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Pastor And Rowdy Among Fake Human Rights Team That Tried To Defame Dharmasthala: Police Report

By
The Commune
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A detailed report submitted by the Superintendent of Police, Dakshina Kannada District, has uncovered a major racket involving individuals falsely posing as Human Rights Commission officers to interfere in matters related to the Dharmasthala temple. The investigation, forwarded to the Karnataka State Human Rights Commission, exposes how impostors, including a pastor John Simon from Bengaluru and a rowdy Madan Bugudi from Hubballi, misused the name of the commission to intimidate officials and spread misinformation about the revered Hindu shrine, Dharmasthala.

Complaint And False Representation

The chain of events began after the Kannada daily Kannadaprabha published a report on 26 August 2025 titled:
“Rowdy sheeter among fake Human Rights Commission officers who came to the police station with Girish Mattanna.”

Acting on the report, the Human Rights Commission initiated a suo motu complaint under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. The matter was referred to the Belthangady Police for a detailed probe.

During the inquiry, officers found that when activist Mahesh Shetty Timarodi visited the Belthangady Police Station accompanied by Girish Mattannavar, several others joined them. Among these individuals was Madan Bugudi, who appeared in formal attire and falsely introduced himself as an officer of the Human Rights Commission. Upon verification, police confirmed that no such position was ever held by Bugudi. Instead, he was identified as a notorious rowdy-sheeter from Hubballi, previously paraded publicly by the Hubballi Police Commissioner during a roll call of known offenders.

Pastor John Simon And The Fake Human Rights Network

Further investigation revealed the involvement of another impersonator, John Simon, who also claimed to represent the Human Rights Commission.

According to the report, Simon had been operating in Bengaluru using counterfeit human rights credentials to threaten police officers and extort money under the pretext of providing “protection.” Police discovered that Simon runs a private church in Doddaballapura, where he acts as pastor, and has registered an NGO named “Human Rights Anti-Corruption Social Justice Commission.”

Investigators found that Simon approached citizens claiming he could “help if police tortured them,” thereby creating a network of extortion and manipulation. Several public complaints have since been filed, demanding that stringent criminal action be taken against him.

The report describes John Simon as a self-styled Christian pastor who “has brazenly misused the guise of human rights to manipulate citizens and challenge governmental authority in broad daylight.” Despite operating openly under fake credentials, “it took an inordinate delay for authorities to initiate action against him.”

Shocking news

A formal complaint from Praveen K.R., son of Ram Gudigar and resident of Kattadabailu Mane, Dharmasthala village, Belthangady taluk, has now been forwarded to the Belthangady Police Inspector for further legal action.

Attempt To Defame Dharmasthala Temple

On 30 August 2025, Girish Mattannavar and Madan Bugudi visited the Belthangady Police Station again and held a media interaction, claiming to be devotees of Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala.

The police report clarifies that their real motive was to create unrest, disrupt communal harmony, and tarnish the temple’s religious reputation. By introducing himself to reporters as a human rights officer, Bugudi misled the media and damaged the credibility of the official Human Rights Commission.

Police also noted that Girish Mattannavar and Mahesh Shetty Timarodi were in close coordination with bloggers and social media activists, including Mohd Sameer, to spread false and defamatory narratives against Dharmasthala temple authorities.

Legal Action And Registered Case

After gathering sufficient evidence, Belthangady Police registered Case No. 100/2025 under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, signaling the gravity of the offenses.

The invoked sections include Section 204 – destruction of evidence, Section 319(2) – impersonation of a public servant, Section 353(2) – obstruction of lawful duty, and Section 3(5) – aggravated misuse of authority.

These charges reflect the deliberate attempt by the accused to mislead authorities, obstruct justice, and exploit state institutions for ideological and personal motives.

A progress report has already been submitted to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, confirming that the case remains under active investigation by the Dakshina Kannada Police. Authorities have vowed to treat such fraudulent use of human rights credentials with “the utmost seriousness” and prosecute offenders under the full extent of the law.

Pastor’s Alleged Involvement And Religious Manipulation

Police findings stress that John Simon is a habitual impersonator who repeatedly interferes in official investigations while exploiting the banner of human rights for “personal and ideological gain.” His role as a Christian pastor, his fake NGO registration, and his targeting of Hindu religious institutions, particularly Dharmasthala, suggest a conversion-linked motive, according to investigators.

