Facebook Instagram X Youtube
Thursday, August 27, 2026
Facebook Instagram X Youtube
Home Blog Page 1080

DMK Minister Without Portfolio Senthil Balaji Receiving About ₹1 Lakh A Month As Salary From Tax Payers Money While In Puzhal Jail?

By
The Commune
-

Speaking to the public gathered at his En Mann En Makkal padayatra, Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party head Annamalai criticised the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government in the state for paying ₹8.40 lakh over eight months to minister without portfolio, Senthil Balaji who is lodged in Puzhal Jail.

Senthil Balaji over the months has received a salary of ₹1.05 lakh per month from taxpayers’ money, he said, as reported by Dinamalar. Annamalai addressed the En Man, En Makkal walk on 31 January 2024 in the Chengam Assembly Constituency, expressing the need for political change in Tamil Nadu.

He rebuked the current ruling party, highlighting the desire for leadership akin to Modi’s. Annamalai condemned the governance in Tamil Nadu, alleging unfulfilled promises, electoral deceit, and poor law and order. Senthil Balaji, currently in Puzhal Jail for the past 230 days, retains his ministerial post without a portfolio despite a law requiring the removal of government employees imprisoned for 48 hours.

He criticised the DMK government as corrupt and protecting corrupt individuals.

It is noteworthy that the Madras Additional Sessions Court recently extended Minister Senthil Balaji’s judicial custody for the 18th time. Arrested on 14 June 2024 amid high drama under the Anti-Money Laundering Act, Senthil Balaji faces a 3,000-page charge sheet. Despite a scheduled date for charges on 22 January 2024, a new petition seeking trial postponement was filed. The Enforcement Department accused Senthil Balaji of attempting to hinder the investigation. The hearing was adjourned to 31 January 2024, and the court extended Senthil Balaji’s custody until 7 February 2024, facilitated through a video conference from Puzhal Jail.

(with inputs from Dinamalar)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Cong MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury Claims Stone Pelting; Party HQ Denies It, Mamata Calls It Political Drama

By
The Commune
-

On 31 January 2024, Congress Member of Parliament Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury reported that the windshield of Rahul Gandhi’s car was shattered near the Bihar-Bengal border, indicating a suspected incident of stone pelting. According to Chowdhury, unidentified individuals threw stones at Gandhi’s vehicle during the alleged attack, which occurred in Malda’s Harischandrapur area as the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra re-entered West Bengal from Bihar.

Rahul Gandhi had reached Katihar as part of the yatra and conducted a road show in the Bihar district before departing for West Bengal through Malda.

Speaking to reporters about the incident, Congress MP and West Bengal Unit President Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, “Maybe someone at the back pelted a stone amid the crowd…Police force is overlooking that. A lot can happen due to overlooking. This is a small incident but something could have happened too…”

Subsequently, the Congress officially clarified on its X handle that, “A huge crowd had come to meet Rahul in Malda, West Bengal. In this crowd, a woman suddenly came in front of Rahul’s car to meet him, due to which the brakes were suddenly applied. Then the glass of the car broke due to the rope used in the security circle. People’s leader Rahul Gandhi is fighting for justice against the injustice that is done to the people. The public is with them, the public is keeping him safe”.

Critics argue that this situation could have arisen because of the apparent intent to accuse the Trinamool Congress (TMC) amidst the ongoing tensions between the Congress and TMC in West Bengal regarding seat sharing for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. TMC chief Mamata Banerjee declared that her party would contest the elections independently, revealing that an offer for collaboration had been declined by the Congress.

Addressing a public distribution event, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asserted that the attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s vehicle did not occur in West Bengal but rather in Bihar. She provided clarification, stating that the assault took place in Katihar, Bihar, and by the time the vehicle had entered West Bengal, the rear window pane was already broken. Banerjee also speculated that the incident could be an expression of public discontent in Bihar due to recent political decisions made by Nitish Kumar. And finally called it as a political drama

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

“Edappadi Is More Qualified To Be Next CM, Should We Carry ‘Kavadi’ For Annamalai?” ADMK Member Srinivasan Reveals Reason For ADMK-BJP Split

By
The Commune
-

As the Lok Sabha elections come near, all the political parties are actively engaging in preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The AIADMK is currently organizing a consultative meeting of the Election Distribution Committee.

