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Sadhguru Kicks Off #ScoreForSoil Global Campaign On World Soil Day

By
The Commune
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“This footballing season, I want you to understand, every 5 seconds we are losing one football field worth of soil; it’s becoming a desert. In the last 25 years, we have lost 10% of this planet (soil) to desertification. So as a part of this, let us continue the (Save Soil) movement and have a ball too,” said Sadhguru, Founder, Isha Foundation, kicking off the #ScoreForSoil campaign on the occasion of World Soil Day in Bangalore on Monday.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/ClxnlZttcS4/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

Launched in the backdrop of the Football World Cup, the #ScoreForSoil campaign encourages people to put up a video on social media of their best football shot and #ScoreForSoil in support of the ongoing Save Soil movement.

Interacting with the media, after the launch, Sadhguru observed, “The most significant aspect right now is the narrative on the planet has shifted,” referring to the fact that there was no mention of soil in COP26 at Glasgow, while soil figured prominently in the climate change discussions in the COP27 held recently in Egypt. “When we started there was so much skepticism, but right now I have no doubt that soil regenerative policies across the world will definitely happen. Right now my concern is only the pace. To keep the pace all of you must keep the voice up in many different ways so that the pace is kept,” added Sadhguru stressing urgent policy interventions to halt and reverse soil degradation.

Earlier, Sadhguru was spotted cruising through the streets of Bengaluru in his trademark black goggles and Save Soil gear, which brought back memories of his superhuman lone motorcycle journey across 27 countries riding 30,000 km, and still finding the time to address 691 events… all in just 100 days.

At a time when the world is ravaged by the mental health pandemic, Sadhguru linked poor soil quality as one of the incriminating factors. “Right now many of the chronic ailments and mental illnesses are very directly linked to the lack of micronutrients present in the food that we are consuming. There was a time when simply getting food was important. Now a time has come we have to term this where quality food is important – just food is not important.”

The organic content in the soil is the basic ingredient in making life forms on earth and A. S. Kiran Kumar, Former ISRO Director saw its reduction as a threat. Calling for corrective actions, he said, “That is where the Save Soil movement, which brings to focus that for life forms to survive the necessary ingredients which are present in the soil should be brought back and we need to work for that.”

On a question pertaining to the Cauvery Calling movement, Sadhguru revealed, “Overall we have converted about 1,32,000 farmers into regenerative agriculture farming which includes tree-based agriculture,” which has resulted in a 300%-800% increase in income of the farmers. The farmers in the region have begun to realize the financial and ecological benefits, as nearly 27-30% of the offtake of sapling this year has happened without incentive, he updated. Cauvery Calling is a campaign to support farmers to plant 242 crore trees in their private lands and revitalize Cauvery and act as a demonstrable model to save soil.

The burgeoning support for the Save Soil movement was evident again today, as people across the world came together on World Soil Day to amplify the message of the movement. Over 1,000 awareness drives were held across the globe to nudge respective governments to act urgently to combat Soil extinction. In India, Save Soil events were conducted in more than 100 locations. In the APAC region, restaurants screened Save Soil videos before and after the FIFA World Cup matches. Save Soil gatherings were seen in front of the parliament across 18 cities.

According to The Economics and Land Degradation (ELD) Initiative 2015, 52% of our planet’s agricultural soil has already degraded and is incapable of yield. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) predicts crop yields could fall upto 50% in certain regions by 2050 due to climate change and soil extinction. Understanding the urgency, Sadhguru, in March, undertook a 100-day, 30,000 km solo bike journey across 27 nations in Europe, Central Asia, Middle East and 11 Indian states.

The movement, in a short span of time, has met with resounding success, reaching over 3.91 billion people. 81 nations have committed to frame soil-friendly policies. International organizations that are leading ecological action, such as the International Union of Conservation of Nations (IUCN) and United Nations (UN) agencies – United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), World Food Programme (WFP) – and many others have come forward to partner with the movement.

(This is an official press release from Isha Foundation. The Commune was not involved in creating this content.)

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VCK Goons Attempt To Assault IMK Chief Arjun Sampath While Garlanding Ambedkar Statue

By
The Commune
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A furore erupted after Hindu Munnani, a pro-Hindu organization, pasted Dr. BR Ambedkar’s saffron-clad wall posters throughout the Thanjavur region of Tamil Nadu.

The nation marked the 66th anniversary of Ambedkar’s passing on Tuesday. On the anniversary of Dr. BR Ambedkar’s passing, a poster purportedly put up by Indu Makkal Katchi in some areas of the state showed him wearing saffron with vibhuti (sacred ash ) and kumkum (vermilion) on his forehead.

