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TMC MP Sagarika Ghose Blames BJP Even For Shoplifting Incident Abroad, But Forgets Her Own Father-In-Law’s FERA Scandal

By
The Commune
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TMC MP Sagarika Ghose Blames BJP Even For Shoplifting incident Abroad, But Forgets Her Own Family’s FERA Scandal

A few days ago, social media was abuzz with yet another case of a South Asian woman caught shoplifting in the US. Owing to her Indian subcontinent-like appearance, many assumed she was Indian and began targeting Gujaratis in particular, likely because the previous case had involved an accused woman reportedly from Gujarat. However, while some news outlets reported that the woman was Indian, there has been no official confirmation from the police, US authorities, or credible mainstream sources identifying her as Gujarati.

Congress supporters and leftists came down heavily with their comments. One even claimed the girl had PM Modi’s image on her phone’s screen.

And not surprisingly, among those who badmouthed Indians was ‘journalist’ and TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose.  Ghose went on to connect everything under the sun with the BJP. She wrote, “Very sad to see this. This is the second Indian woman caught shoplifting in the US. A crisis of ethical behaviour has gripped our land under the hate-filled consistently unethical @BJP4India regime.”

It seems like she forgot to blame the BJP for her father-in-law’s arrest and subsequent judicial custody in 1993 for FERA violations of $6.89 million – since it was in the aftermath of the ‘sanghis’ and the BJP demolishing the Babri Masjid in 1992.

Image Source: Abhijit Iyer-Mitra X handle
What Was The FERA Violation About?

Former Indian Test cricketer Dilip Sardesai (who is Sagarika Ghose’s father-in-law and Rajdeep Sardesai’s father) and Pune businessman Jayant Vittaldas were arrested in Bombay and remanded to judicial custody till 29 October 1993, for alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act involving $6.89 million.

The arrests followed an income tax raid on Vittaldas’ Pune residence on October 12–13, during which documents suggesting FERA violations were seized and later handed to the Directorate of Enforcement. Subsequent raids on Sardesai’s Cuffe Parade residence led to their arrest.

Sardesai denied receiving any foreign exchange but admitted that the receipts, bearing his handwriting and signature, were issued as security for overseas fund-raising projects. Vittaldas acknowledged that 14 receipts were found at his residence but denied making payments to Sardesai.

Authorities stated that Sardesai had acquired $6,889,100 without Reserve Bank approval.

Sardesai was arrested but was eventually discharged from the case in 2001 after reportedly paying a penalty.

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No JD Vance, Usha’s Family Was Not Atheist Or Non-Religious

By
The Commune
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At a recent campaign event, U.S. Vice Presidential candidate J.D. Vance sparked controversy by commenting on his wife Usha Vance’s Hindu background, suggesting that she came from “not a particularly religious family.” His remarks have drawn sharp criticism from sections of the Indian diaspora and Hindu community, who say Vance misrepresented his wife’s heritage to appeal to a conservative Christian voter base.

Speaking at a campaign town hall, Vance said, “Yes, my wife did not grow up Christian. I think it’s fair to say that she grew up in a Hindu family but not a particularly religious family in either direction. In fact, when I met my wife, we were both I would consider myself an agnostic or an atheist and that’s what I think she would have considered herself as well.”

However, historical records and accounts from Usha’s extended family in Andhra Pradesh reveal a very different picture, one deeply rooted in religious learning, Vedic scholarship, and devotion to Hindu traditions.

A Family of Vedic Scholars and Teachers

Usha Vance descends from the Chilukuri family of Vadluru village near Tanuku, Andhra Pradesh, a lineage known for its erudition and contributions to Sanskrit and Vedic education. In the mid-1800s, four brothers from the family, revered locally as the “Chilukuri Chatushtaya” (the Four Pillars of Knowledge), walked on foot to Varanasi, India’s spiritual capital, to study the Vedas. After years of training, they returned to Andhra Pradesh to teach Hindu scriptures and philosophy in their village.

According to Prof. Chilukuri Shanthamma, a senior member of the family and Usha’s grandaunt, “They were erudite and proficient in Sanskrit.” Shanthamma herself is a scholar of Vedic mathematics and spectroscopy, widely believed to be the first woman in India to earn a PhD in physics. Now professor emeritus at Centurion University, she has translated the Bhagavad Gita from Telugu to English and authored five volumes on Vedic mathematics.