For a short duration, the former allies BJP-AIADMK displayed tension with occasional heated exchanges. However, following the Election Distribution Committee meeting, AIADMK has shown a clear stance on the termination of its alliance with the BJP.

Dindigul C Srinivasan, the treasurer of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and one of the senior-most members of the party, has disclosed the reason behind the termination of the BJP-AIADMK alliance. While addressing a gathering during the commemoration of MGR’s birthday at Oddanchatram, Srinivasan stated that the alliance was concluded because the BJP did not endorse Edappadi Palaniswami as the chief ministerial candidate.

He said, “We endorsed that Narendra Modi has all the qualifications to become the Prime Minister of this country, right from Edappadi to each one of us here. We said that Edappadi is qualified to be the next Chief Minister, but in BJP, Narendra Modi is the next Prime Minister, but they raised slogans that Annamalai qualified to be the next Chief Minister, then what are we? Do we have those shops (his hands signalled a barber)?”

He further added, “Again should we all carry kavadi for Annamalai? We can do that for Palani. When we asked them to condemn it and accept that Edappadi must be the CM candidate, all those with him were only saying “Long Live Annamalai, Next Chief Minister Annamalai – are we fools? We conveyed this to Amit Shah and the leader of the party Nadda and after seeing Amit Shah, he came out with love and courage and said, our party has no connection or relationship with BJP.”

Dindigul Srinivasan also added that the ADMK will not rest until the BJP is eradicated.

Current Political Situation In Tamil Nadu:

In the context of the Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu, significant alliances include the DMK-led coalition, the AIADMK alliance, the BJP alliance, and the Nam Tamilar Party. The DMK alliance consists of the Congress, Left Wings, VCK, Muslim League, MDMK, and KMDK.

Recent developments within the AIADMK and BJP alliances involve new additions. The AIADMK alliance has welcomed SDPI and New Bharatham parties, while the BJP alliance now includes the India Democratic Party led by Parivendar and the New Justice Party led by AC Shanmukham. Notably, Ramadoss’ Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), GK Vasan’s Tamil Manila Congress (TMK), Krishnasamy’s New Tamilagam Party, and Premalatha Vijayakanth’s Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) are actively determining their positions within these alliances.

Regarding PMK and GK Vasan’s TMK, initial indications suggested PMK aligning with the DMK. However, due to limited available seats, ongoing discussions with the BJP alliance are taking place. Similarly, GK Vasan’s Tamil Manila Congress is engaged in talks with both alliances.

The New Tamil Nadu party, initially leaning towards the AIADMK alliance, has encountered complications regarding seat allocation. However, it will remain in the BJP alliance, advocating for Rajya Sabha MP seats. The position of the DMDK remains uncertain as it negotiates with both the AIADMK and BJP, but hopefully leans towards BJP.

The BJP is hopeful of enhancing its position as the third front, reminiscent of its last endeavor in 2014. During that attempt, it secured an 18.5% vote share and two seats, while independently, the BJP garnered a 5.5% vote share. The prevailing trend is discernible in both rural and urban areas, with the party anticipating an augmented vote share and additional seats following its campaign, “En Mann En Makkal Yatra.”

Recently during an interview with India Today hosted by Rajdeep sardesai, poll strategist Prasanth Kishore predicted that BJP would hit double digit vote share numbers in TN and that it will not be a surprise at all.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

TNEB Terminates Contract Awarded To BGR Energy; TN BJP Head Annamalai Calls For Action

By
The Commune
-

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) has terminated a minor contract awarded to BGR Energy for the establishment of a substation, citing significant delays in project execution.

This move by the TNEB follows a checkered history with BGR Energy, as the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TANGEDCO) had previously scrapped a contract with the company in April 2021, citing its consistent failure to meet performance expectations. Financial indicators also paint a grim picture for BGR Energy, revealing a bank balance of a mere ₹33 crore last year and a staggering net loss of ₹355 crores.

