Terming as “deeply heartbreaking” an incident in Namakkal in which three elderly persons allegedly ended their lives driven by old age, loneliness, and lack of support, BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan on Tuesday (June 9, 2026) urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to urgently identify senior citizens living without adequate family or social support and ensure they receive safe shelter, nutritious food, timely medical care, and emotional assistance.“Protecting and caring for our elderly is not only the responsibility of the government but also a moral duty of every citizen. The Tamil Nadu government must treat this incident with the seriousness it deserves, extend immediate support to those affected, and strengthen welfare mechanisms for vulnerable senior citizens across the State so that such tragic incidents do not recur,” Dr. Soundarajan said.During the COVID-19 lockdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana to ensure that no poor citizen went hungry during a time of unprecedented hardship, she recalled. “In addition, the Central government has taken significant steps to strengthen healthcare security for senior citizens, including expanding health insurance coverage for those above 70 years of age.”Observing that the highest form of humanity was reflected in how we care for our elders, Dr. Soundararajan said: “Let us stand with our senior citizens, safeguard their dignity, and ensure that they live with hope, security, and respect.”(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416, and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.) Published - June 09, 2026 04:37 pm IST