A candidate who had missed her opportunity to join the Group-II services of the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) due to a ‘Jai Hind’ remark in her answer found hope nine years later. The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court ruled in favour of the candidate, M Kalpana, directing the TNPSC to reassess her answer paper and offer her the opportunity if she meets the necessary score.
Justice Battu Devanand issued this order based on a petition filed by Kalpana in 2017. The controversy arose when the TNPSC declared her answer paper for the Part-B written examination, conducted in 2014 for Group-II services recruitment, as invalid. The commission cited the inclusion of “Jai Hind, Let us live united with nature” in her essay’s concluding section as the reason for disqualification.
While Kalpana argued that her answer was pertinent to the question, the TNPSC contended that she had violated instructions outlined in para 8 and 16(iii) of the answer book. These instructions prohibited candidates from including irrelevant or impertinent remarks that could identify them to the examiner.
It wasn’t until December 2016 that Kalpana learned the rationale behind her disqualification when she received an explanation in response to her Right to Information (RTI) application. With 160 marks in Part A and 24 marks in the interview, she required only six more marks to qualify.
Justice Devanand criticised the TNPSC for not considering the entire essay before labelling the ‘Jai Hind’ remark as ‘impertinent.’ He also highlighted that “Jai Hind” or “Victory to India” is a commonly uttered slogan in the country, used by children in school prayers and eminent speakers at the conclusion of speeches. The TNPSC was directed to adhere to the court’s directives within one month.
The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B) has again courted controversy by inviting a radical leftist Sudhanva Deshpande who went on to glorify Hamas terrorists and gun culture in his lecture.
Sudhanva is an actor and director with Jana Natya Manch (Janam) which is a left-wing theatre group based in New Delhi.
The lecture was hosted virtually by the institution’s professor Sharmishtha Saha where Sudhanva Deshpande spoke about his meeting with some of the terrorists.
During his talk, Sudhanva said “In 2015, the first time I had gone to Palestine, I’ve been there twice. On my first visit I was lucky to meet Zakaria Zubeidi.“
Zakaria is the former Jenin chief of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, a coalition of armed armed Palestinian groups in West Bank, which has been designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the European Union, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and the United States.
He admitted his involvement in the 2002 Beit She’an attack, which killed 6 people. On February 27, 2019, Zubeidi was arrested once more and subsequently charged in an Israeli military court for his role in carrying out at least two shooting attacks on civilian buses in the West Bank.
Sudhanva then goes on to quote Palestinian Marxist–Leninist politician Ghassan Fayiz Kanafani saying “In order to have liberation, we need guns. We have to fight the occupation. You know, it has to be an armed struggle.
He also goes on to justify and glorify gun culture saying “But if we don’t have the culture to go with the guns, guns will turn on us. In other words you know, we will start killing each other, if we don’t have the culture with the guns.”
The radical leftist director further goes on to characterize the Palestine’s attack on Israel as “freedom struggle” saying “This is something I do want to emphasize that the Palestinian struggle is a freedom struggle. And there has been no freedom struggle in the history of the world, in the history of colonialism that is entirely 100% non-violent. It is never. All the countries of Asia, Africa, Latin America, that have thrown off the yoke of colonialism, that have only done through a combination of peaceful and armed struggle. And so that is exactly what you see in Palestine today. That’s one.”
This is the same argument that was made by Moussa Abu Marzouk who heads Hamas’ international relations.
Basically, he equated India’s brave freedom fighters like Bhagat Singh, Chandrashekhar Azad, Master Surya Sen, and Bagha Jatin to terrorists who kill infants, kidnap and rape women, and show no mercy to old people.
Deshpande then spoke with reverence about Zakaria Zubeidi who he called as one of the legendary freedom fighters in Palestine who took part in the armed struggle who also happens to be one of the main characters that will be seen in his film. Sudhanva then explains about the death of the protagonists in his documentary and how the Israeli state is discriminating against its own citizens including the Jewish.
He further goes on to draw equivalence to India saying “In this context, all of us in India should be wary of because we are sitting in where there is rhetoric. There is lot of talk of Hindu Rashtra etc etc as if Hindu Rashtra is going to be a Rashtra of all Hindus. Now, clearly a Jewish state is not a state for all Jews even.“
Sudhanva also alleges that the Israeli state not just discriminates Israeli Jews and Palestinians but also Israeli Arabs calling it an apartheid state like that of erstwhile South Africa.
