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The Hindu

Top News / The Hindu

A Lok Sabha election defeat and dismissal of the MGR Government

Nearly a month later when there were talks in the corridors of power that the Indira Gandhi Government may dismiss governments in opposition-ruled States citing the precedent set in 1977 by the Janata Party Government, MGR described it as speculation

20 Jul 2026 4:01 pm
TVK govt. in Tamil Nadu faces a fiscal test in balancing populism and prudence

We can have a welfare State only if we work for it and step up production, said the then Chief Minister C. Rajagopalachari in June 1952

20 Jul 2026 3:59 pm
Prohibitory orders in Mumbai from July 23 to August 6; cops cite likelihood of public order disturbance

The order will not cover gatherings at courts, government offices and local bodies for official work, academic activities in schools, colleges and educational institutions, and assemblies at factories, shops and establishments for normal trade and business

20 Jul 2026 3:57 pm
How ordinary people of Tamil Nadu participated in the making of the Constitution

A resident of Kattunedungulam village of the Sivaganga district, sent a hand-written note with a demand that members of his community should have freedom of worship and autonomy to manage their own community

20 Jul 2026 3:56 pm
A wildlife association that helped conserve the Nilgiris biodiversity

The NWEA came into existence in colonial India, when British colonists discovered a hunters paradise in the Nilgiris

20 Jul 2026 3:56 pm
M.G. Ramachandrans hospitalisation in the U.S. and homecoming after treatment

MGR was flown to America on November 6, 1984, on a chartered Air India flight and was admitted to the Downstate Medical Centre in Brooklyn, New York. At the time of admission, he was not fully conscious after suffering a stroke. Later, he underwent a kidney transplant surgery at the hospital.

20 Jul 2026 3:56 pm
How Tamil Nadus two-language policy impacted the teachers of other languages in 1968

On January 23, 1968, the firstDMKgovernment, headed byC.N.Annadurai, adopted a resolution in the Madras Assembly scrapping the three-language formulaand mandating the teaching of only Tamil and English. The immediate switchover affected over 4,000 Hindi and Sanskrit teachers at about 2,400 schools in the State

20 Jul 2026 3:55 pm
Documents on anti-Hindi agitation wiped out on order by Tamil Nadus last Congress CM Bhaktavatsalam

On February 24, 1967, a day after the Assembly election results were declared, the outgoing Chief Minister M. Bhaktavatsalam wrote a note to the Public Department. It said, Records connected with the anti-Hindi agitation need not be kept. This may also apply to records maintained by the police.

20 Jul 2026 3:55 pm
Why the Church of Scotland Mission was worried about schools in Madras falling into debt

While notable progress was made in the area of female education, there was also concern over the lack of availability of female teachers to tutor the girls.

20 Jul 2026 3:54 pm
Why Governor K.K. Shah recommended dismissal of DMK government in Tamil Nadu during Emergency in 1976

Not clamping down on anti-Emergency publications too led to the dissolution of Karunanidhi-led DMK government in Tamil Nadu in 1976, when the State was brought under the Presidents rule for the fist time 50 years ago.

20 Jul 2026 3:54 pm
Kozhikode DIET launches IntelliTrait to mentor schoolchildren

To develop and promote entrepreneurial skills and job orientation among schoolchildren

20 Jul 2026 3:54 pm
Capturing the cruelty of leprosy in a dark and merciless language

The anguish and alienation associated with leprosy have long made it a potent subject in literature, inspiring some of the modern writing in Tamil

20 Jul 2026 3:54 pm
How a political and legal battle halted efforts to conserve Tiruvannamalai temple 25 years ago

More than two decades ago, the Archaeological Survey of India proposed to declare the Arunachaleswara temple a monument of national importance. The proposal, however, was shelved after a row fomented by vested interests

20 Jul 2026 3:53 pm
Woman arrested for killing newborn granddaughter in Erode

Police said she allegedly strangled the newborn to death at a private hospital in Bhavani because the child was the familys second daughter

20 Jul 2026 3:53 pm
WhenE.V.K.Sampath hit the headlines in Tamil Nadu

Sampath, nephew ofE.V.Ramasamy, enjoyed a special relationship withDMKfounderC.N.Annadurai.Before otherDMKleaders, he realised the futility of pursuing the demand for aDravidaNadu. He quit theDMKin 1961 and founded a party, which he merged with the Congress. Sampathsbirth centenary falls on March 6, 2026.

