Speaker M. Appavu denies caste conflicts in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu's Legislative Assembly Speaker, M. Appavu, stated there are no significant caste conflicts in the state. He emphasized that some individuals are misrepresenting personal disputes as caste issues. He spoke to reporters during a job offer event in Palayamkottai. Appavu assured that the rule of law is strong in Tamil Nadu. He noted that actions are being taken against wrongdoers, regardless of their background. In response to a recent murder of a retired police officer in Tirunelveli, he mentioned that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has addressed accusations from the opposition. The Chief Minister provided data showing that crime has decreased under the current government compared to the previous one. Regarding the delimitation of Lok Sabha constituencies, Appavu discussed how it would affect states that have effectively managed their population growth. He explained the number of Members of Parliament has grown over the years, now totaling 543. Although population control efforts delayed the delimitation process until 2002, many southern states have successfully implemented such measures, leading to slower population growth. On the topic of rising juvenile crime, Appavu suggested that police involvement in school matters is not necessary. He believes these issues should be handled by teachers, parents, and the Parent-Teacher Association. If needed, the District Collector should intervene. Finally, he stressed that disputes among children should not be labeled as caste conflicts.