TN this Week: After Curb, CPI(M) Says ‘We Will Widely Screen the BBC Docu on Modi’

Two snake catchers, Vadivel Gopal and Masi Sadaiyan, from the Irula community in Chengelpettu, Tamil Nadu were conferred with the Padma Awards on the eve of Republic Day. They specialise in catching dangerous and venomous snakes and have travelled globally to train other snake catchers.

Over 200 people from Arundhathipuram in Keezhacherry took to the streets on January 27 demanding a proper pathway to the graveyard in their neighbourhood.

Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) party on January 27 said that its website has been hacked by miscreants who had posted a statement alleging the merger of Kamal Haasan's party with Congress.

Adding to the many instances of political party leaders misbehaving with their party functionaries, Tamil Nadu Minister for Dairy Development S M Nasar on January 24 lost his cool and threw a clod at a worker. A video of the same was widely circulated on social media.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on January 23 welcomed the suggestion of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud to make the apex court judgments available in all Indian languages. 

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)and other parties belonging to the Secular Progress Alliance, led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, staged a protest in Madurai on January 24 against the Centre over the alleged delay in the implementation of the AIIMS project in the area. Read more

NewsClick brings you a round-up of the happenings this week in Tamil Nadu.

CURBS ON SCREENING BBC DOCU

Tamil Nadu police arrested Chennai-based CPI(M) councillor Priyadharshini on January 26 along with members of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) for attempting to screen a BBC documentary on Godhra riots showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a bad light.

The number of olive ridley turtles turning up in Chennai and adjoining beaches for nestling came down further this year. Environmentalists worry that only around a dozen nests came up until January 24.

Condemning the arrest, the CPI(M) said it will join hands with democratic associations to screen the film wherever possible in Tamil Nadu and asked the state police to protect the personal liberty of citizens.

The Madras University administration banned the screening called by the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) on January 27. However, students watched the film on their laptops in full public view.

The mass viewing organised by the SFI in Puducherry University, in the neighbouring union territory, on January 25 night was not smooth. The administration disconnected the power supply and the wifi connection. A gang of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) members attempted to create a ruckus. However, more than 300 students watched the documentary.

ERODE (EAST) BY-POLL UPDATE

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is yet to announce a candidate for the Erode East By-Poll. The BJP is yet to take a stand on the By-Poll and is likely to support the AIADMK candidate.

AIADMK interim general secretary, Edappadi K Palaniswami approached the Supreme Court on January 27 for a remedy to get the 'Two-Leaves' symbol, which is withheld by the election commission due to demands from splinters groups.

Kaman Hasan’s party MNM extended support to EVKS Elangovan, the Congress candidate of the DMK-led Secular Progress Alliance.

CONGRESS, LEFT, VCK SKIP GUV’S INVITE

Four of DMK’s allies - including the two Left parties, Congress and the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) boycotted the Republic Day ‘at-home’ reception hosted by Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi.

This is days after all the ruling coalition members skipped the Pongal celebrations organised by him after his tussle with the state government on a number of issues.

JALLIKATTU: TEEN IN AUDIENCE DIES

A 14-year-old boy who had come to watch the bull-taming sport, Jallikattu, held at Thadangam village in Dharmapuri district died after he was gored by a bull. Reportedly 68 participants were injured during the event on January 21.

Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) said if precautions were taken, the loss of precious lives could have been avoided in the last two weeks.

STUDENTS DEMAND BASIC AMENITIES

Around 150-200 Students of Arignar Anna Government Arts College, Musiri, in Trichy staged a roadblock on January 25 demanding basic amenities, including clean drinking water in the college.