April 21, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed full confidence in India’s security under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with both nations working to reschedule Netanyahu’s postponed visit. The statement follows a car blast in Delhi, prompting Netanyahu to emphasize the shared spirit of both countries in confronting terrorism. Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu and PM Narendra Modi NEW DELHI: Benjamin Netanyahu has “full confidence” in India’s security, and both sides are already working on a new date for the Israeli prime minister’s visit to India, his office noted on Tuesday.Also Read | December visit postponed: Israel likely to seek fresh dates for Netanyahu’s India trip — here’s why“Israel’s bond with India and between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister @narendramodi is very strong. The PM has full confidence in India’s security under PM Modi, and teams are already coordinating a new visit date,” the Israel Prime Minister’s Office posted on X.The statement follows reports that Netanyahu’s planned December visit to India has been postponed due to security concerns after the November 10 car blast in Delhi. His last official trip to the country was a six-day visit in January 2018 — only the second by an Israeli prime minister — coming about six months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to Israel in July 2017.After the Delhi explosion — the capital’s first terror incident since 2008 — Netanyahu had emphasised the “unbreakable spirit” shared by both nations in confronting terrorism, noting that while terror may target cities, “it cannot break the resolve of resilient societies.” “To our dear friend Narendra Modi and to the brave people of India: Sara and I, and the people of Israel, send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Israel stands strong with you in sorrow and in strength in this time,” his statement read.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Until Brahmin Donates His Daughter’: Ias Officer’S Remark Sparks Row, Issues Clarification’A Nation That Never Bows to Terror, Operation Sindoor Shows New India’s Resolve, Says PM ModiChina Rejects Charge of Harassing Indian Woman in Shanghai, But Insists Claim Over Arunachal PradeshMamata Banerjee Warns BJP With Nation-Shaking Threat As SIR Battle Erupts In Bengal Ahead Of PollsAssam CM Calls Zubeen Garg’S Death ‘Plain Murder’, Drops Explosive RevelationDrone Show Pays Homage To Guru Tegh Bahadur In 350th Martyrdom Anniversary Event At Anandpur SahibRed Fort Attack May Derail Benjamin Netanyahu’s India Visit As Israeli Media Flags Safety ConcernsFinland President Warns Global Order Is ‘Unfair’, Urges West To Accept East And India’s Growing Role’Necessary Response At Proper Time’: Taliban Vows Action After 10 Killed In Pak StrikesWhy Delhi Police Added Section 197 To India Gate Protest Case Following Pepper Spray Attack123PhotostoriesExclusive – Bigg Boss 19: From opening up about her relationship with Kumar Sanu to calling Malti Chahar a ‘lesbian’; Kunickaa Sadanand breaks silence on her journey5 celebrity looks of the day that are setting major fashion goalsMrs. Gump’s most inspiring life lessons from Forrest Gump that still inspire generations8 modern-sounding baby boy names in Sanskrit and their meaningWinter-Friendly Fruits: 8 plants that thrives in cold-weather gardensFrom ‘Dhurandhar’ to ‘Kill Dil’: Moments when Ranveer Singh ruled action on screenLakes, Islands, Gardens: A Visual Journey Through Kolkata’s 480-Acre Eco Tourism Park7 Indian animals that are known for their gentle and calm natureNo more weak legs: 7 exercises for stronger calvesUdaipur Turns Into Celebrity Capital as JLo, Bollywood A-listers Attend Mantena Wedding123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayNew Labour CodeCyclone SenyarGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingEthiopian Volcanic EruptionVaishno Devi College AdmissionsNHL RumorsJoe Thornton Net WorthStem OPT ExtensionMLB Trade RumorsSmriti Mandhana EducationAsha Jadeja MotwaniTyson FuryTrump Gold Card

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed full confidence in India’s security under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with both nations working to reschedule Netanyahu’s postponed visit. The statement follows a car blast in Delhi, prompting Netanyahu to emphasize the shared spirit of both countries in confronting terrorism. Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu and PM Narendra Modi NEW DELHI: Benjamin Netanyahu has “full confidence” in India’s security, and both sides are already working on a new date for the Israeli prime minister’s visit to India, his office noted on Tuesday.Also Read | December visit postponed: Israel likely to seek fresh dates for Netanyahu’s India trip — here’s why“Israel’s bond with India and between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister @narendramodi is very strong. The PM has full confidence in India’s security under PM Modi, and teams are already coordinating a new visit date,” the Israel Prime Minister’s Office posted on X.The statement follows reports that Netanyahu’s planned December visit to India has been postponed due to security concerns after the November 10 car blast in Delhi. His last official trip to the country was a six-day visit in January 2018 — only the second by an Israeli prime minister — coming about six months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to Israel in July 2017.After the Delhi explosion — the capital’s first terror incident since 2008 — Netanyahu had emphasised the “unbreakable spirit” shared by both nations in confronting terrorism, noting that while terror may target cities, “it cannot break the resolve of resilient societies.” “To our dear friend Narendra Modi and to the brave people of India: Sara and I, and the people of Israel, send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Israel stands strong with you in sorrow and in strength in this time,” his statement read.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Until Brahmin Donates His Daughter’: Ias Officer’S Remark Sparks Row, Issues Clarification’A Nation That Never Bows to Terror, Operation Sindoor Shows New India’s Resolve, Says PM ModiChina Rejects Charge of Harassing Indian Woman in Shanghai, But Insists Claim Over Arunachal PradeshMamata Banerjee Warns BJP With Nation-Shaking Threat As SIR Battle Erupts In Bengal Ahead Of PollsAssam CM Calls Zubeen Garg’S Death ‘Plain Murder’, Drops Explosive RevelationDrone Show Pays Homage To Guru Tegh Bahadur In 350th Martyrdom Anniversary Event At Anandpur SahibRed Fort Attack May Derail Benjamin Netanyahu’s India Visit As Israeli Media Flags Safety ConcernsFinland President Warns Global Order Is ‘Unfair’, Urges West To Accept East And India’s Growing Role’Necessary Response At Proper Time’: Taliban Vows Action After 10 Killed In Pak StrikesWhy Delhi Police Added Section 197 To India Gate Protest Case Following Pepper Spray Attack123PhotostoriesExclusive – Bigg Boss 19: From opening up about her relationship with Kumar Sanu to calling Malti Chahar a ‘lesbian’; Kunickaa Sadanand breaks silence on her journey5 celebrity looks of the day that are setting major fashion goalsMrs. Gump’s most inspiring life lessons from Forrest Gump that still inspire generations8 modern-sounding baby boy names in Sanskrit and their meaningWinter-Friendly Fruits: 8 plants that thrives in cold-weather gardensFrom ‘Dhurandhar’ to ‘Kill Dil’: Moments when Ranveer Singh ruled action on screenLakes, Islands, Gardens: A Visual Journey Through Kolkata’s 480-Acre Eco Tourism Park7 Indian animals that are known for their gentle and calm natureNo more weak legs: 7 exercises for stronger calvesUdaipur Turns Into Celebrity Capital as JLo, Bollywood A-listers Attend Mantena Wedding123Hot PicksDelhi AQI TodayNew Labour CodeCyclone SenyarGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingEthiopian Volcanic EruptionVaishno Devi College AdmissionsNHL RumorsJoe Thornton Net WorthStem OPT ExtensionMLB Trade RumorsSmriti Mandhana EducationAsha Jadeja MotwaniTyson FuryTrump Gold Card


‘Full confidence in India’s security’: Israel confirms postponement of Netanyahu’s visit; both countries working on new date
Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu and PM Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Benjamin Netanyahu has “full confidence” in India’s security, and both sides are already working on a new date for the Israeli prime minister’s visit to India, his office noted on Tuesday.Also Read | December visit postponed: Israel likely to seek fresh dates for Netanyahu’s India trip — here’s why“Israel’s bond with India and between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Prime Minister @narendramodi is very strong. The PM has full confidence in India’s security under PM Modi, and teams are already coordinating a new visit date,” the Israel Prime Minister’s Office posted on X.The statement follows reports that Netanyahu’s planned December visit to India has been postponed due to security concerns after the November 10 car blast in Delhi. His last official trip to the country was a six-day visit in January 2018 — only the second by an Israeli prime minister — coming about six months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s landmark visit to Israel in July 2017.After the Delhi explosion — the capital’s first terror incident since 2008 — Netanyahu had emphasised the “unbreakable spirit” shared by both nations in confronting terrorism, noting that while terror may target cities, “it cannot break the resolve of resilient societies.” “To our dear friend Narendra Modi and to the brave people of India: Sara and I, and the people of Israel, send our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Israel stands strong with you in sorrow and in strength in this time,” his statement read.





