5 days ago
Nepal Tragedy Sparks Political Clash in Tamil Nadu Assembly
Many people from Tamil Nadu traveled to Nepal for a pilgrimage.
After a tragedy there, families could not reach some of the travelers.
More than 80 people from Tamil Nadu were reported unaccounted for in the article.
The Tamil Nadu government said 20 pilgrims were safe in a camp.
Officials were still trying to learn what happened to 34 others.
Another travel agency had taken 49 more pilgrims to Nepal, and their movements were being checked.
The ruling TVK and opposition DMK argued in the state Assembly about who should speak first.
Both sides said the government needed to explain its rescue and tracking efforts.
TVK and DMK lawmakers clashed over the order of proceedings on the Nepal tragedy.
The dispute began when Minister Raj Mohan sought to speak before the opposition’s calling attention motions.
The government said 20 pilgrims were safe, while information on 34 others remained delayed.
A separate agency had taken 49 more Tamil pilgrims to Nepal, whose whereabouts were being checked.
Families remained anxious as the government coordinated with India’s Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Nepal.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu’s ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government, opposition Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam lawmakers, and Tamil pilgrims in Nepal.
- What
- A political dispute arose over the government’s response to a Nepal tragedy involving pilgrims from Tamil Nadu.
- Where
- The dispute took place in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, while the affected pilgrims were in Nepal.
- When
- Thursday, during a sitting of the Tamil Nadu Assembly.
- Why
- Opposition lawmakers sought information about missing and rescued pilgrims, government helplines, special officers, and possible travel to Nepal.
Ruling Government
Opposition DMK
Order of Assembly proceedings
Ruling Government
The Speaker initially allowed Minister Raj Mohan to make a statement before the opposition’s calling attention motions, citing precedent and arguing that all members were addressing public concerns.
Opposition DMK
DMK members questioned why the treasury benches were allowed to speak first and asked that their calling attention motions be taken up before the minister’s statement.
Comparison with the Karur tragedy
Ruling Government
The Speaker referred to a previous Karur tragedy during the DMK regime, when then-Chief Minister MK Stalin made a statement in the Assembly.
Opposition DMK
Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin said the situations could not be compared because the Chief Minister was not present in the House on Thursday.
Government response to the missing pilgrims
Ruling Government
Minister Raj Mohan said the government was monitoring the pilgrims’ whereabouts and working with national and diplomatic authorities to bring the safe group to Kathmandu by an alternative route.
Opposition DMK
Udhayanidhi Stalin sought clearer numbers on those affected and rescued, responses to helpline calls, the appointment of a special officer, and possible government travel to Nepal.
Key facts
- People initially identified in one group
- 57 people from 10 Tamil Nadu districts and three from Puducherry traveled to Nepal for the Kailash Yatra.
- Confirmed safe
- Twenty pilgrims from that group were confirmed safe after taking refuge at an Armed Police Force camp.
- Still being traced
- The government said information about the remaining 34 people from that group was delayed.
- Separate pilgrimage group
- Chennai-based Mahadev Kailash Yathira Agency took another 49 Tamil pilgrims to Nepal.
- Government coordination
- Tamil Nadu said it was coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Nepal.
- Assembly dispute
- DMK members objected to the ruling benches speaking before their calling attention motions.
Quotes
Udhayanidhi Stalin
Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly
“Both can't be compared. It was the Chief Minister who made the statement then. Today, the Chief Minister isn't in the House.”
NDTV
“It shouldn't be about who raises first as all are interested in people's issues.”
NDTV
Sources
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