20 Jul 2026 3:53 pm
Vadaserys temple jewellery: a craft caught between heritage and high gold, silver prices

Temple jewellery continues to survive with its distinctive manufacturing method and rich antiquity.But the artisans of VadaseryinNagercoil, who practise the craft, are buffeted by the drop in demand with gold and silver prices going up

20 Jul 2026 3:53 pm
HowV.O. Chidambaram Pillai earned the title SekkizhuthaChemmal

VOCwas arrested on the charge of sedition on March 12, 1908.A British jailer noticed his hands bleeding from the harsh labour of separatingcoirand spinning rope in theCoimbatoreprison. Hence, he advised him to work at the oil press instead.VOC accepted the suggestion and pulled the oil press himself, a task normally reserved for bulls

20 Jul 2026 3:53 pm
On the approach and outlook of Tamil Nadus Scheduled Caste leaders in late 1940s

In the 1946 elections to various provinces, the Congress demonstrated its superiority over the Scheduled Castes Federation (SCF) founded by B.R. Ambedkar. In the erstwhile Madras Presidency, the party bagged 27 out of 30 seats allotted to SCs.

20 Jul 2026 3:52 pm
170 years ago, a debate in Britain parliament on torture in Madras

Forms of torture in Madras Presidency at the time included tying a man by the hair of his head to the tail of an ass, and parading him though the public market

20 Jul 2026 3:52 pm
Chennais iconic annual fair at Island Grounds turns 50

The 70-day-long India Tourism and Industrial Fair that began at the Island Grounds in the city recently turned 50 this year. The Sutrula Porutkatchi was conceived and named by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. It began in the city in 1974 as the Pongal Tourist Trade Fair.

20 Jul 2026 3:52 pm
Ram Setu vs. Sethusamudram project: When Tamil Nadu BJP headquarters was attacked by DMK cadres

In response to DMK president M. Karunanidhis remark on Ram Setu, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader and former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti triggered a major controversy in September 2007 by saying that whosoever chopped off the head and tongue of the DMK president would be gifted in gold.

20 Jul 2026 3:51 pm
How the Tamil Nadu legislature, in the late 1940s, viewed the making of the Constitution

In the Constituent Assemblys debates (1946-49), K. Santhanam and N.G. Ranga, both from southern States representing the present Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, had strongly argued against any attempt to make the Central government more powerful under the garb of expanding the Concurrent List

20 Jul 2026 3:51 pm
When eggs, stones were hurled at T.N. Governor Channa Reddys convoy and CM Jayalalithaa sought his recall

The incident occurred in 1995 when hostilities between Jayalalithaa and Reddy were common knowledge. While the Governor sent a report to the Centre against the AIADMK government, the Chief Minister wrote to President Shankar Dayal Sharma and Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao.

20 Jul 2026 3:50 pm
Tamil Nadus link to a key amendment to the Constitution on freedom of press, expression

On March 1, 1950, the Madras government banned Cross Roads, a Left-leaning journal. A month later, the Supreme Courts full Bench, by five to one, quashed the order. The Constitution had to be amended in the light of the landmark judgment. Parliament adopted the amendment Bill, with 246 members voting in favour and 14 against

20 Jul 2026 3:50 pm
Six decades of Blue Cross: from humble beginnings to setting the standard for animal welfare

In 1959, Captain V. Sundaram brought home two stranded puppies he found on a flooded streetnear his house at T. Nagar. He built makeshift kennels at home for injured and abandoned animals. This organisation was registered as theBCIin 1964