Authorities have recommended that strict legal and administrative measures be imposed to prevent such fraudulent human rights operatives from exploiting religious or social conflicts to weaken Hindu institutions.

The report concludes that the Dharmasthala controversy was built on a “web of deceit.” Genuine devotees including Chinniah also known as the ‘masked man’ and Sujatha Bhat were allegedly scapegoated to protect a larger propaganda network run by Girish Mattannavar, Mahesh Shetty, and their associates such as Sameer Mohammad.

This group, the report states, “attempted to spread a fabricated narrative against one of Karnataka’s most revered Hindu institutions.” Initially, even some Hindu devotees were misled by their orchestrated stories, but as evidence surfaced, it became clear that the entire episode was part of a deliberate conspiracy fueled by fake human rights activists and a pastor posing as a Human Rights Commission officer.

The findings raise troubling questions:

What connection does a Christian pastor have with temple affairs? Is there a larger conversion syndicate behind the scenes? Are external elements from Kerala playing a role in spreading this propaganda against Dharmasthala?

(With inputs from Hindu Post)

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After Hitting Motorist, VCK Goons Block Road Demanding Z+ Security For Thirumavalavan

By
The Commune
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VCK MP Thirumavalavan Releases Video Blaming Motorist For Incident, Trivializes And Justifies Attack On Motorist By His Goons

A day after a vehicle carrying Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan was involved in a scuffle outside the Madras High Court, cadres of the party staged a road blockade in Nagore demanding Z-plus security for their leader. The protest disrupted traffic for nearly an hour on the busy Nagapattinam–Nagore National Highway.

The demonstration came in the wake of a controversial incident in Chennai on October 7, when Thirumavalavan’s car was involved in a minor collision with a two-wheeler near the Madras High Court. The situation escalated after members of the MP’s entourage allegedly attacked the motorist, who was later identified as a lawyer. Videos of the lawyer fleeing into the Tamil Nadu Bar Council building to escape the assault sparked widespread outrage across the legal community and political circles.

Following the incident, opposition leaders accused the VCK of lawlessness and double standards. BJP State President K. Annamalai condemned the assault as “hooliganism in broad daylight,” pointing out that Thirumavalavan had been returning from a protest condemning the attack on Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai at the time of the altercation.

Meanwhile, Thirumavalavan released a video statement denying that his car had hit the motorist and instead blaming the biker for deliberately obstructing his path. He admitted that “a scuffle” took place after his party cadres and escort police asked the youth to move aside but claimed that his supporters did not initiate the violence.

As the controversy deepened, VCK supporters in Nagapattinam  (Nagore)staged a sudden protest on Wednesday, demanding that the state and central governments provide Thirumavalavan with Z-plus category security. The protesters raised slogans condemning both the Tamil Nadu and Union governments and accused political rivals of attempting to tarnish the MP’s image.

They raised slogans like, “We condemn the “Sanatana Sanghi Dog” who insulted our Rising Tamil” and called for protection for their leader.

Police personnel were deployed to the spot to control the situation, and traffic on the highway resumed after nearly an hour of disruption. No arrests were reported at the time of filing this report.

The Chennai Police have not yet issued an official statement regarding the scuffle near the High Court or confirmed whether a formal complaint has been filed. The incident, coupled with the subsequent road blockade, has sparked fresh debate about political privilege, misuse of security cover, and the deteriorating law and order situation in Tamil Nadu.

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Dharmapuram Adheenam Head Announces Indefinite Fast To Protest DMK Govt’s Demolition Of Historic Free Hospital In Mayiladuthurai

By
The Commune
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Dharmapuram Adheenam Head Announces Indefinite Fast To Protest DMK Govt's Demolition Of Historic Free Hospital In Mayiladuthurai

The head of the Dharmapuram Adheenam, Srilasree Masilamani Desika Gnanasambandha Paramacharya Swamigal, has announced that he will undertake an indefinite fast unto death in protest against the proposed demolition of a historic free maternity hospital in Mayiladuthurai, originally established by the Adheenam.

