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Telangana: The Count Down Begins! But Wait, Bonhomie Between BJP And BRS?

By
Shivani
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The count down begins! With less than two weeks to the November 30 Telangana state elections, a frenzy of political activity is clearly visible. The state’s 119 seats are up for grabs. With the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) deciding to take a sabbatical and bowing out of this year’s Telangana elections, it boils down to the mass appeal of the electoral promises of the BRS, Congress and the BJP and the effectiveness of their campaign strategies.

The BRS (Bharath Rashtra Samithi) party is ahead of the others, both in campaign news as well as pre-poll predictions. The race between the state’s big three (BRS, BJP, Congress) is marked by a lackluster, room-for-improvement campaign of the BJP, a desperate but disjointed attempt for publicity by the Congress and an above-average, currently best-of-the-three show, put on by a hopeful BRS, gunning for a third consecutive win.

So far, with less than two weeks to the November 30 D-Day for a single phase election, the BRS is leading on both fronts – attractive poll promises as well as a motivated, high energy campaign by the most recognized faces of its party – Chief Minister K Chandrasekar Rao, his son K Rama Rao, daughter K Kavitha and brother-in-law Harish Rao.

In their election rallies, the BRS leaders have not missed a chance to mention every little thing capable of influencing the electorate. In particular, they have publicized the in-fighting within the Congress and the lack of clarity on a chief ministerial candidate, with satirical references to all self-declared “senior” Congress leaders, vying for the chief minister’s seat. They have pointed out that the Congress party’s “culture of corruption” had slowed down the state’s progress in the past and that the party’s exaggerated, unrealistic, over-hyped poll promises should not be relied on, as the Congress has not been able to fulfill similar, unfeasible poll promises in neighboring Karnataka state.

The BJP appears to have realistic expections from Telangana. It hopes to retain its recently gained ground in the upcoming elections, while accepting that it needs to grow its vote share much more significantly, before hoping to win an election on its own. In light of this realization by the BJP’s central leadership, its strategy in Telangana is perhaps focused on selecting the most likely partner in the state, in an effort to eliminate its chief political foe both at the central and the state levels – the Congress!

The BJP’s state campaign has lost some steam after its popular leader, Bandi Sanjay Kumar’s transfer to a national position. In any case, there appears to be an undeclared, unofficial understanding between the BJP and the BRS to stay united and keep the Congress out. The BJP hopes to carry a predictable number of seats it hopes to win in the state and thereafter hopes to play king-maker to the party that comes close to the halfway mark of Telangana’s 119 seats. Needless to say, the BJP would prefer to extend its support to the BRS party rather than the Congress.

The highlights of the BJP’s rallies are topped by appearances of both Prime Minister Modi and Mr. Amit Shah, at well attended meetings in Hyderabad. Their speeches have centered around offering the chief minister’s seat to a member of the Backward Classes as well as promises to focus on the state’s economic development. Incidentally, the BJP’s ex-state president for Telangana and its most popular leader, Bandi Sanjay, belongs to a BC community.

It is interesting to note that both the BRS and the BJP have, over the last two-three months, stayed away from trading barbs against each other, preferring instead, to use all their combined ammunition against the Congress! A united bid, to tackling a common enemy, seems to be an agreed-upon election strategy between the senior leaders of the BJP and the BRS.

Analysts claim this politically-odd behaviour, stemming from leaders of both parties, training their guns together on the Congress, lend credence to the earlier speculation that the BJP and the BRS, do indeed have a covert understanding for this year’s state polls as well as next year’s national elections.

Their unity may help split the traditional vote banks of the Congress (scheduled classes, backward classes and minorities), likely resulting in a higher vote share for a combined BRS-BJP. The BRS hopes to carry a majority of the state’s muslim vote on the weight of its current partnership with the AIMIM party (All India Majlis-e-Itehaddul Muslimeen) led by Hyderabad-based Asaduddin Owaisi.

The strategy hopes to help keep the BRS in power at the state level and the BJP in power at the central level. The tacit, unofficial understanding between the two parties, would have a mutual benefit and a higher chance of winning, for both.

Shivani is a freelance writer based out of Vijayawada. 

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I.N.D.I. Ally VCK Leader Hugs And Greets Al Ummah Terrorist SA Basha Convicted For 1998 Coimbatore Bomb Blast

By
The Commune
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Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader Vanni Arasu, who is a close confidante of the party’s head and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan, met SA Basha, the Al Ummah terrorist convicted for the 1999 Coimbatore Bomb Blast. The VCK leader met the terror convict at his residence in Coimbatore, a video of which has been circulated in social media.

