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On Jaya’s birth anniv, CM allays fears of protesting minorities
Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday sought to allay the fears of minorities protesting against Citizenship Amendment Act, National Register of Citizens (NCR) and National Population Register (NPR).
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Coimbatore
Speaking to reporters, in Coimbatore, the Chief Minister said that minority people need not fear over their rights as far as Tamil Nadu is concerned.
“When the DMK was in alliance with the BJP at the Centre, the law over NPR was enacted in 2003. Then, it was implemented across India in 2010 during the Congress rule. It was in 2011, the NPR survey was conducted for the first time in Tamil Nadu, while the DMK was in power. But, the DMK has now been spreading false news with political motives to bring bad name to the AIADMK government and trigger panic among minority community,” he said.
The Chief Minister also clarified that it is not compulsory for public to give information to three questions added newly in the NPR survey.
“One is language, second is residential address of parents and third is proof of Aadhar card, ration card and voters ID. The people can provide information if they wish and it is not mandatory as clarified by the Centre. The Union government intends to take the same survey which was taken during the DMK period. I wish to clarify that the minority people will not be affected,” he said.
On continuing protests, the Chief Minister said that the state government will not take any measures to curb the protests. “This is a democratic nation and everyone have the right to protest. Our government is not the one which controls anyone,” he said.
To another query, if the protesters will be monitored, the Chief Minister said, everyone knew who were instigating the protesters. He also slammed DMK’s organising secretary RS Bharathi for his derogatory comments against the media and Dalit judges.
On the release of seven Rajiv convicts, Palaniswami said that Stalin has no locus standi to raise the issue. “When the DMK was in power and M Karunanidhi was chief minister, a resolution was passed to release Nalini alone and others could be punished. It was a collective decision taken when Stalin was the Deputy Chief Minister and Duraimurugan a minister,” he added.
On US President Donald Trump’s visit to India, the Chief Minister said that he could not participate in the banquet at Rastrapathi Bhavan likely to be attended by the US President due to his scheduled events in view of J Jayalalithaa’s birth anniversary celebrations.
The CM also reiterated that the law and order situation in Tamil Nadu has been good due to efforts taken by the state government to control crimes. “Women can walk fearlessly on roads even during night hours. Crimes have been controlled to a maximum extent with the fixing of CCTV cameras,” he said.
On attacks by DMK over increasing debt burden, Palaniswami asked did DMK issue a white paper, when they got Rs 1 lakh crore loan amount in 2011. “The AIADMK is now paying dues for the loan amount taken by them then,” he said.
Celebrations galore in city
The 72nd birth anniversary of late AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa was celebrated by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and his Deputy O Panneerselvam at the party headquarters here on Monday.
While the party cadre and a few MLAs thronged the memorial of the late AIADMK leader in Marina beach, most of the Ministers offered floral tributes at their camp office before joining the party workers at party office.
Party office-bearers had a day-long series of events ranging from free meal offerings, blood donation camps, welfare schemes for the poor, medical camps for the public and distribution of clothes for the aged and the school children.
After garlanding the statues of party leaders Jayalalithaa and party founder MGR at the party office in Royapettah, both Palaniswami and Panneerselvam paid floral tributes to a decorated portrait of the leaders and distributed sweets to party cadre. The AIADMK leaders also cut a 72 kg cake to mark the occasion. The party leaders also paid tributes to their mentor at the official residences on Greenways Road.
Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar visited a new born in Royapuram and offered a gold ring for the infants born on the day. Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar arranged for a free medical camp at the party headquarters and the camp will continue for the next two days, sources said.
Ministers K Pandiarajan and SP Velumani posted greetings through social media. Party organ news J and Namadhu Amma also carried articles and advertorial promotions paying rich tributes to her.
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