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Thursday, April 23, 2026
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US pledges to send 20 million AstraZeneca vaccines from its stocks; however, timeline unknown

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The Commune
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India COVID-19 vaccine EU vaccines

The United States (US), after withholding the key ingredients necessary to manufacture the coronavirus vaccine to India, has now decided to send 20 million AstraZeneca vaccines from its stocks.

When this stock of vaccine will arrive in India, it will be a major boost to vaccinate people who are below the age of 45 and against the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the US has not set any timeline for the delivery of the 20 million AstraZeneca vaccine it has pledged, as reported by  The Economic Times.

The AstraZeneca vaccine is currently being manufactured in India by Pune-based Serum Institute and sold under the brand name “Covishield”, and the US has a stockpile of 10 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine and 50 million doses of the vaccine is estimated to be manufactured over the next two months. 

The US has also pledged that, in addition to the vaccines, it will also divert sufficient supplies of multipore filters which would help facilitate the production of as many as 18 million more doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in India itself, and already 20,000 doses of Remdesivir is also expected to reach India from the US. But more importantly, 17 oxygen generator plants will be supplied by the US.

When the US stopped crucial supplies to India which was critical to manufacturing vaccines, there was outrage within and outside of the US. Many US-based analysts called it a strategic blunder after they saw that other countries like Russia, the UK, Singapore, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, France, and many more nations were helping India to cope with the pandemic.

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This is ‘Periyar’ soil: DMK leaders seek blessings of Dharmavaram Adheenam ahead of May 2

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The Commune
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A photo of former ministers of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) receiving blessings from the 27th Gurumaha Sannidhanam of the Dharumavaram Aadheenam at the Vaitheeswaran Kovil Temple on Thursday has gone viral on social media.

In Tamil Nadu, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and its allies is known for slandering Hindu Gods and rituals. They have been spreading hate against Hindus in Tamil Nadu for the sole reason of getting the votes of a particular community.

Ironically, it has become customary for the leaders’ families to visit temples before elections, inviting a lot of mockeries. Even though the Thiruvannamalai girivalam was banned due to the recent coronavirus lockdown, the daughter of DMK leader Stalin went on the girivalam and visited the temple with special permission. Even during the election campaigns, MK Stalin carried the facade of pretending to be a pro-Hindu.

In this context, a photo of K.N. Nehru and M.R.K Pannerselvam, who are former ministers of the DMK has been doing the rounds on social media. Many netizens commented that this is a damage control move of the DMK as it has been facing ire ever since the Karuppar Koottam episode where a bunch of ‘Periyarists’ went on to abuse Hindu Gods in their YouTube channel.

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Vaitheeswaran Kovil holds Kumbhabhishekam after 23 years

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The Commune
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At the Vaitheeswarankoil Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple, after 23 years, the kumbhabhishekam festival was held without the participation of the devotees. The temple of Sri Vaidyanatha Swami and the Thaiyal Naayagi Thaayar, is one of the very ancient Sivan temples and is believed to cure chronic diseases.

After 23 years, the kumbhabhishekam ceremony was held today at this famous temple. As per the instructions of the Chennai High Court, the kumbhabhishekam ceremony was held without the participation of the devotees, subject to the coronavirus restrictions of the State of Tamil Nadu. The 8-stage Yaga Shala Puja was held on the 24th of this month.

Musical instruments that were kept for puja in the mandap where the 8-stage Yaga Shala Puja was performed were brought in procession around the temple. On Thursday morning at the Vaitheeswaran Temple, a ceremony was held for the Sivacharyas to pour holy water on the four royal gopurams that hold the temple’s main deities, namely, the Karpaga Ganesha, Vaithiyanatha Swami, Thaiyal Naayagi Thaayar, and the Selva Muthukumara Swami. IAS officer Vikram Raja and High Court Special Public Prosecutor Karthikeyan were appointed by the High Court to oversee the temple kumbhabhishekam .

Because of the 144 rule that was imposed, pilgrims were not allowed to enter the city as a restraining order had been issued. Vehicles were diverted to an alternate route. The function was attended by the 27th Mutt head of Dharmavaram Adinam Srilasree Masilamani Desikar Gnanasampantha Paramacharya Swami, Mayiladuthurai District Collector Lalita and Ashok Kumar, Associate Commissioner, HR&CE department.

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Delhi Uni’s ‘Maithry’ Kerala Forum Vice President resigns in protest against Islamic take-over; Read her resignation letter

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The Commune
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Delhi Kerala

The Maithry Kerala Forum is a group formed by Malayalee students at Delhi University who study in various colleges in the city. The Forum’s Vice-President Krishnendu, a third-year BA (Hons) Political Science student at the Bharati College, resigned from the post after accusing the forum of extending support to anti-national forces.

