TN Assembly Sees Heated Exchange Over Minority Welfare Legacy in Chennai

A heated exchange erupted in the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly in Chennai on Friday between Minorities Welfare Minister A M Shahjahan and DMK MLA M Thamimun Ansari over the historical contributions of Dravidian parties toward minority welfare.

The confrontation took place during the debate on the demand for grants for the minorities welfare department. It followed an argument between the opposition and treasury benches a day earlier regarding the contributions of Dravidian parties to dalit welfare. In the House, Ansari accused the TVK government of presenting its welfare schemes as unprecedented while glossing over the work and initiatives undertaken by successive DMK and AIADMK administrations.

Shahjahan defended the administration by stating that 20 initiatives for minorities had been announced by the TVK government. Among the key announcements highlighted by the minister were plans to establish a college for women in Chennai, construct community halls across five districts, and extend financial assistance to Muslim girl students pursuing higher education.

During his address, Shahjahan also lauded Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay for including the Indian Union Muslim League in the state cabinet. Recalling Vijay's visit to the IUML party office, Shahjahan noted that while the IUML had played a pivotal role in the formation of multiple governments in the past, Vijay was the first chief minister to personally visit its office. He stated that the government would continue to uphold secularism.

Shahjahan also acknowledged and thanked the DMK for campaigning for the IUML's victory. However, his remarks asserting that the TVK government had introduced multiple new schemes for the welfare of minorities triggered strong objections from DMK legislators in the assembly.