Widow of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy dies at 96
Ethel Kennedy, widow of U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy, passed away on Thursday, October 11, 2024, at the age of 96. Her grandson, Joe Kennedy III, announced her death, attributing it to complications from a stroke she had suffered the previous week.
Ethel, a mother of 11, grandmother to 34, and great-grandmother to 24, became a symbol of resilience and dedication following the assassination of her husband in 1968. President Joe Biden called her "an American icon" and praised her for decades of advocacy for human rights and social justice.
Ethel was the last of her generation in the Kennedy family, a lineage that included President John F. Kennedy. Despite her many tragedies, including the deaths of her children David and Michael, Ethel's legacy endures through her family's ongoing contributions to public service and social justice causes.
After her personal losses, she remained dedicated to her family and public service. Ethel established the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and advocated for causes such as gun control, human rights, and environmental issues.
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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.