Despite this setback, it’s worth noting that TANGEDCO recently allocated a significant project to BGR Energy Systems Ltd. The 660 MW super-critical Ennore Thermal Power Station expansion project, valued at ₹4,442 crores, raises eyebrows in light of the recent contract cancellation.

Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party Chief K Annamalai took to his official X handle to write about it. He wrote, “The contract for the establishment of a substation awarded to BGR Energy by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board has been revoked due to delays in project execution. There are indications that the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board is considering taking action against individuals supporting such contractors, potentially leading to financial losses for the government. In response to this situation, Chief Minister MK Stalin of Tamil Nadu has received commendation for reinstating the Rs. 4,442 crore Ennore Thermal Power Station (ETPS) project in favor of BGR Energy. It is suggested that the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board should also consider taking action against MK Stalin in this matter. In June 2023, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board penned a letter expressing disapproval for the delay in initiating the contract that had been reassigned to BGR Energy in 2022. The question on ability of a company facing financial constraints and unable to execute a modest substation project, but how they can effectively manage a larger-scale power plant. MK Stalin is unlikely to comprehend the gravity of this inquiry.”

It is noteworthy that in 2022, Annamalai had raised this allegation that TANGEDCO offered a ₹4,442 crore deal to BGR Energy Systems Ltd. for a power project, violating procedures especially when the company was going through financial issues. He also accused the DMK government of favoritism, while Electricity Minister V. Senthil Balaji denied wrongdoing, citing due diligence.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

“I Don’t Respect MGR, MGR Is An Idiot”: DMK MP A. Raja Abuses Late AIADMK Founder, AIADMK Reacts After Days

By
The Commune
-

DMK Deputy General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP A Raja has once again found himself in controversy due to his use of abusive language. He is facing severe criticism from people especially AIADMK leaders after a video resurfaced on the internet, in which he can be seen using derogatory language to refer to the ADMK founder and the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, MG Ramachandran (MGR), calling him a “Loosu” (Idiot).

In a short video clip, extensively shared on social media, featured a speech by A Raja in which he expressed his lack of respect for MGR, stating, “Let me tell you one thing, look back at history and that’s why I don’t respect MGR… I don’t respect him, kalaingar too will say he is my friend. You keep him as your friend. A white man who is an outsider had the magnanimity to respect the dignity of our country but the idiot MGR didn’t have that”.

Although the video had been circulating on the X handle for three days, it was only recently that the General Secretary of the party, Edappadi K Palaniswami, officially responded to it on his X handle on 31 January 2024.

Where he stated, “Even if he lives or dies, the town should tell who is like him. DMK’s Member of Parliament Andimuthu Rasa’s derogatory speech about Hon’ble Ponmanachemmal revolutionary leader MGR is strongly condemnable. Even today in people’s minds he is living as a deity. Selfish Andimuthu Rasa’s habit is to slander deceased leaders and seek publicity. We also know how to speak many historical truths in the way he spoke, but the quality of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam is not inferior to that of DMK.”

He further added “In this non-rising DMK regime, Karunanidhi’s name was used as stickers for various projects and programmes brought in under my leadership, and Karunanidhi’s name has not been able to rise to the level of the fame of the party’s heart deities – Pratachithalaivar-Pratachithalaivi Amma. Because of that, I consider people like Andimuthu Rasa to be making such slanderous comments. Throughout history, all the DMK’s attempts to plagiarize our soul deities have failed miserably in the people’s court. In the same way, even if the DMK stands upside down and drinks water in the coming times, the popularity of our soul deities living in the hearts of the people cannot be reduced to any extent. The people will give a befitting response to Andimuthu Rasa in the coming parliamentary elections.

“If you carve a stone it is just an idol – it becomes a deity only if people worship it”, he said.

Edappadi K Palaniswami faced severe criticism for not responding promptly, despite being the opposition party member and the derogatory remarks were made about his party founder MGR on the X handle, leading to mockery and backlash.

A sarcastic comment from an online user read, “Dear leader, take an extra two days if needed before expressing disapproval; what’s the rush?”

https://twitter.com/SaffronSurge3/status/1752563518514368659

Another user commented with laughter “Condemnation after three days”

Another internet user taunted him for overlooking the video, adding a sarcastic comment that he couldn’t openly criticize due to brotherhood. The comment stated, “You’ve forgotten the video. Nevertheless, it highlights your one-sided brotherhood affection.”