In October 2023, the Madras High Court has granted three months of interim bail to S A Basha, the founder of Al-Umma, a banned terrorist organisation, and a life convict in the 1998 Coimbatore serial blasts case. The decision was made in response to a petition filed on behalf of Basha by his daughter, citing his age of 85 years and deteriorating health. This came, weeks after the Supreme Court denied bail to the life convicts in the same case.

Prior to this, Jawahirullah, an MLA who heads another Muslim fundamentalist party Manithaneya Makkal Katchi (MMK) visited SA Basha. MMK was recently in news for slandering Bharat Mata and Hindu Gods Ram, Lakshman and Sita by obscenely caricaturing them.

The Coimbatore serial bomb blasts of 1998 (DMK was in power in then) were a grievous incident in which 58 people were killed and over 200 individuals sustained serious injuries. This devastating series of 12 bomb attacks unfolded across 11 different locations within a 12-kilometer radius. Many of the survivors continue to grapple with the long-lasting effects of the shrapnel and other injuries caused by the devastating explosions.

The chief orchestrator behind these tragic events was identified as S. A. Basha, the founder of Al Ummah, an Islamic fundamentalist group. Investigations revealed that these bombings were part of a larger conspiracy with the sinister aim of targeting L.K. Advani, the leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party, during his election meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. on that ill-fated day. Fortunately, Advani’s flight was delayed, and he narrowly escaped the horrors of that day.

It is noteworthy to mention that one of the suspects, Mohammed Dhalka, who was detained in connection to the 2022 Coimbatore car blast terror incident is the nephew of SA Basha. Nawab Khan, Basha’s brother, was also sentenced to one-life term and 27 years of rigorous imprisonment in the 1998 bomb blast case.

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BJP TN’s “Anniyan” Returns With Theemai Kadhaigal Episode 3: Highlights The Alleged Exploitation Of Youngsters Under DMK Rule

By
The Commune
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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has unleashed the third installment of its video series, “Theemai Kadhaigal,”. The video resurrects the iconic vigilante character, ‘Anniyan’, from the popular Tamil movie of the same name, wielding it as a powerful metaphor to underscore the exploitation of youth under DMK regime.

The video commences with a warning directed at parents who cast their votes in favor of the DMK, urging them to pay close attention to the forthcoming political salvo. Anniyan, the resurrected character, begins by quoting a Sangam text titled ‘Purananooru,’ emphasizing the age-old wisdom that it is a mother’s duty to give birth, a father’s responsibility to mold a righteous individual, and, crucially, the ruler’s duty to pave the way for a virtuous path. Anniyan interrogates the current rulers, contrasting their governance with the principles set forth by ancestors who governed based on these time-honored values.

The narrative takes a somber turn as Anniyan highlights the grim reality of drug abuse among school students in Tamil Nadu. Citing a survey conducted by the Institute of Social Education, Anniyan reveals that a staggering 9% of school students in the state are addicted to intoxicants, attributing the alarming statistics to the easy availability of drugs in petty shops and roadside stalls. He doesn’t shy away from implicating the state-run liquor outlets, TASMAC, stating that the department, supposed to regulate alcohol sales, is paradoxically aiming to boost its revenue year on year.

Anniyan squarely places blame on the DMK government, accusing them of neglecting their duty to guide the youth onto the right path. He criticizes the indifferent response of the DMK Minister-without-portfolio Senthil Balaji, who disavowed responsibility for students’ addictions by saying, “How can I take responsibility for student’s addictions? I am neither CM nor home minister“. Anniyan further sheds light on heartbreaking incidents of children like Vishnu Priya, who got traumatized of her father’s alcohol abuse, culminating in tragic end.

The video continues its scathing critique, questioning the government’s commitment to education as it delves into issues such as collapsing school roofs and the poor state of the education department. Anniyan brings attention to the recent teacher protests, addressing their demands for basic rights.

In a poignant segment, Anniyan exposes what he claims to be the DMK’s misleading propaganda against NEET, juxtaposing it with success stories of Tamil Nadu students who cracked the exam. He accuses the DMK of shattering students’ confidence for political gains and sheds light on a purported dirty political trick played by DMK MLA Prabakar Raja in a government school against NEET.

