The leadership crisis in the AIADMK has entered a decisive phase, with General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) set to travel to Delhi on Tuesday (September 16) for talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The move comes in the wake of rising tensions between Palaniswami and senior leader K.A. Sengottaiyan, which have put the party’s unity under severe strain. While the official reason for the trip is to greet newly elected Rajya Sabha Vice-Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan, AIADMK insiders point out that the visit is loaded with political significance.
The party has been rocked by Sengottaiyan’s defiance and his recent overtures to senior BJP leaders, developments that have sparked speculation over the party’s increasing influence on AIADMK affairs. Sengottaiyan, once a key organiser in the western districts, was stripped of party posts earlier this month after he issued a 10-day ultimatum to Palaniswami demanding the reinduction of expelled functionaries. Soon after, he announced a trip to Haridwar, claiming it was for “spiritual solace”.
Yet, on his way back, he stopped in Delhi, where he met Amit Shah and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. Confirming these meetings, Sengottaiyan admitted that AIADMK’s internal matters had figured in the discussions, a revelation that unsettled EPS’s loyalists and revived the DMK’s charge that the AIADMK is increasingly bending to the BJP’s pressure.
This sequence of events has put Palaniswami in a delicate position. On the one hand, he has built his authority within the party since sidelining rival O. Panneerselvam. On the other hand, the BJP, which sealed its electoral alliance with the AIADMK in April, is believed to be nudging him toward reconciliation with disgruntled factions ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.
Party sources close to EPS insist that he will resist any move that undermines his supremacy, though they acknowledge that pressure from Delhi cannot be ignored. Meanwhile, Palaniswami’s campaign in Dharmapuri, originally scheduled for September 17 and 18, has been postponed to September 28 and 29. Sengottaiyan, however, has adopted a guarded stance, saying only that he would “remain” when asked about the possibility of expulsion.
As the spotlight now shifts to Delhi, Palaniswami’s talks with Amit Shah could prove pivotal — determining not just the course of his leadership, but also the contours of the BJP-AIADMK alliance in Tamil Nadu’s high-stakes political battlefield.
-IANS
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
The Allahabad High Court will on Monday take up the Sambhal Jama Masjid violence case, following a petition filed by mosque committee Chairman Zafar Ali challenging the police charge sheet. Ali has moved the trial court seeking quashing of the charge sheet filed in connection with the clashes that erupted during the survey of the Sambhal Jama Masjid on November 24, 2024.
His name surfaced during the investigation, leading to his arrest and subsequent imprisonment. On July 24, the High Court granted him bail. The matter is listed before a single bench of Justice Sameer Jain, which is expected to hear the case later in the day. The development comes in the backdrop of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Uttar Pradesh Police filing a mammoth charge sheet running over 4,400 pages across six cases linked to the deadly violence.
Officials announced that Shariq Satha, a resident of Sambhal, is believed to be the mastermind behind the riots. The violence resulted in five deaths and many injuries. Satha, who allegedly operated a car theft ring involving over 300 stolen vehicles from the Delhi-NCR region, has also been connected to underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim and Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI.
Investigators revealed that he fled India using a forged passport. Investigators uncovered a series of suspicious financial transactions linked to account holders in Sambhal, along with the discovery of foreign-manufactured cartridges at the sites of the clashes. Police reported that Satha’s close associates were responsible for the gunfire that resulted in the deaths of four victims.
However, there was no First Information Report (FIR) filed regarding the fifth death, raising additional questions. The charge sheet has named Samajwadi Party MP Ziaur Rahman Barq and the son of local MLA Iqbal Mahmood among the accused. In total, 37 individuals have been specifically identified, while an additional 3,750 people are accused but remain unnamed in connection with the violence.
-IANS
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
A Supreme Court Bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai is set to pronounce its decision on Monday regarding a stay on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, a legislation that has drawn sharp criticism from petitioners but is staunchly defended by the Union government as a measure to curb misuse of Waqf properties and enhance transparency in their administration.