Towards the end of the video shared by IIT B for Bharat, a student can be seen confronting Prof. Sharmishtha Saha for trying to politicize and vitiate the campus by screening controversial documentaries. She goes on to justify that Sudhanva is a famous director and called him a stalwart.
“Under the pretext of theatre, you are showing this kind of movies. That’s it. That is the point that I am making.” to which she says that is not a banned movie anywhere.
“It doesn’t have to be about banned films. The Kashmir Files was not banned but it was still not allowed to show here.” which Sharmishtha Saha evades from answering.
The student then goes on to say that IIT Bombay has guidelines that prohibits political events and political narratives.
IIT B for Bharat noted that the documentary was used as a tool to invite ultra-leftist Sudhanva Deshpande on the pretext of their course (HS 835 Performance Theory & Praxis), where he unabashedly glorified the terrorist activities of Zakaria Zubeidi, and Ghassan Kanafani while conveniently forgetting the latest Hamas attack.
@iitbombay Prof Sharmishtha Saha(Dept HSS)invited radical leftist Sudhanv Deshpande 2 eulogize Palestinian militants Zakaria Zubeidi, Ghassan Kanafani in the guise of the documentary when @VPIndia visited @iitbombay & cautioned students 2 not to fall prey 2 anti-Bharat narrative.… pic.twitter.com/a5HkgJqDdq
Zackary was involved in a suicide bombing in the heart of Tel Aviv that killed an Israeli woman. Kanafani was the spokesman, and editor of Al-Hadaf (Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-PFLP), a revolutionary organization whose military wing targeted Israeli interests…
Just a few days back the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) had invited controversial professor Achin Vanaik to deliver a talk titled ‘The History and Politics of the Palestinian Present’. He once had also glorified suicide bombing as a very effective tool for Islamic Jihadi terrorists. This talk was later cancelled after social media outrage.
🚫 IIT Bombay cancels lecture on Israel-Palestine conflict
👥 Students requested cancellation of Hamas-sympathiser Professor Achin Vanaik's talk
💬 Vanaik's previous controversial speech sparked opposition from studentshttps://t.co/19qQVjPEWE
In a heart-wrenching incident, a 14-year-old girl from Kerala lost her life after being brutally beaten and poisoned by her own father. Fatima, a 10th-grade student, passed away after a 10-day struggle in the hospital. Her father, Abeez, aged 43, has been taken into police custody and cases were filed against him.
What Happened?
The fateful incident unfolded on the morning of 29 October 2023 at Aikarakudi house in Aluva Karumalur Mariapadi. According to authorities, Abeez attacked Fatima with a wire rod and forcibly administered weedicide into her mouth. The young girl made a courageous attempt to expel the poisonous substance, but she later vomited and became paralysed. By the time she reached a private hospital in Ernakulam, her internal organs had already suffered severe damage. She was admitted to the intensive care unit, where she fought for her life.
Why Did It Happen?
According to reports, the father Abeez, resorted to extreme measures, subjecting his daughter to brutal beatings and forcibly administering poison due to her continued relationship with a classmate from a different religious background. Despite a warning from her father a month prior, the girl persisted in the relationship. Abeez had previously confiscated her phone, but the determined girl managed to maintain contact with her classmate using another phone. Then, on 29 October 2023, a fateful Sunday, her father unleashed a violent assault, wielding an iron rod that resulted in her sustaining broken arms and legs. He also forcefully poured poison (herbicide) into her mouth during this horrific episode. It’s worth noting that neither her mother nor her father were present at home when the incident occurred. However, upon their return, her mother promptly rushed her to a nearby hospital.
The 10-Day Struggle
A magistrate visited the hospital to record Fatima’s statement, where she revealed that her father had forcefully administered the poison.
The young girl’s mother and other relatives also provided statements in the case. Fatima’s struggle in the intensive care unit at Aster Medcity lasted for 10 agonising days. Despite her grave condition, she had not lost consciousness, offering hope to her loved ones. However, her health deteriorated as the effects of the poison took their toll. Her kidney and liver functions were disrupted, and she developed ulcers in her esophagus due to the corrosive substance. In an effort to salvage her kidney function, she underwent dialysis, but unfortunately, her condition continued to worsen. On 8 November 2023, at 4:48 pm, the 10-day battle ended in tragedy, with her internal organs failing to sustain her life.