The video concludes with a powerful rhetorical question, challenging the sincerity of the DMK government led by Chief Minister Stalin. Anniyan questions whether the government, which boasts about erecting a Thiruvalluvar statue, truly governs in accordance with Thiruvalluvar’s principles.

In episode 2 of Theemai Kadhaigal, the Anniyan of Tamil Nadu BJP focused on the plight of law and order in Tamil Nadu while in the first episode instances of medical negligence and the dismal state of government hospitals were highlighted.

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Controversy Erupts Over Fee Collection Practices At Tiruchendur Murugan Temple; Hindu Munnani Condemns Use Of Force And Arrests

By
The Commune
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In Tiruchendur, Tamil Nadu, clashes erupted between Murugan devotees and law enforcement officers as protests intensified against the imposition of hefty fees by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. The situation escalated when police used force to disperse the crowds, allegedly leading to several injuries among the devotees.

Kadeshwara Subramaniam, the State President of Hindu Munnani, released a scathing condemnation statement, accusing the DMK government of turning the sacred Tiruchendur Senthilandavar Temple into a hub for unfair monetary gains. He criticized the government’s move to collect ₹1,200 from devotees during the Sashti festival, sparking widespread outrage among Hindus across the state.

“In the Dravidian regime, temples have been made like exhibition and it is condemnable to shamelessly engage in daylight robbery of collecting money for anything and everything. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department treats the poor and needy as untouchables,” Subramaniam stated in his release, denouncing the department’s alleged discrimination against devotees. He further asserted that the imposed fees amounted to monetizing devotion and called for an immediate end to what he referred to as the DMK government’s “collection hunt.”

Hindu Munnani state in-charges, including V.P. Manjunath, organized a protest in Tiruchendur, demanding the cessation of the government’s alleged exploitation. The demonstration saw the participation of Hindu devotees, such as Jayakumar, Kuttralanathan, and Sakthivel, who engaged in protests.

The police response to the peaceful protest, were allegedly marked by the use of force and threats against devotees, and have drawn strong criticism from Hindu Munnani State President. Subramaniam condemned the authorities’ actions, deeming them undemocratic and indicative of an anti-people fascist regime in Tamil Nadu.

“Hundreds gathered and held a crusade. The police resorted to severe violence and threatened and beat up the devotees who fought for the cause. Some of them are seriously injured and receiving medical treatment. This is anti-democratic. A democracy should be a government that respects the opinion of the people. But the attack on the public without accepting the demand of the people and canceling the tariff darshan makes it clear that anti-people fascist rule is taking place in Tamil Nadu.“, he said

He pointed out that the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court had previously directed that darshan fees at Tiruchendur Temple should not exceed ₹100, a directive allegedly ignored by the authorities. Subramaniam emphasized that charging fees in violation of this court order amounted to contempt of court.

The Hindu Munnani leader also raised concerns about a viral video allegedly showing authorities collecting money directly, suggesting potential malpractices within the system.

Subramaniam concluded his statement with a warning to the DMK government, urging the Chief Minister to intervene. He demanded the withdrawal of the hiked fees and insisted that no fee should be charged for Lord Muruga’s darshan. The Hindu Munnani threatened to organize a series of ethical protests if their demands were not met, emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding the rights of devotees.

“We warn you not to forget that Lord Muruga will teach an appropriate lesson to the atheist DMK government, which is acting anti-Hindu in its arrogance of power. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu should instruct the police officers, Hindu Religious & Charitable Department officials to treat the devotees who come during the festivals in a civilized manner. And the Hindu Religious Endowment Department should immediately withdraw the inflated fees. The Hindu Munnani insists that no fee should be charged for Swami darshan in any way. If these demands are not fulfilled, we warn that the Hindu Munnani will organize Murugan devotees and conduct continuous protests.“, he said

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“Build Your SIPCOT Over Our Dead Bodies”: Woman Says TN Police Threatened Them To Sign A Form Enabling Arrest Of Protesting Farmers Under Goondas Act

By
The Commune
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Recently The Commune reported that  the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government in Tamil Nadu was taking steps to invoke the Goondas Act against seven farmers who participated in a sit-in protest against the acquisition of their land for the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT).