20 Jul 2026 3:49 pm
An idol found nearGangaikondaCholapuramconfirms the Thiruvarasu ofNathamunigal

Near theGangaikondaCholapuram-KumbakonamRoad is a place calledSorgapallamorSembodaiwhere an idol ofSrinivasaPerumalas once foundhalf-buried under a tree. In the year 2000, another idol was found buried in a field. It was that of the first of the Sri Vaishnava Acharyas, who was said to have been at the place in his final hours

20 Jul 2026 3:49 pm
ThanjavurBig Temple inscriptions bring alive the fierce fight between Shivaji andAfzal Khan

The inscriptions, written in Marathi on the south-western walls near theVinayagarTemple, also describe the history of the Maratha kingsand praise Danish missionary Rev. Friedrich Christian Schwartz. They also highlight howSerfojisent his army and offered financial assistance to the British during the war against theMarudubrothers

20 Jul 2026 3:42 pm
Salem C. Vijiaraghavachariar, the freedom fighter who fought againstKalaPaani

Salem C.Vijiaraghavachariar, one of the doyens of the national movement during the pre-Gandhi eraand the first Tamil to become the All India Congress Committee president, was ordered to be transported toAndamansto serve a 10-year imprisonment. He appealed to the High Court of Madras and got his conviction quashed on January 9, 1883

20 Jul 2026 3:42 pm
How Scheduled Castes in Tirunelveli empowered themselves by establishing schools

The community established schools not only inTirunelvelidistrict but also in other parts of Tamil Nadu.Now, there are 28 schools originally established by the community that are functioning as government-aided primary schools inTirunelveli

20 Jul 2026 3:41 pm
India records 78 doping cases till July 15; Uttar Pradesh, Punjab top list: Sports Minister Mandaviya

Manuskh Mandaviya, in a written response, said 78 Adverse Analytical Findings have been recorded so far in 2026

20 Jul 2026 3:41 pm
Acts committed as juvenile cannot justify preventive detention after attaining majority: J&K High Court

Detenue could not have been detained under preventive laws for the activities alleged committed by him at the time when he was a juvenile, the court says

20 Jul 2026 3:41 pm
S. Chellapandian: a Speaker with sound knowledge of British parliamentary practices

S.Chellapandiantried to follow British parliamentary practices.In the opinion of former President R.Venkataraman, he knew legislative procedures so thoroughly that he would not only enforce them but would also guide new members to learn the art

20 Jul 2026 3:39 pm
J.C. Daniel, a Tamil dentist and martial artist, who became the father of Malayalam cinema

Driven by his passion for cinema, Daniel sold his share of family property inKanniyakumaridistrict and borrowed money from friends and relatives to producethe first Malayalam silent filmVigathakumaran(The Lost Child). The film told the story of a child kidnapped by a plantation worker from Sri Lanka and later reunited with his family

20 Jul 2026 3:38 pm
A Supreme Court of Judicature functioned for over 60 years at Madras during British rule

A charter, issued in 1687, empowered the Mayor and three of the eldest Aldermen to form a court of record.King George III issued a charter in 1798 for constituting of the Court of the Recorder of Madras that replaced the Mayors Court. Yet another charter, issued in 1800, abolished this court and put in place the Supreme Court of Judicature at Madras

20 Jul 2026 3:36 pm
When explosives were planted at police premises across Tamil Nadu in 1999

A massive search operation after a low intensity explosion in Chennai revealed that bombs were placed in the Police Commissionerate, Prison Headquarters and other police establishments

20 Jul 2026 3:36 pm
When a Congress MLA was asked to repay 21.58 lakh salary after his election was set aside

He argued that he had discharged his duties in good faith, and the benefits received could not be retrospectively withdrawn merely because his election was later declared void

20 Jul 2026 3:34 pm
The unique flavour of Dindigulcigar, a balm to Winston Churchill during World War

During the Second World War, the British Prime Minister decided to have a regular supply of these cigars made by Spencer and Co.A permanent order was placed with the Government of Madras. Spencer and Co. shut the business in the 1950s. What is left of the Spencer Compound is a portion of the ground that has become an unkempt garden

