Viral bus display targeting DMK: Five transport staff suspended
Five employees of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation have been suspended after offensive political messages appeared on a government bus’s electronic display board and circulated widely on social media.
The messages, which targeted the DMK and its senior leaders, included insulting references to Udhayanidhi Stalin and Chief Minister M K Stalin. The display also carried the slogan “Om Sakthi Parasakthi, DMK is an evil Sakthi”, associated with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader Vijay, along with the phrase “Where is your father?”
The incident came to light after videos of the display went viral online. Authorities subsequently launched an investigation into the bus, which was travelling from Tiruchirappalli to Neyveli.
A technical inspection revealed that the motherboard inside the LED display had not been properly secured. Experts indicated that uploading messages to the system would require access through software or a USB storage device.
During questioning, the driver and conductors denied any involvement in uploading the messages. Investigators reportedly considered the possibility that a passenger had accessed the display system and altered its content.
However, officials also found that lapses in supervision by the transport staff could have contributed to the incident, prompting disciplinary action.
The five suspended employees were on duty on different dates between October 9 and 13. They include drivers AP Chithirai Selvan and P Parandhaman, along with conductors Senthamarai Kanavan, R Venkatesan and E Manikandan.
Transport Corporation Managing Director S Sridharan said warning circulars had been issued and awareness sessions were being organised to prevent similar incidents. He added that the corporation was monitoring the situation closely.
The investigation has raised questions about the security of public transport display systems and the safeguards needed to prevent their misuse for political messaging.