A different online user commented, “Edappadi sir! Is this your “Takku” (speed)? 2G Raja will have forgotten what he spoke. Condemning for sake!”

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

 

 

 

 

Compulsive Commentator Sumanth Raman Argues For Non-Hindus’ Entry Into Temples; Gets Schooled By Temple Activist

By
The Commune
-

Compulsive commentator and ‘neutral’ political analyst Dr. Sumanth C Raman who is known for commenting on everything under the sun, posted on X about the recent judgement of the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court. The ruling which prevents non-Hindus to entering the temple has been critiqued by the left-liberals and Dravidian Stocks without knowing about the laws and history behind the issue. Dr. Sumanth Raman joined the bandwagon by posting on X, ‘Disagree with this. As long as the rules of the temple are followed, anyone must be allowed to visit and worship. Hindus worship at Velankanni and Nagoor in TN. Why shouldn’t other faiths visit Palani? Argument that temples are not picnic spots is valid. Except that the assumption that for all people of other faiths, visiting a temple is a picnic and for all Hindus it is a matter of faith, is absurd. Let us be honest. A large part of religious tourism is just tourism. This applies to all faiths not just Hindus. I know so many who visit our ancient temples to learn about our culture, marvel at the architecture etc. Why is that bad?‘

While superficially the argument might make sense but TR Ramesh, who was the original petitioner in the case, came out with his counterattack. In his reply to Sumanth Raman, TR Ramesh stated, ‘Non – Muslims are not allowed in the entire region of Mecca. Not just the Holy Mosque. We do not call it absurd. If one feels non-Hindus should be allowed inside Ancient Agamic Temples one should challenge the Tamil Nadu Temple Entry Authorisation Act, 1947.  Because this Govt Legislation clearly  BANS non-Hindus inside Tamil Nadu temples. In fact, allowing non-Hindus up to Kodi Maram or the Holy Mast is in violation of the Rules framed under the Act. Devotees visit various temples with devotion and faith. It’s called pilgrimage. It is not tourism. Temples were not built for tourism or picnics. Let’s not compare Hindus with those of Abrahamic faiths.‘

He further added in his reply some practices today which are against temple rules:

“I have some questions regarding your observation “as long as the Rules of the temple are followed

1. Why are offices are built inside temples? 

2. Why are Annadhanam halls built inside temples? 

3.  Why are toilets built inside temples? 

4. Why is temple money taken for HR&CE Dept expenses? 

5. Why there are special Dharshans for persons paying extra money? 

All above are against temple Rules. 

Just a few examples to show Temple Rules will be never followed as long as the @tnhrcedept present in temples  only by FRAUD controls Hindu temples”

With these replies, Sumanth conceded, ‘Agree with you entirely that temple should be a place of sanctity and rules should not be violated.‘

This isn’t the first time Sumanth Raman has been compelled to comment on an issue without fully understanding it. The complete compilation of his compulsive commenting history is given below.

In January 2024, he criticized the India Today for being quoted by Israel at the ICJ in the Gaza deaths hearing. He said it was not a matter of pride but a shame.

He trivialised the petrol bomb attack at Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi’s residence in October 2023. Not only that, but he had written on his X handle that a petrol bomb attack did not indicate a breakdown of law and order. When a user raised concerns about the ease of obtaining such bombs, Raman responded by simplifying a petrol bomb as “petrol set alight with some cloth in a bottle and thrown.”

In March 2023, he spread fake news about NPCI charging a fee for UPI transactions without verifying its accuracy. After the National Payments Corporation of India clarified that the charges applied only to Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI) and not to UPI transactions, Sumanth deleted his tweet. He then acknowledged the misinformation and stated that the fee was only for transactions through wallets and credit cards, not bank debits.

In May 2021, at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic (Delta variant second wave), he questioned the efficacy of the DRDO-developed 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) drug for COVID-19, labelling it as ‘unproven stuff.’

