Facebook Instagram X Youtube
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
Facebook Instagram X Youtube
Home Blog Page 198

DMK Govt To Confer Vaikom Award To Khalistani-Linked Anti-Hindu Brahmin-Hating ‘Caste Activist’ Thenmozhi Soundararajan, Had Earlier Given ‘Communal Harmony’ Award To Islamist Zubair

By
The Commune
-

The DMK government in Tamil Nadu has once again raised eyebrows after announcing its decision to confer the prestigious Vaikom Award for Social Justice on Thenmozhi Soundararajan, a US-based activist whose organization has documented ties to Khalistani extremists and anti-India networks. This comes just over a year after the government ‘honoured’ Alt News co-founder and alleged ‘factchecker’ Mohammed Zubair with the Kottai Ameer ‘Communal Harmony’ Award, despite his own controversial track record.

Vaikom Award for Thenmozhi Soundararajan

On Wednesday, the state government announced that Thenmozhi Soundararajan would receive the 2025 Vaikom Award for Social Justice, instituted in memory of social reformer ‘Periyar’ E.V. Ramasamy. The award carries a cash prize of ₹5 lakh, a citation, and a medal, and is intended to honor individuals from other states who work for the welfare of marginalized communities.

According to a press release, Soundararajan, whose parents hail from Madurai district, is being recognized for her activism and for founding Equality Labs, a civil rights organization.

Who Is Thenmozhi Soundararajan?

Thenmozhi Soundararajan is a US-based activist and the founder of Equality Labs, an organization that claims to advocate for Dalit and marginalized community rights. Her work, however, places her at the center of a complex web of controversy, linking her to anti-India propaganda, Khalistani extremism, and alleged foreign intelligence networks.

Soundararajan positions herself as a Dalit rights activist, but her methodology and alliances have drawn widespread criticism for promoting division and Hinduphobia. Her organization, Equality Labs, is known for its aggressive push for caste-based legislation in the United States, such as the now-defunct California SB403 bill. A study by the Network Contagion Research Institute found that Equality Labs’ “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” training materials often used dehumanizing rhetoric against Brahmins, increasing anti-Hindu sentiment among participants.

Her affiliations extend far beyond caste advocacy. Soundararajan has documented ties to designated Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, having shared a stage with him at a 2019 event hosted by his organization, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). This collaboration connected her to a group openly supporting Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.

Image Source: Disinfo Lab

Further scrutiny reveals deeper, more alarming connections. Equality Labs is a key member of the Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA), a coalition that includes the Organization for Minorities of India (OFMI)—founded by ISI-linked operative Bhajan Singh Bhinder—and the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC). Investigations have suggested that Equality Labs has received funding from sources linked to both George Soros and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), with Pakistani citizen Huma Dar, a reported link to the Pakistani Army, serving on its board.

Image Source: Disinfo Lab

Soundararajan’s public statements consistently reveal a strong anti-Hindu bias. She has labeled the Hindu pilgrimage Maha Kumbh Mela as “Islamophobic,” called for the “de-Brahminization” of Yoga, and launched virulent social media attacks, including one targeting former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal based on his assumed caste. In 2018, she designed the “Smash Brahminical Patriarchy” poster held by then-Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, a incident that sparked international controversy.

In summary, while Thenmozhi Soundararajan operates under the banner of social justice, her activism is characterized by its divisive nature, its propagation of Hinduphobia, and its extensive ties to a network of extremist and anti-India forces operating from foreign soil.

Honouring People Who Serve The Purpose Of The Dravidianists?

The decision to honor Soundararajan follows a similar pattern when the DMK government presented Mohammed Zubair with the Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony Award in January 2024. The government cited his work with Alt News in verifying the authenticity of viral videos and preventing violence.

However, Zubair has himself been repeatedly accused of peddling fake news and maintaining selective outrage in his fact-checking. During the 2023 exodus of migrant workers from Tamil Nadu, Zubair actively defended the state government, but conspicuously avoided addressing the climate of hate created by several DMK leaders and allies who had consistently used slurs like ‘Vadakkan’ and ‘Pani Puri wala’ against North Indians. His fact-checking focused on debunking exaggerated death tolls while whitewashing the underlying xenophobic rhetoric and multiple instances of violence against migrant workers that had triggered the panic.