Case Filed & Arrest Made
On 1 November 2023, Alangad police registered a case and promptly arrested Abeez who worked as an engineer at a private company. The police have filed charges against Abeez under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 342, 324, 326A, and 307, as well as sections of the Juvenile Justice Act. Janam TV reported that the charges will be updated to include murder charges against Abeez.
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16 June 1801. Two brothers who were ruling the region of Sivagangai, declared from the ramparts of the Trichy Srirangam Temple the Jambutheevu Declaration – that they would not bend their knee to the British.
Cut to 222 years later, another historic proclamation was made by Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai – that he and his party would not bend their knee to a British stooge who sowed the seeds of anti-Hindu Dravidian politics.
This vow taken by Annamalai and the BJP during the En Mann En Makkal padayatra will go down in history as one of the defining moments of Tamil Nadu politics and is sure to send jitters down those who swear by the name of EVR.
The Srirangam Temple
Srirangam (Tiruvarangam) is a place of great historical and cultural significance.This temple complex stands as the oldest, largest, and arguably the most significant of all temple structures in India. With some parts dating back to at least 1500-1800 years, its antiquity is firmly established, even being referenced in the ancient Tamil epic, Silapadikkaram. The temple holds a special place in the hearts of devotees, as all the Alwars (Vaishnava saints) have composed hymns praising its grandeur.
Srirangam’s architecture is a magnificent blend of various styles, and the sheer size and intricate sculptures within the temple are truly breathtaking. Regardless of one’s religious beliefs, the temple stands as a remarkable testament to India’s rich history, showcasing the influence of past empires like the Chola and Vijayanagar dynasties.
In essence, the Srirangam Temple represents the pinnacle of Hindu civilization in southern India and holds great historical and cultural significance. It is precisely for this reason that the Dravidianists in Tamil Nadu choose Srirangam to satiate their anti-Hindu itch.
What Did Annamalai Say?
Addressing a large crowd at Srirangam, Annamalai said “Outside this (Ranganathar) temple, once the DMK came to power in 1967, they kept a plaque. What does that plaque say? ‘Those who believe in God are idiots, cheats. Don’t believe in God.’ As if they’ve achieved something big, they’ve installed such a plaque with a flag. We Hindus are people who live peacefully following the path of dharma.” He further added, “Today, from this land of Srirangam, the BJP is taking a vow. Once the BJP comes to power in Tamil Nadu, the first task would be to remove that plaque and flagpole outside the temple. Statues of Azhwars and Nayanmars would be installed. Statues of Tamil scholars would be erected. Tamil scholar Thiruvalluvar’s statue will be installed. Those who sacrificed their lives during the freedom movement, their statues would be installed and worshipped. Not the statue that says ‘Those who believe in God are idiots’. As soon as the BJP comes to power, the BJP government would remove all such statues placed outside all temples.”
The placement of EVR’s statue in front of the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple, who is ironically known for breaking idols of Hindu gods, has been a subject of controversy. Then CM Karunanidhi had told the Assembly that the government had allotted the land for EVR statue way back in 1973.
It was in December 2006 that a 12-feet-high EVR statute outside Srirangam temple was installed be K. Veeramani, the head of the rabid anti-Hindu outfit Dravidar Kazhagam founded by EVR.
The event saw the attendance of A Raja, the then Union Minister for Environment and Forests, as well as State Ministers K N Nehru and N Selvaraj. The DK installed the statue, despite facing vehement protests from various Hindu organizations. These protests were rooted in concerns that placing the statue of an atheist and inscribing atheist slogans on the pedestal could potentially offend the religious sentiments of devout Hindus. Notably, several parts of Tamil Nadu experienced isolated incidents of violence after activists from the Indhu Makkal Katchi (IMK) damaged a life-size cement statue of Periyar on 7 December 2006.
Attack On Ayodhya Mandapam, Chennai
On the afternoon of 8 December 2006, around 3:30 PM, a distressing incident took place at Sri Ram Samaj, also known as Ayodhya Mandapam, a prominent Ram temple and religious centre located in the heart of Chennai, West Mambalam. Allegedly, a group of approximately 15 Dravidian activists arrived at the temple in two autorickshaws, armed with dangerous weapons, and issued threats to passersby, proclaiming, “Don’t spare anyone wearing sacred threads or marks like Tilak or Vibhuti on their foreheads, thrash them.”
