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Chennai, Feb 10 (IANS) Actor-turned-politician and founder of the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), Seeman, said on Monday that he will always oppose the ideology of Periyar E. V. Ramasamy.

Speaking to reporters in Trichy on Monday (February 10), Seeman alleged that voting machines were rigged in favour of the DMK candidate during the Erode East constituency elections.

“NTK needed just 1,000 more votes to retain our deposit, but despite the loss, we remain confident,” he said, expressing gratitude to those who voted for the party.

Seeman criticised the ruling DMK, claiming that the party could only win elections through multiple alliances. He also pointed out that while NOTA (None of the Above) received only 797 votes in the previous election, the number had risen to 6,000 in the recent polls, with independent candidates further splitting the votes.

He asserted his position as a “lone warrior” who does not require an army to succeed and reiterated that his political stance is firmly against Dravidian parties.

“I come from a Dravidian background, but now that I have clarity, I oppose their ideology. They are not driven by principles but by an agenda to exploit the people,” he claimed.

Seeman’s remarks have raised eyebrows, even within his party, as he previously identified as a Periyarist and largely refrained from openly criticising the social reformer.

Sources within NTK suggest that the shift in his stance was triggered by backlash from Dravidian ideologues following a speech he delivered on national poet Subramania Bharathi.

During an event marking Bharathi’s death anniversary in December 2024, Seeman highlighted that Bharathi, despite being a Brahmin, fought against caste discrimination and championed Tamil culture.

In contrast, he argued that Periyar had “insulted” the Tamil language and was wrongly portrayed as a saviour of Tamils. This stance led to significant criticism, culminating in a meeting of Dravidian supporters on January 5 to denounce Seeman’s views.

In response, Seeman doubled down on his opposition, particularly challenging Periyar’s controversial statements on social relationships. Seeman’s shift in ideology also ties into NTK’s broader political strategy. NTK’s state secretary, Karthigaichelvan, stated that the party aimed to challenge Periyar’s relevance in Tamil Nadu politics.

“After DMK’s major defeat in 2011, they sought to reassert Periyarist ideology to mask their internal struggles,” he claimed. “Our leader has now decided to dismantle that perception.”

He also noted that questions about electoral alliances and Periyar have been recurring concerns for NTK. While Seeman had previously indicated a desire to move past the topic, he has now committed to actively opposing Periyar’s ideology.

–IANS

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Mumbai, April 7 (IANS) At a programme of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in Maharashtra’s capital Mumbai, the organisation’s general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale remembered Ahilyabai Holkar. Describing Ahilyabai and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as good rulers, he said that incarnations of those who fulfilled ideals and aspirations have happened in the country from time to time.

Recalling an old incident, Dattatreya Hosabale said, “Last year, a representative meeting of the Sangh was held in Nagpur. In this, the entire society was asked to participate in the Lok Mata Ahilyabai Holkar Jayanti programme and take inspiration from her life and organise various programmes among the people. If there was any shortcoming in the programme, the organisers apologised. I think there is no shortcoming in the programme. However, it would have been more fun if the chief guest of the programme were a woman.”

He said, “Ahilyabai Holkar’s name has become immortal like a star in history. Every incident of her life can be made into a serial, drama or film.”

Talking about good governance, Dattatreya said, “Today, there is a discussion on good governance in the whole country. Every society wants the state to run well, and we live happily. That is why avatars of those who fulfil ideals and aspirations have happened on this land from time to time. The moral right to talk about good governance starts with Shri Ram. Ram Rajya is not just an idea, it has been formed in many ways.”

Referring to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he said, “Everyone knows about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s good governance. How should a state be run and what should be its policies? Shivaji Maharaj had taught this. The state runs with the help of state power and law. The state should run with the law, moral force and the idea of Dharmaraj.”

–IANS

uk

Srinagar, April 23 (IANS) Security forces on Wednesday released a photograph and sketches of terrorists suspected to be responsible for the Pahalgam attack in which 26 civilians were killed and several others were injured on Tuesday.

Three terrorists suspected to have carried out the dastardly attack have been identified as Asif Fuji, Suleman Shah and Abu Talha.

The attackers, believed to be members of The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), opened fire on tourists at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam area, 6 kms away from Pahalgam town.

Security forces said at least five to six terrorists, wearing camouflage outfits and kurta pyjamas, came to Baisaran meadow from the dense pine forest surrounding the Baisaran meadow and opened fire with AK-47 rifles.

The group included Pakistani terrorists, who infiltrated the Valley just days before the attack, Intelligence sources said.

Intelligence agencies have identified Saifullah Kasuri, alias Khalid, a top LeT commander, as the mastermind behind the massacre.

Security forces have launched a massive anti-terror operation and deployed helicopters to spot the terrorists who took advantage of the forest cover to flee the spot.

Preliminary forensic analysis and testimonies of survivors indicate that the terrorists used military grade weapons and advanced communication devices, which indicates definite external logistical support.

The probe also found that the terrorists wore body cams and helmet-mounted cameras to record the entire sequence of events.

The attackers came with full preparation and had stocked up dry fruits and medicines.

Sources said the terrorists also did a recce of Pahalgam with the help of some locals.

Eyewitnesses said that while two terrorists spoke in Pashto (indicating Pakistani origin), two of them were locals (Adil and Asif). The local terrorists are from Bijbhera and Tral.

The precision and planning of the attack also points to the involvement of trained handlers and not local amateurs.

According to Intelligence sources, digital footprints of the attackers were traced to safe houses in Muzaffarabad and Karachi, strengthening cross-border terror link evidence.

–IANS

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