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Joseph Vijay’s Allies Themselves Cook TVK Govt For Rampant Power Cuts

By
The Commune
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Joseph Vijay's Allies Themselves Cook TVK Govt For Rampant Power Cuts

The severe power cut crisis reported across Tamil Nadu has drawn sharp criticism from TVK’s own ally, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), with State Secretary P. Shanmugam, accusing the TVK government of failing to effectively manage the state’s power infrastructure.

Speaking at an event, Shanmugam said the recurring and prolonged outages had caused immense hardship to the public and urged the government to address the issue on a war-footing basis.

Referring to widespread complaints from residents across the state, he alleged that people were being subjected to erratic and unpredictable power supply at a time of intense summer heat.

“For the last two days, people have been suffering immensely. I didn’t expect the power cuts to be this bad. There are power cuts throughout the night, and people do not know when electricity will come or go. Power comes suddenly and goes suddenly. But when it goes, the outage lasts for a very long time, while power is restored only for a short duration. It has been terrible like this for the past two days.”

Shanmugam questioned how ordinary citizens could cope without uninterrupted electricity and pointed to the growing number of complaints and protests being reported from different parts of Tamil Nadu.

“Can people live without electricity? Power cuts are a serious problem. We can see from the various reports emerging from across the state that people are facing tremendous hardship. Protests are being held in several places demanding a solution to the power cut issue.”

The CPI(M) leader also alleged that the Electricity Department and local Electricity Board offices were failing to provide proper responses to public grievances regarding outages. According to him, the continuing power cuts had severely affected households, small-scale industries, commercial establishments, and students travelling to schools and colleges.

While acknowledging that the TVK government had assumed office only recently, Shanmugam stressed that electricity was a basic necessity that required immediate attention.

“Even though the new government has just come to power and it has only been around 30 days since it was sworn in, when it comes to basic necessities such as electricity, the Tamil Nadu government must intervene urgently and find a solution to the power cut problem.”

Calling for immediate corrective measures, Shanmugam urged the government to strengthen electricity infrastructure, improve maintenance works, and implement a permanent solution to the recurring power outage crisis that has sparked public anger and protests across the state.

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TVK Model: Midnight Transformer Fire Leaves Chengalpattu In Darkness; Residents Allege Dismissive Response From EB Official

By
The Commune
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TVK Model: Midnight Transformer Fire Leaves Chengalpattu In Darkness; Residents Allege Dismissive Response From EB Official

Residents in parts of Chengalpattu have complained of severe hardship following a prolonged power outage caused by a transformer fire that reportedly broke out around midnight.

According to residents, electricity supply was disrupted after the transformer caught fire during the night. Despite several hours having passed since the incident, power supply had not been restored, leaving households without electricity and disrupting normal activities.

Residents alleged that the extended outage caused significant inconvenience, particularly during the early morning hours, affecting access to basic services and daily routines.

Adding to their frustration, residents claimed that when they personally approached electricity department officials to enquire about when power supply would be restored, they did not receive a satisfactory response.

Allegations were also raised against the Electrical Executive Engineer, with residents claiming that the official spoke to them in a dismissive manner when they sought clarification regarding restoration efforts and the expected timeline for resumption of power supply.

Residents have urged the electricity department to expedite restoration work and provide clear information regarding the outage, while calling for accountability over the handling of public grievances following the transformer fire.

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“Insta King 24th Pulikesi Govt”: TTV Dhinakaran Ruthlessly Roasts Joseph Vijay

By
The Commune
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"Insta King 24th Pulikesi Govt": TTV Dhinakaran Ruthlessly Roasts Joseph Vijay

AMMK General Secretary T. T. V. Dhinakaran launched a sharp attack on the TVK government, accusing it of relying on social media optics rather than governance and alleging that the ruling party was engineering defections from opposition ranks.

Speaking to reporters, Dhinakaran mocked the role of social media in TVK’s electoral success and questioned whether governance could be sustained through online publicity.

“They came to power today by posting Instagram reels. I thought they were planning to continue governing through Instagram reels as well. Now they are claiming that under their government, even bills can be paid through GPay. That’s not governance. To use Vijay’s own style of dialogue from Instagram, they need to control their excitement.”

Dhinakaran further took a swipe at the TVK government’s social media-centric approach to governance, warning against what he described as attempts to substitute publicity for performance.