A Legacy of Service, Learning, and Faith

The family’s commitment to education spans generations. Shanthamma’s late husband, Prof. Chilukuri Subramanya Shastri, was a Telugu professor at Andhra University and an ardent scholar of the Gita. He was also associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and was jailed during the Emergency for his ideological activism. Even in prison, he reportedly conducted classes on the Gita for fellow inmates.

After his release, he continued to teach Hindu philosophy and social service across southern India. The couple eventually donated their residential property, valued at around ₹15 crore to the Vivekananda Medical Trust, an RSS-affiliated charitable organization.

Another distinguished family member, Prof. Chilukuri Ramashastr, Usha’s grandfather served as head of the Department of Physics at IIT Madras and taught at IIT Kharagpur. He collaborated on Indo-German research projects in the 1960s and spent two years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on deputation. His contributions are honored with an award named after him at IIT Madras.

From Tanuku to Yale

Usha’s father, Radhakrishna Chilukuri, followed in this academic tradition, graduating from IIT Madras before moving to the United States for higher studies and joining San Diego State University as a lecturer. Usha was born in 1986 and went on to study law at Yale University, where she met JD Vance. The couple married in 2014.

Family members in Visakhapatnam describe Usha’s lineage as one steeped in learning and devotion. Prof. Shanthamma, now 96, says she has not met Usha but follows her public life from afar. “Lord Krishna said we were born to do our duty. I am doing mine,” she said when asked about her continuing work.

Vance’s campaign comments have prompted disappointment among those familiar with the Chilukuri family’s religious and academic legacy. To them, the portrayal of Usha’s heritage as “non-religious” overlooks generations of scholarship, piety, and contribution to India’s cultural and spiritual traditions.

Whatever his political motivations, one fact stands undisputed: Usha Vance’s ancestry is not atheist or irreligious; it is one of devout Hindu learning and service, rooted deeply in the Vedic tradition.

(Source: The Week)

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When Former BCCI President N Srinivasan Said He Wouldn’t Let Women’s Cricket Happen, If He Had His Way

By
The Commune
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Following India’s historic ICC Women’s World Cup victory on Sunday, an old remark by former BCCI president N Srinivasan has resurfaced online, drawing sharp criticism from fans and former players. The remark, recalled by former India captain Diana Edulji in 2017, allegedly revealed Srinivasan’s hostility toward women’s cricket during his tenure as the board’s chief.

According to Edulji, after Harmanpreet Kaur’s 171-run knock against Australia in the 2017 Women’s World Cup semifinal, she had recounted an exchange with Srinivasan from 2011, when he first took charge as BCCI president. “When Mr. Srinivasan became president, I went to congratulate him at the Wankhede Stadium,” Edulji had said at the time. “He said, ‘If I had my way, I wouldn’t let women’s cricket happen.’ He hates women’s cricket.”

Edulji, a pioneering figure in Indian women’s cricket and former member of the Committee of Administrators (CoA), had added that the BCCI remained a “male-chauvinist organisation” even after it took women’s cricket under its fold in 2006. “I’ve always been a BCCI basher, right from the day women’s cricket came under the BCCI fold in 2006,” she had said. “BCCI is a very male-chauvinist organisation. They never wanted women to dictate terms or get into this space. I was very vocal right from my playing days.”

The resurfacing of these comments comes amid national celebrations after India’s women’s team clinched its first-ever World Cup title, defeating South Africa by 52 runs in a dominant performance at the final on Sunday.

Led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, India posted 298/7 in 50 overs after being sent in to bat. Opening batter Shefali Verma, who was only called back into the squad as injury cover for the finals, top-scored with a career-best 87 off 78 balls, anchoring India’s innings.

In reply, South Africa was bowled out for 246 in 45.3 overs, despite a fighting century by captain Laura Wolvaardt (101). Spinner Deepti Sharma delivered a match-winning spell, taking 5 wickets for 39 runs from 9.3 overs, including the final wicket of the match that sealed India’s triumph.

