BJP's Dalit leader Udit Raj had said the Hindu religion is in 'danger' not because of conversion but because of its 'so-called protectors'.
With the delimitation exercise changing the face of Lok Sabha constituencies, many members of the Lower House may have to work hard to adapt to new political contours. But Mani Shankar Aiyar, the union panchayat minister, can rest in peace. He is the only Member of Parliament who could resurrect his constituency (Mayiladuturai in Tamil Nadu's Nagapattinam district) after it was declared abolished by the delimitation commission.
Cyclonic storm Ward, which had weakened and formed into a depression, is likely to cross the Tamil Nadu coast between Kaniyakumari and Nagapattinam districts on Tuesday night, meteorological department officials said on Tuesday. "The depression, which currently lies over Sri Lanka, is likely to move in the west direction and cross Tamil Nadu coast," they said. Under its influence, heavy rainfall is likely to occur in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry region in the next 24 hours.
An attempt by Dalits to enter a temple in Nagapattinam district turned violent on Wednesday after villagers of other castes pelted stones following which the police fired in the air.
The standoff over the issue of entry of Dalits into a temple in Chettipulam village near Porayar in Tamil Nadu has been resolved following peace talks held by the Nagapattinam district administration.
Flight services were disrupted in Karnataka while in Tamil Nadu, heavy rains battered Karur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur and coastal Pudukkottai and Nagapattinam districts.
Isolated heavy rains have also been forecast over some places during the next 48 hours.
Coast Guard officials in Rameswaram said that the boat was carrying 123 bags of chemicals, clips, fuse and remote devices for making mines and grenades.
Fishing activity came to a standstill as fishermen refrained from venturing into the sea in memory of their kin, who were swallowed by the tsunami.
Union Panchayati Raj and Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar was admitted to the Apollo Hospital in Chennai after he developed chest pain on Wednesday morning. "His condition is stable and there is nothing to worry about. However, he will be kept under observation at the ICU for the next 24 hours," hospital sources said.
The 2 boys and 4 girls, aged between 11 and 16, had never encountered cameras before being approached by the group to make the documentary, said Bhagyashree Dengle, executive director of the Indian branch of the group.
Over 5,000 fishermen from various hamlets in Nagapattinam district in Tamil Nadu on Thursday started an indefinite strike to protest the arrest of their fellow fishermen belonging to Akkaraipettai off Kodiakarai coast by the Sri Lankan Navy.
Floral tribute and processions across Tamil Nadu on Saturday marked the 11th anniversary of the deadly tsunami waves that struck the state on this day in 2004 claiming over 7,000 lives, leaving a trail of destruction.
'Petta response is so overwhelming and awesome.. Thank you Thalaivar fans!'
As of now, 1,77,500 people have been housed in over 351 camps, the chief minister said, adding food, and medical amenities were being provided to them by the government.
The government declared Monday (Dec 4) a public holiday and urged private companies to encourage 'work from home' option for its employees in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram and Chengalpattu districts.
The whales appear disoriented, the officials say.
Public is requested to take all safety measures and fishermen are advised not to venture into sea.
Heavy to very heavy rainfall was expected over north Coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in the next 24 hours.
Personnel from multiple government departments, including revenue, police, fisheries, animal husbandry and other state agencies from Ariyalur, Perambalur, Tiruvallur, Cuddalore, Salem and Thanjavur districts were being deployed to handle the situation in the cyclone-hit regions
An IPS officer posted as deputy inspector general of police (DIG) in Coimbatore allegedly died by suicide after he shot himself early on Friday, the police said.
On December 26, 2004, a devastating tsunami took a huge toll on life in Tamil Nadu. A decade later, here's a look at the changes it has brought
Schools and colleges, closed since October 31, were shut on Saturday as well, while several universities postponed their exams.
In continuing instances of arrests of Tamil Nadu fishermen by Sri Lankan Naval personnel, seven of them from a coastal village in Nagapattinam district were arrested while fishing near Kodiyakari, a fishermen's organisation official said on Friday.
'There are plenty of videos of boys drinking on social media; I have not heard of any boys being dismissed from college because of this.' 'They have been dismissed just because they are girls.'
The reports suggested six members of the terror outfit infiltrated into the state by sea from Sri Lanka and moved to different cities, including Coimbatore, according to the police.
Educational institutions remained closed even as the weather office forecast heavy downpour in the next three days in the state, Puducherry and coastal Andhra Pradesh.
This classification of districts is to be followed by states and union terrotories till a week post May 3, when the second phase of lockdown will end, for containment operations.
The Met department forecast heavy to very heavy showers in north coastal Tamil Nadu till Saturday.
They said the picture did not feature any 'life support system like a ventilator' and it was reassuring that their Thalaivar (leader) was recuperating well.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated 11 government medical colleges in Tamil Nadu and said the future will belong to societies that invest in healthcare.
The depression over southwest and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal moved west-northwestwards with a speed of 11 kmph and lay centred at 1130 hrs of Monday over the same region, about 520 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 560 km southeast of Chennai, the Indian Meterological Department said.
Severe cyclonic storm Mandous will cross the coast between north Tamil Nadu and south Andhra Pradesh around December 9 night and early next day, the regional weather office said on Friday.
The trough over the Bay of Bengal, which has caused the torrential downpour in the state, will weaken in next 48 hours.
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