The information of this development came to light during a bail plea hearing at the Tiruvannamalai district court on Wednesday, 15 November 2023. The hearing, where counsel for the farmers sought bail for 20 individuals, was adjourned to 20 November 2023. The public prosecutor cited the ongoing initiation of Goondas Act proceedings by the Tamil Nadu government against key farmers central to the SIPCOT land acquisition protest as the reason for the delay in the bail process.

The detained farmers are facing charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 147, 341, 143, 294(b), 353, and 506(1), as well as the Public Property Act. These individuals had peacefully staged a sit-in protest on their patta land for over 125 days, opposing the state government’s plan to acquire 3,200 acres of agricultural wetland for leasing to private industries. Their arrest on November 4 was based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed in August.

A concerning incident at the Tiruvannamalai collectorate further adds to the controversy. Officials allegedly tricked a farmer’s wife into signing a bail document, only for her to later discover it was a notice under the Goondas Act for her husband. When seeking clarification, she faced verbal abuse and threats. She says, “The protest started on 2nd July in Cheyyar. On the 70th day, we went to give a petition to Cheyyar. The police arrested all the men on the way. On the 125th day, police removed the protest tents as well. They also arrested other men at 2AM in the morning. They arrested 22 men altogether. We thought they would release them within 15 days, but nothing happened. Now 7 of them have been booked under Goondas Act. They brought us a form. It had no information on the farmer protest. Instead, there was mention of illicit liquor, sand smuggling, rape, sexual harassment, theft. They got the wife to sign as the witness. They threatened us that they would seal our shops and arrest us along with our children if we do not sign the form. We farmers are protesting for our lands. We are not behind government property. We are fighting for our property. If it was government property, they surely can take action. Why are they doing this when we are fighting to protect our own property? These are lands which yield crops all through the year. They are subjecting us to such atrocities. How can they book them under Goondas Act? They should withdraw the Goondas Act or else, all of us will end our lives. After we die, let them build companies on our lands. Let them build SIPCOT after we die. Let them bury us all there and then build SIPCOT over our bodies.”

The New Indian Express reported that attempts to reach out to Murugesan and SP K Karthikeyan for their comments on invoking the Goondas Act yielded no response. Their personal assistant stated that the officials were busy with arrangements for ‘Karthikeya Deepam,’ scheduled for November 26.

Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party President K Annamalai posted on his official X handle in this regard. He wrote, “It is becoming increasingly evident from the family of the arrested farmers that the DMK govt has wilfully meted out this atrocity of imposing the Goondas act on the hard-working farmers of our State for protesting against the government’s decision to acquire their agricultural lands.”

The situation raises concerns about the methods employed by authorities and the impact on the rights of individuals involved in peaceful protests against land acquisition. The bail plea hearing, now postponed to 20 November 2023, continues to attract attention as the legal proceedings unfold.

The BJP has meanwhile announced protests against the DMK government calling for the revocation of the Goondas Act on farmers.

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Caste-Based Violence On The Rise In TN: Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Fame SC Singer Assaulted By MBC Youths

By
The Commune
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On 15 November 2023, Malaiyur police arrested two individuals in connection with the assault on Prakash, a 26-year-old Dalit youth, in Pudukottai district on Sunday. Prakash became popular after he participated in the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa singing reality contest. The arrested individuals, Sarathi (23) and Deva (25) said to be from the Kallar (MBC) community, both residents of Athiran Viduthi village, were among the four accused who allegedly attacked Prakash and his cousin Kabilan.

The incident occurred near Meludaiyanpatti as Prakash and Kabilan were travelling home from Varappur on a two-wheeler on 12 November 2023. They were verbally abused with casteist slurs before being attacked with glass bottles and stones. Prakash sustained critical injuries and is undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital, while Kabilan, who was also injured, was discharged on 14 November 2023.

Following Prakash’s complaint, the Malaiyur police registered a case under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 294(b), 324, 341, and Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The police have apprehended Sarathi and Deva, while the search continues for the remaining two accused involved in the assault.

This comes just days after a 16-year-old Dalit boy from Koppampatti village in Pudukottai district allegedly died by suicide, due to relentless assault and harassment by students from a dominant caste. The victim, V. Vishnukumar, a Class XI student at the Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Keeranur, faced persecution because of his interaction with a girl from the OBC community. The ongoing physical attacks and derogatory comments based on his caste reportedly pushed him to suicide.

