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Coimbatore Residents Protest Against Deletion Of Names From Voter List, Dravidianist Media Peddle Propaganda

By
The Commune
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The Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu on 19 April 2024, unfolded with a tranquil atmosphere across the state. Youngsters and first-time voters actively engaged in the electoral process, while seasoned voters also exhibited the same enthusiasm. However, as the day progressed, sporadic issues emerged. Example, actor and comedian Soori encountered a hiccup when attempting to vote in Valasaravakkam, falling under the Sriperumbudur Lok Sabha constituency, due to his name being absent from the electoral roll but his wife name was present.

Then troubles escalated slowly in the Coimbatore district, where numerous voters encountered difficulties casting their ballots at various polling stations. They congregated and voiced their grievances to Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai. Subsequently, a surge of complaints flooded in from the area, prompting the Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party to express concerns regarding the disproportionately high number of missing voter names, particularly in constituencies favorable to them.

On the same day, members of the BJP staged a protest, claiming that approximately 830 voters were omitted from the electoral roll in the Kavundampalayam region within the Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency. Many voters arriving at booth number 214 in Angappa School were disappointed to find their names absent from the electoral list. Out of a total of 1,353 voters registered for the local body elections, only 523 were listed for the parliamentary election. Upon learning of the issue, local BJP representatives arrived and interrogated election officials before initiating a sit-in protest. The same was echoed in Mayiladuthurai too.

BJP state president K Annamalai, who is contesting in Coimbatore, alleged that approximately one lakh voters’ names have been removed from the constituency’s voter list. He demanded re-polling in areas where these names were missing. Annamalai raised suspicions of political interference, asserting that names of BJP supporters had been deliberately removed from the voter list. The issue escalated when residents of Balan Nagar, Siva Nagar, and Ashok Nagar East in Kavundampalayam were allegedly denied permission to vote despite possessing valid voter IDs. They protested alongside BJP supporters, prompting Annamalai to visit the booth later in the day. Annamalai alleged instances of illogical removals, such as husbands and wives having their names split across different polling stations, and deceased individuals remaining on the list while their spouses’ names were omitted. Complaints regarding the deleted names were submitted to the district election returning officer and the district election observer.

The removal of votes caused confusion on one side, while on the other hand, the Chief Electoral Officer initially disclosed provisional voter turnout data at 7:30 PM post the elections on 19 April 2024, showing a turnout of 72.09%. Yet, this figure was later adjusted to 69.46% on the following day, and the revisions persisted until 21 April 2024. The subsequent alteration in the total voter turnout percentage by the Election Commission to 69.72% further fueled significant confusion among the populace. While minor fluctuations in turnout figures are typical, the discrepancies spanning several points across multiple constituencies raised concerns about the accuracy of the data.

Today, on 25 April 2024, electorates from various areas of Coimbatore assembled in the city to protest against the removal of names from the voter list. Under the banner “Public for Annamalai,” they staged a demonstration outside the Coimbatore District Commissioner’s Office, alleging significant disenfranchisement of voters in the Coimbatore constituency during the recent Lok Sabha elections.

The protest, backed by Annamalai’s supporters, saw the participation of BJP district president Ramesh, Hindu Makkal Katchi founder Arjun Sampath, Jalendran, and other Hindu organizations. During the demonstration, Public for Annamalai supporters chanted slogans demanding the rectification of the disenfranchisement issue and requested arrangements for re-voting before 4 June 2024.

A protester named Ramesh said that, “I had a chance to visit that area as I was in the camp. I went remove the ID of my demised parents, my name was not there. It was very surprising, father, mother’s name is there, my wife’s name is there, my name was not. I mailed continuosly to the election commission asking did they find my death certificate and in what basis did they removed. The only response received was aprroach the nearest Taluk office and no solution was given by them. I agree with all saying that this is a deliberate conspiracy”

Another protester, Gokuladas, approached and shared his experience, stating that he had cast his vote after receiving the voting slip. He revealed that his wife had tragically succumbed to COVID-19, but instaed of her, his daughter’s name was deleted from the voter list. Gokuladas recounted how he presented his Aadhaar card to the polling officer, insisting that both he and his daughter should be allowed to vote. After a heated exchange, the officers provided him with a form to fill out, enabling his daughter to vote after the polling process had commenced.

Following him, another protester named Dharmendra expressed his indignation, demanding to know who authorized the removal of voters’ names from the electoral roll. He questioned how such removal could occur without the consent of the affected individuals. Dharmendra suggested that someone should file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with the Supreme Court, stating that this could provide a permanent solution to the issue.

Another woman stepped forward, introducing herself as a cardiologist, and said, “I’ve resided in the same house in ward 116 for 17 years, along with my father-in-law, mother-in-law, husband, daughter, and son. Although my husband, daughter, and son, who is a first-time voter, had their names on the voter list, mine, along with my father-in-law’s and mother-in-law’s, was missing. This came as a surprise to us. Having lived in the same area for 17 years and consistently voted, we didn’t feel the need to check the voter list beforehand. When we approached the Polling Liaison Officer (PLO), she recognized us by name and by my father-in-law’s name. She suggested our ward might have changed to 117 and promised to verify. We expected her to provide us with a booth slip, but she didn’t. Upon checking online, we couldn’t find our names listed.”

Another woman identified herself as Hema and claimed that she had voted, but while volunteering at the booth, she discovered that most of her cousins’ names had been removed from the voter list. Despite their efforts until 5 o’clock, they were unable to rectify the situation. Additionally, another couple encountered a similar issue where the husband’s name was registered at one booth and he successfully cast his vote, but his wife’s name was listed in another area 2 kilometers away. These incidents left everyone deeply disappointed, and there is a strong demand for a re-election.

Another protesting woman arrived from Pothanur, indicating that she belonged to Ward 95. She shared her story, “This time they have removed my vote, I know this after i went to the booth. There are three votes in my house, after me my daughter and my son got voting rights but my son and daughter who came through me have voting rights but not me. All have strategically planned this, all here can guess who planned this. As I was standing in my booth ten to twelve members didn’t had vote, all were Padmavathy, revathy, kuppusamy, Uma like this only we were disenfranchised. I immediately asked how you removed my name and I have a card. They said that this card should be renewed, I asked whether this is for credit card or debit card that should be renewed. she was blabbering asking to get empty form etc. Everything is neatly planned, this is a planned motive to take away all the Hindu votes! All the Hindu votes! See the clean planning on all the booths, in 2022 I’ve voted and in the same area I’ve been residing for past 45 years” 

Immediately, the Dravidian underdogs launched a narrative, claiming a calculated agenda behind the events and began promoting their usual narrative without verifying any reports or statements. They singled out the protesters, focusing on those who had already voted and alleging that the entire incident was a staged performance. However, this perspective falls apart when considering that some protesters, like actor Soori, had their names removed from the voter list while their spouses’ names remained. If Soori and his spouse participated in the demonstration, is it hardly wrong? The feeble excuses put forth by D-stocks are pitiful to witness—they lack logic and coherence, merely aiming to promote their narrative and earn approval from their leaders.

Even more unfortunate was their dissemination of a video that appeared to condone the normalization of removing names from the voter list without consent, suggesting it was acceptable because similar incidents had occurred in previous elections over the years.

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Madras HC Declares 2010 Amendment On Waqf Act Unconstitutional; Gives Authority To TN Waqf Board CEO To Order Encroachers’ Eviction

By
The Commune
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madras high court waqf copper plate

The Madras High Court has ruled against a 2010 amendment that brought Waqf properties under the jurisdiction of the Tamil Nadu Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act of 1976, thereby giving authority to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board to order the eviction of encroachers.

Chief Justice Sanjay V Gangapurwala and Justice D Bharatha Chakravarthy presiding the bench found the 2010 amendment by the State legislature to be incompatible with the Waqf Act of 1995, a Central law. They determined that encroachers on waqf properties could only be evicted through waqf tribunals established under a 2013 amendment to the Central law.

The judges supported arguments by a group of lawyers, led by Senior Counsel V Raghavachari and SR Raghunathan, that the 2010 amendment exceeded state jurisdiction and required Presidential approval due to its conflict with Union legislation. Rejecting the State government’s argument for the coexistence of state and Central laws, the bench ruled that only the procedures outlined in the Union law should be followed for eviction, as stated in the 2013 amendment.

In their ruling, Justice Chakravarthy highlighted the inadequacy of the original provisions of the Waqf Act, 1995 in addressing encroachments on Waqf properties. He noted the recommendation of the Sachar Committee to extend the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971 to waqf properties for the benefit of the public. While Tamil Nadu implemented the 2010 amendment based on this recommendation, many other states did not. Consequently, the Parliament amended the Waqf Act in 2013 to ensure uniformity in eviction procedures nationwide. The bench noted that this amendment superseded the 2010 state amendment.

In concluding their verdict, the bench emphasized, “The Parliamentary law intends to secure the protection of waqf properties which requires uniformity of law and consistency of its application all over the country. The Central Act is thus made as an exhaustive code on the subject. Therefore, the State enactment is repugnant to the Waqf Act of 1995 as amended in the year 2013.” 

(with inputs from The Hindu)

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Madras HC Probes Alleged Corruption In Transformer Procurement Case Litigated By NGO Arappor Iyakkam

By
The Commune
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The Madras High Court has instructed the State to submit a response to a petition requesting legal action against former minister V Senthil Balaji over alleged corruption linked to transformer procurement. Justice G Jayachandran presided over the hearing of the petition initiated by Arappor Iyakkam, a Chennai-based NGO, which asserts that the former minister caused a financial loss of ₹397 crores to the state’s treasury.

During the proceedings, Advocate General PS Raman requested additional time to prepare a response, which the judge granted. Consequently, the State and the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) were directed to present their responses, with the next hearing scheduled for the first week of June.

Arappor Iyakkam alleged that between 2021 and 2023, when Senthil Balaji held the position of electricity minister, he manipulated the tendering process for supplying transformers to the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO) fraudulently acquiring over 4000 transformers, effectively embezzling public funds. The organization claims to have scrutinized the tender process and identified several irregularities that led to financial losses for the state. Furthermore, Arappor Iyakkam urged the court to oversee the investigation by forming a special investigative team to ensure accountability and transparency.

In a sworn affidavit submitted to the court, the NGO Arappor elucidated the pivotal role of distribution transformers in regulating voltage for consumer usage along distribution lines. Tangedco, tasked with procuring these transformers, obtains them in various capacities, spanning from 25 KVA to 500 KVA, depending on load demands. The procurement process transpires through tntenders.gov.in, where scrutiny of ten tenders issued between 2021 and 2023 revealed a bid for 45,800 distribution transformers, amounting to ₹1,182.88 crore. Arappor Iyakkam scrutinized bidding trends, bidder involvement, quoted prices, market norms, and other parameters, uncovering irregularities in seven out of the ten tenders, hinting at collusion among bidders and unjust gains for contractors.

A notable observation was that in each tender, more than 26 bidders seemingly participated, giving the impression of robust competition. However, it emerged that virtually all bidders quoted identical prices down to the decimal point, arousing suspicion of collusion to stifle competition and manipulate the tender process. The affidavit highlighted the statistical implausibility of multiple bidders quoting identical rates, suggesting a preconceived agreement to thwart competition.

(with inputs from DTNext)

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TN BJP Chief Annamalai Highlights DMK Link As Petrol Bomb Targets Lawyer’s House In Kovilpatti For Warning Ration Rice Smuggler

By
The Commune
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A petrol bomb was hurled at the house of a lawyer named Mariselvam in Kovilpatti, Thoothukudi district. Pambu Karthik, a DMK worker, who was wanted by the police last year in connection with the smuggling of ration rice, is believed to be behind the attack. Pambu Karthik, known for his proximity to the DMK leadership, ministers, and functionaries, has allegedly been coercing residents to purchase ration rice from every household. It has been reported that Mariselvam warned him against these activities, leading to the petrol bomb attack on Mariselvam’s house.

Reports suggest that a staggering 3.5 tons of ration rice are smuggled from Kovilpatti to other states every month. Last year, Duraipandi was murdered in connection with ration rice smuggling in the area. However, the continuous smuggling of ration rice underscores the audacity of the smugglers.

Expressing his concern, TN BJP Chief Annamalai highlighted the lack of action by both the police and the Tamil Nadu Food Smuggling Cell, given the ruling party’s alleged involvement. He emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent further crimes.

He tweeted, “Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi is distributing rice in ration shops with the noble intention of providing food to all, it is degrading that the DMK is smuggling ration rice and selling it to other states. Since the smuggling of ration rice involves the ruling party, the police not taking any action will lead to more crimes. I urge the DMK government to immediately arrest all the members of the ration rice smuggling gang, including this individual, and take strict action.”

TNBJP Annamalai further added, “I strongly condemn the Thoothukudi district DMK for encouraging the ration rice smuggling gang and creating insecurity among the public.”

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Madras HC Directs TN Govt To Evaluate Vallalar International Centre Site & Safeguard Any Structures Of Archaeological Significance

By
The Commune
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The Madras High Court’s top bench, led by Chief Justice S V Gangapurwala and Justice J Sathya Narayana Prasad, instructed the Tamil Nadu government to furnish a report prepared by a group of archaeological specialists concerning the proposed site for the Vallalar International Centre in Vadalur.

During the hearing of a petition urging the state government to abandon its plans to construct the center at the Peruveli grounds near the Sathya Gnana Sabha, the state government, represented by advocate general PS Raman, provided details on the amenities slated for development at the center, as mandated by the court in the previous session.

The state asserted that an official from the archaeology department had already surveyed the location and only the remains of the 17th and 18th-century surrounding wall have been found and no construction has taken place in that area, guaranteeing that any structures of archaeological significance discovered during construction would be safeguarded.

Nonetheless, the Chief Justice suggested that it would be prudent for a panel of archaeological experts to evaluate the site and present a report, directing the government accordingly. In response, the state committed to forming a team of three experts to conduct the assessment. Additionally, the bench transferred the case to the special bench comprising Justices Mahadevan and Adikesalu, handling temple-related matters.

The controversy surrounding the establishment of the Vallalar International Centre in Vadalur, allocating a budget of ₹100 crores for the project has sparked protests and legal battles. The Tamil Nadu government’s decision to proceed with construction despite opposition has led to demonstrations, arrests, and demands from residents of Parvathipuram. They argue that the proposed site, adjacent to the sacred Vallalar Deity, holds religious and cultural significance and should be preserved. Despite their efforts, construction continues, prompting renewed protests and calls for legal action. The ongoing dispute highlights tensions between development initiatives and the preservation of religious heritage, underscoring the complex interplay of politics, religion, and community interests in the region.

In this regard, the Hindu Munnani has issued a statement via their official X handle, expressing their welcome from the Honorable Madras High Court, “According to the report, a wall was built during the 17th and 18th centuries when the Archeology Department examined the site of Vallalar Peruveli. Meanwhile, while a petition was filed in the Madras High Court that the construction work should not continue at the Vadalur Vallalar Sathya Gnanasabai Peruveli site and that the construction work should be banned, the High Court Judges, who accepted the petition, said that the construction work should not continue at the Vallalar Peruveli site and that the Hindu Charitable Endowments Department and the Department of Archaeology should inspect the Vallalar Peruveli site. The Hindu Munnani welcomes the order of the Chief Justice that the archaeology department should form a three-member committee to protect the ancient buildings and submit its report to the court.

This is a victory for the continuous struggle of the people and the Hindu Munnani. The Dravidian model gambled away the life of the Sanathana Dharma, again the Sanathana Dharma has won through the court injunction.”

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YouTuber Japan Tamil Bros’ Criticism Against TR Baalu Contesting In Sriperumbudur Met With Threats

By
The Commune
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When an educated individual voiced criticism against the incumbent DMK MP, they anticipated a potential shift in the MP’s approach. However, rather than a change of course, the critics faced threats from grassroots-level DMK cadres. These threats included warnings that basic amenities for their newly constructed homes in the area, managed by the DMK as the ruling party in the corporation, would be withheld.

The presiding chairman of the 2nd ward in Sriperumbudur, Kanchipuram district, Ramalingam of the DMK, has a son named Siva Ramakrishnan, who is employed as a research developer at Honda Motor Company in Japan. Siva Ramakrishnan also manages a YouTube channel named ‘Japan Tamil Bros’, where he shares his insights on current events in India, Tamil Nadu, and Japan. Recently, he posted a video on his channel criticizing TR Baalu of the DMK, who contested in the recent Lok Sabha election. This video gained significant traction on social media platforms. Interestingly, Ramalingam, Siva Ramakrishnan’s father, was actively canvassing for votes for TR Baalu in the same constituency.

In the viral video, Ramalingam’s son Siva Ramakrishnan stated, “I don’t know what TR Baalu has achieved in Sriperumbudur constituency that he is contesting there again. Firstly there are so many problems in Sriperumbudur many people will think that it has grown well, what do you mean by growth? There is employment but is there quality of life for the people? There are so many people living there but there is no park there, not even a single park. Does this government have the guts to lay roads? Do they know to lay a road?”

“A huge project has been going on for ten years and has spent hundreds of crores, and it is called the Underground Sewerage Project. Let that underground sewerage project come into operation, and you’ll see whether the project shows its teeth or not, they have converted a  four-lane road to a six-lane road, when it was a four-lane road, the town was on this side and the agricultural land was on the other side of the road, so cows died when they crossed the road, 20 of our cows have died, and besides that, the people of the town who cross the road have also died. For that, we have been demanding to build a flyover for many days, and we are keeping it till today. He has not removed anything till now. Not only that, there is a lot of sand and dust, and hygiene is at the very minimum. If you take two streets, there are two to three cancer patients, dialysis is a ritual like going to the temple once a week for them. What has he done for Sriperumbudur, hygiene has deteriorated to such an extent. And with what face is he seeking votes?” he further stated.

Following election day on 19 April 2024 in Tamil Nadu, Ramalingam received a call from Sathish, the secretary of the Sriperumbudur town panchayat and husband of the town panchayat president, Santhi. Sathish inquired about the viral video posted by Ramalingam’s son and issued a veiled threat regarding providing essential services such as electricity, drinking water, and drainage connections to Ramalingam’s newly constructed house in the area. Ramalingam shared this incident with his son, Siva Ramakrishnan, during a video call.

Subsequently, Siva Ramakrishnan uploaded another video on his YouTube channel, narrating the incident and expressing how he was hurt by it. He announced his intention to expose all instances of mismanagement and stalled development projects in the constituency through the Right to Information (RTI) Act, utilizing his YouTube platform.

Polimer News reported that when the Sriperumbudur town panchayat secretary Sathish was asked about this matter, he responded that he had no knowledge of the incident and hadn’t encountered the individual in question. He dismissed the accusations as false and challenged anyone with evidence to take legal action against him.

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“Stop Politics Of Hatred”: Hindu Munnani State President Urges Chief Minister Stalin

By
The Commune
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Kadeshwara Subramaniam, the state president of Hindu Munnani, has issued a statement urging Chief Minister Stalin to stop the politics of hatred. Subramaniam’s statement comes in response to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s 2006 remarks at the National Development Council (NDC), where he stated that minorities, especially Muslims, have the first right to the benefits of the nation’s development and resources.

In his statement, he stated, “Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s remarks at the National Development Council (NDC) in 2006, stating that minorities, especially Muslims, have the first right to the benefits of the nation’s development and resources, are often cited. Singh’s stance, combined with Nehru’s acknowledgment of his British education, Muslim culture, and Hindu heritage, has led to accusations that the Congress Party practices divisive vote bank politics, prioritizing minority interests over those of the majority Hindus.”

He added, “Manmohan Singh’s announcement in the Congress party’s election manifesto for the current Lok Sabha elections, promising to cover the fees for Muslim students studying in foreign institutions, further fuels these accusations. Critics argue that this move, along with the party’s opposition to majoritarianism, demonstrates the Congress party’s neglect of the Hindu majority in the country, perpetuating a divide between communities.”

He also added, “The Congress’s focus on funding education abroad for Muslim students, rather than investing in world-class educational institutions within the country, is seen as a disservice to India’s educational system, elevating foreign institutions over domestic ones.”

He called out DMK of their Anti-Hindu stance, “In addition to these allegations against the Congress, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Stalin, and his party, the DMK, are accused of furthering an anti-Hindu agenda. Accusations include boycotting Hindu festivals, undermining Hindu traditions, and neglecting Hindu interests. The DMK’s alliance with parties such as the VCK, whose leaders have demanded concessions for Scheduled Castes who convert to Islam, is seen as further evidence of their anti-Hindu stance.”

He concluded, “The Hindu Munnani urges people to reject the divisive politics of the DMK and Congress, emphasizing the importance of national unity, development, and consciousness. They call for voters to see through what they perceive as false propaganda and teach a lesson to parties that they believe prioritize divisive politics over the nation’s well-being.”

(with inputs from Hindu Munnani)

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Madurai: Devotees Disregarded In The Shadows Of VIPs At Meenakshi Thirukalyanam Festival

By
The Commune
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The devotees who arrived to witness the divine union of their beloved deities, Meenakshi and Sundareswarar, grew agitated over what seemed like wanton neglect from the HR&CE and the administration of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. They felt sidelined, witnessing preferential treatment extended to so-called VIPs and politicians, despite having paid for the same services.

The renowned Chithirai Festival of the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple commenced on 12 April 2024 with the ceremonial flag hoisting and lasts until 23 April 2024, featuring the highlight event of Meenakshi Thirukalyanam, scheduled for 21st April from 8:35 AM to 8:59 AM during the auspicious Rishaba Lagna. The temple administration facilitated devotees to reserve slots online to witness the sacred Meenakshi Thirukalyanam. According to the notification issued, individuals holding a fee receipt of ₹500 between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM could access the temple via the North Gopuram, while those with a receipt of ₹200 were permitted through the northeastern Gopuram, following the path near Chitrai Street. Additionally, devotees opting for free darshan were accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis through the South Gopuram. Reservations were open from 9th to 13th April 2024 on the HR&CE website (hrce.tn.gov.in) and the temple’s official website (maduraimeenakshi.hrce.tn.gov.in). Furthermore, monetary gifts (Moi) for the Thirukalyanam, amounting to ₹50 and ₹100, were to be made online starting from 21 April 2024.

Devotees adhered to the instructions and procured tokens within their financial means as per the administration’s directives. On 21 April 2024, they eagerly queued up, anticipating the sacred union. Despite the approaching auspicious moment, they found themselves waiting for an extended duration, growing increasingly restless. The explanation provided was that VIPs were partaking in the Darshan, causing devotees to endure the delay.

In an interview with Behindwoods Air YouTube channel a female devotee expressed her frustration, stating, “Sir, we are inside this from 6’O clock, they are allowing all the VIPs inside, we also came with VIP pass, no one let us in” Before she could finish, an elderly female devotee interjected, sharing her distress, “It’s been two hours! They are confining us like sheep and cattle. At least half an hour is fine will they shut us like this I feel like fainting” The first woman devotee added, “If they’re prioritizing VIPs, they shouldn’t have issued passes to us. It’s suffocating in here.”

Another female devotee exclaimed, “There are elderly here, how long they will suffer here? we just saying to leave us out, don’t let us in, let us out. It’s your fault for issuing the token, since you’ve given us the token, allow us in. It’s been three hours already, we’ve been standing in line for three hours. Don’t they have a little conscience? Can’t go to the bathroom, can’t do anything, small children are fainting”

Another male devotee expressed his frustration, “Actually they have issued this pass and made us stand in the line, they are allowing families of VVIPs there. So they could’ve left without issuing this pass right! here it is (showing the pass), what they have given in it, in the name of the trust. They have given it to these many people, at least they could’ve formalize and send us in, right? Are all these people waiting to see after the wedding?” Another women devotee intervened and shared her anger, “They are sending only VIPs as if they’re the only ones human. Aren’t we human too?” The male devotee continued, “Tell them not to give the pass, let them serve the VIPs and perform wedding but the marriage is for public to see, right? We are standing here for three hours.” The female devotee interjected again and added, “We came here 5:30 AM, should only the politicians standing there see the deity, shouldn’t we see the deity too?”

Another male devotee, visibly upset, exclaimed, “We don’t even need to see the deity! Just let us out! The elderly have been stuck here for three hours. There are diabetic patients here! Why are they giving us passes? Why should we suffer like this? It’s unnecessary! It’s suffocating, we can’t even breathe! We’ve been standing since 5:30!”

Despite the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court ruling in 2022 emphasizing that only ‘God’ holds VIP status within temples. The court explicitly stated that no individual, whether temple employees or government officials, should abuse VIP entry passes. According to the ruling, temple staff should avail themselves of darshan either through the paid queue or the free queue alongside other devotees. However, despite this directive, during festival seasons, it is often the impoverished devotees who bear the brunt of long queues and extended waiting periods. This leads to frustration as they seek solace and peace through prayers to their chosen deity, often utilizing their limited funds. Meanwhile, VIPs and temple authorities prioritize their convenience, disregarding the devotees and thereby violating the HR&CE Act and committing what could be seen as a spiritual transgression.

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Intersex Activist Gopi Shankar Madurai To Address Juvenile Justice Committee Meeting At Madras High Court

By
The Commune
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The Madras High Court has extended an invitation to Intersex activist Gopi Shankar Madurai to participate in the upcoming Juvenile Justice Committee (JJC) and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Committee meeting. The meeting, scheduled for 25 April 2024, at the Madras High Court Auditorium, will be attended by Senior Judges, District Magistrates, Senior State Bureaucrats, and officials from UNICEF.

Gopi Shankar Madurai is expected to present a mandate urging the inclusion of infants and children with diverse Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (GIESC) identities in the policies related to the Juvenile Justice Law and POCSO Act. This meeting will witness the delivery of a wide range of recommendations aimed at enhancing the protection and rights of children with diverse GIESC identities.

In 2019, Gopi Shankar Madurai presented an official report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). In response, the UN CRPD committee recommended that the Government of India expand the scope of its present policy regime concerning Intersex infants and children, as well as LGBTQ+ individuals with disabilities, including autism.

The recommendations put forth by the UN CRPD committee include:

1. Amendment and implementation of the Government Order by the Director of Medical Education to ban unnecessary medical interventions on Intersex infants and children, along with the formation of an Apex committee involving senior Intersex activists.

2. Usage of the term SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics) instead of LGBTQ, acknowledging the problems associated with using the term LGBTQ for infants and children in India. Highlighting the difference between Sex and Gender identity.

3. Inclusion of Intersex infants and children in the forthcoming census, as well as changing the name and mandate of NCTP to include diverse GIESC infants and children in India.

4. Formation of a scientific panel to study necessary and unnecessary medical interventions on Intersex infants and children, including the inclusion of Medical Geneticists and the concept of genetic counseling in the process.

5. Formation of a High-level State Panel to study the condition of Intersex infants and children and GIESC children in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. The costs for this study can be supported by the Tamil Nadu State Government and UNICEF-like organizations.

6. Publishing a handbook and guide on Intersex infants and GIESC children in English and Tamil languages for the usage of the Juvenile Justice Committee in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. This initiative will be funded by the State Government, including Intersex activists.

7. Formation of a Scientific Advisory Panel for GIESC infants and children to advise the Madras High Court, Juvenile Justice Committee, and Juvenile Justice Board, among others.

8. Establishment of rehabilitation and prison facilities for Intersex and GIESC infants and children, including persons with diverse disabilities.

9. Introduction of exclusive grievance mechanisms with helplines for the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and other concerned statutory bodies dealing with diverse GIESC infants and children in India.

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Long Queues, Longer Wait Times, Higher Ticket Prices Add To Devotees’ Woes At Tiruchendur Murugan Temple

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The Commune
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The Subramaniya Swamy Temple situated in Tiruchendur, Tuticorin district, serves as the second abode of the six abodes of Lord Murugan. Every year, numerous festivals are celebrated at this location. In the month of Chithirai, the Vasantha festival is organized at the Tiruchendur Temple for 10 days. 

With schools closed for holidays, devotees are flocking to Tiruchendur, filling the temple complex to capacity. Tiruchendur sees a surge in visitors during government holidays, especially those coinciding with festivals. Currently, with exams for classes 10, 11, and 12 concluded, other classes enjoy holidays, further increasing the influx of devotees. On 11 April 2024, a government holiday for the Ramzan festival contributed to the heightened attendance. Devotees began arriving in Tiruchendur in the evening the previous day, with hotels fully booked for the weekend. Consequently, accommodation requests surged in the area. Additionally, traffic congestion occurred as vehicles transporting devotees were halted at various points, impacting the movement of government buses near the temple gate bus station. 

Owing to the overcrowding, devotees experienced lengthy wait times at the temple for darshan. In one such case, after a lengthy wait at the Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur, the crowd grew impatient and engaged in a heated dispute with the security personnel, questioning whether worship was permitted only for those with financial means. Eventually, tensions escalated, leading to the breaking of barricades and the crowd entering the premises. The incident, widely circulated on social media, sparked uproar in the locality.

During this period, the Tiruchendur Subramania Swamy Temple opened its doors at 4 am, initiating a day filled with rituals and pujas, including the Vishwarupam at 4:30 am and the Udayamarthanda Abhishekam at 6 am.

Subsequently, Viswarupa Deeparathana would take place, followed by Udayamarthanda Abhishekam, Later on, Uchikala Abhishekam will be conducted. Swami Jayantinatha would then emerge from the temple along with Valli-Deivanai in Vasantha Mandapam. In the evening, Swami Jayantinathar would appear with Valli-Deivanai on a golden chariot. Subsequently, Valli-Deivanai would crawl 11 times in Vasantha Mandapam, offering a spectacle to the devotees. Deeparathana for Swami-Ambal follows this event. Swami-Ambal then will return to the temple through the Giriprakara path. Thousands of devotees gather to witness the Chithirai Vasantha ceremony, seeking darshan of the deity. 

This time, the influx coincided with the school summer break and the Chithrai (Pournamai) full moon auspicious day, leading to an even larger crowd than usual. The HR&CE has implemented a unique queuing system for visitors to catch a glimpse of Lord Murugan, with a corresponding fee. On this occasion, the crowd was particularly large, leading to speculation that HR&CE intended to maximize its revenue. However, upon entering the queue, devotees noticed a significant slowdown compared to usual, prompting frustration. This frustration escalated into arguments with security guards and sloganeering “Can we have darshan (of the deity) only if we have money?” Growing impatient, some devotees even pushed against the barricades hindering the worship of their beloved deity, Lord Murugan.

During the 2023 Shashti festival last year, devotees were charged higher fees: ₹2,000 for Vishwarupa Darshan, ₹3,000 for abhishekam, ₹3,000 for yagasala darshan and ₹1,000 for speed darshan. It sparked significant controversy as the fare hike was unauthorized and considered outrageous. Despite the temple administration’s claims that they had prior approval for these charges, it raised questions about the real purpose of charging such charges. The question also arises whether the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Trusts Act, 1959 (HR&CE) allows the collection of such fees for revenue purposes. This approach, however, contradicts the concept of a temple as a sacred place of worship and abode of the divine, which, according to the order of the Madurai branch of the High Court, is a violation.

(Image Credit: Vikatan)

Despite the ruling from the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court asserting that Lord Murugan holds the sole VIP status at the Tiruchendur temple, with all other devotees being considered equal and the directive to permit only two types of darshan – the paid ₹100 darshan and the free darshan, reports continue to surface regarding the ongoing issue of sluggish queue systems and alternative revenue generation methods. However, no concrete action has been taken to address these grievances.

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TheCommune
The Commune is a news and views portal focusing on social and political issues of the southern part of India with a focus on Tamil Nadu.
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