The CJI-led Bench, which also includes Justice A.G. Masih, concluded hearings on May 22 after three sessions of arguments presented by both the petitioners and the Centre. The order was reserved following these hearings. The validity of the amended Act, which received Presidential assent and came into force on April 5, 2025, has been challenged in the Supreme Court by several parties, including AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress MP Mohammad Jawed.
The petitioners contend that the amendment is discriminatory and unfairly targets the Muslim community. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the petitioners, described the amended law as, “unconstitutional” and “arbitrary”, particularly objecting to a provision that allows the suspension of a property’s Waqf status during an ongoing investigation.
Joining the argument, senior advocate, Rajeev Dhavan emphasised the religious and social importance of Waqf in the Muslim community. “Waqf is not just a legal entity, but a spiritual and social institution deeply woven into the lives of Muslims,” said Dhavan, citing past Supreme Court rulings. He also argued that no external authority or officer has the jurisdiction to determine what constitutes an essential religious practice.
Earlier, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the second-highest law officer of the Centre, argued that the concept of Waqf is not essentially a religious practice. He said that Waqf boards administering such properties were engaged in secular and administrative functions.
The new law amended the Waqf Act, 1995, to address the regulation of Waqf properties, that is, religious endowments or properties dedicated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law. On April 17, a Bench headed by then CJI Sanjiv Khanna decided not to order a stay on the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, after the Centre assured the apex court that the contentious provisions would not be implemented for the time being.
-IANS
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
The Bengal Files film has brought to focus some of the dark chapters of Indian history, especially the circumstances around the Direct Action Day. This brings us to the topic of how the attitude of the so-called “father of the nation” was towards Hindu women amid a genocide. Let us also take a look at the instances of MK Gandhi making statements against Hindus and asking them to be submissive to Muslims.
#1 1946 Noakhali Massacre
Social media users shared videos/clippings from the film The Bengal Files – scene of the interaction between Gopal Patha and Mahatma Gandhi regarding the 1946 Noakhali genocide of Hindus, women especially, in the film have gone viral.
In the scene, Gandhi is shown telling women to embrace death rather than resist sexual assault, advice that is now being widely circulated in the form of archival newspaper clippings and references from Gandhi’s own collected works.
Gandhi was a bigger enemy of Hindus than Muslims. Gandhi weakened the Hindu psyche.
The controversy stems from Gandhi’s statements made during the October 1946 communal violence in Noakhali and Tipperah districts of Bengal, where large-scale killings, forced conversions, rapes, and abductions of Hindus were carried out by Muslim League mobs demanding the creation of Pakistan. According to contemporary records, over one lakh Hindus were affected, with confirmed casualties crossing 285, though some estimates put the number in the thousands.
Faced with reports of women being abducted, raped, and forcibly converted, Gandhi did not call upon Hindu women to resist with arms or to organize for self-defense. Instead, he advised them to consider suicide as a way of preserving their “honour.”
In his collected writings, later published under the title My Non-Violence, Gandhi is quoted as saying: “They ought to learn to die before a hair of their head could be injured… It was possible for a woman to put an end to herself by choking or biting the tongue. The only way known to medicine for instant self-immolation was a strong poisonous dose. If this was so, I would advise every one running the risk of dishonour to take poison before submission to dishonour.”
He added that he “meant all he had said” and that “the very fact of steeling oneself for death before dishonour braced one for the struggle.” Gandhi also declared that when it came to choosing between killing oneself or the assailant, he had “no doubt in [his] mind that the first should be the choice.”
From the book My Non-violence by MK GandhiFrom the book My Non-violence by MK Gandhi
International press at the time captured this extraordinary advice. A New York Times report from late October 1946 ran with the headline: “Gandhi Urges Women To Take Poison”, noting that he was counseling Hindu women “running the risk of dishonor” during the Noakhali carnage to kill themselves rather than be violated.
