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DMK Govt Pastes Its Sticker Over Central PSUs Investing In TN

By
The Commune
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dmk sticker

In a familiar pattern, the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu has once again attempted to re-brand a central government driven initiative as its own, this time in the shipbuilding sector. The latest instance involves the announcement of two major investments by central Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) to set up greenfield shipyards in Tamil Nadu with a combined investment of ₹30,000 crore. However, the DMK, backed by sections of the Dravidianist media, has been quick to position the development as a result of its own policies and leadership.

On 20 September 2025, Tamil Nadu’s Industries Minister TRB Rajaa announced the MoUs via his X account, describing it as “massive news” for the state’s shipbuilding industry. He stated that the agreements as a key milestone under the upcoming Tamil Nadu Maritime Transport Manufacturing Policy 2025, emphasizing that they would generate over 55,000 jobs and mark the state’s emergence as a “global hub for shipbuilding and maritime innovation.”

In his statement, Rajaa credited Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and said the move aligned with the DMK’s development vision. Following this, Stalin himself posted on social media, invoking Tamil maritime history and asserting that the “Dravidian Model” was steering southern Tamil Nadu onto the global shipbuilding map.

Predictably, DMK-simping media outlets like Puthiya Thalaimurai amplified this narrative, presenting the announcement as a direct achievement of the state government. One headline read, “Contract worth ₹15,000 crore: Minister Raja.”

The Reality: A Modi Govt-Led Initiative Under National Maritime Vision

Contrary to the narrative being peddled by the DMK and its ecosystem, these projects are part of the Government of India’s broader maritime strategy, specifically the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. The MoUs were signed between the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and the Tamil Nadu government through its investment promotion agency, Guidance Tamil Nadu, with the centre’s active involvement.

Cochin Shipyard Limited, which built the Indian Navy’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, will invest ₹15,000 crore in a commercial shipyard, creating 10,000 jobs initially. MDL, known for building Scorpene-class submarines and frontline destroyers like the Visakhapatnam-class, will invest an equivalent amount to establish a shipyard employing over 45,000 people.

Both entities are central PSUs under the Ministries of Defence and Shipping, respectively. Their strategic decision to establish shipbuilding infrastructure on India’s east coast specifically in Thoothukudi district is driven by national maritime priorities, including security and trade.

Union Government’s Role Highlighted at Signing Ceremony

The MoUs were formally exchanged on 19 September 2025 at an event organized by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. The ceremony was attended by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, further confirming the central government’s role in initiating and facilitating these massive investments.

Yet, in Tamil Nadu, the DMK has attempted to shift the spotlight toward its own governance, despite the projects being aligned with central government frameworks. Critics have pointed out that the DMK is merely piggybacking on the Centre’s plans while attempting to appropriate credit for political mileage ahead of elections.

Social Media Pushback: DMK’s Credit Grab Draws Ridicule

The DMK’s attempt to take ownership of the shipbuilding projects has triggered significant backlash on social media. Users have mocked the party’s habitual “sticker politics,” accusing it of slapping its label on any initiative with potential visibility or public appeal, regardless of who conceived or executed it.

This episode follows a familiar pattern where central government projects in Tamil Nadu be it in infrastructure, defence, or manufacturing are rebranded locally as “Dravidian model achievements” for narrative-building purposes. However, in the digital age, such attempts are increasingly met with scrutiny and resistance from the public.

As the 2026 state elections approach, the line between genuine state-led development and opportunistic political branding is becoming increasingly blurred at least in the way it’s being projected by the ruling establishment in Tamil Nadu.

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Madras High Court Stays All Construction Work At Arunachaleswarar Temple In Tiruvannamalai

By
The Commune
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Madras High Court Stays All Construction Work At Arunachaleswarar Temple In Tiruvannamalai

In a significant ruling for devotees and heritage conservationists, the Madras High Court has issued an interim order staying all construction work inside and outside the ancient Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai. The order was passed by a Division Bench currently hearing temple-related cases.

The Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, which has been administering the temple since 13 December 1951, had submitted a proposal before the Court to construct a queue complex and waiting areas for devotees. The proposed construction was to be located opposite the Rajagopuram, the site of major temple festivals attended by at least 50,000 devotees.

The department presented engineering drawings and detailed plans to the Bench, justifying the necessity of the construction. However, petitioners opposing the plan produced photographs indicating that large-scale construction had already begun within the temple premises, in apparent violation of legal provisions and prior court judgments. The photos reportedly showed massive concrete pillars erected adjacent to the ancient heritage walls of the temple.

The Bench, visibly concerned about the impact of modern constructions on the temple’s heritage, questioned the department on the necessity of introducing such structures within the sacred premises. After a detailed hearing, the Court stayed all further construction work, both inside and outside the temple until the next scheduled hearing on 16 October 2025.

The judges also expressed their intention to personally inspect the temple, citing its extraordinary heritage value and the need to protect it from any irreversible changes.

As part of the interim order, the Madras High Court directed the Department of Endowments to file a comprehensive report, supported by documentary evidence, explaining the purpose and necessity of the proposed constructions.

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TNCC Chief Selvaperunthagai Objects To EPS Calling Him A Beggar

By
The Commune
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selvaperunthagai eps tncc

On 25 September 2025, Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president and MLA K Selvaperunthagai strongly criticised AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) for likening him to a “beggar in patched clothes.” The remark was made by Palaniswami a day earlier, on 24 September 2025, while mocking Selvaperunthagai’s previous affiliations with multiple political parties.

EPS during his Nilgiris campaign said, “Today, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President, Mr. Selvaperunthagai, is speaking. He has come from many parties. Have you seen beggar’s wearing patched shirt? Like a beggar’s coat that is patched up, he has switched many parties. Whenever he joins a party, he follows that party’s ideology. That is Selvaperunthagai. He is not trying to develop his party today. The state in-charge for the Tamil Nadu Congress appointed a person who is giving his opinion. The former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President, Mr. Alagiri, is giving his opinion. He demands that since they are part of the ruling coalition, they need more seats. He even demands a share in the government if the DMK comes to power again, saying the DMK will not come to power otherwise.

But Selvaperunthagai, as a Congress party president, is saying, “When Rahul Gandhi himself is not asking for a share in the government, you should not ask for it.” If he were truly a Congress loyalist, if he had a love for the Congress party, if he had worked for the Congress since the beginning, would he have had that thought? He does not have that thought at all. We must realize that the current Congress President, Mr. Selvaperunthagai, is today a supporter of the DMK and the DMK government. He is not loyal to the Congress party, but he is loyal to the DMK. He speaks loyally in the assembly, and he speaks loyally outside as well. However, the Congress workers and the Congress leaders have raised the sentiment that they want a coalition government and a share in the government. The split between the Congress and the DMK has begun now.”

While EPS questioned Selvaperunthagai’s loyalty to his party, the TNCC chief responded on social media, denouncing the “beggar in a patched shirt” remark as not just a personal attack on an elected representative, but also a disrespectful jibe at millions of economically disadvantaged people. He argued that seeking the trust of the electorate in a democracy should not be demeaned as “begging,” and accused EPS of forgetting the very people who had helped him rise to power.

TNCC chief Selvaperunthagai wrote, “To insult a representative elected by the people as a ‘beggar’ is not just an act of persecuting an individual; it is an act that degrades the dignity and lives of crores of poor and marginalized people. Such a venomous comment reveals the depth of anti-social sentiments entrenched in politics and the arrogance of prosperity that is unaware of true hardship. Seeking the trust of the people is not begging; it is the very foundation of democracy. You walked the path of leaders like MGR and Jayalalithaa, and with the votes of the marginalized, you became an MLA, a Minister, and eventually crawled your way up to become the Chief Minister. Yet, today, you stand so far removed that you cannot see the pain and life struggles of the people. You travel in someone else’s luxurious Bentley car, concealing your face in Delhi. Then, how can you know or understand the suffering and crises faced by the poor of this country? When you call me a ‘beggar – with a patched-up shirt,’ you are not just insulting me, but also the self-respect and dignity of crores of Tamils who live in humble circumstances. Even if I wear torn clothes, those clothes carry the tears, dreams, and hopes of the downtrodden people of this nation. The votes cast by the marginalized people are my voice and my political identity. I am indebted to them for their self-respect and their daily struggle for life. That dignity and that struggle are not worthy of anyone’s contempt. Do those who believe in democracy support Edappadi Palaniswami’s anti-democratic comment?”

