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Tamil Nadu News

Latest news from Tamil Nadu - Politics, Business, Sports, Entertainment and more

Karti offers incentives to speed up Congress manifesto drafting in Tamil Nadu
Politics

Karti offers incentives to speed up Congress manifesto drafting in Tamil Nadu

Congress leader Karti Chidambaram, who heads the party’s election manifesto drafting committee in Tamil Nadu, has reportedly offered incentives to accelerate the preparation of the document. According to the information, 30 state-level office-bearers have been appointed as members of the manifesto committee. Karti convened a meeting with them in Chennai the day before yesterday. During the discussion, he instructed the team that the manifesto should be framed in a way that appeals to the public. He also asked members to collect demands and expectations from people across Tamil Nadu within two days.

Gold rebounds in Chennai, up Rs 400 per sovereign; silver slips
Business

Gold rebounds in Chennai, up Rs 400 per sovereign; silver slips

Chennai: The price of 22-carat jewellery gold in Chennai rose on March 20, gaining Rs 400 per sovereign to trade at Rs 1,11,600. The per-gram rate increased by Rs 50 to Rs 13,950. The uptick comes after a steep decline a day earlier. On March 19 morning, gold fell Rs 270 per gram to Rs 14,300 and dropped Rs 2,160 per sovereign to Rs 1,14,400, while silver slipped Rs 10 per gram to Rs 265.

India relaxes rules for evacuees to bring pets from West Asia
General

India relaxes rules for evacuees to bring pets from West Asia

New Delhi: The Union government has relaxed procedures to help Indians leaving war-affected West Asian countries bring their pet dogs and cats back to India. With tensions in the region forcing many residents to return home, several Indians were reportedly leaving pets behind due to strict air-travel and import requirements, including health certificates and other documentation. Reports of pets facing hardship prompted the move. Following the decision, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) issued a circular directing customs officials to facilitate the entry of evacuees along with their pets.

AMMK will contest only on ‘Cooker’ symbol, says Dhinakaran
Politics

AMMK will contest only on ‘Cooker’ symbol, says Dhinakaran

Chennai: AMMK general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Thursday said his party would contest elections only on the ‘Cooker’ symbol, and dismissed media speculation on seat allocation. Speaking to reporters ahead of his Delhi visit, Dhinakaran said he would be meeting senior BJP leaders. He also questioned whether funds could be allocated to Tamil Nadu after the election announcement. Dhinakaran alleged that people were eager for change, claiming that whatever funds were allotted were being “swallowed”.

DMK manifesto for 2026 polls to be released soon: CM Stalin
Politics

DMK manifesto for 2026 polls to be released soon: CM Stalin

Chennai: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday said the DMK’s manifesto for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election will be released soon, built around the “Tamil Nadu 2030” vision plan and with additional features aimed at executing it effectively. In a statement, Stalin said the DMK’s manifesto has consistently earned public trust, and asked party members to continuously take to people the achievements of the “Dravidian model” government between 2021 and 2026, along with the benefits delivered to families across the state.

India tells airlines to avoid 11 West Asia airspaces amid war tensions
General

India tells airlines to avoid 11 West Asia airspaces amid war tensions

New Delhi: With war tensions rising in West Asia, India’s aviation regulator has directed Indian airlines to avoid flying through the airspace of 11 countries, citing heightened risks to civil aviation. The advisory comes as the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran—reported to have begun on February 28—has intensified. The report notes drone attacks linked to Iran in Gulf countries, including incidents near international airports in places such as Dubai and Oman, raising concerns over flight safety.

Supreme Court extends surrender exemption for ex-Spl DGP Rajesh Das
Crime

Supreme Court extends surrender exemption for ex-Spl DGP Rajesh Das

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday extended the exemption granted to former Special DGP Rajesh Das from surrendering in a sexual harassment case involving a woman Superintendent of Police. A Villupuram district court had in 2023 sentenced Das to three years in prison in the case. He later moved the Madras High Court seeking suspension of the sentence and exemption from surrender, but the plea was dismissed and he was directed to surrender immediately.

World needs harmony, not war: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat
Politics

World needs harmony, not war: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday said the world needs harmony and not war, arguing that conflicts are driven by selfish thinking and the desire for dominance. Speaking at an event in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Bhagwat said lasting peace can be achieved by following unity, discipline and dharma. He added that global conflicts often have self-interest at their core. He said India follows humanitarian values, but noted that forced religious conversions and attitudes of superiority and inferiority continue to persist.

