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‘Sanatana Ozhippu Means Genocide, His Remarks Amount To Hate Speech’: Madras High Court Tears Into Udhayanidhi Stalin’s ‘Eradicate Sanathana Dharma’ Remarks

By
The Commune
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DMK Scion Udhayanidhi Stalin Who Is Out On Bail In "Eradicate Sanatana Dharma" Remarks refuses to apologize.

Quashing a criminal case registered against BJP IT wing head Amit Malviya over a social media post criticising Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks on eradicating Sanatana Dharma, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, observed that the minister’s comments amounted to hate speech.

Allowing Malviya’s petition, Justice S Srimathy said there had been a sustained attack on Hinduism by the Dravida Kazhagam, later joined by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), over the past 100 years, and that the minister’s speech was directed against Hindus who follow Sanatana Dharma.

“The minister’s remarks amount to hate speech,” the judge said.

The court was hearing a plea challenging an FIR registered by the Tiruchy police after Malviya described Udhayanidhi’s 2023 remarks as a call for genocide. The FIR had been lodged following a complaint that Malviya’s social media post misrepresented the minister’s speech and sought to foment enmity between different sections of society.

Justice Srimathy said the court was pained by the prevailing situation and observed: “The courts are questioning the persons who reacted, but are not putting the law on motion against the person who initiated the hate speech. In the present case, no case has been filed against the minister for his hate speech in TN, but some cases are filed in other states.”

Referring to submissions made by Malviya’s counsel that leaders of the minister’s party had repeatedly spoken against Sanatana Dharma, the judge cited the actions and speeches of Periyar EV Ramasamy and said: “There is clear attack on Hinduism by the Dravida Kazhagam, and subsequently along with by the DMK, for the past 100 years, to which the minister belongs. While considering the overall circumstances, it is seen the petitioner had questioned the hidden meaning of the minister’s speech.”

The judge further observed, “The speech of the minister would clearly indicate that it is totally against 80% Hindus, which come within the mischief of hate speech. The petitioner who is a sanathani is a victim of such hate speech and has only defended the Sanatana Dharma from hate speech.”

Justice Srimathy also referred to a March 2024 order of the Madras High Court in a writ petition seeking a quo warranto against the minister, noting that the court had held the remarks to be ‘hate speech’.

“When a hate speech is uttered by the minister, the petitioner’s (act of) opposing the said hate speech cannot be considered as a crime,” she said, adding that Malviya had not called for any agitation against the minister or his party.

The judge examined the language used in the minister’s speech delivered at the ‘Sanathan Abolition Conference’ organised by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Artists Association on 2 September 2023 and noted that the key word used was ‘Ozhippu’, meaning ‘abolish’.

Extracting its synonyms, the judge said: “The word ‘abolish’ would indicate that some existing thing should not be there. If it is applied to the present case, if Sanatana Dharma should not be there, then the people following Sanatana Dharma should not be there. It means suppression of activities that do not conform to the destroyer’s notion.”

Therefore, the Tamil phrase ‘Sanatana Ozhippu’ would clearly mean genocide or culturicide, the judge said, holding that Malviya’s post questioning the speech did not amount to hate speech.

The court also reprimanded the police inspector concerned for a statement made in the counter affidavit which read: “The Governor and BJP can speak about Sanathan then why cannot the Minister speak about Sanathan?”

Justice Srimathy said: “The above would clearly indicate the counter has political colour but unfortunately it is filed by the investigating officer. The officials ought to be apolitical and taking sides with a political party is reprimandable.”

Malviya had been booked by the Tiruchy City Crime Branch under Sections 153, 153A, 504 and 505(1)(b) of the Indian Penal Code, based on a complaint lodged by KAV Thinakaran, district organiser of the Tiruchy DMK advocate wing.

In his petition, Malviya denied the allegations and stated that he had merely reproduced the minister’s speech, which was already in the public domain, and expressed his understanding of it by questioning its object and purpose.

Source: The New Indian Express

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Bharathapuzha Remembers: Kerala’s Kumbha Mela Revived Centuries After Colonialists And Their Stooges Buried It, Here’s Why It Is A Historic Win For Hindus

By
The Commune
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In January 2026, something unprecedented is happening on the banks of the Bharathapuzha River in Malappuram, Kerala. After more than two centuries of silence, the sacred sound of Vedic hymns once again echoes across ancient pilgrimage grounds. The Maha Makham Mahotsavam, Kerala’s first-ever Kumbha Mela-style gathering, has begun, running from 18 January to 3 February 2026, at Thirunavaya’s Navamukunda Temple.

This is not a northern import or a newly invented spectacle. It is the revival of an old Hindu institution that once stood at the heart of Kerala’s religious, political, and civilisational life. Long before modern borders separated Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and long before colonial rule dismantled Hindu public institutions, Thirunavaya was one of the most important pilgrimage centres in South India.

The return of Maha Makham raises a simple but uncomfortable question: how did such a central Hindu tradition disappear from public memory and why is its revival meeting resistance even today?

Bharathapuzha: The Dakshina Ganga Of Kerala

The Bharathapuzha, locally known as Nila, is Kerala’s second-longest river. Originating in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, it flows through the heart of Kerala before meeting the Arabian Sea near Ponnani. In Hindu tradition, the river is revered as Dakshina Ganga, the Ganga of the South.

According to Puranic belief, Parashurama, the Vishnu avatar credited with creating Kerala, performed the first yajna for universal welfare on its banks. The river has therefore always been seen not merely as a water source, but as sacred geography.

A central belief associated with Bharathapuzha is that during the month of Magha (January-February), the sanctity of all major holy rivers – Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Saraswati, Narmada, Indus, and Cauvery – are believed to manifest in its waters. This belief made ritual bathing at Thirunavaya during Magha one of the most important religious acts in Kerala, comparable to bathing at Prayagraj or Haridwar in the north.

Maha Makham: The Lost Festival That Defines Kerala’s Spiritual Past

A Festival Older Than Modern Kumbha Mela

While the Kumbha Mela tradition of the north of India was formally systematized in the 8th century by Adi Shankaracharya, Kerala’s Maha Makham predates this systematization and represents an independently evolved tradition within the broader Hindu cosmology.

The Maha Makham festival, held once every twelve years on the banks of the Bharathapuzha at Thirunavaya, functioned as Kerala’s equivalent to the northern Kumbha Melas. It served not merely as a religious gathering but as a council of governance, a trade fair of continental significance, and a space for the renewal of cosmic and political order.

The Duodecennial Cycle And Sacred Kingship

The twelve-year cycle of Maha Makham was tied to a complex system of sacred kingship and governance that was unique to Kerala. Unlike the more hierarchical monarchies of the north or contemporary Chola and Pandya kingdoms, Kerala’s political system during the Chera period operated through a rotating form of ritual royalty centered on the Maha Makham.

According to historical sources preserved in Kerala’s temple records and Sangam-era texts:

  • The Priesthood’s Role: The Nambudiri Brahmins held supreme religious and administrative authority. Every twelve years, they would gather at Thirunavaya to select or affirm a new Perumal (supreme ruler) for the next dozen years.
  • The Candidate Selection Mechanism: Aspiring Perumals would compete, but not through democratic vote, rather, through a system of ritual combat and ceremonial challenge. The candidate had to “force his way” through warrior contingents (the Chavers – elite swordsmen sworn to death before defeat) and ideally, kill the sitting Perumal to establish his rightful claim. If he succeeded, he was crowned for the next twelve years. If he failed, the sitting Perumal continued.
  • The Mamankam Spectacle: The Maha Makham evolved over time into the Mamankam, a 28-day festival spectacular that combined:
    • Religious ceremonies: Vedic yajnas and pujas led by the foremost scholars
    • Political theater: The selection and coronation of the new Perumal
    • International commerce: A grand trade fair attracting merchants from China, Arabia, Greece, and Rome
    • Military displays: The warrior clans of Kerala demonstrating their martial prowess
    • Cultural performances: Music, dance, poetry recitations, and philosophical debates

The Great Mamankam: A Transaction Between Sacred And Secular

The Mamankam was, in essence, a transaction between three forces: the priesthood (Brahmins), the warrior class (Nairs and other martial communities), and the merchant classes (the trading guilds of Kerala). All three had to consent to the selection of a new Perumal for the Mamankam to be considered legitimate and binding.

