🗓️ Date: July 24, 2025 | Time: 6:52 PM IST

As the sun sets on July 24, 2025, the curtains draw on the Rajya Sabha tenure of Pudukkottai M.M. Abdulla, a Member of Parliament (MP) who brought both substance and soul to parliamentary politics. Representing Tamil Nadu as a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Abdulla retires after over four impactful years of service in the Upper House of Parliament.

From raising questions on social justice to personally intervening during international crises, Abdulla’s time in office was defined by purpose, public engagement, and principled politics.

🎓 Early Life: Grounded in Values

Born on July 30, 1975, in Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu, to K. Mohamed Ismail and M. Nabeesa, Abdulla grew up in a modest household that instilled strong values of service and social consciousness. He married A. Jannathul Firthose in 2002, and together they raised two daughters.

His political journey found expression through the DMK—a party rooted in the Dravidian movement and committed to social justice, equality, and federalism. These principles would go on to define his parliamentary interventions.

🏛️ Parliamentarian with a Purpose

Elected to the Rajya Sabha on June 30, 2021, Abdulla quickly established himself as one of the most proactive and visible MPs from Tamil Nadu. Rather than remaining a silent spectator, he brought energy and accountability to the floor through pointed questions, budget debates, and issue-based advocacy.

🔹 On November 30, 2021, he began documenting his parliamentary work on X (formerly Twitter), with a post that marked the launch of a public thread tracking his official questions in Parliament. This became a powerful model of digital transparency, with each post linking questions asked and replies received from Union Ministers.

🔍 His Questions Spoke for the People

M.M. Abdulla’s questions weren’t mere formalities. They cut across crucial sectors and often reflected grassroots concerns:

• Environment & Water: He questioned the Ministry of Jal Shakti on the status of groundwater reserves in Tamil Nadu.
• Education Equity: He raised concerns over the drastic reduction in scholarships and financial aid for SC students, particularly in higher education.
• Women’s Empowerment: Advocated for central schemes benefiting women and girls in Tamil Nadu.
• Science & Innovation: Asked questions about STEM initiatives and the STARS education program.
• Public Health: Queried about medical infrastructure and COVID-19 vaccine production by Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute.

Each issue he brought up was backed by data and follow-up. He didn’t stop at asking—he updated citizens with answers received, often tagging relevant ministries to maintain public pressure.

🆘 From Pudukkottai to Ukraine: Crisis Responder

In one of the most defining acts of his tenure, M.M. Abdulla personally traveled to Ukraine during the 2022 conflict to help rescue stranded Indian students caught in the war zone. As chaos erupted, Abdulla coordinated with Indian authorities, consular officials, and student groups—becoming a lifeline to many Tamil and Indian students desperate to return home safely.

This act, rare among sitting MPs, elevated him in the eyes of the public—from a politician to a compassionate crisis responder.

💬 Standing for the Marginalized

True to his party’s ideals, Abdulla championed Scheduled Castes (SC) and minority communities. On February 9, 2022, he strongly opposed the Union Government’s slashing of education benefits for SC students, calling it a “gross injustice.”

He also intervened on behalf of Tamil Nadu contract nurses stranded in Kuwait, ensuring their repatriation and reinstatement, working with the Indian Embassy and the Ministry of External Affairs.

A Bold Voice on National Issues

M.M. Abdulla was not one to shy away from difficult conversations on federalism and civil liberties. In a powerful intervention during a Rajya Sabha session, he invoked Periyar’s philosophy while commenting on the status of Kashmir and Article 370, questioning the Union Government’s approach to state autonomy and minority rights.

His statement sparked strong reactions from treasury benches. The Vice President of India, who also chairs the Rajya Sabha, ruled that parts of his speech would be expunged from the official record, drawing criticism from free speech advocates and opposition MPs alike. While the ruling led to temporary suspension of his participation in the House, Abdulla stood by his remarks, stating that “truth spoken in Parliament should not be feared, but debated.”

This episode further cemented his reputation as a principled parliamentarian willing to speak uncomfortable truths, even at personal cost.

🚧 Infrastructure, Roads & Economic Growth

Abdulla had a keen interest in infrastructure. He consistently questioned Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on:

• The status of the Sethu Bharatam bridge projects
• Road safety norms and vehicle manufacturing compliance
• National highways and road expansions in Tamil Nadu

In his maiden Budget speech in February 2022, he showcased a comprehensive vision for balancing economic growth with social development—giving credit to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin for championing inclusive governance.

📱 A Digital Trail of Public Service

Abdulla’s X profile (@pudugaiabdulla) became a model for parliamentary transparency. Each legislative question was paired with:

• The exact question number and ministry
• Date and topic of inquiry
• Screenshots or links to official government replies
• His own commentary or summary for public understanding

This level of accountability remains rare—and sets a bar for other MPs.

🏅 A Legacy of Results

In just over 4 years, M.M. Abdulla’s impact includes:

✅ Raised questions to over 15 key ministries
✅ Personally saved Indian students from Ukraine conflict
✅ Restored dignity and livelihood to Kuwait-stranded Tamil nurses
✅ Championed education rights for SC students
✅ Advocated for cultural heritage conservation
✅ Created a parliamentary transparency template via social media

🔚 As He Retires…

M.M. Abdulla’s retirement may signal the end of one term, but not the end of his influence. His work has:

• Strengthened the DMK’s parliamentary culture
• Amplified Tamil Nadu’s voice in the Union
• Set an example for responsive governance

As Pudukkottai’s son returns from Delhi, his service reminds us: public office is not about power—but purpose.

📣 Final Word

India needs more representatives like M.M. Abdulla—who don’t just represent the people, but also walk among them during their most vulnerable moments. Whether it was questioning ministries, rescuing students from war, or upholding Tamil Nadu’s rights, he lived by the motto:

“Service, not spotlight.”

Some of his Fiery Speeches: