T.N. election 2026: West Asia conflict eclipses election debates among Muslims in Ramanathapuram

Election excitement may be prevalent in Tamil Nadu, but among a section of Muslims in Ramanathapuram, the war in West Asia often overshadows polls in debates. Many of the relatives living in the Persian Gulf receive daily updates from them.

Although a large portion of the Muslim population is not Shiite, Iran garners almost universal sympathy here. Congress leader Chelladurai Abdullah says there may be divisions among Muslim countries, but the blame for the war lies squarely with US President Donald Trump.