The last Chera Perumal to rule, Cheraman Rama Varma Kulasekhara (ruled c. 1089–1124 CE), survived three consecutive Mamankams at Thirunavaya – an extraordinary feat indicating either his martial prowess, his political acumen, or the respect he commanded. He ruled for 36 years. After his reign, Kerala’s political structure fragmented. The Perumals’ power declined, and regional chieftains (Udaiyavars) and Brahmin oligarchies increasingly took control.

Eventually, the right to conduct Mamankam passed from the Chera Perumals to the Valluvakonathiri (rulers of the Valluvanad region in northern Kerala). But over subsequent centuries, even this practice waned, particularly as the Zamorins (rulers of Calicut) rose to dominance and the spice trade routes shifted.

The Mamankam’s Tragic Decline: Zamorin Rivalry And Colonial Disruption

By the 16th century, as Portuguese, Dutch, and eventually British colonial powers began fragmenting Kerala’s maritime trade networks, the cultural foundations supporting the Mamankam eroded. The rise of the Zamorins, who were rival to the Valluvakonathiris, made the Mamankam a site of violent contestation rather than ceremonial consensus. Chavers (the elite warriors) began being sent to assassinate the Zamorin at Mamankam gatherings, leading to bloodbaths.

The last recorded Mamankam took place in the 18th century. After that, colonial governance, Christian missionary expansion, and the eclipse of traditional Kerala kingship rendered the festival obsolete. For over 250 years, the Maha Makham lay dormant.

The Chera Dynasty: Tamil Nadu’s Link To Kerala’s Spiritual Roots

To understand the significance of Kerala’s Maha Makham, it is necessary to look back at the Chera dynasty, one of the three great Sangam-era kingdoms alongside the Cholas and Pandyas. The Cheras ruled over a region that today spans both Tamil Nadu and Kerala, long before modern political boundaries divided the two.

Between the 3rd century BCE and the 5th century CE, the Chera kingdom encompassed western Tamil Nadu’s Kongu region, the Malabar coast, the Palakkad Gap that connected the coast to the Tamil interior, and the fertile river basins of the Bharathapuzha. This geography allowed the Cheras to control both inland trade routes and major ports, making them powerful intermediaries in the Indian Ocean trade network and one of the wealthiest dynasties of their time.

This prosperity translated into strong patronage of religion and learning. Sangam literature describes the Cheras as supporters of Tamil poets and devotional traditions, while also engaging deeply with Sanskritic and Vedic practices. Rather than choosing between the two, the Cheras fostered a synthesis of Tamil devotional culture and Vedic-Brahminical ritual. This fusion became the foundation of Kerala’s Hindu civilisation.

As Chera political authority declined, religious leadership in Kerala gradually shifted to a Brahmin-led, Vedic-oriented order. Nambudiri Brahmin institutions systematised temple worship, preserved ritual traditions, and established Kerala as a major centre of Advaita philosophy. It was within this Hindu framework that institutions like the Maha Makham took shape, serving as periodic assemblies where religious authority, political legitimacy, and economic life came together.

The Cheras, therefore, did not merely rule a territory. They forged a shared civilisational space linking Tamil Nadu and Kerala—one in which language, ritual, devotion, and commerce coexisted. The revival of Maha Makham at the Bharathapuzha is best understood as a return to this older, integrated Hindu order, not the creation of something new.

Adi Shankaracharya: The Spiritual Architect Who Systematized Hindu Renewal

Kerala’s centrality to Hindu civilisation is inseparable from Adi Shankaracharya. Born in Kaladi, Shankaracharya unified Hindu philosophy through Advaita Vedanta at a time when Buddhism, Jainism, and internal fragmentation posed serious challenges to Sanatana Dharma.

More importantly, Shankaracharya created durable institutions, mathas (Sringeri Matha (South, in Karnataka), Dwarka Matha (West, in Gujarat), Puri Matha (East, in Odisha), and Badrinath Matha (North, in Uttarakhand) and akharas, that preserved Hindu learning, ritual, and monastic discipline across the subcontinent. These institutions ensured that Hindu civilisation survived not merely as belief, but as organised public life.

Shankaracharya’s Connection To Kerala And The Chera Legacy

Crucially, Adi Shankaracharya was himself a product of the cultural synthesis the Cheras had begun centuries earlier. He was born into a Nambudiri Brahmin family in Kerala, spoke Tamil, studied both Vedic Sanskrit and Tamil philosophy, and benefited from the intellectual ecosystem that Kerala’s Hindu elite had cultivated.

What connected Shankaracharya to the Maha Makham and Kumbha Mela traditions was his decision to systematize and institutionalize Hindu renewal through regular assemblies of scholars and ascetics.

The Formalizing Of Kumbha Mela And The Akhara System

Tradition attributes to Adi Shankaracharya the creation of the Akhara system – formal monastic orders tasked with preserving and propagating specific schools of Hindu philosophy and practice. Shankaracharya himself established the Juna Akhara, one of the oldest and largest Shaivite monastic orders.

The Kumbha Mela became institutionalized partly through Shankaracharya’s philosophical framework and the akhara system he established. The Kumbha Mela transformed from an ancient, loosely organized pilgrimage into a systematically organized gathering overseen by philosophical orders (akharas) that used the occasion for scholarly debate, ritual renewal, and the initiation of new ascetics.

What Shankaracharya did for North India (systematize and formalize Hindu intellectual and spiritual renewal) had an earlier parallel in Kerala with the Maha Makham. Both traditions were responses to the same challenge: how to preserve Hindu civilization’s unity and vitality in the face of internal fragmentation and external pressure.

The Modern Revival: Why Now? Why Kerala?

The Juna Akhara’s Strategic Initiative

The decision to revive Kerala’s Kumbha Mela in 2026 came from the Juna Akhara, the same monastic order that tradition attributes to Adi Shankaracharya himself. The Mahamandaleshwar of the Juna Akhara leading this initiative is Swami Anandavanam Bharathi, a Keralite who is only the third person from Kerala to achieve this rank within the order.

Significantly, Swami Anandavanam’s personal journey mirrors the philosophical tensions animating the revival:

  • Former radical activist: He was once an SFI (Students Federation of India) leader, the student wing of the communist movement in India
  • Spiritual awakening: He eventually “parted ways from red ideology to embrace the saffron order” 

This biography is not incidental to the story. The revival of the Kerala Kumbha Mela represents a spiritual reassertion that Hindu civilization possesses resources for meaning-making and collective identity that secular left ideology does not.

Why The Kerala Kumbha Mela Was Revived

The Juna Akhara has described the Kerala Kumbha Mela as a revival of an old Hindu tradition, not the creation of a new one. According to the Akhara, Thirunavaya’s Maha Makham, held during the time of Cheraman Perumal, was Kerala’s equivalent of the Kumbh Mela and once occupied a central place in the region’s spiritual life.

By restoring the festival at the Bharathapuzha, the organisers say they are reclaiming a tradition that faded due to political decline and colonial disruption, not because it lost religious relevance. The revival highlights the fact that South India, like the North, had large-scale Hindu pilgrimage assemblies rooted in Sanatana Dharma.

The choice to organize the 2026 Kumbha Mela is the first step in a twelve-year cycle that will continue through 2038, when the next full Maha Makham will be held, marking the completion of the traditional duodecennial (twelve-year) period.

The Magha Timing: Synchronization With Tamil Nadu’s Kumbakonam

It is noteworthy that Tamil Nadu’s Kumbakonam also holds a similar Maha Makham every twelve years, also tied to the Magha star’s prominence. This creates a pan-South Indian synchronization: Kerala (Thirunavaya), Tamil Nadu (Kumbakonam), and potentially other southern sites, are now positioning themselves as participating in a southern analog to the four-site North Indian Kumbha Mela circuit.

