AIADMK walks out of Assembly protesting Speaker’s refusal to take up Calling Attention Motion
AIADMK legislators walked out of the Tamil Nadu Assembly after the Speaker refused to discuss a motion regarding the death of a fisherman killed by Iranian pirates. The opposition party criticized the government for failing to address the urgent safety concerns of citizens working abroad.
Why it matters
The incident highlights ongoing political tensions in Tamil Nadu and the challenges of protecting migrant workers in volatile international regions.
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.
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