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TN BJP Slams CM MK Stalin For Muted Response To Journalist Attack, Brands Him ‘#DummyCM’

By
The Commune
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Nesa Prabhu, a television journalist hailing from Tiruppur district in the state, has been uncovering violations and irregularities related to the sale of liquor, as per claims made by local journalists.

According to reports, the journalist made multiple frantic calls to the police control room, describing being followed by a group of motorcycle riders without license plates and requesting assistance. However, he was instructed to go to the nearest police station and file a formal complaint. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin strongly condemned the assault and pledged to take strict action against those responsible. He also directed that a police inspector be placed on a waiting list due to alleged inaction despite the journalist’s repeated pleas before the attack.

Mr. Stalin announced a financial aid of ₹3 lakh for Mr. Prabhu’s medical treatment and expressed his distress, stating, “I am deeply saddened. Whoever is responsible for this attack will face severe consequences.”

In response to CM MK Stalin’s statement, the Tamil Nadu BJP official Twitter handle has issued a tweet.

It said, “MK Stalin has overlooked the fact that his political party holds the reins of power, and he himself is the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Despite being at the helm, he disapproves of the current administration as if it has no connection to him. Instances of law and order being compromised while innocent citizens bear the brunt are not unfamiliar when the DMK assumes control. Every time the DMK takes charge, Tamil Nadu experiences a state of chaos.”

It further added “Within a mere 2.5 years, the public has encountered challenges comparable to those faced over a span of 5 years between 2006 and 2011. Chief Minister Stalin is seemingly proud of this, leading to the observation that “Stalin is more perilous than Karunanidhi.” The Arivalayam appears poised to exert its authoritarian control, suppressing social activists, opposition figures, and ordinary citizens who critique the government. The administration seems paralyzed and intimidated by ruthless criminals who are actively undermining law and order. In this distressing moment, to drive home the Chief Minister’s predicament, the Tamil Nadu BJP has coined the term “#DummyCM” to symbolize the anguish caused by the current regime.”

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India-France Relations: A Comprehensive Exploration Of Bilateral Cooperation And Strategic Partnership

By
Satheesh
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French President Emmanuel Macron landed in Jaipur on 25 January 24 for a two-day state visit to India and will be the guest of honor at this year’s Republic Day celebrations. After landing, he spent considerable time in Jaipur, exploring iconic landmarks like the Amber Palace in Rajasthan. Additionally, he participated in a joint road show with Prime Minister Narendra Modi starting from Jantar Mantar and ending at Hawa Mahal.

 

Macron’s visit holds significance as it marks the culmination of the 25th-anniversary celebrations of the India-France Strategic Partnership forged in 1998. Notably, Macron’s official visit to India marks the sixth occasion of France being the distinguished chief guest at India’s Republic Day celebrations, reflecting the highest level of participation by any nation. This visit follows PM Modi’s trip to Paris on France’s Bastille Day on 14 July 2023, showcasing a unique and reciprocal exchange in national day celebrations. This gesture underscores the profound mutual trust and steadfast friendship underlying Indo-French ties.

Macron’s visit serves to strengthen the ambitious renewal of the France-India strategic partnership, which was charted out by the two leaders in Paris on 14 July through the “Horizon 2047 Roadmap.” This roadmap outlines shared objectives for the next 25 years, highlighting a commitment to common goals and a deepening of the Indo-French relationship.

During the Republic Day parade, a contingent from the French armed forces will join Indian troops and aviators in a flypast.

Key Areas Of Cooperation

Defense Partnership: France has solidified its position as a vital defense partner for India, accounting for 30%, and emerged as the second-largest defense supplier between 2018 and 2022. Notable joint endeavors include the induction of French P-75 Scorpene submarines and the acquisition of 36 Rafale fighter jets by the Indian Air Force. Expanding on this cooperation, the Tata group, based in Vadodara, Gujarat, collaborates with Airbus in the production of C-295 tactical transport aircraft. Another key aspect of defense collaboration is the Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) manufacturing facility located in Mihan, Maharashtra. This facility represents a joint venture between India’s Reliance Group and the French aerospace company Dassault Aviation.

 

Military Collaboration: Regular joint military exercises between India and France, such as Shakti (Army), Varuna (Navy), and Garuda (Air Force), vividly showcase the depth of military cooperation between the two nations.