It is a reminder to people that major Hindu pilgrimage traditions have existed in South India for centuries, not only in the northern parts of the country.

Conflicts, Controversies, And The Politics Of Revival

The revival of the Kerala Kumbha Mela has not been without obstacles. In early January 2026, the Thirunavaya village officer issued a stop-work notice halting the construction of a temporary bridge across the Bharathapuzha River, citing violations of the Kerala River Conservation Act, 2001. Officials stated that no prior permission had been obtained for the work, which involved construction activity within the river zone.

Organisers responded by pointing out that most of the work had already been completed with the knowledge of local authorities and in the presence of police officials. They alleged that the sudden halt was the result of procedural delays and administrative confusion. Eventually, conditional permission was granted to resume preparations, subject to environmental and safety safeguards.

The revival effort also faced resistance beyond Kerala. The DMK government in TN, refused permission for a ceremonial chariot carrying the Sri Chakra from Tiruppur to travel to Thirunavaya for the Kumbha Mela. Organisers said the chariot procession was an important symbolic component of the event, linking the revival to older South Indian spiritual traditions. The refusal was seen as another administrative hurdle placed in the path of the festival.

What This Revival Means For Hindu Civilisation

The return of the Maha Makham at Thirunavaya restores a major Hindu tradition that had disappeared from public life for over two centuries. It reminds people that Kerala and other parts of South India once hosted large, organised pilgrimage assemblies of their own, equal in scale and sanctity to the better-known Kumbh Melas elsewhere.

The revival also reconnects the festival to Kerala’s historical roots. Maha Makham was closely tied to the Chera rulers, under whom present-day Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu formed a single cultural and economic sphere. Holding the festival once again on the banks of the Bharathapuzha draws attention to the river’s earlier role as a centre of religious, political, and public life.

The association with Adi Shankaracharya strengthens this continuity. Born in Kerala and active across the subcontinent, Shankaracharya helped shape Hindu religious institutions and philosophy. His presence in the legacy of Maha Makham underlines that Kerala was not peripheral to Hindu history but one of its formative centres.

Bharathapuzha Remembers

The Kerala Kumbha Mela of 2026 is not about creating a new festival. It is about restoring an old one that had faded due to political changes, colonial disruption, and the breakdown of traditional institutions. The rituals, the location, and the timing all draw from older practices connected to the Bharathapuzha and Thirunavaya.

The revival has also faced practical challenges, including environmental rules and administrative restrictions, showing how ancient religious practices now operate within modern systems of governance. Despite these constraints, the festival has gone ahead, marking a return of public religious life to a site that once held great importance.

For devotees, the gathering is a chance to reconnect with a forgotten part of Kerala’s religious past. For others, it offers a clearer picture of how Hindu traditions in South India developed and why their revival continues to hold meaning today.

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Rising Drug Menace In ‘Dravidian Model’ Tamil Nadu: 42 Ganja And Alcohol-Fuelled Crimes Expose Law & Order Collapse Under DMK Rule

By
The Commune
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tiruvallur drugs dmk

As Tamil Nadu enters an election year, it is imperative for citizens to recognise the social decay inflicted under the so-called ‘Dravidian Model’. Public concern over law and order under the DMK government is growing. Violence has become frequent, drugs like ganja are easily available, even near schools, and TASMAC outlets have multiplied across the state.

Since the DMK came to power in 2021, access to liquor and narcotic drugs has increased sharply. Enforcement has weakened, and the consequences are visible on the streets: intoxicated youths attacking innocent people and brutal crimes taking place in broad daylight. The criminals have no fear of consequences.

Recent incidents in Tiruvallur, including a double murder and attacks by ganja-addicted youths, show that these are no longer isolated cases but part of a wider breakdown. In this report, we examine how unchecked alcohol and drug availability has directly contributed to the worsening law-and-order situation in Tamil Nadu.

#1 Youth Under Influence Of Ganja Sexually Assaults Elderly Woman – Vellore – January 2026

A 24-year-old man was arrested for allegedly assaulting and sexually abusing a 75-year-old woman at her home in Paravakkal village near Gudiyattam in Vellore district. The accused, Ajith Kumar, a melam artist, allegedly entered the woman’s house late at night under the influence of alcohol and ganja and demanded money. When she refused, he reportedly assaulted and sexually abused her, causing her to lose consciousness. Believing she had died, he fled. Neighbours later found the woman injured and unconscious. Following a police complaint, Ajith Kumar was arrested and remanded to judicial custody.

#2 Drunk Youths Assault Bus Conductor – Panruti – January 2026

An intoxicated group abused and assaulted a bus conductor after he questioned students travelling dangerously. The incident occurred on a state-run bus from Villupuram to Panruti, where students were hanging onto the footboard of the moving bus and dragging their legs on the road. The conductor, Madan, warned them against the risky behaviour. Angered, the students allegedly called their friends to Panruti. When the bus arrived, youths said to be under the influence of alcohol confronted the conductor and assaulted him. Passers-by intervened and admitted the injured conductor to a government hospital.

#3 Drunk Man Kills Cat at TASMAC Bar, Assaults Staff – Theni – January 2026

A drunken man allegedly killed a cat in a brutal act at a TASMAC bar on the Andipatti–Theppapatti Road under Rajathani police station limits, triggering outrage. Police said the incident occurred while a group of friends were consuming liquor at the bar. One of them, Kannan of South Mooanandipatti, allegedly caught a cat that had strayed inside and repeatedly flung it against a wall and the floor, killing it on the spot. When bar employee Chandrasekaran questioned the act, he was assaulted. Another worker, Chellapandi, who tried to intervene, was also beaten up. Both were hospitalised.

#4 Ganja-Intoxicated Youths Attack Students – Tiruttani – January 2026

Tension prevailed near Tiruttani after two college students riding home on a motorcycle were attacked by ganja-intoxicated youths, causing panic in the area. Police said the incident occurred when the students were returning home and were intercepted by two youths, identified as Rahul (19) and Vishwa (18). The accused attacked the students with a patta knife in an inebriated state, in what police described as a murderous assault. Preliminary inquiry revealed that the attackers were under the influence of ganja and alcohol at the time. The injured students were rescued and given medical treatment. Police have launched a manhunt for the accused, who are currently absconding, and further investigation is under way.

#5 Drug-Fuelled Clash in Coimbatore Leaves Youth Critically Injured – January 2026

An attempted murder involving drug-addicted youths has caused shock in Coimbatore. The incident occurred on Sunday night (18 December 2026) at Bharathi Nagar in the Ganapathy area, where a clash broke out between two groups of intoxicated youths. The argument escalated into stone-pelting, during which a youth, Vetri, sustained severe head injuries and collapsed unconscious in a pool of blood. Police said the attackers allegedly attempted to kill him by dropping a large stone on his body even after he lost consciousness. Alert residents intervened, chased away the attackers, and rushed Vetri to the Coimbatore Government Medical College Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.

#6 Double Murder Over Road Rage Shocks Tiruvallur – January 2026

Tiruvallur witnessed a shocking double murder after two youths after two youths were beaten to death with stones following a road rage altercation in Manavalanagar. The victims were Parthiban (32), a private bank employee from Ondikuppam, and Sukumar (31). After returning from Andhra Pradesh post-Pongal celebrations, Parthiban and his friends questioned two bikers for rash driving near the Poonamallee–Tiruvallur Highway around 7 pm. The argument escalated later that night when the bikers returned with associates and attacked them. Parthiban died on the spot, while Sukumar succumbed to injuries at hospital. Police said intoxication, ganja or alcohol, would be confirmed after medical reports.

#7 Ganja-Fuelled Rampage at Irular Colony in Tiruvallur Leaves Man Critically Injured – January 2026

In a separate incident, a gang of six youths allegedly under the influence of ganja vandalised houses, street taps, and streetlights at an Irular colony in Thazhavedu near Tiruttani. They reportedly abused women residents using obscene language and attacked a 50-year-old man, Ramasamy, with an iron rod when he questioned them. Ramasamy was initially admitted to the Tiruttani Government Hospital and later referred to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai for advanced treatment. Two special teams have been formed to trace the absconding attackers.