The conferment of state honors to both Soundararajan and Zubair has raised questions about the DMK government’s award selection process. Critics argue that the government is using prestigious awards to reward ideological fellow travelers rather than genuine social reformers.

In Soundararajan’s case, the award appears to overlook her organization’s extensive links to extremist elements and foreign networks actively working against India’s interests. For Zubair, the honor seemed to reward his partisan defense of the state government during a crisis rather than impartial fact-checking.

(Source: The Hindu)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Viral Classroom Video Allegedly From Nanded, MH, Shows Gender Segregation; Sparks Debate On Islamist Influence In Education

By
The Commune
-
Viral Classroom Video Allegedly From Nanded, MH, Shows Gender Segregation; Sparks Debate On Islamist Influence In Education

A video reportedly from Nanded, Maharashtra, showing female students clad in burqas and male students separated by a partition wall inside a classroom has gone viral on social media, reigniting debates over gender segregation and the growing influence of Islamist orthodoxy in the state’s educational spaces.

The controversial clip depicts a classroom where female students wearing burqas are seated on one side and male students on the other, divided by mid-height barriers. A male instructor, dressed in traditional attire and wearing a skull cap, delivers a lecture amid purple-themed decorations. The scene has been widely described by social media users as a stark reminder of rising Islamist influence in the country.

As per Grok, this video is from Nanded, Maharashtra.

This video warns us of the growing influence of Islamist ideologies in the country and also reminds us of the segregation done in a Kerala college recently.

The latest viral classroom video comes about a month after a similar controversy at an event called ‘Profcon’, reportedly organised by Islamist groups at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), sparked similar outrage. In those clips, hijab-clad female students were seated separately from male attendees under Taliban-style segregation. Men occupied the front rows, while women were placed behind a makeshift curtain that completely obstructed visibility between the two groups during a debate titled “From Gaza to Science and Religion.” Photos from the event showed Dr. Abdullah Basil C.P., a speaker known for his strong Islamist views, addressing the audience with a curtain visibly drawn between male and female participants.

Dr. Basil has been at the center of previous controversies for advocating conservative Islamic practices. In an earlier viral video, he was seen silencing a female student who argued against the hijab, claiming that women wear makeup and modern clothing for confidence rather than to attract men. Dr. Basil countered by asserting that modesty, symbolized by the hijab, represents true self-confidence.

In the speech, he reiterated that simplicity, expressed by avoiding makeup and fashionable clothing embodies a purer, more authentic confidence.

His speeches have been amplified by an organization called Umasking Anomalies, which promotes Islamic teachings and regularly circulates Dr. Basil’s sermons as moral and social guidance. The group has urged Malayali-speaking youth to adopt conservative Islamic values and uphold traditional gender norms, particularly through adherence to the hijab and other forms of modesty.

Figures like Dr. Basil and organizations such as Umasking Anomalies continue to exert ideological influence on Kerala’s college campuses.

In 2021, reports emerged that radical Islamic organisations worldwide were financing projects aimed at spreading Islamism in India. A Kerala-based journalist, M.P. Basheer, had revealed that the Islamist outfit Jamaat-e-Islami was allegedly receiving financial grants from Saudi Arabian universities to promote Islamic dress codes in India. According to the report, Jamaat-e-Islami launched an initiative to popularize Islamic clothing for women with funding from King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah. Similar ideological and financial support has also been linked to networks in Turkey and Pakistan, particularly influencing radical thought in Kerala and Kashmir.