20 Jul 2026 3:34 pm
Collection of names of animals as portrayed in Tamil classics

The ancient Tamils employed a remarkable richness of vocabulary to refer to animals.H.Chithiraputhiran, a former professor at Tamil University,Thanjavur, has compiled a specialised dictionary of animals in classical literature to recover these words

20 Jul 2026 3:33 pm
MasiMagam: an auspicious day for Irularcommunity to reconnect with their roots on Mamallapuramseashores

For theIrulars, theMasiMagamfestival is deeply tied to their culture and collective identity.They gather in their thousands on the shores ofMamallapuramto perform marriages, naming ceremonies for children, ear piercing, and tonsuring. In fact, they come in search of their patron deityKanniammal, who they believe had left them

20 Jul 2026 3:33 pm
An uproar that marked the States name change from Madras to Tamil Nadu

The new name came into force on January 14, 1969, the day of Thai Pongal.

20 Jul 2026 3:32 pm
Varadarajulu Naidu, the relentless freedom fighter and doyen of journalism

He was called the Bal Gangadhar Tilak of south India, as his accomplishments in instilling the national spirit, in public speaking and journalism were as exemplary as those of Tilak. There is no proper memorial for him in Tamil Nadu, barring an Ashoka pillar in Salem city where he lived for most of the time, wherein the plaque bears his name.

20 Jul 2026 3:26 pm
Narasus Coffee turns 100

The Narasus story began in 1926 with its founder, V. Lakshmi Narasimhan (fondly known as Narasu), introducing high-quality tea and coffee blends.

20 Jul 2026 3:25 pm
The fate of Nagapattinams lost vihara

The return of the famed Leiden plates to India revives questions about what became of Nagapattinams great Buddhist vihara and its vast endowments

20 Jul 2026 3:25 pm
Tamil Nadu CM Vijays Kollur Mookambika temple visit revives memories of MGR and Jayalalithaas trips

According to a July 12, 1985, report, MGR had by then visited the Mookambika temple seven times. Even towards the final years of his life, he continued the practice. In January 1987, he again travelled to Kollur for darshan at the temple.

20 Jul 2026 3:24 pm
Tamil Nadus rare controversy over government bungalow to former President Venkataraman in 1992

In Bihar, a row has arisen now in the wake of a second notice issued by the Bihar Building Construction Department (BCD) to former Chief Minister Rabri Devi for vacating her present government accommodation 10, Circular Road bungalow in Patna.

20 Jul 2026 3:23 pm
Death of Kannur dental student Nithin Raj: Kerala govt forms SIT to further probe case

Ajith Beegum, Inspector General of Police, Crime Branch, to head the SIT which will cover 'overlooked aspects of the case', including possible role of other Anjarakandy college faculty members, in the Dalit students death

20 Jul 2026 3:23 pm
How an attempt by Tamil Nadu to create an AIIMS-like facility failed to take off decades ago

Presently, Madurai has been earmarked for the States first AIIMS

20 Jul 2026 3:20 pm
After 43 years, a PM to visit Vizianagaram: Modi to inaugurate Bhogapuram airport on August 1

Only the second Prime Minister to visit the district since Indira Gandhis 1983 Congress campaign at the Maharaja Stadium

20 Jul 2026 3:19 pm
Delhi riots case:Supreme Court stays HC order granting Pinjra Tod activist Devangana Kalita access to probe documents

According to the Delhi Police, Ms. Kalita and several other activists had conspired to trigger unrest in northeast Delhi in 2020 under the guise of peaceful protests

20 Jul 2026 3:18 pm
APAAR Scheme: Supreme Court assures parents it will pass order requiring CBSE to provide opt-out, refusal option

Supreme Court says it will order Orissa High Court judgment in Rohit Anand Das versus State Of Odisha, directing the APAAR consent form to include an opt out/refusal of consent option, to be complied on a pan-India basis

20 Jul 2026 3:18 pm