Economic Relations: France holds a prominent position as a crucial trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching USD 12.42 billion in the fiscal year 2021-22. Additionally, it stands as the 11th largest foreign investor in India, contributing a cumulative investment of USD 10.5 billion. France has emerged as a significant source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for India.

During the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi’s visit to France in May 2022, both nations solidified their economic ties through the signing of numerous Memoranda of Understanding and the issuance of Joint Statements. These documents underscored the deepening cooperation between the two countries and highlighted their commitment to initiatives such as the “Make In India” program. 

It is noteworthy that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France in 2019 for the G7 summit, where India was recognized as a ‘Goodwill Partner,’ further emphasizing the positive and collaborative nature of their diplomatic relations.

Civil Nuclear Collaboration:  France played a crucial role in mitigating India’s isolation within the non-proliferation framework after the nuclear tests conducted in 1998. It is noteworthy that France was the first country to voice support for India during that period.

 

Bilateral Cooperation: France actively endorses India’s endeavor to secure a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and its membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Moreover, France has consistently championed and played a crucial role in facilitating India’s inclusion and accession to all four major multilateral export control regimes such as the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, and the Australia Group.

 

Climate Initiatives: Both countries share concerns about climate change, evident through India’s endorsement of the Paris Agreement and their joint launch of the International Solar Alliance in 2015.

Maritime Relations: The Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region and joint efforts like the Indo-Pacific Trilateral Development Cooperation Fund underscore their collective commitment to maritime security.

Space Exploration Partnership: Continual collaborative endeavors in space exploration, such as the ISRO-CNES Joint Working Group, joint missions to Mars, collective initiatives targeting space debris, and the formulation of plans for a collaborative Earth observation mission, alongside joint Indo-French satellites like TRISHNA and Megha-Tropiques, underline the resilient character of their space alliance. An agreement for cooperation on the Gaganyaan Mission further emphasizes the strength of their space partnership. 

In conclusion, the enduring diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between India and France stand as evidence of their resilience. The ongoing collaboration in diverse sectors reflects an evolution fueled by shared values and a commitment to mutual progress and development. Additionally, the relationship between the two nations underscores a focus on strategic autonomy within the context of a multi-polar world.

Satheesh is a freelance writer.

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Ilaiyaraaja’s Daughter And Playback Singer Bhavatharini Passes Away Due To Cancer

By
The Commune
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The daughter of renowned music director Ilaiyaraaja and accomplished playback singer Bhavatharini passed away on January 25 after battling cancer. Reports indicate that she sought treatment for liver cancer in Sri Lanka, where she ultimately succumbed at approximately 5 pm. Her remains will be transported to Chennai on January 26 for the final rites. Bhavatharini, survived by her husband, was 47 years old.

Bhavatharini achieved recognition by winning the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer for the Tamil song ‘Mayil Pola Ponnu Onnu’ from the movie ‘Bharathi.’

Commencing her singing career with ‘Raasaiya,’ Bhavatharini went on to lend her vocals to compositions by her father, Ilaiyaraaja, and brothers, Karthik Raja and Yuvan Shankar Raja. Additionally, she contributed her singing talent to works by composers Deva and Sirpy.

In 2002, Bhavatharini made her mark as a composer with the Revathy-directed film ‘Mitr, My Friend.’ Subsequently, she composed for ‘Phir Milenge’ and several other films, with her last music album being for the Malayalam film ‘Maayanadhi.’

Her singing repertoire includes contributions to Tamil films such as ‘Kadhalukku Mariyadhai,’ ‘Bharathi,’ ‘Azhagi,’ ‘Friends,’ ‘Paa,’ ‘Mankatha,’ and ‘Anegan,’ among others.

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SC Prohibits Mandatory Religious Instructions In State Minority Institutions

By
The Commune
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Supreme Court and Minority Institutions
SC ruling prohibits compulsory religious education in state-funded institutions.

The Supreme Court has prohibited mandatory religious instruction in state-funded minority educational institutions, regardless of the extent of state contribution towards their budget. The judgement specifically discussed the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), a fully state-funded institution.