(Source: OpIndia)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

“Is General Queue Being Stopped For VIP Darshan?”: Madurai Bench Of Madras High Court Grills HR&CE In Tiruchendur Temple Case, Hindu Munnani Condemns Fleecing Of Devotees

By
The Commune
-
Hindu Munnani Slams VIP Darshan At Tiruchendur Temple As Madras High Court Seeks HR&CE Report

The Hindu Munnani has issued a strong statement condemning the management of the Subramaniya Swamy Temple in Tiruchendur, alleging that the current administration is prioritizing monetary gain over the welfare of devotees. The organization has called for significant reforms to address the severe hardships faced by pilgrims.

In its statement, the Hindu Munnani posed a critical question: “Should people wait for VIPs…? Madras High Court questions.. What arrangements are in place to ensure devotees can have darshan without waiting for long hours at the Tiruchendur Subramanya Swamy Temple..? Madras High Court branch orders the temple’s Joint Commissioner to respond… – News

The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department continues to face criticism from the court.. Devotees visiting the Tiruchendur Subramanya Swamy Temple to see Lord Murugan face severe hardship.. Arrangements are made for VIPs to see Murugan in exchange for payment. Poor devotees, despite waiting for hours, are unable to have darshan of Murugan.. Officials of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department remain indifferent.. If the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, with money as its sole objective, cannot manage the temple, then leave the temple!!”

What Did The Court Say?

The criticism came amid the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court taking serious note of ongoing disputes between bhattars and thirisuthanthirars that have affected devotees’ access to darshan. Hearing a petition filed by 12 thirisuthanthirars seeking enforcement of their traditional rights to perform poojas and other kainkaryams as approved by the Srivaikundam Principal District Munsif Court in 1991, Justice G.R. Swaminathan raised multiple concerns about the functioning of the temple.

The judge questioned whether devotees’ long waiting times were caused by the current queue arrangements and asked if individuals associated with the temple, such as bhattars, thirisuthanthirars, and sthanihars, were taking devotees directly for darshan by bypassing the queue. He sought details on whether identity cards could be issued to such personnel to prevent misuse of access.

Justice Swaminathan also directed the temple administration to respond by 24 October 2025 on whether a dedicated queue system similar to those in Guruvayur and Tirupati could be established, possibly by creating an iron flyover bridge to enable smooth circumambulation. He further asked whether VIP and VVIP darshan interrupts the general queue and, if so, whether the temple would consider earmarking a fixed time for VIPs. The judge also raised questions on whether prasadam distribution, including vibhoothi, was slowing down queue movement and what steps were being taken to improve crowd management and reduce devotees’ waiting time.

The court’s observations add to growing scrutiny of the HR&CE Department’s management of major temples, with repeated judicial criticism over poor arrangements and preferential treatment for paying visitors.

(Source: The New Indian Express)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Dravidian Stock ‘Dude’: Keerthiswaran Justifies His Film That Glorifies Adultery And Deranged Moral Decay Saying TN Is “Periyar’s Land”

By
The Commune
-

The director of Dude, Keerthiswaran, has unabashedly proclaimed his ideological loyalty to E.V. Ramasamy Naicker (hailed as “Periyar” by his followers) while defending a film that tramples upon the sanctity of marriage, romanticises extra-marital affairs, and parades moral decay as “progressive values.”

The film’s plot revolves around Agan, a man who willingly gives up his wife to another man and later pretends to be the father of her child. The story — which would anywhere else be called a moral collapse — is being celebrated by a section of gen-z Dravidianists and leftists.

Speaking to the media over its alleged commercial success, “This film is creating debates. What I feel is this is Tamil Nadu. In this state, many ‘elders’ (periyavunga) have lived. One ‘periyavar’ (referring to anti-Hindu bigot EV Ramasamy Naicker) has also lived. They’ve said so many things. We’re just followers of them and talking about it. In Tamil Nadu, these statements are not new. Many have told this before. We as next-gen are carrying it forward and will continue to talk about it. But it will be conveyed entertainingly within cinema that is accepted by audience in large scale, that’s my wish.”

Keerthiswaran went on to say that he will “continue to make such films”.

