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Protests behind Aarey funded by Church, LRO investigations reveal

By
The Commune
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In yet another expose, the Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), an NGO-watch working in the area of national security and human rights, has found that the Bombay Salesian Society, which is connected with Don Bosco, has been involved in nurturing protests against developments projects of the government.

According to the investigations by LRP, the Bombay Salesian Society Don Bosco received ₹10.19 crores in donations in the last year alone and ₹176 crores in the last 10 years. It further alleged that the missionary organization had created a shadow organization called ‘Vana Shakti’ to oppose the construction of a car shed in Aarey area of Mumbai.

Along with Vana Shakti, another organization named Greenline, a subsidiary of ‘Salesians of Don Bosco’ having its office in Don Bosco School, Matunga also engaged in protests against the Aarey metro car shed.

LRO stated that Saint Stanislaus School in Bandra, which is affiliated with Don Bosco, had forced the parents of the school to to sign a letter against the construction of car shed and also had forced the kids studying in the Church funded schools to participate in protests. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) had directed the education department of (BMC) to probe into the school’s role.

The LRO further went on to add in its tweet thread that back in 1992, the Church had tried to oppose the construction of Konkan Railways but had failed miserably.

Former Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh once accused Caritas India, another organization affiliated to the Salesians involved in religious conversions.

In light of this, the LRO has

A systematic attempt to defame India is being carried out internationally. These Christian missionaries are looking for ways to prod their noses into political and social issues. The latest allegations reveal how important it is to monitor foreign financial aid to prevent some NGOs from using them for anti-national activities.

“Another Nambi Narayanan must not be made”: Kamal Haasan comes out in support of Anna Univ VC Surappa

By
The Commune
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Filmmaker and Makkal Needhi Maiam head Kamal Haasan has come out in support of Anna University Vice Chancellor M.K. Surappa who is being witch-hunted by both the AIADMK and the DMK for refusing to bow down to political pressure.

Kamal Hasan in a video message said that Surappa was a honest man who who refused to give in to authoritative pressure.

“He wanted to elevate the quality of education standard in engineering in Thamizh Nadu. But will out ‘corrupt collective’ let that happen?” Kamal Haasan said adding that they [the Dravidian parties] break anyone who do not bend to their will.

Kamal Haasan lashed out at the AIADMK government saying that an enquiry commission was formed based on an anonymous letter of a ‘spineless coward’ and asked if enquiry has been done on former Vice Chancellor E. Balaguruswami’s allegations about Minister for the Department of Higher Education demanding bribes of ₹60 lakhs for the appointment of professors.

“The Ministers for Department of Local Governance, Department of Animal Husbandry, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Department of Milk and Dairy Development are corrupt, exclaimed social commentators, the media, and the opposition parties every day. Have you enquired that?”, Kamal Haasan asks in the video.

The MNM head also asked if action has been taken against the illegal occupants and those who have misused Anna University’s vehicles.

Kamal Hasan said that it was the duty of the educator to conduct examinations and what was the need for politicians to poke their nose into it.

“Are those who bought votes trying to buy students with marks?”, Kamal hits out  at the ruling AIADMK’s announcement to declare all students having arrears to pass without having the need to write exams.

Kamal Haasan said that while he may differ with Surappa’s policy bias and political ideology, he won’t remain a spectator if an honest man is hunted down.

Kamal said “This isn’t the problem between just an educator and politicians. The war is between an honest individual and a collection of corrupt politicians”, in a veiled attack at both the AIADMK and DMK.

He said that the witch-hunt unleashed on Surappa is a message that they will destroy one’s life if they refuse to indulge in corruption.

“We will spread false information and will deform your identity is the threat to Surappa and other such honest officials. From Sagayam to Santhosh Babu, the list of victims to corrupt politician is huge.” Kamal said in the video.

“We must not let this continue anymore. We must not create another Nambi Narayanan” Kamal said referring to how the former ISRO scientist was witch-hunted by the then Communist government in Kerala and urged those who wished to stand by truth to speak up.

The recent attack on MK Surappa started with DMK Youth Wing Secretary ‘actor’ Udhayanidhi Stalin launched a tirade against the Anna University Chancellor who was helping Anna University get the ‘Institute of Eminence’ tag that would up the standards of the college.

The AIADMK too toed the DMK’s line with respect to the ‘IoE’ tag. Following this, Minister for Higher Education K.P. Anbalagan launched a series of attacks on the Vice Chancellor.

