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Joe Biden administration urges US court to extradite 26/11 mastermind Tahawwur Rana to India

By
The Commune
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In a major breakthrough in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, United States President Joe Biden’s administration has recommended a California court to clear the extradition of Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana to India.

Rana played a vital role in planning the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack, reports Hindustan Times.

The attorneys representing the US administration have urged the court to ‘conclude’ India’s extradition request, claiming that there is sufficient evidence of probable cause on each of the criminal charges against Rana, and that his extradition is justified because the 59-year-old is facing multiple criminal charges for his role in the planning of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

India has charged Rana with plotting with David Coleman Headley, also known as Daood Sayed Gilani, to aid the Pakistani terror organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) by conducting reconnaissance that resulted in the deaths of 166 people, including six Americans.

As a Pakistani-American national, Headley had visited India on a scouting mission for targets, using the Indian branch of Rana’s Chicago-based company as a cover.

Headley is currently serving a 35-year sentence in a plea deal with the US government that prevents him from being extradited. It must be remembered that Headley for a very long time was a confidential informant for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) which is a US federal law enforcement agency under the U.S. Department of Justice responsible for combating drug trafficking and distribution within the US

UP govt releases data on actions against organised crime in the state

By
The Commune
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After Yogi Adityanath became Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in March 2017, 139 criminals have been killed in police encounters, according to data released by the state government.

This information was released by Awanish Kumar Awasthi, Additional Chief Secretary of the Uttar Pradesh (UP) Home Department. The data added that 3196 criminals were also injured during police encounters. However, 13 police personnel were killed in the line of duty, and 1122 suffered injuries during encounters with criminals.

Awasthi said that the elimination of organized crime is a top priority under CM Yogi’s government, and he also revealed that illegal properties worth ₹ 1574 crore have been confiscated in the previous four years. He informed that the police have undertaken several measures against notorious criminals and mafias upon the instructions of the state government.

Also, around 13,700 cases have been filed under the Goondas Act and more than 43000 criminals have been arrested in relation to the same.

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Arjun Sampath calls for worship of Angalamman deity at temple demolition site in Coimbatore

By
The Commune
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Indu Makkal Katchi Chief Arjun Sampath has called for worshipping of Angalamman deity and Thiruvalluvar on July 23rd, at the place where the temple was demolished in Coimbatore.

In a statement, he said,” We strongly condemn the demolition of 100-year-old Angalamman Temple on the banks of the Coimbatore Muthannan Pond under the garb of Smart City mission. The Valluvar community revered the demolished temple as a place of worship for their ancestors. Also, several common people and devotees worshipped in those temples.”

He wondered why, if small platform vendors and entertainment features are permitted under the Smart City Mission, small temples should not be permitted. He added that the Smart City Mission officials and Coimbatore Corporation authorities should respect the sentiments of the people and devotees.

He said,” Worship and Parikara Puja would be done at the site of the temple’s demolition on Friday, July 23rd, with the Angalamman deity and Thiruvalluvar portraits. Also, Porridge distribution and collective prayers will be held.”

He requested the authorities to permit the construction of a small Angalamman temple in the same location without impeding the Smart City project.

(with inputs from Arjun Sampath)

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NCSC takes cognizance of large scale Christian conversions in AP, directs Chief Secretary to file report

By
The Commune
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The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has issued notice to the Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh seeking an ‘action taken’ report in the matter of large scale Christian conversions targeting the Scheduled Caste (SC) community in the state.

The commission took cognizance following a complaint made by the SC ST Rights Forum, a non-profit legal activism organization working in the area of Dalit rights, a copy of which has been accessed by The Commune.

In its complaint, the organization had said that large scale religious conversions are leading to social strife, law and order issues and families getting torn apart. It said that the situation is such that the term ‘SC’ and ‘Christians’ have become synonymous. Citing the replies to an RTI query about the selection of beneficiaries for the Andhra government’s scheme ‘Chandranna Christmas Kanuka’, the complaint said that the government officials in Andhra had replied that they treat the entire SC population as Christians while the scheme is meant only for Christians.

 

 

The complaint also pointed to the anomaly in the demographic data of number of Christians in the state based on the report titled  “What happened to the Christians of Andhra Pradesh?” brought out by the Centre for Policy Studies.

The data from the report shows a sharp decline in those who declared their religion as Christianity between 1971 and 2011.

For example, while the population of Guntur district went up from 28.44 lakhs to 48.87 lakhs between 1971 and 2011, the number of Christians came down from 4.15 lakh to just 0.89 lakh in a span of 40 years. For undivided Andhra Pradesh, the figure for SC’s had risen to 19.59 % while the figure for Christians came down to 1.84 % by 2011.

