Rivals vie for ‘Tamil’ honours in assembly

CHENNAI: For once the bonhomie between the ruling AIADMK and the opposition DMK in the ongoing assembly sessions, gave way for a debate. While the debate itself did not turn acrimonious, both the parties were seen vying to place on record their contribution to safeguard Tamil language and the interest of Tamilians.
It all started when DMK legislator Ravichandran K S sought to claim the entire credit for forcing the Centre to continue to conduct competitive exams of the postal department in regional languages including Tamil and for the Supreme Court orders getting translated in Tamil for his party.He said the outcome was because of the efforts of DMK MPs in Delhi.
“We have received two happy news this week – one came a couple of days ago – when Centre agreed to hold postal exams in Tamil too, after our MP Dayanidhi Maran met the Union minister and prevailed upon him. Today again we have received the happy news of Supreme Court’s orders being translated in Tamil. This again was made possible after our party MPs called on the Chief Justice of India and presented him a memorandum, stressing the need to include Tamil,” Ravichandran said, participating in the debate on Tamil development & information department.
This forced ministers Dindigul C Sreenivasan and S P Velumani to counter the claims and highlight the steps taken by the Tamil Nadu government. “Your MPs have done their bit and our Rajya Sabha MPs too stalled the house. It was ‘our’ victory,” Sreenivasan said, pointing out at both the ruling and opposition benches. “The opposition leader was insistent on state assembly passing a resolution, while the chief minister had sought patience saying steps are being taken,” Velumani recalled.
As if not satisfied, minister O S Manian sought to floor the DMK member on the mat. “If your MPs are so capable, let them also do it for NEET and get exemption for students of Tamil Nadu from appearing for the medical entrance examination,” Manian said.
As the wind turned in favour of the ruling party, deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam got up and reeled out the steps taken by former chief minister J Jayalalithaa in not only safeguarding but restoring the rights of Tamil Nadu over Cauvery waters and added that chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami has taken the fight forward successfully, unlike the DMK, which despite being in power in the Centre for long could do little on Cauvery. “If one has to highlight what you (DMK) did not do, it will be a long list,” Panneerselvam said.
Earlier in the day, law minister C Ve Shanmugam informed the House about Supreme Court’s orders getting translated to Tamil. “I am happy to say that today the Supreme Court has ordered uploading of its judgments in Tamil,” Shanmugam told the House, recalling his assurance to take steps for it.