Speaking after the win, Harmanpreet Kaur addressed the criticism her team has faced in recent years, saying she sees it as an opportunity for growth rather than negativity. “I think criticism is also a part of life. It’s not necessary that everything should be good,” she told reporters. “Criticism brings balance. Otherwise, if everything goes well, you’ll be overconfident. I don’t blame those who criticize, because we know when we aren’t doing something right.”

Kaur added that she encourages her teammates to maintain perspective through highs and lows. “When good things happen, I don’t go too high; when bad things happen, I don’t dig deep. The most important thing is to stay balanced. When everything is going well — it’s okay, well done, but now we have to maintain it. And even when things aren’t going well, we try to keep everyone together so that we can lift that person up.”

The resurfaced 2017 comment has reignited discussions about the historical neglect of women’s cricket in India, juxtaposed against the team’s current success. Fans and former players have pointed to the irony of India’s rise to global dominance despite institutional apathy in earlier decades.

India’s 2025 World Cup victory marks a milestone for women’s sport in the country, underscoring both the players’ resilience and the need for sustained support from cricketing authorities.

(Source: Times of India)

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Advocates Petition To President Of India Over Justice Nisha Banu’s Continued Presence At Madras High Court After Transfer Order To Kerala High Court

By
The Commune
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Advocates Petition Over Justice Nisha Banu’s Continued Presence At Madras High Court After Transfer Order to kerala high court

A group of practising advocates from the Madras High Court have submitted a written petition to top constitutional authorities, objecting to Justice Nisha Banu’s continued presence in Chennai despite her transfer to the Kerala High Court being formally notified by the Union Government on 14 October 2025.

The representation, addressed to the President of India, the Chief Justice of India, the Law Minister, and the Chief Justices of both High Courts, termed the situation “unprecedented” and expressed concern that a sitting judge had not yet assumed charge in the transferee court even after more than three weeks of the official notification.

The advocates pointed out that the Supreme Court Collegium had recommended Justice Banu’s transfer from the Madras High Court to the Kerala High Court through a resolution dated 25–26 August 2025, which was subsequently accepted and notified by the Central Government. They claimed that while other judges included in the same transfer list had already taken charge in their respective High Courts, Justice Banu had allegedly neither joined the Kerala High Court nor resumed work in Chennai since 14 October 2025.

Calling the situation “a matter of judicial discipline,” the petitioners urged the Collegium and the President of India to intervene and ensure that the transfer was implemented without delay. They emphasised that their objection was “not personal,” but stemmed from concern that such instances could “undermine the image and majesty of the judiciary.”

Justice Nisha Banu, a native of Nagercoil, was appointed as a judge of the Madras High Court in 2016 after a long career practising in civil, criminal, and service law. She earned her law degree from Madurai Law College and was part of the Madurai Bench of the High Court following its establishment in 2004.

As per the same transfer order dated 14 October 2025, Justice C.S. Sudha of the Kerala High Court was moved to the Delhi High Court, where she has since assumed charge.

Officials at the Madras High Court and the Kerala High Court have not issued any formal comment regarding the matter.

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Congress MP Jothimani Alleges SIR Drive Aims To Remove Voters, Calls Election Commission ‘BJP’s Puppet’

By
The Commune
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Congress MP Jothimani Alleges SIR Drive Aims To Remove Voters, Calls Election Commission ‘BJP’s Puppet’

Congress MP S. Jothimani on Saturday accused the Election Commission of using the Special Revision of Voter List (SIR) exercise to deliberately remove voters from electoral rolls in opposition-ruled states. She alleged that the process, currently underway in 12 states including Tamil Nadu and two Union Territories, was politically motivated and lacked transparency.

Speaking to reporters at her constituency office in Karur on November 2, Jothimani said the India Alliance was united in opposing the SIR initiative. “SIR is being carried out with the intention of removing voters. That is why an all-party meeting was convened to strongly oppose it,” she said.

New Voter Verification Process Raises Concerns

Jothimani said that political parties were recently trained on the new voter list revision process and were given unfamiliar forms that went far beyond the standard update procedures.

“Earlier, voter list revisions meant simply updating existing rolls by adding new voters and removing deceased persons,” she explained. “But this time, the format and information sought are entirely new and confusing.”

She cited reports from Bihar, where around 65 lakh voters were reportedly removed through SIR, leading to a court case.