“If you think you can continue in power and deceive the people just by posting Reels on Instagram, much like the movie Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikesi – please don’t drive us to a point where, in the future, your administration is mocked as the reign of ‘Insta Arasan 24th Pulikecei.’ That is exactly what I am saying. Take six months; but if you try to deceive the public by claiming you will fulfill election promises that are actually impossible to deliver, then we will have to raise our voices against you.”

He said the government should be judged on its ability to deliver on its promises rather than on social media campaigns and publicity efforts.

Dhinakaran said the government should function responsibly, noting that while TVK emerged as the single largest party, it had not received an overwhelming mandate from voters.

“This government must function properly. Even though the people did not give you an absolute majority, you emerged as the single largest party and won 108 constituencies.”

He also accused the ruling party of aggressively pursuing opposition legislators and attempting to manufacture support through political manoeuvring.

“Some people were picked off. For others, they practically went door to door pleading and persuading them to join. AIADMK was called a corrupt party, but now when 25 MLAs from that same party come looking to support you, are we supposed to believe they suddenly became saints? Everyone knows who spoke to whom and what was discussed. The only thing left was to line up those 25 MLAs in the middle of the road.”

Referring to MLAs who resigned and later joined the ruling side, Dhinakaran dismissed claims that constituencies could only receive development if represented by ruling-party legislators.

“Now four of them have resigned and gone there, saying that only if they become MLAs of the ruling party can they bring development to their constituencies. We can only laugh at such stories. The person saying this himself spent the last five years as an opposition MLA.”

He further alleged that personal and business interests were behind some political defections.

“Everyone knows why he wanted to join the ruling party. He has business interests that could be affected. That’s no secret.”

In one of his strongest remarks, Dhinakaran claimed Tamil Nadu politics had evolved beyond traditional “horse-trading.”

“Today in Tamil Nadu, we’ve gone beyond horse-trading and even donkey-trading. A new phenomenon called ‘crow-trading’ has emerged. This is something entirely new in Tamil Nadu politics, and the TVK government and the functioning of that party are responsible for it.”

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TVK Model: 20,000 Paddy Sacks Sprout In Govt Yards In The Open As Farmers Wait Over 3 Months For Payment In Chengalpattu

By
The Commune
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TVK Model: 20,000 Paddy Sacks Sprout In Govt Yards In The Open As Farmers Wait Over 3 Months For Payment In Chengalpattu

Farmers in Chengalpattu district have alleged serious irregularities at government-run Direct Paddy Procurement Centres, claiming that thousands of procured paddy sacks have been left exposed to the elements while payments for procured produce have been pending for months.

According to farmers, more than 20,000 paddy sacks procured at the Government Direct Paddy Procurement Centre in Devattur village near Maduranthakam are lying unprotected. They alleged that several gunny bags have been damaged and torn, resulting in paddy grains spilling out and sprouting due to prolonged exposure.

Farmers expressed concern that the lack of proper storage and maintenance could lead to significant losses of procured paddy, despite it having already been purchased through the government procurement system.

In a separate grievance, farmers from Thiruvathur in Chengalpattu district alleged that payments for 18,500 paddy sacks procured through the Government Direct Paddy Procurement Centre have not been released even after three months.

They said the prolonged delay in receiving payment has caused severe financial hardship, affecting their livelihoods and their ability to meet agricultural and household expenses.

Farmers further alleged that whenever they approached procurement centre officials seeking clarification regarding the pending payments, they were not provided with satisfactory responses.

Expressing frustration over both the alleged deterioration of stored paddy and the delay in payments, farmers urged the government to intervene immediately, release the dues owed to cultivators, and ensure proper storage facilities for procured paddy to prevent further losses.

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ED Opposes DVAC Move To Close ₹27.90 Crore Bribery Case Against Former AIADMK Minister Vaithilingam After He Joined DMK

By
The Commune
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ED Opposes DVAC Move To Close ₹27.90 Crore Bribery Case Against Former AIADMK Minister Vaithilingam After He Joined DMK

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has reportedly filed a protest petition before the Principal Sessions Court in Chennai objecting to the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption’s (DVAC) decision to close a ₹27.90 crore bribery case against former AIADMK minister R. Vaithilingam, who resigned as MLA in January 2026 before joining the DMK, as reported in The Hindu.

