A village that rejects freebies & doesn’t allow political ads
As election fever heats up, a few villages in south Tamil Nadu have chosen to remain largely untouched by political messaging. Othaveedu in Madurai is one such example, where political advertisements, banners, flags, posters, or any form of messaging are strictly prohibited, according Jaden Thomas's Times of India report.
Politicians are welcome to enter the village to campaign, but that’s the extent of their engagement. Villagers neither accept gifts or freebies nor allow any posters to be displayed on private or public walls.
"Apart from political posters, we do not allow posters for religious or private events such as festivals and weddings either. If such a poster is stuck on walls, village elders ask them to remove it immediately," said P Pandi, a shopkeeper, noting that campaigners and parties respect these rules, to TOI. A notice explaining these guidelines is also displayed at the village bus stand.
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"We follow these rules so no one is swayed by propaganda on posters and banners or has any allegiance to a particular flag," said M Jayaraj, another resident to TOI. "When the time comes to vote, each one makes his or her own decision, without the influence of the rest of the village." Jayaraj added that returning villagers from other cities or districts also abide by these practices.
TOI found that just across the road from Othaveedu, there is a signboard of a recent road development project with details of the scheme. "That was not allowed within the village limits," said Krishnan, another villager. "Shop names and their ads are the only ones permitted inside the village."
Other villages following similar political messaging rules include Marudhanatham in Virudhunagar district, Komboothi in Ramanathapuram, and Balakrishnapuram in Theni.
"Politicians are allowed to enter the village to campaign, and they can bring whatever flags and banners they want with them, but when they leave, they must take all of that with them," said Murugan, a resident of Balakrishnapuram.
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These rules also help maintain harmony within the villages. "It is not discussed publicly. Each person votes for who he or she wants. There are no arguments or discussions about it during panchayat or other public meetings," he added.
(With TOI inputs)
Politicians are welcome to enter the village to campaign, but that’s the extent of their engagement. Villagers neither accept gifts or freebies nor allow any posters to be displayed on private or public walls.
"Apart from political posters, we do not allow posters for religious or private events such as festivals and weddings either. If such a poster is stuck on walls, village elders ask them to remove it immediately," said P Pandi, a shopkeeper, noting that campaigners and parties respect these rules, to TOI. A notice explaining these guidelines is also displayed at the village bus stand.
Also Read: Tamil Nadu: Rs 11 lakh cash seized from DMK functionary's house in Tiruchirappalli
"We follow these rules so no one is swayed by propaganda on posters and banners or has any allegiance to a particular flag," said M Jayaraj, another resident to TOI. "When the time comes to vote, each one makes his or her own decision, without the influence of the rest of the village." Jayaraj added that returning villagers from other cities or districts also abide by these practices.
TOI found that just across the road from Othaveedu, there is a signboard of a recent road development project with details of the scheme. "That was not allowed within the village limits," said Krishnan, another villager. "Shop names and their ads are the only ones permitted inside the village."
Other villages following similar political messaging rules include Marudhanatham in Virudhunagar district, Komboothi in Ramanathapuram, and Balakrishnapuram in Theni.
"Politicians are allowed to enter the village to campaign, and they can bring whatever flags and banners they want with them, but when they leave, they must take all of that with them," said Murugan, a resident of Balakrishnapuram.
Also Read: We must send 'Delhi Team' back home with a decisive win: Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin
These rules also help maintain harmony within the villages. "It is not discussed publicly. Each person votes for who he or she wants. There are no arguments or discussions about it during panchayat or other public meetings," he added.
(With TOI inputs)