Subsequently, they initiated an attack on the temple. Their actions began with the throwing of an acid bomb into the temple complex. The acid struck a screen and ignited a fire. When devotees rushed to extinguish the flames, the activists hurled a petrol bomb at both the murtis outside the temple and another one inside the temple itself. During this chaotic incident, they claimed their actions were in retaliation for the previous damage to the EVR statue situated outside the renowned Sri Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam.
In addition to their assault on the temple, the activists also targeted individuals nearby including a poor Brahmin who sold pooja items on the footpath outside the temple as well as the flower seller.
Slipper Garland For Sri Rama In Hosur
In Hosur, located in the Krishnagiri district, a distressing incident unfolded where a picture depicting the coronation of Lord Sri Ram was disrespected. A group of activists affiliated with the Pudiya Jananayaka Munnetra Kazhagam (New Democratic Progressive Party) gathered at the Sri Ram temple near the Gandhi Statue to condemn the damage to the statue. During their protest, these activists placed a picture of Sri Rama outside the temple and garlanded it with slippers. They then proceeded to carry the picture in a procession before setting it on fire near the Gandhi statue. In response to this action, a large number of supporters from the BJP, Hindu Munnani, and RSS arrived at the scene.
Tensions escalated, leading to a confrontation between the supporters of EVR and those of the aforementioned groups. During this clash, Parsuraman, the one who set the picture on fire, sustained a head injury, which resulted in bleeding. Following this altercation, the BJP and its supporters blocked the roads and demanded immediate action be taken in response to the incident.
In the Maravaneri area of Salem, the Kanchi Shankara Math runs a math and a vedapatasala. To protest against the damage inflicted on the statue in Srirangam, they attacked the math, ransacked the premises.
The activists went on to ransack the premises, causing extensive destruction. Tables, chairs, and pooja items were ruthlessly smashed and scattered. Pictures of Shankaracharya Jayendra and Vijayendra Saraswathis were not spared and were shattered into pieces. Their rampage extended to include telephones, tube lights, and bulbs.
In the aftermath of this unfortunate event, authorities arrested five activists associated with the Periyar Dravidian Party, Tamil Youth Party, and Tamil National Party.
Setting Fire To Sri Rama Picture In Srirangam
Around 50 individuals, affiliated with the People’s Arts and Literature Association, gathered near the Srirangam temple, carrying images of Lord Ram. They staged a protest by setting fire to these images, leading to heightened tension in the area. The police promptly intervened, arresting those responsible for burning the image of Lord Ram and taking them to the police station. The Dravidar Kazhagam decided to replace the damaged statue of Periyar with a five-and-a-half-foot-tall bronze statue.
Vinayakar Temples Attacked, Murtis Desecrated Near Villupuram
In Sankarapuram, located in Villupuram district, a Vinayaka temple near the taluk office fell victim to vandalism.
Miscreants, allegedly affiliated with the Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, uprooted and subsequently smashed two Ganesh murtis. Another nearby temple, Shakti Vinayakar, was also subjected to damage, with the Vimana tower and Nandi statues dismembered. The town’s residents, led by supporters of the RSS and Hindu Munnani who had come to offer morning prayers, were left in shock by the destruction. In response, they gathered in large numbers, blocking the Tiruvannamalai-Kallakurichi road. The miscreants left a note claiming that this act was in retaliation for the damage caused to the EVR statue and an Ambedkar statue.
Raghavendra Swamy Temple Ransacked In Erode
In Erode, the Raghavendra Brindavanam is situated in the Kaarai Vaaykal area on Agraharam Street. Preparations were underway for the Sayarakshai Puja. At around 5:15 PM that day, a group of volunteers associated with the Dravidar Kazhagam calmly entered the temple. Suddenly, they launched an attack on anyone in their sight, causing destruction wherever they could. They proceeded to enter the sanctum sanctorum and removed the presiding deity, Sri Ram, who was positioned between the murtis of Sitadevi and Hanuman. The murti was uprooted and taken to the street outside, where it was mercilessly smashed with a hammer.
During this disturbing incident, a priest named Narasimhan attempted to intervene and was subsequently beaten. A 60-year-old priest named Venkatraman Acharya was also assaulted, and his “kudumi” (Shikha/tuft) was removed while his sacred thread was cut.
The temple cook, Balaji, and several others fell victim to the violence. The murtis and items prepared for the evening’s “Oonjal Sevai” were vandalised. Upon learning of this incident, hundreds of devotees gathered at the site.