Vishnukumar’s mother, Uma, filed a police complaint citing caste-based discrimination as a significant factor in her son’s suicide. Initially registered under Section 174 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the case was later modified to include provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Act) and IPC Section 306 for abetment of suicide. The autopsy was conducted, and Vishnukumar’s remains were handed over to his family for the final rites.

Earlier this month a gang of six individuals assaulted and humiliated two Dalit youths by stripping them publicly after they had a bath in the Thamirabarani River.

In October 2023, a Scheduled Caste family residing in the Vidathilampatti hills within the Manapparai municipality faced threats from a dominant Urali Gounder family, experiencing verbal abuse, urine poured on the son, stoning of their house, and physical assault.

The Vengaivayal incident remains fresh in memory, where human waste was found dumped in a water tank used by Dalits in Vengaivayal village of Pudukottai district. 

The Nanguneri incident in August 2023 involved the brutal assault of a Class 12 Scheduled Caste student and his younger sister with sickles in their own home.

Dalit activists are dumbfounded at the rising number of such incidents in the state. They fear the backlash if they attempt to discuss atrocities against Dalits in the state, especially with supporters of the DMK responding with threats, abuse, and caste-based shaming.

The number of caste-related atrocities has been on the rise ever since the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government came to power. Ironically, a party that claims to have established social justice and “eradicated” caste is seeing such displays of horror in its own regime. 

(with inputs from The Hindu)

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Sankaraiah, The Communist Freedom Fighter From TN Who Shared A Close Friendship With Karunanidhi

By
The Commune
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N Sankaraiah, a centenarian freedom fighter and one of the last two remaining founding members of the CPI(M), passed away in Chennai on Wednesday.

In a short-sleeved white shirt paired with a dhoti and a jhola bag casually slung over his shoulder, this elderly gentleman, though frail in appearance, exuded a formidable presence. His commanding demeanour echoed through public gatherings, resonating like the roar of a lion.

His foray into politics began with the freedom struggle when he joined the protest against the hanging of iconic freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. He was just 9 years old back then. From there, he would go on to become one of the tallest leaders of the Communist party in India. He along with centenarian Kerala communist stalwart and former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan, played a pivotal role in establishing the Marxist party in 1964.

Sankaraiah was born on 15 July 1922 in a village near Kovilpatti in Thoothukudi district as Pratabha Chandran to Narasimhalu, an engineer employed at a private mill. Later, he adopted his grandfather’s name – Sankaraiah, who was a fervent follower of EV Ramasamy (hailed as ‘Periyar’ by his followers).

Hailing from a family of traditional revenue officials in Athur, a hub of the freedom struggle in Thoothukudi district, his early exposure to EVR’s ‘Kudi Arasu’ daily fuelled his attraction to the Self Respect Movement. But despite being an EVR follower, he participated in the freedom struggle. In Kovilpatti, he actively participated in protests against the hanging of Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev, and Rajguru along with his brother Rajamanickam.

Upon the family’s relocation to Madurai, he attended the American College for his graduation, where he emerged as a student union leader. He organized protests against the imposition of Hindi when Rajaji introduced it in the curriculum. His college days marked his introduction to AK Gopalan, who was instrumental in building the Communist Party in Madurai.

Prior to the Quit India movement and the Naval mutiny, he orchestrated protests and was apprehended in 1941, just 15 days before his degree examinations. His release occurred only hours before the nation achieved independence on August 14, 1947. Upon his release, he assumed the role of the Madurai district secretary of CPI at the youthful age of 22. Later, as a Communist, he faced another four-year term in independent India. His encounters with leaders like K Kamaraj during imprisonment significantly influenced his public career, and subsequent interactions with fellow inmates sharpened his Marxist ideology.

Post-independence, Sankaraiah vehemently opposed the Congress, criticizing their economic policies as detrimental to the welfare of the poor and working classes. Leveraging his extensive grassroot experiences, he played a crucial role in training CPI(M) cadres at various organizational levels.

Sankaraiah held key positions in the unified Communist party until its split in 1964, after which he co-founded the CPI(M). He remained a member of the CPI(M)’s State secretariat and served as the Tamil Nadu State secretary from 1995 to 2002, also being a member of the party’s Central Committee for two decades.

