New Delhi: Vaishna Roy, the editor of Frontline magazine under The Hindu group, is facing severe trolling on social media after she wrote on the naming of India’s recent counter-terror strike as “Operation Sindoor.”

Earlier this morning, under “Operation Sindoor,” Indian forces reportedly carried out strikes on nine terror camps—four inside Pakistan and five in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). According to reports, over 80 terrorists were killed in response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 tourists were killed by Pakistan-backed militants.

The name “Operation Sindoor” refers to the traditional vermilion mark worn by Hindu women as a symbol of marriage. Roy, in a post on X, wrote: “On principle, I object strongly to the label Operation Sindoor. It reeks of patriarchy, ownership of women, ‘honour’ killings, chastity, sacralising the institution of marriage, and similar Hindutva obsessions.”

Following this post, Roy was heavily trolled by several right-wing accounts online. In support of her, journalist Neha Dixit posted, “Agree with @vaishnaroy and in complete solidarity. Shame on the trolls.”

Another user, @SanjuktaChoudh5, wrote, “I stand with @vaishnaroy. She is perfectly right in what she has written. I too echo here.”

Senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta also came out in support, saying, “The editor of ‘Frontline’ Vaishna Roy is being viciously trolled by shameless Right Wing trolls for her Tweet – please spread it far and wide.”

Amid the controversy and trolling, Vaishna Roy has reportedly locked her X account.

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Chennai/New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party has released its list of 27 candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, triggering political discussion after the absence of former state president K Annamalai from the roster.

Despite being widely seen as the party’s most prominent face in the state and a key figure in its southern expansion strategy, Annamalai was not fielded in the list. Senior leaders, including Tamilisai Soundararajan from Mylapore, Vanathi Srinivasan from Coimbatore North, and Union Minister L. Murugan from Avinashi, have been nominated.

Responding to questions on the omission, Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran said the decision was taken by the party’s central leadership. He expressed confidence that all 27 candidates would emerge victorious in the polls.

Annamalai, a former IPS officer who joined the BJP in 2020 and rapidly rose to prominence, had earlier been replaced as state chief by Nagendran. Known for his aggressive political style and grassroots outreach, he has been instrumental in amplifying the party’s presence in Tamil Nadu, a state traditionally dominated by Dravidian parties.

In a message posted on X, Annamalai congratulated the candidates and reaffirmed his commitment to the party. He said he would campaign actively for BJP and NDA nominees, expressing confidence in the alliance securing a decisive mandate. He also criticised the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government, calling it ineffective and self-serving.

The BJP is contesting the elections as part of the National Democratic Alliance led by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Seat-sharing arrangements allocate 169 constituencies to the AIADMK, 27 to the BJP, 18 to the Pattali Makkal Katchi, 11 to the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, five to the Tamil Maanila Congress, and one seat each to the Indhiya Jananayaga Katchi and Puratchi Bharatham.

Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 23 across all 234 constituencies, with counting scheduled for May 4. The primary contest is expected between the DMK-led alliance and the AIADMK-led NDA, although actor-turned-politician Vijay is also positioning himself as a potential challenger, raising the possibility of a multi-cornered contest.