The reason behind the resignation was the forum’s support for Siddique Kappan, who is charged under UAPA and is currently lodged in UP jail.

Krishnendu, in her resignation letter, said that the forum has been hijacked by the Muslim Student Front, Students Islamic Organisation, and Campus Front of India.

According to her, Islamists have taken over such cultural groups to propagate their anti-national agenda in various Central Universities of India. Krishnendu, an elected representative of the forum had protested against decisions that were against the national interest.

Popular Front of India (PFI) member and journalist Siddique Kappan was earlier denied bail by the Supreme Court after he and three of his Islamist associates were arrested in Uttar Pradesh on their way to Hathras. The police allege that they came to the state to ferment trouble over the brutal rape and murder of a Dalit girl and trigger communal violence. 

In her letter, Krishnendu said that her resignation was a strong protest against the stance taken by the alliance (SIO, MSF, CFI) in favour of individuals engaged in anti-national activities.

Below is the full letter of resignation and a full explanation given by the Maithry Kerala Forum Vice President Krishnendu. 

To,
The Cabinet,
Maitri (Delhi University)


I have been the Vice President of the Cabinet of Maitri organisation (Delhi University) for the last two years. As far as my understanding, until now, Maitri is a nuetral organisation working without any political intention.

But I have learned that this is not the case with Maitri. By claiming to be neutral, this student body pursues a particular political ideology in many ways to unfold it’s plan. Maitri is being used for the political interests of some groups.


Today, Maitri caters and contributes to the religious interests and communal politics of the Campus Front of India (CFI), the Students Islamic Organization (SIO) and the Muslim Students Federation (MSF).
 
Today, however, Maitri declared its solidarity for Siddique Kappan, who has been arrested by the police in violation of the IPC Section 12,4 A (treason) and Section 153 A (on inciting enmity between communities) in connection with the Hathras rape issue.

Siddique Kappan has been charged under Section 295 A (provoking religious sentiment).
If all this is being done on humanitarian grounds then why is Maitri as an organisation selectively intervening only in some issues and not in others in many other parts of India? Why did the alliance not respond when the Indian soldiers were attacked by terrorists and Maoists? ,
 
Maitri also played a role in the anti-CAA protests and demonstrations. There has always been an opportunity for an open discussion among students and Maitri supporters on the subject. Instead of doing that, the organization has taken a side, why should a ‘neutral’ organization only intervene in certain matters with partiality?
 
Whenever the Maitri Cabinet has tried to intervene in any of the above ways, I have always opposed it. But i had always failed in the face of a majority of cabinet members.

I have remained silent on many issues for fear of isolation and targetting, and many students outside the cabinet have had similar experiences. Even today, they suffer from various mental problems due to it.
 
I resign as Vice President of Maitri because I have not used this organization for my political benefits in any way and I am fully convinced that I have not demanded any kind of political solidarity but as an impartial organization. I can in no way identify with the above political interventions. This resignation is a strong protest against the stance taken by the alliance in favor of individuals engaged in anti-national activities.

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Mansoor ali Khan gets conditional bail, penalty of ₹2 lakh paid by him to go towards buying vaccines

By
The Commune
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Actor Mansoor Ali Khan has been granted conditional bail by the Chennai High Court in a defamation case against the misinformation that he spread about the Corona vaccine. Mansoor Ali Khan was fined ₹2 lakh and ordered to pay the amount to the health department to buy the vaccine.

Earlier, Mansoor Ali Khan, who spoke to reporters after actor Vivek was admitted to hospital with a heart attack, had been critical of the corona vaccine and the preventive measures taken by the Tamil Nadu government.

Kodambakkam Zonal Medical Officer Bhupesh complained that his speech was against the government’s immunization measures and the government’s public welfare work. The case was registered under 5 sections at the Vadapalani police station, including disturbing public order and behaving with malicious intent to spread the disease. In his pre-bail petition filed in the Chennai District Court, he said that he had not said anything wrong about the vaccine except that he had said that the corona vaccine should not be made compulsory.

When the petition came up for hearing before Chief Judge R Selvakumar, the criminal prosecutor from the E Jaisankar, appearing on behalf of the police, objected that bail should not be granted as he had acted in a way that created unnecessary fear among the public. Mansoor’s petition was subsequently dismissed. He subsequently appealed to the Chennai High Court. The High Court granted conditional bail as the case came up for hearing today.

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VHP cadres to support pandemic-affected families

By
The Commune
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VHP

Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) cadres will now provide support and assistance to families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to VHP sources, the organisation has prepared a comprehensive action plan to serve the people in the pandemic. The VHP is deploying its cadre and organisational strength to help people battle the pandemic, sources said.