Ruling on minority educational institutions

The bench, including CJI D Y Chandrachud and Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Surya Kant, J B Pardiwala, Dipankar Datta, Manoj Misra, and Satish Sharma, clarified that once the government recognises a minority institution, the organisation cannot make religious teachings compulsory for its students. These remarks came in response to the 1951 AMU Act 1920 amendment, which eliminated mandatory religious teaching for Muslim students.

The bench said that the conditions of government grants apply to all educational institutions, regardless of their minority or non-minority status, as the Times of India reported.

The report said Justice Khanna emphasised that such institutions receiving any government grant, even as low as one per cent of their budget, can offer religious teaching only to students who volunteer for it.

“We accept the position that a minority institution, wholly funded by the state, cannot impart any religious teaching to its students. When it receives any grant, even if one per cent of its budget comes from the government, the minority institutions can provide religious teaching only to students volunteering for it.”

Additionally, the bench highlighted that the university’s historical non-minority character, as defined in the AMU Act, cannot be altered based on post-constitutional considerations. 

The TOI report added that Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also noted the significant government grants received by AMU from multiple communities, emphasising its national importance and high ranking among universities. 

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PMK MLA Arul Prostrates In Front Of Students After DMK Members Allegedly Get Into A Brawl For Not Giving Them Centrestage

By
The Commune
-

A government-organised bicycle distribution program for school students in Salem’s Bagalpatti descended into disarray yesterday after the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party members engaged in a verbal dispute with the school authorities allegedly over not giving the centrestage to the ruling party for arranging the giveaways.

The brawl ended with MLA Arul, belonging to the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), offering an apology to the students and falling on their feet for having to witness the brawl.

The video of this event and Arul’s public apology has since gone viral on social media.

MLA Arul stated that since the students had to leave to participate in a science exhibition in a nearby college, he said he would distribute the cycles and wind up the event soon. However, DMK members felt slighted because they were not given opportunity to speak.

“We are the ruling party. If not for us, there wouldn’t have been any cycles to distribute,” DMK members reportedly said. To this, MLA Arul is said to have requested them not to politicise the event especially in front of the students.

However, DMK Agriculture Team District Deputy organiser Raju continued to create an issue and allegedly prevented the event from progressing smoothly.

Frustrated by the turn of events, MLA Arul was heard again requesting them to not politicise the event and create a scene in front of impressionable students. Following this, Arul prostrated on the floor in front of the students.

Expressing deep regret for the brawl, the MLA took the mic and told the gathering of students “We have made you witness something uncivilised in a place where you are supposed to learn about good values and conduct. I sincerely apologise for this and I would like to fall at your feet and apologise.” Despite being prevented by the others in the vicinity, Arul prostrated on the floor in front of them and sought apology.

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Chaos And Confusion Leaves Commuters In Disarray At Koyambedu; Asked To Board Buses At Kilambakkam Bus Station

By
The Commune
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The Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) at Kilambakkam has faced various controversies since its inception, involving issues such as traffic congestion, alleged corruption, the demolition of a wall, the overnight demolition of a Vinayakar temple etc. Commuters and residents have raised concerns about the terminus’s inadequate facilities and the challenges in accessing it from the Vandalur Railway Station. Now omnibus associations are protesting the state transport department, citing insufficient capacity at KCBT requesting additional parking space, and pleading for more time.

Despite their pleas, the Transport Corporation issued a stern warning instructing compliance, failing which legal action could be initiated against those failing to adhere the government order.

Amid this, travellers who had made reservations for omnibuses during the extended four-day weekend encompassing Thaipusam and Republic Day holidays from 25 January to 28 January 2024, faced a setback. Passengers were prohibited from boarding omnibuses at the Koyambedu bus station, leading to heightened tensions as the Transport Corporation denied permission for the operation of omnibuses from that location.

In Koyambedu, it was communicated that omnibuses heading to southern districts should not carry passengers after 5 PM. This was opposed by the omnibus owners, leading to the deployment of over 100 policemen around the omnibus complex. Arguments ensued between omnibus owners, drivers, and the police, resulting in the placing barricades to control the situation.

Passengers who had booked tickets for 7 PM were advised to go to Kilambakkam bus station, with entry prohibited at the omnibus bus Station. This confused passengers, leading to a chaotic situation. Families arriving at the omnibus bus stand at night were left without proper instructions and were redirected to government buses after a prolonged wait. Some omnibuses were also redirected to Kilambakkam, sparking frustration among enraged passengers.