Bengali historian Dinesh Chandra Singha, in his book 1946: The Great Calcutta Killings and Noakhali Genocide, corroborates this, recording Gandhi’s remarks delivered in his evening prayer meetings in Delhi before he set out for Noakhali. Gandhi reportedly told the gathering: “Self-immolation by taking poison was a better way out than surrender to dishonour.”
The book further notes that in some affected villages, Hindu women did in fact commit suicide by poison, fire, or hanging to avoid abduction and forced conversion. The Hindustan Standard at the time compared the tragedy to the Rajput tradition of jauhar — mass self-immolation by women in the face of invading armies.
Dinesh Chandra Singha’s book 1946: The Great Calcutta killings and Noakhali genocide
Critics argue that Gandhi’s stance, while framed in the language of “bravery” and “non-violence,” effectively denied Hindu women the right to resist, fight back, or demand protection. Instead, it reduced them to passive victims whose only “non-violent” option was death.
#2 Moplah Massacre (1921) – Khilafat Movement Support
During the Malabar riots in 1921, Moplah Muslims massacred over 10,000 Hindus, raped thousands of Hindu women, and desecrated temples. Despite this genocide, Gandhi continued supporting the Khilafat movement.
Gandhi’s support for the Khilafat movement epitomized his approach of asking Hindus to sacrifice for Muslim causes. He made Hindu participation in the movement conditional on Muslim support for independence. He continued supporting the movement even after it led to anti-Hindu violence across India. He prioritized Islamic caliphate concerns over Hindu safety and interests
Gandhi’s response to Hindu victims was as below.
Gandhi blamed Hindus for causing Muslim violence against them
“Hindus,”said the Mahatma, “must find out the causes of Moplah fanaticism. They will find that they are not without blame. They have hitherto not cared for the Moplah. They have either treated him as a serf or dreaded him. They have not treated him as a friend and neighbour, to be reformed and respected. It is no use now becoming angry with the Moplahs or the Muslims in general.”
Asked Hindus to excuse Muslim atrocities
“Even if one side is firm in doing its dharma,”said Gandhi, “there will be no enmity between the two. He alone may be said to be firm in his dharma who trusts his safety to God and, untroubled by anxiety, follows the path of virtue. If Hindus apply this rule to the Moplah affair, they will not, even when they see the error of the Moplahs, accuse the Muslims.”
Praised Hindus who died rather than convert
“I see nothing impossible in asking the Hindus to develop courage and strength to die before accepting forced conversion. I was delighted to be told that there were Hindus who did prefer the Moplah hatchet to forced conversion,” he said.
Asked Hindus to love their Muslim attackers more
“Even so is it more necessary for a Hindu to love the Moplah and the Muslim more, when the latter is likely to injure him or has already injured him.”
Questioned why Hindus fled from being massacred
“Why should a single Hindu have run away on account of the Moplahs’ atrocities?”
Here’s how Gandhi justified Muslim violence and praised the perpetrators saying, “Moplah bravery must command admiration. These Malabaris are not fighting for the love of it. They are fighting for what they consider is their religion and in the manner they consider is religious”
#3 Kohat Riots (1924)
In September 1924, Muslim mobs attacked Hindus in Kohat, killing 12 and wounding 86. The entire Hindu population (3,000 people) was forced to evacuate.
The following was Gandhi’s advice to Hindu victims.
Asked Hindus not to return to their homes
“Even if Musalmans refuse to make approaches and even if the Hindus of Kohat may have to lose their all, I should still say that they must not think of returning to Kohat till there is complete reconciliation between them and the Musalmans until they feel that they are able to live at peace with the latter without the protection of the British bayonet”
Insisted this was the only acceptable approach
“This is a counsel of perfection. I can tender no other advice. For me, it is the only practical advice I can give”
#4 Partition Violence (1946-1947)
Direct Action Day (August 16, 1946)
When Muslims launched “Direct Action Day” leading to the Great Calcutta Killings, Gandhi criticized Hindu self-defense efforts led by Gopal Patha. He opposed Hindu defensive measures while not placing equivalent pressure on Muslim aggressors.