Volunteers from the RSS and Hindu Munnani protested to the police, while some devotees openly expressed their grief. Seven individuals affiliated with the Thanthai Periyar Dravida Iyakkam were detained in connection with these distressing events.
Attack On Individuals
A group of individuals in Mettur including Chemplast Industries Vice President Parthasarathy and four others, was subjected to an attack. Members associated with the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) were subsequently apprehended in connection with this incident.
Tamil Nadu has not been as peaceful as it is showcased to be. Anyone speaking or acting against the Dravidian ideologues is attacked and free speech suppressed. This was the sequence of events that happened after a statue was damaged.
Will Annamalai’s vow see the light of day? Only time will tell.
(with inputs from the Reality Check India website)
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History enthusiasts and archaeologists from Thiruvannamalai have recently made a remarkable discovery that has unveiled the rich cultural heritage of the region. In the rustic village of Thalavanur, nestled alongside Gingee, a set of breathtaking 1,400-year-old sculptures has been brought to light, shedding new light on the historical narrative of this ancient land.
Historians Raj Panneerselvam and Vedal Vijayan, hailing from Thiruvannamalai, embarked on a field inspection mission in the vicinity of Gingee in Villupuram district. During their survey, an unexpected revelation took place. Hidden within the picturesque fields, just behind the imposing Pancha Pandava hill, the historians stumbled upon these extraordinary relics of the past.
The most prominent discovery among the artifacts was a substantial relief sculpture, measuring an impressive 4 feet in height and spanning 3 feet in width, etched onto a slab stone. This marvel of ancient craftsmanship is believed to be a depiction of thavvai. Thavvai is the elder sister of Goddess Lakshmi and is also known by the name Jyeshta Devi. The astounding part is that this sculpture dates back to the 7th century, providing a fascinating window into the spiritual and artistic expressions of that era.
Upon further examination of the field, the historians uncovered two more stone slab sculptures, strategically positioned a short distance away. These sculptures, intricately carved, were identified as representations of ‘Kottravai’ and ‘Murugan’. Kottravai is the Tamil Hindu goddess of war and victory. She is revered as the mother of God Murugan and hence is considered as an embodiment of Parvati/Durga. Astonishingly, these sculptures are believed to be approximately 1,400 years old, reinforcing the historical significance of the site.
Earlier in 2021, the Uttiramerur Historical Research Center unearthed a statue of Jyeshta Devi, about 1800 years old, in the village of Ullambakkam near Vayalur in Kanchipuram District.
Prior to that, a 1000-year-old idol of Jyeshta Devi was found in the temple area when municipality workers were digging a canal near the Kulambeeswarar temple.
Tamil Nadu BJP chief K. Annamalai has touched the raw nerve of the DMK and other Dravidianist parties saying that the statue of EV Ramasamy Naicker (hailed as ‘Periyar’ by his followers) outside the Ranganathar Temple in Srirangam and all other temples would be removed once BJP comes to power in the state.
Addressing a massive crowd in Srirangam on 7 November 2023, Annamalai said “Outside this (Ranganathar) temple, once the DMK came to power in 1967, they kept a plaque. What does that plaque say? ‘Those who believe in God are idiots, cheats. Don’t believe in God.’ As if they’ve achieved something big, they’ve installed such a plaque with a flag. We Hindus are people who live peacefully following the path of dharma.”
Adding further, the BJP Tamil Nadu chief said “Today, from this land of Srirangam, the BJP is taking a vow. Once the BJP comes to power in Tamil Nadu, the first task would be to remove that plaque and flagpole outside the temple. Statues of Azhwars and Nayanmars would be installed. Statues of Tamil scholars would be erected. Tamil scholar Thiruvalluvar’s statue will be installed. Those who sacrificed their lives during the freedom movement, their statues would be installed and worshipped. Not the statue which says ‘Those who believe in God are idiots’. As soon as the BJP comes to power, the BJP government would remove all such statues placed outside all temples.”
A 12-feet-high EVR statute outside Srirangam temple was installed be K. Veeramani, the head of the rabid anti-Hindu outfit Dravidar Kazhagam founded by EVR in the December 2006.
The event saw the attendance of A Raja, the then Union Minister for Environment and Forests, as well as State Ministers K N Nehru and N Selvaraj. The DK installed the statue, despite facing vehement protests from various Hindu organizations. These protests were rooted in concerns that placing the statue of an atheist and inscribing atheist slogans on the pedestal could potentially offend the religious sentiments of devout Hindus. Notably, several parts of Tamil Nadu experienced isolated incidents of violence after activists from the Indhu Makkal Katchi (IMK) damaged a life-size cement statue of Periyar on 7 December 2006.
