First victim of sensationalism is fact
The Tirupattur train incident shook Tamil Nadu, but the ensuing media and political circus was equally jarring. News channels, in their trademark haste, screamed, “Two men molested the victim!” only to sheepishly correct it to “One accused” hours later. Facts? Who cares when sensationalism sells? Politicians, of course, couldn’t resist jumping in. BJP, AIADMK–each racing to out-tweet the other.
EPS boldly claimed, “Two culprits!” while the National Commission for Women upped the ante with “Gang rape!” Ground verification? Not their style. Just tweet, stir outrage and move on. Is this about justice or exploiting suffering for political mileage? The bigger the handle, the smaller the responsibility. Perhaps next time, instead of a race to tweet, they’ll try a race to think. Accountability, it seems, remains perpetually derailed.
-Rajalakshmi Sampath
Graft scheduled
Coimbatore’s Registration department officials have found a sneaky way to collect bribes. At places like Singanallur, they’re taking cash before office hours, using private middlemen to keep graft under wraps. Insiders say an official with police experience is calling the shots. Brazen corruption is nothing new, but the tactics are getting bolder. Officials are scheduling bribe collections in advance, using layered transactions to avoid detection. It’s a cat-and-mouse game with the authorities – but who will blink first?
-R Kirubakaran
Muck of politics
A most unsavoury affair has unfolded in Tiruchy’s Gandhi Market area, where a plastic bag of garbage landed on an overhead water tank, sparking fears of contamination. The Tiruchy Corporation sprang into action, collecting water samples and giving the tank a good cleaning. However, the damage was done, with AIADMK followers and some media outlets seizing the opportunity to attack the DMK-led government, drawing parallels with the infamous Vengaivayal incident. The DMK has cried foul, suspecting AIADMK’s involvement, while the latter has denied any wrongdoing. With elections looming, it seems petty politics is rearing its ugly head.
-Jose K Joseph
When empty promises backfire
DMK’s Tirunelveli unit staged a curious stunt: 300 Anganwadi workers, allegedly forced, attended an event with women’s wing chief K Kanimozhi. Arriving late, she doled out saris and bedsheets to a few, then fled. Workers swarmed her car, demanding fulfilment of the DMK’s election pledge on permanent jobs. “CM will act,” she claimed. Many rejected gifts and left. PR misfire?
-Thinakaran Rajamani
Compiled by Dinesh Jefferson E