to a lawyer, narrated the incident to him and on his advise changed the section to 304A. We questioned all the three people who were suspected of being involved in this and based on our findings, we arrested two.” The two men will be produced in the magistrate court and remanded accordingly. Krithiga died on July 22 after she, her husband Karthikeyan and two other friends attempted to perform home birth at the friends’ house in Tirupur. The group allegedly performed the act after watching YouTube videos. The complaint filed by Krithiga’s father with the police said that after giving birth to a baby, Krithiga’s health declined and her husband took her to the hospital. On reaching the hospital, the doctors declared her dead and handed over the body without a death certificate or an autopsy report. The police had earlier told TNM that preliminary investigation revealed that the family did not believe in modern medicine and hence opted to have home-birth. It is also alleged that Krithiga did not register her pregnancy at the Urban Primary Healthcare Centre concerned. Krithiga worked as a teacher in a private school in Tirupur. This was her second pregnancy and she has a five-year-old daughter.

Politics

Fake WhatsApp messages began doing the rounds on social media soon after news broke of Karunanidhi’s slight decline in health.

TNM Staff

A day after DMK President and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi’s health experienced a slight decline, fake news and messages have begun doing the rounds. With the spread of such messages at a rapid pace across social media, DMK Working President and Karunanidhi’s son MK Stalin released a statement appealing to cadres and well-wishers not to fall for these messages. In a statement, Stalin said, “I request the cadres and all others who are concerned about our Thalaivar's health to not believe the rumours being spread by miscreants. Due to the continued medical treatment provided to Doctor Kalaignar, there is an improvement in his health. Doctors are attending to Kalaignar round the clock and providing excellent treatment. As per the request from the medical team, I request the cadres, and general public to avoid coming to meet Kalaignar. On behalf of the party, I request you all to not believe the rumours being spread by miscreants and rumour mongers.” Earlier in the day, the news design template of one prominent Tamil news channel was reproduced by miscreants with fake messaging regarding Karunanidhi’s health. The channel clarified that fake news was superimposed on their templates and urged people not to fall for them. Political leaders, actors and prominent personalities continued to visit the ailing 94-year-old leader through Friday. On Thursday, Kauvery Hospital – which is taking care of his treatment at his residence – issued a bulletin about a slight decline in his health. The leader is being treated for fever due to Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) with intravenous antibiotics and fluids, said the statement. On Friday morning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Stalin and Kanimozhi and tweeted wishing him a speedy recovery. Leaders and personalities who have visited Karunanidhi’s Gopalapuram residence in Chennai include: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, Electricity Minister P Thangamani, Minister for Municipal Administration SP Velumani, Tamil Manila Congress leader GK Vasan, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan, actor and All-India Samathuva Makkal Katchi chief Sarath Kumar, actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan, social activist Traffic Ramaswamy, actor and Congress spokesperson Khushbu, actor Vikram, senior journalist N Ram and others.

Health

The DMK stalwart's family and party leaders have assembled in Gopalapuram and at the Kauvery hospital.

TNM Staff

DMK leader M Karunanidhi's health deteriorated on Friday night. This development came hours after MK Stalin said that he was responding to medication better. According to sources, his vital parameters were dropping, forcing doctors to arrive at a decision to shift him to Kauvery Hospital. His entire family and the top leadership of the DMK had rushed to Gopalapuram residence by 11 pm on Friday night. Most of them had stayed on till 10 pm and returned home for the night. But soon they were informed that Kalaignar's health was deteriorating rapidly and everyone rushed back.

Health

Over 200 policemen were deployed to ensure no untoward incident took place.

Priyanka Thirumurthy

Policemen and crowds gather outside Kauvery Hospital at midnight.

Cries of ‘Kalaignar vaazhagu’ rent the air as scores of anxious cadre gathered outside DMK President M Karunanidhi’s Gopalapuram residence in Chennai well past midnight. The news that the 94-year-old leader’s health had deteriorated overnight had traveled fast. Karunanidhi’s family members, including MK Stalin and senior DMK leaders like A Raja, Durai Murugan, Ponmudi, Dayanidhi Maran among others, who had just returned to their respective homes after spending the day at Gopalapuram, rushed back to be with the ailing leader. While Stalin had, earlier in the day, reassured party cadre and other supporters that Karunanidhi’s health has improved with his fever and infection stabilising, sources told TNM that his vital parameters dropped at around 11pm on Friday. Although a team of medical professionals has been monitoring Karunanidhi’s health round the clock for the past few months, a decision was taken to shift the former CM to Kauvery Hospital in Alwarpet. An ambulance was sent and at around 1.15am, Karunanidhi was brought out of the house in a stretcher, even as a visibly upset Stalin waited by the portico. Three kilometres away in CIT colony, crowds began trickling in and curious bystanders were soon joined by emotional party cadre. Several of them barely managed to keep their tears in check as VIP vehicles rushed past them into Kauvery Hospital. At 1.20 am, the ambulance arrived at the hospital and the DMK patriarch was accompanied by his daughter MK Kanimozhi and former union minister A Raja. Tensions permeated the air as the crowds grew larger and over 200 policemen were deployed to control them. DMK Working President MK Stalin, MK Alagiri and other leaders arrived at the hospital soon after and sources told TNM that Karunanidhi remained in a critical condition. His family had told the media on Friday afternoon that his fever had stabilised, his blood pressure began to drop in the night, forcing them to rush him to hospital. It was former Union Minister A Raja who finally dispelled the unease that cut through the air. He came out to meet the media and public, and said, "Karunanidhi was admitted due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. He was brought to hospital and treated, and his blood pressure is normal now. He is out of danger. His pressure is normal, he is okay. He has stabilised due to medical support." Relief for anxious cadre waiting outside the Kauvery hospital. Chants of long live Kalaignar after medical bulletin says he is now stable. #Karunanidhi pic.twitter.com/STQRDnMGoX — Anna Isaac (@anna_isaac) July 27, 2018 Cheers rent the air as supporters raised slogans praising the ailing party chief and soon the hospital issued a medical bulletin: “DMK President and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Kalaignar Dr M Karunanidhi has been admitted on 28th July at 1.30 AM in the Intensive Care Unit of Kauvery Hospital following drop in Blood Pressure. His Blood Pressure has been stabilised with medical management and he continues to be monitored and treated by the panel of expert doctors." The document was signed by Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Executive Director of Kauvery Hospital. And while this news comes as temporary relief for supporters and well-wishers, the fact that age is not on Karunanidhi's side, is an undeniable fact that looms large. After the announcement, a slight drizzle sent most supporters home, but some stayed back, taking refuge under a flyover, waiting for more news on their beloved leader. Read: Karunanidhi's blood pressure stable, he is out of danger says DMK

Accident

The Chennai bench of the Railway Tribunal took suo motu cognisance of the accident and awarded another Rs 2 lakh each to those who were injured.

TNM Staff

Railways Claims Tribunal on Friday announced a compensation to the families of the victims as well as those injured in the accident at St Thomas Mount station in Chennai. According to reports, the Chennai bench of the Tribunal took suo motu cognisance of the accident and awarded Rs 8 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh each to those who were injured. This is the first time that the Railways has paid compensation without the families sending an application in this regard. In a press release, the bench also said that applications can be filed with the details of the dependents and that a flexible approach will be taken in allowing amendments to the applications. Four persons were killed and several others injured after hitting a concrete fence when they were travelling on the footboard of a suburban train. The railways, later in a press statement, said that the bags of the passengers hit against the Railway cement fence, which made them fall down. The Commissioner of Railway Safety, KA Manoharan, inspected the spot on July 25 and said that an inquiry would be held in the office of the Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) on July 30. He also said that the concrete structure, which reportedly caused the accident, cannot be removed immediately and that the Railways is looking into the possibility of reducing the height and width of the fence. He also said that the Railways would study safety aspects in other stations on the suburban line where passengers fell off the trains and recommend appropriate safety measures.

Politics

DMK cadre and supporters from across the State are waiting outside Chennai's Kauvery Hospital, where Kalaignar is being treated.

