Read extensively about leaders like Ambedkar, Periyar: Actor Vijay tells students at Chennai event
Chennai, Jun 17: Popular Tamil film actor Vijay, amidst speculation that he may make an electoral debut, on Saturday urged students to ask their parents to vote in elections without accepting bribes and see the transformation for themselves.
His passionate appeal appeared to have earned the appreciation from Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
"He has said a good thing. What's your problem," Udhayanidhi shot back when reporters sought for his reaction to Vijay's appeal.
Asked about the actor's debut into politics, the Minister said anyone has a right to enter the political arena.
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol Thirumavalavan, an ally of the ruling DMK, welcomed the actor's request to students to acquire knowledge on the social reformers.
Felicitating toppers of Classes 10 and 12 from the state at a function in Neelangarai here, Vijay said: "Ask your parents to vote without accepting bribe during the elections. Try, you may succeed and see the change."
The students who will soon become first-time voters should realise the merits of electing a leader without accepting cash for votes. "When this happens, your education becomes complete," he said.
Vijay cautioned them "against poking their own eyes with their hands" by accepting money for votes.
"Consider a politician who gives Rs 1,000 to a voter in a constituency that has 1.5 lakh voters. How much he must have given as bribe -- nearly 15 crore? If a person gives a bribe of Rs 15 crore, think how much he must have earned before that. I want all this to be a part of your educational system," the popular actor said as the the students who had gathered gave a rousing applause.
Also, he exhorted the young minds not to stop with acquiring bookish knowledge but go beyond it and learn about all the leaders including B R Ambedkar, E V R Periyar, K Kamaraj and imbue only their good aspects.
"I have one small request to make. Do spend time with those who could not succeed in their exams. Tell them passing in exams is easy and encourage them," he said.
"Also never take wrong decisions, take bold decisions. As you go up in life, handle the freedom that you get with self-discipline, have fun in life but don't give up your identity. Our life is in our hands," Vijay advised.
Unlike the toppers, the actor mentioned that he was never a bright student. "I was not a bright student like you but only an average just pass student. My journey has been in the direction of cinemas...remember, education will be complete only if you give importance to your character and thinking ability," he added.
His fans association -- Thalapathy Vijay Makkal Iyakkam -- which transformed into a welfare organisation, contested the 2021 civic polls in the state and won 115 seats out of 169 it contested.
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Delhi: Father, son held for killing 19-year-old woman in suspected honour killing
New Delhi (PTI): The Delhi Police has arrested a man and his son for allegedly murdering his 19-year-old daughter in west Delhi's Hari Nagar area, an official said on Friday.
The case first came to light on April 1 after a PCR call was received around 2 pm, alleging that a woman had been killed by her family members and her body was being taken for last rites, he said.
The accused, identified as Mohammad Maneer (55), a vegetable vendor, and his son Meraj Ali (19), were arrested in connection with the case, the officer said.
The victim had been in a relationship with a man from her native place for the past two years, which was opposed by her father, Maneer and brother Meraj, he said.
"When the girl did not end the relationship despite objections, the family killed her," the officer said.
On April 1, the police said that when their team reached the spot, they found that the woman's body was being taken for burial.
Acting on the input, the burial process was stopped over suspicion of honour killing.
"Police intercepted the family members and took possession of the body," he said.
Police said that the man who had made the PCR told them that the woman was in love with his cousin.
During the inquiry, police also interacted with the PCR caller, who said his cousin, a friend of the deceased, had informed him about the situation and suspected foul play, prompting him to alert the police control room.
The body of the woman was subsequently shifted to the mortuary of Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital for preservation and postmortem.
Police said that both the crime team and the forensic science laboratory (FSL) team were called to inspect the scene and collect evidence.
Police said that, as per the postmortem report, the cause of death was identified as smothering, indicating that the woman was suffocated.
A preliminary inquiry also revealed that the family had initiated preparations for the last rites soon after the woman's death, raising suspicion about the circumstances.
Initial investigation pointed to the family's opposition to the woman's relationship.
"The family members of the woman saw her with the man, and she was taken back home. We got to know that she was beaten up and even locked inside the house for some days," a source said.
Further investigation into the matter is underway, police added.