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. NEW DELHI: A day before campaigning for the first phase of polls in Bengal winds up, CEC Gyanesh Kumar reviewed polling arrangements in the state. “EC will leave no stone unturned to hold elections that are fear-free, violence-free, intimidation-free, inducement-free, chhaapa-free, booth jamming-free and source jamming-free,” he said Monday.EC suspends Bhowanipore executive magistratesEC has suspended two employees from the West Bengal government and one from the Centre for ‘dereliction of poll duty’. Souvik Nandy, a teacher; Suranjan Das, UDC, stationery office; and Satyaranjan Paul, LDC, Sports Authority of India, were entrusted to function as Bhowanipore executive magistrates.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNitish Kumar Was ‘Compromised’, BJP Controlled Him: Rahul Gandhi’s Big Bihar Claim In Tamil NaduPiyush Goyal Slams India-South Korea CEPA, Flags Need To Rewrite ‘Irrational’ Trade DealDelhi High Court Rejects Recusal Plea in Excise Policy Case; Judge Calls It “Catch-22” for HerselfUdhampur Bus Tragedy Kills 21; Political Row Erupts Over I-Pac In Bengal | WatchIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? Zelenskyy Signals Big Move Amid Russia Ukraine WarUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral Video123PhotostoriesDid Alia Bhatt just front a Pakistani label in silk suits, or is this another viral fashion mix-up? Here’s what we know6 Psychology hacks that actually work6 types of food you should not store in plastic containers: Food authority’s strict guidelines on plastic materials safe for food productsMay garden checklist, Australia: What to plant for non-stop color and harvest8 condiments you should never keep back in the refrigerator once openedFrom two small spots in her MRI scan to losing 2 kgs in a month and following intermittent fasting, Shoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar talk about her health3 signs of a loyal partner, as revealed by Gauranga DasThese are the only 5 nations in the world that begin with letter “D” and each tells a unique storyAre you a traveller who loves to buy gold? 5 largest gold-producing countries in the world where gold can be cheaperPriyanka and Rahul Gandhi spotted relishing Gelato: What is Gelato and how is it different from ice cream and other frozen desserts123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingLuka Doncic InjuryCardi BNoah LylesHailee Steinfeld heartbreaking confessionTaylor SwiftMike Vrabel DivorceAndhra Pradesh Murderh-1b VisasTrumpJapan Earthquake

. NEW DELHI: A day before campaigning for the first phase of polls in Bengal winds up, CEC Gyanesh Kumar reviewed polling arrangements in the state. “EC will leave no stone unturned to hold elections that are fear-free, violence-free, intimidation-free, inducement-free, chhaapa-free, booth jamming-free and source jamming-free,” he said Monday.EC suspends Bhowanipore executive magistratesEC has suspended two employees from the West Bengal government and one from the Centre for ‘dereliction of poll duty’. Souvik Nandy, a teacher; Suranjan Das, UDC, stationery office; and Satyaranjan Paul, LDC, Sports Authority of India, were entrusted to function as Bhowanipore executive magistrates.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNitish Kumar Was ‘Compromised’, BJP Controlled Him: Rahul Gandhi’s Big Bihar Claim In Tamil NaduPiyush Goyal Slams India-South Korea CEPA, Flags Need To Rewrite ‘Irrational’ Trade DealDelhi High Court Rejects Recusal Plea in Excise Policy Case; Judge Calls It “Catch-22” for HerselfUdhampur Bus Tragedy Kills 21; Political Row Erupts Over I-Pac In Bengal | WatchIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? Zelenskyy Signals Big Move Amid Russia Ukraine WarUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral Video123PhotostoriesDid Alia Bhatt just front a Pakistani label in silk suits, or is this another viral fashion mix-up? Here’s what we know6 Psychology hacks that actually work6 types of food you should not store in plastic containers: Food authority’s strict guidelines on plastic materials safe for food productsMay garden checklist, Australia: What to plant for non-stop color and harvest8 condiments you should never keep back in the refrigerator once openedFrom two small spots in her MRI scan to losing 2 kgs in a month