The Mooknayak Visual Story: NCRB data exposes the Tamil Nadu state government’s claims
There has been a massive 67% increase in atrocities against Dalits in Tamil Nadu. NCRB data exposes the state government’s claims. Learn the full ground reality. NCRB data reveals a major revelation on atrocities against Dalits in Tamil Nadu The DMK has long touted Tamil Nadu as a model of governance for social justice. However, data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) tell a different story. A thorough analysis of these reports reveals a massive 67% increase in atrocities against Dalits and tribals in the state. It’s noteworthy that both the AIADMK and DMK have been in power during this period. According to the NCDHR report, “Five Years of Caste-Based Atrocity,” Tamil Nadu saw a 67.9 percent increase in crimes against Dalits between 2019 and 2023, the highest in the country. Madhya Pradesh, with 55.3 percent and Odisha, with 42.9 percent, came in second and third. These figures indicate a wide gap between the language of social justice and the real lives of Dalits in the state. Rajan Chaudhary Courtesy: Hindi News
A Dalit bride arrived at the Udaipur Collectorate on a horse, carrying a picture of Jyotiba Phule! Learn the full story.
People were stunned, as the Bhim Army announced, “Now, no Dalit daughter in Rajasthan will be dismounted…!” Udaipur – A unique and powerful demonstration was witnessed in the heart of Udaipur on Thursday. A newlywed woman sat on a horse, holding pictures of Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule. Hundreds of Bhim Army workers marched alongside her, chanting slogans. As the convoy moved forward, shouting, “Now, no Dalit daughter in Rajasthan will be dismounted,” traffic stopped, and people stood in awe. The entire atmosphere echoed with chants of “Jai Bhim.” This was the same bride, Pooja Meghwal, whose wedding procession was taking place a few days earlier, on the night of April 29th, in Hariav village, under the Dabok police station area. Meanwhile, about 15 villagers, including women, stopped the procession, hurling casteist slurs. The accused forcibly dismounted the bride from the horse, shut down the DJ, and attacked the wedding procession with stones, sticks, rods, and swords. Fifteen people were injured in the attack, and women’s mangalsutras were snatched. On Thursday, newlywed Pooja returned on horseback to seek justice from the authorities. She said, “I was insulted, my family was assaulted.” She becomes emotional as she speaks. Recalling that moment is a traumatic experience for her, as a wedding day is considered the happiest day in a young woman’s life, but on that very day, she and her family suffered humiliation. In protest against this humiliation and oppression, Pooja Meghwal herself rode a horseback to the District Collectorate with the Bhim Army. The rally, which began at the Town Hall, traveled through various routes to the district headquarters, where protesters submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister. Bhim Army State President Jitendra Hatwal said that the police administration should take strict action, not try to protect such criminals with a casteist mindset. The entire matter is clear and within the police administration’s knowledge: the bride was pulled off the horse, pelted with stones, and attacked with sticks and rods, resulting in numerous injuries. The administration should take strict action against such people with a casteist mindset, rather than trying to protect them. The emboldening of such casteist individuals in Rajasthan is growing, which is why such incidents are unstoppable throughout Rajasthan. Spokesperson Anil Panor warned, “If the government doesn’t take strict action against such criminals, the stone pelters of Rajasthan will be replaced by the stone pelters of Kashmir.” Bhim Army Vice President Roshan Meghwal stated that the organization demanded that only four people have been arrested, while all nine named accused should have been arrested immediately. They demanded the replacement of the investigating officer and the provision of security and compensation to the victim’s family. If their demands are not met, a Jaipur siege program will be organized soon. The rally, which began at Town Hall and traveled through various routes to the district headquarters, demanded the immediate arrest of the other perpetrators and strict action against them. A memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister through the District Collector. Azad Samaj Party State Vice President Gopal Parmar, National Committee Member Satyawan Indsar, State Vice President Lala Meghwal, Bhim Army District President Kundan Khokawat, Dinesh Meghwal, Amrit Lal Yadav, Senior Vice President, State General Secretary Suresh Meghvanshi, social worker Ravi Meghwal, Roshan Meghwal, General Secretary Om Prakash Meghwal, Division Media Incharge Ravi Meghwal, Mewal President Shanti Lal Meghwal, Chetram Bairwa, Naresh Meghvanshi, and officials from across the Bahujan Samaj Party were present at the protest. The Bhim Army described the bride Pooja Meghwal’s participation in the protest on horseback as a “return of honor.” Activists say that the Manuwadis had dismounted her from the horse, so by remounting her, the Bhim Army has sent a message to all of Rajasthan that the disrespect of Dalit women will no longer be tolerated. This protest, which ended with chants of “Jai Bhim,” garnered considerable attention in the city of Udaipur. Geetha Sunil Pillai Courtesy: Hindi News
