Delhi Metro faces backlash over advertisement featuring rape convict Asaram
New Delhi: The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has come under heavy criticism for displaying an advertisement featuring convicted rapist Asaram, also known as Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani. The controversy erupted after a lawyer, known as ‘The Legal Man’ on X, shared images of the advertisement promoting "Parents Worship Day" inside metro premises.
Asaram, the self-styled godman, was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2018 for raping a 16-year-old girl in his ashram in 2013. In January 2023, he was also convicted in another rape case involving a woman at his Gandhinagar ashram.
Questioning how DMRC could permit promotional material featuring a convicted criminal, the lawyer condemned the act as "highly shameful." His post quickly went viral, prompting widespread outrage on social media. Many users expressed shock and disappointment, demanding accountability for how the ad was approved in the first place.
In response, DMRC assured that immediate action had been taken to remove the advertisements. "DMRC has issued immediate instructions to the licensee to get these advertisements removed from the Metro premises at the earliest," it stated, adding that the process of removal had already begun but could take some time.
Social media users slammed the metro authorities, calling the oversight "shameful and ridiculous." Some questioned whether ads were being approved without proper review, while others demanded an investigation into the officials responsible.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