and following intermittent fasting, Shoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar talk about her health3 signs of a loyal partner, as revealed by Gauranga DasThese are the only 5 nations in the world that begin with letter “D” and each tells a unique storyAre you a traveller who loves to buy gold? 5 largest gold-producing countries in the world where gold can be cheaperPriyanka and Rahul Gandhi spotted relishing Gelato: What is Gelato and how is it different from ice cream and other frozen desserts123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingLuka Doncic InjuryCardi BNoah LylesHailee Steinfeld heartbreaking confessionTaylor SwiftMike Vrabel DivorceAndhra Pradesh Murderh-1b VisasTrumpJapan Earthquake

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. KOLKATA: “Bulldozer”, “bullets” and “dead miscreants” analogies figured in the speeches of BJP’s central netas who campaigned in poll-bound Bengal over the weekend.Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s “bullets for a bullet” rhetoric was matched by defence minister Rajnath Singh, who referred to perpetrators of violence landing up in jail or dead after BJP forms govt in the state. This coincided with Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath bringing in the “bulldozer” analogy to make his point.Addressing a rally at Naxalbari in north Bengal on Sunday, Sarma said: “If TMC fires a bullet at me, I can fire two towards them before I die. I am not someone who is afraid of anyone.”Singh, campaigning in Birbhum’s Sainthia, said on Monday, “After a BJP govt is formed in the state, everyone will be straightened up. Goons will either get inside their homes, be in jail or dead.”Adityanath, who has followed “bulldozer justice” in UP to smash properties of criminals, gangsters and rioters, echoed the theme in West Midnapore’s Pingla on Monday. “We have used bulldozers to crush the bones of the mafia (in UP),” he said.TMC worker shot atA TMC worker received critical gunshot wounds in his back and leg as unidentified assailants opened fire on him Sunday night when he was returning home after attending a party meeting in South 24 Parganas’ Gosaba. The injured, Dibyendu Gayen, is undergoing treatment. TMC has accused BJP of being behind the attack.About the AuthorRohit KhannaRohit Khanna covers sectors like government finance, economy, industry and issues related to financial crime.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNitish Kumar Was ‘Compromised’, BJP Controlled Him: Rahul Gandhi’s Big Bihar Claim In Tamil NaduPiyush Goyal Slams India-South Korea CEPA, Flags Need To Rewrite ‘Irrational’ Trade DealDelhi High Court Rejects Recusal Plea in Excise Policy Case; Judge Calls It “Catch-22” for HerselfUdhampur Bus Tragedy Kills 21; Political Row Erupts Over I-Pac In Bengal | WatchIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? Zelenskyy Signals Big Move Amid Russia Ukraine WarUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral Video123PhotostoriesDid Alia Bhatt just front a Pakistani label in silk suits, or is this another viral fashion mix-up? Here’s what we know6 Psychology hacks that actually work6 types of food you should not store in plastic containers: Food authority’s strict guidelines on plastic materials safe for food productsMay garden checklist, Australia: What to plant for non-stop color and harvest8 condiments you should never keep back in the refrigerator once openedFrom two small spots in her MRI scan to losing 2 kgs in a month and following intermittent fasting, Shoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar talk about her health3 signs of a loyal partner, as revealed by Gauranga DasThese are the only 5 nations in the world that begin with letter “D” and each tells a unique storyAre you a traveller who loves to buy gold? 5 largest gold-producing countries in the world where gold can be cheaperPriyanka and Rahul Gandhi spotted relishing Gelato: What is Gelato and how is it different from ice cream and other frozen desserts123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingLuka Doncic InjuryCardi BNoah LylesHailee Steinfeld heartbreaking confessionTaylor SwiftMike Vrabel DivorceAndhra Pradesh Murderh-1b VisasTrumpJapan Earthquake