Congress has no ideology, says Karnataka LoP Ashoka as party dumps DMK for Vijay’s TVK in TN
The Congress wasted no time in joining hands with TVK. TUMAKURU: Leader of Opposition R Ashoka has said that the true colour of the Congress has been revealed after it joined hands with Vijay’s TVK in Tamil Nadu, ditching its long-time ally, the DMK. “Now any party that wants to have an alliance with the Congress needs to rethink,” Ashoka said. The Congress has entered into an alliance with TVK, breaking its pre-poll alliance with the DMK. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Ashoka said, “The DMK lost the election. The Congress wasted no time in joining hands with TVK. The Congress has no ideology. Congress has broken the trust of DMK… that is why people do not trust the Congress.” Those in INDIA bloc and others who wish to join hands with the Congress now need to rethink, he said. “The Congress has backstabbed the DMK. After the betrayal, the DMK is now left alone,” the BJP leader said, adding that the Congress has now grabbed the “winning horse’s tail”. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Orissa HC seeks Utkal University’s response on Ombudsman appointment PIL
The petitioner highlighted the university’s alleged non-compliance with statutory requirements. CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has sought response from the registrar of Utkal University on a PIL seeking appointment of an Ombudsman at the institution, as mandated under the UGC regulations on student grievance redressal. The petition was filed by advocate and Bhubaneswar-based human rights activist Prabir Kumar Das. The matter came up for hearing on Wednesday. Appearing in person, Das presented his submissions, highlighting the university’s alleged non-compliance with statutory requirements. The two-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Harish Tandon and Justice MS Raman issued notice to the registrar of Utkal University, seeking a response within two weeks in this connection. As per the petition, the UGC (Redressal of Grievances of Students) Regulations, 2021, mandates the constitution of a Students Grievances Redressal Committee (SGRC) under Regulation 5 to address student complaints, and appointment of Ombudsman under Regulation 6 to hear appeals against SGRC decisions. The petition pointed out that though the UGC in a letter dated April 12, 2021 had directed universities to appoint an Ombudsman within 30 days of notification, Utkal University had allegedly failed to comply. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Allahabad HC defers hearing on plea seeking probe into Rahul Gandhi’s alleged disproportionate assets
Division bench of Justices Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Zafeer Ahmad passed the order on a BJP worker’s plea, directing documents be sealed. LUCKNOW: In order to avoid an open court hearing while exercising utmost caution with documents attached to the case file, the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Wednesday deferred the hearing on a plea seeking a probe into the alleged disproportionate assets (DA) of Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, till May 12. The division bench, comprising Justice Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Justice Zafeer Ahmad, passed the order on a writ petition filed by Karnataka BJP worker S. Vignesh Shishir, while directing that the documents related to the case be kept in a sealed envelope. The petitioner moved the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on April 25, 2026, and the bench took up the case for its first hearing on May 6, 2026. Interestingly, both judges heard the matter in their chamber. After Wednesday’s hearing, they issued directions to seal the entire copy of the writ petition before them, and it was ordered to be kept in the custody of the Senior Registrar of the High Court. The judges further directed the Senior Registrar to place the case file before the bench on May 12 at 2:15 pm for a further hearing in chambers. “The seal shall be opened by the Bench Secretary of this Court on the next date of listing,” the judges ordered. Significantly, prior to the commencement of the hearing, the petitioner moved an application urging the bench to direct the authorities concerned to preserve the records of the present writ petition in safe custody. The petitioner has levelled serious allegations against the Congress leader, claiming that he has allegedly amassed substantial wealth from unknown sources. The petitioner has made the Government of India, CBI, ED, CBDT, Uttar Pradesh Police and the Director of the Serious Fraud Investigation Office, New Delhi, parties to the petition, and has sought directions from the court for an inquiry into the matter. The hearing was deferred after counsel for the central and state agencies sought time to obtain written instructions. After the first hearing, the bench recorded in its order that the petitioner had argued at length, following which counsel for the opposite parties requested a short adjournment to obtain written instructions from their respective governments and agencies. Agreeing to this request, the bench posted the matter for the next hearing on May 12. Namita Bajpai Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