In 1948, when the Communist Party faced a ban in independent India, Sankaraiah and his colleagues went underground, evading state police for three years which he spent with a party worker’s family in Madurai. During this time, he faced numerous challenges, including a skin infection that went untreated due to the clandestine nature of his stay. Despite his arrest in 1951 and subsequent imprisonment in Vellore prison, he continued to be a prominent face of the party’s ideology in Tamil Nadu. When the ban was lifted, he served as the editor of the party’s mouthpiece, Janasakthi. The CPI split in 1964, following which he joined the founding members of the CPI(M) – today only Achuthanandan is one of the surviving members.

Championing the cause against atrocities targeting Dalits, he stood in solidarity with the victims, as seen in the tragic incident when Dalit Panchayat president Murugesan and six others were brutally murdered for participating in the civic polls in Melavalavu village near Madurai. In addition to his own inter-caste marriage, he actively promoted and encouraged unions between individuals from different castes.

He was a very close friend of Karunanidhi. When Karunanidhi was the Transport Minister in Annadurai’s government, he sought the help of Sankarayya to hold talks with protesting transport union workers. Karunanidhi held the Communist leader in high steem and would listen to his speech in Assembly with rapt attention. When Karunanidhi brought in a law to provide legal sanctity to self-respect marriages, Sankaraiah supported his move.

According to an article by One India, Karunanidhi had once said “If the Dravidian Movement had not happened.. if Periyar had not been born.. if Anna had not been born.. I would have been sitting as one of the leaders of the Communist Party on the side of Nallakannu and Sankaraiah”

(with inputs from ETVBharat)

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Mohan Lazarus’s Jesus Redeems NGO Accused Of Serious FCRA Violations, Complaint Filed To Cancel FCRA License

By
The Commune
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In a recent development, the Ministry of Home Affairs has been approached with a formal complaint against the Christian NGO ‘Jesus Redeems’ based in Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu.

The complaint, filed by the Legal Rights Protection Forum, a legal activist group, alleges serious violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) provisions.

The Commune accessed a copy of the complaint and here are the details.

Background

Mohan C Lazarus run a Christian organization named Jesus Redeems through which he does religious proselytization activities. He is known for his notoriety in disturbing communal harmony by making anti-Hindu statements.

Multiple FIRs were registered against him at different police stations of Tamil Nadu state under Sections 153, 153-A(1)(a) & (b), 295-A, 505(1)(b) and 505(2) of the Indian Penal Code for making statements against Hindu Temples and Hindu Gods during a mass religious gathering. Details of the cases are provided in the below table:

It is noteworthy that in another case, the Regional Passport officer refused to issue a new passport to Mr Mohan Lazarus alias Mohan C. Lazarus because he intentionally suppressed information that he had 4 criminal cases pending against him while submitting the passport application.

In February 2021, the Madras High Court came down heavy and issued a warning to the rabid evangelist pastor for making reckless statements against Hindus and Hindu religion.

However, Lazarus got relief from the High Court through case number W.P.(MD)No.15829 of 2020, asserting his ‘Right to Travel’ as a fundamental right guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. 

The LRPF has pointed out that Mohan C Lazarus and his organization Jesus Redeems attract provisions of the FCRA, 2010 which amounts to suspension/cancellation of the FCRA registration as he has a history of disturbing communal harmony by making provocative speeches and indulging in proselytization activities.

FCRA Violations

‘Jesus Redeems’ is a registered Christian religious organisation operating under the Indian Trusts Act, 1882, and holds FCRA registration number 076160018. The founder and signatory authority, Mohan Lazarus alias Mohan C. Lazarus, is also the Chief Executive Officer of a US registered Public Charity organization named ‘Jesus Redeems Ministries Inc.’

One of the key allegations revolves around the recent amendments to the FCRA rules, which explicitly state that the Chief Functionary of the recipient Indian organization should not be a part of the donor organization. ‘Jesus Redeems’ allegedly received significant foreign contributions from ‘Jesus Redeems Ministries Inc., (US),’ a major foreign donor.

Foreign Funds From Christian NGO Compassion International

It has been discovered that foreign donations from Compassion International (USA) to Caruna Bal Vikas, an NGO based in Chennai, were funneled to ‘Jesus Redeems.’ Records indicate that Jesus Redeems received ₹1,67,68,189, more than 1.5 Crore, from Caruna Bal Vikas between 2009 and 2015 under the guise of ‘Welfare of Children.’ From 2014 onward, Compassion International started donating directly to the FCRA-designated bank account of Jesus Redeems, totaling ₹1,13,04,681. This clearly indicates that Jesus Redeems is the primary affiliate of Compassion International (US) and Caruna Bal Vikas. The chronological receipt of foreign contributions from Caruna Bal Vikas and Compassion International (US) is detailed in the attached Annexure-7.