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Rahul Gandhi Instigated Gen-Z To ‘Save Democracy’, Now Job Aspirants Hold Massive Protest Against Congress Govt In Karnataka Demanding To Fill State Govt Vacancies

By
The Commune
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Rahul Gandhi Instigated Gen-Z To 'Save Democracy', Now Job Aspirants Hold Massive Protest Against Congress Govt In Karnataka Demanding To Fill State Govt Vacancies

A massive protest for employment by hundreds of job aspirants brought life in Dharwad to a standstill on Thursday as participants demanded urgent steps from the State government to fill long-pending vacancies. The demonstration, organized under the aegis of the All Karnataka State Students Association (AKSSA), saw protestors marching from Sri Nagar, covering College Road, and finally congregating at Jubilee Circle, where they staged a prolonged dharna lasting several hours.

The protest disrupted vehicular movement across the city, including public transport buses, as the aspirants blocked the arterial junction. Police had to divert traffic at key points, with ambulances being the only vehicles allowed to pass. The massive turnout of students and job aspirants, mostly from various coaching centres in Dharwad, underscored widespread frustration over the inordinate delays in the recruitment process across multiple government departments.

Addressing the protestors, AKSSA State President Kanth Kumar highlighted the challenges faced by aspirants who have invested years preparing for competitive examinations. Speakers pointed out that recruitment for constable and sub-inspector posts has been stalled for over four years, while FDA and SDA positions have remained vacant for over seven years. Many aspirants, having crossed the upper age limit, demanded a minimum age relaxation of five years to ensure they remain eligible.

Despite attempts by Police Commissioner N. Shashikumar to pacify the demonstrators and prevent them from marching to the Deputy Commissioner’s office, the protestors remained resolute, submitting a memorandum highlighting their grievances. Authorities had prepared elaborate bandobast along the protest route and at the Deputy Commissioner’s office to maintain law and order.

This comes a week after Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi exhorted the youth, students, and Gen Z to “save the Constitution, protect democracy, and stop vote theft,” pledging his unwavering support for their cause. His call for youth-led change, with Gen-Z at the forefront, drew immediate political attention, given recent parallels with upheavals in Nepal, where anti-corruption movements escalated into chaos, claimed lives, and eventually toppled the government.

Rahul Gandhi, through a post on X, stated, “The youth of the country, the students of the country, the Gen Z of the country will save the Constitution, protect democracy, and stop vote theft. I always stand with them. Jai Hind!”

Rahul Gandhi seemed to want to instigate civil war in India and this exhortation to Gen-Z echoes similar movements in India’s crisis-hit neighbourhoods, such as Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

While Rahul Gandhi calls for political activism from the youth, real-life grievances such as long-pending government job vacancies and stalled recruitment continue to fuel unrest on the ground.

(With inputs from The Hindu)

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DMK Stooge Dravidianist Filmmaker Thiagarajan Kumararaja Defames Former TN CM Rajaji To Glorify Current DMK Govt

By
The Commune
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The Dravidianist Kollywood ecosystem, including directors and film stars, appears to have entered in a free PR engine for the DMK and its ideological narrative as the 2026 Assembly elections loom. This was made all too evident during the ‘Kalviyil Sirantha Tamil Nadu’ (Tamil Nadu that Excels in Education) event held in Chennai on 25 September 2025.