#8 Intoxicated Youth Attack Man With Machete In Velachery, Chennai – January 2026

A young man was brutally attacked with a machete on AL Mudaliar Street in Nehru Nagar, Velachery, triggering panic among residents on Monday night. According to eyewitnesses, the victim was walking along the street when two men suddenly assaulted him. After sustaining initial blows, he fell to the ground and attempted to protect himself, but the attackers continued to strike him repeatedly. Local residents intervened by throwing stones and footwear at the assailants, forcing them to flee. The injured man, identified as Parthiban, was rescued by police and rushed to a hospital. Police suspect the attackers were intoxicated and have launched an investigation.

#9 Class 10 Student Dies After Ganja-Fuelled Machete Attack – Tirunelveli – January 2026

A Class 10 student who was brutally attacked with a machete in Tirunelveli district on 5 January 2026 succumbed to his injuries on 8 January, police said. The victim, Lakshmanan, was attacked in Panangudi by a youth allegedly under the influence of ganja. He was initially admitted to a local hospital and later shifted to the Asaripallam Government Medical College Hospital for advanced treatment. Despite sustained medical care, he died. Police arrested the accused, Sabarirajan, on the day of the attack and have now altered the case to murder. It was reported that the accused was a habitual substance user with a prior machete attack case.

#10 Intoxicated Gang Attacks Odisha Migrant Workers in Sivaganga – December 2025

Two migrant labourers from Odisha were brutally attacked by an unidentified gang allegedly under the influence of alcohol near Thirupuvanam in Sivaganga district on the night of 30 December 2025. The victims, Moni Sharan and Sushanth from Cuttack, were employed at a private company in the area. Police said the workers had gone to the Vaigai riverbank near Mannalur when an intoxicated gang arrived and assaulted them with weapons. Both sustained serious injuries and were first taken to a government hospital before being referred to Madurai Government Rajaji Hospital.

#11 Migrant Worker Attacked Gruesomely By Ganja-Addicted School Dropouts In Tiruttani – December 2025

Tiruttani Town police on Sunday, 28 December 2025, detained four 17-year-old boys for attacking a 20-year-old youth from Odisha, identified as K Suraj, with sickles near the Old Railway Quarters. Police said the assault stemmed from a drunken argument on a Chennai–Tiruttani EMU local and was filmed by one juvenile to post as an Instagram reel. The minors allegedly carried sickles in their bags to record such videos. After following Suraj off the train at Tiruttani, they took him to an abandoned area, where three attacked him while the fourth recorded the act. Suraj, who suffered serious injuries, is reportedly stable. The juveniles were sent to an Observation Home while one was allowed to go on bail.

#12 Man Assaulted By Allegedly Intoxicated Youth In Tiruttani Station – December 2025

A man was seriously injured after being assaulted by a four-member gang at Tiruttani railway station, raising renewed concerns over passenger safety. The victim, Jamaal, a silk saree trader from Nehru Nagar, Tiruttani, was attacked on the station premises and suffered severe head injuries. Bystanders intervened and alerted police, who rushed him to the Tiruttani Government Hospital, where his condition remained serious. Police registered a case and were probing whether the attackers were under intoxication.

#13 Drunken Men Rape Student, Assault Her Friend With Sickle – Coimbatore – November 2025

Three men, intoxicated at the time of the crime, have been arrested for the kidnapping and rape of a college student in Coimbatore. The assailants attacked the woman and her male friend near the airport, smashing their car window and assaulting the friend with a sickle. Police confirmed the perpetrators were drunk during the assault. The accused, two of whom are brothers, have prior criminal records. They were shot in the leg during arrest and hospitalized.

#14 Drunken Brawl Leads To Murder In Coimbatore – November 2025

A 42-year-old man was arrested for murdering another man during a drunken brawl in Coimbatore. Police said the accused, R. Saravanan of Dindigul district, was residing in Kavundampalayam and working as a security guard. The victim, O. Ragavan (36), was found dead at a brick kiln near Chinna Thadagam on November 3. Investigation revealed that the two met at a TASMAC outlet on November 2 and consumed alcohol together. While intoxicated, a dispute arose when Ragavan allegedly refused to share liquor, prompting Saravanan to assault him with a bottle and a brick, killing him on the spot. Saravanan was arrested and remanded in judicial custody.

#15 Gang Of Ganja-Addicted Men Attack Visitors At Villupuram’s Veedur Dam – October 2025

A gang of alleged ganja addicts triggered panic at Veedur Dam on 14 October 2025 after launching a violent attack on visitors. Police said three men, reportedly under the influence of ganja, arrived at the popular tourist spot and began arguing with the public before turning violent. Four visitors were stabbed during the assault, while the canteen owner who attempted to intervene was also attacked. The gang allegedly robbed the victims before fleeing. All five injured were admitted to intensive care.

#16 Intoxicated Duo Hack Policeman To Death in Tiruppur – August 2025

A Special Sub-Inspector of Tamil Nadu Police was brutally hacked to death by a father-son duo allegedly under the influence of alcohol at a private estate in Tiruppur district on the night of 5 August 2025. The deceased, Shanmughavel of Kudimangalam Police Station, had gone to the estate owned by an All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MLA to inquire into a dispute. Police said the intoxicated duo attacked him with sickles during questioning, killing him on the spot before fleeing. A manhunt was launched, with investigators citing intoxication and fear of legal action as possible triggers.

#17 Intoxicated Youths Abduct And Brutally Assault Tiruppur Schoolboy – July 2025

A 15-year-old schoolboy was abducted and brutally assaulted by a group of intoxicated youths in Tiruppur district, leaving him critically injured. The victim, Sabari, a Class 9 student, went missing from school on 11 July 2025 and was later found severely beaten. Police said four youths offered him a lift, consumed alcohol from an illegal outlet, and assaulted him when he refused to drink. He was allegedly forced to inhale chemicals and later attacked with an iron rod in an abandoned building. Sabari was rescued and hospitalised.

#18 Ganja-Intoxicated Men Chase School Students With Sickle In Tiruppur – July 2025

A disturbing incident was reported from Tiruppur district, where individuals allegedly under the influence of ganja were seen chasing school students with a sickle, triggering panic. The incident occurred on the road connecting Kunnathur and Perumanallur, near Avinashi. A video circulating on social media shows men wielding weapons and threatening government school students in public. The footage has raised serious concerns over student safety and the growing visibility of narcotics-driven street violence.

#19 Drunken Gang Rapes 80-Year-Old Woman Near Panruti – June 2025

An 80-year-old woman was brutally raped by a group of intoxicated men near Panruti in Cuddalore district, triggering shock and fear in the locality. The victim, Kausalya of Thirasu village, was walking along Pulavanur Road when four men, allegedly drunk, dragged her into nearby bushes. Police said the attackers stuffed soil into her mouth to silence her, sexually assaulted her, and robbed her jewellery before fleeing. Locals rescued the elderly woman after hearing her screams and admitted her to Cuddalore Government Medical College Hospital, where she remains critical.

#20 Intoxicated Teen Rapes And Murders Elderly Woman In Ranipet – June 2025

A 19-year-old youth allegedly raped and murdered an 80-year-old woman in a village under Arcot earlier this month, shocking the region. Police said the accused, S. Nandakumar of Kathiyavadi village, entered the victim’s house in an intoxicated state around 5.30 pm on 3 June 2025. The elderly woman lived with her family on the premises of her brick kiln. A case was registered under rape and murder provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigators traced the suspect using CCTV footage and local verification before arresting him near a hillock on 4 June.