In April 2021, after actor Vivekh suffered a heart attack, Raman attempted to raise concerns about COVID-19 vaccination by suggesting a potential link between the vaccination and the actor’s illness, prompting backlash. He had also tried to raise “concerns” about the COVAXIN vaccine and question its efficacy, despite the vaccine receiving approval from regulatory authorities in India.

As recently as the 22 January 2024 Pran Prathishta event, Sumanth Raman made a post implying that if it had not been for the demolition of Babri Masjid, there wouldn’t be so much fanfare associated with the consecration today. He also said that the celebrations were nothing but, ‘stoking a community into feeling they have got retribution’.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

DMK & AIADMK Oppose CAA Implementation, Law Is Meant To Expedite Citizenship Process For Religiously Persecuted Non-Muslim People Of Pak, Bangladesh & Afghanistan

By
The Commune
-

Union Minister of State for Shipping, Santanu Thakur, addressing a rally in Kakdwip, South 24 Parganas district on 28 January 2024, declared plans for the rapid implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) within a week. 

Thakur, who represents the BJP in the Bongaon Lok Sabha seat with a significant Matua community, asserted, “Ram Mandir has been inaugurated. Within the next one week, CAA will be implemented not only in West Bengal but also across the country.” 

In response, the ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal dismissed the assertion as mere “poll rhetoric” and pledged to thwart the implementation of CAA in the state. 

The Citizenship Amendment Act enacted by the BJP-led government in 2019, seeks to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who entered India before 31 December 2014. Opposition parties allege that this legislation is specifically aimed at targeting Indian Muslims, potentially depriving them of their citizenship if implemented.

It is noteworthy to mention that the state government has no role in in granting/expediting citizenship process.

However, in the latest response to this controversy, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, currently on a tour to Spain, expressed his dissatisfaction on his official X handle quoting from The Hindu report, stating that, “A Union Minister of state from BJP has said that CAA will be implemented not only in West Bengal but all over India in seven days. ADMK is the very first reason that CAB became an Act that supported and voted in the parliament against Sri Lankan Tamils ​​and Muslims. Although we were an opposition party at that time, the Kazhagam held protests on a very large scale in collaboration with companion organizations got signatures from two crore people, and sent it to the President. As soon as we came to power in 2021, we passed a resolution in the assembly demanding the withdrawal of CAA. The DMK government will never allow the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act in Tamil Nadu. The people of the country are watching the BJP government’s subversive activities against religious harmony and the insidious dramas of the ADMK supporting it. I am sure. We will not let CAA set foot in Tamil Nadu! #NoCAAInTamilNadu”

 

Immediately, there were varied reactions from netizens, with some expressing support for and others opposing the CAA. One internet user commented, “Long live Dravidam. Let grow social justice”

 

 

A different online user attempted to elucidate the legislation and mentioned, “With due respect, CAA is for persecuted non-Muslim migrants including Hindus, Christians, Jains, Sikhs, Bhudist and Parsis living in neighbouring Muslim nations. Could you elucidate what is the cause of concern with CAA for DMK. #isupportCAA”

A different user mockingly captioned a picture of the 2021 DMK election manifesto that stated, “The Central Government will be urged to add citizenship to the stateless Sri Lankan Tamils in camps in India by joining the fourth nation Sri Lanka with the three countries mentioned in the Indian Citizenship Amendment Act 2019.”

Edappadi K. Palaniswami too opposed the implementation of CAA while slamming the DMK for hoodwinking minorities by voting in favour NIA and UAPA laws.

“All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam will never allow minority people to be affected by CAA. We have already told the Assembly during our rule that our government will not stand idly by if the CAA Act creates problems for the Muslims and Eelam Tamils in Tamil Nadu.”, Edappadi K. Palaniswami said in an X post.

He further said “The DMK has been betraying the minorities by making a political capital of and doing drama over communal politics, while cooperate with the BJP when they are in power and opposing them when they are not in power. Having supported the NIA and UAPA laws which affects the minorities severely, people are watching the drama of the DMK, which only shows opposition to the BJP in statements and stage speeches.”

Citizenship Amendment Act:

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) facilitates citizenship for non-Muslim communities, including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians, from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, who entered India on or before 31 December 2014.

