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Adani International School Hosts ISSO National Games Chess; Chatrabhuj Narsee School, Mumbai Crowned Overall Champ

By
The Commune
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Adani International School, Shantigram, successfully hosted the ISSO National Games Chess Competition 2025, a two-day event that brought together more than 370 student players from 80+ schools across 10 states. The tournament turned the campus into a hub of strategy and sporting spirit, drawing over 650 attendees including parents, coaches, and supporters.

The competition featured four categories—Under-11, Under-14, Under-17, and Under-19—providing a platform for young players to test their skills in high-pressure games. The opening ceremony was graced by Namrata Adani, Promoter of Adani International School, who encouraged participants with her interaction.

Chess stalwarts Bhavesh Patel, former Secretary of the Gujarat State Chess Association and Vice-President of the All India Chess Federation, and Grandmaster Ankit Rajpara also addressed the gathering, inspiring players with insights from their own journeys. After two days of intense competition, Chatrabhuj Narsee School, Mumbai emerged as the Overall Champion, while Indus International School, Hyderabad secured the Runners-Up title.

Speaking about the significance of such tournaments, school officials emphasised India’s rising stature in global chess, propelled by young stars like R Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh, and underscored how grassroots competitions at the school level are shaping the next generation of champions. The closing ceremony celebrated outstanding performances across categories, with medals awarded to the winners.

Results: Under-11 Winners: Boys: 1. Ayaanraj Kottapally (Shreenidhi International School); 2. Anay Agarwal (Indus International School, Hyderabad); 3. Ahaan Kataruka (Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School) Girls: 1. Amaya Agarwal (Indus International School, Hyderabad); 2. Teesha Byadwal (Jayshree Periwal Global School); 3. Mrunmayee Daware (HVB Global Academy) Under-14 Winners: Boys: 1. Nirvaan Nirav Shah (Don Bosco International School); 2. Amay Jain (Rockwoods International School); 3. Udbhav Sharma (Neerja Modi School) Girls: 1. Naisha Khandelwal (Neerja Modi School); 2. Aadya Reddy Konda (The Gaudium School); 3. Shreya Tirthani (Bharati Vidyapeeth Rabindranath Tagore School of Excellence) Under-17 Winners: Boys: 1. Aman George Thomas (Vidyashilp Academy); 2. Aditya Kunal Patil (Dhirubhai Ambani International School); 3. Devansh Khandelwal (Scottish High International School) Girls: 1. Hasitha Reddy Patelu (Manchester Global School); 2. Ananya Khandelwal (JBCN International School, Parel); 3. Suhaani Lohia (Dhirubhai Ambani International School) Under-19 Winners: Boys: 1. Sparsh Sarawogi (Indus International School, Bangalore); 2. Aayan Singhvi (Jayshree Periwal International School); 3. Kabir Tandon (Indus International School, Bangalore) Girls: 1. Jhalak Byadwal (Jayshree Periwal Global School); 2. Dhyana Doshi (Aditya Birla World Academy); 3. Nibha Manchal (Sanjay Ghodawat International School).

–IANS

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Kavitha Faces Uncertain Political Future After Exit From BRS

By
The Commune
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brs kavitha rift attack

Kalvakuntla Kavitha, who quit the BRS after being suspended by party President and her father K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR), is likely to float a new party but faces an uncertain future in the crowded political space in Telangana.

With hardly any support from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) cadres, and the lack of a clear agenda makes it a daunting task for the 47-year-old to create her own identity. While her revolt and sensational allegations against her cousins – former minister T. Harish Rao and former MP J. Santosh Kumar – dealt a blow to the BRS, the lack of support from any known face in the party makes her fight a lonely battle.

Though she is yet to announce her future course of action, those close to her believe that she will turn Telangana Jagruthi, the cultural and social group she has been heading since 2008, into a political party. Kavitha’s revolt and her allegations of corruption against Harish Rao, one of the most powerful leaders of the party and a close confidante of KCR, have embarrassed the first family of BRS at a time when it was gearing up to bounce back in the state after a series of reverses since losing power in 2023.