The director of Dude, Keerthiswaran, has proudly outed himself as a textbook Dravidian propagandist, hailing E.V. Ramasamy Naicker, the self-styled “champion of women’s rights” who advocated for women to discard their uteruses to avoid the “slavery” of motherhood and promoted “pleasure without responsibility” as a virtue.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Hamas-Supporting Islamist Zohran Mamdani With Terror Links, Who Was Part Of Crowd Chanting “Hindus Are Bastards” Lectures On Pluralism From Hindu Temple In New York

By
The Commune
-

Democratic Socialist mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who previously participated in anti-Hindu protests where crowds chanted “Hindus are bastards,” is now courting Hindu voters through temple visits and lectures on pluralism, exposing what critics call a calculated political deception.

On 6 October 2025, Mamdani visited Flushing, Queens, to offer prayers at two of New York’s oldest Hindu temples, attempting to “reconnect with his Hindu roots.” The temple visit included him wearing shoes within temple premises while delivering speeches about Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, and Hindu values of seva (service).

At his latest temple run during Deepavali, Mamdani preached pluralism and seemed to justify why he was ‘critical’ of PM Modi. He said, “So, I have been critical of Mr. Modi because of the vision that I grew up with was of an India that was pluralistic, an India where everyone belonged, no matter their religion. And my critique has been of Mr. Modi and the BJP political party for their vision of an India that only has room for certain kinds of Indians, and it’s part of a belief that pluralism is something to be celebrated, something to be strived for.” 

Trying to reach out to the Hindus of NYC who are still out of his reach, he said, “And I also know that I’m running to be the mayor of New York City – eight and a half million people – many of whom may feel differently than me about Mr. Modi, and that’s their right, and I will look to represent them all the same, because my responsibility to them as New Yorkers is to ensure that they are safe, to ensure they can afford this city, and to ensure they are not just protected but are celebrated in that same city. And in many ways, it is the lesson I’ve learned of being a part of the Indian diaspora.”

Mamdani has repeatedly slandered Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a democratically elected leader, as a “war criminal,” despite the Supreme Court of India clearing Modi of allegations related to the 2002 Gujarat riots. At a candidates’ forum, Mamdani compared Modi to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling both “war criminals.”

Anti-Hindu Activism And Khalistani Ties

This outreach stands in stark contrast to Mamdani’s documented history of anti-Hindu activism. In 2020, Mamdani led a hate mob in Times Square that demonized the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, branding the project a “fascist atrocity.” The protests featured chants of “Hindus are bastards” – slurs Mamdani never disavowed – and saw him aligned with Khalistani separatists.

At the time, Mamdani declared: “I protest the demolition of the Babri masjid and the attempt to build a mandir on top of the ruins of it.” He further claimed, “As an Indian Muslim whose family is witnessing the rising tide of fascism in India, I won’t be silent,” framing Hindu nationalism as a global threat while ignoring Islamic extremism.

Islamist Agenda And Growing Backlash

Mamdani’s political platform reflects what critics describe as an Islamist agenda. He has proposed higher property taxes on “richer, whiter neighborhoods” – a plan critics compare to race-based redistribution – and pushes for socialist policies like free buses and city-run supermarkets.

Notably, Mamdani has pushed for mandatory halal food in all NYC public schools a key legislative priority, framing it as “inclusion” while Christian and Jewish dietary laws are ignored. Critics note that halal certification is controlled by groups with ties to extremist funding networks.

Mamdani also refused to condemn the antisemitic slogan “globalize the intifada,” drawing criticism from Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. His campaign has accepted $100,000 from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), named an unindicted co-conspirator in the 2007 Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing trial.

It is noteworthy that in a January 2025 post on social media, Mamdani stated that he was attending Jummah prayers at the Islamic Society of Bay Ridge. He also appeared in photos standing next to Imam Muhammad Al-Barr, a religious leader known for praising Hamas and calling for divine guidance for their attacks on Israel.

Just five months earlier, Al-Barr had been recorded in the same mosque delivering a prayer calling for violent jihad, “Oh Allah, grant victory to all of them, and do not grant anyone victory over them. Oh Allah, lift the enemy’s hands from them. Oh Allah, protect their honor and their life. Oh Allah, annihilate those who occupied their lands, those who betrayed and deserted them and those who spilled their blood. Annihilate all of them and show us your fierce punishment and revenge upon them.” 