Consequently, omnibuses from southern districts coming to Chennai were directed to stop at Vandalur and proceed to Kilambakkam instead of the Koyambedu bus station. This rerouting resulted in omnibuses dropping off passengers at Kilambakkam.

Passengers expressed significant disappointment as omnibuses initially chosen for their convenience in reaching Koyambedu bus station, were no longer operating to that destination. The lack of government buses to Koyambedu compounded the inconvenience, and the recent directive rerouting omnibuses away from Koyambedu  left passengers uncertain about travel options from both Kilambakkam and Koyambedu. Additionally, the challenge of transporting numerous belongings and luggage on government buses worsened the situation, and the alternative options of auto-rickshaws or taxi cars were expensive due to additional fees, as conveyed by passengers.

The inconvenience caused to passengers by the Tamil Nadu government was widely discussed on social media platforms.

During an interview with Thanthi TV, a passenger from the southern district expressed frustration, stating, “I paid ₹750 for the bus ticket, but they are asking for ₹500 for an auto.”

“Do not make us suffer inconvenience because of your ego,” said a passenger who has been waiting for an extended period.

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Peeling The Onion Layer By Layer, Annamalai Takes DMK Propaganda ‘Journos’ Head On

By
The Commune
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The TN BJP Chief K Annamalai continued his firebrand attack on biased journalists. He has previously mentioned what he means by the Dravidian model of layers, comparing it to the layers of an onion.

According to him, ‘The first layer is the ‘academic/intellectual’ layer, which could comprise a few journalists, ‘American-educated’ philosophers and so on. They keep talking about Dravidian philosophy, Dravidian Model in all stages. There must be around 200–250 people like that. Once you peel this outer layer and go inside, then comes the ‘attack layer’. This is an interesting layer. If anyone wants to have a civilized debate, the immediate response of them is to spew abuses based on one’s caste and religion, thinking that the other side will refrain from questioning. The next layer consists of regional satraps. Right from 1967, every region like Trichy, Coimbatore and Vizhuppuram have been leased out. The first two layers duty is to protect these regional satraps. So far, they’ve been able to protect these regional satraps. But with the advent of social media and an alternative ecosystem, these two layers have been peeled away. The fourth layer consists of the DMK family. Protecting the family becomes the prime duty of the third layer, the regional satraps. Be it their business concerns, their dealings, their international level money laundering, all these come in this layer. And once you peel that too, there will be ‘Gopalapuram.’ he said in the Dravida Maya book release function.

Since then, Annamalai and alleged journalists have been on warring sides, with the journalists posing loaded questions and Annamalai’s retort to those questions being amplified by agenda-driven media houses. The latest conflict between the Annamalai and journalists came when he commented on journalist Karthigaichelvan’s interview with TN Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin. He commented the interview was ‘toothless’ in a more colloquial term in Tamil, which the journalists took offence. They demanded an apology from Annamalai for allegedly using ‘derogatory’ terms against journalists. Annamalai refused to apologise, and a group of journalists announced a demonstration/protest against him on 25 January 2024 in Chennai.

On the same day, Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Annamalai had posted a video on his X handle, elaborating the biases and hypocrisies of the so-called ‘journalists’.

In his post, Annamalai wrote, “The first layer of the DMK onion, as we popularly know it, is activated & I understand that they are assembling today to protest against me. Today’s protest is the 3rd such protest carried out by this group against me in the last year & I consider it a badge of honour. Here are a few samples where the 1st layer forgets that they are a journalist & behaves more like a DMK spokesperson. A few DMK underlings in the garb of journalists cannot decide & dictate the narratives in TN anymore. I stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Journalists who put their lives at risk to report the uncomfortable truth & at the same time, I despise those who act as propaganda machinery to please the ruling DMK Govt. They are a shame to their profession!”