The complaint observed that those practicing Christianity are obtaining Hindu caste certificates to take advantage of the reservation benefits. It also said that Christian evangelists indulge in aggressive proselytization and sow the seeds of secessionism by making the converts swear allegiance to extra-constitutional and extra-territorial religious heads.

Speaking to The Commune, K. Nagaraja, National President, SC/ST Rights Forum said that the SC community is the largest victim group of Christian conversions in India and that the conversion rate is more in Andhra Pradesh. “It is nothing but an attack on the culture of Scheduled Caste communities. Though it is the duty of Governments to protect the culture of Schedule Caste communities from the invasion of Church, unfortunately these governments are turning blind eye.” he said.

“We feel happy that, finally, in a first of its kind notice, the National SC Commission, by using powers vested in it under Article 338 of The Constitution of India, has decided to investigate/inquire into large scale, targeted conversion of SCs to Christianity in the state of AP.” he added.

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MoS L Murugan expresses disappointment for missing opportunity to be introduced as Minister in Parliament

By
The Commune
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Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, expressed disappointment for losing out on the opportunity to be introduced in parliament by honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The monsoon session of the Parliament commenced on Monday (July 19) with Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing the press with introductory remarks. Later, the Prime Minister attended the proceedings of both the houses and rose to introduce the newly inducted Ministers of his government.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister said that it should be a matter of pride for everyone as several women and persons belonging to the SC and ST community have taken oath as Ministers. “Several new Ministers are children of farmers and also belong to OBC communities”

However, as the opposition parties created a ruckus by raising slogans the Prime Minister could not introduce the new Ministers to the Parliament.

Slamming the opposition, PM Modi said that some people are not able to digest the fact that more women, SC, ST, and OBC community members have become Ministers.

In this regard, MoS L Murugan expressed his disappointment on Twitter on Tuesday (June 20), saying that he had missed the opportunity to be introduced in parliament by honourable Prime Minister as the first Arunthathiyar(SC) to be Minister of State for MIB and Ministry of FAHD, Government of India.

He accused Congress and its allies of disrupting the introduction of the Council of Ministers, which was a significant day for the recognition of SC, ST, OBC, and women.

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Complaint filed against DMK general secretary Duraimurugan under SC ST act, National Commission for SC initiate probe

By
The Commune
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A complaint has been filed against the DMK general secretary and Tamil Nadu Minister for Water Resource Duraimurugan with the National Commission for Scheduled Caste under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The commission has accepted the complaint and initiated a probe.

Subramani, son of Ponnusamy, hails from the Anna Nagar area in Katpadi, Vellore district. He has lodged complaints of land grabbing and caste-based violence against DMK general secretary and Tamil Nadu water resources minister Duraimurugan at the National Commission for the Scheduled Caste in Delhi.

In his complaint, he said, “Duraimurugan’s relatives and supporters in the party are committing caste-based atrocities against the Scheduled Castes living in the Serkkadu area of Vellore district.”

He added that DMK Duraimurugan encourages such caste-based atrocities against scheduled castes in the district and that no action has been taken on complaints lodged with Tiruvalam police station against Duraimurugan’s cousins ​​Murugan and Perumal’s father Krishnan for attacking him and his brother and expropriating the land.

“The police are subservient to the influence of DMK Duraimurugan. Therefore, action should be taken against Duraimurugan and his relatives and supporters for allegations of caste-based violence, ”he said.

The National Commission for the Scheduled Caste, which took up the complaint, has directed the Vellore District Collector and the District Superintendent of Police to submit a report on the action taken within 15 days. In addition, the National Commission for the Scheduled Caste has ordered the District Collector and the District Superintendent of Police to appear in person on August 6, along with the investigating officer with all the documents.

(with inputs from Vikatan)

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Manipur Congress president resigns, 8 Congress MLAs likely to join BJP

By
The Commune
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Govindas Konthoujam, the president of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), resigned on Tuesday (July 20). According to sources, at least eight Congress MLAs would join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today. Assembly elections are set to take place in Manipur next year.

Konthoujam was the Chief Whip of the Congress Legislature Party of the MPCC and a six-time elected Congress MLA from the Bishnupur Assembly Constituency. He was appointed as the president of the MPCC by Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi in December last year. He was a former Cabinet minister in Manipur.

Sharda Devi was also named president of the BJP’s Manipur state last month. She took over for Saikhom Tikendra Singh, who died in May of COVID-19.