The hospital, located on Mayuranathar North Road in Mayiladuthurai, was founded in 1943 by Srilasree Shanmuga Desiya Paramacharya Swamigal, the 24th pontiff of Dharmapuram Adheenam, in memory of his mother. Built on two acres of land belonging to the Adheenam, the facility was completed after eight years of construction and was inaugurated in 1951 by then Chief Minister Kumaraswamy Raja.

Following its inauguration, the Dharmapuram Adheenam handed over the hospital to the Mayiladuthurai municipality for public administration. Over the decades, however, the structure reportedly fell into disrepair due to poor maintenance.

Distressed by the deteriorating condition, the current abbot, Srilasree Masilamani Desika Gnanasambandha Paramacharya Swamigal, the 27th pontiff, had earlier written to both the municipal administration and the Tamil Nadu government, requesting that the building be handed back to the Adheenam for restoration and upkeep. Despite these appeals, authorities reportedly decided to demolish the structure, prompting strong opposition from the Adheenam.

There are claims that the hospital, which was operating smoothly up until five years ago, has deteriorated into a dumping ground for trash due to the municipality’s neglect in maintenance.

In October 2019, the municipal administration established a micro-composting centre to sort the garbage despite heavy opposition from public. At present, the micro-composting centre is also non-functional, and the area has turned filthy due to the accumulation of garbage. It now faces the risk of being turned into a full-fledged dumpyard.

The demolition plan was temporarily halted earlier this year after the abbot raised the issue publicly and appealed to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. However, new reports suggest that a bhoomi puja (ground-breaking ceremony) for the demolition has been scheduled again.

In response, the Adheenam issued a statement on its official Facebook page on Tuesday, warning that if the demolition proceeds, an indefinite fast would be launched. The post stated:

“Earlier, there was information that the free maternity hospital was going to be demolished. It was brought to the attention of the Chief Minister and it was stopped. We have now learned that the bhoomi puja will be held again tomorrow. I am at an event outside the city, and this must be stopped. Otherwise, we will fast until death to protect what our ancestors built.”

The Adheenam’s statement emphasizes that the hospital, established as a charitable institution for the welfare of women and children, stands as a legacy of service by the monastery’s earlier pontiffs.

Local sources say that devotees and residents of Mayiladuthurai have expressed support for the Adheenam’s plea to preserve the historic building. Meanwhile, the municipal authorities have not yet issued an official clarification regarding the reported demolition plans.

 (With inputs OneIndia Tamil)

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VCK MP Thirumavalavan Releases Video Blaming Motorist For Incident, Trivializes And Justifies Attack On Motorist By His Goons

By
The Commune
-
VCK MP Thirumavalavan Releases Video Blaming Motorist For Incident, Trivializes And Justifies Attack On Motorist By His Goons

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief and Member of Parliament Thol. Thirumavalavan has released a video statement offering his version of the altercation that took place outside the Madras High Court, where a motorist was allegedly assaulted by his party cadres following a minor road incident.

In the video, Thirumavalavan sought to downplay the confrontation and denied that his car had hit the two-wheeler. He instead blamed the motorist for “purposefully blocking” his vehicle, claiming that the youth had deliberately slowed down and parked his bike in front of his car near a speed breaker close to the Tamil Nadu Bar Council building.

In a video he said, “I would have crossed a short distance from the protest site. In that place, a young man on a two-wheeler was driving before me. He noticed my vehicle well and passed by. The usual escort police were accompanying me and my vehicle. Usually, they are in front of my vehicle, since I left early, they were behind me. The youth on the two-wheeler suddenly stopped his vehicle and came towards my vehicle glaring at it, made noise. I told them not to stop the vehicle and to move towards the right and continue moving. But his vehicle was kept in such a way that we couldn’t move forward. But he had parked his vehicle in front and was raising his hands and came towards me. The escort police behind me noticed this and felt that he was making a fuss, got down from the car, crossed my car and requested the youth to move away to the corner. But even after seeing the escort police, even after seeing me sitting inside the car, he was making a fuss waving his hands and speaking. When our party cadre came to the spot, when they asked the youth to step aside, he glared at them and spoke quickly. So, when the police and the cadre were requesting him to step aside, there was a scuffle. He continued to speak against, and this caused our 1-2 cadre to try to raise their hands. But before that, the police took him away to the Tamil Nadu Bar Council building. This is what happened.
On the left side, he was going ahead of my vehicle but did not go fast. He purposefully rode his vehicle slowly. There is a speed breaker in front of the TN Bar Council, and he parked his vehicle there. Our driver as usual honks the car, the escort police at the back raise the siren sound. The car did not ram into his vehicle nor did his vehicle ram into the car, but he parked the vehicle in front of the car – there is nothing that happened to call it an accident. Some are calling it an accident; some are claiming that my car rammed into his vehicle – all this is blatantly false information. People like Annamalai took the lead in defending this and create narratives against us.”