In 2017, the Indian government prohibited Compassion International (US) from donating to Indian NGOs due to various controversies involving child conversion and fundraising through child sponsorship schemes globally and in India. Following a complaint by the Director, FCRA Wing, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, the Economic Offenses Wing of the Central Bureau of Investigation, Delhi Zone, registered an FIR (RC2202020E003 dated 20-02-2020) against Chennai-based organizations Caruna Bal Vikas and M/s Adhane Management Consultants Pvt Ltd. The complaint highlighted Caruna Bal Vikas’s stated objective of ‘converting poor children into fulfilled Christian adults,’ engaging in religious activities, including conversions to Christianity, which have the potential to disrupt communal harmony, and therefore, violate FCRA, 2010. The complaint also asserted that Compassion International India funded Caruna Bal Vikas and M/s Adhane Management Consultants Pvt Ltd for conversion activities.

The Chinese Link

The complaint further notes a foreign contribution of ₹6,21,274 from BRO Devakumar VG Edwin, identified as the Managing Director of DANGOTE Group, Nigeria, in 2016. DANGOTE Group, a mining conglomerate in Nigeria, has close ties with Sinoma International Engineering Co. Ltd, a Chinese state-owned company, raising concerns about potential foreign influence.

This connection with China raises concerns more so because of the recent instances of arrest of Prabir Purkayastha, Founder of the NewsClick website, and Amit Chakravorty, its Head of Human Resources, on charges of conspiracy to disrupt India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The arrests were prompted by an investigative report in The New York Times, which alleged that NewsClick had received funding from a network involved in disseminating Chinese propaganda. The arrests highlight concerns about foreign contributions and their potential impact on national security, aligning with the broader context of efforts to curb external influence in India.

Publication Activities

Jesus Redeems is also accused of publishing monthly magazines in various languages without providing the necessary details and declarations required by the FCRA Act. The FCRA Act, 2010 mandates that NGOs engaged in publishing activities must provide details and declarations under the Press Registration of Books Act, 1867. Additionally, they need a certificate from the Registrar of Newspapers of India confirming that their publication doesn’t fall under the category of newspapers. The complaint filed requests the verification of compliance of Mr. Mohan C. Lazarus regarding these requirements, particularly in relation to the official magazine of ‘Jesus Redeems,’ by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Furthermore, the magazine suggests that ‘Jesus Redeems’ operates in multiple countries, including the United States, Australia, Dubai, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, and Sri Lanka. The organisation is reportedly hosting Christian religious events abroad, inviting pastors from various countries, including China. With all the information put together, it looks like Mr. Mohan Lazarus is the editor-in-chief, owner, and publisher of these magazines. 

The complaint also notes from the copy of the FCRA return filed by Jesus Redeems that it had received an amount of ₹3,71,154 from an individual named Mr. Shirly Rohan whose residential address in Bangalore. It requests for the basis of receiving donations into the FCRA account from Indian residents.

LRPF Calls For Cancelling FCRA Registration Of Jesus Redeems

Given the gravity of the allegations, the Legal Rights Protection Forum urges the Ministry of Home Affairs to immediately suspend the FCRA registration of ‘Jesus Redeems’ and conduct a thorough investigation into its activities. The complaint highlights potential violations of FCRA provisions, potential foreign influence, and legal issues surrounding the chief functionary.

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TN BJP Leader SG Suryah Calls Out Kollywood’s Silence Over DMK Govt Slapping Goondas Act On Farmers

By
The Commune
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The DMK government in Tamil Nadu took into custody and detained 20 farmers who had been opposing the surrender of their wetlands for the Melma SIPCOT industrial project near Cheyyar in Tiruvannamalai. Hundreds of farmers have been actively resisting the proposed acquisition of approximately 3,000 acres of agricultural wetlands by SIPCOT for it to be leased to private industries.

According to a statement by Arappor Iyakkam, the police forcefully entered the farmers’ homes, arrested and remanded 20 of them to judicial custody based on an FIR filed in August 2023 in the wee hours of 4 November 2023. 

The FIR was reportedly registered when the farmers were participating in a collective walk for a public hearing, during which the police intervened, charging them with unlawful assembly and other sections carrying a maximum penalty of five years.