Elections to the 60-member Manipur state assembly are set to take place next year. In the last assembly elections held in 2017, the Congress party won 28 seats and the BJP 21 seats. The Congress, which won most of the seats, was unable to form a government. However, the state parties, the NPF and the NPP, The BJP, with support, formed the regime. Subsequently, Congress MLAs joined the BJP.

At present, the BJP has 25 MLAs in the Manipur Assembly and the Congress has 17 MLAs. Meanwhile, Manipur state Congress committee president Govindas resigned today (July 20) ahead of next year’s assembly elections. Also, 8 more Congress MLAs are united with the BJP in the BJP today. Thus the Congress leadership is in shock.

(with inputs from Dinamalar)

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Lawsuit filed to block Bharat Biotech’s US partner Ocugen from manufacturing Covaxine

By
The Commune
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Pomerantz, a US-based law firm, said on July 19 that it has launched a class action lawsuit against Bharat Biotech’s US partner Ocugen, which has a license to manufacture and commercialize Covaxin in the US and Canada, asserting certain violations of the US federal securities laws.

Pomerantz has alleged in its class-action lawsuit that, the defendants Ocugen a US-based Pharma company have made materially false and misleading statements regarding the company’s business, operations, and compliance policies.

The class action was filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania by Pomerantz. “… failed to disclose that the information submitted to the (US)FDA was insufficient to support a EUA, Ocugen would not file an Emergency Use Authorization with the FDA, (and) as a result of the foregoing, the Company’s financial statements, as well as defendants’ statements about Ocugen’s business, operations, and prospects, were false and misleading or lacked a reasonable basis,” Pomerantz alleged in its lawsuit.

On February 2, Ocugen had announced it has signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Bharat Biotech to obtain exclusive rights to develop, manufacture the COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin in the US.

Pomerantz is now accusing Ocugen of stock manipulation, claiming that after the news of the high efficacy Covaxin vaccine’s licensing, Ocugen’s stock price surged from $1.81 per share on February 1, 2021, to $3.26 per share on February 2, 2021, representing a gain of about 80.1 percent.

“On February 5, submitted investor presentation that described in great detail the Covaxin vaccine characteristics, the “unmet need in the United States” and Ocugen’s plan to develop and file an Emergency Use Authorization (“EUA”) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”),” Pomerantz said.

“On June 10, 2021, Ocugen issued a press release announcing that it would pursue a “biologics license application” with the FDA instead of the previously announced EUA,” it added.

(with inputs from Moneycontrol)

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Kerala school teacher mocks Hindu gods during online classes, says only Christ existed

By
The Commune
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A school teacher in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala while taking a class online for students of 9th grade was heard mocking Hindu gods and questioned the existence of Hindu gods while preaching Christianity saying only Jesus Christ existed.

The teacher named Brinda who was teaching students of Cotton Hill School, Thiruvananthapuram also said that she has all the evidence to say that Christ existed.

After this incident came to light, the parents of the students in her class complained to the PTA management of the school. Parents complained that the teacher was trying to eliminate the concept of Hindu gods from the minds of children.

Also, the same school had published a souvenir before few years containing cartoons that insulted Hindu Gods and after protests by Hindu organizations, the school management was forced to withdraw the souvenir.
 
It has also been alleged that the PTA of Cotton Hill school is under the strong influence of CPI (M) activists who silently support anti-Hindu sentiments in the school.

(With inputs from Organiser)

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Shilpa Shetty’s husband Raj Kundra arrested for producing porn films

By
The Commune
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Former owner of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Rajasthan Royals and the United Kingdom based businessman Raj Kundra has been arrested by Mumbai Police’s Crime Branch for being the alleged “key conspirator”for producing pornographic films and pushing them through smartphone applications, reports Indian Express.

Raj Kundra is the husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty.

This porn racket came to light in February when the Property Cell of the Crime Branch had registered an FIR which then led to the arrestt of nine persons soon after and during interrogation, Kundra’s name is said to have come up .

Kundra was placed under arrest on July 19 for questioning and according to the Mumbai Police’s Commissioner, “We have sufficient evidences regarding this. The investigation is in progress.”

The Police have said that the Modus Operandi of this racket was to lure aspiring actresses into making pornographic films with the promises of being cast in web series.

Kundra’s name had also come up last year in a similar case registered by the Maharashtra Cyber Police, however, Kundra had filed for anticipatory bail, and the court is likely to decide on his plea next week.

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TheCommune
The Commune is a news and views portal focusing on social and political issues of the southern part of India with a focus on Tamil Nadu.
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