TN This Week: DMK, Congress, CPI, CPI(M) Condemn BJP’s Scapegoating Efforts

Villupuram district court convicted former Special DGP Rajesh Das on June 16 in the case of sexual harassment of a woman Superintendent of Police while on duty in February 2021. He was sentenced to the maximum punishment of three years of rigorous imprisonment under Section 354A (2) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Tamil Nadu schools reopened on Monday after the summer break for classes V to XII, while classes I to V reopened on Wednesday. The Tamil Nadu school education department will take steps to ensure the syllabus is completed despite the delayed opening, said the school education minister.

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

DMK MINISTER ARRESTED 

Sitting Tamil Nadu state electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate early Wednesday morning after 18 hours of interrogation in connection with a money laundering case.

Calling the arrest a conspiracy, the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday withdrew the general consent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to carry out a probe in the state.

The Madras High Court on Thursday denied interim bail but gave its permission allowing Balaji to be shifted to Kauvery Hospital, a private facility, where he is currently being treated.

After turning down Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin’s recommendation to allocate the portfolios of the arrested minister to other Cabinet ministers, he approved the reallocation of the portfolios on Friday. However, the Governor has not yet seconded the Tamil Nadu government's decision to let the minister continue as a Cabinet minister with no portfolios.

SPA CONDEMNS ARREST

A protest public meeting of the secular progressive alliance (SPA) parties was held in Coimbatore on Friday against the arrest of minister Senthil Balaji. The DMK and its alliance parties condemned the arrest as anti-democratic, anti-people and scapegoating authoritarianism of the BJP government.

The parties asserted their protest is against the BJP’s misuse of the central government agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department to target opposition parties and make political gains.

TNTA CONDEMNS MANIPUR VIOLENCE

TNTA demanded a full stop to the violence in Manipur. Image courtesy: Theekkathir

On Wednesday, a demonstration was held near the Chennai District Collector's Office by the Tamil Nadu Tribals Association to condemn the BJP’s “vicious communal politics” in turning the Meitei people against the tribal population in Manipur.

'BJP GOONS' ATTACK DYFI LEADER

On Friday, it was reported that Dowbik, the Secretary of DYFI in Ammakulam village, Trichy, was allegedly attacked by individuals believed to be affiliated with the BJP. He was pursued by a group wielding weapons, with an alleged intent to cause harm, but he managed to escape despite sustaining severe injuries.

Following protests by DYFI members outside the Trichy government hospital, where Dowbik was receiving treatment, the police arrested five individuals involved in the incident. However, the “masterminds” behind the attack, who are thought to be the leaders of the gang, have not yet been apprehended.