. KOLKATA: “Bulldozer”, “bullets” and “dead miscreants” analogies figured in the speeches of BJP’s central netas who campaigned in poll-bound Bengal over the weekend.Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma’s “bullets for a bullet” rhetoric was matched by defence minister Rajnath Singh, who referred to perpetrators of violence landing up in jail or dead after BJP forms govt in the state. This coincided with Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath bringing in the “bulldozer” analogy to make his point.Addressing a rally at Naxalbari in north Bengal on Sunday, Sarma said: “If TMC fires a bullet at me, I can fire two towards them before I die. I am not someone who is afraid of anyone.”Singh, campaigning in Birbhum’s Sainthia, said on Monday, “After a BJP govt is formed in the state, everyone will be straightened up. Goons will either get inside their homes, be in jail or dead.”Adityanath, who has followed “bulldozer justice” in UP to smash properties of criminals, gangsters and rioters, echoed the theme in West Midnapore’s Pingla on Monday. “We have used bulldozers to crush the bones of the mafia (in UP),” he said.TMC worker shot atA TMC worker received critical gunshot wounds in his back and leg as unidentified assailants opened fire on him Sunday night when he was returning home after attending a party meeting in South 24 Parganas’ Gosaba. The injured, Dibyendu Gayen, is undergoing treatment. TMC has accused BJP of being behind the attack.About the AuthorRohit KhannaRohit Khanna covers sectors like government finance, economy, industry and issues related to financial crime.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNitish Kumar Was ‘Compromised’, BJP Controlled Him: Rahul Gandhi’s Big Bihar Claim In Tamil NaduPiyush Goyal Slams India-South Korea CEPA, Flags Need To Rewrite ‘Irrational’ Trade DealDelhi High Court Rejects Recusal Plea in Excise Policy Case; Judge Calls It “Catch-22” for HerselfUdhampur Bus Tragedy Kills 21; Political Row Erupts Over I-Pac In Bengal | WatchIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? Zelenskyy Signals Big Move Amid Russia Ukraine WarUnmanned Mine Counter Measure Vessels Take Lead In Demining OperationsIndia-South Korea Mega Deal: PM Modi & Lee Jae Myung Target 50 Billion Trade, Boost TiesFire Erupts At Rajasthan’s HPCL Refinery Ahead Of PM Modi’s Launch EventNSA Doval Meets Top Saudi Leaders, Focus On Security And EnergyFact Check: No, Indian Navy Did NOT Detain Somali Pirates In Viral Video123PhotostoriesDid Alia Bhatt just front a Pakistani label in silk suits, or is this another viral fashion mix-up? Here’s what we know6 Psychology hacks that actually work6 types of food you should not store in plastic containers: Food authority’s strict guidelines on plastic materials safe for food productsMay garden checklist, Australia: What to plant for non-stop color and harvest8 condiments you should never keep back in the refrigerator once openedFrom two small spots in her MRI scan to losing 2 kgs in a month and following intermittent fasting, Shoaib Ibrahim and Dipika Kakar talk about her health3 signs of a loyal partner, as revealed by Gauranga DasThese are the only 5 nations in the world that begin with letter “D” and each tells a unique storyAre you a traveller who loves to buy gold? 5 largest gold-producing countries in the world where gold can be cheaperPriyanka and Rahul Gandhi spotted relishing Gelato: What is Gelato and how is it different from ice cream and other frozen desserts123Hot PicksIran warDelimitation Bill DefeatPurple cap winnerOrange cap winnerIPL Points TablePublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingLuka Doncic InjuryCardi BNoah LylesHailee Steinfeld heartbreaking confessionTaylor SwiftMike Vrabel DivorceAndhra Pradesh Murderh-1b VisasTrumpJapan Earthquake

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It is a piece of cloth, a gesture of respect among Tamil people. But over the years, the melthundu — ‘mel’ meaning upper, ‘thundu’ meaning cloth — has come to mean much more than that. Forbidden at one point for particular communities, later reclaimed as a mark of protest, and now reimagined in party colours, the simple shoulder cloth has become central to the political culture of Tamil Nadu.Netas across parties, from DMK chief M K Stalin to ADMK’s Edappadi K Palaniswami, have lately been sporting chequered thundus in party colours, a change from the more familiar stripes. But this is not the first time the shoulder