Tamil Nadu Health Minister clarifies on gold ring scheme tender

On Tuesday, August 25, 2026, a debate arose in the Tamil Nadu Assembly regarding Tamil Nadu Minorities Commission chairman Felix Gerald's participation in political television debates. The Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker, J.C.D. Prabhakar, acknowledged that this matter should be addressed, though he acknowledged a distinction between a statutory position and chairmanship of an ordinary board.

DMK member S. Austin brought up the issue, emphasizing that Gerald held a statutory post and should not abuse members of Opposition parties. He also quoted Chapter II of the Tamil Nadu State Minorities Commission Act, 2010, which stipulates that a chairperson or member can be removed if they abuse their position to the detriment of the public interest.

Austin further suggested that Gerald should be barred from participating in debates, with the government intervening if his participation was deemed necessary. Law Minister R. Nirmalkumar stated that participation was an individual's choice and deemed the matter non-debatable unless the actions were legally wrong. Nirmalkumar also pointed out a case of Dindigul Leoni, the former chairman of Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation, who had previously targeted Opposition party members.