The VHP cadres will also arrange for the last journey of the Coronavirus victims.

Central secretary general of VHP, Milind Parande, while declaring a war on the coronavirus, called upon the volunteers to mobilize with full steam and join forces with all the monasteries, temples, Gurudwaras, saints, Dharmacharyas and voluntary organisations to wage war against this pandemic.

The VHP has evolved a four-fold strategy for this.

Under the first part, VHP volunteers will create awareness on how to save people from the virus through the ‘prevention is better than cure’ concept.

They will also ensure that all eligible people take advantage of the vaccination programme of the government. The volunteers will counter the anti-vaccine propaganda and confusion through social media, phone calls and personal contacts.

They will sensitize people about the indispensability of the present norms of personal distancing, use of face-masks, hand and face sanitization and other protocols of hygiene.

The second part of the strategy includes serving the infected persons and making all possible efforts to save their lives.

The volunteers have already started distributing Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and Siddha medicines as necessary, running Yoga sessions to promote the virtues of social discipline, patience and boost morale; and through helpline numbers, arranging consultations with and assistance from experts in the respective fields.

The services pertaining to the second front, include consultations with physicians and Vaidyas, arranging for ambulances, provisions for oxygen cylinders, plasma, blood, oxygen concentrator units, medicines and oximeters.

It also includes isolation and quarantine centres, meals for patients and their family members, assistance to lone family members in homes and hospitals, and giving support and cooperation to medical personnel.

Services pertaining to the third front include distribution of food and water, medicines and ration to the affected families and the labourers, other low-income group people; care for the home-alone elderly, students and children; fodder and water for cattle and other animals; food, water and medicines for travellers , and migrant workers returning to their native places.

The service in the fourth front include arranging for hearse or mortuary vans to transport Corona victims from the hospitals and homes to cremation grounds and making arrangements for their funeral services and cremation.

Bajrang Dal and Durga Vahini – the youth wings of the VHP – are wholeheartedly engaged physically, mentally and resource-wise in these service activities.

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“Cultural genocide of Hindus”: As Centre mulls relaxing FCRA norms for NGOs, LRO writes to Amit Shah against move

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The Commune
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FCRA NGO Rebranded, Allegations Remain: FCRA Violations Trail From Gospel For Tribals To Grace Service Society; Complaint Filed For Alleged FCRA Violations, Financial Fraud, And Religious Conversion Activities

In an unprecedented move that will open India to more Christian missionary and evangelical organisations, the Centre might relax the Foreign Currency Regulation Act (FCRA) norms in the coming days.

According to a report by The Economic Times, several non-profit and philanthropic groups are extending support to Covid-19 patients in India to ease the burden on hospitals and the nation’s healthcare infrastructure. News of a likely relaxation comes a week after the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) had recommended the State Department to redesignate India as a “country of particular concern” (CPC), alleging that there are “systematic, ongoing, and egregious religious freedom violations” in the country.

In a bid to strengthen such non-profit organisations (NGOs), the government is likely to temporarily waive provisions of the FCRA, the report said.

This will reportedly help the country’s NGOs utilise foreign funding and donations to help Covid-19 patients during the nationwide public health emergency. Quoting an official, the report said NGOs had been requesting the home ministry for such a waiver for the last six months.

It is to be noted that the Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for the grant and renewal of FCRA licences. The FCRA rules are likely to be relaxed for NGOs after May 31 when NGOs apply for licence renewal, added the report.

The FCRA rule was amended by the Centre, and it had come into effect from September 2020. It empowered the Centre to hold a “summary inquiry” and order a “violator” not to use foreign funding. The report noted that this rule was earlier applicable to an association that was found guilty of violating the FCRA act.

According to the ET report, the relaxation of FCRA rules will help NGOs and other philanthropic organisations utilise foreign funding and donations for ramping up the supply of critical healthcare equipment to help Covid-19 patients who have failed to get treatment at hospitals.

The additional funds will help smaller NGOs and organisations provide better treatment and healthcare facilities to Covid-19 patients in rural areas, where the health infrastructure is weaker than urban areas.

However, the amended FCRA rules had resulted in some curbs on the funding received by several Christian NGOs running missionary activities in the country. Any relaxation in the rules is likely to lead to increased activity by these NGOs. Recently, Christian NGOs had claimed that they had converted more than one lakh Indians during the pandemic.

The Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), in a recent tweet, said that it has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and made a counter-representation to the Centre, advising that any restrictions on the FCRA not be removed. Any loosening of the FCRA would be tantamount to “cultural genocide”, LRO tweeted.