The video lists clippings where senior journalist from The Hindu, N. Ram accusing the BJP government of a scam in the Rafale deals, made fun of Sengol being placed in the Parliament. The next in line was Sun News Editor Gunasekaran spreading fake news that former TN CM Karunanidhi never sued anyone for defamation – a video on the side also debunked the lies he spread – Karunanidhi sued Vaiko for defamation in 2006. The third clipping in the video was about Sathiyam TV journalist Aravindakshan praising Udhayanidhi and abusing  Ilaiyaraaja for praising Modi for carrying out the Pran Prathishta of Ayodhya Ram Mandir. The fourth one was about, senior journalist AS Pannerselvan praising Stalin and wished that he become the Prime Minister of India. The next in line was Thirugnanam, editor of Punnagai media praising Udhayanidhi as a seasoned politician and asking the public not to celebrate Jallikkattu; he also called it a gory sport. Following this was a clipping on journalist Kavitha Muralidharan who said it was not fair to accuse the DMK alone for dynastic politics, she is seen justifying it as well. The final one was about Nakkheeran Gopal praising CM Stalin for his “cycling skills”.

As the TN BJP Chief is unwavering from his stand against biased journalists, it remains to be seen whether the journalists will continue their aggression towards the BJP or turn to more neutral reporting.

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I.N.D.I. Ally DMK MP Kanimozhi Shares Stage With #MeToo Accused Vairamuthu Who Romanticized Paedophilia And Opposed Ram Mandir

By
The Commune
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Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) heavyweights, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and his sister, Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi, rallied behind Sriperumbudur MP and party treasurer T.R. Baalu at his book launch in Chennai on 23 January 2023 despite him facing fresh accusations of manipulating the 2G scam probe.

This book launch was also attended by writer Vairamuthu. Earlier this month, the CM unveiled ‘Maha Kavithai,’ a composition by #MeToo accused writer. He had shared the stage with P Chidambaram, former ISRO scientist Dr Mylswamy Annadurai, and actor Kamal Haasan (who allegedly kissed an underage actress nonconsensually).

Vairamuthu has been accused of sexual harassment by more than 15 women since 2018, with singer Chinmayi Sripada being the most vocal about it. The award-winning singer also shared that she was facing a work ban in the industry “for naming this poet as a molester in the MeToo movement.”

In 2021, Vairamuthu penned a song depicting a schoolgirl’s infatuation with a “grey-haired old poet”. This song, romanticizing paedophilia, featured a teenage actress.

In 2018, he cited a dubious source for calling Andal, the revered Hindu Alvar saint, a “dasi” (servant and a derogatory reference to sex workers) of Ranganathaswamy temple in Sri Rangam.

It is believed that Lord Ranganatha of Sri Ranganathaswamy temple married Andal, who later merged with the idol. Since Andal married Ranganatha, the presiding deity is called Rangamannar.

Vairamuthu has also opposed the need to build a temple for Sri Rama. In the video, speaking in an unknown and undated function, he presented a poem on the same old malicious Dravidianist trope:

 Avatar means to descend from above, one not tainted by pregnancy. He does not need tools like indriyam (sense organs) or pregnancy and lands directly from above. So, if (Lord Rama) is an Avatar, then he was never born, and why does he need a birthplace? Or, if he was born to Dasharatha and Kaushalya, he is a human. If he is a human, then why does he need a temple?

Not surprisingly, his tone was far from nasty when he had to speak about Kavikko S. Abdul Rahman, the ex-chairman of the Waqf board in Tamil Nadu. Singing peans for Rahman, he tells the audience, “forget that he is a Muslim… All that he asks is to awaken the humanism inside the humans.”

Baalu’s book launch was also attended by N. Ram, who heads all the publications of The Hindu Group and is a vocal supporter of the DMK. Multiple personalities have called out his agenda-driven partisan reporting in the garb of ‘journalism’.

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“Whose Dad’s Money?, I Work Hard And Pay”: People Slam DMK Govt For Kilambakkam Disaster, Say “Don’t Inconvenience Us To Satisfy Your Ego”

By
The Commune
-

Amidst the ongoing holiday season, over 50,000 people who had pre-booked buses reached Koyambedu, where police barricades restricted the movement of buses in and out of the area. Passengers with confirmed reservations were unexpectedly denied entry and were asked to head to Kilambakkam at the last minute. This led to confusion and distress among people. Passengers voiced their frustration as they endured extended waits for buses. 