Sreedevi Jayarajan

The scorching afternoon heat is no deterrent to the hundreds of DMK cadre, both men and women, who are waiting outside Chennai’s Kauvery Hospital on Saturday for an update on their leader’s health. In the wee hours of Saturday, the 94-year-old veteran politician and five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M Karunanidhi, was rushed to Kauvery Hospital from his residence in Gopalapuram, following a drop in his pulse. The ailing leader was suffering from a fever due to a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) and is currently being treated with intravenous fluids and antibiotics. Outside the hospital, loyal supporters and cadre wait, teary eyed, for an update on Kalaignar’s health. Cadre organisers and women’s wing leaders have arrived from different parts of the city and even the State to express their unwavering support. “He has to come back and meet his cadre, his followers and his women supporters. I reached here at 5 am and I will wait until I get an update. He lives in the heart of every Tamil and he is indestructible. DMK is indestructible,” says Fathima Beevi (52), Pudukkottai district cadre organiser, who is clad in Dravidian coloured red-and-black uniform. Strong support from the women cadre is seen outside the hospital with several women raising slogans and tearing up as they wait to hear from hospital authorities. “Only if he (Kalaignar) is there, will there be development for the women. He has worked to empower us and we will wait right here until we hear from the authorities about his status,” points out Saraswathi, who has travelled from Thiruvallur district to Chennai and has been waiting near hospital since 6 am on Saturday. Even DMK supporters from as far as Theni and Bengaluru have arrived Kauvery. Holding posters, party flags and placards of Kalaignar and Stalin, these supporters have lost hope. Arunaselar from Theni district, says, “We have hope. God will save him. I reached Chennai yesterday and was waiting at Gopalapuram to catch a glimpse of him. I could not. So I came to the hospital at 8 am." Prabhakar, who has come from Bengaluru on hearing about the leader’s ill-health, said, “I reached last night and I’m not going back until he is all right.” The entrance to the hospital has been barricaded with over 200 policemen manning the premises. Tight security is put in place with entry restricted to the public, barring media persons, MLAs and others who want to visit the hospital. The barricades have been moved temporarily to allow leaders and prominent personalities to enter the hospital. Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, AMMK chief TTV Dinakaran, RSS ideologue S Gurumurthy, CPI (M) leader Mutharasan and several DMK leaders were among those who paid Kalaignar a visit on Saturday morning.

Education

The court was hearing a petition filed by S Geetha, who sought admission in Tamil Nadu based on the scheduled tribe (ST) certificate issued by the government of Andhra Pradesh.

TNM Staff

Students who secured a community certificate from another state cannot use the same to secure MBBS admission under reserved categories in Tamil Nadu, the Madras High Court has said. The court was hearing a petition filed by S Geetha, who sought admission in Tamil Nadu based on the scheduled tribe (ST) certificate issued by the government of Andhra Pradesh, according to Deccan Chronicle. She was from Tamil Nadu but migrated to Andhra, the report added. Geetha had filed the writ petition with the Madras High Court, asking them to direct the selection committee of the Directorate of Medical Education to consider her application under the ST category. “In my view, the petitioner would not be entitled to get any relief in this writ petition, since the petitioner has produced the community certificate by Andhra Pradesh and seeking relief to consider her candidature under the reserved category,” Justice S Vaidyanathan said, according to Times of India. “In this case, dehors the question of migration, it is an admitted fact that the petitioner has obtained community certificate from the State of Andhra Pradesh and in view of Clause 18(b) of the Prospectus, she will not be entitled to any relief and her candidature can be considered only under the Open Category and not under the reserved category,” the judge added, according to the New Indian Express. The Times of India reported that the judge relied on the judgement delivered by the Supreme Court in the Mari Chandra case, where the court had said that a person belonging to the SC/ST community who moved to a different state for work or education would only be able to receive benefits from the state they are originally from, and not the state they migrate to. Hearing another plea, the Madras High Court also said that if a person who has applied for a reserved category admission does not produce the community certificate within the time given, their admission would be invalid. Read: Woman reporter accuses Kerala activist of misbehaviour, writes about her ordeal

Crime

Dhinakaran's driver was injured when he tried to stop Parimalam from the carrying out the arson.

