15 Tamil Nadu Fishermen Return From Iran, Efforts On To Rescue Others
A group of 15 Tamil Nadu fishermen who were stranded in Iran following the Iran-Israel war have returned safely to Chennai. They were received at the Chennai airport by Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran, who later addressed the media regarding the rescue efforts.
Nagendran explained that the fishermen, hailing from coastal villages in Sivagangai and Uvari regions, had travelled to Iran for deep-sea fishing. However, due to rising conflict in the region, they were unable to continue working and expressed their desire to return home.
"Upon receiving information about their situation, I immediately contacted the Minister of External Affairs. Emergency food supplies were arranged for the stranded fishermen on one of the islands. Efforts are also underway to rescue more fishermen from another island," Nagendran said.
Since direct flights from Iran were not feasible, the fishermen were brought to Dubai by ship and, from there, flown to Delhi, eventually reaching Chennai. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs for facilitating the rescue. The Tamil Nadu BJP funded the entire operation.
Ajith, a fisherman from Uvari, expressed gratitude to the BJP for bringing them back. "Due to war tensions, we couldn't work and were struggling even for food. We reached out to Nainar Nagendran, and he arranged for our return," he said.
Anto, another fisherman, recalled, "We went to Iran in February, but the situation became tense and we couldn't go fishing for two months. We informed the BJP leadership, and they made arrangements for food and shelter. Tamil Nadu government officials did not reach out to us at all. All 15 of us from our group are now back, though another group on a different island is still stranded."
Mani from Tirunelveli shared the hardships they faced: "The war zone was intense. We needed GPS equipment to fish, but it wasn't provided. Our boat owner offered no help. We remained stranded on the boat since June 13. No one came to rescue us except Nainar Nagendran, who responded within a week of our plea. We haven't received any wages, and the trauma remains. Seeing my wife and children will help me recover. He saved us like a god."
The Tamil Nadu BJP has promised to continue rescue efforts to bring back the remaining fishermen from Iran.
Nagendran also commented on actor Vijay's recent statement about not aligning with any party. "While Vijay now says he prefers to stand alone, the common goal between us and Vijay is that DMK should not remain in power. I had suggested unity based on that shared view," he stated.
"Ever since the BJP and AIADMK reunited under the NDA alliance, DMK leaders have been visibly anxious. That's why they push the 'B-team' narrative. They said the same about TVK Chief Vijay and MNM Chief Kamal Haasan. Now Kamal is with the DMK, even an MP under their banner," he added.
Nagendran reaffirmed that with 10 months still to go before the Assembly elections, political strategies may evolve, and alliances could shift.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Print
32 minutes ago
- The Print
Mizoram's Chakma council has had 7 heads since 2018. Why VK Singh won't have the 8th as BJP loses power
The latest round of instability hit the council on 16 June, when a no-confidence motion was passed against CEM Molin Kumar Chakma, who had formed the first BJP-led executive committee of the CADC, which is made up of 20 elected and four nominated members, in February this year. The executive committee of the council, formed in 1972 under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for the welfare of the ethnic Chakma people, has been in a state of flux, with the Chief Executive Member (CEM), the head of the body, changing seven times since May 2018. New Delhi: Mizoram's Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC), which had emerged as a symbol of the region's ever-shifting political loyalties after the BJP joined hands with the Congress to govern it in May 2018, has been placed under Governor's Rule for the second time in just over three years, due to 'constant political instability'. The motion was passed as 12 BJP members of the council quit the party, switching over to the ruling Zoram People's Movement (ZPM), which secured the support of 16 members—five more than the halfway mark of 11. Lakkhan Chakma of the ZPM staked claim to the post of the CEM. However, despite having the required numbers, the ZPM will not be able to govern the council, located in south Mizoram's Lawngtlai district, as Governor VK Singh took over. The ZPM had dislodged the Mizo National Front from power in Mizoram in December 2023. 'Hon'ble Governor is of the firm opinion that the constant political instability is extremely detrimental for the CADC, and is certainly not what is intended by the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India, which envisions the effective administration of the tribal areas for the good of the people,' read the 7 July notification of the Mizoram District Council and Minority Affairs, declaring the Governor's move. 'And whereas, opinion of the Council of Ministers was obtained and whereas, as provided under Para 16(2) of the Sixth Schedule, the Hon'ble Governor is satisfied that the administration of the CADC cannot be carried on in accordance with provisions of the Sixth Schedule.' The ZPM hit back at Gen Singh (Retd), with Mizoram Home Minister K. Sapdanga calling the imposition of Governor's Rule a 'breach of democratic principles'. When contacted by ThePrint, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma's office said that Sapdenga had already spelt out the ZPM's position on the issue. Sapdenga told reporters that following a request from the Governor, the council of ministers held a meeting and unanimously disapproved the dissolution of the CADC. On 4 July, it also recommended to the Governor that the ZPM be allowed to form the next executive committee in the council. 'It is unfortunate that the Governor, despite seeking an opinion, made a decision ignoring the views of the council of ministers. Though we are fully aware of the governor's discretionary power over the ADC, we see his action as a breach of democratic principles,' Sapdenga said. According to the Sixth Schedule, 'if at any time the Governor is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the administration of an autonomous district or region cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Schedule, he may, by public notification, assume to himself all or any of the functions or powers vested in or exercisable by the District Council'. The last time CADC was placed under Governor's Rule was in December 2022. The 'constant change of administration due to political maneuvering is extremely damaging for the welfare of the CADC and its people, and is certainly not what is intended by the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which envisions the effective administration of the tribal areas', read the notification then. The previous four years had been politically tumultuous for the CADC. The BJP-Congress alliance, formed in 2018, had lasted for about five months, collapsing a month before the assembly elections in the state in November 2018. Following that, the council went on to be led by four more CEM's. The CADC is among the 10 autonomous district councils spread across Sixth Schedule areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura. In Mizoram, apart from one for the Chakmas, there are two councils for the Lai and Mara ethnic tribes. (Edited by Mannat Chugh) Also Read: Congress, TMC oppose EC's 'special intensive revision' of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Rename Lenin Centre in Vijayawada after noted Telugu poet: New BJP chief