The VCK leader’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from legal and political circles, as the footage of the frightened lawyer running into the Bar Council building after being allegedly attacked by VCK cadres continues to circulate widely. Critics have accused Thirumavalavan of justifying mob behavior instead of condemning the assault, which occurred right outside the Madras High Court complex.

While the police are yet to announce any formal action, demands have intensified for registering a case against the VCK MP and his aides.

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VCK Hit & Run Incident: BJP’s Asuvathaman Calls For Filing Case Against Thirumavalavan Whose Car Rammed A Motorist Who Was Also Thrashed By VCK Goons

By
The Commune
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VCK Hit & Run Incident: BJP's Asuvathaman Calls For Filing Case Against Thirumavalavan Whose Car Rammed A Motorist Who Was Thrashed By VCK Goons In Front Of Him

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State Secretary A. Asuvathaman has demanded that a criminal case be registered against Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan after a shocking incident outside the Madras High Court, where a lawyer was allegedly assaulted by VCK goons following a minor collision involving the MP’s car.

According to Asuvathaman’s statement, the incident occurred when a lawyer on a two-wheeler reportedly came near Thirumavalavan’s vehicle in front of the High Court premises. The VCK leader’s car allegedly brushed against the two-wheeler, leading to an altercation. Eyewitnesses claimed that VCK supporters accompanying Thirumavalavan attacked the lawyer on the spot. The injured lawyer was later seen running into the Madras Bar Council building for safety, with the video of the incident now circulating widely on social media.

Asuvathaman described the attack as a “blatant assault right in front of the temple of law” and said it had “shaken the conscience of the legal fraternity.” He questioned how VCK cadres had the audacity to attack a lawyer right in front of the Madras High Court complex, saying it reflected the “complete collapse of law and order in Tamil Nadu.”

He accused the DMK-led government of creating a culture of impunity, stating that the lax enforcement of law had emboldened political mobs to act violently even within the premises of the judiciary. He said the ruling party’s inaction had left lawyers— “those who protect the law”—vulnerable to such attacks.

Calling for strong institutional action, the BJP leader urged the Madras High Court Advocates Association (MHAA) to immediately intervene and declare a major protest against what he termed “an attack on the legal community.” He warned that silence from the association would be tantamount to approving violence against lawyers.

Asuvathaman also appealed to the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Bar Councils to take cognizance of the incident, pointing out that the assault occurred right at the doorstep of the Bar Council building. He said that with Bar Council elections approaching, the members must reflect on their responsibility to uphold the rights and dignity of the legal profession.

He further demanded that the Tamil Nadu Police identify and arrest all those involved in the assault, naming Thirumavalavan as the prime accused. “If the forces inciting violence go unpunished, law and order in Tamil Nadu will be in question,” his statement said.

Asuvathaman called on the Madras High Court to take up the case suo motu, emphasizing that the court must act to safeguard its own dignity and the public’s trust in the judiciary. He said that allowing such a violent act to go unaddressed would damage the court’s reputation for impartial justice.

Concluding his statement, the BJP State Secretary urged the Tamil Nadu government to enact a Lawyers Protection Act to ensure the safety of advocates, including provisions shielding them from misuse of certain laws, such as the SC/ST Act, in cases involving professional disputes.

Asuvathaman said the incident exemplified the deteriorating security climate under the current administration and demanded immediate, visible action against both the assailants and their political leaders.

