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“Arresting BJP Members Over Social Media Posts Is Immature” – Annamalai Criticizes DMK Government

BJP National Executive Committee Member and former Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai has strongly condemned the arrest of BJP member Praveen Raj over a social media post. Calling the act “childish”, Annamalai criticized the ruling DMK government for misusing police resources.

In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Annamalai stated:

“It is highly condemnable that Praveen Raj, a BJP member from Tamil Nadu, has been arrested merely for a social media post.”

He went on to highlight the deteriorating law and order situation in Tamil Nadu and accused the government of turning a blind eye to real issues, such as:

• The increasing drug menace across the state,
• The rise in sexual crimes against women and children,
• The growing number of murders, especially targeting elderly people living alone.

Instead of addressing these pressing issues, Annamalai alleged that the DMK government is overly focused on monitoring social media to divert attention from its administrative failures.

He posed a pointed question:

“When there are thousands of law and order issues, isn’t it shameful for Chief Minister Stalin to use the entire police force just to monitor social media and suppress criticism?”

Annamalai further criticized the double standards of the DMK, stating that:

“When DMK members routinely make derogatory comments about the Prime Minister, Union Ministers, and BJP leaders, no action is taken against them. But BJP members are arrested over minor social media posts.”

He concluded with a stern warning:

“This kind of immature behavior by arresting BJP members for trivial reasons is not acceptable. The DMK must remember that power is not permanent.”

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Context:
The comments came after BJP functionary Praveen Raj was reportedly arrested in Tamil Nadu over a social media post, triggering backlash from the BJP leadership, with Annamalai taking a strong stand against what he described as political vendetta and misuse of law enforcement.

NDA Government in Tamil Nadu Is Certain: Amit Shah’s Strong Statement and Political Strategy

In a high-profile interview with the Tamil daily Dinamalar, Union Home Minister Amit Shah made a bold declaration:

“It is certain that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will form the government in Tamil Nadu. The BJP will be an integral part of it.”

This emphatic assertion marks a new phase in the BJP’s approach to Tamil Nadu politics, signaling the party’s growing confidence and ambition to emerge as a governing force in the state — something it has yet to achieve.

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The Modi Era: A Decade of Transformation

When asked about the most significant achievement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 11-year rule, Amit Shah did not hesitate. According to him, Modi’s biggest success lies in transforming India from one of the weakest economies in the world to one of the strongest.

In 2014, when the BJP first came to power:

• The administrative system was broken
• National security was in poor condition
• Banks were burdened with bad loans
• India was among the five weakest global economies

But now:

• India is among the top four economies globally
• Banks are profitable and stable
• Bad loan ratio has dropped to 2.3%
• 26 crore people have been lifted out of poverty
• Government schemes have reached 80 crore citizens, providing free gas, electricity, health insurance, and food grains

These facts, Shah says, are undeniable evidence of real growth, not just statistical illusions.

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Countering the Opposition’s Economic Narrative

Opposition parties have criticized the government’s claims by arguing that GDP numbers don’t reflect real economic progress. Shah counters this by listing key performance indicators:

• GDP doubled from $2 trillion to $4.2 trillion
• Capital expenditure jumped from ₹1.9 lakh crore to ₹10.5 lakh crore
• Per capita income rose from ₹68,572 to ₹1,33,488
• Foreign Direct Investment increased by 143%
• Inflation dropped from 10.1% to 4.6%
• Forex reserves doubled to $654 billion
• 50% of global digital transactions now take place in India

He points out that ₹44 lakh crore worth of direct digital payments is no small achievement. “If all this is not progress, then what is?” he asks.

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Self-Reliant India: Mission in Progress

The interview also touched on the government’s flagship initiative – Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India). According to Shah:

• India has produced ₹1.3 lakh crore worth of defense equipment
• Exported ₹21,000 crore worth of arms
• Mobile manufacturing has grown from 26% to 99%
• Toy manufacturing, which was 20% domestic in 2014, is now largely made in India

By 2029, the government aims to boost defense exports to ₹50,000 crore.

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Northeast: A Model of Transformation

Amit Shah proudly mentioned the NDA government’s efforts in the northeastern states, often neglected by past governments.