The mosque’s former imam, Reda Shata, has previously been profiled by The New York Times and is known for spreading deeply antisemitic messages. Shata has claimed that Jews are “the biggest liars among all of God’s creation,” attributing their behavior to a so-called “lying gene,” and describing them as “masters of forgery.”

Political Calculations And Hindu American Resistance

With the mayoral race tightening, Mamdani faces growing resistance from Hindu Americans. Days before the Democratic primary in June, a plane flew over the Statue of Liberty carrying a banner reading: “Save NYC from global intifada” and “Reject Mamdani” – funded by Hindu Americans angered by what they called Mamdani’s “anti-Hindu and anti-Indian agenda.”

Political analysts note that Mamdani’s sudden temple outreach represents a cynical attempt to win over the crucial Indian-American voter base in New York City – many of whom he has alienated with his anti-Modi rhetoric and anti-Hindu activism.

Mamdani’s Ties To Islamic Terror Network

New York politician Zohran Mamdani has been accused of receiving backing from U.S.-based organisations with alleged links to Pakistan-backed Islamist networks and anti-India lobbying groups. These include the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC) and Hindus for Human Rights (HfHR), which critics say have ties to entities such as Jamaat-e-Islami and the banned SIMI. The controversy intensified after Mamdani was publicly supported by figures associated with these groups, sparking concerns that his campaign may be influenced by organisations that routinely criticise India on international platforms. While Mamdani’s outreach to Hindu communities and temple visits project an inclusive image, detractors argue this conceals deeper ideological associations aimed at advancing anti-India narratives.

(Source: India Today)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Anti-Hindu, Anti-North Indian, Hate Peddling, DMK-Linked, Secessionist Social Media Page ‘We Dravidians’ X Account Suspended

By
The Commune
-
Anti-Hindu, Anti-North Indian & Secessionist Social Media Page ‘We Dravidians’ X Account Suspended

The controversial X account ‘We Dravidians,’ known for its anti-Hindu, anti-North Indian, and secessionist content, has been suspended from the platform following a series of exposés revealing its administrators and their close ties to Tamil Nadu’s ruling DMK party.

The account, which had long propagated Dravidianist propaganda targeting Hindus, Brahmins, and North Indians, faced massive backlash and reporting from users after its key administrator, Kathir RS, was identified earlier this month. The suspension comes amid ongoing controversy surrounding the account’s inflammatory content and its administrators’ alleged links to separatist and anti-India narratives.

Background: The Unmasking of ‘We Dravidians’

The account came under intense scrutiny during the recent online war between supporters of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin. As the controversy escalated, netizens began identifying the individuals behind the anonymous handle.

The key figures exposed included:

Kathir RS – A chemical engineer-turned-author from Velankanni, Nagapattinam, who wrote a biography titled “Why Do We Need MKS As PM Of India” praising Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. His social media activity revealed strong Christian leanings, with blog posts portraying Jesus as “the first rationalist reformer” and describing Deepavali as “an insult for Tamils.”

Shaikh Abid Hasan – A Bengali Muslim from West Bengal with alleged connections to the Indian Secular Front (ISF). He admitted to traveling to Mizoram on “Kuki money” and had met Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, who has advocated for Chin-Kuki-Zo unity across international borders.

Ravi Chola – A Malaysian Tamil Christian who operated a catering business while involved with the account.

Ronald Anto Mathew – A Kerala Christian based in Germany who managed the group’s Telegram channel.

DMK Connections and Political Backing

Investigations revealed deep co connections between the ‘We Dravidians’ handle and the DMK establishment:

Kathir RS’s biography of Stalin was launched by Jeyaranjan, Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission, DMK MP MM Abdullah, and Dravidian activist Zakir Hussain.

The admin was photographed multiple times with DMK Industries Minister TRB Rajaa.

He personally presented copies of his book to both Chief Minister MK Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi Stalin.

