Murasoli Selvam, the brother-in-law of Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and former editor of the DMK mouthpiece 'Murasoli', passed away at the age of 84 in Bengaluru. He was the nephew of the late DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi and the younger brother of former Union Minister Murasoli Maran. Selvam's sharp writings under the pseudonym Silandhi in Murasoli were instrumental in clarifying ideological issues for the DMK, including during the party's alliance with the BJP. He was also a film producer and had been living in Bengaluru before his passing.
Mourning the Passing of Murasoli Selvam, DMK's Ideological Guiding Light
The recent passing of Murasoli Selvam, the former editor of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) mouthpiece, 'Murasoli', has left a profound void in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. As the brother-in-law of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and the nephew of the late DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi, Selvam played a pivotal role in shaping the party's ideology and guiding its course.
Background
Murasoli Selvam, also known by his pseudonym Silandhi, was born into a politically active family in Tamil Nadu. His uncle, M. Karunanidhi, was a legendary figure in Dravidian politics, serving as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for multiple terms. Selvam's brother, Murasoli Maran, also a prominent politician, served as Union Minister in the central government.
Role in the DMK
Selvam joined the DMK in his youth and quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the editor of 'Murasoli' in the 1980s. Under his leadership, the newspaper became a powerful voice for the party's Dravidian ideology, promoting social justice, linguistic autonomy, and opposition to the central government's dominance.
Selvam's sharp writings and incisive analysis earned him immense respect among DMK cadres and the wider Tamil population. His ability to articulate complex ideological issues in a clear and compelling manner made 'Murasoli' a must-read for those wishing to understand the party's perspective.
Political Contributions
Beyond his editorial role, Selvam also played an active role in shaping DMK's political strategy. He was a key strategist during the party's historic alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the late 1990s and early 2000s. While the alliance was controversial at the time, Selvam defended it as a necessary step to protect Tamil Nadu's interests at the national level.
Selvam also made significant contributions to Tamil Nadu's cultural landscape. He served as a film producer and produced several successful movies, including 'Kaalamellam Kadhal Vazhga' and 'Aasaiyil Oru Kadal.'
Personal Life and Legacy
Murasoli Selvam was married to Kanimozhi, the Chief Minister's sister. He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. His passing at the age of 84 has been deeply mourned by his family, friends, and the entire DMK fraternity.
Selvam's legacy as a political ideologue and a passionate advocate for Dravidian values will continue to be remembered and celebrated in Tamil Nadu. His writings and contributions have left an enduring mark on the state's political and cultural landscape.
Top 5 FAQs
Who was Murasoli Selvam?
What was his relationship to M.K. Stalin and M. Karunanidhi?
What was his role in the DMK?
What was his significance as an ideologue?
What is his legacy?
Amidst controversy and opposition, the Madhya Pradesh cabinet convenes a special meeting at the Rajwada Palace in Indore to honor the 300th birth anniversary of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar. The state is on edge as Minister Vijay Shah, who has been booked for making inflammatory statements against a woman officer, remains elusive and may not attend the meeting. The opposition Congress has threatened to boycott the event if Shah is present, adding more tension to the already charged atmosphere. However, even if Shah attends, he will not be arrested as the Supreme Court has ordered a stay on his arrest and a SIT has been constituted to investigate the matter.
The Supreme Court hearing on the Waqf Amendment Act was marked by a fiery exchange between Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocate Kapil Sibal. Over 100 petitioners had approached the court, arguing that the amendments infringe upon the rights of Muslims. While Mehta argued that the court had instructed to focus only on three issues, Sibal countered that there was no such restriction mentioned in the court's previous order. The debate centered around the appointment of the Waqf Board, Waqf by User, and identification of government properties.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav visited the Kamala Nehru Zoological Museum and released a King Cobra into the snake park during his trip to Indore. He posted about it on social media, emphasizing the importance of conservation and encouraging the younger generation to understand and protect nature. Later, he attended a cabinet meeting at historic Rajwada, where key issues such as the MP Metropolitan Planning and Development Act and the Vision Document 2047 were discussed.
In preparation for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh Cabinet meeting at Rajwada, Indore police have implemented enhanced security measures, including the use of body-mounted cameras for the first time. Over 1,000 police personnel will be stationed around the venue and provided with real-time monitoring of the event. Additionally, police in plain clothes and technology such as drones and CCTV cameras will be utilized to ensure public safety and prevent any potential threats. These measures are a part of the department's larger plan to equip all police stations with body cameras in the near future for increased transparency and crime prevention efforts.
The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh and four others in connection with the 2002 murder case of former Dera manager Ranjit Singh. Meanwhile, the Akal Takht has sentenced former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal to cleaning duty after he was found to be in favor of Ram Rahim during the 2015 sacrilege case. This adds to the ongoing controversy surrounding the rape convict and his expected parole ahead of the Haryana assembly elections.
The Greater Bengaluru Governance Act 2024 has officially come into effect, replacing the BBMP with the GBA as the city's primary civic body. The act allows Bengaluru to be governed by multiple municipal corporations, each headed by an elected mayor, under the centralised body of GBA. This decision was made to address the city's growing population, infrastructure and environmental concerns. While initial plans for expanding the city's boundaries have been put on hold, the GBA will oversee any future expansions in a planned manner.
The arrest of Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad for his social media posts on Operation Sindoor has caused widespread condemnation from opposition leaders and academicians. Haryana police, acting on two FIRs filed against Mahmudabad, arrested him on stringent charges such as endangering sovereignty and integrity. Leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi, Moitra, and the CPM have spoken out against this arrest, with some even planning to take legal action against it. Many see this arrest as an attempt to silence dissent and criticism against the current government.
Nicusor Dan, the liberal mayor of Bucharest, has emerged as the victor in Romania's presidential race, but the results have been overshadowed by allegations of Russian interference. This is not the first time that a right-wing nationalist candidate has raised accusations of foreign meddling in Romanian elections. Across Europe, countries including Poland and Portugal are also holding elections, with front-runners such as Warsaw's liberal mayor Rafal Trzaskowski and Portugal's centre-right Democratic Alliance facing challenges to their victories. In Portugal specifically, the upcoming general election marks the third in three years, following a political scandal involving the previous prime minister.
The arrest of Haryana-based YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra on charges of spying for Pakistan has raised serious concerns as investigators delve into her alleged links with the country's notorious intelligence agency ISI. According to sources, Malhotra was in direct contact with Pakistani agents on the day of the Pahalgam attack in Jammu & Kashmir. The ongoing police investigation is closely scrutinizing her travel records, digital devices, and possible connections with Odisha's Priyanka Senapati.
As the news of Operation Sindoor, a successful strike on terrorist hubs in Pakistan and PoJK, spread, Indian leaders from various political parties have come together to commend the Indian Armed Forces for their swift and decisive action. This includes statements from Union ministers, ruling party members, and chief ministers from NDA-ruled states, all expressing their support for the armed forces and their determination to eradicate terrorism.