Organized by the Tamil Nadu government, the event was a platform to showcase various welfare initiatives, including the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, the Naan Mudhalvan Scheme, and the Puthumai Penn–Tamil Pudhalvan Scheme. Beneficiaries of these schemes were invited to share their success stories, seemingly to validate the government’s commitment to social welfare. Among the attendees were figures like Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin, Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, actor Sivakarthikeyan, and directors Mysskin and Thiagarajan Kumararaja.

However, rather than focusing on the supposed educational progress these schemes promote, the Kollywood figures used the stage to advance a divisive Aryan-Dravidian narrative, effectively framing the discussion within the lens of ancient flawed racial theories. Director Thiagarajan Kumararaja, in particular, took the opportunity to launch into a tirade against Brahmins, accusing them of historically preventing the supposed Dravidian community from accessing education. With little more than symbolic gestures, he implied that there is a deliberate conspiracy to keep education from the marginalized.

Kumararaja’s comments drew heavily from mythology, citing a 2000-year-old song written by a Pandyan king to push his point. The song, according to him, suggests that when the marginalized learn, they force the privileged to lower their social standing and join them. He then contrasted this with what he described as the “Aryan ideology,” portraying figures like Dronacharya, Kripacharya, and even Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) as historical agents of oppression who supposedly created barriers to education for the lower classes. For Kumararaja, these figures embodied a long-standing strategy to suppress knowledge, and his message was clear: the Brahminical order had been the source of inequality in education from time immemorial.

Kumararaja’s analogy about Karna’s plight in the Mahabharata was perhaps the most overt. He described how Karna, born to lower social status, was denied education by Dronacharya, and how the system forced him to lie about his identity to gain access to learning. When Karna’s true status was revealed, the mythological figure was cursed by Kripacharya, symbolizing the eventual unraveling of all he had learned. To Kumararaja, this was more than a historical anecdote; it was an allegory for what he claimed was happening today with the national education policy – an attempt, he argued, to once again block access to education for the marginalized.

Kumararaja continued, railing against the political status quo and decrying what he saw as an ongoing effort to suppress the educational empowerment of the lower castes. He claimed that just as Karna had been deprived of his knowledge, the new education policy would similarly deny the marginalized access to opportunities. His criticism went beyond the content of the policy itself, accusing it of intentionally withholding funding from the state, preventing Tamil Nadu from fully benefiting from the resources it was due.

In an emotionally charged moment, Kumararaja even credited the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister for “rescuing” the state from these systemic blocks, portraying him as the only figure working to bring the people of Tamil Nadu out of a state of perpetual subjugation. His gratitude, however, seemed more like a political endorsement than genuine praise, with the clear implication that the DMK was the sole party standing up to what he painted as a centuries-old conspiracy to keep the masses uneducated and subordinated.

What was striking about this event and indeed, about the roles Kollywood figures play in these affairs was the way in which they leveraged the platform to push a political narrative rather than focusing on the practicalities of education or welfare. Far from being a neutral, celebratory event for Tamil Nadu’s educational achievements, it quickly devolved into an ideological spectacle. In doing so, these film stars and directors not only underscored their alignment with the DMK but also ensured that the ideological battles over education and caste would take center stage in the lead-up to the 2026 elections.

Director Thiagarajan Kumararaja’s said, “A Pandyan king wrote a poem about education 2,000 years ago. Mr. Balakrishnan has spoken about it in many places. The last four lines are very important, “Vetrumai porunthiya naarpaal ullum, Keelpal oruvan karpin melpal oruvanum avan kan padume.” (Even among the four castes, if a person from a lower caste learns, a person from a higher caste will seek him out)

Education has two qualities. One quality is what he is talking about now, if a person from a lower class gets an education, it will force a person from a higher class to respect and associate with them. This is the first reason. The second thing… What does education do is… mentioned in a song from the book Viveka Chintamani, “It cannot be taken by flood, nor burned by fire, nor taken by kings. It will not decrease when given.”

