AIADMK MLAs headed by party general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) staged a walkout from the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly protesting Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar’s refusal to take up for discussion a Calling Attention Motion submitted five days ago “on a matter of urgent public importance”.

Later speaking to journalists at the Secretariat, Mr. Palaniswami said four fishermen from Tamil Nadu, belonging to Thoduvai village near Thirumullaivasal in Mayiladuthurai district, were staying in Saudi Arabia and involved in fishing. They were attacked by Iranian pirates. In the attack, Maveeran was shot dead, while Balraj, Sankar, and Manikandan sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Saudi Arabia.

“The AIADMK had submitted this Calling Attention Motion five days ago to draw the government’s attention to bring the deceased fisherman’s body back to Tamil Nadu, providing the injured fishermen with proper treatment, and extending appropriate livelihood assistance to their families,” Mr. Palaniswami said.

He accused the government of merely making verbal claims that it would protect the people of Tamil Nadu. “This is a very urgent and important issue. The TVK government did not even allow us to raise the issue in the Assembly. It does not understand the pain of the family members. In the past, whether under the AIADMK or DMK regime, whenever Tamils were affected in other States or abroad, if a Calling Attention Motion was moved, it would immediately be taken up for discussion. But this government does not care about the issue. This is strongly condemnable,” he added.

Published - August 19, 2026 02:28 pm IST