According to Jothimani, the new voter verification form asks for extensive personal details including the voter’s name, ID number, section and constituency details, date of birth, Aadhaar number (optional), mobile number, and family members’ names and ID numbers. It also seeks information about relatives who were present in the 2002 special revision list, requiring submission of death certificates for those no longer alive.

“This requirement is unreasonable,” she said. “Not everyone has access to death certificates, especially in rural areas. If the form is incomplete or filled incorrectly, it risks being rejected, resulting in voter deletion.”

“Election Commission Exceeding Its Mandate”

Jothimani alleged that the Election Commission (EC) was overstepping its authority by verifying the citizenship of voters – a task she said falls under the Home Ministry’s jurisdiction.

“The EC is acting as a puppet of the BJP,” she claimed. “It is exceeding its powers and attempting to disqualify legitimate voters under the guise of verification. This is nothing but an attempt to tamper with the democratic process.”

She said the India Alliance would continue to challenge the move and defend the voting rights of citizens across the affected states.

“The Election Commission is carrying out the BJP’s agenda of destroying our credibility. The opposition will not stay silent while voters in Tamil Nadu and other states are deliberately removed in the name of special electoral roll revision,” Jothimani said.

(Source: Hindu Tamil)

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Mumbai: Akhtar Hussaini Posed As BARC Scientist, Took Crores In Foreign Funds Since 1995, Shared Sensitive Data

By
The Commune
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Mumbai: Akhtar Hussaini Posed As BARC Scientist, Took Crores In Foreign Funds Since 1995, Shared Sensitive Data

A 60-year-old man arrested for posing as a scientist from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) allegedly received crores of rupees in foreign funds over nearly three decades in exchange for classified nuclear information, according to sources in the Mumbai Police Crime Branch.

The accused, Akhtar Hussaini, a resident of Jamshedpur in Jharkhand, was arrested last month for impersonating a senior BARC scientist and travelling across the country under multiple fake identities. Police said Hussaini’s activities had gone undetected for years, during which he is suspected to have shared sensitive nuclear data and maps with foreign handlers.

Fake IDs, Maps, and Classified Data Seized

Investigators recovered over 10 maps and documents purportedly related to nuclear weapons and atomic plants from Hussaini’s possession. Several fake identity documents were also found, including multiple passports, Aadhaar cards, PAN cards, and a forged BARC identity card.

One of the seized IDs identified him as Ali Raza Hussain, while another listed him as Alexander Palmer.

Hussaini’s brother, Adil, was later arrested in Delhi for assisting him in creating and maintaining these forged identities, police said.

Foreign Funding Trail Since 1995

According to Crime Branch sources, the Hussaini brothers had been receiving foreign funds since 1995. Initially, payments were made in lakhs of rupees, but after the year 2000, the amounts escalated to crores.

Police believe the brothers received the money in exchange for secret blueprints and sensitive data related to BARC and other nuclear installations in India.

Suspicious Bank Transactions and Closed Accounts

During the investigation, officers found a private bank account in Akhtar Hussaini’s name that had shown unusually large deposits and international transfers. The Crime Branch has sought complete transaction details from the concerned bank to determine the source and total volume of funds received.

Police have also discovered that the brothers closed several other accounts after certain transactions, allegedly to cover their financial trail. Old account records are now being re-examined to map the full money flow and identify possible foreign links.

Possible Pakistan Connection

Investigators suspect that Akhtar and Adil may have visited Pakistan and developed links with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Police believe that their long-running espionage operation involved multiple aliases and foreign trips, which are now under verification through immigration records.

History of Deception and Deportation

According to sources, Akhtar had been changing identities and living under disguise for decades. In 2004, he was deported from Dubai after authorities there discovered he had falsely claimed to be a “scientist possessing classified documents.”

Records show that Akhtar sold his ancestral property in Jharkhand in 1996, but continued to obtain fake documents using his old local contacts. His brother Adil later introduced him to a Jharkhand resident named Munazzil Khan, who allegedly helped the duo procure two fake passports — one in the name of Hussaini Mohammad Adil and another as Nasimuddin Syed Adil Hussaini.

The address used on both passports was that of their former house in Jamshedpur, which had been sold nearly 30 years ago.

International Probe Underway

Police believe the forged documents were used for foreign travel and possible data transfers. Investigators are now working with intelligence agencies to trace their movements abroad and determine whether any classified information was leaked to foreign entities.