#21 Drunk Man Held For Attempted Assault on Woman Constable – Chennai – February 2025

A man was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 15 February 2025 for allegedly attempting to sexually assault a woman police constable at Palavanthangal Railway Station. Police said the incident occurred when the constable alighted from a train and was walking towards the station exit. The accused, identified as Sathya Balu, was allegedly intoxicated and tried to overpower her in a secluded area. The constable raised an alarm, prompting nearby passengers to intervene. The accused attempted to flee but was caught by the public and handed over to railway police.

#22 Intoxicated SSI Suspended For Assaulting Woman Cop – Virudhunagar – December 2024

A Special Sub-Inspector was suspended in Virudhunagar district after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman police officer at Rajapalayam South Police Station on 26 December 2024. The accused, Mohanraj (52), reportedly reported for duty in an intoxicated state and was asked to rest. Police said he later made inappropriate advances and assaulted a female colleague, who raised an alarm and was rescued by others. CCTV footage reportedly captured the incident. Medical tests confirmed alcohol intoxication.

#23 Drunken Youths Harass Family At Cuddalore Beach – December 2024

Three men were arrested for sexually harassing women and assaulting a family at Periya Kuppam beach. Police said the incident occurred when a family from Kurinjipadi visited the beach for swimming. A group of youths, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, made lewd remarks at women in the sea and attacked family members who intervened. The women were also assaulted while trying to stop the violence. Following a complaint at Puduchattaram police station, a case was registered against four suspects. Three of them were arrested.

#24 Drunk Extortionist Kills Fruit Vendor in Tiruvottiyur – November 2024

A woman fruit vendor was brutally murdered in Tiruvottiyur on 12 November 2024 after she refused to pay extortion money, police said. The accused, identified as V. Sekar (30), was allegedly intoxicated when he confronted Gowri (45) at her shop on Sannathi Street and demanded “mamool.” When she refused, he stabbed her in the neck. Her husband Mari, who tried to intervene, suffered serious stab injuries. Bystanders apprehended the attacker and alerted police. Gowri was rushed to Government Stanley Hospital, where she was declared dead.

#25 Alcohol-Fuelled VCK Cadres Attack BJP Member/Family In Cuddalore – October 2024

A BJP functionary from Karaikal was allegedly assaulted by cadres of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) under heavy alcohol intoxication at Bhuvanagiri in Cuddalore district. The victim, Vijay Kumar, a district secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party, was returning with his family after medical treatment for his paralytic daughter in Andhra Pradesh.

#26 Drunken Brawl Ends in Brutal Murder Near Otteri – August 2024

A 30-year-old daily wage labourer was hacked to death in a drunken brawl near Otteri, police said. The victim, S. Syed Siraj, was allegedly murdered by two friends, Mohammad Khaleel (29) and Imran (30), after an argument escalated during a drinking session. Police said the trio had prior differences following a dispute at a movie theatre. The accused took Syed to a dilapidated building, where, while intoxicated, they attacked him with a knife, killing him brutally. The body was left at the spot, and the accused surrendered at Otteri police station the next day. They were arrested and remanded in judicial custody.

#27 Drunken Gang, Ex-SSI Assault Motorist in Chennai – May 2024

A group of men, allegedly heavily intoxicated, including a retired Special Sub Inspector, assaulted a motorist in broad daylight in Chennai, triggering public outrage. The incident occurred at the Pattinapakkam loop road when Manivannan, a hotel owner from Georgetown, questioned a sudden car stop that nearly caused a collision. Police said five men in the vehicle, reportedly drunk, attacked him, tore his shirt, and issued death threats. One assailant claimed to be a retired police officer.

#28 Ganja And Alcohol-Fuelled Attack Kills Youth in Krishnagiri – April 2024

A man was killed and another seriously injured in a ganja- and alcohol-fuelled attack at Thinnakazhani village near Krishnagiri. Police said Chinnathambi questioned a group of youths consuming ganja and liquor near his house, citing safety concerns. An argument followed, during which he and his son Vetri were attacked. Around 1 AM, the intoxicated group allegedly returned armed with weapons. Vetri’s friend Karthik, who intervened, was fatally assaulted on the spot. Karthik’s father Devaraj also suffered severe head injuries while trying to save him. Police recovered the body for postmortem.

#29 Ganja-Intoxicated Youths Run Riot in Madurai – April 2024

Footage has surfaced showing ganja-intoxicated youths assaulting a man and vandalising shops in Madurai during the Chithirai festival. The victim, Khan Mohammad of Othakadai, was attacked while riding home from work after confronting the group. Police said the youths pelted stones and beat him before fleeing as residents gathered. He was rescued and admitted to a government hospital. The gang also damaged an ice-cream shop, a fancy store, and a tea stall, causing losses. A case was registered at Othakadai Police Station.

#30 Drunken Youth Assaults Bus Conductor, Sparks Protest in Virudhachalam – April 2024

An intoxicated youth assaulted a government bus conductor in the Virudhachalam region on 25 April 2024, triggering protests by transport workers. The incident occurred on the Virudhachalam–Cuddalore route when the inebriated youth disrupted traffic on the Chidambaram link road. When bus staff intervened, the youth attacked the conductor, Arulraj. Passengers restrained the attacker and handed him over to Virudhachalam police, but he was allegedly released later. Angered by the police response, government bus employees staged a protest, disrupting traffic for an hour. After talks with the District Collector and police, assurances were given, and the protest was withdrawn.

#31 Drunk Youths Attack Government Bus Driver Near Kumbakonam – April 2024

A government bus driver was seriously injured after being assaulted by a group of intoxicated youths near Kumbakonam on 20 April 2024. Police said the incident occurred near the Old Palakkarai Bridge when six youths, allegedly drunk and riding a two-wheeler, blocked the road and collided with the bus. When driver Ramesh asked them to clear the obstruction, the youths boarded the bus, attacked him, and forcibly pushed him out, causing injuries. Journalists who recorded the assault were also abused. Public and police intervened, leading to arrests. The injured driver later reported the theft of gold jewellery and a watch.

#32 Ganja-Intoxicated Men Attack Policemen In OMR – April 2024

Three men allegedly under the influence of ganja created panic in Kannagi Nagar on 21 April 2024, forcing police intervention. When head constables Pushparaj and Silambarasan arrived, Rahul, identified as a ganja dealer, bit Pushparaj’s hand while resisting arrest. Another intoxicated man, Prem, brandished a knife and threatened the officers, while Santhosh Kumar hurled stones at them. Amid the chaos, the main supplier Umapathi escaped. Locals intervened and rescued the injured policemen, who were given medical treatment. A video of the ganja-fuelled attack went viral. Kannagi Nagar police later arrested Rahul, Prem, and Santhosh Kumar and remanded them to custody.

#33 Ganja-Intoxicated Man Vandalises Mannargudi Government Hospital – April 2024

Chaos broke out at Mannargudi Government Hospital when a man allegedly under the influence of ganja went on a violent rampage inside the premises. The accused, Vadivelu, a resident of Mannargudi, reportedly stormed into the hospital and attempted to assault doctors and nurses while vandalising chairs and other hospital property. The incident disrupted medical services at the busy hospital, which caters to patients from surrounding areas. A bystander recorded the ganja-fuelled outburst, and the video later circulated on social media. Mannargudi police launched an investigation, noting the accused’s prior criminal history.

#34 Drunk Gang Assaults And Humiliates Dalit Youths in Tirunelveli – November 2023

In Tirunelveli district, six men were arrested for allegedly assaulting and publicly humiliating two Scheduled Caste youths by urinating on them, while under the influence of alcohol and ganja. Police said the victims, Manojkumar and Mariyappan, were returning home after bathing in the Thamirabarani River when the gang confronted them, demanded their caste identity, and attacked them after learning they were Dalits. The assailants allegedly stripped, assaulted, robbed them of valuables, and extorted ₹5,000. The victims escaped after spotting police patrols and were admitted to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital. Police booked the accused under IPC sections and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

#35 Drunk Biker Attacks Woman Cop in Chennai Road Rage – November 2023

A drunken biker was arrested after assaulting a woman police head constable during a road rage incident on Paper Mills Road in Sembium. Police said the accused, A. Satish Kumar (27) of Perambur, got into an altercation after his bike was hit at a junction in Jawahar Nagar. When police personnel intervened to stop him from attacking another rider, the intoxicated man allegedly manhandled head constable Krishnaveni and smashed the mobile phones of two armed reserve constables. He was taken to Peravallur police station, where inquiries confirmed alcohol intoxication and past misconduct. A case was registered under IPC and Tamil Nadu Prevention of Women Harassment Act, and he was remanded to Puzhal prison.