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The Thiruppanandal Kasi Matham in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu has been doing social work for more than 300 years and runs many educational institutions. Lands belonging to the Matham were given for free to build school buildings and hospitals. Since 1874, the Poigai Pond in the Kasi Mutt complex has been constructed and used extensively by the Kasi Mutt. Nathan, a retired Tahsildar and general manager of the Math, said that the temple tirthavari utsavam is held annually at Poigai Pond. It is mentioned in the records/register that 0.74.5 hectares in plot no. 702/3 (old plot no. 248/1pa) in Thiruppanandal East village belongs to the Poigai pond.
Demolition Of The Wall
On 30 October, 2023, the Kasi Thirumadam in Thiruppanandal, Thanjavur district, experienced a distressing incident. A group of individuals, arriving in two separate groups, completely demolished the 400-foot perimeter wall surrounding the sacred Poigai pond within the Matham premises. The manager filed a police complaint after the discovery by an on-site employee, Vridhakiri. Preliminary assessments suggest a damage cost of nearly ₹2 lakh. The investigation is ongoing to identify those responsible for this act, and local authorities have promised swift action to safeguard the sacred site and ensure public safety. The Police are on the lookout for Tamil National Development League State Media Division Secretary Muhammad Bilal and General Secretary Karthikeyan.
Some devotees insisted that considering the safety of a pool, a protective wall must be built around it. They said, “Similarly, a wall was built around the Poigai pond. The water source is also properly protected. Now among the assets of the math, a variety of distractions can occur, appropriate legal action should be taken against those who cause encroachments and law and order problems,”.
Tiruppanandal Swaminatha Swamigal Arts College Principal, Mohan said, “Various educational institutions such as Tamil College, 2 Arts College, Higher Secondary School, Middle School, Primary School, Matric Higher Secondary School are running through Kasi Math’s Kumaragurupara Swamy Educational Group. In all these educational institutions, 45 faculty members and 1107 students from Scheduled Tribes have benefited in the current year. He said that all the students of the villages around this area are benefiting from education in these educational institutions. Therefore, the activities of Thirumatham are running on the principle that everyone is equal without caste discrimination.”
What Does The Epigraphic Evidence Say?
An inscription dated 17.08.1941 installed in the premises at Poigai Pond reveals several sources related to Poigai Pond. Here are the details of its recent renovations:
* In 1874, during the reign of Thiruppanandal Kasimadam 14th pontiff Srilasri Kasivasi Ramalinga Swami, the Poigai pond was dug. Around the pond, handrails, steps, etc. were also constructed.
* In 1900, during the reign of the 16th pontiff Srilasri Kasivasi Somakandara Swami, the steps were renovated with granite.
* In 1941 during the reign of the 19th pontiff Srilasree Kasivasi Swaminatha Swami, the pond was cleaned, and steps were repaired and Neerazhi Mandapam was built at a height.
* The 20th pontiff Srilasri Kasivasi Arulnandi Dhampiran Swami installed the silver marble Kashi Vinayagar brought from Varanasi in the Neerazhi Mandapam of Poigai Pond and performed Kumbabhishekam.
* Since 1972, the 21st pontiff Srilasri Kasivasi Muthukumara Swami Thambiran Swami began his work in this pond in 2021 and completed it in March 2022.
Dharmapuram Adheenam Appeals To CM Stalin For Taking Action Against Miscreants
Dharumapuram Adheenam’s 27th pontiff Guru Maha Sannithanam Srilasri Masilamani Desika Gnanasambanda Swamigal has appealed to the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to take action against miscreants who destroyed the perimeter of the pond of the Thiruppanandal Kasi Math.
In a Facebook post, the Dharumapura Adheenam pontiff said “To the attention of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the wall of Tiruppanandal Kasi Matham which is also considered as a subsidiary of the Dharumapuram Adheen was been broken and damaged at night by anti-social elements. This has shocked the Saivite community. No matter who the perpetrators are, they have to be punished immediately. Kumaragurubar had stopped the religious riots in the northern parts and reconciled religions. foundation is working for education and society throughout the country. The Matam is working for education and society throughout the country and we want to find a suitable solution to this and establish justice, peace and social harmony!
