Political tensions over the Nepal tragedy surfaced in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday, with the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government and the opposition DMK clashing over the handling of
the disaster. More than 80 people from Tamil Nadu remain unaccounted for.
The dispute erupted after School Education Minister Raj Mohan sought to make a detailed statement on the government’s efforts to trace the missing pilgrims before the opposition’s calling attention motions on the tragedy were taken up.
DMK members objected to the move and questioned why the treasury benches were being allowed to speak before their calling attention motion.
Speaker JCD Prabhakar initially referred to the precedent of the Karur tragedy under the previous DMK government, when then Chief Minister MK Stalin had made a statement. He subsequently permitted the opposition’s calling attention motions to be taken up first.
Explaining his initial decision, the Speaker said, “It shouldn’t be about who raises first as all are interested in people’s issues.”
Leader of the House KA Sengottaiyan pressed the Speaker to reconsider the decision. Raj Mohan also agreed to withdraw his statement and let the opposition raise the matter first.
Leader of Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin argued that Thursday’s situation could not be equated with the Karur tragedy.
“Both can’t be compared. It was the Chief Minister who made the statement then. Today, the Chief Minister isn’t in the House,” Udhayanidhi said.
Udhayanidhi sought details on the number of Tamil Nadu pilgrims who had been affected and rescued. He also asked about the calls received through government helplines, the measures being taken to locate those who remained unaccounted for and whether a special officer had been appointed.
He said, “There is intense anxiety and panic among families who could not contact those affected,” while also asking whether officials planned to travel to Nepal. He further referred to reports that retired High Court judge Justice Sivagnanam was among those affected.
Replying to the calling attention motion, Raj Mohan outlined the government’s efforts, including coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Nepal.
According to the minister, 57 people from 10 districts of Tamil Nadu, along with three from Puducherry, had travelled to Nepal for the Kailash Yatra. Of them, 20 Tamil pilgrims were confirmed safe after taking shelter at an Armed Police Force camp. Arrangements were being made to take them to Kathmandu via an alternative route.
Information on another 34 members of the group had been delayed, Raj Mohan said, adding that the government was closely monitoring their whereabouts.
The minister also said another group of 49 Tamil pilgrims had travelled to Nepal through Chennai-based Mahadev Kailash Yathira Agency. Their whereabouts and travel plans were being verified by the government.
The Assembly exchange took place as families across Tamil Nadu remained anxious about those still unaccounted for, with the rescue efforts becoming a politically contentious issue between the ruling TVK and the opposition DMK.