The Mumbai Police Crime Branch is expected to share its findings with central intelligence agencies as the case involves potential breach of national security and cross-border espionage.

Both Akhtar and Adil Hussaini remain in police custody as investigations continue into what authorities are calling one of the most elaborate espionage frauds uncovered in recent years.

(Source: NDTV)

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Minneapolis Democratic Socialist Mayoral Candidate Omar Fateh Promises To Alert Immigrants Before ICE Raids

By
The Commune
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Minneapolis Democratic Socialist Mayoral Candidate Omar Fateh Promises To Alert Immigrants Before Federal ICE Raids

Minnesota state senator and mayoral frontrunner Omar Fateh has pledged to block all cooperation between the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) and federal immigration authorities, and to establish systems to warn immigrant communities ahead of any ICE raids/operations within the city.

In an explosive interview on Water Wave TV, Fateh, a Democratic Socialist and the first Somali American in the Minnesota Senate, accused city officials of “strategic failure” and “silence” after ICE and federal agents appeared unannounced in South Minneapolis earlier this year, creating fear and chaos among residents.

“We had ICE and multiple federal agents show up on the scene. And there was a level of anxiety and chaos that was caused by not only having ICE being there, but the lack of communication by the mayor’s office and MPD,” Fateh said. “Multiple elected officials, including myself, didn’t even hear about it from the city. We heard about it from community organizers on the ground.”

The senator said the June 3 incident near Lake and Bloomington in his district exposed a breakdown in communication and a disregard for Minneapolis’s “separation ordinance”, which bars local law enforcement from collaborating with federal immigration agencies.

“We need to strengthen our separation ordinance,” he said. “Whenever something like this happens, city council must be alerted immediately because they’re the connection point to the community.”

“We Will Alert Our Communities, Not ICE”

Fateh said that if elected mayor, his administration would work hand-in-hand with immigrant rights organizations to create early warning systems for undocumented residents whenever ICE activity is detected.

“The city cannot do it alone. We need to lock arms with organizations that are already doing the work – legal counseling, multilingual outreach, know-your-rights training,” he said. “Things are scary, and it’s going to get scarier. We have to protect our people.”

As chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, Fateh said he has seen “undocumented students getting picked up by ICE in the middle of the night,” calling the practice “unconstitutional” and “terrifying.”

“Families and lawyers don’t even know where they’re being detained,” he said. “We have a president who’s going to do whatever he wants. It’s scary for college presidents who fear losing federal funding just for supporting these students.”

Fateh Declares: “We Cannot Sacrifice Our Values”

Warning of renewed federal pressure under a potential Trump presidency, Fateh said local governments and universities must refuse to trade moral principles for federal funding.

“We’re being forced to choose – sacrifice your values or lose funding,” he said. “Under any circumstance, we cannot throw our most marginalized communities under the bus.”

He also condemned MPD’s past collaboration with ICE, referencing a leaked email that allegedly showed ICE thanking the police chief for escort assistance.

“Under no circumstance should MPD ever collaborate with ICE, not for escorts, not for crowd control, not for anything,” he said firmly.

A Radical Shift for Minneapolis

Fateh’s stance marks one of the strongest anti-ICE positions ever taken by a Minneapolis political leader, signaling a dramatic shift from Mayor Jacob Frey’s moderate policies.

“Minneapolis can have a different kind of politics,” he said. “Five years after George Floyd’s murder, [Mayor Frey] doesn’t have a plan or doesn’t intend to have one.”

If elected, Fateh has promised that Minneapolis will not only refuse to aid ICE but will actively warn residents before federal raids, potentially setting up a legal and political clash with Washington.

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Planned Murugan Temple In North Carolina Triggers White Christian Supremacist Meltdown Over ‘Tallest Hindu Statue’, Even as Giant Jesus Statues Stand Unchallenged In India

By
The Commune
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A planned Murugan temple in North Carolina has become the latest target of online Hinduphobic attacks, weeks after similar controversies erupted over Hindu religious symbols and statues in the United States.

The temple project, initiated in 2018 by a Tamil Hindu community organization, aims to build a sprawling complex in Moncure, North Carolina, featuring the world’s tallest statue of Lord Murugan, along with a Tamil cultural museum, library, and temple. According to the official website, the complex will span more than 130 acres.