Passengers stranded at the bus station were frustrated by the lack of organisation by the state government in Tamil Nadu. Several of them were unable to reach the Kilambakkam bus station after arriving at Koyambedu to board their buses to reach their respective destinations. Speaking to News Tamil24x7, the passengers narrated their ordeal. 

One male passenger said, “This was the same situation during Pongal too. At that time, they called us 3 hours before the scheduled departure and said the bus would not be at Koyambedu and we had to be at Kilambakkam. So this time, we called them up earlier at 1.30 PM or so, and confirmed where the boarding point would be. They asked us to board at Koyambedu. It is one hour since we arrived here, and there is an announcement now. We don’t know where we have to go next. You know how this feels like, for the sake of satisfying the government’s ego, we are being troubled. They have built the bus station there so we have to go there and board. I live in Mogappair, from here if I have to reach Kilambakkam, it will take me nearly 1.5 hours. For me, Koyambedu is closer, it takes only 10 minutes. To satisfy your ego, why should we go there instead of using the facilities nearby? There is such a big omnibus bus stand here, what is the justification that we must go there only? Don’t trouble us for your ego. That is my request. For Pongal also same thing happened, they gave the excuse of traffic jams. I went from here to Kilambakkam by bike. I took the bypass and got stuck in the traffic at Tambaram, it is the same thing now. The traffic at Perungulathur has now shifted to Vandalur, that is the only difference. They have spent so much money to build it but I do not see how it will be justly used. Please do not bring your ego into this, we are suffering a lot. If the buses start an hour late, I will reach my destination at midnight, our entire plan will be spoiled because I have to travel further and go to the village and over there the buses don’t come often, we have to wait there as well. Everything will be delayed. The announcements are changing by the minute, first, they said 7 PM now they are saying all the buses, now I do not know if we have to stay here or go to Kilambakkam.”

Another passenger named Sujith said, “I am an advocate at the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court. I came here for an interview with the judges. I came here with my wife. The bus was supposed to be here at 2.15 PM, but till now there is no sight of the bus. I am supposed to take Parveen Travels, but it is still not here. The government could have at least given us a notification when we bought the ticket at least they should have told us, but they didn’t. I booked my tickets at Madurai. First, they said the bus would leave at 7 PM but now they are not saying anything. They are not even issuing a refund.”

Another passenger who was on his way to Trichy said, “They said the bus will leave at 3 PM, but the bus has not reached here yet. When I called them they said they were not letting the bus inside. The government has to allocate timing for this and do it. If they have to do it immediately, how will they? I can take a cab and go that is not an issue for me.”

Another passenger said, “They said the bus would leave at 1 PM, then they said it was at 1.45 PM. I received a call and when I reached at 1.40 PM, they said the bus had left already and asked me to go to Koyambedu. They asked me to board the 3 PM bus there. I have been waiting since 3 PM, there is no sign of any bus. When we went in and asked about it, they kept flip-flopping their answers.”

A report by Polimer News records people sharing what happened.

One passenger named Michael says, “They never intimated us. Till the evening they said the bus would leave from here (Koyambedu) only. But they have stopped it now, how can we go now?”

Another visibly upset lady passenger who had planned to go to Madurai said, “We booked the tickets 2 days back. They are not letting us inside now. I don’t know what to do. We have a function to attend tomorrow. They are not allowing us inside, we are being asked to go to Kilambakkam. When do we go, our bus is at 7.15 PM! We came here at 6.45 PM thinking we had to board here, but the police is denying entry. When we call them, they are asking us to come inside breaking the barricade but there are police standing there. How do we go inside, how do I attend the function tomorrow? The government will come up with rules suddenly and we have to suffer for that? We were not informed of the change nor was it on the news. I came here directly after work. Only after reaching the bus stand (Koyambedu) did I come to know of the change. I have to go somehow, whose money is this? I work, I earn and I am buying my tickets with that, who is giving the money, is the government arranging free buses?”

Yet another lady passenger said, “We are shunting from here to there, we need to go to Madurai, how do we go now? All of a sudden, we are asked to go to Kilambakkam, how do we go? They are not allowing us inside and asking us to go there to Kilambakkam. If we call the bus company (travels), they are saying the bus is here and asked us to come inside. It is 7 now, how will we reach on time to board the 8.15 PM bus? We left home at 4 PM, and from 5.30 PM we are running here and there. The police are not letting us inside also. What can we ladies do?”

A male passenger said, “People like us who are fairly well-to-do can manage the trip to Kilambakkam. How will the others without money go? What is Stalin doing?” 

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News 7 Tamil Journo Assaulted By ‘Mysterious Men’ After Doing Story On TASMAC, Had Pleaded For Protection From Police Just Hours Before Attack

By
The Commune
-

In the Palladam area of Tirupur district, a distressing incident unfolded as a journalist faced a brutal assault for fulfilling the crucial role of news reporting. Despite being considered the fourth pillar of democracy, such incidents cast doubt on the safety of journalists in Tamil Nadu.

Nesaprabhu, a resident of Kamanayakkanpalayam Palladam and a journalist at News7 Tamil channel, became the victim of a ruthless attack on 24 January 2024. The assailants, armed with sickles and knives, inflicted severe injuries on the journalist.

It was reported that the attack on Nesaprabhu was likely a repercussion of his recent coverage exposing the illegal sale of liquor in Tirupur.

A News7 reporter’s associate revealed that he had recently covered a story on the illicit sale of liquor in a #TASMAC bar a few months ago. Another news report highlighted an incident involving an IS inspector threatening a trader and extorting bribes. The journalist faced an attack by a group of six men in Palladam around 8:45 PM.

Before the assault, Nesaprabhu became aware that he was being trailed by unidentified individuals in a car. Worried about his safety, he contacted the police control room, which, in turn, informed the local Kamanaickenpalayam police. However, the police directed Nesaprabhu to personally visit the station and file a written complaint.

Feeling threatened, Nesaprabhu sought refuge at a nearby petrol station and alerted the police. Unfortunately, he found himself surrounded by assailants in the manager’s room, where the brutal attack occurred. During a call with the police, Nesaprabhu reported being surrounded by five cars.

Despite making multiple distress calls to the police, the phone call recording that was released captures Nesaprabhu’s desperate plea for police protection just moments before the assault. He sustained severe injuries during the attack.

News7, while condemning the assault on its journalist, also criticized the police for alleged negligence. The Chennai Press Club, Journalists Union, and various organizations condemned the attack and are demanding a comprehensive investigation.

Below is the transcription of the recording which captures the harrowing incident.

Nesaprabhu: They may come one or two times but they are coming repeatedly. How many times should I take care, I can’t sleep peacefully, if someone is with me I’ll beat and grab them or at-least I’ll push the vehicle on the road. Till now, they were standing on the road and watching me.

Police: I’ve crossed Anuparpalayam, I’m asking you, shall I come?

Nesaprabhu: Sir they’ve gone, they would have crossed Palladam, by now they would have gone to Palladam. I’m standing at Sripathi, they crossed Palladam. Now we should tell the Palladam police, then… if we want to arrest them, they have been caught on camera sir. They are in both Sripathi camera and in petrol bunk camera too… they now went to Palladam must cross the scad.

Police: Yes. You stay at Sripathi, I’ll bring this to the Inspector’s knowledge

Nesaprabhu: Please tell him, anything can happen sir

Police: Nothing like that, do you have the inspector’s number?

Nesaprabhu: Yes sir, Yes sir, I have it

Police: Do you have the inspector’s number?

Nesaprabhu: Yes sir, I have it.

Police: Shall I say it?

Nesaprabhu: I have it sir… I’ll call him

Police: You speak with him

Nesaprabhu: (interrupting with fearful voice) They have come sir… they have come sir

Police: What are you saying? Really?

Nesaprabhu: I’m coming … coming to the station. There have come in 5 cars. Sir, please come … oh god…. (shouting) they have come sir…

Police: What are you saying prabhu

Nesaprabhu: (Shouting in agony and fear) it is over sir… my life is over sir, 5 cars sir, Innova, Ertiga.

Police: Please wait a minute…

Following the assault, the assailants swiftly vanished. Prabhu, severely injured, is receiving medical attention at a private hospital in Coimbatore. Nesaprabhu was assaulted merely 500 meters away from a police station in Tirupur. Despite the proximity to law enforcement, the attackers, exhibiting no haste, inflicted 62 cut injuries on his body.

(with inputs from Puthiyathalaimurai)

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