The poster also has images of Indu Makkal Katchi leader Arjun Sampath and another party representative.

The poster read “Let us praise the glory of the saffron (epic) leader.” Several activisits questioned the leader’s portrayal after the poster went viral on social media, with some VCK cadres tearing the posters in several places.

Arjun Sampath, the founder of Indu Makkal Katchi, claimed that there was nothing wrong with the posters depicting Ambedkar as a Hindu. Arjun Sampath said,  “Ambedkar is a national leader and not confined to specific boundaries in a region. Whenever the Hindu organizations observe his birth or death anniversaries on April 14 or December 6, certain organizations criticize the Sanathana Dharma.”

In his tweet, he said, “Let’s tear the mask of those who indulge in caste politics in the name of Ambedkar.”

 

Later that day, VCK goons attempted to attack Arjun Sampath while he was paying respect to the Ambedkar statue in Raja Annamalai Puram, Chennai. The police had to be called in to safely escort him out of the area. However, Arjun Sampath filed a petition before the Madras High Court seeking directions to the Pattinambakkam Police Department to provide security for him while paying respect to legal luminary Dr. Ambedkar at his memorial in Raja Annamalai Puram. The Madras High Court has ordered Pattinampakkam police to provide adequate security for Arjun Sampath. It should be noted that VCK goons disguised as lawyers tried to attack Arjun Sampath inside the court premises.

VCK members, led by VCK Deputy General Secretaries Vanniyarasu and VCK functionary Rajinikanth, protested against Arjun Sampath, who came to pay respects to Ambedkar’s statue in Adyar, Chennai.

Vanniyarasu and his fellow VCK goons then attempted to assault Arjun Sampath by throwing sandals at him, a video of which has gone viral on social media. Following this, the police arrested VCK goons including Vanniyarasu who were involved in a road blockade and assaulting Arjun Sampath. According to the police, 29 people, including Vanniarasu, were detained and later released at 8.30 p.m. In addition, the police have informed that they have filed a case against 20 people under five different sections.

Despite the VCK goons’ hooliganism, Arjun Sampath later garlanded the Ambedkar statue and paid his respects. In his tweet after posting the video, he said, “Jai Bheem, Jai Ambedkar, and Ban VCK.”

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Villagers Avail Benefits From Free Mega Medical Camp Conducted By Isha

By
The Commune
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Isha in Coimbatore organised a 2-day free Multidisciplinary Medical Camp that benefited more than 600 villagers, including tribal people. The camps were conducted under ‘Arogya Alai’ campaign of Isha Rural Rejuvenation which aims to provide quality medical services to the rural poor. The campaign has been facilitating free medical camps in Coimbatore district in collaboration with leading hospitals.

Multidisciplinary free medical camp was held on 4th December at Government Higher Secondary School, Madhavarayapuram and on 5th December at Isha Village Hospital, Alandrai. People from various villages, including- Alandurai, Semmedu, Iruttupallam, Madakaadu, Thondamuthur, Pooluvapatti, Thombilipalayam underwent free medical examination. Specialist doctors of the camp offered medical advice on issues, including- Heart, Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat, Stoma, Skin, Dental, Nervous, Women, and Children’s Health.

43 patients diagnosed with cataracts were treated free of charge at Arvind Eye Hospital. As a major draw, the camp offered free of cost ‘Echo’ test for cardiac patients, cervical test for women, breast cancer diagnostic test and hearing test. All medicines were provided free of cost.

This 2-day medical camp was organized in collaboration with Coimbatore Aravind Eye Hospital, Velliangiri FPO, Ganga Hospital, Coimbatore Rotary Metropolis Association.

(This is an official press release from Isha Foundation. The Commune was not involved in creating this content.)

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VCK MP Thirumavalavan Insults Hinduism At Christian Book Launch Event

By
The Commune
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Thirumavalavan, the chief of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and a Lok Sabha MP, has once again spewed venom on Hinduism while speaking at a Christian book launch event.

VCK chief Thirumavalavan released a book by Nandini Krishnan named “Uthirntha Kavithaigal” which is a compilation of poems written by late pastor John Suresh. While speaking at the event, VCK chief Thirumavalavan said, “Sanatana Dharma has been opposed in this land (Tamil Nadu) for more than a thousand years. 10 years ago, for an advertisement, I said ‘Adhi Bhagavan’ Buddha is the first anti-Sanatana Dharma fighter. The word ‘Aadhi Bhagavan’ used by Thiruvalluvar denotes Gautama Buddha.”