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Devotees Allege Extortion At HR&CE-Administered Samayapuram Mariamman Temple; Hindu Munnani Demands Action

By
The Commune
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Devotees Allege Extortion At HR&CE-Administered Samayapuram Mariamman Temple; Hindu Munnani Demands Action

Serious allegations of extortion and misbehavior by temple staff have surfaced at the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple in Trichy, one of Tamil Nadu’s most-visited shrines. According to a report released by Hindu Munnani State President Kadeshwara Subramaniam, devotees have accused temple employees of overcharging for special darshan tickets and intimidating those who question the irregularities.

The controversy erupted after a video surfaced on social media showing a female temple employee allegedly demanding ₹400 from two devotees for special darshan tickets, instead of the prescribed ₹100 per person. When questioned, the staff member is said to have retorted angrily that the devotees could either pay ₹400 or leave. The employee further claimed that she had been working in the temple for two decades and dared the devotees to “show the video to the collector,” reportedly boasting that no action could be taken against her.

Hindu Munnani stated that the incident reflects a wider pattern of administrative irregularities and harassment of devotees in temples managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department. The organization alleged that officials of the department are aware of such overcharging practices and are complicit in them.

The statement accused the HR&CE Department of turning temples into centers of commercial exploitation, claiming that its officials were “monetizing devotion” instead of providing basic facilities and maintaining sanctity. It also alleged that employees who extort money share the proceeds with higher-level staff, which emboldens them to behave arrogantly with worshippers.

Referring to past incidents, Hindu Munnani said similar complaints of extortion had been raised earlier at the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple, and that poor crowd management had even led to stampede-like situations in recent months.

The organization questioned how temple employees were permitted to collect amounts beyond the official fee and demanded accountability from the state’s Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, P.K. Sekarbabu. It criticized the minister’s claim that “God is happy under the Dravidian model government,” asking how such statements could be justified when devotees were allegedly being insulted and exploited.

Hindu Munnani urged the state government to immediately dismiss the female employee involved in the latest incident and take stringent action against all staff found engaging in unauthorized fee collection or mistreatment of devotees. The group also called for systemic reforms to prevent similar incidents in other temples under the HR&CE Department’s control across Tamil Nadu.

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Two Scales Of Justice: When A Shoe Falls Faster Than A Stack Of Cash

By
The Commune
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On 6 October 2025, within hours of a courtroom outburst, the Bar Council of India swung into action and suspended a 70-year-old lawyer, Rakesh Kishore, for trying to hurl his shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai. The swiftness of the punishment was almost surgical – the order came the same day, the suspension immediate, the message unambiguous: no indiscipline against the institution will be tolerated.

Meanwhile, in another wing of the same judicial establishment, a serving High Court judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, continues to be called “Justice” even after stacks of cash were recovered from his official residence – money so voluminous that firefighters stumbled upon it during a blaze. An in-house committee of the Supreme Court found “sufficient substance” in the allegations, and 146 MPs have already signed an impeachment motion. Yet, months later, he remains on the rolls, with the process crawling through procedural thickets.

This is where the Indian judiciary’s moral compass looks painfully skewed.

When a lawyer throws a shoe – a symbolic act of protest, foolish and condemnable though it is – the system reacts in hours. When a judge is found with unexplained piles of currency, the same system pleads for patience and procedure.

The Bar Council’s promptness is not the issue; maintaining courtroom decorum is necessary. But the selective velocity of accountability is. The man who flung a shoe is already punished; the man found sitting atop cash bundles still bears the prefix “Justice.”

What, then, does justice mean in this republic of double standards?

The judiciary often exhorts citizens to uphold constitutional morality, lectures politicians on transparency, and scolds activists for contempt. But when one of its own is accused of serious misconduct, not allegations of speech, but of corruption, the same moral fervour dissolves into bureaucratic ritual.

One cannot help noticing the symbolism: a poor man’s shoe travels faster through the corridors of power than a judge’s trunkful of currency or rather “sackful” of currency.

The shoe incident, bizarre as it was, was born of anger at perceived disrespect to faith, an act of emotion. The cash discovery, in contrast, reeks of premeditated deceit, an act of calculation. Yet the emotional act met instant censure; the calculated one still enjoys due honorifics and procedural courtesy.

No democratic institution can claim moral authority when its own house is in disarray. If the judiciary wants the public to respect its sanctity, it must show that justice is not a hierarchy that the robe and the brief are both answerable to the same ethical code.

