The Southern View: MGR Statue Vandalised | NDA MPs Report On Karur Stampede | Sabarimala Gold 'Theft'

Tensions flared in Madurai after a statue of former Tamil Nadu CM M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) was vandalised, prompting sharp reactions from the AIADMK. Party leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) condemned the act, calling the perpetrators "anti-social elements" and demanding their immediate arrest. Police have launched a probe and are reviewing CCTV footage, while AIADMK workers have already repaired the damaged statue.

Meanwhile, in Karur, the NDA MPs' fact-finding team probing the stampede that killed 41 people during actor-politician Vijay's rally blamed the tragedy on "complete administrative failure and mismanagement."

In Kerala, the High Court has ordered an SIT probe into alleged irregularities in the gold plating of copper Dwarapalaka idols at the Sabarimala temple, after reports emerged of reduced gold weight.