He further said, “The Buddha movement is an anti-Sanatana Dharma movement. He is not a spiritual leader. He is not a religious leader. He is anti-Sanatana Dharma fighter. This was confirmed by Ambedkar. The preamble of our constitution written by Ambedkar shows that Ambedkar is anti-Sanatana Dharma.”

He continued, “Ambedkar’s mention of liberty, equality, and fraternity in our constitution’s preamble demonstrate that he is anti-Sanatana Dharma. They (Hindus) insulted Ambedkar when he used the words liberty, equality, and fraternity in the preamble. They charged Ambedkar with plagiarising those words from the French Revolution. However, Ambedkar told his detractors that he borrowed those words from Gautama Buddha, not the French Revolution.”

Thiruma said, “Buddha wanted to spread liberty, equality, and fraternity because India did not have these qualities. It is because this land (India) was plagued with Sanatana Dharma, it did not have liberty, equality, and fraternity. Sanatana Dharma is entirely based on discrimination, and Manu is the one who turned that discrimination into law. Discrimination is the basis for both Sanatana Dharman and Manusmriti. It was Gautama Buddha who fought this discrimination by Manu and Sanatana Dharma without resorting to violence or armed rebellion.”

He stated, “When Ambedkar wrote our constitution, he wanted it to be diametrically opposite to Sanatana Dharma. Though our constitution is against Sanatana Dharma, it still exists on the ground. That is why we still have ‘Agraharams’ (places where Brahmins live in groups) and slums. That is why there are still honor killings and separate crematoriums for different castes. Still, Sanatana Dharma and Manusmriti reign supreme across all platforms. This demonstrates that our constitution is only partially in force and is not fully enforced.”

He went on to say, “Women and Dalits are unable to shine in politics because of Sanatana Dharma. Dalits cannot gain clout in any large non-caste party. In large parties, we can’t even become union secretaries. This is the reality. Women hold prominent positions in VCK, including district secretary, state secretary, and others. However, we never see women or Dalits in prominent positions in large political parties. This discrimination is also due to the prevalence of Sanatana Dharma in our society.”

He stated that while Dalits, women, and tribals can become President or Governors in this country, they will never be Prime Ministers or members of the RSS in positions of influence.

“Though there is a special marriage act and a Hindu marriage act, they are designed in such a way that they do not affect the caste structure in this society. However, there is no discrimination in Christianity and Islam, unlike Hinduism.” he said.

“Manusmriti is what motivates caste fanatics to kill brides and grooms who marry outside their caste. The only way to combat the discrimination promoted by Sanatana Dharma and Manusmriti is to implement our constitution to at least 50% of its full extent.”, Thirumavalavan further added.

He further said, “It is Manusmriti which is preventing widow remarriage. The only way to address this issue is to put our constitution into action. Because Dalits number more than 30 crores, they (Sanatanis) act as if they are nice to Dalits. It is their strategy to become hostile to us Dalits.”

Dalits and Tribals together constitute 35 crores of our population. They look cordial to Dalits and Tribals because they are afraid we will convert to another religion. It is their strategy to celebrate Ambedkar in order to stop conversion among Dalits.

He continued, “Conversion to Islam and Christianity is highest among Dalits and Tribals, compared to all other communities. They (Sanatanis) wanted to stop this. Hence, they appear cordial to us. We should not be deceived by their strategy to stop conversion.”

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Christian Missionary NGO Accused Of Converting SC/ST Children In TN And AP

By
The Commune
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A Christian NGO named Bethanya Vision Ministries Trust has been accused of  targeting children from vulnerable communities, particularly those from nomadic tribes in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Children from the Narikuravar and Chenchu communities in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, respectively, were reportedly the targets of Bethanya Vision Trust (BVMT), an FCRA NGO operating out of Tamil Nadu. It also targets families who depend on daily labor and cannot afford to care for their children at home or send them to school. It operates 2 “children’s homes” in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

On its website, BVMT describes itself as a Christian ministry. It states that its mission statement is to “bear witness to the Lord Jesus Christ as our only Savior and of the advantages of knowing and following Him.”

The Gypsy New Life Children’s Home, established in 2015 and run by the FCRA NGO, targets Narikuravar children and currently houses 60 of them, with the local pastor in charge.

Narikuravar is a nomadic tribe that used to hunt in the wild but now makes a living by selling beads and trinkets. They must leave their families for an extended period of time, and children are frequently left in the care of the elders. This community has been largely ignored by the government, and they are unable to access schemes or provide proper education to their children because caste certificates are required. As a result, they are vulnerable to missionary predators. BVMT identifies such children and brings them to their ‘children’s home,’ where they receive a promising education.