cloth has made a political statement.The first major moment of the thundu springing to the centre of politics and identity in Tamil Nadu was in 1924, during a nadaswaram performance that was attended by Periyar E V Ramasamy, pioneer of the Self-Respect Movement. In those days, people from lower castes were prohibited from wearing a shawl or cloth over their shoulders; only people from dominant castes were allowed to do so.At the event, a musician removed the towel from around his waist, wiped his face and placed the cloth on his shoulder. The host of the event, from a dominant caste, objected, saying someone from a “lower caste” should not wear the thundu on the shoulder. After this, Periyar introduced the practice of placing a shawl on people’s shoulders during functions as a symbol of dignity. Periyar’s followers also began wearing the melthundu as a political statement. “Periyar turned the thundu into a symbol of equality. It became a way of saying, ‘You are my fellow human being’,” says Tamil writer Olivannan G.“Since then, Dravidian politicians began to insist that those on stage drape the thundu over the shoulder, as a way of rejecting caste hierarchies,” says advocate V Kannadasan. “It began as a social equaliser and evolved into a way for leaders to create their political image.”That evolution was visible in the styles adopted by different politicians. DMK founder C N Annadurai always wore a long white shawl. Former DMK chief M Karunanidhi first wore a white one, then switched to yellow. MDMK founder Vaiko became known for his black thundu, worn as a mark of protest over issues linked to the Tamil Eelam (during the Sri Lankan Civil War).“Clothing is considered to be one of the major tools that Dravidian parties have used in politics. Veshti-shirt and melthundu are worn as traditional Tamil male attire,” says political anthropologist Nisar Kannangara. “That’s why PM Modi always wears one when campaigning in Tamil Nadu. He wore it during his 2019 meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the state to appeal to Tamil sentiments.”In the 1970s, the thundu was used as a cinematic device. Actor and ADMK founder M G Ramachandran, who rarely wore the shoulder cloth himself and instead cultivated a trademark image with dark glasses and a fur hat, used the thundu in films such as ‘Idhayakkani’, supposedly to caricature Karunanidhi, his DMK rival. The films featured characters wearing long shawls and delivering verbose dialogue, says political science professor Subramaniam Chandran in a paper published in 2023.However, fashion designer Purushu Arie, who traces the evolution of political attire, says, “Distinctions are now emerging. Sometimes, within parties, simpler cotton towels are meant for cadres, while silk shawls are reserved for seniors. Ironically, the cloth meant to erase hierarchy seems to be recreating it.”In recent years, most party members in the state stopped wearing the thundu regularly. But in the run-up to the 2026 polls, the melthundu has made a comeback. This time, it is less about symbolism and more about branding and standing out in the crowd.“We wanted to try a new design,” says a DMK source, referring to the black-and-red checked thundu that has made its debut. “The strategy team first used the chequered thundu in a party engagement programme with hamlet secretaries. It caught on and, this time, most workers and seniors decided to wear it instead of the usual striped one.”Chequered historyWhite to yellowIn 1989, on his return to office, M Karunanidhi was presented with a yellow shawl by Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss, denoting the Vanniyar flag to honour his 20% reservation policy for the community. He wore this yellow shawl for decades as part of his trademark style, along with his dark glasses. He later gave various explanations for it, including comparison to Buddha’s yellow angavastram.In Karnataka, ‘political fixer’s’ uniformIn a 2000 article in Asian Survey, political scientist James Manor says the phrase “towel over armpit” was used to describe small-time political fixers in Karnataka — intermediaries who moved between villages and govt offices, wielding “informal power”. Though often parodied, Manor says they play an important role in elections in most southern states.When Prabhakaran refused the thunduIn a 2011 article in the journal