The protest petition was reportedly filed through ED Special Public Prosecutor N. Ramesh and challenged the closure report submitted by the DVAC in a corruption case linked to Vaithilingam’s tenure as Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Housing and Urban Development between 2011 and 2016.

According to the petition, the DVAC had registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Vaithilingam on 19 September 2024 for alleged offences committed during his tenure in the cabinet of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. The FIR reportedly alleged that Vaithilingam, in his capacity as ex-officio Chairman of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), had received a bribe of ₹27.90 crore from Shriram Properties and Infrastructure Private Limited, later renamed Gateway Office Parks Private Limited, in exchange for granting planning permission for the construction of 1,453 additional buildings on 57.94 acres of land at GST Road in Perungalathur, Chennai.

Since the FIR was registered under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the ED reportedly registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) on 1 October 2024 and initiated a parallel investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The ED stated in its petition that it had completed its investigation and filed a prosecution complaint, equivalent to a chargesheet, before the Special Court for PMLA cases on 14 July 2025.

According to the central agency, its investigation allegedly revealed that Bharath Coal Chemicals Limited, a group company of Shriram Properties, had transferred ₹27.90 crore to Muthammal Estates Private Limited, a company allegedly beneficially owned and controlled by Vaithilingam and his family members. The payments were reportedly made in multiple tranches between 28 January 2016 and 4 February 2016.

The ED further stated that the payments constituted the alleged bribe consideration for the planning approval. It claimed that the planning permission, which had been pending since 2 December 2013, was cleared on 24 February 2016, within three weeks of the receipt of the alleged bribe amount, thereby establishing what it described as a quid pro quo arrangement.

The agency also alleged that the money received was subsequently invested in the purchase of immovable properties in the names of the accused’s family members and that the current market value of those properties exceeded ₹100 crore.

According to the petition, the ED had provisionally attached all such properties pending trial in the money laundering case.

The agency further stated that it had shared the interim findings of its investigation with the DVAC on 10 March 2025 and had later forwarded a complete copy of its prosecution complaint on 19 May 2026. The petition stated that the ED had specifically requested the State anti-corruption agency to utilise the materials gathered during the money laundering investigation while preparing its final report in the corruption case.

However, the ED noted that Vaithilingam had quit the AIADMK and joined the DMK in January 2026 when the DMK was in power. The petition alleged that shortly thereafter, the DVAC filed a closure report in the corruption case during the last week of February 2026.

According to the protest petition, the closure report was filed in what the ED described as “suspicious proximity to the expiry of the term of the then State government.”

The ED further contended that the decision to file a closure report despite what it described as a complete and documented money trail, and without taking into account the evidence furnished by the agency under Section 66(2) of the PMLA, raised serious doubts regarding the bona fides of the investigation conducted by the DVAC.

The central agency also expressed concern that the money laundering case could be adversely affected if the accused were discharged in the predicate corruption case being investigated by the DVAC. It therefore urged the Principal Sessions Court to reject the closure report and direct the State agency to conduct further investigation before filing a comprehensive final report or chargesheet in the Prevention of Corruption Act case.

The protest petition is expected to come up for hearing before the Principal Sessions Court in Chennai on 12 June 2026.

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TVK Model: Power Cut Since 3 AM, 200 Residents Hit Streets In Avadi Over Prolonged Blackout

By
The Commune
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TVK Model: power cut Since 3 AM, 200 Residents Hit Streets In Avadi Over Prolonged Blackout

More than 200 residents of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) residential quarters in Avadi staged protests and road blockades on Friday after a prolonged power outage left thousands of households without electricity for over four hours.

According to residents, power supply was interrupted at around 3:00 AM and had not been restored for several hours, triggering widespread anger among the public. Residents alleged that officials of the Electricity Board failed to provide a proper explanation regarding the outage, prompting them to lay siege to the Avadi Electricity Board office.

Over 200 people gathered outside the office and staged a demonstration demanding immediate restoration of power. Protesters later intensified their agitation by blocking the busy Avadi–Poonamallee Highway after claiming that electricity department officials did not respond satisfactorily to their concerns.

Residents parked vehicles on the road and sat on the carriageway, bringing traffic to a standstill. The road blockade caused severe congestion, with long queues of vehicles reported along the highway during peak morning hours.