TNM Staff

An expelled party member of TTV Dhinakaran’s Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam decided to take revenge on Sunday and reached outside the party leader’s residence in Adyar. Once there, he attempted arson – and while it’s unclear exactly what his intention was, 'Bullet' Parimalam ended up setting fire to a part of his own car. In the attempt, Parimalam himself was injured, and three others – Dhinakaran's driver Pandidurai, an auto driver and a Jaya TV cameraperson – were also hurt. They are getting medical help at Malar hospital in Adyar. According to members of AMMK, Parimalam had been removed from the party last week and he arrived outside Dhinakaran's residence at around 12.15 pm on Sunday. Pictures from outside TTV’s residence show an Innova whose windshield is broken, with two large stones on its hood. Other pictures show a black burn/tar mark on the road near the car. There is also a picture of a machete in a suitcase, which was reportedly retrieved from Parimalam’s vehicle. Dhinakaran's driver was injured when he tried to stop Parimalam from the carrying out the arson."Parimalam is undergoing treatment in Malar hospitals. But we have caught hold of his driver and conducted enquiries. He tells us that this was merely an effort to show dissent towards the expulsion," said an investigating official. On rumours surrounding the nature of the attack, the official said, "There was no petrol used or petrol bombs present.” (This is a developing news story)

Health

The photograph shows Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Governor Banwarilal Purohit visiting the ailing leader.

TNM Staff

Two days after former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Kalaignar M Karunanidhi was rushed to hospital for emergency medical treatment, a photograph of the ailing leader has been released. The photo, tweeted by those managing the official Twitter account of Karunanidhi, shows Vice President Venkaiah Naidu paying the ailing leader a visit. The photograph, taken at the Intensive Care Unit of the Kauvery Hospital in Alwarpet, Chennai shows Venkaiah Naidu along with Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit looking on at the resting Karunanidhi. Present along with them are Karunanidhi's family members, son and DMK Working President MK Stalin, daughter and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi and his partner Rajathiammal. Two nursing staff are also seen in the background. Karunanidhi's health experienced a slight decline on Thursday evening, said a medical bulletin from Kauvery Hospital. Several leaders visited the former Chief Minister's Gopalapuram residence to ask after his health. The following day, MK Stalin had told media persons that there was an improvement in the leader's health. However, in the wee hours of Saturday, the leader took ill once again. He was rushed in an ambulance to Kauvery Hospital. A medical bulletin released at 2.30 am on Saturday said that the DMK president was being treated at the Intensive Care Unit following a drop in blood pressure. His condition stabilised soon after, said the hospital. On Saturday evening, another medical bulletin was released which stated that Karunanidhi's health condition continues to remain stable with ongoing active medical support. He is continuously being monitored and treated by the panel of expert doctors in the ICU. Venkaiah Naidu visited the leader on Sunday morning. Leaders and personalities who have visited Karunanidhi’s Gopalapuram residence in Chennai include: Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar, Electricity Minister P Thangamani, Minister for Municipal Administration SP Velumani, Tamil Manila Congress leader GK Vasan, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan, actor and All-India Samathuva Makkal Katchi chief Sarath Kumar, actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam chief Kamal Haasan, social activist Traffic Ramaswamy, actor and Congress spokesperson Khushbu, actor Vikram, senior journalist N Ram, Communist Party of India( Marxist) leader Sitaram Yechury, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad and others.

Education

The government teacher is likely to move to a post at a school near Tiruttani after the quarterly exams in September.