Sanglap, Swarnavel Eswaran Pillai, professor at Michigan State University, says there was pressure from the West on LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran to abandon his guerrilla fatigues for a modern “coat-suit attire” or the “traditional white veshti– thundu” so he could present a more “acceptable” political image. Prabhakaran refused.MGR shawl controversyIn 2020, a statue of MGR in Puducherry was found draped in a saffron shawl, triggering political protests. While leaders condemned the act as an attempt to “saffronise” the Dravidian icon, CCTV footage later revealed that a woman had placed it as a gesture of respect, unaware of the political implications.About the AuthorKamini MathaiKamini Mathai is a Chennai-based journalist with The Times of India and author of ‘AR Rahman: The Musical Storm’, a biography of the award-winning composer, published by Penguin. As Coordinating Editor at The Times of India, she curates and leads the news features pages; stories that capture the changing face of Tamil Nadu. With more than 25 years of experience, her writing spans a wide canvas — from mental health, health, and education to arts, lifestyle, cinema, tourism, society in transition, environment, heritage and sports. Her interest in mental health has led her to formally pursue psychology, bringing academic insight into her reportage.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNitish Kumar Was ‘Compromised’, BJP Controlled Him: Rahul Gandhi’s Big Bihar Claim In Tamil NaduPiyush Goyal Slams India-South Korea CEPA, Flags Need To Rewrite ‘Irrational’ Trade DealDelhi High Court Rejects Recusal Plea in Excise Policy Case; Judge Calls It “Catch-22” for HerselfUdhampur Bus Tragedy Kills 21; Political Row Erupts Over I-Pac In Bengal | WatchIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? 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It is a piece of cloth, a gesture of respect among Tamil people. But over the years, the melthundu — ‘mel’ meaning upper, ‘thundu’ meaning cloth — has come to mean much more than that. Forbidden at one point for particular communities, later reclaimed as a mark of protest, and now reimagined in party colours, the simple shoulder cloth has become central to the political culture of Tamil Nadu.Netas across parties, from DMK chief M K Stalin to ADMK’s Edappadi K Palaniswami, have lately been sporting chequered thundus in party colours, a change from the more familiar stripes. But this is not the first time the shoulder cloth has made a political statement.The first major moment of the thundu springing to the centre of politics and identity in Tamil Nadu was in 1924, during a nadaswaram performance that was attended by Periyar E V Ramasamy, pioneer of the Self-Respect Movement. In those days, people from lower castes were prohibited from wearing a shawl or cloth over their shoulders; only people from dominant castes were allowed to do so.At the event, a musician removed the towel from around his waist, wiped his face and placed the cloth on his shoulder. The host of the event, from a dominant caste, objected, saying someone from a “lower caste” should not wear the thundu on the shoulder. After this, Periyar introduced the practice of placing a shawl on people’s shoulders during functions as a symbol of dignity. Periyar’s followers also began wearing the melthundu as a political statement. “Periyar turned the thundu into a symbol of equality. It became a way of saying, ‘You are my fellow human being’,” says Tamil writer Olivannan G.“Since then, Dravidian politicians began to insist that those on stage drape the thundu over the shoulder, as a way of rejecting caste hierarchies,” says advocate V Kannadasan. “It began as a social equaliser and evolved into a way for leaders to create their political image.”That evolution was visible in the styles adopted by different politicians. DMK founder C N Annadurai always wore a long white shawl. Former DMK chief M Karunanidhi first wore a white one, then switched to yellow. MDMK founder Vaiko became known for his black thundu, worn as a mark of protest over issues linked to the Tamil Eelam (during the Sri Lankan Civil War).