The protest severely affected commuters travelling to work as well as students heading to schools and colleges. Traffic movement in the area was disrupted as vehicles lined up for considerable distances due to the blockade.

Residents said the prolonged power outage had caused significant hardship, particularly because it began during the night. They complained that the absence of electricity had affected access to water, disrupted household activities, and made living conditions difficult amid the summer heat.

According to electricity department sources, the outage was caused by a fault in the power transmission link connecting Avadi and Thiruverkadu. Repair work was reportedly underway to rectify the issue.

Officials stated that the disruption affected power supply to more than 5,000 homes in the Tamil Nadu Housing Board residential area in Avadi. Residents pointed out that without electricity they were unable to operate water pumps, access water for daily needs, or carry out routine activities such as cooking and other household work.

Police personnel, including Avadi Traffic Police and Avadi Police, rushed to the spot and initiated talks with the protesters. Electricity Board officials also engaged in discussions with residents in an attempt to persuade them to withdraw the agitation.

However, protesters reportedly remained firm, declaring that they would not disperse until power supply was fully restored.

The demonstrations were held at two different locations in Avadi, creating a tense atmosphere in the locality. The siege of the Electricity Board office and the road blockade attracted significant public attention and caused major disruption in the area.

The protest comes amid growing complaints about recurring power cuts in Chennai and its suburbs, particularly during night hours. Since the government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay assumed office last month, residents in several parts of Chennai and surrounding areas have repeatedly raised concerns over unscheduled power outages, with similar protests being reported in various localities.

Residents noted that a review meeting had recently been conducted under the leadership of the local Avadi MLA to discuss recurring power supply issues and possible solutions. However, they alleged that the situation had not improved and that people continued to face frequent disruptions, especially during the night.

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Overreliance On Poll Agencies, Failure To Read Vijay Wave Despite Cadres Warning Cost DMK Dearly, Says Internal Review

By
The Commune
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Overreliance On Poll Agencies, Failure To Read Vijay Wave Despite Cadres Warning Cost DMK Dearly, Says Internal Review

A growing disconnect with grassroots workers, increasing dependence on poll strategy agencies, and a failure to accurately gauge the scale of support for Joseph Vijay and the TVK were among the key reasons identified for the DMK’s defeat in the recent Assembly elections, according to reports submitted by party-appointed review committees, as reported in Times of India.

The findings emerged from 19 committees, each comprising two members, that were constituted on 16 May 2026 to assess the causes behind the party’s electoral setback. The committees reportedly travelled across Tamil Nadu, interacted with party cadres and members of the public, and subsequently submitted their findings to former Chief Minister MK Stalin.

According to committee members, a significant portion of the feedback centered on the rapid rise of the TVK and the growing popularity of its leader among key voter segments. The reports reportedly stated that party cadres had repeatedly warned senior leaders and district secretaries about Vijay’s increasing appeal, particularly among women and young voters in urban areas. However, those warnings were allegedly not taken seriously by the party leadership.

One committee member was quoted as saying that many functionaries at the grassroots level had sensed Vijay’s growing popularity and conveyed their concerns to senior leaders, but the changing political mood was underestimated.

The committees also reportedly highlighted shortcomings in the party’s social media outreach efforts, which were said to have failed to effectively counter the growing influence of the TVK among younger voters.

Among the more surprising observations in the reports was the impact of the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam. While the scheme benefited lakhs of women across the state, committee members reportedly found that a considerable number of women who had applied for the scheme but were not selected had developed resentment towards the DMK.

A senior party leader reportedly informed the committees that those excluded from the scheme despite applying had turned against the party. The leader further claimed that nearly 40 per cent of women who benefited from the scheme had ultimately not voted for the DMK.

The reports also pointed to a broader disconnect between the party organisation and its support base. Committee members reportedly stated that while the government’s functioning had become more transparent and bureaucrat-driven, the party itself had lost touch with ordinary people.

According to the findings, the DMK’s governance-focused approach had weakened its grassroots organisational network. Welfare programmes were reportedly projected primarily as government initiatives administered by officials, reducing the visibility and influence of local party functionaries.

One panel member reportedly stated that recommendations made by local party workers regarding beneficiaries under various welfare schemes were often overlooked. As a result, the party was unable to build a loyal voter base despite implementing welfare measures on a large scale.