The timing of Kavitha’s attack also raised eyebrows in the political circles. Her onslaught against the cousins came hours after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy ordered a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the alleged corruption in the Kaleshwaram irrigation project constructed during the BRS rule. The Chief Minister announced the CBI probe in the Assembly after a marathon debate on the report of the P. C. Ghose Commission, which indicted KCR and Harish Rao for their alleged role in the irregularities.

Though she tried to blame Harish Rao for the corruption tag to her father, it was seen by many as a confession when the two leaders had approached the High Court to quash the Ghose Commission report. Hence, KCR lost no time in acting against Kavitha. While both KCR and Kavitha’s brother and BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao (KTR) have refrained from reacting to Kavitha’s allegations, they let senior BRS leaders, including women leaders, justify the action taken against her.

The BRS leaders praised KCR for what they called not sparing his own daughter to enforce discipline in the party. None of the key leaders of BRS came out in support of Kavitha, who not only quit as Member of Legislative Council (MLC) but also resigned from the primary membership of the party. Continuing her outbursts against Harish Rao and Santosh, she even alleged that they were trying to take over the party. She also cautioned her father and brother against their conspiracies.

Kavitha’s episode gave the ruling Congress and the opposition party, the BJP, more ammunition to attack the KCR family over alleged corruption during the 10-year BRS rule. Leaders of both Congress and BJP attributed Kavitha’s revolt to what they call a rift in the KCR family over the sharing of “ill-gotten” money. Political analysts believe that no one will come out in support of Kavitha, who has no mass base, unlike KCR, KTR, and Harish Rao. Even the cadres of Telangana Jagruthi are the BRS workers. In addition, Kavitha’s agenda itself is not clear. “There is no clarity on what Kavitha is demanding and what her complaint is when the party is in the hands of her father and brother,” analyst Palwai Raghavendra Reddy told IANS.

He believes that the stand taken by Kavitha in accusing Harish Rao and Santosh Kumar of being corrupt while giving a clean chit to KCR and KTR will not cut ice with people. Leaders of the ruling Congress and the other opposition are already demanding she speak out on the alleged corruption of her father and brother. By suspending Kavitha, KCR sent a strong message that he will not tolerate allegations against his nephew, who had a crucial role in building the TRS (now BRS).

“Harish Rao was in the party even before his brother and sister joined it. People who know the contribution of Harish Rao to the party will not believe what Kavitha is saying,” said Raghavendra Redy. He is also of the view that Kavitha would not be able to make any political impact. At the most, she can be a nuisance factor to the BRS and its leadership. The analyst draws a parallel with the rift between Sharmila and her brother Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy in the YSR Congress Party. Sharmila had played a key role in keeping the YSRCP afloat with her padyatra in the then united Andhra Pradesh when Jagan was in jail in the disproportionate assets case.

She also had a significant role in the party’s election campaign in the 2019 elections. After YSRCP came to power with a landslide win, and Sharmila wanted her pie, Jagan Mohan Reddy sidelined her. When she came out and floated the YSR Telangana Party, nobody came in her support. Sharmila merged her party with Congress, which made her the President of the party’s Andhra Pradesh unit. She claims to be the true successor of her father, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s political legacy. Unlike Sharmila, who was not made an MP or MLA, Kavitha had a political space in Telangana. She founded Telangana Jagruthi in 2009 to give cultural thrust to the Telangana movement when it was at its peak.

After the formation of Telangana State in 2014, she was elected to the Lok Sabha from Nizamabad. Though she failed to retain the seat in 2019, KCR made her a member of the Legislative Council. However, she was not given any role in the government or the party. After TRS retained power in 2018, KCR made his son KTR the heir-apparent by appointing him as the Working President of the party. As a minister holding key portfolios, KTR was the number two in both the government and the party. Some people see this patriarchal approach as the cause of family rift. Kavitha’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the CBI in March 2024 in the Delhi liquor case dented her image. The political rivals dubbed her “liquor queen”.