#36 Drunk Guest Workers Assault Policemen In Ambattur – October 2023

Two police constables were injured after being assaulted by a group of intoxicated guest workers in Ambattur at night. Police said the workers, who had been drinking during Ayudha Pooja celebrations at a private firm, clashed with each other and hurled stones and used pen knives. When head constable Raghupathy attempted to intervene, he was pushed down and attacked. Constable Raj Kumar was also beaten when he tried to help. The injured policemen escaped and returned with reinforcements. Five persons were detained, and a case was registered for assaulting public servants and disturbing public peace.

#37 Intoxicated Cops Sexually Assault Minor – Trichy – October 2023

Four Trichy policemen were arrested for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old at Mukkombu tourist spot. The intoxicated officers, in plain clothes, accused the girl and her friend before assaulting the male companion. They then forced the minor into a car for a purported drug check, assaulting her for an hour in the moving vehicle. The victim was threatened with arrest if she spoke out. Charged under POCSO, the accused are suspended. The case has sparked public outrage over law enforcement corruption, with the District SP vowing strict action.

#38 Drunken Rage Leads To Quadruple Murder In Tiruppur – September 2023

Four members of a family were brutally hacked to death in Kallakinaru near Palladam, sending shockwaves across the State. Police said the murders were triggered after the victims objected to a group of men consuming alcohol in their backyard. The incident occurred when Senthilkumar confronted Venkatesan and his associates for drinking on the premises and chased them away. Enraged and allegedly intoxicated, the attackers returned armed with sickles and launched a deadly assault. Senthilkumar, Mohanraj, Pushpavathy, and Rathinambal were killed on the spot.

#39 Drunk College Students Crash Car into Multiplex Wall in Chennai – May 2023

Two college students were arrested for drunk driving after their car rammed into the compound wall of a multiplex in Kilpauk early Sunday morning. Police said the accident occurred around 3.30 am when the students, allegedly intoxicated after a party on East Coast Road, lost control of the vehicle while travelling on Poonamallee High Road. The occupants were identified as Mohammed Ali (18) from Mumbai and Arnav Chauhan (19) from Shimla, both first-year students of a private university in Kanathur. Though no bystanders were injured, police confirmed both youths were drunk at the time. Anna Square Traffic Investigation Wing booked them for drunk driving and placed them under arrest.

#40 Drug-Intoxicated Brothers Kill Shop Assistant In Vizhuppuram – March 2023

Two brothers allegedly under the influence of drugs went on a violent rampage in Vizhuppuram, killing a shop assistant and injuring three others on Wednesday. The accused, G. Rajasekar (33) and G. Vallarasu (24), attacked Sankar, a private marriage hall manager near the Old Bus Stand, before assaulting others who questioned their behaviour. During the spree, they fatally stabbed A. Ibrahim (45), a grocery shop assistant, who later died in hospital. Police said the duo created disturbances for nearly two hours, attacking anyone who criticised them. They were arrested by Vizhuppuram West police.

#41 Allegedly Intoxicated Man Attacks Anna University Professor In Trichy – March 2023

A 54-year-old professor of Anna University was brutally attacked and dragged on the road in Tiruchirapalli after she refused to lend money to a man, police said. The incident, captured on video and widely shared on social media, shows the victim, Seethalakshmi, being dragged while unconscious. The accused, Senthil Kumar (32) from Thirukattupalli, allegedly struck her with a wooden plank and robbed her phone and vehicle keys before fleeing. Police are probing whether the attacker was intoxicated at the time. He was later arrested following a chase and is undergoing treatment at Trichy Government Medical College Hospital after fracturing his leg.

#42 Drunken Brawl Turns Fatal in Pallavaram – July 2022

A drunken brawl ended in death after a 44-year-old man assaulted his friend and later surrendered to police in Pallavaram. The victim, M. Chinnadurai (29), a painter, was drinking liquor with his friend G. Raja (44) near a hardware shop on Bajanai Koil Street on Saturday night. Police said the intoxicated duo began arguing, which escalated into a physical fight. In a fit of drunken rage, Raja allegedly picked up a stone and smashed it on Chinnadurai’s face, killing him. Raja reportedly slept beside the body and, on waking up and realising the death, surrendered at Pallavaram police station. Chinnadurai’s body was sent for post-mortem, and Raja was remanded in judicial custody.

Why Tamil Nadu Can’t Afford DMK Again in 2026

The above instances are only some of the reported instances, we may not be aware of several that may have gone unreported. These are not random incidents or bad luck. This is what happens when a government looks the other way. Under the DMK, liquor shops have increased, drugs have become easy to get, accessible to children and criminals no longer seem afraid of the law. Ordinary people are paying the price: children, women, workers, migrants, the elderly, and even police officers are being attacked in public places. Parents are scared to send their children out. Families no longer feel safe on roads, buses, beaches, or near their own homes.

A government’s first duty is to protect its people. When fear becomes normal and violence becomes routine, that government has failed. Bringing the DMK back to power in 2026 would mean accepting this situation as normal. Tamil Nadu deserves better than that and it cannot afford a repeat of the past 5 years.

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Dravidian Model Social Justice? DMK Functionary Breaks Down, Alleges Neglect And Caste Discrimination After Welfare Event Fails

By
The Commune
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Dravidian Model Social Justice? DMK Functionary Breaks Down, Alleges Neglect And Caste Discrimination After Welfare Event Fails

A local functionary of the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) broke down in public and staged a hunger protest near Vedaranyam after alleging that senior party leaders deliberately boycotted a welfare assistance programme he had organised at great personal cost.

Jayashankar, a DMK branch secretary, said he had mortgaged his house to organise the party programme but was left humiliated when senior leaders failed to attend despite being formally invited. Visibly distressed, he accused party leaders of sidelining him because of his social background.

“I mortgaged my house thinking I should conduct this programme for the party. Does someone from an oppressed community, living below the poverty line, not have the right to be in politics?” he said, breaking down in tears.

Jayashankar claimed that despite issuing proper invitations, district secretary Gauthaman and union secretary Mahakumar did not attend the event. He alleged that internal factionalism was being encouraged by the union secretary, whom he accused of deliberately creating conflict.

Referring to the party’s ideology, he questioned, “If DMK claims to go beyond language and race, does that mean there is no caste? Why am I being treated this way?”

When asked about the allegations, union secretary Mahakumar told reporters that Jayashankar had organised the programme without informing him in advance. He claimed that proper coordination procedures had not been followed.

Due to the failure of the programme, beneficiaries who had arrived to receive welfare assistance reportedly returned disappointed.

Jayashankar further alleged sustained harassment and humiliation by party functionaries. “They say the district secretary will not come unless the union secretary is present. Have we ever ignored the union secretary or failed to give him importance?” he asked.

He claimed he was subjected to verbal abuse and mental harassment, stating, “They treat me as inferior, abuse me, and humiliate me. I am being mentally tortured. They tell me I should not express my emotions or organise any programme.”

In an emotionally charged statement, he said, “I don’t know if I will be alive tomorrow. I am alive today, but I don’t know about tomorrow. When I try to express my feelings for the party and its leader, I am insulted and disgraced.”

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Tiruvarur: No Potable Water For 1,500 Families; Villagers Rely On Pond, Stage Protest After Multiple Complaints Go Unheard

By
The Commune
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Tiruvarur: No Potable Water For 1,500 Families; Villagers Rely On Pond, Stage Protest After Multiple Complaints Go Unheard

Residents of Pazhayavalom Panchayat, under Tiruvarur Union, staged a protest by laying siege to the panchayat office, demanding the immediate restoration of potable drinking water supply.

According to the residents, more than 1,500 families live in Pazhayavalom village, where safe drinking water had been supplied for several years for both drinking and domestic use. However, for the past one year, the supply of potable water has allegedly been stopped, with only saline water being provided. As a result, villagers have been forced to rely entirely on water from a local pond for all purposes.

The residents stated that schoolchildren, women, elderly persons, and other villagers are currently using pond water for drinking, bathing, and sanitation. While the pond presently has water, they expressed concern over the approaching summer season, questioning how they would manage once the pond dries up.

The villagers alleged that despite repeatedly raising the issue with the panchayat administration, they had not received any proper response. Citing continued inaction, they gathered in front of the Pazhayavalom Panchayat office with water pots and launched a protest.

The residents further recalled that around three months ago, the District Collector of Tiruvarur had visited the area for inspection. During the visit, locals had complained directly to the Collector about the lack of safe drinking water and had even presented the saline water being supplied for verification. The Collector had reportedly instructed the concerned officials to ensure proper drinking water supply to the village.

Despite these instructions, the residents alleged that officials failed to implement the Collector’s directions. They specifically accused the Panchayat Secretary of neglecting the issue and not taking steps to restore potable water supply.

The protesters warned that if immediate action was not taken, they would escalate the agitation by staging a road blockade and a hunger strike in front of the District Collector’s office.

Meanwhile, attempts by journalists to contact the Block Development Office were unsuccessful. The residents questioned how ordinary villagers could access officials when even the media was unable to reach them.

The villagers reiterated that for nearly two years they had been receiving only saline water, forcing them to purchase water cans despite living in a rural area. They maintained that potable water sources existed within the village but alleged that officials continued to cite technical reasons and delays without resolving the issue.

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Biggest Job Scam In Tamil Nadu History: ED Exposes DMK’s Massive Corruption Involving KN Nehru, Dravidianist Media In Full Silence

By
The Commune
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stalin kn nehru scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has, in a third and strongly worded communication dated 14 January 2026, laid out what it describes as concrete and extensive evidence of a large-scale bribery and money-laundering racket linked to transfers and postings in Tamil Nadu’s Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department under DMK minister KN Nehru.

The agency has alleged that bribes amounting to ₹365.87 crore were collected from government officers and engineers in exchange for favourable postings, calling it only a small part of a much larger, systemic corruption network operating within government departments.

According to the ED, the evidence was uncovered during analysis of digital devices seized in April 2025 as part of searches conducted in an unrelated case. The seized material included photographs, WhatsApp conversations, documents, transfer orders, and transaction details. Investigators stated that the data was cross-linked and analysed to establish multiple instances of bribe payments connected to transfers and postings within the MAWS Department.

What The ED’s January 14 Letter Says

In its letter to the Tamil Nadu police and the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), the ED stated that:

  • Bribes ranging from ₹7 lakh to ₹1 crore were allegedly collected for transfers of MAWS engineers and officers.
  • A list of around 340 officers and engineers whose transfer and posting orders were found stored on digital devices seized from associates linked to KN Nehru, the MAWS Minister.
  • 10 to 15 specific instances of bribe payments by engineers were cited with supporting digital evidence.

The agency asserted that the compiled material constituted direct evidence of money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), with proceeds of crime totalling ₹365.87 crore.

Break-Up Of Alleged Money Laundering

The ED’s nearly 100-page dossier reportedly provided a detailed break-up of how the alleged proceeds of crime were laundered and spent by individuals linked to the network:

  • Through construction and real-estate business: ₹223.65 crore (True Value Homes)
  • Through property and investments: ₹36.15 crore
  • Through benami entities: ₹58.11 crore
  • Through investments in gold bullion: ₹2.33 crore
  • Through investments in foreign property: ₹44.88 crore

Investigators also claimed to have found evidence pointing to the purchase of a 34-acre property in the United States, along with indicators of a lavish lifestyle in India.

ED Warns Against FIR Delay

The ED explicitly warned that failure to register a First Information Report (FIR) based on the evidence provided would amount to assisting the accused. It stressed that Section 3 of the PMLA is “very harsh” and applies to anyone who knowingly aids in the generation, concealment, or continuation of proceeds of crime.

The agency urged the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police, and the head of DVAC to immediately register a corruption FIR, cautioning authorities not to take shelter behind preliminary enquiries or procedural permissions. The ED stated that delay would only allow offenders time to destroy evidence and continue corrupt practices.

Part Of A Larger Pattern

The latest dossier adds to a series of corruption allegations linked to the MAWS Department. In earlier submissions, the ED had flagged:

  • An alleged cash-for-jobs scam involving bribes of ₹25–35 lakh per appointment.
  • A bribes-for-contracts racket, where contractors were allegedly forced to pay 7.5–10% of project values for civic works such as toilet construction, infrastructure projects, and outsourcing services.

The agency had also alleged that tenders were manipulated even before opening, with contracts steered towards pre-selected companies and bribes routed through cash and hawala channels.

No FIR, No Headlines

Despite the gravity of the allegations, no FIR has been registered so far. The Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption has only ordered preliminary enquiries into earlier dossiers. Minister K.N. Nehru has denied the allegations in the past and stated that he would challenge them legally but has not yet responded to the latest ED report.

Notably, even as the ED has placed detailed documentary and digital evidence on record, large sections of the Dravidianist-aligned media have remained conspicuously silent, failing to report or scrutinise what the agency itself has described as a fraction of a massive, systemic scam.

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After Cash-For-Jobs & Bribes-For-Contracts Scam, ED Flags ₹365.87 Crore Bribes-For-Transfers Scam In MAWS Dept, Sends Third Dossier To DGP

By
The Commune
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Tender Fixing, Hawala Routes, Party Funds: ED Claims Detailed Proof Of ₹1,020-Crore Tender Scam Involving DMK Min KN Nehru

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sent a third letter to the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police, alleging that bribes amounting to ₹365.87 crore were collected for the transfer and posting of government officers and engineers in the State’s Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department led by DMK Minister KN Nehru.

In its communication dated 14 January 2026, the ED stated that it had analysed incriminating material recovered from digital devices seized during search operations conducted in April 2025. According to the agency, the seized material included photographs, WhatsApp conversations, documents and transfer orders, which were cross-linked during analysis. The ED said the evidence pointed to multiple instances of bribes being collected in exchange for transfers and postings of MAWS department officials.

The agency claimed that the detailed report showed bribe amounts ranging from ₹7 lakh to ₹1 crore per transfer. It also provided details of around 340 officers and engineers whose transfer and posting orders were allegedly found stored on the seized devices. The ED asserted that the material constituted direct evidence of money laundering involving proceeds of crime totalling ₹365.87 crore.

In its letter, the ED said the evidence discussed was only a small part of a much larger transfer-and-posting scam operating within government departments. It added that the material was uncovered incidentally during investigations in an unrelated case against certain individuals.

The ED further warned that failure to register a First Information Report (FIR) based on the evidence provided would amount to assisting the accused. It emphasised that Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is stringent and applies to anyone who knowingly assists in the generation or handling of proceeds of crime.

The latest allegations add to a series of cases linked to the MAWS Department. Previous dossiers submitted by central agencies have referred to an alleged “cash-for-jobs” scam involving ₹888 crore and a “bribes-for-contracts” scam amounting to ₹1,020 crore. The current case has been described by the ED as a “bribes-for-transfers” racket.

The agency has urged the Tamil Nadu Police to initiate criminal proceedings based on the material submitted. However, no FIR has been registered so far.

Source: Times of India

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“Mic Repeatedly Switched Off, Speech Had Unsubstantiated Claims”: Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi Takes Dravidian Model DMK Govt To The Cleaners

By
The Commune
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stalin rn ravi

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, walked out of the State Legislative Assembly without delivering the customary Governor’s address on the opening day of the first session of the year.