Until then, one truth will linger uncomfortably in the public mind:
a shoe thrown at power invites suspension; a suitcase of cash invites procedure.

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Dravidian Model: VCK Goons Beat Motorist, Break Scooter Over Minor Collision With Thirumavalavan’s Car

By
The Commune
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Dravidian Model: VCK Goons Allegedly Assault Motorist After Minor Collision, TN Police Look On, Take No Action On Attackers

A scuffle broke out near the Madras High Court in Chennai on 7 October 2025 after a vehicle carrying Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) leader and MP Thol. Thirumavalavan was involved in a minor collision with a two-wheeler. The incident led to chaos when members of Thirumavalavan’s entourage allegedly assaulted the motorist involved in the accident.

According to eyewitnesses, the car in which Thirumavalavan was travelling reportedly brushed against a two-wheeler, prompting an argument between the rider and the driver. The situation escalated when several VCK goons accompanying the leader allegedly attacked the rider and damaged the vehicle. The altercation took place in the vicinity of the High Court, leading to public outrage over the conduct of the political workers.

BJP leader K. Annamalai condemned the incident on social media, describing it as an act of hooliganism in broad daylight. He alleged that the victim, identified as a lawyer, was beaten for merely questioning the car driver who had hit him. He further pointed out the irony that Thirumavalavan had been returning from a protest condemning the recent attack on Chief Justice of India Justice B.R. Gavai, only for his own supporters to be involved in an assault soon after.

Annamalai also criticised the state government and police, questioning whether a case would be registered in the same manner as in previous instances where vehicles linked to opposition figures, including actor-politician Vijay, were involved in minor collisions. He called for the immediate seizure of Thirumavalavan’s vehicle and action against those involved in the assault.

Sharing the video of the incident on X, he wrote, “In a shocking display of hooliganism in broad daylight, VCK goons allegedly assaulted a lawyer, simply for questioning a car driver who had hit him. The car, notably, was carrying VCK leader Thiru @thirumaofficial. Ironically, what makes it worse is that Thiru @thirumaofficial avl was returning from a protest condemning the attack on the Chief Justice of India, only for his own entourage to attack an advocate soon after.”

The police have not yet issued an official statement regarding the incident or confirmed whether any complaints have been filed. The episode has sparked fresh political controversy in Tamil Nadu, with opposition leaders accusing the ruling alliance of double standards in handling law and order violations linked to its allies.

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Dravidian Model: Retired Police Officer Varadharajan Arrested For Alleged ‘Defamatory’ Remarks Against Madras High Court Judge Who Made Scathing Remarks Against Vijay

By
The Commune
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varadharajan karur stampede

The Chennai South Cyber Crime Police arrested retired police officer Varadharajan for posting alleged defamatory content on social media against Justice N Senthilkumar of the Madras High Court, who made personal remarks against actor and politician Vijay regarding the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives.

The incident occurred on 27 September 2025 at Velusamypuram in Karur, where nearly 30,000 people reportedly gathered for Vijay’s first major rally after launching his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The venue, designed to accommodate only a few thousand, became overcrowded, resulting in a stampede that caused multiple fatalities and injuries.

Following the tragedy, Tamil Nadu Police intensified action against individuals spreading “misinformation” and provocative content related to the incident. Cybercrime units registered several cases for attempts to disturb public order through false or inflammatory posts. Popular YouTubers Felix Gerald and Maridhas were among those targeted in the crackdown. The court declined to remand Gerald to custody, while Maridhas was questioned and released with a direction to appear for further inquiry if required.

Justice N Senthilkumar, who is hearing petitions connected to the stampede, earlier directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under North Zone Inspector General Asra Garg to probe the circumstances leading to the disaster. During one of the hearings, the judge made unwarranted remarks about Vijay and his leadership quality, suggesting that TVK’s top functionaries, including Vijay, had shown poor management of the event.

The judge’s comments triggered an online debate, drawing both support and hostility. Police said retired police officer R Varadharajan, who heads a small political organisation called Nethaji Makkal Katchi and regularly uploads political commentary videos on his YouTube channel Nethaji TV, had posted a video allegedly attacking the judge over his observations. He questioned the neutrality of the judge given that he shares close ties with the DMK.