Similarly, quarry workers’ children are targeted, and BVMT runs another children’s home in Thiruneermalai. It began operations in 2018 and currently houses 50 inmates, who are cared for by pastor Raj and his wife Layaal.

Thirty children of Chennai Corporation sanitation workers are housed in the St. Thomas Children’s Home.

Additionally, BVMT manages a Tribal Children’s Home in Andhra Pradesh with around 50 members of the local Chenchu tribe under its custody. This home, which opened in 2015, is also run by a local pastor.

For the children of daily laborers, the NGO also operates a community centre in Donakonda, Andhra Pradesh. These kids are forced to attend Christian prayer meetings and pray, as is evident from the images posted on the BVT international and BVT India websites.

The BVMT in Washington, USA, with whom BVT India is affiliated, has a fundraising page on its website for a number of kids whose parents have Christian names but whose names sound Hindu. According to the NGO Darpan portal, it was funded by Crisis Rescue International Ministries, which uses Bharatiya children as pawns on its social media pages to solicit donations.

According to the company’s YouTube channel, India is the epicenter of Child Sex Trafficking, which states that, “we run children’s homes in India, which is known as the world’s epicenter of child sex trafficking.” The purpose of its mission trips is to transport North Americans to “perform evangelical outreach, raise awareness of human trafficking, and provide Christmas celebration with orphaned and rescued children.” Crisis Rescue International Ministries’ mission statement reads, “Provide Rescue, Care, and Housing to Orphans, Abandoned Children and Those Trafficked for the Purpose of Slave Labor or sex in the 10/40 Parallel Window and Promote the Awareness of Human Trafficking Globally through Evangelical Mission Trips.”

The nations that are located between 10° and 40° North of the equator are known as the 10/40 window. Due to the residents’ opposition to Christian proselytizing, The Joshua Project refers to it as the “Resistant Belt.” In relation to this, Legal Rights Protection Forum has discovered violations of the Juvenile Justice Act, SC-ST Act, and Foreign Contribution Regulation Act in the BBVMT-run children’s homes. It has complained and asked for the cancellation of its FCRA license by highlighting these violations.

(with inputs from HinduPost)

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Will TN BJP Be Able To Give Closure To Jayalalithaa’s Unfinished Task?

By
The Commune
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J Jayalalithaa passed away on Dec 5, 2016. Jayaram Jayalalitha (24 February 1948 – 5 December 2016) was an Indian actress and politician who served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for more than fourteen years over six terms between 1991 and 2016. Hers is a story of hardship, grit and courage. A story of a vulnerable yet fearless woman in the world of Tamil Nadu politics, dominated by men and conservative patriarchy. Jayalalitha was a tall Tamilian leader, well known all over India and amongst the most recognized faces of her political party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).

The AIADMK is a political party founded by the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M.G. Ramachandran (M.G.R) in October of 1972, as a breakaway faction from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) after DMK leader & former Chief minister, M. Karunanidhi expelled him from the party, for demanding an accounting of funds, as the party treasurer. M G Ramachandran (MGR), a popular Tamil movie star, had a sussessful stint as Chief minister of Tamil Nadu and was reported to be Jayalalitha’s mentor. As an actress herself, she had known him since her acting days. Jayalaitha was claimed to be MGR’s political protégé and heir but that didn’t make it any easier for her political ascendancy within the party. Her determination, courage and confidence allowed her to finally taste victory as the leader of the AIADMK and eventually, as the Chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

Jayalalitha was an accomplished actress, politician, orator, writer and connoisseur of the arts, fluent in several languages – Tamil, Hindi, English, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. She was revered by her cadre, as their “Amma” (Mother) and “Puratchi Thalaivi” (Revolutionary leader). As with most people blessed with a strong, distinct individuality and leadership skills, she had her share of highs, lows, successes, failures, sensational news and controversies. Much has been written about her and there’s plenty of information available, on every sphere of her life. Rather than a repetition of all information pertaining to her, this year may be the right year, to talk about one of her actions, taken exactly a decade ago in 2002. A bold, politically risky one, that ruffled a whole bunch of “secular” feathers, including her arch rival, the DMK party: The Tamil Nadu Anti Conversion Bill passed in September 2002 and enforced in October. The bill was officially termed “Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion Act 2002” but she had to withdraw following severe backlash from Christians and Muslims.