In the last five years, Tamil Nadu saw a 67% jump in atrocities against Dalits: NCDHR
While anti-incumbency, governance concerns, and political strategy have been considered reasons for the DMK’s defeat, the continued violence against Dalits and the state’s response to caste atrocities also deserve serious attention. The 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election results have triggered intense discussions on the reasons for the DMK’s defeat and the TVK’s rapid rise. While anti-incumbency, governance concerns, and political strategy have all been debated, the continued violence against Dalits and growing dissatisfaction over the state’s response to caste atrocities also deserve serious attention. The DMK has long projected Tamil Nadu as a model of social justice governance. However, data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) presents a troubling reality. An in-depth perusal of the data reveals a 67% increase in atrocities against Dalits and Adivasis. The contradiction between the language of social justice and the lived realities of caste violence raises difficult questions about how Tamil Nadu’s political parties understand and implement social justice. What the data shows An NCDHR report titled Five Years of Caste-Based Atrocity: An Analysis of Crime Against Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes 2019-2023 points to an increase in atrocity cases in Tamil Nadu and at an all-India level. Tamil Nadu recorded a 67.9% increase — the highest in the country — followed by Madhya Pradesh (55.3%) and Odisha (42.9%). NCRB’s Crime in India 2023 further highlights alarming trends. Murders of Dalits increased by 40.4% (from 52 cases in 2019 to 73 in 2023). Grievous hurt cases rose by 240% (from 5 to 17). Criminal intimidation surged by 584.8% (from 46 to 315) These statistical figures reflect how caste continues to operate as a system of control and violence when Dalits assert their rights in the state. Violence against Dalit women and girls Gender-based caste crime against Dalit women and girls has also increased. Overall rape cases increased from 97 in 2019 to 132 in 2023 — a 36.1% jump. 2022 saw the highest cases (166). The prevalence of rape cases is higher among Dalit girls than adult women. Rape of Dalit women decreased by 14%, but the rape of Dalit girls escalated by 73.2%. In 2019, 56 rape cases were recorded. That increased to 97 in 2023. Rapes are not isolated incidents targeting individuals, especially when it is against Dalit women and girls. Often, rape is weaponised as a tool of caste oppression. ‘Assault on women and minor girls with an ‘intent to outrage her modesty’ has increased from 19 cases in 2019 to 74 in 2023 — a 289.5% increase. Judicial failures, state apathy The justice system’s response remains deeply inadequate. In 2023, the conviction rate in atrocity cases against Dalits was at just 12.2%, while the acquittal rate was a staggering 87.8%. Meanwhile, the pendency rate of atrocity cases is at 87.7%. A significant reason is the inadequate number of exclusive special courts that are supposed to conduct speedy trials. Tamil Nadu has only 20 exclusive special courts, according to the State Annual Report (2024) Data. According to section 16 of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) Act, the state-level vigilance and monitoring committee has to meet twice a year. These statutorily mandated meetings have not been properly conducted in Tamil Nadu since 2021. Only one meeting was conducted in 2021, 2022 and 2023. The committee did not meet even once in 2024. Notably, the chief minister is the chairperson of this committee. This is not an administrative lapse but is reflective of the state’s priorities its casteist attitude to Dalits and Adivasis In criminal law, including atrocity cases, the state prosecutes the accused. Therefore, the high rate of acquittals reflects not the failure of victims, but the failure of the state and its mechanism. The provisions of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities (PoA) Act require the state to effectively oversee the case from the investigative stage to the final prosecution. The state is also required to ensure compensation, rehabilitation and protection for victims. Further, the state must protect and provide travel and maintenance funds for both victims and witnesses during the trial. In reality, there are gaps at every stage. The very process becomes exhausting and punishing for victims. Custodial violence The Prison Statistics India (PSI) reports reveal that Dalits are disproportionately subject to custodial violence under the cover of preventive detention laws. In 2021, SC persons accounted for 657 detainees, constituting 37% of the total detainees in the state. Strikingly, Tamil Nadu alone accounted for 84.5% of all SC detainees in India. By 2023, the share of SC detainees in the state further increased to 42.2%, despite SCs comprising only around 20% of the population in the state as per the 2011 census. The electoral defeat of the DMK reflects, among several factors, growing dissatisfaction over the gap between the rhetoric of social justice and the continued vulnerability of Dalit communities to caste violence and discrimination. At the same time, the TVK’s rapid rise within just two years of its formation reflects the strong celebrity-driven appeal and cinematic