As the people of Tamil Nadu are still trying to come to terms with the aftermath of the tragic stampede at the Karur rally, a social media post by Aadhav Arjuna, deputy general secretary of the TVK, led to some pretty strong political sentiments and backlash.
TVK leader Aadhav Arjuna’s post triggers backlash
The post read, “If walking on the streets leads to beatings, and posting a comment on social media leads to arrest, then when the police have become mere servants of those in power, the only way to restore order is through a youth revolution. Just as young people and the Gen Z generation united against authorities in Sri Lanka and Nepal, youth will rise here too. That rise will lay the foundation for regime change and the end of state terror. When demons rule, even funeral grounds devour corpses.”
Many people slammed the post and called out Arjuna for encouraging violence, especially given the tense situation in Tamil Nadu after the Karur incident. Post the backlash, the TVK deputy general secretary deleted the post, but the damage was done by then. A screenshot of his tweet is still being widely shared online.
The DMK too strongly rejected his words. Party spokesperson Saravanan Annadurai attacked Arjuna and said, “A corrupt person caught in the clutches of the Enforcement Directorate, who is trying to make political deals by showing off the crowd and who has created a huge loss and great tragedy, is calling for a revolution. Is he dreaming that a revolution can be carried out by paying money and using 100 influencers?”
Hema Malini-led 8-member NDA delegation to investigate Karur stampede tragedy
BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda has formed an NDA delegation to visit Karur, Tamil Nadu, and review the circumstances that led to the recent stampede. The team will meet families of the victims and later submit its report to him.
BJP MP Hema Malini will head the delegation as convenor. Other members include BJP MPs Anurag Thakur, Tejasvi Surya, Aprajita Sarangi, Rekha Sharma, Brij Lal, along with Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Shinde and TDP MP Putta Mahesh Kumar.
Speaking to the media before leaving for Karur, Malini gave her condolences and reassured that the panel would meet the families of the victims.