 

 

 

 

 

Decades long arduous struggle bears fruition, 7 sub-sects of SC to be regrouped as Devendrakula Vellalars

By
The Commune
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devendrakula vellalar puthiya tamilagam chief hindu nation

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday (December 4) announced that the State Government would be recommending to the Central Government to include the seven Scheduled Caste sub-sects — Pallar, Kudumbar, Kadaiyar, Pannadi, Kaaladi, Vadhiriyar, and Devendrakulathar  — in the Devendrakula Vellalar community.

CM Palaniswami said that the decision has been taken based on the recommendations of the committee set up to look into the matter.

A committee headed by Dr. S. Sumathi, Professor and Head of Anthropology Department, Madras University was set up to look into the matter following a request made to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi Palanisami.

Even after the committee submitted its report to the Tamil Nadu government, there were complaints that the Tamil Nadu government was delaying sending it to the central government. Meanwhile, another one-man commission headed by IAS officer Hansraj Verma submitted a report to the Tamil Nadu government.

The Devendrakula Vellalars have been asking for regrouping of Pallar, Pannadi, Kudumbar, Kaaladi, Kadaiyar, Mooppar/Vadhiriyar and Devendrakulathar under one title –  ‘Devendra Kula Vellalar’. Parties like Puthiya Tamilagam headed by Dr. Krishnaswamy have also asked for the removal of the community from the list of Scheduled Caste.

However, Chief Minister Palaniswami said that the Devendra Kula Vellalars would continue to stay in Scheduled Caste list considering their current socio-economic status and that they would continue to receive the benefits meant for the Scheduled Castes.

Dr. Krishnaswamy, founder head of Puthiya Tamilagam party called it another milestone in the history of the party. In his statement, he said that Puthiya Tamilagam has been fighting for the last 30 years to unite the 7 sub-sects under one name and be called as Devendrakula Vellalars. However, he added that the ultimate aim was to get delisted from the Scheduled Caste.

“Since 2017, we have been waging a series of intensified struggles. Following this, a committee headed by Hansraj Verma, a senior IAS officer in the Government of Tamil Nadu, was set up to look into our request and submit a report to the Government. Even after the committee submitted its report, the State Government continued to procrastinate, and on October 6, a hunger strike was held in more than 10,000 villages across Tamil Nadu on behalf of the Puthiya Tamilagam Party.”, Dr. Krishnaswamy said.

A hunger strike was held on October 6 in 10,000 villages inhabited by Devendrakula Vellalar farmers spearheaded by Puthiya Tamilagam Party asking for the removal of the community from the Scheduled Caste list and also for the regrouping of the community as ‘Devendrakula Vellalars’. The hashtag #RemoveUsFromSceduledCaste said to be initiated by the party’s youth wing leader Dr. Shyam Krishnaswamy trended for the day. However, this massive agitation got scanty media coverage in both Tamil and national media.

“We are not putting forward demands asking for salary raise or bonuses or lowering prices. A society that lived in a state of nobility and their own land to invaders was mistakenly included in the Depressed Classes during British rule.

“Knowing the past history of the community, instead of improving their living status by giving them their rightful land and education, the community was pushed into abyss by listing under the Scheduled Caste.” Dr. Krishnaswamy says.

He remarked saying that the state government’s efforts should be a ‘full moon’ and not end up as a ‘crescent’.

Remembering Jayalalithaa: The strong-willed lady who left too early

By
Meena
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It was a fine day in the year 1984 when the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi came to Rajya Sabha. Seat number 185 which was Anna Durai’s seat in 1963 was occupied by an actress elected to the Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu. It was her turn to make her maiden speech as a Member of Parliament. Majority opinion in the house was fixated as ‘an actress who became MP due to her being in the good books of MGR’.

Any parliamentarian would least expect an actress to give a sensational oration. The speech was about the electricity crisis of Tamil Nadu laden with facts, content and immaculate diction.

Indira Gandhi was stunned and the Deputy Chairman of the House PJ Kurien said “she’s from the cinema world and nobody expected such a serious speech “. Parliamentarians praised her as “beauty with brains”.

Even though she had the luxury of support and political grooming from MGR there was no escape route for her than to face the patriarchy and betrayal which is the unsaid norm of politics.

