Archive · 19 Aug 2026
AIADMK Walks Out of Tamil Nadu Assembly Over Fisherman Issue
AIADMK lawmakers left the Tamil Nadu Assembly after the Speaker said their issue would be discussed on Thursday.
Their leader, Edappadi K Palaniswami, wanted the matter discussed immediately.
The Speaker asked everyone to follow Assembly rules and return to their seats.
He said urgent matters had already been sent to the government.
The Assembly also had important discussions about government department funding scheduled for that day.
Later, Palaniswami spoke about a fisherman from Mayiladuthurai.
He said Iranian pirates had shot and killed the fisherman in Saudi Arabia and injured three others.
He asked the government to help the families and bring the dead fisherman’s body home.
AIADMK members walked out after Speaker JCD Prabhakar deferred their issue until Thursday.
AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami had asked the Speaker to take up a submitted notice.
The walkout interrupted proceedings following government announcements on health, milk prices and legislators’ vehicles.
Palaniswami said a Mayiladuthurai fisherman was killed by Iranian pirates while working in Saudi Arabia.
He demanded the fisherman’s body be returned, injured workers receive medical care and families receive financial aid.
- Who
- AIADMK members, Speaker JCD Prabhakar and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami.
- What
- AIADMK staged a walkout after the Speaker deferred an issue until Thursday; Palaniswami later criticized the government’s response to a fisherman’s death and injuries.
- When
- Wednesday; the deferred issue was to be taken up on Thursday.
- Where
- The Tamil Nadu Assembly in Chennai; the fisherman was reportedly working in Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The AIADMK wanted its submitted issue raised immediately and said the government had not adequately responded to the fisherman-related tragedy.
AIADMK’s Position
Speaker and Government’s Position
Timing of the issue
AIADMK’s Position
AIADMK wanted its submitted issue taken up immediately and walked out when it was deferred.
Speaker and Government’s Position
The Speaker said the issue would be formally addressed on Thursday and urged members to follow Assembly procedures.
Response to the fisherman tragedy
AIADMK’s Position
Palaniswami alleged that the government had failed to give a concrete response despite the opposition raising the matter for five consecutive days.
Speaker and Government’s Position
The article reports that the Speaker said urgent issues had been forwarded to the government, but it does not provide a detailed government response to Palaniswami’s allegations.
Assembly priorities
AIADMK’s Position
The AIADMK disrupted proceedings to press its concern over the fisherman-related case.
Speaker and Government’s Position
The Speaker emphasized the day’s heavy legislative schedule, including discussions on grants for three government departments, and called for order.
- Assembly
- Tamil Nadu Assembly
- Speaker
- JCD Prabhakar
- Opposition party
- AIADMK
- AIADMK leader
- Edappadi K Palaniswami
- Reported incident
- A fisherman from Mayiladuthurai was allegedly shot dead by Iranian pirates while working in Saudi Arabia.
- Reported injuries
- Three other people were reportedly injured and receiving treatment.
- Demands
- Return the deceased fisherman’s body, provide high-quality medical care and offer financial aid to affected families.