The time may not have been ripe for Tamil Nadu ten years ago – Will it resume its relevance now, with a stronger Hindu voice and unity, both at the national level and at the regional level? The Hindus are better positioned and represented now, with a larger BJP presence (and regional affiliates) in several more states, a decade after Jayalitha risked her political career? She repealed it, just two years after bravely footing the bill in the TN assembly, on account of political compulsions of the times. Leaders of the minority communities of Islam and Christianity backed by “secular” parties like M Karunanidhi’s DMK, the Congress and the VCK, led by the virulantly anti-Hindu Thiruvamavalavan, succeeded in creating a false and hyped up narrative around the anti-conversion law, linking it to the constitutional right of freedom of religion. The Hindus were divided across several fault lines, including caste and did not back the much needed bill, with the vigour and enthusiasm that she had expected.

In the end, it was the Hindus of Tamil Nadu that betrayed her. The minorty reaction was an already anticipated, predictable one, from groups that had traditionally been pampered and pandered to, by the Indian Left and the “Secular” lobby. The Constitution addresses both issues, freedom of religion as well as circumstances unacceptable for proselytization/ conversions.

The original intention of the Constituent Assembly and the interpretation of Article 25 by the Supreme Court later on clearly differentiate the right to propagate from the right to convert other persons to one’s own religion. The former is a Fundamental Right, the latter, if forcibly done and not by choice of the person converting, is illegal.

Jayalalitha reminded the people of Gandhi’s aversion to conversions via dubious methods such as financial incentives and promises of employment. Gandhi had made it clear that he did not approve of religious conversions in general and encouraged people to study and practice their own religions well.

As is their tendency in India, the secular brigade chose to focus sharply on the first and deliberately keep the general public ignorant of their rights under the second.

Jayalalitha’s bill suffered from malicious misinformation, spread by the opposition secular parties and Christian, Muslim administrative bodies, which cried foul over an imagined breach of the Freedom of Religion provision, when in reality, the bill was formulated to stop misuse of religion and fraudulent conversion practices, based on unethical practices like financial inducements and derogatory remarks on native faiths and practices. She intended to put a stop to such non-genuine, inauthentic, un-ethical practices, already causing animosity among the various religious groups in India including Tamil Nadu. The bill had nothing to do with the Constitutional right to practice one’s Religion freely and without fear of retribution, yet it was mis-interpreted, mis-judged and mis-understood by people, based on false propagandist information spread by Left leaning media and the ‘secular’ parties.

Jayalalitha had miscalculated the financial clout of the minority organizations (both Christian and Muslim ones, which often receive funds from foreign nations often flouting legal terms of the FCRA- Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, specifically for Conversion purposes), the virulence of the anti-Hindu rhetoric unleashed by the Secular lobby receiving funds, votes from minority communities and the hugely disappointing luke-warm to none, support from the Hindu community.

She repealed the Act in 2004 yet lost the next state elections in 2006. Jayalalitha lost the smear campain and misinformation battle, to the anti-Hindu forces with no support from her own Hindu community. The opposition was well funded and well organized. All of the “seculars” united, in spite of minor differences amongst themselves and unleashed a storm of fear-mongering and negative publicity.

All the parties that indulged in rampant minority-appeasement won, at the cost of a genuine cause, affecting the cultural and demographic fabric of India, that ought to have at the very least, been debated on both sides of the argument.

Fast forward to a decade after Jayalalitha’s laudable but failed attempt. As the year 2022 draws to a close, everybody’s eyes and ears are on the rise of the young and charismatic BJP leader, the party’s Tamil Nadu Chief Mr. Annamalai, a proud Hindu and an accomplished IPS officer. He shares many of the same personality traits as Jayalalitha, which made her a hero in the eyes of the masses. He is well educated, intelligent, self confident, fearless, hard working, a good orator and seems to attract the crowds, wherever he travels. He appears genuine, is compassionate yet firm and displays the courage to speak his mind on a range of subjects, regardless of publicity. Like Jayalalitha, Mr. Annamalai is not anti-minority, as parties like the Congress, the DMK, VCK and others, would want to potray him. Like her, he is against misrepresentation and misuse of religion for fraudulent, illegal purposes like conversion by use of financial incentives, false and derogatory statements on native beliefs etc. He stands for Freedom of Religion but is against religious fundamentalism/ fanaticism, that tears into the composite culture of this diverse nation.

Is Tamil Nadu ready for him? Many BJP leaders have proposed anti-conversion laws. A few states have enacted them. Will Annamalai rise to the occasion, to finish the unfinished business of Jayalalithaa? Only time will tell.

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Rebellion In Congress Gives Away Himachal Pradesh In A Platter To BJP

By
Sreeram JVC
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Himachal Pradesh, a small state in the Himalayan mountains that has a tendency to throw out the incumbent has been the norm since 1980’s. Would this pattern change is the million dollar question? The vote share and seat share graphs clearly depicts that the contest is truly bipolar in this hill state and both the national parties have rock solid support base of around 40% each.