Why do we study? We study to get a good job, earn money, and take care of our family, parents, and children. If I give away one crore rupees to someone, they can live happily, but I will no longer have that one crore. But with education, when we earn money, the knowledge keeps me wise and also makes the receiver wise. The knowledge I have reaches them and makes them my equal or elevates me to their level. This is why from ancient times until now, people have been prevented from getting an education. This is a very, very important point. We must think about why we, who were so educated, lost our education in the middle.

There are two ideologies regarding education. One is the Dravidian ideology that everyone should be educated, and everyone should be intelligent. From the time of the Pandyan Neduncheliyan to the Bharathiyar in the last century, he also said, “Even though you build a thousand inns and a thousand temples…” and at the end of it he said that a greater virtue, a crore times greater, is to provide education to a poor person. Such a virtuous act is providing education. Now, what happened with the Aryan ideology? A boy who wanted to learn went to a teacher and asked to be taught, but he was asked what caste he belonged to and was refused. But when he taught himself archery and stood before him, the teacher took his thumb. When Karna wanted to learn from him, he asked Karna what caste he was and sent him away. When Karna asked Kripacharya, he lied and said he was from a high-class family to learn from him, but when Kripacharya found out he wasn’t, he cursed him, saying all the knowledge he learned would leave him one day, and he took it away from him.

From Dronacharya and Kripacharya to Rajagopalachariar, they have been preventing us from getting an education. But against this ideology, which says there should not be equality, a party and an ideology that says there should be social justice and equality is in power, and they are putting in place as many schemes as possible to make sure everyone gets an education. They provide morning meals, and there are programs like Naan Mudhalvan and Tamil Pudhalvan. They have a series of schemes to make sure everyone gets an education. They even provide laptops and bicycles to people for free. They want you to get an education and rise up. To prevent this, just as they asked for the thumb and cursed Karna with amnesia, they have now brought in a new education policy to stop you from studying. And because we said we would not accept this, they are refusing to give us the 2150 crores that are rightfully ours.

Now, when a party that we disagree with politically is in power at the union, the Chief Minister has worked hard to save the people of Tamil Nadu, like someone who has been thrown into water with their hands and legs tied yet still manages to swim and save others. I express my heartfelt thanks to this Chief Minister. Thank you.”

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Allahabad High Court Rules “Marriage Based On Illegal Conversion Automatically Invalid”

By
The Commune
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Allahabad High Court Rules “Marriage Based On Illegal Conversion Automatically Invalid”

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that if a religious conversion is found to be illegal, a marriage based on it will automatically be invalid, and the couple cannot be recognised as married in the eyes of law.

Justice Saurabh Srivastava delivered the order while hearing a writ petition filed by Mohammad Bin Qasim alias Akbar, who had sought protection for his marital life with Jainab Parveen alias Chandrakanta. The court, however, clarified that the petitioners were free to perform marriage under the Special Marriage Act.

The petitioner’s counsel submitted that Qasim is a Muslim and Chandrakanta was originally Hindu. On February 22, 2025, Chandrakanta accepted Islam, and a certificate was allegedly issued by Khanqahe Alia Arifia. The couple later solemnised their marriage under Muslim law on 26 May 2025 and obtained a certificate from a Quazi.

The State’s counsel opposed the plea, arguing that the conversion certificate was forged. The secretary and manager of Jamia Arifia, Saiyed Sarawan, Kaushambi, had stated in a reply that the institution had not issued the certificate on the said date.

Taking note of this, the court observed: “After hearing rival contentions raised by the learned counsel for the parties and perusal of the entire records, one thing is clear, that conversion on a forged document cannot determine any of the essential ingredients as mentioned in the Uttar Pradesh Unlawful Conversion Act.”

The court further held: “Such, marriage solemnised between the petitioners is also not sustainable in the eyes of law since as per the Muslim Law, marriage is a contract between the follower and believer of the same religion. Once, the conversion in respect of Petitioner No 2 (Chandrakanta) is illegal, both the petitioners cannot be recognised as a married couple in the eyes of law.”