The account was followed by several top DMK leaders and party-affiliated handles.

Content That Sparked Controversy

The account regularly posted content that:

  • Promoted Dravidian separatism and anti-India narratives
  • Spread hate against Brahmins and North Indians
  • Celebrated figures like E.V. Ramasamy Naicker (Periyar) while denigrating Hindu festivals and traditions
  • Supported the DMK and INDIA bloc while opposing the BJP and Hindu nationalist politics

Following the exposure, all four admins attempted to distance themselves from the account. Kathir RS deactivated his personal social media handles, while the other admins either denied involvement or deleted associated channels. The ‘We Dravidians’ Facebook page and Telegram channel were also taken down before the X account’s eventual suspension.

The account’s suspension now marks the culmination of a long controversy that highlighted the use of social media for propagating divisive politics and raised questions about political patronage of anonymous hate accounts.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

UK Hindi ‘Scholar’ Francesca Orsini, Who Opposed CAA, Deported Over Visa Violations; Take A Look At Her Controversial Academic Legacy

By
The Commune
-
UK Hindi Scholar Francesca Orsini, Who Opposed CAA, Deported Over Visa Violations

Francesca Orsini, a UK-based Hindi scholar and professor emeritus at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, was denied entry into India and deported from Delhi airport on 20 October 2025 over alleged visa violations, according to news agency PTI.

Orsini, who arrived in Delhi from Hong Kong, was reportedly blacklisted by Indian authorities in March 2025 for breaching visa conditions. She was travelling on a tourist visa, which officials said she had previously misused for academic purposes. A source in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), quoted by PTI, stated that “Francesca Orsini was on a tourist visa but violating visa conditions. This is standard global practice; anyone found violating visa norms can be blacklisted.”

Officials said Orsini was deported to Hong Kong within hours because her stated purpose of visit did not match her visa category. She told authorities she held a valid five-year visa and was visiting India to meet friends.

Academic Background and Controversial Scholarship

Orsini is a respected scholar of Hindi literature with deep connections to India. She completed her undergraduate studies in Hindi from Venice University, Italy, and studied in New Delhi at the Central Institute of Hindi and Jawaharlal Nehru University before earning her PhD from SOAS.

Her notable works include:

  • “The Hindi Public Sphere: 1920–1940”
  • “East of Delhi: Multilingual Literary Culture and World Literature”
  • “Print and Pleasure: Popular Literature and Entertaining Fictions in Colonial North India”

Orsini is currently professor emerita of Hindi and South Asian Literature at SOAS’ School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics. She had attended an academic conference in China before attempting to enter India and had last visited the country in October 2024.

Criticism of Academic Approach

Critics have accused Orsini of promoting a “Cultural Marxist” agenda in her scholarship. Her work has been characterized as:

  • Framing Hindi’s historical development as a “communal power play” rather than organic evolution
  • Creating a “distorted narrative” that undermines India’s linguistic unity
  • Romanticizing pre-colonial multilingualism while vilifying post-colonial linguistic consolidation

Her 2002 book The Hindi Public Sphere (1920–1940) argues that Hindi’s rise as a national language occurred primarily through political mobilization during the 1920s and 1930s. Critics, however, have accused the work of minimizing grassroots factors such as Bhakti poetry, vernacular education, and local print networks.

In a 2002 essay titled “India in the mirror of World Fiction”, Orsini described the Ramayana and Mahabharata as “amoral” works and compared them unfavourably with modern liberal literature. She expressed disapproval that figures like Bhagwan Ram could no longer be openly criticised in India, where the BJP-led NDA government was in power.

In subsequent writings, Orsini explored premodern North India’s multilingual literary cultures. Her edited 2016 volume After Timur Left examined 15th-century literary production across languages such as Hindi, Persian, and Avadhi, portraying precolonial India as a linguistically diverse and interconnected region. Detractors allege that she “romanticized” precolonial diversity while portraying postcolonial linguistic consolidation as an ideological regression.