Whites Decry Hindu Deity Statues 

White journalist who claims to be an “independent” journo Stephen Horn triggered controversy with a viral post on social media, claiming that “Hindus have acquired over a hundred acres for a massive temple complex in the rural town of Moncure, NC The Tamils plan to build the world’s largest statute of their “warrior god” Murugan, which would be taller than the Statue of Liberty”

Horn added,“However, the “Carolina Murugan Temple” site appears to still be largely undeveloped while the organization attempts to fundraise the millions and millions of dollars required with events such as a fundraiser today selling “blessed” Sarees”

His post drew amplified reactions from some conservative Christian zealot circles.

Matt Van Swol, a former nuclear scientist with the U.S. Department of Energy, wrote, “HOLY CRAP!!! Hindus in North Carolina have acquired over 130 acres of residential land and are CURRENTLY building a MASSIVE temple with plans for a 155-foot statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war. The statue will be taller than the Statue of Liberty… WHAT?!!!!!!!”

Texas Republican leader Alexander Duncan, who had earlier described Lord Hanuman as a “false god”, commented that such temples were “not what the Founding Fathers envisioned when they wrote the First Amendment.” So much for religious freedom in the US!

He even shared a verse from the Bible to underscore his point. He wrote, “Those who worship idols are disgraced—all who brag about their worthless gods—for every god must bow to him.” Psalm 97:7″

Hindus Call Out Hypocrisy

The wave of online criticism follows similar anti-Hindu sentiment expressed last year over the 90-foot Panchaloha Hanuman statue in Texas, which drew protests from church groups that branded the deity “demonic.” The Hanuman statue, built on private property, had faced demonstrations by local Christian groups in 2024.

Christian Land Holdings and Humungous Statues in India

Observers have noted the contrast between Western criticism of Hindu religious expressions abroad and the widespread Christian symbolism in India, where the Catholic Church is estimated to be the second-largest landowner after the Indian government, holding over seven crore hectares (17.29 crore acres) valued at roughly ₹20,000 crore.

India is home to over 28,000 churches and numerous Christian statues, several of which are far larger than the Texas Hanuman statue. These include:

Pune, Maharashtra – A bronze statue of Jesus Christ unveiled at the World Peace Dome, MIT World Peace University, in November 2022, alongside 54 other statues within the 263-foot-high dome.

Ambala, Haryana – A 5.5-foot statue at the 1848 Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, one of the oldest in the region.

Ramanagara, Karnataka – A 114-foot-tall Jesus statue under construction in Kanakapura, initiated in 2020 by Congress leader D.K. Shivakumar.

Bengaluru, Karnataka – A 35-foot statue at Mount Olive, Gethsemane Garden, Hennur Bande, made of reinforced cement and fibre, completed for ₹65 lakh.

Mumbai, Maharashtra – The statue near Infant Jesus Chapel in Malad West, which became famous in 2016 for “seeping water.”

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala – A 10-meter (33-foot) statue made of fibre, wax, and resin, with eyes that glow in the dark.

Velankanni, Tamil Nadu – The Sacred Heart of Jesus statue at the Our Lady of Vailankanni Church, a major Catholic pilgrimage site.

Mumbai, Maharashtra – The Jesus statue at Mount Mary Basilica in Bandra, one of the oldest Catholic churches in India.

Vizhinjam, Tamil Nadu – A 33-foot-tall statue of Jesus with arms spanning 33 feet, totaling 90 feet in height with its base.

Assolna, Goa – The Cristo Rei monument, constructed in 1934, inspired by a similar statue in Karachi.

Altinho, Goa – A statue of Jesus Christ outside the Bishop’s Palace in Panaji.

Hyderabad, Telangana – A statue inside St. Joseph’s Cathedral, dating back to the early 19th century.

Mysore, Karnataka – Saint Philomena’s Cathedral, with twin spires 175 feet tall and a 54-foot statue of the saint.

Kolkata, West Bengal – A bronze statue of Mother Teresa unveiled at the Archbishop House on her 106th birth anniversary.

Thiruvalla, Kerala – The “Healing Christ,” a 368 cm-tall (12 ft) tri-metal sculpture at Believers Church Medical College Hospital, the largest of its kind globally.