Governor Ravi arrived at the Assembly to address the House in the presence of leaders from multiple political parties. The session began with the rendition of Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu. The Governor insisted that the National Anthem be played thereafter. When Speaker M Appavu declined the request, the Governor refused to read the address prepared by the State government and exited the House.

This is not the first such instance. This marks the fifth consecutive year that Governor RN Ravi has exited the House during the inaugural session since 2022.

Following the walkout, Lok Bhavan, Tamil Nadu issued a press release detailing the reasons behind the Governor’s decision to decline reading the government’s speech.

According to the release, “The Governor’s mic was repeatedly switched off, and he was not allowed to speak.” It further stated that the address contained “numerous unsubstantiated claims and misleading statements” and ignored several serious issues affecting the people of the State.

Lok Bhavan said the speech’s claim that Tamil Nadu attracted investments worth over ₹12 lakh crore was “far from the truth,” noting that many memoranda of understanding remained only on paper and that actual investments were only a fraction of the claimed figure. It added that Tamil Nadu, once the fourth-largest recipient of foreign direct investment among Indian states, was now struggling to remain sixth.

The statement also highlighted that women’s safety issues were ignored despite an alleged increase of over 55% in POCSO rape cases and over 33% rise in incidents of sexual molestation of women. It flagged what it described as rampant narcotics and drug abuse among youth, including school students, stating that over 2,000 people, mostly young individuals, had died by suicide in one year due to drug abuse.

Lok Bhavan further stated that atrocities against Dalits and sexual violence against Dalit women were sharply increasing but were “totally bypassed” in the speech. They stated that around 20,000 people in Tamil Nadu died by suicide in a year, averaging nearly 65 deaths a day, alleging that the State was being referred to as the “suicide capital of India,” with no mention of the issue in the address.

The Governor’s office alleged a steady decline in educational standards, pointing to more than 50% faculty vacancies and unrest among guest lecturers, and said the issue had been ignored. It also flagged the absence of elections to thousands of village panchayats, stating that they were being run by special officers for years, denying people grassroots democratic rights, contrary to constitutional principles.

The release further criticised the continued absence of boards of trustees in thousands of temples, alleged mismanagement by the State government, and non-implementation of Madras High Court directions on temple restoration. It also pointed to stress in the MSME sector, that entrepreneurs from Tamil Nadu were being forced to relocate to other states, and alleged widespread discontent among lower-rung employees across sectors.

Reiterating the immediate trigger for the walkout, the statement said, “National Anthem is yet again insulted, and the Fundamental Constitutional Duty is disregarded.”

The Speaker later proceeded with Assembly business following the Governor’s exit.

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DMK Govt Skips National Anthem For 5th Consecutive Year In TN Assembly, Governor RN Ravi Walks Out Without Reading Address

By
The Commune
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National Anthem Insulted Again By Not Playing In TN Assembly Alleges TN Guv RN Ravi, Walks Out Without Reading Address; Fourth Such Incident Since 2022

As per established convention, the first session of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly each year begins with the Governor’s address. Accordingly, the first Assembly session of this year commenced on Tuesday at 9.30 AM.

Governor RN Ravi left the Raj Bhavan at Guindy at around 9.10 AM and arrived at the Secretariat at 9.25 AM, where he was accorded a ceremonial police guard of honour with a band. He was received by Speaker M Appavu and Assembly Secretary Srinivasan, who welcomed him with a shawl and bouquet and escorted him into the House.

Upon entering the Assembly Hall, the Governor proceeded to the Speaker’s chair area and greeted Chief Minister MK Stalin, Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami, Ministers, and MLAs. Speaker Appavu was seated to the Governor’s right, while the Governor’s Secretary R Girlosh Kumar was seated to his left.

At exactly 9.30 AM, the Assembly session commenced with the rendition of Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu. Governor RN Ravi then began the customary address marking the first sitting of the year. Unlike previous years, the Governor’s address was not telecast live.

Shortly after beginning to speak, Governor RN Ravi objected to the fact that the National Anthem was not played after Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu. Citing this omission, he declined to continue his address and walked out of the Assembly. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Governor RN Ravi has exited the House during the inaugural session.

RN Ravi was appointed Governor of Tamil Nadu in September 2021 and delivered his first Assembly address in 2022, which he read in full.

Not The First Time

The issue of not playing the National Anthem in the Tamil Nadu Assembly has been a recurring point of contention between the Governor and the state government. On multiple occasions, Governor RN Ravi has expressed his disappointment over the failure to include the National Anthem at the beginning and end of Assembly sessions.

2025

On 6 January 2025 Governor RN Ravi walked out without delivering his customary address, after the National Anthem was not played following the Tamil Thaai Vaazhthu. The Governor exited the House within three minutes, stating that his repeated requests to play the Anthem were refused. In a statement, Raj Bhavan said the Constitution and National Anthem were disrespected and termed the refusal a grave concern. After his exit, Speaker M Appavu read the address.

2024

During the first session of 2024, the Governor noted with regret that his repeated requests to play the anthem were ignored. He refused to read the address prepared by the state government, citing strong disagreements on factual and moral grounds. Instead, he concluded his brief address with wishes for productive discussions and respect for Tamil Nadu and India.

2023

This pattern was also evident during the 2023 winter session, where Raj Bhavan requested changes to the Governor’s speech, including respect for the National Anthem. However, the state government did not respond. The session saw protests from DMK allies, who disrupted the Governor’s speech with slogans and demonstrations, further straining relations.

2022

In 2022, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi revealed that the DMK government refused to play the National Anthem in the Assembly, despite his insistence. Before his first address to the Assembly that year, Governor Ravi was informed that the National Anthem was not part of the session’s proceedings. He explicitly requested that it be played at the beginning and end of the session, alongside the Tamil Thai Vazhthu. The request was communicated to Speaker Appavu and Chief Minister MK Stalin, and the Governor even sent a formal letter reiterating his appeal. However, the National Anthem was not played, disregarding the Governor’s insistence.

Source: Daily Thanthi

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Bogus Letter Using Sarbananda Sonowal’s Official Letterhead Reportedly Circulated By Congress Ahead Of Assam Polls, FIR Filed

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The Commune
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Bogus Letter Using Sarbananda Sonowal’s Official Letterhead Reportedly Circulated By Congress Ahead Of Assam Polls, FIR Filed

An FIR has been registered following the circulation of a forged letter bearing the official letterhead and a fabricated signature of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in poll-bound Assam.

On Monday, 19 January 2026, Sonowal stated through social media that the incident involved serious criminal offences, including forgery, impersonation, and misuse of official government identity. He said the act appeared to be aimed at spreading misinformation and discrediting a constitutional authority. He further informed that law enforcement agencies had been asked to investigate the matter on priority and initiate strict legal action against those responsible.

Sonowal clarified that the letter in circulation was entirely fake and fabricated, and cautioned the public and media against relying on or sharing the fraudulent material. He advised that information should be verified only through official sources.

According to reports, the forged letter dated 15 January 2026 was purportedly addressed to the national president of the Bharatiya Janata Party and was allegedly intended to be used politically ahead of the Assam Assembly elections. The letter claimed to outline administrative and political challenges in the state, citing alleged corruption, poor governance, law and order issues, unemployment, price rise, and abuse of authority. It further alleged widespread public dissatisfaction with the government led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and asserted that the BJP was at risk of winning only 35–40 seats in the upcoming polls.

The document also claimed that these purported issues had weakened the party’s cadre base and eroded public confidence, leading to resentment at the local level.

Following its circulation, the letter was flagged and formally reported to authorities by Sonowal. Reports have alleged that individuals linked to the Assam unit of the Indian National Congress were involved in circulating the forged document through WhatsApp groups, though the matter is now under investigation.

Legal action has been initiated under Section 274 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and provisions of the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950. Officials have indicated that the offences are non-bailable and carry a potential punishment of up to ten years of rigorous imprisonment. Given the alleged misuse of national symbols and a Government of India letterhead, central agencies may also intervene.

Law enforcement authorities have confirmed that an investigation is currently underway.

Source: OpIndia

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