Latest news with #P.Shanmugam
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Take action on people who are not allowing temple entry for SCs or STs, says CPI(M) State secretary
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI (M)) State secretary P. Shanmugam demanded action against those who are not allowing people from Scheduled Castes (SC) or Scheduled Tribes (ST) to enter temples. The CPI(M) State secretary participated in a function held at a community hall at Elachipalayam in Namakkal on Friday evening (July 18, 2025) to collect the subscriptions worth ₹3.70 lakh for the party's mouthpiece, Theekkathir. Speaking to the reporters, Mr. Shanmugam said the Madras High Court had ordered the removal of encroachments near the Buckingham Canal in Chennai within eight weeks. People don't prefer to live near water bodies. r They are residing in huts as they have no other options. If their huts are removed, they will lose their livelihood, which is against natural justice. The lawyers representing the government, who should speak against this, are also accepting the orders. It is the duty of the government to save the housing rights of these people , Mr. Shanmugam added. Mr. Shanmugam also said that party flagpoles are the right of political parties to express their ideologies. CPI(M) has appealed against the verdict of the single judge on removal of permanent flagpoles of political parties. The party will continue its legal fight. Talking about the issue around temple entry, Mr. Shanmugam demanded that stern action should be taken against those who are not allowing SC/ST people into the temple. Officials should not delay the issues in the name of peace talks and take action on people who are acting against the law. All caste people should be allowed in all temples and action should also be taken against officials who failed to ensure this, he added. Demanding action against middlemen involved in the sale of kidneys in Namakkal district, Mr. Shanmugam said, 'We heard earlier that weavers in Pallipalayam sold their kidneys to repay their debts. But now people are cheated by middlemen. Stern action should be taken against the middlemen and also against the hospitals concerned,' Mr. Shanmugam added.
The Hindu
06-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Even a person murdering someone would not inflict such violence, says CPI(M) leader
Even a person intending to murder someone would not inflict such violence, said Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary P. Shanmugam on Sunday. Speaking at a protest organised at Thirupuvanam here to demand justice for custodial death victim B. Ajith Kumar, he said that when hundreds of gold theft cases happened in Tamil Nadu every day, why unleash violence on a youth who was just suspected of stealing jewels. 'If this has raised doubts, then the IAS officer under question, who is said to have ordered the inquiry, should be brought under law.' Questioning why the DMK government did not take action against the police officials responsible for the killing of 13 anti-Sterlite protesters even after three years, he said Justice Aruna Jegadeesan Commission report was sitting idle without any action. Under the guise of a special team, all senior police officials were having goons under their control, he charged. In order to ensure fair justice to the victim's family, and to prevent distortion of evidence, it should be ensured that the arrested police personnel be kept in prison till the judgment day. 'As eyewitnesses and other evidence are crucial in this case, the State government should protect them from getting tampered with,' Mr. Shanmugam added.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
If govt. had acted on 24 extrajudicial killings, death of Ajith Kumar could have been avoided: CPI(M) State Secretary
If the DMK government had acted on the 24 deaths in custody recorded after the party came to power, the death of N. Ajith Kumar would not have occurred, Communist Party of India (Marxist) State Secretary P. Shanmugam said on Thursday. Mr. Shanmugam visited the family of the victim at their house in Madappuram here. If necessary actions had been taken against the police personnel responsible for the extrajudicial killings, the six policemen would not have killed Ajith Kumar fearing repercussions. 'If police act on their own and disrespect the law, then who is responsible to hold their reins. More than the crime and the accused, human rights and human life if more important,' he added. Since the police enjoyed impunity from both the law and government, they thought they were above the law. In addition to the six police personnel who were suspended and arrested, a senior IAS officer, who is said to have passed the orders, should be brought under the law. Stern actions were essential to prevent such incidents in the future, he further said.
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI (M) will seek more seats from DMK to contest 2026 elections, says State secretary Shanmugam
Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary P. Shanmugam on Wednesday said his party will negotiate for more seats to contest when compared to the 2021 Assembly election during the seat sharing talks with the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for the 2026 Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. Speaking to journalists in Chennai, Mr. Shanmugam said the CPI (M) will take out a State-wide campaign till June 20 to condemn the 'anti-people' policies of the BJP government at the Centre while also urging the state government to fulfil pending poll promises. CPI (M) general secretary M.A. Baby will address a public meeting at Ambattur on the culminating day, he added. According to him, the DMK government has been implementing several welfare measures for the benefit of people. However, it should, in the remaining 10 months to the upcoming Assembly elections, fulfil all the poll promises given during the 2021 elections including monthly calculation of electricity tariff, he said. He alleged that across India, the BJP is involved in 'divisive politics' in the name of religion. 'Under the guise of organising a conference of Lord Murugan devotees in Madurai later this month, the BJP is attempting to push forward its political agenda,' he said.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Vadakadu violence could have been prevented with timely action: CPI(M) State Secretary
Criticising the Pudukkottai district administration for failing to prevent the caste-based violence in Vadakadu village, CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam on Saturday said the incident could have been prevented had proper precautionary steps been taken. Speaking to reporters after visiting affected SC families and others from the Most Backward Class community in Vadakadu, Mr. Shanmugam said the administration was aware of long-standing tensions between the groups and should have ensured additional security during the temple festival on May 5. 'The violence could have been prevented with timely intervention,' he said. He also met those undergoing treatment at Pudukkottai Government Medical College Hospital. Mr. Shanmugam condemned the police statement issued on May 6, calling it premature as it was released before a full inquiry. 'Such unilateral declarations raise concerns about transparency and may undermine public trust,' he said, adding that the case should be transferred to another officer to ensure impartial investigation. He also urged the district administration to expedite court proceedings related to the temple and sports ground in Vadakadu and said both communities must accept the verdict, whatever it may be. Mr. Shanmugam also urged the district administration to assess property damage suffered by Dalit residents and provide relief under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. He also requested that a completely burnt house be rebuilt under the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam scheme. Later, he met Collector M. Aruna and submitted a memorandum urging swift compensation and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions. Meanwhile, police sources said that in connection with the Vadakadu incident, a total of 26 people had been arrested earlier—20 from the MBC community and six from the SC community. On Saturday, two more individuals, one from each community, were arrested, bringing the total number of arrests to 28.
