BJP adopts ‘biscuit bandit’ strategy to collect signatures from students: TN minister

NAMAKKAL: Tamil Nadu school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi on Saturday criticised the BJP for what he termed its strategy of distributing biscuits to students to collect their signatures in support of the three-language policy. He likened this strategy to that of biscuit bandits who steal valuables from train passengers after giving them sedative-laced biscuits.

Speaking to reporters in Tiruchengode, the minister said the state wanted to foster a bilingual policy that would create skilled individuals. He said it was unjust to assert that funding would be provided only if the state supported the Centre’s trilingual policy.

Earlier, the minister attended the Women's Day celebration and best teachers' award ceremony in Tiruchengode. Speaking at the event, the minister remarked that activities like putting kolams, singing and dancing were not the sole responsibilities of women. He asked why men were not involved in these tasks. “Periyar stated that women need education and economic independence for their progress. Former chief minister M Karunanidhi implemented it,” he said. In 1989, Karunanidhi passed a law granting women equal property rights, fulfilling Periyar's vision, he said.

The minister emphasized that Women's Day is celebrated in Tamil Nadu not just on March 8, but every day. He said chief minister M K Stalin had introduced several initiatives for women, including free travel on govt buses and the women's entitlement fund. The DMK govt implemented 12 months of paid maternity leave for women, he said.

The minister said women's rights had been achieved through 150 years of struggle, crediting the Dravidian movements for their advocacy.

HM, teacher transferred
The headmaster and a Tamil teacher at the Government Higher Secondary School in Sobanur in Krishnagiri district were transferred to other schools on Saturday, a day after students used shawls bearing the symbol of the PMK during an event.

Headmaster T Vijayakumar has been transferred to Pannially High School while Tamil teacher P Subramani has been reassigned to Mettupuliyur Government High School. Chief educational officer A Muniraj issued these orders on Saturday, school education minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said.


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