Actor Gayathri Raguramm quits BJP, claims women not safe in Tamil Nadu unit
Blames state BJP chief Annamalai for quitting party
Chennai (PTI): Actor-politician Gayathri Raguramm, who was suspended from the BJP in November last year, announced on Tuesday that she is resigning from the party and claimed that women are not safe in the Tamil Nadu unit as "nobody cares about true karyakartas".
She blamed state BJP chief K Annamalai for her decision to quit the party.
A senior leader, however, rejected her claims and said she is not a loss to the party. The leader said they do not give much importance to her allegations.
On November 23, Gayathri, president of other states and overseas Tamil development unit of the BJP, was suspended by Annamalai for six months over "engaging in activities that brought disrepute" to the party.
"I have taken the decision with heavy heart to resign from TNBJP for not giving opportunity for an enquiry, equal rights & respect for women. Under Annamalai leadership women are not safe. I feel better to be trolled as an outsider," Gayathri tweeted tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, party national president J P Nadda and national general secretary B L Santhosh.
"Nobody cares about true karyakartas, the only goal is to chase away true karyakartas by Annamalai. I wish the best for BJP," she said in another tweet.
"Modi Ji you are special, you are father of Nation, You will always be my vishwaguru & great leader. AmitShah ji you will always remain my chanakya guru," she said.
Days before she was removed from the post and suspended from the party, BJP sports and skill development cell president Amar Prasad Reddy accused her of meeting a member of Chief Minister M K Stalin's family and angrily reacted "no space for betrayers in BJP."
She, however, retorted saying it was her friend's birthday party and that she had no idea of who were invited.
Announcing her suspension, Annamalai then ordered an inquiry on another functionary 'Trichy' Suriya Siva for making derogatory remarks against party leader Daisy Saran. He had warned functionaries of talking to Youtube channels without the leadership's consent.
In a series of tweets, Gayathri said she took the decision to resign because of Annamalai. "...Thanking all the karyakartas whom I worked with for 8 years whom I shared great love & respect with. It was a great journey," she said.
Hurting others was not Hindu dharma, the choreographer said and claimed she could not continue under Annamalai's leadership. "Cannot expect social justice. Women stay safe don't trust that someone will save you. No one is going to come. You are on your own. Believe yourself. Never stay where you are not respected," she said.
I have taken the decision with heavy heart to resign from TNBJP for not giving opportunity for an enquiry, equal rights & respect for women. Under Annamalai leadership women are not safe. I feel better to be trolled as an outsider.
— Gayathri Raguramm 🇮🇳🚩 (@Gayathri_R_) January 2, 2023
.@narendramodi .@AmitShah @JPNadda @blsanthosh
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Riyan Parag likely to be fined 25 percent of match fees for vaping inside dressing room
New Delhi (PTI): Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag is set to be fined 25 per cent of his match fee for bringing the game into "disrepute" after being caught vaping on camera during the IPL game against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.
Parag's actions during the Royals' chase on Tuesday night drew condemnation on social media.
PTI has learned that on field umpires Tanmay Srivastava and Nitin Menon had not reported the matter to match referee Amit Sharma right after the game. They only did that after seeing visual proof and Sharma found Parag guilty for a code of conduct breach as per the IPL guidelines.
The Level 1 offences carries 25 per cent deduction from match fees and one demerit point.
"He is set to be fined a portion of his match fees and a demerit point for a Level 1 offence," said an IPL source.
The Indian government had banned e-cigarettes back in 2019, prohibiting their production, sale and distribution. As per the law, the offender faces imprisonment up to one year and/or a Rs one lakh fine for a first time offence.
"Article 2.21 of IPL Code of Conduct is intended to cover all types of conduct that bring the game into disrepute and which is not specifically and adequately covered by the specific offences set out elsewhere in this Code of Conduct, including Article 2.20," the IPL Code of Conduct states.
"By way of example, Article 2.21 may (depending upon the seriousness and context of the breach) prohibit, without limitation, the following: (a) public acts of misconduct; (b) unruly public behaviour; and (c) inappropriate comments which are detrimental to the interests of the game.
"When assessing the seriousness of the offence, the context of the particular situation, and whether it was deliberate, reckless, negligent, avoidable and/or accidental, shall be considered.
"Further, the person lodging the Report shall determine where on the range of severity the conduct lays (with the range of severity starting at conduct of a minor nature (and hence a Level 1 Offence) up to conduct of an extremely serious nature (and hence a Level 4 Offence)."
Since it is a Level 1 offence there was no need for a hearing.
Parag, who has not had the best of times with the bat this IPL, was seen inhaling an e-cigarette, also known as vaping, in the dressing room during the live broadcast of their game against Punjab Kings. Royals won the game to end Kings' unbeaten run in the tournament.
This is not the first controversy to hit the Royals this season. Earlier this month, team manager Romi Bhinder was fined Rs one lakh for breaching PMOA protocol after being found using his phone in the dugout.
IPL and BCCI officials involved in the conduct of the IPL termed it as a careless act in the age of social media and prying TV cameras.
Royals next host Delhi Capitals at home on Friday night.
