True faith teaches us to respect others' beliefs: TVK chief Vijay
Chennai (PTI): Actor-turned-politician and TVK chief Vijay on Monday said true faith teaches us to respect others' beliefs.
Speaking at 'Samathuva Christmas Party' organised by his Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), here, he said, "... True faith is what teaches us to respect others' beliefs for the sake of harmony. Yes. Such a faith alone is enough; it will overcome any kind of problem."
He also said love and compassion are the basis for everything in Tamil Nadu, where "everyone happily celebrates all festivals" -- be it Pongal, Diwali, Ramzan or Christmas.
"Even if the lifestyle and method of worship are different, we are all brothers," he added.
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Drawing a parallel between his own journey and the Biblical story of Joseph -- who was betrayed by his brothers only to overcome everything and become a king -- the TVK founder said he too is being betrayed by his "brothers", but would overcome his challenges and rule the hearts of people.
"I don’t think there is a need for me to say who that specific story is about," the actor, whose given name is Joseph, said without naming anyone.
Hosting Christian clergy and supporters at a venue near here, Vijay stressed that his party will protect Tamil Nadu's "motherly ethos of unity".
"We and TVK will be 100 per cent firm in protecting social and religious harmony," the TVK chief promised.
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South African police arrest suspect in mass shooting that killed 12, including 3 children
Johannesburg (AP): A 32-year-old suspect has been arrested in connection with a mass shooting which claimed the lives of 12 people including three children at an unlicensed pub earlier this month, South African police said on Monday.
The man is suspected of being one of the three people who opened fire on patrons in a pub at Saulsville township, west of South Africa's capital Pretoria, killing 12 people including three children aged 3, 12 and 16.
At least 13 people were also injured during the attack, whose motive remains unknown.
According to the police, the suspect was arrested on Sunday while traveling to Botlokwa in Limpopo province, more than 340 km from where the mass shooting took place on Dec 6.
An unlicensed firearm believed to have been used during the attack was recovered from the suspect's vehicle.
“The 32-year-old suspect was intercepted by Limpopo Tracking Team on the R101 Road in Westenburg precinct. During the arrest, the team recovered an unlicensed firearm, a hand gun, believed to have been used in the commission of the multiple murders. The firearm will be taken to the Forensic Science Laboratory for ballistic analysis,” police said in statement.
The suspect was arrested on the same day that another mass shooting at a pub took place in the Bekkersdal township, west of Johannesburg, in which nine people were killed and 10 wounded when unknown gunmen opened fire on patrons.
Police have since launched a search for the suspects.
South Africa has one of the highest homicide rates in the world and recorded more than 26,000 homicides in 2024 — an average of more than 70 a day. Firearms are by far the leading cause of death in homicides.
The country of 62 million people has relatively strict gun ownership laws, but many killings are committed with illegal guns, according to authorities.
According to police, mass shootings at unlicensed bars are becoming a serious problem. Police shut down more than 11,000 illegal taverns between April and September this year and arrested more than 18,000 people for involvement in illegal liquor sales.