The law is a fallout of the bloody partition of India which put non-Muslim minorities in Muslim-majority neighbouring countries of India at the mercy of the Islamic state. State-sponsored and aided persecution led non-Muslim minorities in these countries to flee and come to India. Hence the law aims to heal the wounds of partition by expediting the citizenship process for those who are staying as refugees in India for decades.

Originating as the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in 2016, the bill aimed to amend the Citizenship Act 1955.  The intent of the act is to grant citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Home Minister Amit Shah during the Times Now Summit stated, “the Citizenship (Amendment) Act does not contain any provision that strips anyone of their citizenship, nor is it anti-Muslim or anti-minority. Mr. Shah referenced Gandhi’s stance, noting that the Father of the Nation himself advocated for the respectful treatment, dignity, and granting of citizenship in India to non-Muslims facing persecution in Pakistan”.

During a rally in Delhi, the Prime Minister of India emphasized that the opposition is spreading misinformation and falsehoods about the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). He clarified that both the CAA and NRC have no impact on Indian Muslims.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Discussion Forum On Temple Control By SMaRT & PoliTalks Channel, Justice GR Swaminathan To Be Chief Guest

By
The Commune
-

Whether Hindu temples must remain in government control is a hot topic these days. And having a public discussion on this would make things all the more interesting. The focus on government control of temples is quite interesting because the major opposition parties who claim that India is a ‘secular’ state have always been supporting the state control of temples, and temples alone. In the pre-British era, kings of the land constructed the temples and dedicated them to the people for worship and maintaining them. The local communities maintained the temples. They flourished as the centres of dance and art, and at the heart of a massive decentralised trade network as well.

PoliTalk’s, a popular YouTube channel that debunks Dravidian ideology, is organising a discussion forum on this exact theme in association with SMaRT4Bharat, a Media MassCom platform.

To get more clarity on this topic and to intensify public opinion, an event titled ‘Freeing temples: A Necessity Or A Political Tool?’ is being held on 4 February 2024 at Abu Sarovar Portico, Poonamallee High Road, Kilpauk, Chennai from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Renowned personalities such as temple activist TR Ramesh, political commentator Sattai Duraimurugan, Congress member Americai Narayanan, temple activist Rangarajan Narasimhan, and political commentator Sumanth C Raman are speaking at this event. The special guest for the event is Hon’ble Judge GR Swaminathan, Madras High Court along with actor turned political commentator Kasthuri Shankar. Entry is free for all and no registration is needed.

The programme itinerary is as follows:

The programme starts at 10AM in the morning of 4 February 2024 with an inauguration followed by a Bharatnatyam performance. This will be followed by an inaugural speech by Justice GR Swaminathan.

This address will be followed by an Oyilattam performance and subsequently a special address by Kasthuri Shankar.

Following this, there will be a lunch break and post lunch, the discussion will begin. The exchange of views will be done by the speakers (in no specific order) Americai Narayanan, Sumanth Raman, TR Ramesh, Rangarajan Narasimhan, Saattai Duraimurugan. The event is expected to be over by 4PM that day.

Why Is This Topic Important?

Let us look at government control of temples from a Tamil Nadu perspective. The British were keen on taking up the administration of the temples to weaken them and plunder the wealth. The British introduced regulations like The Madras Regulation VII of 1817 to control temple wealth, later formalized under The Religious Endowments Act 1863. Later, The Madras Religious and Charitable Endowments Act 1925, and subsequent legislation, expanded government control over Hindu temples. Finally, post-independence, Tamil Nadu’s Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act 1951 consolidated government control over temple management. Temples, especially in the south, possessed massive property and wealth. The subsequent state governments after independence inherited these laws from the British state governments, continued to interfere in the administration and management of Hindu temples, using their laws and boards. This led to widespread mismanagement, corruption, and loss of temple property and heritage.

Today, at least 18 states in the country regulate the temple administration through various acts and laws. These are: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Puducherry, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal.