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After Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader RS Bharathi made racist and derogatory statements against the people of Nagaland, Tamil Nadu BJP Chief K. Annamalai extended a unique invitation to 50 DMK leaders through his X handle on 6 November 2023.
The invitation offered DMK leaders a tour of North and North Eastern India to dispel derogatory stereotypes propagated by the DMK. Annamalai highlighted the DMK’s long-standing negative portrayal of North Indians. He asserted that their distorted views were challenged by social media and criticized DMK’s secessionist aspirations. The BJP offered to sponsor 50 train tickets for selected DMK members to witness the growth and diversity of northern India, aiming to bridge the gap between cultures.
Thiru @mkstalin, @BJP4TamilNadu has offered to sponsor 50 train tickets for DMK leaders to tour North & North Eastern India to help clear their minds of derogatory stereotypes that your party has been propagating for ages. pic.twitter.com/FLpC3oIdoT
Following this, the DMK IT Wing handle posted a morphed version of an airplane ticket to Manipur saying, “If you want, we will buy a ticket for your owner to go to Manipur” hinting at Modi not having gone to Manipur after the riots broke out. The name indicated in the “ticket” read Jumla Modani.
In what came across as a befitting reply to this tweet, the BJP Tamil Nadu X handle posted another such picture. This time, it was a bus ticket from Chennai to Vengaivayal for MK Stalin. The details in the ticket hilariously point out the various shortcomings, allegations, and scams associated with the DMK.
The ticket read, “Hey MK Stalin, Thank you for choosing to visit Vengaivayal after 308 days using Red Giant Bus services. We look forward to see you take necessary action. For your information, this ticket price of Rs 200 is fully paid for by BJP Tamil Nadu.”
The bus service/travels name is mentioned as “Samooga Needhi Travels” indicating the “Social Justice” model that DMK trumpets all the time about, and the dropping point/destination is mentioned as Vengaivayal Water Tank, where the water was contaminated with human excreta. Interestingly, the seat number is mentioned as 2G.
At the bottom, the disclaimer says, “Please note this is not a movie ticket or an IPL ticket.”
Several netizens found it amusing and shared their appreciation for the creativity.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader and Organisational Secretary of the party, RS Bharathi was in the news over the weekend for his racist and derogatory comments on the people of Nagaland.
Speaking at an event commemorating the 100th anniversary celebrations of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK patriarch Karunanidhi, Bharathi said, “What is the governor doing? He just wants to create problems for the ruling government. We have seen so many governors, but what this governor does is create a fuss and drag us into a fight. He refuses to sign the bills we send. I addressed a gathering about what happened to him in Nagaland; they chased him away. Don’t mistake me; I am just quoting an example. The people of Nagaland eat dog meat. If someone who eats dog meat themselves has so much self-respect that they chased away this governor, then imagine how much self-respect Tamils, who consume food with salt, would have. The day he was chased away, the people of Nagaland celebrated it like Deepavali.”
But this isn’t his first time in making derogatory comments about an individual or a community. Here is a list of the many instances where Bharathi ran his mouth about various public figures and people.
Insulting EPS
During an event in Ambattur, Chennai in 2021, DMK leader RS Bharathi made derogatory remarks about the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Edappadi Palaniswami. He said, “He has forgotten with whose help, this dog, this man sat on the CM’s chair. Those who kick the ladder that they used for climbing up have never met a good end. I would say even MGR is also like that. MGR was nurtured and made into a leader by this movement. But you know what happened when he betrayed. He passed away without being able to speak.”.
Making Derogatory Remarks On Jayalalithaa
He also made disrespectful comments about J. Jayalalithaa, implying that he was responsible for sending her to jail in the TANSI case, and even suggested speaking to her from her memorial. He said, “Go wake her up from the samadhi [memorial] and ask”. He also added, “Recently, Jayalalithaa’s memorial hall was opened on January 27. They gave ₹40,000 per bus from all over Tamil Nadu. They gave ₹2000 to those who boarded the bus. They picked them up and dropped them off at Marina Beach. Edappadi and OPS thought that the whole crowd would come to the Jayalalithaa memorial. But the crowd thought, instead of visiting that ‘moodhevi’ (a derogatory slang in Tamil), they visited Kalaignar’s [Karunanidhi’s] memorial”.