In addition to these, Christian icons and statues of Jesus, Mary, and various saints are visible in public spaces and along roadsides across India, where they stand without opposition.

Hindus have pointed out that the backlash against projects such as the planned Murugan temple in North Carolina highlights a clear inconsistency in how religious freedom is perceived in the West. It is noteworthy that Christian communities face no resistance when constructing large monuments in India or other parts of the world, yet similar Hindu initiatives abroad are often met with criticism and mistrust – Christian religious symbols are readily accepted as expressions of faith, while Hindu symbols are frequently portrayed as contentious.

(Source: Times of India)

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NIA, ATS Bust Suspected Cross-Border Radical Network In Rajasthan; Five Including 3 Madrasa Maulvis Detained

By
The Commune
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NIA, ATS Bust Suspected Cross-Border Radical Network In Rajasthan; Five Including 3 Madrasa Clerics Detained

Acting on intelligence inputs, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Rajasthan Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) carried out coordinated pre-dawn raids across multiple districts of the state on Friday, 31 October 2025, detaining five individuals, including three clerics.

According to sources, simultaneous operations were launched around 5 AM in Jodhpur, Jalore, Karauli, and Jaipur districts. Two clerics, Ayub and Masood, were detained from the Chaukha and Pipar areas of Jodhpur, while Usman was picked up from Sanchore in Jalore district. All three are affiliated with different madrasas, and notably, Usman and Masood are brothers.

In Karauli district, a youth identified as Junaid was detained from Dholikhar, while another suspect was apprehended from Jaipur.

Officials said the raids were based on intelligence suggesting possible links between the detained men and an Islamic organization operating outside India. Although neither the NIA nor the ATS has released an official statement, sources said the Central government had directed the agencies to act on credible inputs indicating cross-border communication and suspected radical activities.

During the searches, investigators seized mobile phones, laptops, and several documents for forensic examination. The detained individuals are being interrogated to verify their alleged links with radical or foreign-based networks.

Officials indicated that the investigation could uncover a wider network involving cross-border radicalization and possible misuse of religious and educational institutions in western Rajasthan.

Security has been tightened in Jodhpur and Jalore following the detentions, and further raids are likely as the probe progresses.

(Source: Free Press Journal)

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College Student Allegedly Gang-Raped Near Coimbatore International Airport; Three Men On the Run

By
The Commune
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19-Year-Old Scheduled Caste Girl Raped And Murdered In Karnataka, 3 Arrested College Student Allegedly Gang-Raped Near Coimbatore Intl Airport; Three Men on the Run

In a shocking incident, a young woman was allegedly gang-raped by three men near the Coimbatore International Airport on Sunday (2 November 2025) night. The victim, an MBA student at a private college near Peelamedu, was abducted after the assailants first attacked her male friend who was with her.

According to police, the horrific crime unfolded around 11 PM on Sunday. The student was speaking with her friend inside a car near the airport when the three-member gang, who had arrived on a stolen motorbike, noticed them.

The men allegedly assaulted the woman’s boyfriend, forced him out of the car, and then kidnapped her. They fled the spot with the victim, taking her to a secluded area behind a private college located about a kilometer from the airport.

There, the trio sexually assaulted her. In a further act of brutality, they abandoned her at the isolated spot without her clothes.

The injured friend immediately alerted the police, who launched a massive search operation. After hours of searching, the woman was found unconscious in the isolated area around 4 AM on Monday. She was rushed to a private hospital near Sitra for medical treatment and care. Her injured friend was admitted to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital for his injuries.

Police sources revealed that the accused had earlier stolen a motorbike from the Kovilpalayam area on Sunday, 2 November 2025, before traveling to Airport Road and committing the crime.

In response to the heinous crime, the Coimbatore police have constituted seven special teams to trace and apprehend the culprits. The investigation is ongoing.

This case is the latest in a series of serious crimes against women in the state that have raised concerns. In a separate incident from February this year, seven college students were arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl in Kuniyamuthur.

In that case, the students, from a private college, had befriended the minor through a social media app. The girl’s family filed a missing complaint after she failed to return home following a meeting with one of the accused. She was later found and told authorities she had been assaulted by the group. All seven students were arrested and placed in judicial custody.

(Source: Times of India)

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