Arappor Iyakkam head Jayaram Venkatesan also noted that the mainstream media is wrongly reporting the news saying that farmers were arrested when they were protesting on 4 November 2023. However, according to Jayaram, no protest happened on 4 November 2023. Apparently, the farmers were picked up police in the wee hours when they were sleeping based on an FIR filed in August.

The proposed land acquisition poses a threat to the farmers’ livelihoods, as they have been cultivating various crops like paddy, sugarcane, and groundnut on these lands for many years.

On 16 November 2023, The South First reported that the Tiruvannamalai District Collector and District Magistrate detained seven farmers from the district under the Goondas Act for peacefully protesting against the Melma SIPCOT industrial project. The seven farmers, who hail from various villages in Cheyyar and Uthangarai taluks, were part of the group of 20 farmers arrested on 4 November 2023, based on the FIR filed in August. They have been placed in central prisons in Tiruchy, Madurai, Coimbatore, Vellore, Cuddalore, and Palayamkottai.

Silence From Kollywood Artists & TN Media

While the entire Kollywood coterie came out in support of the farmer’s protest of 2020-21, not one of them has come out speaking for these farmers who have been arrested under stringent Goondas Act. Actors like Karthi (brother of actor Suriya) had tweeted in support of the protest.

Even the media channels had gone overboard in their reportage portraying the Modi government as fascists and denouncing the Farm Laws. 

Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party State Secretary SG Suryah called out the duality of the media and Kollywood actors especially Karthi in his X post. He wrote, 

“Media journalists and actors who put 24*7 Breaking News by remixing songs for the agricultural protest that took place somewhere. Karthi How disgraceful is it that fake militants like these refuse to open their mouths about the DMK government’s use of goondas on the farmers who waged a religious struggle for the first time in the history of India? Although the words are harsh, the only question is “Oh! Will the dog survive this fate?”

Tamil Nadu BJP Head Annamalai had earlier lashed out at the DMK government condemning their action.

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BJP Kerala Head Says Congress Created 1.25 Lakh Bogus Voter IDs Through App

By
The Commune
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In a shocking revelation, Kerala BJP State President K. Surendran posted on his social media that the youth wing of the Congress party in the state has created over 1.25 lakh bogus voter identity ahead the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Without taking names, the BJP Kerala President said that it was done using an app which was built at the behest of a Congress MLA from Palakkad district.

“Senior Congress leaders KC Venugopal and VD Satheesan were fully aware of this. Why is the @INCIndia silent on this issue? The Congress party has become a threat to our national security.“, the BJP state leader said.

According to a report by Kerala Kaumudi, several candidates in the youth congress elections have raised concerns about the potential use of forged voter ID cards to manipulate the results. In a complaint addressed to various Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, four individuals who contested in the Thiruvananthapuram district have brought this matter to the party’s attention. The complaint asserts that fake identity cards were extensively utilized for this purpose, facilitated by a specific mobile application. The complaint includes a link to this application, which, upon opening, requires users to register a photo and name. However, when providing the voter ID card details, many individuals, including candidates, allegedly submitted false voter ID numbers.

Source: Kerala Kaumudi

A report by Reporter TV notes that the Election Commission of India’s identity cards were forged using an app and was subsequently used to cast votes. A sample video showcasing the creation of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi’s identity card has been submitted to the AICC.

This app, known as CR Card, requires only a passport-size photograph to generate a counterfeit Election Commission of India Identity Card. By providing details such as name and address, a fake card can reportedly be produced within 5 minutes, and it can even be printed on a PVC card. Some Youth Congress leaders in Kerala claim that thousands of election identification cards have been prepared using the same model. The complaint further alleges that numerous individuals cast their votes using these forged cards, which were purportedly produced by a PR company based in Bangalore.

According to the allegations, individuals using these fake IDs accessed the agency’s dedicated website for the youth congress election and cast their votes. As the uploaded documents were forged, these votes are considered invalid. Numerous such votes were reportedly cast, raising doubts about the accuracy of the election results. Notably, the creator of the application remains unidentified.

The complaint suggests that several successfully elected candidates within the Youth Congress from the district may have downloaded and used this application. The complaint calls for the annulment of the election results. It has been forwarded to the Youth Congress Election Committee, All India President of the organization B V Srinivas, AICC Joint Secretary Krishna Allavaru in charge of Youth Congress, AICC President Mallikarjuna Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and K C Venugopal.

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