Another recurring criticism raised in the reports concerned the growing dependence on both external and in-house agencies to assess public opinion and oversee the implementation of welfare schemes. Several cadres reportedly expressed frustration that party workers who interacted with voters daily were no longer being trusted or consulted adequately.

Committee members also reported concerns regarding the growing influence of individuals close to Stalin and their direct involvement in party affairs. According to feedback gathered from cadres, such interventions had reportedly created friction in certain regions and contributed to organisational dissatisfaction.

Sources said Stalin assured committee members that the findings would be carefully examined and that appropriate steps would be taken to address the shortcomings and organisational issues highlighted in the reports.

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Patriot Review: Hindu Villains, Minority Heroes, And A Disaster Of A Film

By
The Commune
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Somewhere in the grand tradition of Malayalam cinema – the industry that gave the world Drishyam, Kumbalangi Nights, and Vaazha, someone greenlit Patriot. Someone looked at Mammootty, Mohanlal, Fahadh Faasil, and Rajiv Menon, assembled what can be called the Mount Rushmore of South Indian cinema, handed them a script apparently written during a power cut, and produced something that drags like a broken escalator going uphill.

Let’s begin with the names, because the writing room clearly exhausted itself there and called it a day. Our heroes? Daniel James, the scientist, and Rahim Naik, the army martyr. Patriots, you see – diverse, secular, capital-P Patriotic. Our villains? Sundaram and Shakti Sundaram. The subtlety of a sledgehammer.

The film doesn’t trust you to identify the antagonists through, say, characterisation, so it stamps their moral alignment directly onto their birth certificates using the time-honoured tradition of giving Hindu names to anti-nationals. Groundbreaking cinema. Truly fearless storytelling.

Then there is Jyoti – a female character whose entire narrative function, from first scene to last, appears to be sleeping with a married man called Michael. Michael, for his part, starts out working for the villain Shakti Sundaram, presumably because the pay was good, before conveniently switching sides to help Daniel and Rahim defeat the Sundarams. Because nothing cements a redemption arc quite like abandoning your extramarital affair and shooting your former employer. Character development, Patriot style.

Now, Mammootty and Mohanlal sharing the screen should be a cinematic event. A cultural moment. The kind of thing that gets written about in film retrospectives. Here, it is closer to a hostage situation – two legends trapped in amber, looking vaguely confused about how they arrived at this particular project.

Fahadh Faasil, a man who made Joji look effortless and elevated Pushpa simply by showing up, is apparently also capable of appearing in this. Even the presence of Rajiv Menon, one of the finest cinematographer-directors in South Indian film history, cannot save the frame from what’s happening inside it.

The genre, described generously as a spy-science-fiction-tech-action-thriller, demands pace, wit, tension, and at least one plot twist that doesn’t telegraph itself from the opening credits. Patriot delivers none of these. It is a film in which the most sophisticated technology on display is the character-naming convention. The pacing suggests the editor was also confused about whether this was a patriotic epic or a lunch break.

The tragedy, and it is a genuine one, is that Malayalam cinema has earned hard-won international respect for nuance, restraint, and storytelling ambition. Patriot is what happens when that reputation is used as a launching pad for lazy, paint-by-numbers nationalism dressed up in expensive casting decisions. The stars deserved better. The audience deserved better. Even the genre, maligned as it often is, deserved better.

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Intelligence Report Meant For TN CM Joseph Vijay Allegedly Being Accessed By “Three Member Group” Before Reaching Him, Says Report

By
The Commune
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A controversy has reportedly emerged within the Tamil Nadu government over allegations that confidential intelligence reports intended for Chief Minister Vijay are being accessed by others before reaching him, as per news reports.

According to sources in the police department, intelligence reports concerning ministers, senior bureaucrats and administrative affairs are normally prepared by the Intelligence Wing and submitted to the Chief Minister through established channels. These reports are meant to help the Chief Minister monitor the functioning and conduct of ministers and senior officials.

Police sources stated that it is a routine practice for intelligence agencies to keep watch on ministers and high-ranking officials and submit periodic reports. Typically, such reports are forwarded to the Chief Minister through the Intelligence IG, either once a week or twice a month, enabling the Chief Minister to stay informed about developments within the administration.

