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DMK’s Official Mouthpiece Peddles False Info That Pak Firm Donated To BJP

By
The Commune
-

Following the Supreme Court’s ruling on 11 February 2024, demanding that the State Bank of India (SBI) disclose all details regarding electoral bonds purchases and mandating the Election Commission to reveal information about donors, amounts donated, and recipients, SBI requested an extension until 30 June 2024. However, the Supreme Court rejected this request and instructed SBI to provide the necessary information to the Election Commission by the end of working hours on 12 March 2024.

Subsequently, SBI submitted its data, and on 15 March 2024, the Election Commission complied with the court order by uploading the electoral bond details on its website. Following this disclosure, numerous individuals began analyzing the information, leading to the proliferation of fake news. One particularly perplexing piece of misinformation circulated by news channel alleging that a Pakistani company had purchased electoral bonds, particularly concerning given the context of the Pulwama attack in 2019.

Amidst this spread of fake news, DMK’s Official Mouthpiece, Kalaigar News, posted a news card on its official X handle, adding to the ongoing controversy that, “BJP received funding from a Pakistani company! After the Pulwama terror attack on 14 February 2019, it was revealed that on April 18,  the BJP had received donations from a Pakistani company called “HUB Power Company” in Karachi through electoral bonds! The BJP received the donation just days after 40 CRPF personnel were killed in the Pulwama bomb attack.”

Here’s The Reality

Electoral bonds that was introduced in March 2018, were devised as a substitute for cash donations to political parties with the aim of enhancing transparency in political funding. These bonds were designated to be redeemed exclusively by eligible political parties through authorized bank accounts, with the State Bank of India (SBI) being the sole authorized bank for their issuance.

Looking into the qualifications for individuals who can purchase these electoral bonds, the Press Information Bureau website explicitly states, “As per provisions of the Scheme, electoral Bonds may be purchased by a person (as defined in item No. 2 (d) of Gazette Notification), who is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India. A person being an individual can buy Electoral Bonds, either singly or jointly with other individuals.”

As the misinformation peddled rapidly, the independent fact-checking unit “Only Truth” swiftly provided clarification and debunked the false narrative through its official X handle stating, “Did @BJP4India receive a donation from a Pakistani organization? What is the truth? Hub Power company was started in 2008 in Delhi. This company is an all-India company that manufactures LED bulbs and Diwali decorative lights. Details in the link…👇 What is the purpose of lying that the company that donated to BJP is from Pakistan?”

https://twitter.com/OnlyTruth2024/status/1768456713768980710

Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary SG Suryah elucidated the electoral bonds scheme, emphasizing its exclusivity to Indian citizens denouncing purveyors of misinformation through his official platform X that, “Hub Power Company is a proprietorship business entity registered in #Delhi ! Journos spreading #FakeNews it as a Pakistani Company should be ashamed to do so. Be educated that #ElectoralBonds can only be bought by either a citizen of India or a company incorporated in India.”

Despite the reports of independent fact-checking unit ‘Only Truth’, along with concise explanations and evidence provided by SG Suryah, the Tamil Nadu BJP state secretary, an inundation of comments from internet users, including DMK’s preferred fact-checkers Mohammed Zubair and D-Stock Youturn Iyan Karthikeyan, have refuted these stories as fake news. The channel continues to maintain its news card intact.

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What The Likes Of TNM, Zubair, And Other Dravidianist Media Won’t Tell You About Lottery Martin

By
The Commune
-

The name Lottery Martin or Santiago Martin and Future Gaming and Hotel Services has been making the news ever since the Election Commission uploaded details of the Electoral Bonds on its website on 14 March 2024. 

It has been revealed that the entity made political contributions amounting to ₹1,368 crore between 12 April 2019, and 24 January 2024. Martin maintains close affiliations with various political parties, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kerala, Dravida Munnetra Kazagham (DMK) in Tamil Nadu, Trinamool Congress (TMC) in West Bengal, and the Congress party.