Here is what he gave in the name of advice on the Partition to Hindus.
Asked Hindus to accept death rather than resist
“Hindus should not harbour anger in their hearts against Muslims even if the latter wanted to destroy them. Even if the Muslims want to kill us all we should face death bravely. If they established their rule after killing Hindus we would be ushering in a new world by sacrificing our lives”
“None should fear death. Birth and death are inevitable for every human being. Why should we then rejoice or grieve? If we die with a smile we shall enter into a new life, we shall be ushering in a new India”
#5 Specific Documented Quotes
Let’s take a look at some other documented quotes of MK Gandhi on how Hindus must behave with Muslims.
On Hindu-Muslim Unity
Prioritized appeasing Muslims over Hindu safety
“I consider the eternal friendship between Hindus and Mussalmans as infinitely more important than the British connection”
Asked Hindus to ignore forced conversions
“Even if it were true that the Muslims were converting Hindus by force, the Hindus must not let this put a strain on the Hindu-Moslem unity and break it”
On Muslim Violence
Asked Hindus to see Muslim killers as brothers
“After all, who are the killers? They are our Muslim Brethren, none other. Does a converting into another religion break the bond of brotherhood?”
“Even if Muslims decide to wipe out the Hindu race, there is no point in Hindus getting angry on Muslims. Even if they slit our throats, we should be patient and accept death”
#5 Pattern of Victim-Blaming
Gandhi consistently placed the blame for communal violence on Hindu victims while refraining from holding Muslim leaders to the same standard of accountability. He often portrayed Muslim aggression as a justified response to alleged Hindu provocation, framing it as reactive rather than deliberate. In his appeals for peace, Gandhi directed his calls for restraint and non-violence almost exclusively toward Hindus, while excusing instances of Muslim violence as expressions of religious sentiment. This selective approach created the impression that Hindus bore the burden of responsibility, even in situations where they were the victims of aggression.
Dr. Ambedkar’s Criticism
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar strongly criticized Gandhi’s approach. He said, “Mr Gandhi has never called the Muslims to account even when they have been guilty of gross crimes against Hindus… Mr Gandhi was anxious to preserve Hindu-Moslem unity and did not mind the murders of a few Hindus, if it could be achieved by sacrificing their lives”.
Impact and Legacy
Documented statements and positions from Gandhi reveal a consistent pattern in his approach to communal violence. He frequently blamed Hindu victims for Muslim attacks and urged Hindus to accept such violence without resistance or anger. At the same time, he praised Muslim perpetrators as brave and religious, prioritising appeasement of Muslims over the safety of Hindus.
While he never placed equivalent demands on Muslim leaders to restrain their followers, he consistently portrayed Hindu self-defense as morally wrong, even as he excused Muslim aggression. This approach, reflected in Gandhi’s writings in Young India, official records, contemporary newspapers, and scholarly accounts, played a significant role in rationalising Hindu victimisation during Partition under the banner of “communal harmony.”
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
The story of the Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) and its leader, Medha Patkar, has long been portrayed in certain quarters as a heroic struggle of the marginalized against a oppressive state.
The recent emergence of explosive documentary evidence has shed new light on the controversial career of Medha Patkar. Through a combination of confidential email exchanges, court documents, and investigative findings, a disturbing pattern of foreign interference, judicial manipulation, and anti-national activities has come to the forefront. This detailed investigation examines the serious allegations against one of India’s most prominent activists.
The Berkeley Address: A Direct Appeal For Foreign Intervention
The most damning evidence comes from Patkar’s own words during her address at Berkeley University in California, where she made a direct appeal to her foreign audience for support against Indian national projects. In the recorded video, Patkar explicitly states that their movement “requires the support of you all in many ways, somewhat similar to what happened in the case of Narmada”.
Listen to this blatant anti national appeal of @medhanarmada to her foreign funders in America at Berkeley.