 

 

 

In order to capture power in this state winning in Kangra and Mandi districts are crucial and also historically it is seen that the party which wins Lahaul & Spiti goes on to sit in power. Even in 1998 when BJP formed coalition government with Sukh Ram’s party it was his HVP which won this seat. Otherwise in the last 3 decades the party which wins this lone seat in the district wins the state.

 

Himachal is a rare state where you find over 50% of its population from General or Forward Caste. Thakurs and Rajputs from the majority here and the state has Chief Ministers only from these communities. Shanta Kumar of BJP was from Brahmin community and the remaining CM’s have been from Rajput community.

 

 

All the opinion polls clearly give an edge to BJP and it looks like a trend reversal is happening after 4 decades where the party in power is coming back. The reasons are many which includes:

  • Popularity of Narendra Modi & Schemes of Central Government
  • Turnout of women were more than men & women tend to lean towards BJP more than Congress. Free ration is a big hit with women as we saw in Uttar Pradesh
  • According ST status to Hatti community by BJP Government (The 3-lakh strong community has presence in 8 seats)
  • Success of Jal Jeevan Mission
  • Lack of CM face in Congress (They missed Virbhadra Singh)
  • Congress took the right issue of Old Pension but it was taken late in the campaign
  • Lack of focus by Congress in campaigning
  • Women were not willing to believe the promise from Congress party that they would give Rs. 1500 per month to women from age group of 18 years to 60 years
  • Lack of proper election management particularly rebel management has hit the Congress badly. Rebels played havoc in around 13 seats from Congress while the rebellion was managed better by BJP. This is going to cost the Congress a chance to come back to power. 

Key Contests

  • Seraj: CM Jai Ram Thakur
  • Haroli: Leader of Opposition
  • Shimla Rural: Vikramaditya Singh, S/o Virbhadra Singh
  • Dalhousie: Senior INC leader Asha Kumari
  • Dehra: Hoshiyar Singh (BJP rebel)
  • Hamirpur: Asish Kumar (Congress rebel)
  • Pachhad : 7 time INC MLA & Former Speaker Gangu Ram Musafir as Congress rebel 
  • Mandi: Former BJP Media incharge Praveen Sharma as BJP rebel
  • Sullah: Congress rebel Jagjiwan Pal

Effects Of Congress Rebels And Why It Gives Slight Advantage To BJP 

Dainik Bhaskar reported that due to rebels Congress is losing in 13 seats where there was a chance. They are: 

Assembly Constituency (AC No.) 14. Sullah 

(AC No.)25. Anni (SC) 

(AC No.)29. Seraj (CM Seat)

(AC No.)35. Sarkaghat 

(AC No.)38. Hamirpur

(AC No.)45. Kutlehar

(AC No.)50. Arki (Ex. CM Late Virbhadra Singh Seat) 

(AC No.)55. Pachhad (SC)

(AC No.)60. Chopal 

(AC No.)61. Theog (CPM seat) 

(AC No.)63. Shimla 

(AC No.)66. Rampur (SC) 

(AC No.)68. Kinnaur (ST) 

We did an extensive research in most of the above mentioned constituencies and came with these actual facts.

AC No. 14: Sullah

BJP won this seat by 10,291 votes in 2017. BJP MLA Parmar won the seat in 2017 with a 15% margin. Jagjiwan Pal who had defeated Parmar twice in the past is the INC rebel candidate who would cut into non local INC candidate Jagdish Sapehia. Pal is popular amongst SC & OBC voters. Pal was summoned to Delhi by High Command. He categorically told them that Jagdish is an outsider and has no business in this constituency. BJP’s candidate Parmar had won this seat thrice and Pal had won twice. BJP is retaining this seat and Pal has heavily damaged INC. It is to be noted that former BJP CM Shanta Kumar had won thrice for BJP here.

AC No. 25: Anni (SC)

Anni is an interesting 4 cornered contest. BJP denied seat to sitting MLA & & Congress denied seat to its losing candidate of 2017. Both are contesting as rebels. CM had personally campaigned. In a 4 way contest & the advantage could be for BJP or Rebels. Internal news is that INC is behind in the race. It looked Congress had an advantage in the beginning of the campaign but now the reports indicate that heavy damage has been inflicted by rebels. And after all the Modi magic may come handy for BJP. BJP ‘s winning margin was 5983 votes or 10% in 2017.