Priyanka Thirumurthy

Over a month after the students of a government school in Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu protested the transfer of their English teacher G Bhagawan, district authorities are yet to put into force their order to move him to a different school. Scenes from June 21, when sobbing students held on to the young man begging him not to leave, had moved the entire country and temporarily stalled his transfer. But talking to TNM the teacher says that heartbreak for the students is inevitable as he is likely to move to his post at a school near Tiruttani after the quarterly exams in September. Bhagawan was appointed as a graduate teacher at the Government High School in Veliagaram in 2014. He taught English to students from class 6 to class 10. He had participated in the teachers’ transfer counselling that was held from June 12 to June 21 and chose Arungulam near Tiruttani as his preferred location. He was a surplus staff member in the current school and they wanted to move him to a school that required teaching staff. “I have been trying to explain to my students that I need to leave and go help students of another school now,” says Bhagawan. “They are too young to understand. For them, the idea of me leaving is painful. Whenever they see a news story on the transfer they come and ask me worriedly if I have to go but I assure them that I will be here for a while. I am planning to leave after their exams in September,” he adds. While the district administration has not gotten in touch with him yet, Bhagawan says his salary now is coming from the Arungulam school. Recalling the emotional encounter with his students, he says, “I broke down watching them crying and clutching my foot. But the children have to understand the situation.” The district education department had earlier told TNM that cancelling Bhagawan’s transfer would set a bad precedent and would allow for such demands to be made by teachers from all schools. Bhagawan’s bond with his students received high praise from across the country, with actors, musicians and politicians all praising his approach to his profession. The teacher had then told TNM, “I have tried my best to interact with students beyond just academics. I used to narrate stories, understand their family background, talk to them about their future, and show them things via the projector. These projector sessions, in particular, were very enthralling for them. They felt like they were sitting in a cinema hall. It’s probably because of all these new things I tried to do that we developed a real bond. More than a teacher, I’m a friend, a brother to them.”

Health

Despite heavy rains, there was a steady growth of crowd of Kalaingar’s followers who gathered in prayers and hope for the 94-year-old’s recovery.

TNM Staff

DMK chief and former Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi's continues to remain under medical supervision at the Kauvery Hospital in Chennai's Alwarpet. On Monday morning, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam visited the DMK patriarch at the hospital. On Sunday night, supporters from several parts of Tamil Nadu gathered outside the hospital. Earlier that afternoon, the DMK had released a picture of Karunanidhi from the hospital. His family, doctors, party and well-wishers had been relieved that he was responding better to medication. Despite heavy rains, there was a steady growth of crowd of Kalaingar’s followers who gathered in prayers and hope for the 94-year-old’s recovery.

Education

This circular comes after a private school in Chennai threatened to withdraw amenities and shut down if the parents do not pay the fee it demanded.

TNM Staff

The Director of Matriculation Schools has issued a circular to the Chief Education Officers (CEOs) of all the districts in Tamil Nadu saying that no school management could compel parents to pay capitation fee by giving out bare threats. According to a report in The Hindu, S Kannappan, the Director of Matriculation Schools directed the CEOs to keep an eye on the schools and that any attempt made by educational institutions to extort money from the parents must be thwarted. The Tamil Nadu Private Schools (Regulations) Act, 1973, empowers the government to intervene when schools exploit parents. He also said that no private school, no class or course can be closed without obtaining prior approval of the competent authority. He also added that before closing down a school, the management should make arrangements for the students to complete their education. “CEOs are requested to apprise educational agencies that it is not that easy to close a private school because all the schools are run by societies or trusts governed by acts/rules. It involves a cumbersome process and a lot of preparatory work which an educational agency, a charitable society or trust has to do to effect closure,” the circular read as per reports. The law also provides protection to parents and students of private schools against unfair activities like demanding capitation fee over and above the tuition fee. This circular from the Director comes after a private school in Chennai threatened to withdraw amenities and shut down if the parents do not pay the fee it demanded. The school had sent a circular to the parents demanding Rs 2 lakhs as 'caution deposit' and had given the parents 10 days to decide if they wanted to continue educating their child in the school.

Karunanidhi

The Chief Minister reportedly cancelled his programmes at Salem to meet DMK supremo Karunanidhi.