influence that continue to shape Tamil Nadu politics, particularly among younger voters seeking an alternative to the traditional Dravidian parties. However, political change driven by charisma, celebrity culture, and anti-incumbency sentiment alone cannot guarantee structural justice for marginalised communities. Concerns regarding TVK’s silence and response to recent critical issues, including the “honour” killing of Dalit techie Kavin Selvaganesh, intensified public scrutiny over how seriously caste-based violence will be addressed. The crucial question remains whether TVK will move beyond political symbolism and ensure prompt prevention of atrocities, effective investigation, accountability, victim protection, and stronger implementation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Written by:Deepesh Chithra Edited by:Bharathy Singaravel Author bio: Deepesh Chithra is the Research & Advocacy Officer at the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights (NCDHR) in New Delhi. Courtesy : TNM Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewsminute.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Dalit student beaten, called casteist slurs at UoH. Admin delayed action, says protesting ASA
Members of the Ambedkar Students’ Association demand that the report by the fact-finding committee be released and action taken accordingly. New Delhi: Several students at the University of Hyderabad are protesting against the administration, accusing it of not taking appropriate action on an alleged incident of atrocity involving a Dalit student. The students have accused the university of downplaying the incident, as the administration has imposed only a Rs 5,000 fine on the accused student and did not release the findings of a fact-finding committee. The incident occurred on 11 December 2025, when a second-year master’s student, Anuj Kumar, was allegedly assaulted and abused with casteist slurs by another student in the hostel during a fight. Members of the Ambedkar Students’ Association (ASA) claimed the conflict began after a personal disagreement between the accused student and his friends escalated into violence. “It is like they put a price on my dignity. And they didn’t inform me about anything regarding this matter. The incident happened in December, and we have been fighting since, but no appropriate action has been taken,” said Kumar. The protest is being led by the ASA, which has issued a sharp statement alleging that the university had “put a price on the abuse of Dalit bodies — and it’s incredibly cheap”. “Anuj tried to intervene when his friend was being beaten, and then he himself was assaulted and abused with casteist remarks,” said Bishnu Jain, a member of ASA. Kumar alleged that he filed a formal complaint in December, but the university administration delayed action for months. The accused student has also filed a ragging complaint against Kumar and the other student with the administration, which has led to parallel proceedings within the university. ‘Three punishment orders issued’ After continued protests, the university constituted a fact-finding committee headed by the Liaison Officer for SC/ST and anti-discrimination cell officials. “The committee prepared a detailed report of more than 150 pages, but the administration has refused to make it public. Our demand is to make the report publicly available and punish the accused student accordingly,” said Kumar. However, students allege that instead of releasing the report, the administration privately informed the accused student of a Rs 5,000 penalty and asked him to issue an apology. “The administration did not even officially inform the complainant about the punishment,” Jain alleged, adding that the ASA sees the penalty as “grossly inadequate” for a case involving alleged caste violence. “The committee has done detailed work. We want the report to be released and action to be taken according to its findings,” Kumar said. On 4 May, ASA students announced a relay hunger strike outside the administration building. A university functionary told ThePrint that the administration acted on the recommendations of statutory bodies, including the Anti-Discrimination Officer and the Equal Opportunity Cell, which reviewed the fact-finding committee’s report. “It is not only Rs 5,000. There are three punishment orders issued. In two cases, he has been fined Rs 5,000, plus another Rs 5,000. He has been asked to submit an apology to the student, and if he doesn’t comply with all the directions, his degree will be withheld. He has also been asked not to apply for any University of Hyderabad course because he will not be admitted here,” said the functionary on the condition of anonymity. Nootan Sharma (Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav) Courtesy : The Print Note: This news is originally published on https:/theprint.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
MP Dalit family beaten for failing to meet temple donation demand