The LRO had also pointed out that NGOs “with dubious background” had urged NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant to write to Home Minister Amit Shah to ease the stringent FCRA norms. Pampering the NGOs for short-term gains would prove “suicidal”, the LRO had tweeted.

Under the amended rules, NGOs were asked to register under FCRA to open an account at a specified branch of the State Bank of India (SBI) by March 31, 2021. However, the limit of administrative expenses was reduced from 50 per cent to 20 per cent.

The rule also mandates providing the Aadhaar number of all office-bearers, directors and other key functionaries. In a scenario where a person on the NGO board is not an Indian, a copy of their passport or overseas citizen of India (OCI) card has to be provided.

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90 year old from Coimbatore gets justice, reparation for encroached land paid to her after 27 years of court dispute

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The Commune
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Supreme Court Constitutes SIT To Probe Chennai Minor Sexual Assault Case. statehood ncpcr muslim girl marriage free speech

The Coimbatore High Court on Thursday ordered the closure of the case as the Housing Board had given appropriate compensation for the land of a 90-year-old lady following a confiscation order by the Coimbatore District Collector’s Office.

Saraswathiammal (90) hails from the Ganapathi Pudur area of ​​Coimbatore. The land owned by her was acquired by the Housing Board in September 1983. She sued the Housing Board in 1994 for not getting proper compensation for the land. Finally, the High Court issued an order last January that a total of ₹67.87 lakh, including interest, be paid as compensation for the land by March 31, 2021.

The petition filed by Saraswathiammal in the Additional Magistrate’s Court came up for hearing on the 21st after the Housing Board failed to comply with the court order. The judge then ordered the confiscation of the property, including the desk, chair and bureau in the District Collector’s Office, and the property, including the desk, chair, bureau, car and jeep in the District Revenue Office, and to seal the Coimbatore Housing Board office.

In light of this, the case came up for hearing again on Thursday. At the hearing, the petition filed on behalf of the petitioner stated that “a total of ₹62.15 lakhs has been paid into the bank account on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board Engineer at Coimbatore Tatabad to go to the victim’s bank account. Therefore, the petition seeking execution of the court order should be closed”. The judge, who looked over this case, ordered the case to be closed. Following this, the case, which had been going on for 27 years, came to an end.

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Assault on Hindu heritage: Centuries-old shrines and sacred trees destroyed in Varanasi

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The Commune
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Varanasi

Swami Avimukteshwarananda, associated with the Joshimath and Dwarka Sharada Peetham, has called out the wanton destruction of the sacred heritage sites at Varanasi (Kashi), the holiest of holy cities for Hindus, by authorities.

Taking to social media, Swami Avimukteshwarananda said that several temples have been demolished in Varanasi and their murtis were thrown away carelessly into the gutter.

He added that the green and flourishing Peepal tree, revered by millions of Hindus, was brazenly cut down. Several ancient wells were filled and covered up as well.

The statue of Mandana Mishra, a renowned Hindu scholar and philosopher, and a disciple of Adi Shankara, was destroyed.

The murtis of the deities housed in the office precincts of the Vishwanath Temple have disappeared, he alleged. Even the murti of Avimukteshwar Mahadev, one among the fourteen prominent Shiva temples in the city of Kashi, has disappeared, he said.

And now, the ‘Akshay Vat’ – a reference to the Peepal tree – has been razed to the ground, he said, expressing his disappointment and grief at the events. There was also a Hanuman shrine at the foot of the tree, which has also been demolished.

Temples and other sacred sites, that have been situated in the city for thousands of years, are all being demolished in the name of development and to promote religious tourism.

“In the name of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the soul of Kashi is constantly being attacked for the past few years”, Swami Avimukteshwarananda said.

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Michael Collins, the third astronaut on the first ever manned mission to the Moon, dies at 90

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The Commune
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Michael Collins, the ‘forgotten astronaut’ who actually stayed back on the command capsule that was instrumental for the landing of Apollo 11, the first manned mission to the moon, died aged 90 on Wednesday. He had died of cancer.

He was left all alone for 21 hours in the capsule as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin went to the lunar surface to become the first men on the moon. He had lost contact with Houston until the two returned to the module in what could have been the most solitary 21 hours that any man could have ever known in the history of mankind. Collins had recounted his experiences in his autobiography titled, “Carrying the Fire”, saying, “I know that I would be a liar or a fool if I said that I have the best of the three Apollo 11 seats, but I can say with truth and equanimity that I am perfectly satisfied with the one I have.”

He was born in 1930, and was the same age as Aldrin and Armstrong. He served the US Army for a brief period as an Air Force test pilot, and was chosen right after the US’ urge to prove itself after the Cold War. His first trip was aboard the Gemini X, which docked successfully. His second, and final, spaceflight was the historic Apollo 11.

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