TNM Staff

Vinoth32740606/Twitter

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam met ailing DMK supremo M Karunanidhi at Kauvery Hospital on Monday morning. EPS and OPS met Karunanidhi, and were later seen having a chat with DMK working president M K Stalin. “DMK’s senior leader, the Hon’ble Kalaignar is undergoing medical treatment at Kauvery hospital. His condition is currently stable. I met the former Chief Minister along with O Panneerselvam, Stalin and Kanimozhi. The medical team is close by at all times, and are monitoring his health continuously”, EPS told the media. The CM cancelled his programmes in Salem and took a flight to Chennai to meet him. EPS earlier said that the Tamil Nadu government will provide all assistance required to help Karunanidhi. The former Chief Minister was admitted to Kauvery Hospital on Saturday, following which speculations about his health condition have been rife. On Sunday, a photograph of Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu and Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit visiting Karunanidhi was released. Several leaders from across the political spectrum, such as MDMK leader Vaiko, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and PMK leader S Ramadoss visited Karunanidhi on Sunday. On Sunday evening at 9 50 pm, the hospital released a statement saying that there was a “transient setback” in Karunanidhi’s health condition, and that his vitals were normalising. Shortly before the press release from the hospital, family members and party leaders arrived at the hospital, increasing tensions among the cadres waiting outside. The crowd continued to swell well into midnight. The police then had to step up security and reinforce barricades. Following this, DMK working president M K Stalin appealed to cadres to keep calm and to disperse. Cadres could be heard raising slogans such as Ezhundhu va Ezhundhu va (rise and come) and Odi va odi va (run to us). A huge gathering can still be seen outside the Kauvery Hospital, waiting for news about their leader’s health.

Sterlite

This is the second time that the National Green Tribunal has refused to entertain Vedanta’s plea to reopen the smelter plant.

TNM Staff

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) declined Vedanta’s request to grant interim stay on Tamil Nadu Government’s order to shut down Sterlite plant in Thoothukudi. It also declined the request to permit Sterlite to maintain the unit and posted the matter for final hearing on August 9. This is the second time that the NGT has refused to entertain Vedanta’s plea to reopen the smelter plant. Earlier, on July 5, the NGT refused to grant interim stay on the state government’s order for the closure of the copper smelter plant. It also issued notices to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and the Tamil Nadu government to file their responses to Vedanta’s plea. Sterlite had, earlier, appealed under section 16 of the NGT Act 2010, which allows the aggrieved party to file an appeal to the NGT. In its plea, Sterlite also sought to a permanent injunction against the Government of Tamil Nadu from preventing or interfering with the operations of the plant in Thoothukudi. The Sterlite copper smelter plant in Thoothukudi, owned by the Vedanta group was shut down by the Government of Tamil Nadu on May 28. The order was issued after 13 civilians were killed when the police opened fire at the crowd on the 100th day of the anti-Sterlite protest on May 22. In its order, the Tamil Nadu Government had directed the TNPCB to shut down the Sterlite Copper Smelter plant in Thoothukudi. “Under sections, 18(1)(b) of the Water Act, 1974 in the larger public interest, the Government endorses the closure direction of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and also directs the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board to seal the unit and close the plant permanently,” read the order. On June 18, there was an acid leak at the plant, following which Sterlite claimed that since the Tamil Nadu government disconnected the electricity to the plant on May 23, it prevented Sterlite from undertaking basic maintenance work inside the plant. It also alleged that the acid leak was serious and could have catastrophic consequences and urged the TN government to provide minimal power supply to fix the issue.

Caste

The commission also directed the district administration to conduct awareness events in the school to sensitise students on caste-based discrimination.