She was the first member of KCR’s family to be arrested on allegations of corruption. After her release on bail five months later, KCR apparently wanted her to lie low due to her tainted image, which was seen as one of the factors for the party drawing a blank in the Lok Sabha elections. She, however, started reviving her political activity by taking up various issues, especially the issue of an increase in reservation for backward classes. Kavitha was apparently feeling sidelined in the party. The internal rift came out in the open in May 2025 — a few days after BRS held a massive show of strength in Warangal to celebrate its silver jubilee — when a letter written by Kavitha to KCR was leaked. This exposed the rift in the family and ultimately led to her exit from the party.

–IANS

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I’m An Admirer Of PM Modi’s Fitness: Milind Soman

By
The Commune
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Actor and fitness icon Milind Soman on Sunday said he is not only a big fan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi but also an admirer of his commitment to fitness, as he launched the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha’s (BJYM) ambitious ‘Namo Yuva Run’ campaign in the national capital to mark PM Modi 75th birthday.

The event, held at the BJP headquarters, was attended by Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, BJYM President and MP Tejasvi Surya, along with others. Speaking at the launch, Soman underlined the broader meaning of fitness.

“Fitness means—in the midst of all the pressure in life—staying active. If you are able to do what you need to do, what you are meant to do, that is a true measure of fitness. Only building biceps or six-pack abs is not fitness,” he said. Calling the initiative “amazing”, Soman highlighted the uniqueness of bringing together 10 lakh people across India to run simultaneously. “I think, not only in India but across the world, this is the first-of-its-kind run at such a scale. I hope we do more such initiatives, because doing it once is not enough. Consistency is the key to change,” he added.

The actor, who has long been associated with fitness campaigns, also linked the run to a broader social cause. “The country and the world are united in the fight against drugs,” Soman said, stressing the role of physical activity in leading a positive life. BJYM chief and MP Tejasvi Surya announced that the ‘Namo Yuva Run’ will be held on September 21 to mark PM Modi’s 75th birthday. “Runs will take place at 75 locations, with 10,000–15,000 youth participating at each venue. This means nearly one million young people will run together at the same time. It will be recorded as the biggest and most participative run in the country,” he said.

The campaign, positioned as both a tribute to PM Modi and a call for youth fitness, will mobilise young Indians on an unprecedented scale.

–IANS

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PIL In Supreme Court Seeks National Committee To Oversee Governance Of Temples Across India

By
The Commune
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The Akhil Bhartiya Mandir Parishad, a trust dedicated to the welfare of the Hindu community, has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) before the Supreme Court seeking the constitution of an All-India Management Committee to oversee the governance of temples across the country. As per the plea, temples—whether managed by the Centre, state governments, or private committees—are “severely plagued by mismanagement, maladministration of funds, and poor upkeep.”

It added that negligence in financial allocation and utilisation has undermined “the sanctity and proper functioning of these sacred institutions” and has hurt the sentiments of devotees who visit temples regularly in devotion to the Hindu Gods and Goddesses. The PIL, filed through advocate Rakesh Dahiya, claimed that safeguarding the religious identity and ensuring the welfare of the Hindu community is not merely an individual responsibility but “a constitutional obligation upon the government in power.”

Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the petitioner argued that the government is bound to ensure that “the religious sentiments of Hindus shall not be infringed upon, whether by the State or by individuals from other religious groups.” As per the PIL, the existing statutory frameworks “have failed miserably in managing and maintaining our temples.” It prayed for the establishment of an All-India Management Committee with the mandate to oversee administration, finances, and devotee welfare at all temples across the country. “Its goal would be to ensure transparency, accountability, and the welfare of temples, while preserving their sanctity and religious significance,” the PIL stated.

It added that the “committee’s aim should be to deliver a hassle-free and spiritually fulfilling experience for every devotee, regardless of their social or economic background.” The PIL referred to a legal notice issued by the Akhil Bhartiya Mandir Parishad on October 3, 2023, to the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Management Committee in Ujjain, after learning that “the aforesaid committee is charging hefty amounts from devotees who visit the Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain, for Temple Visit and Aarti. As a consequence, these high charges have effectively restricted access to the temple’s religious services for the economically weaker sections of society.”

