Kallakurichi school girl laid to rest, thousands bid tearful adieu
Cuddalore(PTI): Thousands of people from the agrarian Periyanesallur village in the district on Saturday joined the family in bidding a tearful adieu to the Class 12 student whose body was found on her school hostel premises in Kallakurichi on July 13.
Those from neighbouring villages too paid their homage, as an inconsolable father demanded justice for his daughter's death. He was accompanied by the 17-year old's younger brother and other family members and villagers during the funeral procession which began at about 10.30 AM.
The body of the girl student was brought in an ambulance from the Kallakurichi government hospital where it was kept for the last 10 days, after the grieving mother signed the papers accepting the mortal remains for performing the last rites.
The girl's parents agreed to receive the body after the Madras High Court on Friday questioned the delay in accepting it and asked them to do so on Saturday morning for the final rites.
The ambulance carrying the girl's body and the police escort vehicle collided with a container lorry on the way, about 10 km from Veppur on the Tiruchirappalli bypass road but no casualties were reported.
State Labour Minister C V Ganesan, who represented the State government and the district Collector were also among those who paid homage to the girl's body kept in the village before it was taken in a procession for the last rites.
The body of the girl was draped in new clothes and a biology book was placed by her side before she was laid to rest.
The class 12 student of a matriculation school in Kanimayoor in Kallakurichi district was found dead under suspicious circumstances on the school hostel premises on July 13 leading to protests. Her parents suspected foul play and refused to accept the body and even sought the court's intervention for a re-postmortem in the presence of a doctor of their choice. But the plea was declined by the Supreme Court.
The tragic incident led to violence on July 17 and the school was vandalised, documents and certificates burnt and property was damaged.
The Madras High Court on Friday directed a team of doctors of Puducherry-based Jipmer to analyse the autopsy report of the girl and submit its report within a month.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Family of class XII, Kallakurichi girl and locals bereave her loss as her body reaches her native village in Cuddalore district for last rites days after she passed away pic.twitter.com/5yNb2LuIVw
— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2022
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N Ram criticizes Shashi Tharoor for defending BJP government’s role in India-Pakistan ceasefire
New Delhi:
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), N Ram, the Director of The Hindu Publishing Group and former Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, took aim at Congress MP Shashi Tharoor for his comments defending the BJP-led government’s handling of the India-Pakistan ceasefire and the role played by the United States in mediating peace between the two countries. N Ram, a veteran journalist known for his insightful commentary on political issues, criticized Tharoor’s statements made during an interview with Karan Thapar on The Wire, accusing him of acting as an apologist for the government. He raised concerns about Tharoor’s alignment with the ruling party’s narrative, particularly when the Congress Party itself is questioning the government’s actions.
In his tweet, N Ram remarked, "Watch Shashi Tharoor, grilled by Karan Thapar, emerge as the principal spokesman of, and the leading apologist for, the BJP government with respect to what might have led to the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and what the Trump administration’s role might have been in this regard. At a time when Congress leaders and elected representatives are asking questions and demanding answers from the Government, Tharoor’s smug assertions and ‘educated guesses’ seem calculated to make his party squirm. Are we missing something political here?"
N Ram's post highlights the growing divide within the Congress Party, where Tharoor’s comments seem to contradict the party’s stance on national security and diplomatic matters. The political establishment has been particularly vocal in its calls for the government to explain its role in the sudden ceasefire between India and Pakistan, especially regarding its interactions with the United States.
During his appearance on The Wire, Tharoor made a series of comments that appeared to support the government’s handling of the India-Pakistan ceasefire, despite the controversy surrounding it. In a conversation with Karan Thapar, Tharoor emphasized the role of the United States under President Donald Trump in facilitating diplomatic talks between India and Pakistan.
Tharoor began by explaining that while India and Pakistan have a long history of hostility, the sudden ceasefire could have been influenced by several factors, including diplomatic efforts by global powers. According to Tharoor, the Trump administration’s “shuttle diplomacy” was aimed at creating a window for dialogue, and it was “entirely possible” that this external pressure contributed to the ceasefire agreement.
Tharoor also expressed the view that the US administration was interested in bringing stability to the region, not just for the benefit of South Asia but also to improve its own geopolitical positioning. He suggested that the Trump administration may have seen an opportunity to exert influence over India and Pakistan, which both had strategic significance in the context of the US-China rivalry.
Tharoor speculated that the ceasefire could have been influenced by operations like Sindoor, which might have led Pakistan to reconsider its stance.
Tharoor further explained that while the Indian government had not publicly discussed the specifics of these operations, their potential impact on the security dynamics between India and Pakistan should not be dismissed. In his view, the government’s strategic approach towards Pakistan, including the use of intelligence and covert operations, might have been part of a broader diplomatic effort to ensure stability in the region.
Tharoor’s remarks during the interview have triggered sharp reactions from within the Congress Party, with several leaders questioning his approach. While the Congress has been critical of the BJP government on various national and international fronts, Tharoor’s defense of the government’s role in the ceasefire has raised eyebrows. Several party members have expressed discomfort with his tone and the seeming alignment with the ruling party, particularly on sensitive issues like national security.
Tharoor's defense of the government’s approach to India-Pakistan relations, as well as his suggestions regarding the US mediation, has sparked criticism within the Congress party. His remarks, which seemed to align with the BJP’s official stance, have led to accusations that Tharoor is acting as an apologist for the ruling party, despite being a senior leader in the opposition.
At a time when Congress leaders are demanding accountability from the government regarding its handling of the ceasefire and its engagement with global powers, Tharoor’s comments appear to have put him at odds with the party’s official stance. His remarks also prompted questions about his political positioning, as many believe that such statements could undermine the opposition’s efforts to hold the government accountable.
The fallout from Tharoor’s comments has not only raised questions within the Congress Party but also sparked political discussions about his position within the opposition. Critics have accused him of “softening” his stance on the government, while others suggest that his remarks could be a calculated attempt to maintain a more balanced and diplomatic approach in his public persona.
Tharoor’s intellectual approach to foreign policy and diplomacy has often set him apart from the more populist elements within the Congress Party. However, his recent remarks have led to questions about whether his views are evolving or whether he is consciously distancing himself from the party’s traditional stance.
With Congress leaders demanding clearer answers from the government, Tharoor’s comments may have added a layer of complexity to the ongoing debate about India’s approach to Pakistan and its relationships with global powers like the United States.
The Congress Party has yet to officially comment on Tharoor's statements, but the controversy has added fuel to the growing division over his political alignment and public stance on sensitive national and international issues.
Watch Shashi Tharoor, grilled by Karan Thapar, emerge as the principal spokesman of, and the leading apologist for, the BJP government with respect to what might have led to the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and what the Trump administration’s role might have been in this…
— N. Ram (@nramind) May 12, 2025
