Chennai (PTI): Aiming to extend strong support to the opposition bloc INDIA in taking on the BJP, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Thursday said he would address the nation through a podcast series 'Speaking for India'.

Stating that he was compelled to speak for India, the Chief Minister, who is the president of DMK, said the 2024 Lok Sabha elections will mark the end of the BJP rule in the country. The DMK is a constituent of the INDIA grouping.

"Recently, I started a question and answer session: Ungalil Oruvan (one among you) to share my views. The DMK is turning 75 years and is the third major party in the Parliament. It was nurtured by iconic leaders like (former Chief Ministers) C N Annadurai and M Karunanidhi, who created a deep impact," Stalin said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, with the captions: "Awakening India's tomorrow, A Southern Voice Speaks for India".

"We are forced to speak for India. I am going to speak through an audio series about how the BJP regime, which will end in 2024, is destroying India and how we want to build an egalitarian and fraternal India in the future," he said.

"Shall we name it as Speaking for India? Wait for this voice from the south!" he said in the video.

The video comes on the day that the parties, who are a part of the opposition alliance, will be holding a meeting in Mumbai to discuss INDIA's strategy to take on the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections due next year and inclusion of new allies.

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Bengaluru: A minute-long video is being widely shared on social media showing a classroom incident purportedly from PES University, Bengaluru, where a professor is allegedly seen calling a Muslim student a “terrorist” multiple times. According to claims circulating online, the professor identified as Dr. Muralidhar Deshpande repeated his remark caling the Muslim student a terrorist 13 times during the class on Friday, March 27.

Following the circulation of the video, fresh developments have emerged. PES University has suspended the professor pending a detailed enquiry. This was confirmed through an official document accessed by Vartha Bharati.

The document dated March 27 states, “A case of student complaint has been received. Pending a detailed enquiry into the matter, you are kept under suspension with immediate effect.” The order has been signed by the Vice Chancellor of the university. However, the document does not mention the nature of the incident or provide any further details.

Mohammed Haiyan, PR Secretary of Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), speaking to Vartha Bharati over a phone call, condemned the incident. He said the incident took place at the Electronic City campus of the university.

He added that they are demanding that an FIR be registered against the professor. He also said that the NSUI has already registered an NCR with the local police. However, an FIR has not been registered so far in connection with the case.

A report by The Observer Post has made several additional claims regarding the incident. It stated:

“In PES University, Bengaluru, a professor allegedly verbally abused a Muslim student named Affan in class. Dr. Muralidhar Deshpande reportedly called him a "terrorist" 13 times and said, "Iran war happened because of people like you," "Trump will take you away," and "You are idiots, you will go to hell." These remarks were made in front of around 60 students, creating a humiliating environment. CCTV footage that could have been evidence was allegedly deleted, raising concerns about accountability. Some students who supported Affan were reportedly suspended for "talking during class." The professor later apologized to the college but not directly to Affan, while the department head allegedly pressured him further.”

However, Vartha Bharati could not independently verify all of these claims mentioned in the report.

Vartha Bharati has sent an email to the university and Dr. Muralidhar Deshpande seeking clarification on the incident and the action taken. A response is awaited. The story will be updated once an official reply is received.