But not many seem to know who this Lottery Martin is nor will the likes of The News Minute or alleged fact-checker Mohammed Zubair or other Dravidianist media tell you about him. 

Reporting By Fact-Checkers & Dravidianist Media

Fact-checkers like Zubair or The News Minute have been reporting scantily on the connection of Lottery Martin with the DMK. They are more keen on establishing all links to the BJP only. Be it The News Minute or Zubair, they are very much interested in all things irrelevant rather than focusing on how Lottery Martin had been close with the TMC, the DMK, the Congress or the Communists.

In an article by The News Minute on Lottery Martin, they wrote just one paragraph about one of the biggest donor when it came to electoral bonds.

It seems that the likes of them are in a hurry to establish the BJP connection with each one of the donors.

Since they will not tell you the truth, we present to you the rise of Santiago Martin or Lottery Martin.

The story of Santiago Martin and Future Gaming and Hotel Services is a rags to “riches” story. Martin’s journey started as a humble labourer in Myanmar to become known as the ‘Lottery King’. 

The Pre-2000s

In 1988, Santiago Martin began his “entrepreneurial” journey upon returning from Myanmar. Establishing Martin Lottery Agencies Ltd in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, he ventured into the world of lotteries. Swiftly gaining recognition as ‘Lottery Martin,’ he rode the wave of the lottery frenzy that swept through South India during this era. This meteoric rise to fame solidified his position as a household name, synonymous with the allure of lottery dreams. Expanding his operations beyond Tamil Nadu’s borders, Martin strategically extended his reach into neighbouring states like Karnataka and Kerala, laying the foundation for what would soon become a sprawling lottery empire across the region. Through shrewd business acumen and strategic expansion, Martin set the stage for his eventual dominance in the South Indian lottery market.

2000s

In 2003, his business encountered a significant setback when the Jayalalithaa government in Tamil Nadu imposed a ban on lotteries, forcing Martin to seek alternative avenues for expansion. With this hurdle in front of him, he redirected his focus towards the northeastern regions of India, where he swiftly established a stronghold by venturing into government lottery schemes. By now, he had become a dominant player in the lottery sector in the north-east region, with Martin Lottery Agencies Limited reportedly boasting a net worth exceeding ₹7,000 crore.

To launder this money, he started a music channel called SS Music. He also produced a film called Ilaignan for about ₹20–50 crores. The film was in limbo and he came forward to have it up and running. Incidentally, the film was also Karunanidhi’s 75th film as a scriptwriter and it is alleged he was paid ₹45 lakh as a fee. According to a report in India Today, it is claimed that Karunanidhi’s involvement in Martin’s film projects may be linked to his leniency towards Martin’s illegal lottery business.

Capitalizing on emerging opportunities, Martin expanded his footprint beyond national borders, allegedly securing “exclusive distributorship” of lottery tickets in countries like Bhutan and Nepal. This move not only diversified his revenue streams but also solidified his position as a major player in the international lottery arena. He further explored new markets within India, obtaining permission to operate in various states such as Sikkim, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Maharashtra. 

2011

The year 2011 marked a tumultuous chapter in Santiago Martin’s saga as allegations of fraudulent activities surfaced, casting a shadow over the empire he constructed. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched legal proceedings against Martin, registering over 30 cases accusing him of orchestrating a massive scam that defrauded the Sikkim government. The charges stemmed from accusations of withholding substantial sums derived from the sale of lottery tickets in Kerala on behalf of the Sikkim government. The CBI’s investigations unveiled a staggering figure of ₹4,500 crore allegedly siphoned off through this illicit scheme. 

2012

In 2012, the long arm of the law tightened its grip around him. Under the stern administration of the AIADMK regime led by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, Martin’s fortunes took a sharp downward spiral as he faced the full brunt of the state’s legal apparatus. He was arrested and incarcerated in Vellore on charges of land grabbing. During this time, his wife, Leema Rose, claimed this was a concerted effort by individuals with ties to the DMK to frame her husband in a fabricated lottery scam. 