AC No. 29: Seraj

This is a VIP Seat represented by CM Jairam Thakur. There were talks of a big fight & Congress was in the race. Going by the latest reports it looks like Congress campaign & more importantly their own workers might not have voted for its candidate Chet Ram since this place have seen massive development like indoor stadium, lift irrigation, water supply augmentation scheme, better roads, etc. This 100% rural constituency was thought to shock the CM but chances appear to be less than what was told in October 2022.

AC No. 35: Sarkaghat

BJP denied ticket to sitting MLA Col. Inder Singh & Congress choose Pawan Kumar who had lost in 2017. 7 time Congress MLA & Senior disgruntled leader Rangila Ram Rao rebelled but didn’t file his nomination. While Pawan Kumar the official INC candidate Is perceived to be close to Kaul Singh Thakur who was positioning to be the INC CM hopeful, Rangila Ram was close advisor to Late CM Virbhadra Singh. Internal reports suggest that there was lack of coordination on ground resulting in Congress losing ground in the final stages.

AC No. 38: Hamirpur 

BJP had won this seat by 7231 votes in 2017 & retained its MLA. Congress is facing rebellion from few & its leader Ashish Sharma seems to have done extensive damage for the prospects of Congress. He is also under the lens of BJP since in the event of 3 way contest he may reach the pole position. But certainly he seems to have damaged the prospects of Congress. With declared assets of over ₹13 crores he is the richest contestant in this seat & local reports indicate that he has spent lots of money for this election. Damage to INC

AC No. 45: Kutlehar

BJP has been winning this seat from 1993 & it has retained 4 time sitting MLA Virender Kanwar & Minister. Having not won this seat ever since 1985 INC would find the going tough. There is a presence of Retired Navy officer as an Independent who is cutting into Congress votes.

AC No. 50: Arki

Arki was represented by Ex. CM Virbhadra Singh in 2017. After his death Sanjay Awasthi won the by-poll. Now BJP has fielded 2 time MLA Govind Ram Sharma who is pretty popular. It may not be easy for Congress to retain this seat this time. However it was a INC bastion.

AC No. 55 Pachhad (SC)

Pachhad (SC) is where the 7 time Congress MLA & Former Speaker Gangu Ram Musafir is contesting as a rebel Congress candidate hurting the official Congress candidate Dayal Pyari the maximum. We need to see the power of Musafir who can upset everyone. Pachhad is going to be a severe test for Congress party. Musafir, 72 year old veteran from Dalit community was a loyal solider of Virbhadra Singh & is a well-known figure in the state. In the event of the Congress party getting majority he could have been a contender for top post. That could have also been a reason for him being denied the seat. He throwing his hat into the ring has upset the calculations of Congress. His rebellion is triggering a crisis across the state. Sources indicate that he is on the BJP party’s radar along with other prominent ones.

AC No. 60: Chopal

Chopal is another seat where Congress is facing a real threat. 2017 INC Candidate & influential leader Dr. Subhash Chand Manglate is up in arms against the official candidate Rajneesh Kimta. He lost by 4587 votes in 2017. Anti-incumbency votes would be certainly divided and the beneficiary would certainly be BJP. This seat would have been won by INC if they had managed the rebellion. Once more it is in “The Game of Election Management” that Congress is losing. They don’t have any business to lose but now it looks like it is giving this seat on a platter to BJP.

AC No. 61: Theog

Theog was won by Rakesh Singh the lone CPI(M) MLA. He had beaten BJP by 1,983 votes. Indu Verma wife of 2017 BJP candidate joined INC when she was promised the ticket instead the ticket was given to Kuldeep Singh Rathore. Now she has thrown the hat into the ring. If INC had supported CPIM here then it have got the their support in return in other constituencies. Index of Opposition Unity (IOU) which is spoken in media is not practiced on ground. A 4 way fight would favour BJP here because anti-incumbency votes are scattered.

AC 66. Rampur (SC) & AC 68: Kinnaur (ST)

Kinnaur (ST). Congress won this seat by a mere 120 votes. With rebellion, non-cooperation on ground plus the Tribal factor would play an heavy role in deciding the winner of this seat. I am tempted to give edge to BJP but would still be a close fight. If after all these Congress wins at Rampur (SC) & Kinnaur (ST) then they have tilted in their favour. But I believe poor election & rebel management has costed INC at Himachal Pradesh.

Hence my prediction for Himachal Pradesh is as follows:

BJP: 37 to 41

INC: 23 to 28

AAP: 0

Others: 1-4

Bakasuran: Trailer Of Director Mohan G’s Latest Film Out, Bound To Ruffle A Few Feathers

By
The Commune
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Tamil film director Mohan G Kshatriyan known for taking bold films which conventional filmmakers consider it a taboo, is back again with his latest film ‘Bagasuran’.