The petition also listed past tragedies, including the 2022 Vaishno Devi stampede and the fire incident during Holi celebrations at Ujjain’s Mahakaleshwar temple, as evidence of “gross negligence” by temple committees. It pointed to the Tirupati Laddu controversy as another instance of “maladministration by the State Government which ultimately infringes the sentiments of followers and pilgrims”. The plea asserted that the formation of such a central committee would “provide much-needed relief to temples and ensure their governance is consistent with the ethos of Hinduism, free from external interference, and protected from mismanagement.” As per the causelist published on the website of the apex court, a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai and Justices K. Vinod Chandran and Atul S. Chandurkar will take up the matter for hearing on Monday (September 8).

–IANS

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DMK-Congress Ally VCK Uses Children In A Skit Mocking Hindu Traditions And Targeting Brahmins, Veiled Digs Made At President Murmu And Union Minister L. Murugan

By
The Commune
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In yet another controversial move targeting the Brahmin community and Hindu religious traditions, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) has come under fire for featuring children in a politically charged skit at the recent Ranipet Resolution Public Meeting. Critics have condemned the act as a blatant use of minors in political and religious propaganda, raising serious ethical and legal questions.

The skit, presented under the theme “Hindu Religion Is Our Own Religion”, sought to promote a Dravidianist reinterpretation of Hindu deities by portraying them as rebranded forms of the Buddha. It began with children chanting Buddhist mantras such as “Buddham Saranam Gachhami”, followed by Islamic slogans declaring religious and linguistic identity, “My mother and father are not from an Arab country. We are not strangers. Allah is formless to us. Tamil is our mother tongue, and we are Indians. Allahu Akbar.”

The skit then shifted to a dramatized depiction of Hindu caste discrimination. A saffron-clad child, adorned with sacred ash (vibhuti), a janeu (sacred thread), and portraying a Brahmin priest, was shown addressing others with derogatory remarks, “Hey, abhishtu get lost, go away! Come near me only when I call you. Don’t rush forward like a cashew nut!”

Other children were showcased asking, “Saamy! aren’t we Hindus?” claiming to represent the various varna groups Shudra, Vaishya, Kshatriya, and Panchama (Dalits) asserting that they too are Hindus. Then a scene builds a narrative to depict resistance against Brahminical authority, as Dalits. One child portraying a Dalit character challenges the priest’s authority, saying, “Why swamy should we always be at the back? Why should we always stand at back? Test our devotion if you must!”

The priest responds, “What? You want me to test your devotion? Fine, now you’ll understand why I told you to stand at the back. Repeat after me—Om Namo Narayana! Om Namo Narayana! Jai Shri Ram!” All the other varna groups depicted as following his lead and chant as instructed. However, when he turns to the Panchamar girl and asks her to repeat “Om Namo Narayana,” she instead chants, “Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Samma Sambuddhasa,” a Buddhist mantra.

The priest, taken aback, shouts, “Stop! What are you saying? I told you to chant something else. Fine, repeat this instead Jai Shri Ram!” She firmly replies, “Jai Bhim! Jai Bhim!”

The priest then tries to explain that chanting “Namo Narayana” grants one a place in Vaikuntha (the Hindu heavenly abode) and chanting “Jai Shri Ram” grants moksha. But she responds, “Making me stand at the front or back depends on my actions and character, not your permission. Rather than live as a submissive slave just for a place in Vaikuntha, we choose to live freely, even if poor, as the original people of this land as Buddhists! Jai Bhim! Jai Bhim! Jai Bhim! Jai Bhim!”

The skit goes further, making a veiled reference to Union Minister L. Murugan and President Droupadi Murmu, both from marginalized communities, stating that while someone from their background may become a minister or even the president, they can never become a Shankaracharya.

One child asks, “Swamy, we are also Hindus, right? Can we also become Shankaracharyas?” the priest replies, “What a mess! Everyone wants to become a Shankaracharya. Hey, you can even become the President of India, but don’t even dream of becoming a Shankaracharya.” Another asks, “Swamy, what kind of justice is this? Can’t we become Shankaracharyas? Are we not Hindus?” the priest mocks, “Hey Muruga, you can even become a Union Minister, but don’t even think about becoming a Shankaracharya.”