2015

In a coordinated effort to root out alleged financial irregularities, the Income Tax Department orchestrated raids on Martin’s premises spanning across multiple states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. These raids, conducted on allegations of tax evasion, sent shockwaves through Martin’s sprawling network. Concurrently, the Kerala police launched their own investigation into Martin’s activities, specifically targeting his involvement in illegal lottery operations within the state. 

In 2016, the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids on Santiago Martin’s properties concerning money laundering investigations linked to his lottery enterprises. Subsequently, in 2018, the CBI conducted searches at Martin’s residences and offices across several states as part of a wider probe into illegal lottery operations and suspected financial offenses.

2023

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) took decisive action by attaching ₹457 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This move came in connection with a case linked to the alleged misappropriation of over ₹900 crore intended for the Sikkim government. 

You can listen to the entire story here:

His Business Ventures

Martin’s business ventures transcended lotteries and branched out into diverse sectors such as healthcare, real estate, and media. His conglomerate spanned Martin Homeopathy Medical College and Hospital, SS Music television channel, M and C Property Development, Martin Nanthavanam apartments, and Leema Real Estate Private Limited, reflecting his multifaceted interests and entrepreneurial pursuits.

Politically Well Connected

The involvement of Martin’s son-in-law, Aadhav Arjuna, in politics further underscored the family’s political entanglements. Arjuna assumed the role of deputy general secretary in the Dalit political outfit and DMK ally, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), signaling the family’s deep-rooted ties within political circles.

Martin made substantial donations, including ₹2 crore to Deshabhimani, the CPI(M) mouthpiece, and contributions to disaster relief funds

Martin hired Congress leader and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi for legal representation. Tamil Nadu’s then Advocate General PS Raman appeared for Martin in the Kerala High Court.

For a considerable period, the Santanio Martin-owned company has been conducting the ‘Dear Lottery’ in West Bengal. In November 2022, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) disclosed that Trinamool Congress (TMC) Minister Anubrata Mondal and his daughter had won the lottery five times within three years.

He is said to have made contributions to disaster relief funds, including ₹5 crores for Cyclone Gaja relief in 2018, donations towards the Vardah cyclone in 2016, and the 2015 Chennai floods. It was observed that Martin had good relations with whoever was in power, irrespective of the political party. 

He also claimed that he was very prompt in paying income tax and that he was one of the highest taxpayers in the country.

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“The Former CM Must Not Give Half-Baked Answers,” Annamalai Slams EPS Over The Liquor & Drug Row In TN

By
The Commune
-

The rift between former allies BJP and AIADMK has intensified, with the leaders of both parties harshly criticizing each other during their respective press conferences. The latest point of contention was the issue of drugs, which prompted the Tamil Nadu BJP, along with its supporters, to stage a protest against drug prevalence in the state. In their criticism, they targeted both the DMK and AIADMK, citing recent drug busts and the sale of alcohol by TASMAC, respectively.

In response, Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, retorted by pointing out that BJP-ruled states have a higher incidence of drug-related issues, citing the example of a drug bust on the Gujarat coast. However, this statement was met with skepticism from news reporters, who questioned its validity. Annamalai, in turn, responded by accusing the former Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami of speaking in an ambiguous or incomplete manner.

On 12 March 2024 , Tamil Nadu BJP President K Annamalai, accompanied by party members, staged a protest against the DMK following a recent drug bust involving expelled DMK member Jaffer Sadiq and the increasing drug seizures in the state. During the protest, Annamalai criticized both the DMK and AIADMK, highlighted the issue by wearing a T-shirt that read “Save our children. Say no 2 drugs and DMK. Save our youth”. He urged people to reject both drugs and Dravidian parties, indicating the ‘D’ in DMK stood for both Drugs and Dravidian. Annamalai also criticized the AIADMK, led by Edappadi K. Palaniswami, for their previous governance, accusing them of neglecting public welfare while focusing on TASMAC revenue. He questioned the sincerity of the AIADMK’s recent protest against the drug menace, given their history of profiting from TASMAC liquor sales.

On March 13, Edappadi Palaniswami , the Leader of the Opposition, attended an Iftar event representing AIADMK in Chennai and later held a press briefing. During the session, journalists inquired about BJP state president Annamalai’s remarks concerning the drug trade in Tamil Nadu and his criticism of AIADMK’s management of Tasmac shops.

In response, Edappadi Palaniswami addressed the queries by stating, “TASMAC has not received such a complaint, if it had, we would have known. That way, it is the same in all BJP-ruled states. Even today, they have seized ₹450 crore worth of drugs in the BJP-ruled state. What is he (Annamalai) going to answer to that? Law and order in Tamil Nadu was protected only under AIADMK rule, Whoever it is they are equal before law”.

On 14 March 2024, journalists questioned Edappadi Palaniswami’s criticism of Annamalai, the BJP state president, who had addressed the press at Chennai airport responded by expressing surprise and disappointment at Palaniswami’s remarks, stating that it was both unfortunate and amusing that the former Chief Minister would comment without any understanding of the situation. He likened it to a joke. Annamalai emphasized the significance of border states in intercepting drugs, suggesting that catching drugs in such states should be applauded as an achievement. He cited the recent instance in Gujarat where a boat carrying drugs from Iran destined for Tamil Nadu was intercepted in Mundra. This, he argued, underscored the crucial role of border states in curbing the flow of drugs into the country.

“If the border states control drugs, their efficiency is based on their drug seizure. Therefore today the former chief minister (EPS) should understand this. They have been in charge as Chief Minister and should not give half-baked answers like this. If the police seize drugs that comes out in states like Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Himachal and Gujarat, it shows their efficiency. If you see today, they have confirmed once again that they are “relatives” (DMK & ADMK). If you accuse them (DMK) they wont speak, the former chief minister (EPS) is answering instead.

There is a difference between seizing ganja at a port in a border state and seizing synthetic drugs worth thousands of crores of rupees in areas like Tamil Nadu where there was no ganja circulation. Who does this? Central Government itself is doing this. Did the state Police go to the Mundra port and catch them or did the Tamil Nadu Police Department get a search warrant to Mundra port and caught it? Who caught it? All central government departments, NCB is seizing it. So, the former chief minister (EPS) is giving press statement to save whom? Is he confirming that DMK & ADMK are “relatives”?”, he said.

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Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Fulfills TN BJP’s Railway Stop Requests In Tamil Nadu

By
The Commune
-

Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary, A Ashvathaman, delivered a petition endorsed by 1,000 individuals to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, urging for the halt of express train services at specific stations.

The Union Minister fulfilled two of BJP’s requests for train stops in a single day. On the morning of 14 March, 2024, Tamil Nadu BJP State Secretary Ashvathaman requested the Union Minister Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, during his visit to Chennai, to implement the demands for express trains to halt at Ulundurpettai in Kallakurichi district and for the Tiruchendur express train to stop at Kuthalam in Mayiladuthurai district.

Minister Vaishnaw promptly instructed railway officials present to ensure the immediate fulfillment of these demands. Later that night, the Railway Board issued a report confirming that the Kollam Express would halt at Ulundurpet and the Tiruchendur Express at Kuthalam. The specific commencement dates for these halts is expected to be announced subsequently. The expeditious fulfillment of these longstanding requests by BJP State Secretary Ashvathaman has brought considerable satisfaction to the residents of Ulundurpet and Kuthalam.

Additionally, Ashvathaman submitted another petition to Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, this time concerning the cessation of express trains at Panruti in Cuddalore district. Minister Vaishnaw pledged to address both petitions.

(with inputs from Dinamalar)

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Alleged Fact-Checker Zubair Peddles Wrong Data About BJP’s Electoral Bond Money And Deletes Post After Getting Caught; DMK IT Wing Amplifies Zubair’s False Claims

By
The Commune
-

As soon as the details of the electoral bonds were made available to the public via the Election Commission website, a large part of the population turned into data analysts and number crunchers. Among them was self-styled fact-checker Mohammed Zubair. 