Due to the state control, temple funds, including hundi collections, face significant deductions for administrative fees and government schemes, diverting resources from traditional purposes. These often lead to the neglected and dilapidated condition of ancient temples, where the hundi collections are negligible. This is especially true in the case of Tamil Nadu, where many temples face mismanagement, with numerous temples generating minimal revenue and struggling to maintain rituals. Over 1,200 deities have been reported missing or stolen from temples, raising concerns about the preservation of religious artefacts.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

How ‘The Hindu’ Supported Fake News & Misinfo Spreader Account Hindutva Watch After X Took Down The Account

By
The Commune
-

On 27 January 2024, an article appeared in The Hindu newspaper titled, ‘Blocking of Hindutva Watch and prevalence of social media censorship in India‘ penned by the senior sub-editor of the newspaper, Aaratrika Bhaumik. The article discusses how X, a social media platform, has complied with the Indian government’s orders to block accounts and tweets that are critical of its policies or actions. The article also explains the provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Rules that empower the government to issue blocking orders, and the lack of transparency and due process in the censorship regime. It highlights the cases of Hindutva Watch, Saurav Das, Tanul Thakur and others who have faced censorship on X and the implications for their work and expression. In retaliation to the claims made in the article, an X user, going by the username @thehawkeyex posted a rebuttal thread pointing out how the Hindutva Watch (HW) handle had spread fake news and misinformation freely.

On 22 May 2023, the HW handle posted on X said an old mosque was demolished by the Gujarat administration at Dahod, Junagadh for a smart city project. However, the post fails to mention that four old temples were also demolished along with the mosque to make way for the project. Additionally, the masjid also failed to produce necessary land documents in the court for proof of ownership.

On 20 Feb 2024, the HW handle posted an ‘untold story of Jammu massacre’ which claimed 6,00,000 Muslims were murdered in 7 days. However, the photo used for the story was that of the aftermath of devastating riots in Kolkata that happened in 1946.

In October 2023, the HW website reported a story stating, ‘Jeevan Jyoti church demolished citing “illegal construction on government land”’. However, the truth was far from it. The demolition was a planned removal drive with prior notice given to the church administration. Despite this, the government team was attacked by goons.

In September 2023, the HW website again posted misleading news stating that in Uttarakhand a Muslim youth was beaten, head shaved, and face blacked for an alleged interfaith relationship. The truth in this case was the man was accused of rape and hence the punishment was given to him by the community.

In December 2022, the X handle of HW again posted fake news stating that Muslim residents in the Gulmohar colony in Ujjain, UP were asked to vacate to give way for the Kumbh Mela festival to be held in 2028. However, the truth in this case was that the government has been requesting the people to vacate for a long time for multiple road expansion projects which included three Hindu colonies as well.

D-Intent data, a news data research organisation focuses on neutral fact checking and intent analysis, has flagged fifteen ‘news articles’ posted by HW as fake/misleading news articles.

In June 2023, the HW website was booked by the Maharashtra police for, ‘spreading fake news, defaming Hindus, and inciting mob’ during Kolhapur violence.

The user also alleges that the HW founder is a Kashmiri separatist named, Raquib Hamid Naik residing in the USA and colludes with Pakistanis. The technical backend of the site is managed by Adil Kayani who ran a “free Kashmir” campaign and also runs a propaganda website for setting anti-India narratives and secessionist ideologies.

The user further alleges that the co-founder Naik was working as director for the Two Circles Network (TCN) which was founded by Kashif Ul Huda, a terrorist organisation SIMI and Zakir Naik sympathizer.

Furthermore, there was a similar-named HW account on Reddit, which was banned due to hate content policy violation.

 

(With inputs from The Hawk Eye)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

“Spiritually Poisonous, Unbreathable Concentrate Of Hindu Malice”: Congress Leader Mani Shankar Aiyar’s Daughter Rant On Ram Mandir Stokes Controversy, RWA Allegedly Tells Her To Apologize Or Leave

By
The Commune
-

Congress leader and former diplomat Mani Shankar Aiyar and his daughter, Suranya Aiyar, have been served with a notice on 27 January 2024 to vacate their residence in Delhi’s Jangpura following a social media post criticizing the consecration ceremony of the Ayodhya Ram Temple on 22 January 2024.