This narrative distorts Hindu traditions. Being born a Brahmin does not automatically grant access to temple sanctums (garbha griha) or ritual authority—such roles are governed by temple Agamas (scriptural codes). Even senior religious figures like Shankaracharyas are not permitted to enter certain temples based on traditional rules.

Observers view the skit as an attempt to reinforce long-debunked Dravidianist propaganda aimed at vilifying Hindu practices and customs, while emotionally manipulating young minds to serve political ends.

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VCK Cadres Attack Puratchi Tamilagam Chief Airport Moorthy Outside DGP Office In Chennai

By
The Commune
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airport moorthy goondas vck

A dramatic incident outside the Tamil Nadu DGP office in Chennai has sparked outrage, after Puratchi Tamilagam party chief Airport Moorthy was allegedly attacked by four unidentified individuals believed to be associated with the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK).

The incident occurred while Moorthy was present at the DGP office to support a group submitting a petition seeking security for PMK founder Dr. S. Ramadoss. As he approached the entrance, a group of men reportedly confronted him and hit him with a slippers an act believed to be in retaliation for Moorthy’s past alleged derogatory remarks about VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan.

Eyewitnesses, including several journalists, witnessed the attack, which happened in full public view and in the presence of police officers stationed outside the DGP headquarters. The assailants fled the scene immediately after the confrontation.

Speaking to the media after the incident, Airport Moorthy strongly condemned the attack and accused the police and the state government of being aware of or complicit in the assault, given the high-security nature of the DGP office premises.

The assault has triggered political tensions and renewed debates about law and order in Tamil Nadu, especially concerning the use of violence in political rivalries.

In response to the act several leaders condemned the act of public leader assaulted blatantly. Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran slammed, “Does threatening the safety of opposition parties constitute the Dravidian model? The attack on Mr. Airport Moorthy, leader of the Puratchi Thamizhagam party, by VCK members right on the Chennai Police Headquarters is highly condemnable. Who gave them the courage to attack a party leader in the capital city of Chennai, and that too inside a police office? After an attempt to murder a political party functionary at a town panchayat office yesterday, the attack on another party leader at a police office today clearly shows that law and order in Tamil Nadu is not even on paper. The fact that the attackers are from an allied party of the ruling government, and the police stood by helplessly without preventing it raises the suspicion that leading Tamil Nadu on a path of violence is the DMK government’s plan. Given these continuous attacks on members of opposition parties, the @arivalayam government should at least now come forward to restore law and order. Furthermore, the culprits who attacked brother Mr. Airport Moorthy should be arrested without any political bias.”

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ADR Reveals 87% Of Tamil Nadu Ministers Have Criminal Cases, High Wealth Among Stalin’s Cabinet Members

By
The Commune
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A recent report released by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) in collaboration with National Election Watch (NEW) has brought to light the criminal and financial profiles of ministers currently serving in various State Assemblies, Union Territories, and the Union Council of Ministers. This analysis is based on self-sworn affidavits (Form 26) submitted by ministers at the time of elections held between 2020 and 2025. Of the 652 ministers, the data of 643 was examined across 27 states, three Union Territories, and the central government.

Criminal Background

According to the findings, 302 ministers, which account for approximately 47 percent of those analysed, have declared criminal cases against themselves. More concerning is that 174 of them, or 27 percent, are facing serious criminal charges, including cases related to murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and crimes against women. The report notes that the current legal status of these cases may have changed since the affidavits were filed, and could vary depending on each individual case.

A closer look at Tamil Nadu reveals particularly troubling figures. Among the 31 ministers from the DMK party, 27 (or 87 percent) have admitted to having criminal cases, while 14 (45 percent) have been charged with serious criminal offences. This trend mirrors broader national patterns, where several political parties have a significant number of ministers with criminal backgrounds.

When broken down by party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has 136 out of 336 ministers (40 percent) with declared criminal cases, while 88 of them (26 percent) face serious charges. The Indian National Congress (INC) shows similar trends with 45 out of 61 ministers (74 percent) having criminal cases, and 18 (30 percent) dealing with serious charges. Other parties such as the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Janata Dal (United), and Shiv Sena also show significant proportions of their ministers facing criminal allegations.