Her chapter “Na Turk Na Hindu” in the SOAS essay collection A Multilingual Nation accused nationalist linguistics for “communalizing languages.” Critics claim that in doing so, Orsini constructed what they describe as a “Hindi–Hindu–Hindustan” caricature that simplifies complex linguistic histories into political binaries. She argued that nationalist movements redefined India’s multilingual traditions into rigid identities linking script, language, and religion.

Her 2023 book East of Delhi further examined Awadh’s literary ecology, spanning Hindi, Urdu, Persian, Avadhi, and Braj arguing that colonial and nationalist agendas fragmented what was once a fluid multilingual world.

Reviewers sympathetic to her approach praised the book’s archival depth, while others accused it of sidelining the socioeconomic and cultural processes – urbanization, vernacular schooling, and the expansion of print markets that organically contributed to Hindi’s development.

Across her academic career, Orsini’s work has often emphasized the political dimensions of language and identity. Her critics, particularly within Indian nationalist and pro-Hindi circles, describe her approach as “Cultural Marxist” and accuse her of framing Hindi’s historical evolution as an instrument of dominance rather than as an outcome of popular and cultural synthesis.

Critics argue that her scholarship consistently deconstructs national identity as “manufactured”, casts modern Hindi as hegemony rather than heritage and ignores social and economic drivers like urbanization, vernacular schooling, and local print markets.

Anti-CAA Stance

Francesca Orsini, often portrayed as an apolitical academic, has a well-documented record of political alignment with left-liberal causes and critics of the Indian state. During the 2019–2020 anti-CAA protests, she joined a group of international scholars who publicly condemned Indian police action and accused the Government of India of sectarian bias.

Her political positioning extends to earlier controversies as well. In March 2016, Orsini was among more than 150 global academics who signed an open letter defending Jawaharlal Nehru University professor Nivedita Menon, who had come under public scrutiny for remarks questioning India’s position on Kashmir. The statement denounced what it called a “vicious right-wing media campaign” against Menon and urged JNU’s administration to safeguard academic freedom and protect her right to express dissenting views on Kashmir’s political status.

(This article is based on an X thread by The Chronology)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Modi Govt’s PLI Strikes At China’s Core, Beijing Drags India To WTO Over ‘Discriminatory’ EV Subsidies

By
The Commune
-

China has filed a formal complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO), alleging that India’s electric vehicle (EV) and battery subsidy programs violate global trade rules by favoring domestic products and disadvantaging Chinese manufacturers seeking access to India’s growing EV market. Beijing requested consultations with New Delhi under the WTO dispute settlement mechanism on 20 October 2025, targeting three Indian policies: the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage, the PLI scheme for the automobile and auto component industry, and a separate policy promoting electric passenger car production.

China claims that these measures “condition eligibility for and the disbursement of incentives” on the use of domestically produced goods, effectively discriminating against Chinese-origin products. According to the filing, the restrictions violate India’s commitments under the Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) Agreement, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, and the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs). The filing also states that the Indian policies “nullify or impair benefits accruing to China.” China is seeking a mutually agreed date for consultations as the first step in resolving the dispute.

India’s incentive programs aim to strengthen domestic EV and battery production while reducing reliance on imports. The PLI-ACC scheme, launched in May 2021, carries an outlay of ₹18,100 crore to develop 50 GWh of domestic battery capacity. The auto-focused PLI scheme, approved in September 2021 with a budget of ₹25,938 crore, targets the local production of advanced automotive technologies and the creation of jobs.

For Chinese EV companies such as BYD, India represents a strategically vital market as profits shrink elsewhere and regulatory barriers, including a 27% tariff in the EU, limit expansion. Trade data shows that while India’s exports to China declined by 14.5% in 2024–25, imports from China rose 11.5%, widening India’s trade deficit with Beijing to $99.2 billion.

The WTO consultations could pave the way for the establishment of a formal dispute panel if India and China fail to reach a settlement through dialogue, potentially escalating tensions over India’s “Made in India” EV push.