In what seemed to be a hurried post which he left on his X timeline for a good amount of time, he claimed the Bharatiya Janata Party received ₹11562 crores through electoral bonds. 

He later deleted this post stating, “There were a few double entries. Will share it again with corrections.”

And followed it up with this post where he claimed “Update: BREAKING! BJP RECEIVED ₹6061 (47.46%) CRORE! Electoral bonds data received from SBI, Here is the summary of the amount received by the political parties. Also included top donors.”

Netizens called out his hypocrisy stating he was happily sharing false information and trying to set an anti-BJP narrative with respect to the electoral bonds. 

Ironically, DMK IT Wing shared the same data that was first shared by the alleged fact-checker and quoted the incorrect amount of 11562 crores. They still have not deleted the post making the false claim.

The DMK IT Wing continues to make posts that are irrelevant, and false and peddles misinformation hoodwinking a large part of the public. However, the IT Wing handle has not posted anything on the donations received by the DMK itself. 

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Thanthi TV & Dravidianist Journo Peddle Fake News That Pak Firm Bought Electoral Bonds At The Heels Of Pulwama Attack

By
The Commune
-

The Supreme Court on 15 February 2024 ruled that SBI had to furnish all the details of the electoral bonds purchased by 15 March 2024. 

The court mandated disclosure by the Election Commission of donors, the donated amounts, and recipients. Despite the State Bank of India (SBI) requesting an extension until 30 June 2024 to reveal the details, the Supreme Court rejected their plea. Instead, it instructed the bank to furnish all relevant information to the Election Commission by the end of working hours on 12 March 2024.

On 14 March 2024, the Election Commission uploaded the details of the electoral bonds on its website as per court order.

With the details out, every Tom, Dick, and Harry started “crunching numbers” and shared one fake news after another. One of the most baffling ones peddled by a news channel was that of claiming a Pakistani company had purchased the electoral bonds, that too at the heels of the Pulwama attack of 2019. 

Thanthi TV claimed in its report that a Pakistani company named HUBCO Power had purchased electoral bonds. They wrote, “Parties receiving funding from Pakistani institutions. Reportedly received financial assistance after the Pulwama attack. After the Pulwama terror attack, political parties have received donations from a Pakistan-based company. On February 14, 2019, 40 CRPF personnel were killed in a bomb attack in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir. A few days after the incident, on April 18, political parties received donations from the HUB Power company in Karachi through election bonds.”

https://twitter.com/ThanthiTV/status/1768471622946869564

 

Thanthi TV deleted the post after being fact-checked.

Self-styled “journalists” like Aravindakshan also peddled the same misinformation. In a post on social media platform X, he wrote, “Collection of donations from the largest company in Pakistan within days of the Pulwama attack. After 2 years, a Lakshar-e-Toiba terrorist, who is wanted in connection with the Pulwama attack, was given a party post. During a meeting attended by the Home Minister, a terrorist wanted by both the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the NIA was present and posed for pictures. Will this happen in any country in the world?”

https://twitter.com/RealAravind36/status/1768368755917422978

Aravindakshan connected unrelated things and tried to set a narrative against the BJP.

Here is what the truth is:

If we look into the eligibility criteria for who can purchase these electoral bonds, the Press Information Bureau website clearly states “As per provisions of the Scheme, Electoral Bonds may be purchased by a person (as defined in item No. 2 (d) of Gazette Notification), who is a citizen of India or incorporated or established in India. A person being an individual can buy Electoral Bonds, either singly or jointly with other individuals.”

Now coming back to who or what this HUBCO Power is – first of all, Thanthi TV got the name itself wrong. The name of the company mentioned in the files on the EC website indicates a HUB Power Company. This company was established in 2008 in Delhi. This company is an all-India company that manufactures LED bulbs and Diwali decorative lights. 

https://twitter.com/OnlyTruth2024/status/1768456713768980710

Aravindakshan’s claim of the terrorist being a BJP member is also a flawed one. Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina back in 2022 responded to the reports of this news and stated, “Talib Hussain is neither an active member of the BJP nor a primary member. There was a letter circular, on the basis of which it is believed that Sheikh Bashir, who is the President of BJP Minority Front of Jammu and Kashmir had appointed Talib Hussain on May 9.”

Addressing ANI, Raina clarified, “A couple of years ago, Talib Hussain along with his three colleagues used to come to the BJP office as a media person. He had also interviewed me many times, he used to call himself a reporter for a YouTube channel named ‘New Sehar India.'” Raina continued, emphasizing the security concerns, “As a journalist, Hussain clicked photos with us many times in the BJP office. Pakistan terror outfit wanted to target the head office of the BJP of Jammu and Kashmir. It has been done through the targeted medium and carried out such incidents.”

On both fronts, Aravindakshan’s claims fall flat and the narrative that he tried to set did not even cause a ripple.

Electoral bonds were introduced in March 2018 as a replacement for cash donations to political parties, aiming to bolster transparency in political funding. These bonds were to be exclusively redeemed by eligible political parties through authorized bank accounts, with SBI being the sole authorized bank for issuance.

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One Nation One Election: High-Level Committee Submits Report To President Murmu

By
The Commune
-

The High-Level Committee on Simultaneous Elections, chaired by former President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, has submitted its comprehensive report to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu. This exhaustive 18,626-page report was the result of extensive consultations spanning 191 days since its inception on 2 September 2023, involving various stakeholders, experts, and thorough research.

The committee engaged in extensive dialogues to gather perspectives from diverse stakeholders. Forty-seven political parties provided their insights, with thirty-two expressing support for simultaneous elections. Public engagement, solicited through newspaper notices across all states and Union territories, garnered 21,558 responses, with 80% advocating for simultaneous elections. Legal experts, including former Chief Justices of India and major High Courts, former Chief Election Commissioners, State Election Commissioners, and the Law Commission of India, were consulted. The Election Commission of India’s views were also considered.

Leading business bodies such as CII, FICCI, and ASSOCHAM, along with prominent economists, stressed the economic benefits of simultaneous elections, citing adverse effects of asynchronous elections on inflation and economic growth. They highlighted how intermittent elections disrupt various sectors, including public expenditure, education, and social harmony.

Recommendations Proposed By High-Level Committee

The following are the recommendations proposed by the High-Level Committee to the President Draupadi Murmu.

Constitutional Amendments For Simultaneous Elections

In a two-step process, the Committee suggests amending the Constitution to enable Simultaneous Elections: Initially, Simultaneous Elections for the House of the People and State Legislative Assemblies would be conducted without requiring state ratification for the Constitutional Amendment. Subsequently, Municipalities and Panchayats elections would be synchronized with national and state-level elections, ensuring they occur within a hundred days. This step would necessitate ratification by at least half of the States.

Unified Electoral Roll & EPIC

Amendments in the Constitution are recommended to authorize the Election Commission of India to prepare a unified electoral roll and Electoral Photo Identity Cards (EPIC) for all three tiers of government. This process would involve consultation with State Election Commissions and require ratification by at least half of the States.

Contingencies In Case Of A Hung House

In situations such as a hung House or a vote of no confidence, the Committee proposes holding fresh elections to constitute the new House of the People or State Legislative Assembly for the remaining term.

Logistical Planning By Election Commission

The Committee advises the Election Commission of India to collaborate with State Election Commissions to plan and estimate logistical needs in advance, including the deployment of polling personnel, security forces, and EVMs/VVPATs, to ensure the smooth conduct of free and fair Simultaneous Elections across all three tiers of government.

The report outlines the potential timeline for implementing simultaneous elections in India following the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, with projections suggesting the first synchronized elections could take place as early as 2029 if the incoming government acts promptly. This would entail aligning the expiration of terms for states with impending elections between June 2024 and May 2029 with the conclusion of the 18th Lok Sabha term. Major states such as West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana would conclude their terms alongside the 18th Lok Sabha to achieve synchronicity.

As the committee refrains from recommending a specific start date for implementing simultaneous elections, instead proposing a flexible formula for the incoming government to decide based on their objectives. To mitigate potential disruptions to synchronicity due to premature dissolution of Parliament or state assemblies, the committee suggests conducting fresh elections only for the remaining term until the subsequent cycle of simultaneous polls.

(with inputs from PIB)

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Ivory Coast Footballer Attacked For His Skin Colour, Physically Assaulted By Football Fans In Malappuram, Kerala

By
The Commune
-

While Kerala boasts of achieving 100% literacy and being politically aware, recent events question the credibility of these statements. Parallels have been to the racial taunting witnessed in Australian sporting arenas. In cricket stadiums, reports indicate that only Australian citizens tend to provoke opposing teams with racial remarks when they are losing. However, in a recent incident at the Malappuram grounds, Keralites not only verbally provoked a foreign player but also pursued him across the field, subjecting him to severe physical assault until he managed to escape the mob. This behavior is deemed deeply shameful and disgraceful, particularly in how it treats a foreign sports player who has journeyed across borders to take part in a local event.

Dairrassouba Hassane Junior, a footballer hailing from Ivory Coast, was extended an invitation to join a local tournament called the “Sevens Football Tournament,” a variation of the sport featuring seven players on each team. He was recruited by the Jawahar Mavoor Football Club to partake in this sevens football event. However, during a five-a-side match near Areekode on March 10, the player from West Africa found himself subjected to a severe attack by a group of spectators.

Hassane Junior reported experiencing a violent assault and being subjected to racial insults at a football ground in the Malappuram district of Kerala. He lodged a formal complaint with the local police, alleging that he was assaulted by a crowd of fans who also racially targeted him, pelting him with stones that caused him to fall to the ground.

According to his complaint to the Malappuram district police chief, Hassane recounted, “During a corner kick for our team while we were leading by a goal, I approached the corner flag to take the kick, and the locals and the audience began calling me a monkey. Someone from the audience threw a stone at me, hitting my head. Upon turning around, I was met with two more stones being hurled at me along with verbal abuse, including racial slurs such as ‘fuck African monkey, black cat.‘”

He further stated, “To protect my life, I fled. Both supporters and members of the opposing team threw stones at me, inflicting severe injuries. I managed to escape when supporters from my team intervened and halted the attack.”

Expressing the mental anguish caused by the incident, Hassane Junior asserted in his complaint, “My race and I have been insulted. I was targeted because of the color of my skin.”

Law enforcement authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the mob implicated in the assault on the football player.

Ironically, the same Kerala made a film with the storyline of a black footballer named “Sudani from Nigeria” in 2018 in Malappuram itself.

(with inputs from Indian Express)

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DMK’s Sinister Agenda To Divide Tamil Hindus And De-Hinduize Lord Murugan?

By
The Commune
-

In a startling decision, the DMK-led government in Tamil Nadu, under the leadership of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has announced plans to host the World Muthamizh Murugan Conference at the revered Palani Murugan Temple in Dindigul district. The conference, scheduled for June or July 2024, aims to bring together “devotees of Lord Murugan” from across the globe.

The announcement was made by DMK Hindu Religious Charities Minister P.K. Sekar Babu during a press briefing in Chennai. Speaking to reporters, he said, “To bring together all the Murugan devotees from across the world for Tamil God Murugan, we will hold a World Murugan Conference in Palani. We are a government that says what it does and does what it says.”

The two-day conference will witness the participation of trustees from Murugan temples worldwide, highlighting the global reverence for Lord Murugan, known as the Tamil God. Discussions, seminars, and lectures on various aspects of Murugan worship and mythology are being planned.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is slated to inaugurate the conference, with further details regarding the event’s date to be announced soon. The announcement comes on the heels of the formation of the Hindu Religious Charities Advisory Board, aimed at facilitating the implementation of key initiatives for temple workers’ welfare.

Critics argue that this can be seen as a way to drive a wedge among Hindus by classifying them as Murugan devotees and those who are not and thus furthering the “North-South divide” narrative.

Dravidian Stockist and alleged ‘spiritual discourser’ Suki Sivam including DMK members have said that Muruga and Subrahmanya are distinct, perpetuating a recycled narrative of Aryan and Dravidian divisions.

Ironically, Dravidian Stockists and “Periyar”ists named “Karuppar Koottam” with ties to the DMK had earlier abused Lord Murugan and the revered hymn Kandha Sashti Kavasam.

It is noteworthy that the same DMK minister Sekar Babu had participated in the Eradicate Sanatana Dharma conference in September 2023 where Udhayanidhi Stalin made those controversial remarks. His words at the press briefing that the DMK government under MK Stalin “says what it does and does what it says” seem to indicate this – deepen the narrative of the Aryans and Dravidians by calling Lord Muruga a Tamizh Kadavul (Tamizh God) and by inviting people who are specifically “Murugan devotees”.

Critics wonder if this is one of their ways to deHinduize Lord Murugan and thus work towards Udhayanidhi Stalin’s statements.

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Bastar: The Naxal Story Elucidates How The Region Battled The Maoist Menace

By
Satheesh
-

“Bastar: The Naxal Story” is an upcoming Hindi-language film scheduled for theatrical release on 15 March 2024. The film is written and directed by Sudipto Sen, and production is by Vipul Amrutlal Shah’s Sunshine Pictures. Since the announcement in June 2023, the film’s title and description have stirred significant interest on social media. However, there has been commotion from some quarters, who find it unsettling.

Of course, we’re familiar with that as the movie delves into the Naxalite–Maoist insurgency in the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, and with Sudipto Sen, known for his previous work on “Kerala Story,” which shed light on realities in Kerala, helms this project, who will not be frightened?

Not only has the director’s meticulous scene crafting elevated the impact to the next level, but the cast, including all actors, especially the main stars who returned for a second run with him, has also done justice to the film. The leads, Adah Sharma, Indira Tiwari, Vijay Krishna, Shilpa Shukla, Yashpal Sharma, Subrat Dutta, and Raima Sen, have done justice to the film.

The movie depicts the collaborative anti-Naxal operation involving the CRPF, Chattisgarh Police, and Salwa Judum, a state-backed civilian anti-Naxal movement between 2009 and 2013 in Chhattisgarh, as well as the Supreme Court proceedings initiated by urban Naxal Nalini Sundar to outlaw Salwa Judum and the Special Police Officer.

The plot centres around the Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, serving as the headquarters of Communist Maoism. It intertwines three intriguing plotlines:

  • A police officer striving to restore peace to the region.
  • The aspirations of the Naxal-dominated tribal community for a tranquil life.
  • The ideological struggle of leftist supporters striving to sustain Maoism and Naxalism in Bastar.

Each unique plot is interconnected like a triquetra, captivating the audience and leaving them in anticipation of what unfolds next.

The film not only presents plots but also incorporates numerous references. For instance, it delves into the concept of the Red Corridor, which sheds light on communist ideologists’ exploitation of Dalit youths in the guise of Ambedkar’s ideals to incite armed rebellion against India and portrays the true nature of the communist utopia.

It all begins with a tribal family striving for a peaceful life for their children, hoping for a better future. However, their aspirations are shattered ruthlessly. As the story unfolds, it peels away layers like an onion, revealing the political parties orchestrating the chaos and their strategies to maintain power. It also sketches how they manipulate universities, NGOs, and media outlets to shape narratives and garner support, exploiting legal loopholes along the way.

Showcases in the heart of independent India, raising the national flag is not just forbidden but punishable by death according to Maoist law in Bastar. These Maoists have wreaked havoc for decades, claiming countless lives and causing immense damage to national assets in their pursuit of communist ideals. Set in 2010, referencing institutions like INU and characters like Vanya Roy, the movie leaves audiences guessing until the end.

After “Uri: The Surgical Strike,” Bollywood’s courageous endeavour to depict the reality of Naxal-affected regions and expose the truth without distortion is praiseworthy. Every proud Indian should watch the movie in theatres to truly experience it pulsating through their veins.

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