The sources further claimed that similar arrangements existed under previous governments as well. During former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s tenure, it was alleged that her close aide Sasikala would review intelligence reports before they reached the Chief Minister. Likewise, during the DMK government, sources claimed that intelligence reports were allegedly viewed by a relative of Chief Minister MK Stalin, who was also associated with the company “PEN,” before being placed before him.

According to the sources, after the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government assumed office, a special monitoring committee was constituted to track the activities of ministers and senior officials. The committee’s reports were initially intended to be sent directly to Chief Minister Vijay’s desk.

However, sources alleged that this procedure has now changed.

They claimed that John Arokiasamy, who serves as Chief Minister Vijay’s personal strategist, has been visiting the Secretariat frequently and that intelligence reports are now being routed through him before reaching the Chief Minister.

The sources further alleged that John Arokiasamy has been instructed to review the reports and, in some instances, directly seeks clarifications from senior intelligence officials regarding certain matters contained in the reports.

In addition, the sources claimed that a senior minister and a senior official attached to the Chief Minister’s security division have also sought access to the intelligence reports, including requests that they be shared through WhatsApp.

Police sources argued that, as a matter of procedure and legal propriety, intelligence reports should not be viewed by anyone other than the Chief Minister or an officially appointed aide authorised by the government before they reach the Chief Minister.

They pointed out that no such official aide has yet been appointed for Chief Minister Vijay. Therefore, according to the established procedure, the intelligence reports should first reach the Chief Minister himself.

The sources alleged that this process is now being bypassed, with multiple individuals seeking access to the reports before they are placed before the Chief Minister.

They further expressed concern that the involvement of what they described as a “three-member group” eager to read intelligence reports before they reach Vijay could increase the risk of confidential government information being leaked.

These claims were attributed to police department sources.

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Auroville Exhibition Becomes Gathering Point For Dravidianist Urban Naxals Like Piyush Manush, Vetrimaran, U2Brutus

By
The Commune
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An exhibition recently held in Chennai under the banner “Auroville: An Experiment Under Threat” attempted to project recent developments in Auroville as an assault on ecology, self-governance, and the township’s founding ideals. However, a closer look at the event reveals a familiar coalition of alleged activists, environmental campaigners, and ideological opponents of the current Auroville administration rallying against the implementation of Auroville’s long-pending master plan.

For years, successive administrations were criticised for failing to implement The Mother’s vision of a fully developed international city designed to accommodate tens of thousands of residents. Today, when efforts are finally being made to execute that vision, the same groups that benefited from decades of administrative stagnation have repositioned themselves as defenders of Auroville’s “original spirit.”

A recurring theme throughout the exhibition was opposition to infrastructure development and allegations of an ideological shift. Speakers claimed that Auroville’s international character was under threat and even suggested that RSS-linked ideas were being introduced into the township. Yet many of these accusations appeared rooted more in political suspicion than in concrete evidence.

One example repeatedly cited was the conduct of Sanskrit-related activities at institutions that had traditionally promoted Tamil culture. The implication that the promotion of Sanskrit automatically constitutes an ideological takeover reflects a narrow and politically loaded understanding of India’s cultural traditions. Sanskrit is a classical Indian language with a civilisational legacy spanning millennia, and its presence in Auroville need not be interpreted as evidence of political infiltration.

The event also attracted a number of prominent figures commonly associated with environmental activism and anti-establishment causes, including DMK supporter and alleged activist Piyush Manush and Dravidianist filmmakers Vetri Maaran and Raju Murugan.

Their presence reinforced the perception that the exhibition was less a neutral discussion about Auroville’s future and more a platform for a broader ideological campaign against the current administration.

Rabid anti-Hindu DMK stooge YouTuber ‘Minor’ was also a part of the event. He was invited by alleged activist Piyush Manush to speak a few words. He was seen saying he will use his platform to “support the cause”.

Notably absent from the exhibition’s narrative was any serious engagement with the argument advanced by the Auroville Foundation administration: that the township’s long-delayed master plan is finally being implemented in accordance with the vision laid down by The Mother herself. While concerns regarding environmental safeguards and public consultation deserve discussion, portraying every development initiative as an attack on Auroville risks turning the township into a museum of nostalgia rather than the evolving city its founders envisaged.

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