(Source: Business Today)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

1500-Year-Old Temple’s Amman Sannathi In Veerasozhapuram Crumbles In Rain

By
The Commune
-
1500-Year-Old Temple's Amman Sannathi In Veerasozhapuram Crumbles In Rain

In Veerasozhapuram, a 1,500-year-old Amman shrine in a Lord Shiva temple collapsed during heavy rainfall yesterday, raising concerns among locals about the preservation of heritage temples. It is alleged that sand sacks had been placed on the deities, including Amman and Lord Shiva, and alleged that the temple property had been plundered.

The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department has not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident.

The temple in Veeracholapuram, reportedly built by King Rajendra Chola, originally housed 78 intricately carved statues, many of which have gone missing over time. Experts and locals say recreating such sculptures with modern skill levels is extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Built by Rajendra Chola I and dedicated to Nagareeswaramudaiya Nayanar, the temple has long stood as a testament to the grandeur of Chola architecture and devotion. Inscriptions reveal that during the reign of Kulothunga Chola I, vast tracts of land were endowed to support temple rituals and upkeep. Centuries later, Kulasekara Pandiyan continued this legacy with further donations, underscoring the temple’s enduring spiritual and cultural significance across dynasties.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Tamil Nadu Truck Driver Arrested For Raping Kerala IT Employee During Burglary Attempt

By
The Commune
-
Tamil Nadu Truck Driver Arrested For Raping Kerala IT Employee During Burglary Attempt

A 38-year-old truck driver from Tamil Nadu has been arrested for the alleged rape of a 25-year-old woman IT employee at a hostel in Kazhakkoottam last Friday. City Police Commissioner Thomson Jose stated on Monday (21 October 2025) that the crime was committed during an attempted theft.

The accused, identified as Benjamin, a native of Madurai, was apprehended by a special probe team after a dramatic chase and has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by an Attingal court.

According to the police investigation, Benjamin, who owns and drives the truck, was in Kazhakkoottam on a cargo delivery trip. The probe revealed he is a habitual offender who frequently committed thefts during his visits to the state capital.

On the night of the crime, he first stole an iPod and ₹500 from a nearby hostel. He then entered the victim’s hostel, finding its front door open. Police said Benjamin attempted to open several rooms, but only the door to the 25-year-old survivor’s room was unlocked.

Upon entering, Benjamin allegedly abandoned his initial plan to steal and instead sexually assaulted the woman. Officials stated that he used force and covered her mouth to prevent her from raising an alarm. After the crime, he fled the scene and drove his truck to a service centre in Attingal, where he got into a quarrel with the staff over his urgency to service the vehicle.

The probe team sifted through hundreds of CCTV footage to track the suspect. Visuals from the Attingal service centre were crucial, leading to the identification of his truck’s registration number. After coordinating with Madurai police, the Kerala probe team located the truck parked on a roadside in Madurai.

When officers approached Benjamin and asked him to move the vehicle, he attempted to flee. Police officials reported that they had to chase him for over a kilometre before finally capturing him.

Police officials confirmed that forensic evidence, including fingerprints, DNA from semen samples, and mobile tower location data, will be pivotal in building the case against the accused. Authorities are also collecting details of other cases registered against Benjamin in various police stations across Tamil Nadu and Kerala and are examining his potential involvement in unresolved theft cases in the region.

(Source: Times of India)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

1...197198199...1,845Page 198 of 1,845
TheCommune
The Commune is a news and views portal focusing on social and political issues of the southern part of India with a focus on Tamil Nadu.
Contact us: thecommune.news@gmail.com
Facebook Instagram X Youtube

NATIONAL NEWS

Hindu Gods Mocked, Namaz Forced, Beef Force-Fed How A Muslim Grooming Gang At A Famous IT Firm Targeted Hindu Female Colleagues

Nine FIRs, Four Years, Zero Action: Inside TCS Nashik’s Harassment Scandal

The Commune - 0
On 16 April 2026, approximately 50 Tata Consultancy Services employees arrived at the company's Nashik office in sweltering heat, visibly anxious amid mounting reports...
© The Commune 2025. All Rights Reserved.