A protest was held in Sivakasi by the DMK’s Virudhunagar North district unit, urging the government to protect the fireworks industry, a key livelihood in the region.
Speaking at the demonstration, former minister Thangam Thennarasu questioned the fairness of “shutting down and crushing” the entire sector by citing a single accident. He said action against factories that violate rules would not be opposed.
He also demanded strict steps against those operating illegally, but alleged that licensed units were being stalled in the name of inspections, effectively halting production. He said the disruption was also affecting fireworks sellers.
Thennarasu asked whether the TVK-led government had any concern for the industry and pointed to infrastructure initiatives taken during the DMK’s tenure in Sivakasi. He further questioned whether the current government’s budget mentioned insurance support for fireworks workers.
Stating that thousands of families depend on the industry, he said many were now anxious about their future and urged the government to take note of the situation. He also claimed the government had “failed” within three months of taking office.
