Congress launches black flag protest against BJP's 'anti-Tamil policies' ahead of PM Modi's visit

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 6 (ANI): Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Tamil Nadu visit to inaugurate the New Pambam Bridge, the Congress unit in the state launched a black flag protest on Sunday against BJP's 'anti-Tamil policies,' including the non-disbursal of funds to the state government and various other policies of the central government.

Earlier, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai said that the party condemns the idea of One Nation One Election, the passing of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, the non-disbursement of funds and other policies.

The party is also going to raise slogans condemning the Waqf Bill as PM Modi reaches Rameswaram city.

'(Union Finance Minister) Nirmala Sitharaman in Chennai event said One Nation One Election would be implemented. ... we are holding this protest. We will also raise new slogans as PM Modi reaches Rameshwaram,' K Selvaperunthagai said.

'We are also showing black flag to Modi condemning Waqf Board Amendment,' he added. In a statement released on X, the party's state president said highlighted their opposition to the Waqf Amendment BIll.

'The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is a weapon aimed at marginalizing Muslims and taking away their personal laws and property rights,' Selvaperunthagai's statement read.

'This attack on the Constitution by the RSS, BJP and their allies is targeting Muslims today, but it sets a precedent for targeting other communities in the future,' the statement added.

Earlier, MLA Oorvasi S Amirtharaj said the BJP has 'continued to deceive Tamil Nadu and Tamils.'

'Not giving relief funds for the districts affected by storm and floods, under conditions of Hindi imposition, not providing funds for school education, the central BJP is working to affect the livelihood of the rural people without providing funds to Tamil Nadu,' said the MLA during a press meet.

Multiple state trustees in Thoothukudi participated in the demonstration.

On the occasion of Ram Navami, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate India's first vertical lift sea bridge, the New Pamban Bridge in Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu.

The 2.07-kilometre-long New Pamban Bridge, spanning the Palk Strait in Tamil Nadu, stands as a testament to India's engineering prowess and visionary infrastructure development, the Ministry of Railways said in a statement.

The bridge has one vertical lift spanning 72.5 metres with two tracks. The approach has 88 spans of 18.3-metre steel plate girders fabricated for a single line. (ANI)