Actors and actress today in Tamil Nadu believe that popularity will help them to get established in politics. Little are they aware that administration is a separate ball game and requires a separate part of the brain with exceptional skills.  The late Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Selvi. Jayalalithaa truly was one. A bold, fierce and an unapologetic leader who did no appeasement politics. This is what made her a leader with an iron hand in true sense.

One such example is the walk-out by Jayalalithaa during the National Development Council meeting in 2013. When all the Chief Ministers were given 10 minutes of duration to speak on the issues concerning their respective states, she expressed her dissatisfaction and walked out of the meeting. She proved that she can puncture any central government if it exploited the federal principles.

On the other hand, she extended all her support when it came to national interest. She was a pioneer in dismantling the Naxal apparatus in forest ranges of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. A clear nationalist who was against the ceding of Kaatchatheevu to Sri Lanka also gave her support to the construction of Ram Mandir.  She said and I quote “If we cannot build a temple for Ram in India, then where else do we build?“. She was in favour of Uniform Civil Code in 2003 with a belief that it would ensure equality to all citizens. She promised that the AIADMK would extend unconditional support to UCC and there is no doubt that her team will stand by her words.

She focused on keeping Tamil Nadu as a balanced welfare state and made the state “Detroit of Asia”. From cradle scheme to rain water harvesting her intelligence reflected in her innovative schemes. Amma Unavagam was applauded not only within the country but also won accolades from across the world. Egyptian government had travelled to Chennai to study the model and implement it in their country. Her personality and leadership made leaders like Hillary Clinton across the world to visit her when she was in office.

They say “Yatha Raja Tattha Praja” (Like the king, so the people). Her presence gave a strong sense of security to the Tamils. However her demise has been exploited by creating restlessness and insecurity in the state by multiple social activists, political commentators, actors and media. Jayalalithaa, a daughter of India was Amma to millions of Tamils. Her contribution to Tamil Nadu will be spoken for ages to come.

(Views expressed here are the author’s own)

(Feature image credits: India Today)

US cancels 5 Chinese-funded cultural exchange programmes

By
The Commune
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In a big jolt to China, the United States (US)’ Department of State headed by Michael Pompeo has decided to terminate five Chinese-funded cultural exchange programs, calling them Beijing’s propaganda tools, reports Economic Times.

Announcing the decision via a statement, Secretary Pompeo said that these programs conducted under a US law called the MECEA allowed US Government employees to travel using foreign Government funds under the garb of “cultural exchanges”.

Secretary Pompeo added that while the other programs funded under MECEA are mutually beneficial, the five programs which have now been terminated were fully funded and operated by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as soft power propaganda tools.

Secretary Pompeo also shared that the five programs provided carefully curated access to the officials of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and not to the Chinese people who do not enjoy freedoms of speech and assembly.

It should be noted that over the recent years, the relationship between China and the US has been going through rough weathers troubled by trade woes, US’ growing closeness to Taiwan, issues related to China’s actions in Hong Kong, handling of COVID-19 virus and its origin and more.

Gitanjali Rao, the 15-year-old Indian American TIME’s Kid of the Year

By
The Commune
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Gitanjali Rao, a 15-year-old scientist and inventor has been named as Time magazine’s first “kid of the year”. This Indian-American girl has been lauded for her work on using technology to tackle issues ranging from contaminated drinking water to opioid addiction and cyberbullying.

Ms Rao was selected from a field of more than 5,000 nominees as TIME’s first-ever ‘Kid of the Year’. She was interviewed by actor and activist Angelina Jolie for the TIME special.

In an Instagram post, Time magazine said: “Introducing TIME’s first-ever Kid of the Year, Gitanjali Rao. Just 15 years old, Rao has been selected from a field of more than 5,000 nominees. She spoke about her astonishing work using technology to tackle issues ranging from contaminated drinking water to opioid addiction and cyberbullying, and about her mission to create a global community of young innovators to solve problems the world over.” “Even over video chat, her brilliant mind and generous spirit shone through, along with her inspiring message to other young people: don’t try to fix every problem, just focus on one that excites you,” Time said. Last year,  Greta Thunberg became the youngest ever person of the year when she was given the honour at age 16.

Rao is a believer in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and works with schools, girls in STEM organisations, museums all across the world, and bigger organisations like Shanghai International Youth Science and Technology group and the Royal Academy of Engineering in London to run innovation workshops.