In the short Facebook video, she said “With the forthcoming event in Ayodhya on January the 22nd, the atmosphere here in Delhi, already famous for being polluted in a material sense, has thickened to a spiritually poisonous and unbreathable concentrate of Hindu chauvinism, malice, and bullying. I am deeply anguished by all this as an Indian and as a Hindu, and after thinking hard about what I can do, I decided to go on a fast starting tomorrow Saturday the 20th and ending on Tuesday the 20th day after the January 22nd production at Ayodhya. I’m doing this first and foremost as an expression of love and sorrow to my Muslim fellow citizens of India. I cannot let this moment pass without saying as loud as I can, to my Muslim brothers and sisters that I love you and that I condemn and repudiate what is being done in the name of Hinduism and nationalism in Ayodhya. I am also doing this as an expression of my love for my Mughal heritage. This is not only about feeling protective towards someone else”.

The notice, issued by the Jangpura Extension Welfare Association’s Residents Welfare Associaton (RWA) in New Delhi, advises them against engaging in expressions that may disrupt peace or offend the religious sentiments of other residents.

“As an RWA it is our responsibility to see that there is cordial relation between all the residents and we do not appreciate a resident rant which may disrupt the peace in the colony or hurt the religious sentiments of the residents,” the statement read.

 Suranya Aiyar on 20 January 2024 announced the fast to protest against the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony of the Ram Mandir via her Facebook. The RWA expressed disappointment at her actions, stating that an educated person should understand the significance of the Ram Mandir construction, especially following a unanimous Supreme Court verdict after 500 years.

“What Ms Aiyar, said through social media was certainly unbecoming of an educated person, who should have understand that Ram mandir was being built after 500 years and that too after 5-0 supreme court verdict.” the statement further added 

 The RWA urged Mr. Aiyar to condemn his daughter’s comments on the event. They cautioned against provoking people and instigating hatred or mistrust among citizens, emphasizing the impact of one’s actions on the reputation of the community. 

The notice highlighted the limitations of freedom of speech, as per the Supreme Court of India, and urged the Aiyars to refrain from making controversial posts or comments.

“You might take the cover of freedom of speech but please remember, as per the Supreme Court of India, Freedom of Speech cannot be absolute”, it further stated

It finally suggests that if the Aiyars believe their actions in protesting the Ram Mandir consecration are justified, they should consider relocating to a different community more tolerant of such expressions.

“In case you still think what you have done in protesting against the consecration of Ram mandir at Ayodhya, we would suggest you to kindly move out to another colony, we people and RWA’s can turn blind eye to such hatred”, the letter said.

As a follow-up to this RWA’s reaction, Suranya posted on her Facebook page that the letter was from a Residents Welfare Association of a place she did not live in.

However, Republic TV reported that “The Jangpura RWA president while speaking to Republic TV exclusively, said, ‘The kind of statements that she, as a resident of the society has made, have come to us through others and it has disturbed the peace in the society. Such sort of claims are totally uncalled for. We don’t have any problem with her opinions on Mughals and her sympathy with Muslims but the kind of atmosphere which her provocative statements have created, it can truly disturb the peace and harmony in the society and we, collectively demand an apology from her.”

The Ram Temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya was a monumental event celebrated by millions of Hindus globally. The temple’s construction, funded entirely by donations from within the country, is ongoing, with the second and final phase expected to be completed by December 2025.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

1...1,0791,0801,081...1,971Page 1,080 of 1,971
TheCommune
The Commune is a news and views portal focusing on social and political issues of the southern part of India with a focus on Tamil Nadu.
Contact us: thecommune.news@gmail.com
Facebook Instagram X Youtube

NATIONAL NEWS

Communist Org AISA President Neha Bora Labels Army’s Rank Structure “Segregation” While Ignoring Command Responsibilities: Here’s What She Won’t Tell You

Communist Org AISA President Neha Bora Labels Army’s Rank Structure “Segregation”...

The Commune - 0
Neha Bora, president of the communist organisation, All India Students’ Association (AISA), also the face of the Cockroach protests in Jantar Mantar - who...
© The Commune 2025. All Rights Reserved.