Vijayawada: In a politically charged statement that stirred fresh debate in Andhra Pradesh, newly appointed BJP state president PVN Madhav demanded that Lenin Centre, one of Vijayawada's prominent landmarks, be renamed after Viswanatha Satyanarayana, the celebrated Telugu poet and Jnanpith awardee. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Speaking during a rally held in the heart of Vijayawada on the occasion of his swearing-in, Madhav questioned the relevance of naming a central location in the city after Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin, who he said had "no connection whatsoever to India or its heritage." "Why should we retain a name like Lenin Centre when we have icons like Viswanatha Satyanarayana who dedicated their lives to our language and culture?" Madhav asked, drawing loud cheers from BJP supporters. He added that the BJP would work towards rechristening the spot to honour Viswanatha Satyanarayana, who played a crucial role in preserving and promoting Telugu language and literature. Earlier in the day, Madhav, accompanied by several BJP leaders, paid floral tributes at the statue of Viswanatha Satyanarayana, acknowledging the poet's lifelong efforts in compiling a legislative lexicon aimed at recognising Telugu as the official language of the state. At the BJP state party office, Madhav formally took charge as the party's new state president on the occasion of ABVP foundation day. He said he would move forward with the strength and strategy laid down by his predecessors and hailed the discipline and dedication of BJP cadres. "Every worker is acting like they are the president of the party. That is the strength of BJP," he remarked. He also paid tributes to Dr BR Ambedkar, reaffirming BJP's vision rooted in social justice, nationalism, and cultural pride. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Nation-first slogan, commitment to upliftment of the last person in the queue, and the saffron flag – all of these form the core values that BJP brings to the people," he said. Former party chief and MP Daggubati Purandeswari, who was present at the event, expressed confidence in Madhav's leadership. She noted that the party completed organisational appointments from the village to state levels. "With the party's strengthening and his vision for the future of karyakartas, we are confident Madhav will lead the BJP forward in Andhra Pradesh," she said.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
MLA Will Go Scot-Free, Team Shinde Has Done It Before: Priyanka Chaturvedi
Seeking to draw a clear distinction between the actions of workers of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena and a former MP from her party and those of the MLA of Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena who assaulted a canteen worker over the quality of dal, Priyanka Chaturvedi, an MP from the Uddhav Thackeray faction of the Sena, said comparing them would be wrong. Speaking exclusively to NDTV on Wednesday, the Rajya Sabha MP said the law had followed its course in the case of the assault of a shopkeeper by MNS workers for asking why speaking in Marathi should be compulsory while MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, who assaulted a worker in the canteen of the MLAs' hostel in Mumbai, would go scot-free. "The person who is beating the canteen worker is an elected representative of Maharashtra. He's an MLA, which comes with a whole lot of responsibility, and that responsibility and maturity should have come from him. And it's also different simply because Eknath Shinde's faction has been repeatedly indulging in this. If you remember, when stand-up comic Kunal Kamra had cracked a joke about Mr Shinde, a group of people had gone and broken down the studio, which was a means of livelihood for several people, several other stand-up comedians," she argued. The assault on a shopkeeper in Mira-Bhayender near Mumbai, she said, wasn't about language, but "disrespect". "There was an incident which went out of hand and there was a law-and-order mechanism which was followed. These people were detained and they were booked under some sections which were bailable and they got bail... In this particular case, you will not even have an FIR against this man, who is an elected representative. In this particular case, there will be no one to speak up against him... he will get away scot-free... I am not trying to justify anything, I am just trying to make you aware of the difference," Ms Chaturvedi said. 'Situation Escalated' On Rajan Vichare, former MP from Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), at whose office some traders were slapped for allegedly not speaking in Marathi, Ms Chaturvedi said the incident had nothing to do with language. A Shiv Sena (UBT) worker, she claimed, had been beaten up because he asked for a prepaid mobile connection and Mr Vichare had called the attackers to his office to ask them why they had done so. The situation, she said, "escalated" and emphasised that Mr Vichare's constituency has a large north Indian population, which is something he celebrates. Thackeray Reunion MNS chief Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray shared a stage last week, the Rajya Sabha MP said, because the BJP-led Maharashtra government had issued a government resolution (GR) making Hindi as a third-language compulsory in the state from Class 1. "The argument was why should a language be made compulsory and if Maharashtra is going to get Hindi as a compulsory third language, what is the third language in states which are Hindi-speaking? And the BJP was pressurised not just by political parties, but various people, various sections were also outraged about this. That imposing a language is not the right way of ensuring that people learn the language," Ms Chaturvedi said. "When the GR was taken back, that is when both brothers came on stage for that particular issue. Please understand, even I am Hindi speaking, we are not against the language. We have an entire Hindi film industry working out of Mumbai. We have an entire Hindi television industry working out of Mumbai. Out of 12 crore people in the state of Maharashtra, over one crore come from various states that are Hindi-speaking. Why is it that one or two incidents are raising so many eyebrows against one crore people happily coexisting with the people of Maharashtra. So, one or two incidents could also be due to a lot of provocation," she pointed out.