US lost 16 military aircraft, 13 troops in Iran war: Bloomberg
Politics

US lost 16 military aircraft, 13 troops in Iran war: Bloomberg

Washington: The United States has lost 16 military aircraft and at least 13 service members in the ongoing war with Iran, Bloomberg reported. The conflict, now in its third week, began on the 28th, with the US and Israel carrying out strikes on Iran. Iran has responded with repeated attacks targeting Israel and countries in the Gulf that host US military bases. While Iran is said to have suffered heavy losses, the report notes that the US has also faced significant setbacks. US bases in Gulf nations have sustained major damage, and Iran has reportedly broken through American air-defence systems.

Iran weighs Rs 18.5 crore fee per voyage through Hormuz Strait
Business

Iran weighs Rs 18.5 crore fee per voyage through Hormuz Strait

Tehran: Iran is considering levying transit fees on ships using the strategic Hormuz Strait, with charges that could go up to Rs 18.50 crore for each passage by an oil tanker. The move comes as the key global oil shipping route has been disrupted amid the US-Iran war, triggering a worldwide crude shortage and pushing up petrol, diesel and gas prices. US President Donald Trump has said the Hormuz Strait should be seized to curb the price surge, and has called on Asian and European countries to join the effort.

Puducherry polls heat up as CM Rangasamy files nominations in two seats
Politics

Puducherry polls heat up as CM Rangasamy files nominations in two seats

Puducherry is heading into a closely watched Assembly election, with polling scheduled for April 9 for the 30-member House. The nomination process is under way and will continue until March 23. The DMK and the Congress are set to contest separately. Meanwhile, uncertainty had persisted within the ruling NR Congress-BJP alliance over seat-sharing. According to the report, BJP leaders were ready for talks, but Chief Minister N Rangasamy had been avoiding a meeting. In discussions held on Thursday, the two sides reached an amicable understanding, and Rangasamy confirmed that he would continue in the alliance.

Congress submits 39-seat wish list to DMK for Assembly polls
Politics

Congress submits 39-seat wish list to DMK for Assembly polls

Congress has submitted a 39-constituency preference list to the DMK leadership as seat-sharing talks continue for the upcoming Assembly election. In the DMK-led alliance, Congress has been allotted 28 Assembly seats and one Rajya Sabha MP seat. However, the specific constituencies to be allocated to the party are yet to be finalised. To discuss which constituencies to seek within the 28-seat quota and how tickets should be distributed, the Tamil Nadu Congress election committee met at Sathyamurthy Bhavan in Chennai on Thursday. Following the meeting, the party handed over its preferred list of 39 constituencies to the DMK.

Tamil writers condemn Jnanpith award announcement for Vairamuthu
General

Tamil writers condemn Jnanpith award announcement for Vairamuthu

Chennai: A group of 230 Tamil writers has issued a joint statement condemning the announcement of the Jnanpith award for film lyricist Vairamuthu, calling it an insult to the award’s stature and to Tamil literary tradition. The statement argues that the Jnanpith, seen as one of India’s highest literary honours, should recognise not only creative achievement but also moral responsibility and social values. The signatories said the decision undermines the credibility and ethical weight associated with the award.

Seat count not key, intent matters: TN BJP chief Nainar Nagendran
Politics

Seat count not key, intent matters: TN BJP chief Nainar Nagendran

Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran on Thursday downplayed questions on how many seats the party would get in an alliance, saying the “number is not important; the intent is what matters.” He made the remarks while speaking to reporters in Chennai. Nagendran criticised Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for repeatedly speaking about language, and said the focus should be on what benefits the people of Tamil Nadu. He noted that the state has speakers of multiple languages, including Malayalam and Telugu, and said many people from North India work in Tamil Nadu.

Urdu-speaking Deccani Muslims voice discontent with DMK in Tamil Nadu
Politics

Urdu-speaking Deccani Muslims voice discontent with DMK in Tamil Nadu

Urdu-speaking Deccani (Dakhni) Muslim groups in Tamil Nadu have expressed dissatisfaction with the DMK, alleging that key community concerns have not been addressed since the party came to power. Office-bearers of a Deccani Muslim federation said the functioning of the Waqf Board has “deteriorated” and claimed that even a permanent chief executive officer has not been appointed, which they say has fuelled resentment among Muslims. They also alleged that the DMK projects an impression of broad Muslim support by keeping a few Muslim parties close, while those parties remain silent due to election funding. The groups said Deccani Urdu speakers—estimated at 1.7% of the state’s population—feel sidelined despite having supported the DMK’s victories in about 12 constituencies across regions including North Arcot districts, Coimbatore, Salem and Chennai.