“Clothing is considered to be one of the major tools that Dravidian parties have used in politics. Veshti-shirt and melthundu are worn as traditional Tamil male attire,” says political anthropologist Nisar Kannangara. “That’s why PM Modi always wears one when campaigning in Tamil Nadu. He wore it during his 2019 meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the state to appeal to Tamil sentiments.”In the 1970s, the thundu was used as a cinematic device. Actor and ADMK founder M G Ramachandran, who rarely wore the shoulder cloth himself and instead cultivated a trademark image with dark glasses and a fur hat, used the thundu in films such as ‘Idhayakkani’, supposedly to caricature Karunanidhi, his DMK rival. The films featured characters wearing long shawls and delivering verbose dialogue, says political science professor Subramaniam Chandran in a paper published in 2023.However, fashion designer Purushu Arie, who traces the evolution of political attire, says, “Distinctions are now emerging. Sometimes, within parties, simpler cotton towels are meant for cadres, while silk shawls are reserved for seniors. Ironically, the cloth meant to erase hierarchy seems to be recreating it.”In recent years, most party members in the state stopped wearing the thundu regularly. But in the run-up to the 2026 polls, the melthundu has made a comeback. This time, it is less about symbolism and more about branding and standing out in the crowd.“We wanted to try a new design,” says a DMK source, referring to the black-and-red checked thundu that has made its debut. “The strategy team first used the chequered thundu in a party engagement programme with hamlet secretaries. It caught on and, this time, most workers and seniors decided to wear it instead of the usual striped one.”Chequered historyWhite to yellowIn 1989, on his return to office, M Karunanidhi was presented with a yellow shawl by Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss, denoting the Vanniyar flag to honour his 20% reservation policy for the community. He wore this yellow shawl for decades as part of his trademark style, along with his dark glasses. He later gave various explanations for it, including comparison to Buddha’s yellow angavastram.In Karnataka, ‘political fixer’s’ uniformIn a 2000 article in Asian Survey, political scientist James Manor says the phrase “towel over armpit” was used to describe small-time political fixers in Karnataka — intermediaries who moved between villages and govt offices, wielding “informal power”. Though often parodied, Manor says they play an important role in elections in most southern states.When Prabhakaran refused the thunduIn a 2011 article in the journal Sanglap, Swarnavel Eswaran Pillai, professor at Michigan State University, says there was pressure from the West on LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran to abandon his guerrilla fatigues for a modern “coat-suit attire” or the “traditional white veshti– thundu” so he could present a more “acceptable” political image. Prabhakaran refused.MGR shawl controversyIn 2020, a statue of MGR in Puducherry was found draped in a saffron shawl, triggering political protests. While leaders condemned the act as an attempt to “saffronise” the Dravidian icon, CCTV footage later revealed that a woman had placed it as a gesture of respect, unaware of the political implications.About the AuthorKamini MathaiKamini Mathai is a Chennai-based journalist with The Times of India and author of ‘AR Rahman: The Musical Storm’, a biography of the award-winning composer, published by Penguin. As Coordinating Editor at The Times of India, she curates and leads the news features pages; stories that capture the changing face of Tamil Nadu. With more than 25 years of experience, her writing spans a wide canvas — from mental health, health, and education to arts, lifestyle, cinema, tourism, society in transition, environment, heritage and sports. Her interest in mental health has led her to formally pursue psychology, bringing academic insight into her reportage.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosNitish Kumar Was ‘Compromised’, BJP Controlled Him: Rahul Gandhi’s Big Bihar Claim In Tamil NaduPiyush Goyal Slams India-South Korea CEPA, Flags Need To Rewrite ‘Irrational’ Trade DealDelhi High Court Rejects Recusal Plea in Excise Policy Case; Judge Calls It “Catch-22” for HerselfUdhampur Bus Tragedy Kills 21; Political Row Erupts Over I-Pac In Bengal | WatchIndia, Ukraine Security Pact In Works? 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