 Financial Background

On the financial front, the report reveals that the average assets held by ministers across states, UTs, and the Union Council amount to ₹37.21 crore. The total combined wealth of the 643 ministers is estimated at ₹23,929 crore. Among them, 36 ministers, or around 6 percent, are classified as billionaires, holding assets exceeding ₹100 crore. Karnataka leads with the highest number of billionaire ministers at eight, followed by Andhra Pradesh with six, and Maharashtra with four. Other states including Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, and Telangana each have two billionaire ministers, while Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab have one each. The Union Council of Ministers also includes six billionaires out of a total of 72 members.

From a party perspective, the BJP has the highest number of wealthy ministers, with 14 billionaires among its ranks. The INC follows with 11 billionaire ministers out of 61, and the TDP with six out of 23, the latter accounting for the highest proportion of billionaires in any party.

Special Analysis Of Tamil Nadu Cabinet

A special analysis of Tamil Nadu’s cabinet after the 2021 state elections shows the extent of both criminal and financial entanglements among its ministers. R. Gandhi, the Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, tops the list with declared assets worth ₹47.94 crore and three serious criminal cases against him. He holds only a 10th standard education qualification. The second wealthiest is Industries Minister TRB Raja with assets of ₹41.81 crore and two serious cases registered. Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan ranks third, with declared assets of ₹38.89 crore and four criminal cases.

Minister Duraimurugan follows, with wealth amounting to ₹30.80 crore and a total of eight criminal cases, including two serious ones. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin ranks fifth, holding assets valued at ₹29.07 crore, while having 22 criminal cases registered against him. Minister E.V. Velu is next with assets worth ₹23.32 crore and seven criminal cases, two of which are serious. Minister Saminathan holds assets of ₹21.07 crore and is involved in three criminal cases, including two serious ones. Minister Raghupathi, with assets totaling ₹15.32 crore, has 23 criminal cases against him.

Minister Muthusamy owns assets worth ₹13.68 crore and is facing nine criminal cases. Minister Sivashankar rounds out the top ten with assets worth ₹13.55 crore but is burdened with 46 criminal cases, including seven serious charges.

Overall, the report highlights that 87 percent of Tamil Nadu’s ministers have declared criminal cases against them, and nearly half are facing serious criminal allegations. The findings paint a sobering picture of the political landscape, raising critical questions about the integrity of public representatives and the need for stronger electoral reforms.

(With Inputs From One India Tamil)

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Kerala Police Forces Removal Of ‘Operation Sindoor’ Onam Pookolam, Files FIR Against Against RSS Members

By
The Commune
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In a controversial incident, police in Kerala’s Kollam district forced the removal of an Onam Pookalam (floral decoration) after it was found carrying the words “Operation Sindoor.”


The Sasthamcotta police have registered a case against 24 RSS members for creating an Athapookalam (Onam floral carpet) that displayed the words “Operation Sindoor” and included a saffron flag resembling RSS insignia at a temple premises in Kollam district. This action followed a complaint lodged by the temple committee, citing authority from a High Court directive that explicitly prohibits political slogans, flags, or party symbols near places of worship.

The action has triggered sharp criticism, with many questioning why a harmless patriotic message should be treated as objectionable. Critics allege that the decision reflects the state government’s appeasement politics, pointing out that while the ruling Left frequently positions itself as a defender of free speech, it has now acted against a cultural expression during Onam.

Observers note that the same government often accuses others of intolerance but has displayed selective application of free speech principles within Kerala.

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PIL In Madras High Court Challenges Appointment Of Tamil Nadu’s In-Charge DGP G. Venkatraman

By
The Commune
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A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Madras High Court challenging the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to appoint G. Venkatraman as the in-charge Director General of Police, despite several other senior officers being eligible for regular appointment to the post.

The petition, filed by R. Varadaraj, 69, a retired police inspector-turned-advocate and President of Nethaji Makkal Katchi, is scheduled to be heard by a division bench of Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava and Justice G. Arul Murugan on Monday.