Dravidian Movement’s Alms That Dalits Could Become Judges In TN
R S Bharathi was arrested by the Central Crime Branch of the Chennai city police in May 2020 for allegedly making inflammatory remarks at a party meeting in February. In his speech, Bharati reportedly said that it was only because of the Dravidian movement’s alms (pichchai) that Dalits were able to become judges in Tamil Nadu. Referring to a judge, he reportedly said that many Dalits were inducted into the judiciary because of the indulgence of the DMK leadership during former chief minister M Karunanidhi’s tenure. Speaking at an event in Anbagam (the DMK youth wing headquarters), in February 2020, he said “If Tamil Nadu remains the best state, it is because of the Dravidian movement. No Harijan has become a judge of the High Court in Madhya Pradesh. After Karunanidhi became Chief Minister A Varadarajan was appointed as HC judge. Seven or eight others from the Adi Dravidar community went on to become judges after that. It is the alms (picchai) given by the Dravidian Movement”. He later issued an apology for his remarks.
Governor Also Like Bihari Panipuri Sellers
In January 2023, at a public meeting, he compared the Governor to a migrant worker from Bihar and said that he would not have left without being beaten had Jayalalitha been alive. “I had earlier stated that those who sell Soan papdi and Panipuri don`t know the pride of Tamil Nadu. I said this in a meeting. I came to know that many have come from Bihar and I think the Governor (RN Ravi) has similarly come by train,”.
Redlight Media
In February 2020, in a video widely shared on social media, the DMK leader is heard asking why the media had made a matter of debate about his party employing political strategist Prashant Kishor. In a four-minute video clip that went viral, Bharathi can be heard saying: “I am silent because I am in this party post of organising secretary. These journalists don’t have a job. They only blame us. (Arvind) Kejriwal used Prashant Kishor, Narendra Modi used him and many others used him. But they discuss only when the DMK is using him and now it has become a debate. I say it openly that these TV journalists are real scoundrels. They run debates like red-light area in Mumbai. They do anything for money. ‘Thalapathy’ (MK Stalin) goes to temples, but that doesn’t become a debate, people in his house go to a temple, and they discuss it. Is it very important for the country?”
Insults Kamarajar
In October 2022, RS Bharati at an event said, “Supreme Leader Kamaraj said he would cut off the thumb of DMK members. But it was us who built his grave. No Congressmen did that. To date, everyone is worshiping in the grave we built for Kamaraj.” “I’m sorry. I’m just telling history. I don’t mean to hurt anyone,” he said.
North Indians Are Fools
At a meeting (in an undated video), Bharathi is seen saying, “The reason why Tamil Nadu is the best state in India is because of the DMK. The people in the other states are fools, they have no brains, these north Indians, I am saying this openly.”
"North Indians are fools" DMK organizing secretary and Rajya Sabha MP R.S.Bharathi. pic.twitter.com/Kc1s7VNDI8
The Supreme Court issued directives on Tuesday (7 November 2023), urging Rajasthan and other states to adhere to its prior order concerning the use of firecrackers during festive seasons. The court emphasized that it is the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to address the issue of pollution.
A bench comprising Justice AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh specifically instructed Rajasthan to take measures to minimize air pollution, particularly during festivals. The court’s attention was drawn to a plea related to the use of firecrackers in Rajasthan.
One of the advocates requested the court to reiterate compliance with its previous rulings. The advocate pointed out that the court’s prior orders applied to the Delhi National Capital Region and advocated for a nationwide ban on firecrackers.
The court emphasized that there is a misconception that environmental matters solely fall under the court’s purview. It stressed that it is the duty of every citizen to contribute to pollution control and promote eco-friendly Diwali celebrations with fewer fireworks.
The court also made an observation that, in recent times, more firecrackers are ignited by adults compared to schoolchildren. Furthermore, the court directed the state of Rajasthan to take immediate actions to mitigate pollution in Udaipur. Another lawyer informed the court about a separate application related to stubble burning.
The court has requested the Meteorology Department to provide its response within two weeks. It also noted that there is a tendency to engage in a blame game concerning the issue. Previously, on September 22, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea seeking the production, sale, and use of firecrackers containing barium chemicals.
Moreover, it declined to intervene in the Delhi Government’s decision to enforce a complete ban on firecracker usage in the national capital. The Supreme Court’s focus has been on issues concerning firecrackers, including a petition filed by BJP leader Manoj Tiwari in 2022, challenging the comprehensive ban on firecrackers during Diwali celebrations in Delhi. In 2021, the Supreme Court clarified that there is no blanket prohibition on firecracker usage and only fireworks containing barium salts are prohibited.
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