Agniveer aids families of those affected by Mettupalayam wall collapse, promises aid to build Ram temple in the area

By
The Commune
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Last year, a wall collapsed in the middle of the road next to Mettupalayam, killing 17 people, causing a great stir in Tamil Nadu. Although various organizations boasted of helping the victims of the accident, the Tamil Nadu Agniveer organization has been providing them with various assistance since the day the wall collapsed, silently.

The Tamil Nadu Agniveer organization lit the moksha lamp with the public during the first-anniversary commemoration of the one year anniversary of the collapse of the wall on December 3, 2019. Affected people have said that the Tamil Nadu Agniveer organization has been providing with various welfare and legal assistance to the people of the area since the day the wall collapsed till date.

Also, the long time wish of the village people for revamping the Ram temple in the area is set to begin soon which will be called as Dakshina Ayodhya. The people of the Mettupalayam Naduvoor area have also emotionally expressed their gratitude to the National Arundhatiyar and Tribal Commission for providing for them with ₹1.43 crore in assistance to the families of the victims so far”.

Kerala Govt changes stance on Sabarimala temple?

By
The Commune
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The Government of Kerala and Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB), which manages the temple have come out with the an age limit for women to worship at the Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple.

The Travancore Devaswom Board has launched a new website in collaboration with the Kerala Police to provide various services to Sabarimala Ayyappa devotees. The website states that ‘females and other gender pilgrims between 50 and 65 years will be eligible to book and avail virtual Q services’ thereby restricting the entry of women who are below 50 years.

Earlier, the government had announced that children below 10 years and people above 65 years will not be permitted to the temple because of Covid restrictions.

In September 2018, the Supreme Court delivered a judgement allowing women of all ages to worship at the Sabarimala Ayyappan Temple, which is open to women between the ages of 50 and 65.

Various Hindu and spiritual organizations were involved in the struggle against the Kerala government which tried to implement the Supreme Court’s order by all means while sitting on the judgement of the Malankara Church dispute. The Kerala Government had also opposed the review pleas filed against the September 28, 2018 verdict that allowed women’s entry at the temple.

Germany to remove Nazi sounding phonetics from its alphabet

By
The Commune
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During the Nazi invasion, a lot of Jewish sounding alphabets and phonetics had been replaced by Hitler’s men to resemble Nazi-like pronunciation, some common examples being “D for David”, “N for Nathan” and “Z for Zacharias” to Dora, North Pole and Zeppelin. Their use has since continued with most Germans unaware of their anti-Semitic origin.

“Jacob” for the letter “J” and “Samuel” for “S”, which became “Julius” and “Siegfried” are the other Jewish names removed by the Nazis in 1934.

A few Nazi references were, replaced post World War Two.

The job of devising new terms for the problematic letters now lies with the German Institute for Standardization (DIN). Notably, this is not a recent move, since the past few years have seen multiple pleas for fighting anti-Semitism.

The memory of the anti-Semitic list will be presented as an annex to the new list which will be put to public consultation next year. The new German list is expected to be adopted in late 2022.

DIN spokesman Julian Pinnig said choosing new personal names would be more problematic than German town or city names because the choice of personal names might not reflect the nation’s ethnic diversity today.

(Source: BBC)

Communists’ losing streak continues: NOTA gets more votes than both Communist parties in GHMC polls

By
The Commune
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After the debacle of the two main Communist parties – Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India Marxist (CPIM) – in the Bihar Assembly elections, their lackluster performance continued in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) polls too.

In the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections, both CPI and CPIM secured a vote of less than 1% falling behind vote share of NOTA (None Of The Above).

The same has happened to both the Communist parties in GHMC polls the votes of which were counted yesterday (December 4).

The CPIM polled just 2,771 votes and their fellow comrade CPI ended up with 3,439 votes grabbing a meagre 0.08% and 0.09% of the pie. Both the parties put together received 6,210 votes i.e., 0.17% vote share.

On the other hand, NOTA received 29,076 votes amounting to 0.84% of the vote share which is more than 4.7 times the total votes polled by both the parties.

In the Bihar Assembly elections, the CPI got 349,489 votes and the CPIM got 274,155 votes grabbing a meagre 0.83% and 0.65% of the vote share. Both these parties managed to get 2 seats each, with the former contesting in 6 seats and the latter in 4 seats. NOTA received 7,06,252 votes i.e., 1.68% of the vote share.

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