Varadaraj, who served for 25 years in the Fingerprint Bureau before opting for voluntary retirement in 2005, argued that the government had flouted binding directives of the Supreme Court issued in the landmark Prakash Singh case of 2006. The apex court had mandated that states must forward the names of all eligible DGP-rank officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which would then prepare a panel of three meritorious officers.

The state government was required to appoint one from the panel, ensuring a fixed tenure of two years. According to the petitioner, Tamil Nadu should have sent the list to the UPSC by May 2025, three months before the retirement of former DGP Shankar Jiwal on 31 August. However, the list was not forwarded on time, resulting in what he termed an “ad-hoc and untenable” appointment. Significantly, the petitioner claimed that Venkatraman, who was serving as DGP, Administration, was himself responsible for preparing and forwarding the list to the Home Secretary and the Chief Secretary, but ended up being chosen for the top post instead.

This, he alleged, reeked of political expediency. The PIL also expressed concern that the ad-hoc appointment, coming ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, could compromise the impartiality of the police force. The petitioner urged the court to quash the Home Secretary’s notification dated 31 August, appointing Venkatraman and to direct the government to initiate the proper UPSC-led process for appointing a regular DGP. Until then, Varadaraj requested that one among the three senior-most officers in the DGP cadre be allowed to hold charge, and sought an interim order restraining Venkatraman from occupying the post pending the outcome of the case.

-IANS

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Trump Backtracks On ‘Losing India’ Remark, Calls Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi A ‘Great PM’; Modi Responds Warmly

By
The Commune
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US President Donald Trump appeared to backtrack from his previous remark about “losing” India to China. At a White House press conference on 5 September, Trump said, “I’ll always be friends with Prime Minister Modi” and called him a “great Prime Minister.”

Hours after this comment, Indian PM Modi reciprocated on 6 September by saying that he appreciates and fully reciprocates President Trump’s sentiments. “He’s a great Prime Minister. He’s great. I’ll always be friends but I just don’t like what he is doing at this particular moment. But India and the United States have a special relationship. There’s nothing to worry about. We just have moments on occasions,” he added.

Hours after Trump’s remarks, Indian PM Modi reciprocated by posting on his X handle, “Deeply appreciate and fully reciprocate President Trump’s sentiments and positive assessment of our ties. India and the US have a very positive and forward-looking Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership.”

PM Modi’s comments came hours after President Trump took a positive view when asked whether he blamed anyone for “losing India to China” and he responded saying, “I don’t think we have.” President Trump added that he gets “along very well” with Prime Minister Modi but was “very disappointed” with India over New Delhi’s purchase of Russian oil. “I’ve been very disappointed that India would be buying so much oil, as you know, from Russia, and let them know that we put a very big tariff on India, 50 per cent tariff, very hot tariff,” he noted.

Earlier in the day, Trump posted a picture of PM Modi along with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying that India and Russia seem to have been “lost” to China. “Looks like we’ve lost India and Russia to deepest, darkest, China. May they have a long and prosperous future together!,” he wrote on Truth Social.

The remarks follow a wave of intensified rhetoric against India from his administration and supporters. White House Advisor Peter Navarro also repeated his accusations on Friday, alleging in post on X that India’s “highest tariffs costs US jobs.” Trump’s aide Laura Loomer claimed on X that the administration is “considering blocking US IT companies from outsourcing their work to Indian companies.” Though she did not offer any evidence to support it.

In an interview with Bloomberg on Friday, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the “US is always willing to talk,” but appeared to set preconditions for India. “India doesn’t yet want to open their market. Stop buying Russian oil, right? And stop being a part of BRICS, right? They are the vowel between Russia and China. If that’s who you want to be, go, be it. But either, support the dollar, support the United States of America, support your biggest client, who is the American consumer, or I guess you’re going to pay a 50 per cent tariff. And let’s see how long this lasts,” he added.

He also voiced US opposition to India’s rising share of Russian crude in its oil imports, calling it “plain wrong.” On Friday, India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserted that India will continue to buy Russian oil. “Where we buy our oil from, especially a big-ticket foreign exchange item where we pay so much, highest in terms of import, we will have to take a call on what suits us best. We will undoubtedly be buying,” she said in an interview with News18.

-IANS

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