While striking down the marriage, the bench directed the couple to register under the Special Marriage Act, which does not require conversion. It also ordered that Petitioner No 2 be placed in a women’s protection home in Prayagraj until the marriage is registered, as she was unwilling to stay with her parents.

The court also imposed an exemplary cost of ₹25,000 on the counsel for the petitioners, directing that it be deposited in the Mediation and Conciliation Centre within 15 days.

(With inputs from Deccan Chronicle)

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Lawyer Seeks Contempt Proceedings Against Sanjeev Sanyal Over Remarks On Judiciary

By
The Commune
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Lawyer Seeks Contempt Proceedings Against Sanjeev Sanyal Over Remarks On Judiciary

Advocate Shashi Ranjan Kumar Singh has written to Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani seeking consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), over his recent remarks on the judiciary.

In his petition under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, Singh alleged that Sanyal’s comments “scandalize the Supreme Court and undermine public confidence in India’s judicial system.” He said that while Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution protects fair criticism of judgments, “statements which bring the judiciary into disrepute are not.”

Citing widely reported articles, Singh stressed that Sanyal’s position as a government advisor gave his remarks “significant influence,” making the alleged contempt “particularly serious.” According to him, Sanyal’s statements describing the judiciary as a hurdle to national development exceeded the limits of permissible criticism.

In a related development, Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa issued a strongly worded letter to Sanyal, objecting to his public remarks characterizing the judiciary as the “biggest hurdle” in India’s aspiration to become Viksit Bharat.

Pahwa cautioned that such sweeping criticism risked undermining the institution which he described as “the backbone of our Constitutional framework.” In his letter dated September 23, 2025, he wrote: “The judiciary does not obstruct progress, it ensures development within the framework of Constitutional values, liberty and fairness. To call it the biggest hurdle is extremely unfortunate.”

While acknowledging the importance of judicial reforms, Pahwa maintained that independence and constitutional oversight could not be sacrificed for efficiency. He noted that delays in justice were often due to shortages of judges and inadequate infrastructure, “failures that require executive support, not judicial blame.” He added: “A nation’s progress cannot be measured merely by the speed of contracts or clearances; it must be judged by whether liberty, justice and equality are preserved along the way.”

What Did Sanjeev Sanyal Say?

Speaking at the Nyaya Nirmaan 2025 conference on 20 September 2025, Sanjeev Sanyal warned that unless the legal and judicial ecosystem undergoes a major overhaul, other reforms would not be sufficient to achieve the ‘Viksit Bharat’ vision.

“We effectively have somewhere between 20-25 years to become Viksit Bharat,” Sanyal told the gathering, stressing the urgency of reform. “The judicial system and the legal ecosystem, but the judicial system in particular, is now, in my view, the single biggest hurdle to becoming Viksit Bharat and growing rapidly.”

He framed his argument around India’s demographic advantage and economic growth prospects. Noting that India has just become the world’s fourth-largest economy and remains the fastest-growing major economy, he cautioned that the window for converting growth into prosperity was limited. “After that we will grow old, just like Japan and Europe today. So, this is the two decades in which we have to grow as rapidly as we can,” he said.

Identifying slow dispute resolution and weak contract enforcement as core issues, Sanyal explained how these shortcomings force regulators to over-engineer rules. “In any functioning system, that 1% of exception should actually get sorted out by the legal system. But because I do not think it will get sorted out there, the rest of the 99% of rules, regulations and laws… I have to do is effectively to take care of that 1%,” he said.

As an example, he criticised mandatory pre-litigation mediation under Section 12A of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015. Citing data from commercial courts in Mumbai, he said, “between 98-99% of pre-litigation mediation actually fails,” arguing that the process only added months, fees, and complexity without reducing court caseloads. He further pointed out that a push to make such mediation mandatory for civil cases nearly passed in 2023 before being halted after objections.