• All northeast capitals will be connected by rail, road, and air by 2027
• 12 peace accords signed with insurgent groups like Bodo and ULFA
• 7,000 displaced Bru families in Tripura have been resettled

He asserts that no previous government can match what Modi has done for the region.

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On the Delimitation Issue

The Tamil Nadu Assembly had passed a resolution against Lok Sabha delimitation (redrawing of constituencies), fearing it would unfairly impact the state.

Shah responded:

“Has any bill been introduced? Has any delimitation process officially begun? No.”

He accused the DMK of raising this issue only to divert attention from internal party conflicts, corruption allegations, and deteriorating law and order under its rule. Shah reaffirmed that no injustice will be done to Tamil Nadu, and any changes will be made through widespread consultation.

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Financial Support to Tamil Nadu: Setting the Record Straight

In response to DMK’s claim that the Centre has not allocated sufficient funds to Tamil Nadu, Shah presented clear data:

• Under UPA (2004–2014): ₹1.53 lakh crore was given to TN
• Under NDA (2014–2024): ₹5.48 lakh crore was given
• That’s 3.5 times more than UPA’s allocation

Additionally:

• ₹1.43 lakh crore for infrastructure
• ₹63,000 crore for roadways
• ₹77,000 crore for railways
• ₹2,000 crore for 11 medical colleges
• ₹1.11 lakh crore for tap water to every home

He also mentioned ₹20,000 crore worth of projects inaugurated in Tiruchirappalli by Prime Minister Modi, stating that BJP is fully satisfied with its contribution to Tamil Nadu’s development.

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Corruption and Misgovernance in Tamil Nadu

Shah severely criticized the DMK government, alleging that central schemes are either not implemented properly or misrepresented. He highlighted specific schemes where there have been issues:

• ICDS – Misuse of funds as per CAG report
• MNREGA – Multiple complaints of corruption
• PM Matru Vandana Yojana – Previous funds unspent, yet asking for more
• Jal Jeevan Mission – Fake water connections reported
• Housing schemes – Ineligible persons receiving homes

Shah said these issues reflect systematic mismanagement, preventing Tamil Nadu from receiving its rightful share of investments.

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Law and Order a Major Obstacle

According to Amit Shah, law and order failures under DMK rule have discouraged major investors from coming to Tamil Nadu. He sees it as a key reason why large-scale investments have gone to other states.

“The DMK government has failed to ensure safety and order. This is the main reason why big businesses are avoiding Tamil Nadu.”

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Final Words: Political Strategy in the Making

Amit Shah’s interview was not just a defense of the Modi government but a clear political message to Tamil Nadu:

• BJP is serious about governance in the state
• NDA is ready to challenge the DMK
• Growth and development will be key campaign points
• Corruption and poor governance will be aggressively exposed

As Tamil Nadu heads toward its 2026 Assembly elections, this interview reflects a strategic blueprint — to present BJP and NDA as not just alternatives, but as credible contenders for power in the state.

Why Is the Stalin-Led Government Betraying the Kattunayakan Community? The Heartbreaking Case of Muthukrishnan’s Death

A tragic incident from the village of Paramankurichi-Samathuvapuram near Tiruchendur in Tamil Nadu’s Thoothukudi district has shocked the state. Muthukrishnan, the son of Muthukumaran and Thirumani—belonging to the Kattunayakan tribal community—took his own life, reportedly due to caste certificate-related harassment at school. His death raises serious questions about the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government’s treatment of marginalized communities.

The boy, a student of Class 10 at the CSI Government-Aided Higher Secondary School, was allegedly pressured by school authorities to submit his caste certificate. According to his family, he faced continuous harassment because of delays in obtaining it. Though the family had been striving to obtain the certificate under legal and procedural guidance, the school’s insistence and the government’s administrative failure reportedly pushed him over the edge.

A Certificate That Costs Lives

The caste certificate in India isn’t just a formality—it determines access to scholarships, educational quotas, and government benefits. For Scheduled Tribes like the Kattunayakan community, this certificate is crucial for survival and upward mobility.

Unfortunately, many Kattunayakan families face enormous challenges in proving their caste identity. Despite court rulings, legal instructions, and multiple protests, the government’s rigid verification processes make it almost impossible for many to obtain the necessary documentation. The result? Children from these communities often can’t even sit for public board exams like Class 10 or 12, as schools insist on these certificates before allowing registration. This bureaucratic barrier denies them not only an education but a future.