Based on complaints and digital evidence, cybercrime officers arrested Varadarajan. Officials stated that the arrest forms part of a larger operation aimed at ‘curbing hate campaigns’ and maintaining lawful public discourse while the sensitive judicial inquiry remains underway.

(With inputs from Sakshi Post)

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Book Review: Matadaana By S. L. Bhyrappa – A Timeless Tale Of Society And Transformation

By
Gee Vee
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Book Review: Matadaana By S. L. Bhyrappa - A Timeless Tale Of Society And Transformation

This book review comes during despondent times of S. L. Bhyrappa’s (SLB) passing and unification with the elements. I had picked this book up as this is the latest offering from Subbu Publications, and SLB’s works are always an attraction. First of all, the English translation is top-notch, with the core essence of the culture and times retained as compared to the Kannada original. The language is quite simple and lucid, with some quintessential Kannada words quoted in their original form. This effort has ensured that non-Kannada speakers can fully savour the richness of this fantastic composition.

MataDana means Voting in Kannada. However, the literal meaning is Daana, i.e., gift or bestowing a charity/favour of Mata, i.e., Vote. Quite literally, the name itself is laden with so many interesting facets of the novel. The story is set in the rural setup of Karnataka and deals with the lives and times of a few of the characters. Dr. Shivalingappa, a young and idealistic doctor whose mind is set on being a social reformer rather than one to benefit from his medical education. As a human, he puts society at large ahead of personal comforts or, for that matter, personal priorities. The book is about a few of the characters directly or indirectly connected to this central character and an election that changes the lives of each of these in an irreversible manner.

First and foremost, the book is a sharp reflection of society. S. L. Bhyrappa turns philosophical and asks some very hard questions about the society we inhabit, the values we profess, and what we practice and the overall destination of life. As one proceeds with the book, one may start to wonder if the author was a clairvoyant. The happenings around the election, the words spoken about the choice of candidates etc, reminds one of a similar recent “civil society movement” that emphasised very similar lines. SLB clearly articulates the various faults in society wherein the simplicity of a few well-meaning individuals is sacrificed at the altar of politics.

Is politics only about money? As we know, political affiliations translate into familial bonds cemented through marriages. This has been a practice for centuries, and it’s no different in this novel, where marriage becomes a tool to forge some new alliances.

SLB blends some very interesting topics into the narrative like the use of homemade remedies and highlighting the efficacy of the same through the well-meaning Allopathic doctor. Dr. Shivappa is someone with whom many of us relate – a simple, common man with everyday troubles of survival, but rich with values. There is a political undercurrent of the unification of Karnataka, which places the timeline of the novel around 1955-56. SLB also provides some very impactful commentary on social topics like caste reservations or regional factionalism within a political party.

In one of the instances, a wonderful poetic metaphor in the form of Bhima’s taunts to Duryodhana is employed to describe a similar conflict situation. However, the most impactful portions of the book are towards the end, where things take a very serious turn for a few of the characters. Ramalinge Gowdru undergoes a serious of philosophical contemplations and reflections on certain events upto that point, which hold a very strong mirror to the society. The portion of the book where he debates and conflicts with himself in the mind about certain choices he is about to make is deeply insightful, but disturbing at the same time.

The storytelling is quite unique, where there is one general narrative till the election, after which the author forks into separate perspectives from each of the central characters and merges the narrative towards the end. Dr. Shivappa’s transition from a young, idealistic citizen to a more practical social animal is laden with lessons for the modern reader.

The best part of the book is the transformation of the character, Rangalakshmi, from a timid girl to a person who asserts their decision, much against societal norms, to taking some hard decisions in her own life and carving a new life for herself. I feel people read this book to understand how truly women’s liberation happens. The book ends with a beautiful crescendo. One needs to be aware that this book was written in 1965, set in 1955-56. Considering the conservative nature of the society, SLB displays amazing courage to introduce divorcee remarriage into the narrative and fittingly ends the book with the same.

This book can be read just as a story or as a reflection of the society with its various fractures. However, SLB clearly brings out the human spirit that can transcend these barriers and achieve newer goals that could be considered impossible. Absolutely masterful storytelling. Very highly recommended read.

Gee Vee is an engineer and avid fan of itihasas, puranas and books.

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