Beyond procedural reforms, Sanyal called for cultural and structural change within the legal profession. He criticised what he described as a mediaeval, guild-like hierarchy of senior advocates, advocates-on-record and others, questioning why many routine legal tasks still required a law degree “in the age of AI.” “If I, as a citizen, can figure out how to argue my case… I should be allowed to do it,” he said, urging clearer procedures and greater accessibility.

He also pressed for modernization of courtroom practices. “You cannot have a profession where you use words like ‘my lord’… It is not appropriate for one citizen to call another citizen ‘my lord,’” he said. He also objected to long judicial vacations, arguing they effectively shut down justice for extended periods. “The judiciary is a public service like any other part of the state,” he remarked, adding that court availability should match public expectations of other state services.

Emphasising the urgency of reform, Sanyal concluded with a direct appeal to the legal community. “We don’t have time to waste. We all have to pull together,” he said. “I’ve really come here to beseech my fellow citizens that you from the legal profession really pull up your socks. Because we are waiting for you to really push for this.”

Earlier in May, Sanyal had also spoken about the need for judicial reforms, describing the present system as outdated. He said: “We will have to change the justice system. Think about this ‘tareekh pe tareekh’ system. What is this? We say this is from the colonial time. For seventy-five years we have the same system… The High Courts and the Supreme Court take leave in summer and then take leave again in Dussehra. What is this system? They work for a few hours. All these old systems will have to be changed, and modernise it. The government can contribute to this to some extent. But in the end, the justice system will have to do it on its own.”

He had also criticized the collegium system, claiming it lacked merit-based appointments and instead fostered nepotism and favoritism. Drawing a comparison with his own role as government advisor, Sanyal argued that meritocracy was essential in judicial appointments “to ensure fairness and competence.”

(With inputs from LawBeat)

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Coimbatore: Grace Happy Home Officer-In-Charge Arrested After Videos Show Him Beating Child Inmate With Belt

By
The Commune
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grace happy home coimbatore

The police on 25 September 2025 arrested the officer in charge of a children’s home near Coimbatore after videos surfaced showing him beating an inmate with a belt.

The accused, S. Selvaraj (60) of Sakthi Nagar, Kottaipalayam, was arrested by Kovilpalayam police. Selvaraj and his wife, S. Nirmala (58), have been running Grace Happy Home Trust in Kottaipalayam for several years, with Nirmala serving as managing trustee.

According to officials of the Social Welfare Department, the facility is a recognised children’s home in the district, housing children entrusted by the Child Welfare Committee. As of Thursday, the home was sheltering nine boys.

District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar ordered an inquiry after two videos emerged showing Selvaraj assaulting a boy in front of other inmates. In one of the clips, the child is seen pleading with him not to inflict further harm. The visuals are believed to have been recorded by another inmate.

Officials from the Revenue Department and the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) conducted an inspection at the home and the government school attended by the children. The inquiry found that Selvaraj had beaten an eight-year-old boy on August 8 as punishment for pushing another child of the same age.

District Child Protection Officer M. Hafsa submitted a report to the Collector confirming that the boy had been ill-treated. Based on the findings, DCPU Protection Officer Parimala Gandhi lodged a police complaint.

Police said a case was registered against Selvaraj and Nirmala under Sections 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Sections 75 (punishment for cruelty to child) and 82 (corporal punishment) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act. Selvaraj was remanded to judicial custody.

(With inputs from The Hindu)

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TN Milk Dealers Employees Association Files Complaint Against Aavin For Failing To Reduce Prices After GST Cut

By
The Commune
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milk dealers gst

The Tamil Nadu Milk Dealers’ Employees’ Welfare Association has lodged a formal complaint with the GST Commissioner, accusing Aavin officials of failing to lower dairy product prices following recent GST rate reductions.

Association President S.P. Ponnusamy, along with other office-bearers, submitted the petition to GST Commissioner Lokanathan Reddy at the GST Council office in Nungambakkam, Chennai, on 24 September 2025.