Sri Lanka denies landing for US warplanes, reiterates neutrality
Politics

Sri Lanka denies landing for US warplanes, reiterates neutrality

Sri Lanka has refused permission for two US warplanes to land at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport amid heightened tensions in West Asia. Speaking in Parliament, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the government would not compromise the country’s neutral stance despite geopolitical pressures. He noted that requests were made to land the aircraft on March 4 and March 25, but both were turned down. The President said the conflict in the Middle East is creating wider challenges, including fuel shortages in several countries. In response, Sri Lanka has reintroduced a national fuel pass system using QR codes to manage distribution.

Call grows for Navodaya schools in Tamil Nadu amid policy dispute
Education

Call grows for Navodaya schools in Tamil Nadu amid policy dispute

Navodaya Vidyalayas operate across India under the Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, an autonomous body under the Union education ministry. The article notes that 653 such schools function nationwide, and claims Tamil Nadu remains the only state without them. According to the report, the schools offer fully free education from Classes 6 to 12 under the CBSE curriculum, with boarding facilities. Food, accommodation, uniforms and textbooks are provided at no cost, and the stated focus is to support talented students from rural areas.

Premium petrol prices raised by up to Rs 2.35 per litre across India
Business

Premium petrol prices raised by up to Rs 2.35 per litre across India

Premium-grade petrol prices have been increased across India, with oil marketing companies raising rates by up to Rs 2.35 per litre from today. The revision comes amid global supply concerns linked to the ongoing war involving the US and Israel against Iran, and Iran’s actions affecting Gulf routes, which have impacted crude oil supply and the wider fuel market. HPCL, BPCL and Indian Oil have raised prices for their premium variants—HPCL’s Power Petrol, BPCL’s Speed and IOC’s XP95—by Rs 2.09 to Rs 2.35 per litre. The increase applies only to premium petrol and not to regular petrol used by most consumers.

46 kg of gold bars seized in Chennai’s Madhavaram during election checks
Crime

46 kg of gold bars seized in Chennai’s Madhavaram during election checks

Election flying squad officials seized 46 kg of gold bars in Chennai’s Madhavaram area after finding them being transported without proper documentation. With the Assembly election announced, the Model Code of Conduct is in force. Authorities have intensified checks and are seizing cash and valuables carried without valid papers, especially when the value exceeds Rs 50,000. During a routine inspection in Madhavaram, the team stopped a vehicle and conducted a search. Officials discovered gold bars weighing 46 kg inside the vehicle.

Bharathiyar’s ‘Athichudi’: The Power of Mantras and Words
General

Bharathiyar’s ‘Athichudi’: The Power of Mantras and Words

Mantras hold a special place in Indian tradition, and the article says their benefits are believed to come when they are learnt, pronounced correctly and used in worship. It defines “mantra” as something that steadies the mind and creates positive vibrations, with sound helping remove obstacles and lead a person towards a better path. Explaining the term’s origin, the piece notes the Sanskrit derivation that describes a mantra as that which protects the one who contemplates it. It links this idea to Mahakavi Subramania Bharathiyar’s writings, where he speaks of mantra-like power in national expressions and the uplifting energy associated with symbols such as the motherland’s flag.

US Army seeks Rs 1.84 lakh crore for Iran war, arms production
Politics

US Army seeks Rs 1.84 lakh crore for Iran war, arms production

New York: The US Army has said it needs more than Rs 1.84 lakh crore in additional funding to continue the conflict with Iran and to ramp up weapons production. According to the Army, the money is required to replenish and re-manufacture weapons used in the joint US-Israel strikes against Iran that began on February 28. The Army has requested the White House to seek parliamentary approval to release the funds.

Postal voting expanded to five more essential services for TN Assembly polls
Politics

Postal voting expanded to five more essential services for TN Assembly polls

Chennai: The Election Commission has expanded postal voting eligibility for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, permitting essential-duty staff from five additional departments to vote by post, including fire services and the electricity sector. According to the Commission, provisions under the Representation of the People Act already allow postal ballots for voters aged above 85 and for persons with disabilities. Eligible voters must submit Form 12D through the booth-level officer within five days of the election notification.