A few women and children were also caught in the violent attack, while several others sustained injuries. Chhatarpur: A Dalit family was violently assaulted for failing to provide an adequate amount of wheat as a donation for a local temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Chhatrapur district. The incident occurred in the Maharajganj village, where local strongmen allegedly harassed the victim at their house and demanded two quintals (200 kilograms) of wheat as a form of temple donation. The situation turned violent when the family said they were unable to donate. The accused allegedly dragged the family out, abused them, and attacked with rods, bricks, sticks, and stones. A few women and children were also caught in the violent attack, while several others sustained injuries and were left bleeding. According to NDTV, the victims said they gave whatever they could, leaving some for their own family’s needs. “If I give away my wheat as a donation, what will I feed my children for the rest of the year?” the victim reportedly told the men who were collecting the contribution. A video of the incident, which surfaced on Wednesday, May 6, has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread outrage as it showed villagers beating the victims aggressively with sticks. One of the victims’ clothes was removed in the assault. The victims claimed Shyam Patel, Hardayal Patel, Kripal Patel, Raja Bhaiya Patel, Ramswaroop Patel, Bhagwatdayal Patel, and others were involved in the attack. The remaining wheat was forcibly seized and taken away, the family alleged. However, the vehicle reportedly used to transport the wheat has not yet been recovered, they said. “The incident stemmed from a request for wheat donations for a temple, which subsequently escalated into a physical altercation. The accused individuals have been arrested, and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with the law,” the Maharajganj police told the media. Four accused have been arrested, and one is absconding. They have been booked under the provisions of the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe Act. The victims remain unsatisfied, alleging that it was a deliberate and organised assault as they were pressured based on their caste under the guise of temple donation. They questioned the inaction against the committee on whose orders the accused were using pressure tactics to collect donations. Posted by Khadija Irfan Rahim Courtesy : TSD Note: This news is originally published on https:/thesiasatdaily.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Divide emerges in Dehradun’s transgender community; Civic body caps congratulatory amount at Rs 5,100
The Dehradun Municipal Corporation fixed Rs 5,100 as the maximum congratulatory amount for transgender people, sparking debate. While officials claim it ensures fairness, divisions within the transgender community have surfaced, with some opposing the cap and others calling for recognition of their traditional practices. Dehradun: The fourth board meeting of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation has triggered controversy after deciding to fix the maximum congratulatory amount for transgender people at Rs 5,100. While the civic body claims the move will prevent arbitrary demands, the decision has created divisions within the transgender community. The decision During the meeting, councilors debated concerns about transgender individuals demanding varying amounts during congratulatory ceremonies. After long discussions, the board approved a cap of Rs 5,100. Mayor Saurabh Thapliyal confirmed the decision, saying it was necessary to bring uniformity and fairness. Community divide The transgender community in Dehradun is now split over the ruling. Some members argue that the cap undermines their traditional practices, which have cultural and social significance. They believe the civic body should not interfere in their customs. Others, however, feel the decision could reduce tensions with the public and ensure a more respectful relationship. This divide has sparked discussions about how modern governance interacts with age-old traditions. For many transgender individuals, congratulatory ceremonies are not just about money but about recognition and dignity. Meeting uproar The board meeting itself was marked by uproar, with BJP and Congress councilors clashing repeatedly. Out of 65 proposals, many could not be discussed due to disruptions. The meeting will reconvene on Thursday to address pending issues. Other decisions Alongside the transgender donation cap, the board also approved an increase in the honorarium of sanitation workers (environmental friends) from Rs 500 to Rs 800 per day. Officials said this would improve morale and ensure better cleanliness across wards. Mayor’s statement Mayor Thapliyal said, “Important decisions were made today, including fixing the maximum congratulatory amount for transgender individuals at Rs 5,100 and raising sanitation workers’ honorarium. The remaining proposals will be discussed tomorrow.” Public impact Transgender community: The cap has created internal divisions, with debates over tradition versus regulation. Sanitation workers: The honorarium hike is widely welcomed, offering financial relief and recognition. Residents: The decisions reflect attempts to balance social concerns with civic development, though political clashes slowed progress. The Dehradun Municipal Corporation’s decision to cap transgender congratulatory amounts at Rs 5,100 has highlighted a deeper divide within the community. While some see it as a step toward fairness, others view it as interference in tradition. The debate underscores the challenge of balancing cultural practices with civic regulations. Namita Singh Namita is an Assistant News Editor at News9 Live. She has reported on a range of issues from Uttarakhand for mainstream papers such as The Hindu and websites such as Firstpost.com Courtesy : News Nine Note: This news is originally published on https:/newsnine.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Left, IUML rules out support to TVK as Congress backs Vijay; VCK yet to decide