In the complaint, the association pointed out that under the latest GST reforms, UHD milk and paneer are now fully exempted from GST, while the tax on other dairy items like ghee, butter, and cheese has been reduced from 12% to 5%, and ice cream has seen a cut from 18% to 5%.

According to the petitioners, private dairy companies have already begun adjusting their prices to reflect these tax cuts and are passing on the benefit to consumers. However, Aavin, the state-run dairy cooperative, has yet to revise its pricing structure accordingly.

They also alleged that Aavin has neither released a comprehensive price list nor made public any intention to reduce prices, despite repeated appeals from the association. The association has urged the Central Government and the GST Council to take strict action against Aavin for not complying with the revised tax norms.

Following the meeting, Ponnusamy stated that the GST Commissioner had assured them that he would summon Aavin’s management for an inquiry into the issue.

(With Inputs From Hindu Tamil)

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Lizard Found In Midday Meal At Govt School In Cuddalore; 18 Students Taken To Hospital As Precaution

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The Commune
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midday meal hospital

A Panchayat Union Middle School located in Adhivaraganatham near Bhuvanagiri, in the Cuddalore district, was the site of a food safety scare earlier today. The school, which has over 120 students, was serving breakfast as part of the government’s morning meal scheme when a student reportedly discovered a lizard in the food.

Around 18 students had already consumed the meal before the contamination was noticed. Although no immediate health issues were reported among the children, the school authorities promptly called in medical staff from Bhuvanagiri Government Hospital as a precaution. The students were given initial treatment on-site.

Upon hearing of the incident, concerned parents rushed to the school, leading to a tense exchange with the teaching staff. The situation caused considerable commotion in the area. As a further safety measure, the 18 affected students were transported by ambulance to Chidambaram Government Hospital for observation. All students are reported to be in stable condition.

Repeated Midday Meal Incidents Raise Serious Safety Concerns Across Tamil Nadu

The recent incident is not an isolated case, over the past few years, similar food contamination incidents have been reported across various districts in Tamil Nadu raising alarming questions about the quality control, hygiene practices, and oversight in the state’s school meal schemes.

Despite repeated occurrences, little seems to have been done to prevent these avoidable mishaps.

Timeline of Incidents

#1 24 June 2025: over 50 students at Anaivari Panchayat Union Primary School reportedly fell ill after consuming breakfast suspected to have contained a lizard in Villupuram district. Several students fainted and vomited shortly after eating and were rushed to Kalpattu Government Primary Health Centre. Two temporary kitchen staff were dismissed, and the School Education Department launched an investigation.

#2 July 2025: In a government-run hostel linked to the Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School in the Courtallam area, nine female students fell ill after breakfast and were admitted to Tenkasi Government Hospital. The hostel is reportedly managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.

#3 13 August 2025: Eight students were hospitalized after a lizard was allegedly discovered in their breakfast of rava khichdi provided under the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme at Punairuppu Government Primary School in Thiruvarur district.

#4 10 September 2022: In Tiruvannamalai district’s, Mothakal village, 47 students were hospitalized after eating contaminated midday meals that reportedly contained dead lizards.

#5 31 May 2022: In Pudukottai District, three children suffered from vomiting and diarrhea at the Thondaiman Nagar Anganwadi. Food served to 50 children was later found to contain beetles and worms. All children were treated at Pudukottai Government Hospital.

#6 29 October 2022: In Tiruvannamalai district, at a school near Keezhpennathur, 15 students were hospitalized after a lizard’s head was reportedly found in the food consumed by a class 10 student. Over 150 students were enrolled in the school at the time.

Despite these recurring health hazards some involving contaminated food, others undercooked or poorly stored items systemic reforms remain elusive. While temporary suspensions of staff and inquiries are frequently announced, no lasting structural changes have been implemented to ensure food safety in school and hostel kitchens.

Critics argue that the lack of accountability, poor quality control, and insufficient health inspections continue to put thousands of students at risk across Tamil Nadu.

(With inputs from Daily Thanthi)

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