Tharoor backs Centre’s silence on Iran war as ‘responsible statecraft’
Politics

Tharoor backs Centre’s silence on Iran war as ‘responsible statecraft’

New Delhi: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has defended the Union government’s decision to maintain restraint on the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel, calling it “responsible statecraft” rather than moral surrender. Tharoor said the war cannot be justified under international law and runs counter to long-held principles such as respect for sovereignty. Even so, he argued that India’s silence should not be interpreted as support for the conflict.

ADR: 32% of Rajya Sabha MPs face criminal cases; wealth data flagged
Politics

ADR: 32% of Rajya Sabha MPs face criminal cases; wealth data flagged

New Delhi: The Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) has reported that 32% of Rajya Sabha MPs have pending criminal cases, and 14% are crore-level asset holders, based on an analysis of members’ affidavits. ADR said it examined affidavits filed by 229 of the 233 Rajya Sabha members. It noted that one seat from Jharkhand is currently vacant, and affidavits of three MPs were not available for review. The study also included affidavits of 37 recently elected members.

Registration portal keeps showing ‘Sorry’ as server issues persist
Technology

Registration portal keeps showing ‘Sorry’ as server issues persist

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Registration Department’s website is repeatedly displaying apology messages as persistent server issues continue to disrupt services, users said. The department recently rolled out a new software platform, STAR 3.0, to simplify property document registration. The portal began operating with the new system on January 22, with 18 new features introduced in the first phase, including options to register sale deeds without visiting a sub-registrar office. However, even after nearly two months, the public says they are unable to fully use these features. Users report that even basic information cannot be accessed, and that after entering details at the first step—such as while checking encumbrance-related information—they are unable to proceed further.

Police tighten security for three ex-AIADMK ministers over attack threat
Politics

Police tighten security for three ex-AIADMK ministers over attack threat

Chennai: Police have strengthened security for former AIADMK ministers C.V. Shanmugam, Dindigul Srinivasan and M.R. Vijayabaskar following intelligence inputs about a possible attack plot by Naxal-backed groups. The three leaders recently spoke at an AIADMK protest where their remarks about women triggered controversy. They later expressed regret over the comments. According to reports submitted by the Intelligence Wing and the Q Branch to the government, the groups are allegedly planning disruptions at election campaign stages attended by the leaders. The alleged plans include throwing footwear and stones, and organising women-led vehicle blockades.

Two held in UP for sharing Hindu temple details with Pakistan-linked handler
Crime

Two held in UP for sharing Hindu temple details with Pakistan-linked handler

Police in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district have arrested two men for allegedly sharing information about Hindu temples and other key locations with a group linked to Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI. According to officials, Indian intelligence agencies received inputs that the suspects were in touch with a Pakistan-linked individual through WhatsApp and other social media platforms. Following this, intelligence teams and the Anti-Terrorism Squad conducted a search operation and detained the duo from the Dhaulana area.

Chhattisgarh tables bill proposing life term for mass conversions
Politics

Chhattisgarh tables bill proposing life term for mass conversions

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government on Wednesday introduced a bill in the state Assembly to tighten action against forced religious conversions, including a provision for life imprisonment in cases of mass conversions. The proposed law, titled the Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantrya Vidheyak, 2026 (Religious Freedom Bill, 2026), was tabled by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma. The state government said it is intended to replace the Religious Freedom law that came into force when Chhattisgarh was carved out of Madhya Pradesh in 2000.

One Nation, One Election may cut need for 26 lakh poll staff: Report
Politics

One Nation, One Election may cut need for 26 lakh poll staff: Report

A study report released by the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC) has said that implementing the “One Nation, One Election” plan—holding Lok Sabha and State Assembly elections together nationwide—could reduce the requirement for election personnel by about 26 lakh over a five-year election cycle. The report notes that India conducted simultaneous Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in 1951-52, 1957, 1962 and 1967. The practice later stopped as State Assemblies were dissolved more frequently.

US says Iran unlikely to launch ‘catastrophic’ final strike
Politics

US says Iran unlikely to launch ‘catastrophic’ final strike

Washington said Iran’s ability to carry out missile and drone attacks has dropped sharply in recent weeks, even as fighting involving the US and Israel against Iran continues into a third week. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that Iran’s missile attack rate has fallen by about 90% from earlier levels, while drone attacks are down around 95%. He also claimed Iran’s ballistic missile production centres have been destroyed, leaving it unable to manufacture new missiles, and said its naval and air capabilities have been rendered ineffective.

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