Tiruchendur Kumbabishekam a success story, says T.N. government
In a statement issued in Chennai, the government said the DMK administration had left its mark through the arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the event.
'Compared to the Kumbh Mela, where many people lost their lives and devotees faced numerous difficulties at railway stations, the Kumbabishekam at Tiruchendur was conducted peacefully. The Chief Minister, Ministers including HR&CE Minister P.K. Sekar Babu, and officials have proved to be excellent organisers who ensured the safety of lakhs of people,' the statement said.
The government added that the Chief Minister had instructed officials to make adequate arrangements, including providing sufficient buses and facilities, to help devotees visit Tiruchendur and return safely.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


New Indian Express
25 minutes ago
- New Indian Express
Madurai Corporation zonal chiefs defy CM Stalin's order to quit, stick to posts
MADURAI: A day after Chief Minister and DMK president M K Stalin directed all five zonal chairpersons of the city corporation to resign allegedly over tax fraud complaints, none of them has stepped down, corporation sources said on Tuesday. DMK sources said the five chairpersons, including one male and for females, told ministers K N Nehru, P Moorthi and Palanivel Thiaga Rajan who questioned them on Monday about the allegations, to conduct a thorough inquiry before initiating action against them. When contacted by the TNIE, a zonal chairperson requesting anonymity said they have been told to submit resignation letters to the committee prior to the inquiry. On Tuesday, corporation sources said no chairperson had stepped down. TNIE made several phone calls to corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan to get a comment on the issue, but she did not respond. Former minister and senior AIADMK leader Sellur K Raju, accompanied by party councillors and cadres, staged a protest on the corporation office premises demanding action against those involved in tax fraud. According to sources, cyber crime police found out several irregularities in property tax assessment. Data in the Urban Tree Information System (UTIS) been tampered with and property tax for more than 150 buildings have been altered, resulting in loss of several lakhs of rupees to the civic body.


Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Politicians believe they are kings': HC slams TN police over closing complaints against Ponmudi
Political leaders wrongly believe they are the kings who can do no wrong, the Madras high court remarked on Tuesday as it criticised former Tamil Nadu minister K Ponmudi for 'misusing' free speech and questioned the state police's decision to close over 120 complaints against the DMK leader for his alleged vulgar comments about women, and Hindu sects Shaivites and Vaishnavites. The HC uestioned the state police's decision to close over 120 complaints against the DMK leader for his alleged vulgar comments about women, and Hindu sects Shaivites and Vaishnavites. (File photo) A single bench of justice P Velmurugan reminded Ponmudi, who had to resign from the cabinet on April 27 following the outrage over his remarks, that politicians were not above the law. The court also decided to keep pending its suo motu proceedings against the leader. 'Nowadays, all politicians, all persons making public speeches think Article 19 gives them absolute only sky is the limit. Court cannot simply be a silent spectator. There are reasonable restrictions. There are several sects, religious (public figures) should think about it, when they are in public life,' the judge remarked. '…A strong message should go. So many things are being said, as if they (politicians) are the kings of this country. Whatever they say, they think they can do no wrong. The Court cannot watch these things silently,' the judge added. Justice Velmurugan made the observations after advocate general PS Raman, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, told the court that the state police had examined over 120 complaints registered against Ponmudi following his comments. The police concluded that the former minister had not committed any offence but had merely 'repeated something that had been said decades ago.' Therefore, the police had decided to 'close all complaints' against Ponmudi in the case, Raman told the court. During an event on April 8 this year, Ponmudi had recited a joke linking the religious forehead markings of Shaivites and Vaishnavites to sexual positions, provoking widespread outrage. The joke also referenced a sex worker, drawing further condemnation. Soon after, justice N Anand Venkatesh of the high court initiated suo motu proceedings and directed the police to register an FIR against Ponmudi. Justice Venkatesh had noted that Ponmudi's comments were 'prima facie hate speech, derogatory to women, and offensive to religious communities.' On Tuesday, Justice Velmurugan questioned the legality of the closure of complaints at the stage of preliminary inquiry, saying police cannot decide whether the speech amounts to hate speech 'without a formal investigation.' The judge cautioned the police that if all the original complainants in the case were not informed about the closure of their cases, the court will act strictly against the state. 'We will keep the suo motu case pending. You will have to get acknowledgements from the complainants for closing their complaints. If any person comes and says they have not been served with notice before closing, this court will come down heavily,' justice Velmurugan said, listing the matter for further hearing on August 1. Ponmudi, who was removed by the DMK as the party deputy general secretary following his remarks and later dropped from the cabinet, had previously admitted to making the remarks but maintained he had just narrated a widely known anecdote. Justice Venkatesh, however, remarked at the time: 'These comments spew venom on Hindu sects and demean the moral worth of women,' adding that they may attract multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).


Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
DMK will form govt on its own in 2026, asserts Vaiko
Madurai: Tamil Nadu has never seen a coalition govt, and the upcoming 2026 elections will be no exception, said MDMK general secretary Vaiko in Madurai on Tuesday. He asserted that the DMK, under chief minister M K Stalin's leadership, would secure a clear majority and form the govt on its own. Speaking to reporters, Vaiko said the AIADMK's alliance with the BJP would work against it, as the people of Tamil Nadu firmly rejected the saffron party. "The BJP is being controlled by the RSS, which is trying hard to gain a foothold in the Dravidian heartland. But Tamil Nadu will not allow it," he said. He reaffirmed MDMK's continued support to the DMK, emphasising that their partnership was built on shared ideology and values. "We are in alliance not for convenience, but for principles. We opposed the invitation to Sri Lankan President Rajapakse for Modi's swearing-in even when we were part of the NDA. We stand firm on protecting Tamil interests," Vaiko said. When asked about anti-incumbency, he admitted that every ruling party faces it, including the DMK. However, he praised the state govt for delivering on key welfare promises. "Stalin implemented several schemes, even beyond the manifesto. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like LG, KT, SK 모든 통신사 개통당일 현금 100만원 당일 지급! 똑똑하게 돌려받자! 인싸통 더 알아보기 Undo The Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thittam, which gives 1,000 to more than 1.15 crore women, is a shining example," he added. On seat-sharing, Vaiko clarified that the MDMK did not make any specific numerical demand. "To be recognised as a political party, we need to win at least eight seats. So naturally, we'll ask for more than that. But we never said we want exactly 10 or 12," he said. He also announced a statewide conference in Trichy on Sept 15. Party MP Durai Vaiko said zonal-level meetings with cadres were ongoing and announced that former CM C N Annadurai's birth anniversary would be commemorated in Trichy.