Is the Government Morally Responsible?

After Muthukrishnan’s death, police confirmed that he left behind a note blaming four people from the school: the headmistress Sathya, and staff members Beulah, Mary, and Valarmathi. These individuals allegedly pressured him to the point of mental breakdown.

In response, the school administration suspended the four staff members. But is that enough? Tamil Nadu BJP State President Nainar Nagendran strongly disagrees. In a scathing post on X (formerly Twitter), he asked:

“Why is the Stalin-led ‘social justice government’ betraying the Kattunayakan community?”

He asserted that merely suspending teachers isn’t justice. If systemic pressure over a caste certificate drove a child to suicide, the state bears moral responsibility. This is not just about individuals—it’s about a failed system.

Nagendran’s Accusations – A Political But Relevant Alarm

Nainar Nagendran’s criticism isn’t merely political rhetoric. He has raised vital questions about the state’s role in perpetuating administrative casteism. He asks:

• Why is it still a struggle for tribal communities like the Kattunayakan to get a basic document?
• Why has the state, which claims to be a champion of social justice, failed to solve this decades-long issue?
• If a student has to die just to prove his identity, what kind of justice is this?

These questions aren’t limited to the BJP or any opposition party—they echo the voices of countless marginalized families who suffer silently in Tamil Nadu and beyond.

Is Social Justice Just a Slogan?

When DMK came to power in 2021, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin branded his government as a “Social Justice Government.” The administration promised equity, inclusion, and an end to caste-based discrimination.

But ground realities show a different picture. Marginalized communities like the Kattunayakan, Irular, and Puthirai Vannar still face massive hurdles in education, employment, and basic recognition.

Muthukrishnan’s suicide stands as a chilling reminder that social justice can’t merely be preached—it must be practiced. A government that fails to issue a caste certificate to a deserving tribal student is, in effect, denying his right to life and dignity.

Administrative Failure or Institutional Casteism?

One cannot ignore the deeper problem here. The delay in issuing caste certificates isn’t due to a lack of legal provision. The Supreme Court and High Court have issued clear orders regarding simplified verification. Yet the district-level bureaucracy often demands outdated land records, genealogy documents, or proof that tribal customs are still followed—creating an impossible hurdle.

For many Kattunayakan families who are nomadic or forest-dwelling, such documents don’t exist. And even when they do, officials sometimes delay or deny certification out of ignorance, indifference, or even caste bias.

The system itself becomes a gatekeeper against social mobility, turning paperwork into a weapon.

What Needs to Be Done?

Muthukrishnan’s death should not be just another statistic. It must become a turning point. Here’s what needs to happen immediately:

1. Simplify the Caste Certificate Process: Especially for Scheduled Tribes, the application and approval process must be streamlined. Verification should be community-based and time-bound.
2. Administrative Accountability: Officers and school authorities responsible for caste-related harassment should face legal consequences under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
3. Legal Aid and Helplines for Students: Every school must have a helpline and legal aid contact to support students facing caste-based discrimination or administrative hurdles.
4. Special Task Force for ST Communities: Tamil Nadu must create a state-level task force to address longstanding issues of Scheduled Tribe recognition and rights.
5. Public Apology and Compensation: The government should offer public acknowledgment of its failure, along with financial and psychological support to Muthukrishnan’s family.

A Student’s Life – A Society’s Mirror

Muthukrishnan did not die because he was weak. He died because the system was too strong in its indifference. His final letter, naming teachers and blaming institutional pressure, is a cry for justice—not only for himself but for all the children like him.

If the Stalin government truly believes in social justice, it must go beyond slogans and take meaningful action. Otherwise, the phrase “social justice” will be reduced to nothing more than a political marketing tool.

Conclusion

Muthukrishnan’s suicide isn’t just the story of one student. It is the story of hundreds of tribal children who are denied access, identity, and hope because of administrative apathy. The Tamil Nadu government must realize that justice delayed is justice denied, and in this case, it cost a precious life.

It’s time for all political parties, government institutions, educators, and civil society to unite—not in blame—but in reform. Let Muthukrishnan’s death not be in vain. Let it ignite a change that ensures no child in Tamil Nadu—or anywhere in India—ever has to take their life over a piece of paper.