Megha Kaveri

In a relief to Paappal, the 42-year-old cook who was harassed by people from the dominant caste in the region, the National Commission for Scheduled Castes directed Tiruppur district administration to make her job in the government school a permanent one. The commission also ordered Tiruppur district police to file an FIR under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act on the Block Development Officer of Avinashi, who had given in to the pressure from the people from the Gounder community. Advocate Panneerselvam, Paappal’s counsel, confirmed the development to TNM and said that the commission has ordered the Tiruppur district administration to submit a report on the steps taken in this case within a month from the date of the order. The commission has also directed the police to file the chargesheet within a month and to arrest the remaining accused at the earliest. “Apart from this, the commission has also advised the Chief Education Officer of Tiruppur to conduct sensitisation and awareness event in the Government High School, Thirumalai Goundenpalayam about caste-based discrimination. The commission specifically said that it was wrong of the school to allow such an incident to happen and that events like this will inculcate the sense of casteism in them, which is wrong,” he said. Paappal who cooked mid day meals in the Government High School in Thirumalai Goundenpalayam was harassed by members from the Gounder community two weeks ago. People protested against her working as a cook at the school claiming that the food cooked by a person from scheduled caste was ‘impure’. Paappal, who has been working as a cook for about 12 years now, belongs to the Arundathiyar community, which falls under the Scheduled Castes category. She filed a complaint with the Cheyur police station immediately after the incident occured and an FIR was registered against roughly 80 people under various sections of the SC/ST Act and the Tamil Nadu Prevention of Women Harassment Act. However, there was no case registered on the BDO, which issued the transfer order to Paappal, following the protest from parents. The police arrested seven persons, named as the main accused in the case, last week and are on the lookout for the others who are absconding. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes also issued a notice to the District Collector, Superintendent of Police and the Chief Education Officer of Tiruppur to appear for a hearing on July 30 regarding the actions taken under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities Act), 2015. Speaking to TNM, an elated Paappal struggled to express her happiness at the order of the commission. “I am extremely happy that they are making my job permanent. I wanted to stay here, in Thirumalai Goundenpalayam since I was born and brought up here. Now I don’t have to move anywhere. I am happy that I gave complaint this time and did not tolerate this atrocity,” she said. Read: Casteism shunted her out from kitchens in 5 schools: The 6th time, Paappal said no

Caste

The Tamil Nadu Government Trained Archakar (Priests) Association meanwhile alleges that the government attempting to keep the appointment low-key.

Priyanka Thirumurthy

Representational image

As 94-year-old M Karunanidhi lies on a hospital bed in Chennai barely conscious of the happenings around him, a result of his decades long political battle against caste is finally bearing fruit on ground. For the first time in the history of Tamil Nadu, a non-brahmin priest trained under the government has been appointed to a temple managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments(HR&CE) Department. The 35-year-old priest who does not wish to be named has been appointed to an Ayyappan temple in Madurai. He is the first among 206 men who underwent the government offered ‘junior priest certificate’ course in 2007-08. The course was offered to men from all castes, so that they could be appointed as priests in temples run by the HR&CE department. The department largely administers Shaivite and Vaishnavite temples, which generate huge revenues. Talking to TNM, Mahesh Kumar* however says his appointment can hardly be considered a victory for non-brahmin priest aspirants in the state. "I am the only one in a batch of 206 students to receive an appointment. I attended the interview and got through merit. But this is a rare occasion. Usually if Brahmins are present for an interview, they are given priority," he explains. This in direct contravention to a Government Order passed by M Karunanidhi in May 2006, where the HR & CE Act was amended to pave way for appointment of non-Brahmins as archakas. The GO stated, that 'should vacancies arise in the 36,000 temples under its control, the best available candidate, irrespective of caste, will be appointed.' It also pointed out that the unwritten rule about hereditary, familial succession will no longer be held. Training was to be further given to those who wished to take up priest posts in temples administered by the government. Following this six institutes were set up across the state. Shaivite priests were trained in Madurai, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchendur and Palani while Vaishnavite priests were trained in Srirangam and Tiruvallikeni. But the move was challenged and 16 writ petitions being filed in the Supreme Court. This made job opportunities for those who were trained impossible and the centres were closed in 2008. Seven years later, the Supreme Court held that the government's amendment was a secular act that did not interfere with any religious practice. For close to a decade after the training I worked in a small private temple and could hardly make ends meet, especially with a family to take care of," explains Mahesh. "Meanwhile, in larger temples, nepotism continued and priests were chosen based on their fathers working there," he adds. V Ranganathan, coordinator of Tamil Nadu Government Trained Archakar (Priests) Association, alleges that the government is deliberately playing down this historic appointment. "Yes, I agree that this is hardly a victory in our fight against casteism. But the government is not even acknowledging this appointment because they are afraid that more non-Brahmins will come demand for posts in government temples. Even now, the Ayyappan temple where Mahesh is posted is a very small temple. The government doesn't want to promote this because they are afraid that we will then demand posting in bigger temples," he alleges. When TNM contacted the Madurai Collector, he said that he was unaware of his development in his district.

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