Six suspended after anti-DMK messages appear on digital route display board of TNSTC bus

Six drivers were suspended after an anti‑DMK message appeared on the digital route display board of a TNSTC bus Six drivers of a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) vehicle have been suspended following the discovery of anti‑DMK slogans on the digital route board mounted on the bus. The board, which normally displays route numbers and destinations, was found to have been altered to carry politically charged messages that were deemed offensive and unprofessional. The incident occurred last week when the bus, operating on the Tiruchirappalli to Salem route, was inspected as part of a routine quality‑control check..

The route board, which is managed by the corporation’s technical department, showed a series of slogans that were directed against the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party and its leaders. The slogans included derogatory remarks that were deemed to violate the corporation’s code of conduct. According to official sources, the slogans were not part of any official campaign or advertisement..

They were inserted by an unknown individual who had access to the bus’s electronic systems. The message was displayed for several minutes before it was detected by a senior driver who immediately reported the incident to the route supervisor. The driver, who wishes to remain anonymous, was instructed to report the incident to the bus company’s administrative office..

In addition to reporting the message, the driver was asked to cooperate with an investigation that would determine how the board had been altered. The driver complied with all requests, providing the bus’s maintenance records and details of recent software updates. The investigation revealed that the board’s firmware had been modified during a recent maintenance check..

The technician who performed the update had accessed the board’s control panel and inadvertently inserted the anti‑DMK slogans. The technician was identified and immediately suspended pending a full internal review. The TNSTC spokesperson stated that the corporation takes any political activity that occurs on its vehicles very seriously..

“We have a responsibility to maintain a neutral and respectful environment for all passengers, regardless of their political views,” the spokesperson said. The spokesperson also stressed that the company will review its protocols for firmware updates and access controls to prevent a repeat of this incident. In a statement released by the Tamil Nadu government, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the incident had caused “unnecessary confusion among the public.” The Deputy Chief Minister also said that the government would investigate whether any other vehicles had similar issues..

The government’s response was seen as an attempt to distance itself from the corporation, which remains a state-run entity. The DMK party’s state spokesperson criticised the incident as “a blatant attempt to undermine the party’s image.” The spokesperson demanded that the bus company apologise and that the driver who inserted the slogans be punished. The spokesperson also called for a thorough investigation into the security of the TNSTC’s digital infrastructure..

The TNSTC’s general manager confirmed that the suspended drivers are not the ones who inserted the slogans. The general manager said that the drivers were suspended as a precautionary measure until the investigation was complete. “We do not want to risk any further incidents and we must act swiftly to restore public confidence,” the general manager added..

The incident has sparked debate about the role of political expression on public transport. Some passengers have called for a stricter policy that would prohibit any political slogans from appearing on public vehicles. Others have argued that the incident highlights the need for better security protocols to prevent tampering with digital displays..

The TNSTC has pledged to carry out an audit of all its digital route boards across the state. The audit will focus on identifying any unauthorized modifications and ensuring that all updates are performed under strict supervision. The corporation has also announced a new training programme for technicians to ensure they follow all security protocols when handling digital equipment..

The six drivers who were suspended are now under investigation by the corporation’s human resources department. The department is reviewing their employment records and performance history to determine whether any of them may have been involved in the incident. The drivers have not yet issued a statement about the matter..

The final outcome of the investigation remains uncertain. The TNSTC has promised to take disciplinary action against any personnel found guilty of tampering with the digital board. The incident serves as a reminder that public transport operators must maintain a neutral stance in order to preserve the trust of passengers across all political backgrounds..