Despite the break away from the DMK alliance, Congress leaders indicated that both sides could continue to remain part of the broader INDIA bloc at the national level. With the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) approaching political parties in Tamil Nadu seeking support to form a government, the VCK, an ally of the DMK, was yet to take a decision, party sources said on Wednesday. However, despite TVK’s invitation, the Left parties and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) ruled out their support for Vijay’s party. The VCK has won two seats. TVK had sought VCK’s support, sources said. VCK was yet to take a call on it. “It will be decided by our party president, Thol Thirumavalavan,” a senior party functionary said. Meanwhile, CPI(M) candidates R Chellaswamy and Latha and CPI members T Ramachandran and Marimuthu, who won on April 23 Assembly elections, met DMK chief M K Stalin at Anna Arivalayam, the party headquarters. Similarly, IUML MLAs-elect Syed Farooq Basha SSB and A M Shahjahan also met the DMK president. Later, the CPI(M), CPI and IUML legislators asserted that they would continue to support DMK. The development comes amid the Congress extended its support to Vijay’s TVK to form the next government in Tamil Nadu, while snapping its long-standing alliance with the DMK and setting conditions to keep “communal forces” out of the arrangement. Right after the Congress’ announcement, Vijay met Governor Rajendra Arlekar at the Lok Bhavan in Chennai and staked a claim to form the next government. Earlier in the day, a delegation of Congress MLAs arrived for a high-profile meeting with the TVK chief at the party headquarters in Panaiyur. The visual of the legislators entering the TVK premises has sent ripples through the state’s political corridors, signalling a potential shift in traditional alliances ahead of the upcoming electoral cycles. The atmosphere at the TVK office remained charged, with supporters and onlookers gathering as the Congress leaders were ushered in for the closed-door interaction. The Congress leaders were welcomed by the TVK party chief and Chief Minister-designate with garlands and silk shawls. Announcing the decision, AICC Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar said the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee and the Congress Legislative Party (CLP) had resolved to back the TVK. “Our support shall be conditional upon the TVK keeping out of this alliance any communal forces that do not believe in the Constitution of India,” he said. In the recently concluded Assembly elections, the TVK emerged as the single largest party, winning 108 seats of the total 234, disrupting the decades-long dominance of the DMK and AIADMK. The DMK secured 59 seats, while the AIADMK won 47. Despite the breakaway from the DMK alliance, Congress leaders indicated that both sides could continue to remain part of the broader INDIA bloc at the national level. The Congress’s support adds five MLAs to Vijay’s tally, taking the TVK-led bloc to 112 seats. The party will still require at least six more legislators to cross the majority mark of 118 in the 234-member Assembly. Vijay has already initiated talks with parties such as the VCK, CPI and CPM, whose backing could push the numbers past the halfway mark. Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay receives a letter of support from Tamil Nadu Congress Committee leaders for government formation, in Chennai. The Congress underlined that its partnership with the TVK is intended to go beyond immediate government formation. “This alliance is not only for the formation of this government, but also for future elections to the local body organisations, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha,” Chodankar said, describing it as one based on “mutual respect, appropriate share, and shared responsibility”. In its statement, the party invoked the legacies of K Kamaraj, Periyar E V Ramasamy and B R Ambedkar, positioning the alliance as rooted in social justice and constitutional values. The Congress also said Vijay had formally sought its support to form the government, adding that the electoral verdict reflected a mandate for a “secular, progressive and welfarist government”. The statement noted that Vijay and Rahul Gandhi had “jointly pledged to respect this historic verdict of the people of Tamil Nadu”. While the meeting was officially termed a “courtesy call”, the optics of established national party representatives engaging with the fledgling party’s top brass suggest a strategic warming of ties. Insiders indicate that the discussions touched upon the prevailing political climate in Tamil Nadu, though both camps have remained tight-lipped regarding specific tactical understandings. According to informed sources, TVK leaders have also reportedly met AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami in Chennai, signalling possible shifts in alliances and internal strains within the BJP-led camp. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights