The Government Higher Secondary School in Mogappair, Chennai, which should serve as a beacon of education and enlightenment, is mired in controversy as students raise alarming concerns about the deplorable conditions they endure within its premises.
The harrowing revelations by students paint a grim picture of an unhygienic and neglected government school that is supposedly a ‘model school’. The children studying have been crying out for a cleaner, safer, and more respectful learning environment, only to find their pleas largely unanswered.
One female student, bemoaned the lack of basic facilities for girls, including the absence of proper toilet facilities. “This school doesn’t have toilet facilities for girls and boys, the ceiling has cracks and water leaks through these cracks. Once during our exams, a portion of the ceiling fell down”, she lamented.
The crumbling ceilings have been a source of constant concern, especially during crucial examination periods. When the student brought these issues to the school management’s attention, she was met with indifference and a chilling response: “When everyone has no problem, why are you complaining?”. She even told the authorities that the students would file a police complaint.
The management’s silence and inaction in the face of these grievances have only exacerbated the students’ distress. The students’ attempts to address the glaring issues have been met with hostility, with management allegedly verbally attacking individuals attempting to clean the deteriorating toilets themselves. Shockingly, teachers are reported to be complicit in the mistreatment of students, coercing girls to undertake cleaning duties and resorting to verbal harassment when met with resistance, particularly targeting those whose parents are employed.
Last year’s monsoon season brought heavy water stagnation, yet the management failed to make any efforts to alleviate the situation. The students were forced to study in these substandard conditions. The school’s lax security measures have also raised concerns, as the management reportedly fails to lock the school doors during weekends, allowing outsiders to engage in unruly behavior and liquor consumption within the open classrooms.
The student said, “Last year in Oct, Nov, Dec when it rained heavily, water logging was severe here. We attended classes in this situation’ there were mosquitoes, insects, lizards everywhere and yet they did not bother. They do not lock the school in the weekends, outsiders are playing cricket here, smoke cigarettes too.”
Another student revealed the shocking state of disrepair within the classrooms, with reports of fan vandalism and an overpowering stench emanating from the unsanitary toilets, rendering them unusable even in urgent situations. The Headmaster (HM) of the school has been accused of turning a deaf ear to these grievances, further fueling the sense of neglect and disregard.
The students said, “We don’t know who comes here at night, they break the fans and everything. The gates are always open. If the cleaner/sweeper doesn’t turn up, they ask the girls from each class to do it. If we open the toilet, it is stench-ridden. Even if there is an urgency, we are unable and we do not use the toilet here. We pass urine only at home after school.”
These distressing revelations cast a dark shadow over the education system in Chennai, and raise questions about the state of schools under Chief Minister Stalin’s touted “model school” system.
இந்த அரசு எந்த மாதிரி செயல்படுகிறது என்பதற்கு இந்த “அரசு மாதிரி” பள்ளியே சாட்சி. pic.twitter.com/m4MlqiHKkh
In an effort to support the growing number of start-ups, the BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai announced the creation of a new ‘Start-Up Cell’ of the party aimed at being a bridge between budding entrepreneurs and the government machinery.
“Today, BJP Tamil Nadu is taking a progressive step by launching a Start-up Cell to foster innovation and serve as a vital communication bridge for aspiring entrepreneurs. This initiative underscores the party’s commitment to promoting economic growth and creating opportunities for the talented and innovative minds in the state, ultimately contributing to our State’s development and prosperity.“, the BJP state president announced on Thursday (2 November 2023).
Ananthan Ayyasamy, a BJP leader from Tenkasi, who was the State Vice President of Tamil Nadu BJP Other States & Overseas Tamil Development Cell (OOSTD Cell) has been appointed as the Convenor of the cell.
Glad to announce the appointment of Thiru @TenkasiAnanthan, former Engineering Director at Intel & presently, an active Karyakartha of @BJP4TamilNadu in Tenkasi, as the Convenor of @BJP4TamilNadu’s Start-up Cell. pic.twitter.com/K42sB0TBNn
Ananthan Ayyasamy was a former engineer with Intel and had rose to the position of Director of Engineering. His LinkedIn bio states that he has two decades of experience semiconductor industry.
Ananthan spearheads an initiative known as Startup Tenkasi which recently introduced an ambitious, multi-phased Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Skill Building Program in the form of workshops, collaborating with various engineering colleges and Arts & Science institutions in Tenkasi District. The Startup Tenkasi initiative is being touted as an effort to make Tenkasi the Estonia of India.
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On 30 October 2023, an unfortunate incident occured in Thiruppanandal, located in the Thanjavur district, at the Kasi Thirumadam, which was founded by Kumaragurubar. A group of individuals, arriving in two separate groups, completely demolished the 400-foot perimeter wall surrounding the Poikai pond within the Math premises. In response to this incident, Selvaraj, the manager of Tiruppanandal Kashi Thirumadam, filed a formal complaint with the police.
At around 2:00 a.m. on the morning of 30 October 2023, Vridhakiri, an individual employed at the Math, heard unusual noises coming from the area. When he went to investigate, he discovered more than ten people, including Mohammad Bilal, who serves as the secretary of the state media wing of the Tamil National Development Association, attempting to escape on motorcycles. The police are actively searching for those responsible for this act.
Preliminary estimates indicate that nearly 2 lakhs of rupees worth of damage was inflicted upon this sacred monument, steeped in religious significance.
It’s worth noting that on the eastern side of this pond, there is a middle school, and some years ago, an accident took place when students mistakenly entered the pond. To ensure the safety of the public and the students, a perimeter wall was constructed around the pool. The sacred pond, spread across an expansive one-acre area, had been enclosed by a protective barrier to ensure its sanctity and safety.
At the forefront of the investigation is the question of who could be behind this heinous act, the local police promised timely action.
Six individuals have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the assault, humiliation, and public humiliation of two Scheduled Caste youths from the district, according to police reports on Thursday (2 November 2020). Several political parties have decried the heinous acts committed against the SC youths and have called for concrete measures to prevent such crimes in the future. The six suspects, identified as M Ponmani, S Nallamuthu, R Ayiram, B Ramar, M Siva, and Lakshmanan, all aged between 21 and 25, were reportedly under the influence of alcohol when they confronted the youths and demanded that they disclose their caste identity.
According to VCK State Youth Secretary Sangathamizhan, the two victims – Manojkumar and Mariyappan reportedly belong to the Devendrakula Vellalar caste. The perpetrators of the heinous act allegedly belong to the Maravar community.
என்று தணியும் இந்த சாதி வெறி? *************************************
திருநெல்வேலி மாநகர பகுதியிலுள்ள மணிமூர்த்தீஸ்வரம் பகுதியில் வசித்து வரும் இரண்டு பட்டியலின தேவேந்திரகுல வேளாளர் சமூக இளைஞர்கள்
Upon revealing their Scheduled Caste identity, the gang of six physically assaulted, stripped, and subjected them to public humiliation. The victims, two Dalit youths, were returning home after a bath in the Thamirabarani River when the brutal incident occurred, as reported by Thachanallur police. The police have filed charges against the six accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and also under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
According to the victims, currently receiving medical treatment at the Tirunelveli Medical College hospital, the assailants also robbed them of two mobile phones, silver jewelry, and extorted ₹5,000 from them. “They appeared to be under the influence of ganja (cannabis). They approached us and inquired about our caste and place of origin while we were preparing to ride our motorcycle after bathing in the river on Monday. As soon as we responded, they began attacking us with sticks and knives,” recounted the victims. To secure their release, one of the victims had to arrange for ₹5,000 to be digitally transferred to the assailants. Once the money was deposited, the perpetrators took the victim’s motorcycle to withdraw funds from a nearby ATM. However, two of them fled upon spotting patrolling police, and the victims seized the opportunity to escape.
Union Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan condemned the incident targeting the DMK government for its “pseudo social justice”.
In a social media post, the BJP Minister said “I strongly condemn the injustice of the perverts who assaulted 2 marginalized (scheduled caste) youths who went to bathe in the river bed in Manimoortheeswaram area of Tirunelveli district on the 30th of October and assaulted them on the basis of their caste, stripped them naked and urinated on them. This government should register a case against such criminals under SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act and give them severe punishment. How many more atrocities are we going to see in the pseudo Dravidian model regime? It has been more than 300 days in Pudukottai and we don’t know who mixed human waste in water. In Nanguneri of the same Tirunelveli district, a school student’s house was invaded and a caste-based happened. If the fake Dravidian model government, which pretends to be a social justice regime, had taken action in the brutality of Vengaivayal incident, would such an event have happened?”
திருநெல்வேலி மாவட்டம், மணிமூர்த்தீஸ்வரம் பகுதியில் உள்ள ஆற்றுப்படுக்கையில் கடந்த மாதம் 30 ஆம் தேதி குளிக்கச் சென்ற விளிம்புநிலை (பட்டியலின) இளைஞர்கள் 2 நபர்களை சாதியை கேட்டு தாக்கியும், அவர்களை நிர்வாணப்படுத்தி, அவர்கள் மீது சிறுநீர் கழித்தும் கொடுமை செய்த வக்கிரம்… pic.twitter.com/j7lhhNaNNE
Condemning this “heinous act,” AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami asserted that the incident highlights the growing prevalence of caste-based atrocities since the DMK came to power. He demanded that law enforcement take stringent action against those involved and urged the government to provide appropriate compensation to the affected SC youths.
CPI state secretary R Mutharasan expressed strong condemnation for the attack on the SC youth, emphasizing that such human rights violations are unacceptable in a civilized society. He called for concrete, politically determined, and socially concerned actions to prevent such incidents from recurring and urged a thorough investigation and just punishment for the wrongdoers.
Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S Ramadoss called for strict action against the culprits, while TNCC legislature party leader K Selvaperunthagai similarly condemned the incident.
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Former Hindu Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has said that the Democrats have become apologists for Islamist jihadists during an interview with Fox News Sean Hannity. In the interview, Hannity first started by saying that the Democrats are allowing undocumented immigrants into the country without any checking and that the Chinese are buying huge tracts of farmland near important military installations in the United States and criticized President Joe Biden and the Democratic elite within the party.
One main reason I left the Dem Party is because the Dem Elite does not care about the safety, security, and freedom of the American people. They've become apologists for Islamist jihadists. Their actions, from open borders to redirecting our security/intel assets towards their… pic.twitter.com/t1rDJkOjso
Then he asked the former democratic party politician if she agreed with what is happening and why she left to which Gabbard answered that her former party had become an apologist for Islamist jihadists and that she joined the Army after 9/11 to serve and protect her country. She went on to say that her three deployments in Iraq and in Africa gave her an insight into how dangerous Islamist jihadists are to national security.
Gabbard went on to accuse the Democrats of opening the border for anyone to get in and that Iran which allegedly gave logistical support for Hamas to carry out the 7/10 terror attack in Israel has now sleeper cells in the US adding that these Jihadi terrorists may have brought nuclear material into the country. She went on to say that if that happens, it will be far worse than the 9/11 terror attacks.
According to the former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii, the elites within the Democratic party do not care about security and how dangerous it is for the likes of Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who calls Hamas freedom fighters. Also, she called Erdoğan a member of the Muslim Brotherhood and a supporter of ISIS and Al Qaeda and how he should have been kicked out.
Turkey's support for Hamas is not surprising, considering that they also supported ISIS by helping them recruit and transport jihadists/weapons into Syria and the region. Erdogan, like Hamas, is part of the Muslim Brotherhood. Indeed, his ambition is to become the supreme caliph…
In her interview with Laura Ingraham Tulsi Gabbard said, “Islamist jihadists, both Sunni and Shiite, openly call for wiping out all Jews from the face of the earth—yet Cori Bush, the Squad, and others support or act as apologists for such jihadists and say that Israel is guilty of human rights abuses and genocide. This is one of the main reasons I left the Democratic Party—because it is led by and rife with apologists for Islamist jihadists“.
Islamist jihadists, both Sunni and Shiite, openly call for wiping out all Jews from the face of the earth—yet Cori Bush, the Squad, and others support or act as apologists for such jihadists and say that Israel is guilty of human rights abuses and genocide. This is one of the… pic.twitter.com/XuixZvUMX1
Meanwhile, woke leftists and democratic leaders such as Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for a ceasefire while Hamas shamelessly use hospitals and schools as terror headquarters and use innocent Palestinians as human shields.
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As Hamas apologists in India cry buckets of tears for Palaistians, there is stone-cold silence when it comes to the plight of minority Hindus in Pakistan.
In Sindh, Pakistan, a Hindu Kachhi community has been subjected to severe hardships and violence due to the actions of a Muslim landlord. The report from South Asian Digest reveals that the landlord’s conduct extended far beyond mere prejudice, involving the demolition of houses and even a temple, as well as the deliberate destruction of an entire Hindu village where families had resided for over four decades.
As per the information which is available, not only houses have been demolished rendering the Hindus in the area homeless, but the Muslim landlord also demolished the temple. After that, he set fire to the entire Hindu village where families had lived for over four decades.
The landlord’s deplorable actions did not end with arson and demolitions; there are also reports of him and his associates forcibly seizing motorbikes from the villagers, exacerbating the difficulties faced by this already marginalized community.
Muslim landlord demolishes houses, Hindu temple, and sets fire to entire Hindu village in Sindh, Pakistan. The Hindu Kachhi community, who had lived there for 40 years, has been left homeless and threatened. https://t.co/nxoja5xqRGpic.twitter.com/OMTc1hQtHK
A video capturing the aftermath of the village’s devastation serves as a grim testament to the extent of suffering endured by this community. It underscores the increasing violence faced by religious and ethnic minorities in Pakistan, emphasizing the urgent need for safeguarding and justice for vulnerable communities.
Though Mohammad Ali Jinnah wanted a secular Pakistan, in reality, he saw the Hindus and Sikhs who could not leave during the partition as hostages to ensure Muslims in India were treated fairly. This is not an uncommon incident that has taken place in Pakistan and the plight of the Hindu Kachhi community, which has been grappling with constant persecution and discrimination in Pakistan since the partition.
This incident brings attention to the challenges faced by the Hindu Kachhi community, which has been enduring ongoing persecution and bias in Pakistan since the partition. This community is particularly vulnerable due to their often impoverished and landless status, leaving them at the mercy of influential individuals, like the Islamist landlord responsible for this recent tragedy.
In an official document released by the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department, a significant development has been disclosed concerning the Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple located in Tiruvannamalai District in Tamil Nadu. The HR&CE department has issued an administrative permission order for the construction of shops on a section of land owned by the temple in front of the East Gopuram. This decision has garnered attention and raises questions regarding its implications for the heritage and sanctity of the temple.
The order, dated 14 September 2023, references various government notifications and correspondences, shedding light on the background and context of this decision. It is noteworthy that the Minister for Hindu Religious Endowments Department, Sekar Babu, announced in the Legislative Assembly on 19 April 2023 during discussions on the grant demand for the fiscal year 2023-2024. This announcement pertained to “Notification No:223,” which outlined plans for constructing shops at an estimated cost of ₹5.99 crores in the area in front of the Rajagopuram, a part of the land owned by the Arunachaleswarar Temple.
The documents further highlight the status of the temple as an “Ancient Temple” listed under Section 46(II) of the Act and its current management by the Temple Associate Commissioner or Acting Officer. The request for administrative permission for the construction of shops and the associated cost calculations were made by the Department of Charitable Appraisal Engineers and funded by the Public Works Department. This entire endeavour was presented as a “Deposit Work.”
Of particular importance, the Charity Commissioner had solicited the government’s attention to this matter. After thorough consideration, the GO reads that the government accepted the proposal, thereby granting administrative permission to the Commissioner of Hindu Religious Charitable Institutions. This permission allows for the execution of the deposit work through the Public Works Department, involving an estimated sum of ₹6.40,00,000/- (Six Crore and Forty Lacs only). This funding is to be drawn from the temple’s resources and allocated to establish the shops in front of the Rajagopuram, within the precincts of the Arunachaleswarar Temple.
The GO concludes with the official directive issued by the Governor, as conveyed by Manivasan, the Principal Secretary to the Government. The communication indicates the relevant recipients of this order and expresses the government’s commitment to implementing this initiative, subject to the specified financial allocation and permissions.
கோபுர தரிசனம் கோடி புண்ணியம். திருவண்ணாமலை ராஜகோபுரத்தை மறைத்து அதன் முன் கடை கட்ட காண்ட்ராக்ட் விடும் அறநிலையத்துறையை என்ன சொல்ல? நீங்க கடவுளை பார்ப்பதை விட, நாங்க @PKSekarbabu காசு பார்ப்பதே முக்கியம் என HR&CE @tnhrcedept அராஜகம். pic.twitter.com/XL7aES0mJb
This decision has sparked considerable discussion and debate, reflecting the intersection of heritage preservation, cultural significance, and economic development.
Temple activist TR Ramesh posted on his X handle that UNESCO had previously raised concerns regarding substantial structural violations at the Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, bringing the matter before the Madras High Court. These violations, attributed to the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, have included the construction of a modern office and two “guest houses” within the confines of this ancient temple, which has drawn criticism for its impact on the temple’s historical and cultural significance. He criticized the HR&CE department’s decision to develop a commercial complex near the temple.
UNESCO had earlier pointed out to Hon'ble Madras High Court, the horrible structural violations carried out by @tnhrcedept in Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple, Tiruvannamalai.
The Dept which has an Executive Officer in this temple only by Contempt of Court's orders has… https://t.co/pKrc6bePFx
Hindu activist Shefali Vaidya also raised questions about the need for shops to be built close to the temple and that such activity could cause harm to the structure.
Just got to know that there might be an ugly shopping complex coming up right next to the East Gopuram of the Thiruvannamalai temple on the temple land, thanks to @tnhrcedept officials greed! If true, this is neglect of TN temples taken to another level!
The HR&CE department has many a time stepped beyond its limits when it came to generating revenue without taking into consideration the antiquity of a temple or has left temples in the state in an appalling state of neglect.
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On Wednesday (1 November 2023) during a news debate, Congress Spokesperson Supriya Shrinate made derogatory comments about BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala’s mother. It must be noted that Shehzad Poonawala is the brother of Tehseen Poonawala who is an ardent Congress supporter and is often seen spiritedly defending the grand old party of India.
Both Shehzad and Tehseen had lost their father at a young age and their mother Yasmeen had raised them under trying circumstances and during the news broadcast on Zee News, Supriya Shrinate who is now known for her confrontational attitude said “tum apni maa ke naam ko vidrup karne wale log ho”, which means, “You are the people who defame your mother’s name“.
Today Supriya Srinate crossed all limits
She made derogatory comments on my single mother- senior lady in particular & mothers of all BJP karyakartas by saying “tum apni maa ke naam ko vidrup karne wale log ho”
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) November 1, 2023
On his official X handle (formally Twitter), Shehzad Poonawala said, “My mother’s name is YASMEEN. Yes she gave birth to me – Pasmanda Muslim who joined BJP- does it mean such double meaning & dirty comments will be made about her? Why bring in anybody’s mother at all?”
Shehzed is not someone to hold back and is known for articulating BJP’s policy and decisions. He said, “When I called her out for disrespecting my mother who raised me single-handedly – she started using vile language saying “2 kaudi ka””. The term 2 kaudi ka basically means a person who is not worth anything and is very unparliamentary language to be used during a debate.
It has been observed that the Congress party is only sending spokespersons who are rude, confrontational, and not averse to making personal attacks on opponents. Gone are the days when Congress spokespersons would use skillful language to have a spirited debate and now it is all about attacking people at a personal level.
Supriya Shrinate comes from a political family and is the daughter of former MP Harsh Vardhan. She contested the 2019 Indian general election (Lok Sabha election) from Maharajganj constituency and lost badly to BJP’s Pankaj Chaudhary.
In 2019, Shrinate was appointed as the spokesperson of the All India Congress Committee and she also participated in UP Assembly Elections 2022 as star campaigner of Indian National Congress. It must be noted that Congress won just 2% of the popular vote in that election. In 2022, Supriya Shrinate was appointed as Chairman of Social Media and digital Platforms.
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On 1 November 2023, YouTuber and self-proclaimed fact-checker Iyan Karthikeyan of the YouTurn channel announced on his X handle that he had been appointed as the Mission Director of the Fact-Checking Unit under the administrative control of Special Programme Implementation which is the portfolio of DMK scion and Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Prior to that, news started circulating on social media about his controversial appointment as the head of the fact-checking unit.
The controversial Government Order (GO) issued by the Tamil Development and Information Department states that there has been a rise in hate speech, misinformation and disinformation and this has necessitated the creation of a fact-check unit by the government.
It has been stated that the primary job of the FCU will be to identify fake news and curb hate speech but critics argue that it is nothing but a fascist move to crackdown on critics of the DMK and its government.
“Addressing hate speech does not mean limiting or prohibiting freedom of speech. It means keeping hate speech from escalating into something more dangerous" – UN secretary General, António Guterres
I am appointed as Mission Director for the Fact check unit under the…
Be that as it may. Several red flag have been raised in the establishment of the FCU and the appointment process for various posts.
Political commentator ‘Savukku’ Shankar raised very pertinent questions in this regard. A video released on his YouTube channel provides insights into recruitment processes in the government setup. Here are some of the questions raised:
Secrecy Surrounding The Establishment Of FCU & Bypassing Legislative Approval
When then Tamil Nadu Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan presented the state’s budget for the year 2022-23, he mentioned that the state government has decided to form a special Social Media Monitoring Centre under the police department. He claimed that the Social Media Monitoring is being set up to ‘to battle fake news and misinformation on social media platforms’.
In September 2022, based on the directions of the MK Stalin-led DMK government, the Tamil Nadu Police formed a special ‘Social Media Monitor Team’ to monitor social media sites (read people criticizing DMK government on social media).
A whopping 203 officials and police personnel have been deputed for the task of “monitoring fake news on social media intending to create tension, riots, online frauds, drug smuggling, etc”.
Before the current controversy came to light, the government did not announce the setting up of an FCU under the Special Programmes Implementation department.
It was only on 6 October 2023, the Tamil Development and Information (Advt) Department, acting on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government, released a GO outlining the establishment of a fact-checking unit under the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR).
The GO detailed that the DIPR’s director had recommended the creation of this unit, with the primary objective of acting as a deterrent against individuals and entities responsible for generating and spreading fake news and misinformation.
However, what has raised concerns is the fact that the setting up of this significant department was not brought up before the Assembly, leaving many to question the apparent urgency of its formation. The department’s operation is expected to incur an annual expenditure exceeding ₹3 crores, a substantial budget allocation. What adds to the unease is the revelation that this funding will be subject to approval in the 2023-24 supplementary budget. Until such approval is obtained, the expenses will be obtained from the contingency fund, prompting inquiries about the necessity and urgency behind establishing the department and utilizing contingency funds at a time when the DMK government is neither able to implement pay parity for government school teachers nor able to give ₹1000 for all women as it promised.
Advertisement And Transparency
The recent High Court ruling regarding contract/temporary job recruitment dictates that candidates must be given an opportunity to compete for public employment through public notifications. However, there has been no advertisement in newspapers or on social media with regard to the job openings.
The positions within the Fact-Checking Unit are as follows: at the helm is the Mission Director, serving as the head of the unit. Supporting the director are the Project Director and Joint Director, both government officials, alongside two Project Leaders and two Human Resources specialists. Other than the Mission Director and the HR Manager, all the posts show relevant qualification requirements. It is for these two posts alone that an exception is made. The position of Mission Director requires either a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Technology (B.E./B.Tech) or a Master’s degree in Journalism or Mass Communication (M.A.), which might seem unusual considering the seemingly unrelated fields. In contrast, the Human Resources (HR) role necessitates a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (B.E.) and a post-graduate degree in Human Resources (HR) – thus raising questions about the selection process.
Recruitment Process
The recruitment process has come under scrutiny, particularly in light of a recent ruling by the High Court. According to the court’s decision, when it comes to contract or temporary job positions, the government is required to employ one of two methods: either by selecting candidates who are registered with employment exchanges or by issuing public notifications to call for applications. Justice Subramaniam emphasized that every eligible individual should have an opportunity to compete for public employment, and he cautioned against government actions that might suggest the hiring of temporary workers to later make them permanent staff.
Concerns have arisen due to the absence of advertisements for these positions on social media or in newspapers during the 25 days following the Government Order dated 6 October 2023. Key questions include:
Where were the job advertisements placed?
Who conducted the interviews, and where were they held?
What format was used for the interview process?
How many applications were received?
How many candidates were shortlisted for further consideration?
When nurses are protesting over regularization of their services, here is the DMK government that is recruiting 80 members for a period of one year (extendable after that) to set up a questionable “fact-checking unit”.
Was Reservation Policy Followed?
Concerns have been raised whether 69% reservation policy of the Tamil Nadu government was implemented in appointments. A roster has to be followed as per the General Rules for Tamil Nadu State and Subordinate Services in providing reservations. If not followed, it would not just be a serious violation of rules and norms but will be dent the DMK’s credibility of being the flagbearer of social justice.
Exorbitant Salary
Karthikeyan’s salary as Mission Director reportedly surpasses that of a high-ranking government officer. The substantial remuneration raises questions about the allocation of public funds. The salary structure for the positions is as follows:
Mission Director: ₹3 lakhs per month
HR Manager: ₹75,000 per month
Content Writer: ₹40,000 per month
All this when the state is under severe financial crunch when teachers are protesting for pay parity with an increase in salary.
Powers Given To The FCU
As per the Government Order (GO), the Fact-Checking Unit is entrusted with the responsibility of addressing complaints related to the state government, its ministries, departments, public sector enterprises, and various entities, without regard to the platform. The unit is empowered to proactively initiate fact-checking procedures and also accepts complaints from multiple sources. After a thorough assessment to determine relevance, the unit categorizes the received information.
Complaints falling within its scope are subject to rigorous fact-checking using various tools and cross-referenced with official government sources. The information is then divided into two categories: actionable and non-actionable. Within the actionable category, the Central Task Force collaborates with the government’s legal and law enforcement advisory teams to advance cases for legal action through the appropriate authorities.
It is noteworthy that suo moto powers are only given to the High Court and Supreme Court and even the police do not hold these powers.
Allegations Of Favouritism
As reported by South First, it is suggested that members of the DMK IT wing, as well as party cadres active on social media, may have been given preferential treatment in the recruitment process, and it is likely that all the appointments have already been finalized, and the unit is on the verge of being operational.
These allegations and concerns have cast a shadow of doubt over the appointment of Iyan Karthikeyan as the Mission Director of the Fact-Checking Unit and the processes that led to this decision.
It remains to be seen whether the so-called champions of free speech and democracy will challenge this fascist move of the DMK government in courts.
(With inputs from Savukku Media)
Vallavaraayan is a political writer.
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In a move that has raised concerns about threat to democracy and freedom of speech & expression, the DMK government in Tamil Nadu, has decided to create a Fact Checking Unit under the administrative control of Special Programme Implementation which is the portfolio of DMK scion and Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.
This FCU is going to be headed by Iyan Karthikeyan, a Dravidian Stockist YouTuber known for peddling DMK propaganda.
Iyan Karthikeyan was previously the Editor-in-Chief of YouTurn, a self-proclaimed “fact-checking” website that also has a YouTube channel where Iyan Karthikeyan along with his team rant for the most part under the pretext of “fact-checking”.
They frequently target DMK critics like Maridhas, journalists Rangaraj Pandey and Sandhya Ravishankar apart from peddling canards about the BJP and its leaders.
Iyan Karthikeyan took to his social media on 30 October 2023 to announce his withdrawal from YouTurn.
சில ஆண்டு சம்பளம் இல்லாமல் யூடர்ன் ஆசிரியராக தொடங்கிய பயணம்.
மெல்ல மெல்ல வளர்ந்து பிபிசி நேர்காணல் உட்பட பல செய்திகளில் நமது பணி பற்றி பேசப்பட்டது, பல்வேறு பத்திரிகைகளில் விவாத நிகழ்ச்சிகளில் பங்கேற்று பேசியுள்ளேன், Tedx இல் பேசியது, கூகுள் நீயூஸ் இனிசியேட்விவ் பயிற்சியாளர்,…
After news of his appointment as “Mission Director” of “Fact-Checking Unit” hit the headlines, Iyan Karthikeyan took to social media to announce the same.
“Addressing hate speech does not mean limiting or prohibiting freedom of speech. It means keeping hate speech from escalating into something more dangerous" – UN secretary General, António Guterres
I am appointed as Mission Director for the Fact check unit under the…
Concerns have been raised about the need for a ‘fact-checking unit’ and the opaque selection process for appointments to various posts.
The eligibility criteria and the selection process for these positions has raised questions about transparency and equal opportunities for all candidates.
It is to be noted that Iyan Karthikeyan is an engineering graduate. The odds of him having similar qualifications as that of those mentioned in the leaked GO are pretty strange.
Amidst this, it has come to light that Iyan Karthikeyan who has been made the “Mission Director” of the Fact-Checking Unit will receive a monthly salary of ₹3 lakh.
This is more than what the Director of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) earns. A recent report revealed that revealed that S Somanath who had spearheaded the Chandrayaan-3 mission putting India’s Vikram Lander and Pragyan Rover on the moon, earns ₹2.5 lakhs a month.
Iyan Karthikeyan getting ₹3 lakh per month of tax payer’s money comes at a time when nurses and teachers are fighting for equal pay and the state is in severe debt.
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