The film’s trailer which was released on 5 December 2022 is packed with Mohan’s politics and is bound to trigger a socio-political debate.

Director Mohan G has managed to set the expectations for the film with an unusual star cast. Ace director Selvaraghavan seems to be playing the role of an antagonist vigilante. Cameraman-turned-actor Natarajan Subramanian aka (Nutty) plays a cop going after a series of crime involving young women.

The film seems to revolve around the theme of sexual exploitation of women by anti-social elements through technology and new-age apps.

Director Mohan G has registered his stamp with a scene showing a brand of politicians speaking in support of adultery. This seems to be an indirect dig on the likes of Suba Veerapandian, Dravidian Stockists and other followers of E.V. Ramasamy Naicker (known as ‘Periyar’ by his followers) who support adultery and extra-marital affairs as a way to ’empower women’.

The film’s music has been scored by Sam CS who is known for his work in movies like Vikram Vedha, Kaithi, Rocketry, etc.

The film has been produced by GM Film Corporation which had earlier produced the director’s previous ventures like Draupathi and Rudra Thandavam.

Watch the trailer here.

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BJP MLA Vanathi Srinivasan Inaugurates Water ATMs In Coimbatore South Constituency

By
The Commune
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Vanathi Srinivasan, BJP MLA of Coimbatore South constituency, inaugurated a free water ATM machine in Ramanathapuram and Ukkadam, both in the Coimbatore South Assembly constituency, at a cost of ₹17.17 lakh each.

The MLA Constituency Development Fund of the legislator was used to set up the water ATM, which was installed for the first time in the Coimbatore district. Residents in the area could use the water ATM by swiping the electronic water ATM card provided, which allows them to take 20 liters of free water each day.

Initially, 1000 families in the Coimbatore South constituency will receive water ATM cards.

Vanathi Srinivasan told reporters after inaugurating the drinking water ATM that the purified drinking water machine was set up using the MLA’s Constituency Development Fund to supply 20 litres of drinking water per day at any time, alleviating the inconveniences faced by women of the constituency.

We intend to set up this machine at five different locations throughout the constituency this year. After Ramanathapuram, we will inaugurate the second water ATM in Ukkadam, said MLA Vanathi Srinivasan.

MLA Vanathi Srinivasan also claimed that the roads in the Coimbatore district are in disrepair. “That is why I joined the AIADMK protest against this yesterday. On the road issue, the Tamil Nadu government has betrayed the Coimbatore Corporation, “Vanathi Srinivasan explained.

Blaming the Coimbatore city corporation for poor garbage disposal, MLA Vanathi said,” While the roads are impassable, the garbage disposal system leaves much to be desired.”

Accusing the Coimbatore Corporation of poor garbage disposal, MLA Vanathi said, “When the roads are impassable, the method of garbage disposal is not desirable.”

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VCK MP Thirumavalavan Calls Building Temple “A Profitable Business”

By
The Commune
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thirumavalavan antibrahmin rss hindutva hindurashtra sanatana dharma brahmin honour killing

Thirumavalavan, the chief of the Viduthalai Chriuthaigal Katchi (VCK), has once again spewed venom on the Hindu religion, claiming that building temples is a profitable business.

In a book release event held in Chennai, Lok Sabha MP Thirumavalavan said, “Building a temple is a business. I am not joking. Building temples, unlike any other business, is the most profitable and provides the highest income.”

He added, “Which other business is more profitable than the income generated by the Tirupati temple? What are the temple’s income and expenditure? People donate money to the Tirupathi temple. People pour money into the Ayyappan temple.”

He continued, “This is true even for small temples, unlike big temples like Ayyapan and Tirupathi temples. You plan and occupy any land, build a small temple, and see how big (wealthy) you become in ten years.”

Later, while addressing the reporters in Krishnagiri, inciting racism against North Indians, Thirumavalavan said, “More people are coming to Tamil Nadu from northern states. It causes fear. The Tamil Nadu government should pay more attention to this regard. Northerners should have the right to vote in their own state and not in the state they migrate to. If the northerners get voting rights in Tamil Nadu, the individuality of the state will be taken away.”

He further said, “The Governor of Tamil Nadu is working against the Government of Tamil Nadu. He should be taken back from Tamil Nadu. Atrocities committed against tribal people must be stopped. We will request the Tamil Nadu government to enact a law against honor killing.”

(With inputs from ThanthiTV and Dinamani)

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