Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy: AIADMK Leaders Don Black Shirts, Stage Walkout In Tamil Nadu Assembly Protest

The protest by AIADMK workers came after Speaker Appavu turned down the request to discuss Kallakurichi hooch tragedy during Question Hour stating that the issue could be addressed during Zero Hour.

The protest continued outside the Assembly premises, where AIADMK MLAs raised slogans and demonstrated against the government’s handling of the incident on Saturday. ( Image Source :X/@ANI )

The AIADMK leaders continued their protest for the second day in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, wearing black shirts to condemn the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy that claimed 53 lives. On Saturday, AIADMK members demanded a discussion on the hooch tragedy during Question Hour at the state assembly in Chennai.

However, Speaker M. Appavu turned down the request, stating that the issue could be addressed during Zero Hour. In response, AIADMK MLAs staged a walkout from the Assembly.

The protest continued outside the Assembly premises, where the MLAs raised slogans and demonstrated against the government’s handling of the incident. AIADMK General Secretary and Leader of the Opposition, Edappadi K Palaniswami, criticized the government’s response to the tragedy.

"The Minister says people died because they came for treatment with delay. But what is the reason for that? The government is the reason. On the first day, the District Collector denied the presence of illicit liquor in Kallakurichi," said Palaniswami.

He further accused the government of being lethargic in its response. "Speaker M. Appavu refused to give time to speak about the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. According to the information we have, 55 people died and 183 people are affected by the hooch tragedy," he added.

 

Chennai, Tamil Nadu: AIADMK General Secretary and LoP Tamil Nadu Assembly, Edappadi K Palaniswami says, "The Minister says people died because they came for treatment with delay. But what is the reason for that? Government is the reason. The first day the District Collector… pic.twitter.com/UoYrs9p3oY

— ANI (@ANI) June 22, 2024

However, DMK accused Edappadi Palaniswami of meeting press for publicity and trying to politicise the issue in the Assembly.

Tamil Nadu minister S. Regupathy said, "The Opposition headed by Edappadi Palaniswami, in the Assembly, wants to politicise this and they raised slogans during Question Hour. But they can raise questions only during Zero Hour...They gheraoed Speaker of the Assembly. But the Speaker himself requested the Opposition Leader that he can say anything he wants to say now...But he doesn't want to say anything inside the Assembly but outside the Assembly, he said that he not been given a chance to represent."

Stating that the CM requested the Opposition to come to the Assembly, he said, "But the Opposition has refused to come to the Assembly, they have not said anything inside the Assembly. They met the press for publicity...They made false allegations against government but it is not correct. The Government is taking proper steps."

Meanwhile, Kallakurichi Collector MS Prashant confirmed the death toll and provided an update on the situation. "Out of the 193 people undergoing treatment, 140 are currently safe. A few people are on ventilators. A total of 53 people have died so far. Seven individuals have been arrested in connection with this. The case has been handed over to the CBI CID branch of Tamil Nadu Police," said Prashant.