Asks for foreign meddling in India and also admits that they supported her in opposing Sardar Sarovar Project that had a national political consensus in its favor.
Direct solicitation of foreign interference in Indian infrastructure projects with national consensus
Admission that foreign supporters had previously helped in opposing the Sardar Sarovar Project
Portrayal of Indian government as an adversary requiring international pressure to counter
Misrepresentation of herself as speaking for India when she was actually representing her NGO funded by World Bank.
Patkar’s statement that “across India, almost every dam is challenged today” demonstrates a systematic campaign against India’s infrastructure development, often with foreign backing. Her reference to the “National Alliance of People’s Movements” organizing conventions in the Narmada Valley further reveals the coordinated nature of these anti-development activities.
The most shocking revelations come from confidential email exchanges between Patkar and Patrick McCully of the International Rivers Network (IRN), a Berkeley-based organization. These emails, submitted to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee in 2007 by Congress leader Dr. Urmilaben Patel, reveal a deeply disturbing pattern of judicial manipulation.
Source: Scribd
Timeline Of Judicial Interference
The email evidence shows a systematic attempt to influence Supreme Court proceedings:
July 10, 2007, 11:00 AM: Supreme Court dismisses PIL against NBA seeking CBI probe
11:26 AM: News posted on Times of India website
12:03 PM: Patkar sends judgment details to Patrick McCully within 36 minutes of verdict
McCully’s Telling Response
Patrick McCully’s reply on July 12 reveals the shocking nature of their operation: “How did you manage this? Who was the second judge?” This question clearly implies advance knowledge of judicial manipulation.
Source: Scribd
Patkar’s Confession Of Pressure Tactics
Patkar’s response on July 13 is perhaps the most damaging admission: “Many eminent persons wrote to the UPA government…we dealt with the press selectively and ensured that pressure was kept all through”. This constitutes a clear confession of orchestrating pressure campaigns to influence judicial outcomes.
Plans To “Honor” Supreme Court Judge
The most scandalous aspect emerges in McCully’s July 17 email suggesting they “honor Judge Kabir for supporting you” and noting he “will retire in 2013 – a very useful man for your future battles”. This reveals a calculated strategy to cultivate and reward judges for favorable verdicts.
Patkar’s response acknowledges the sensitivity: “apart from advocates no one would like to be acknowledged for writing to pressurize the government. That might boomerang”, clearly indicating awareness of the impropriety of their actions.
Source: Scribd
Financial Irregularities And Money Laundering
The Enforcement Directorate filed an FIR against Patkar in April 2022 for money laundering during her Narmada Bachao Andolan activities. The investigation revealed:
₹1.2 crore received by Narmada Navnirman Abhiyan within a single year of formation in 2004
20 identical donations of ₹5,96,294 each received on a single day (18 June 2005)
Source: Pioneer
One donor was a minor at the time of fund transfer (No.17 in above image)
₹13.5 crore collected over 14 years with unclear sources and expenditures
Misrepresentation Of Financial Status
During court proceedings, Patkar declared her annual income as merely ₹6,000, while investigations revealed ₹19 lakh in her savings account. This deliberate misrepresentation of financial status constitutes perjury and fraud.
Missing Educational Funds
The most serious allegation involves ₹13 crore supposedly collected for tribal children’s education that remains unaccounted for. Despite claims of providing residential educational facilities, investigations found no proper audit trail for these substantial funds.
The Anti-National Testimony
Perhaps the most blatant act was Patkar’s testimony before the US House of Representatives in the 1990s. She presented herself as a representative of the Indian people, claiming the World Bank and the Government of India were together against the people of the Narmada Valley. She sought international intervention against the Sardar Sarovar Project, an essential national infrastructure project, effectively inviting a foreign power to meddle in India’s internal affairs. This act alone, exposed point-by-point by V.K. Saxena in Indian courts, stands as a testament to an agenda that prioritized foreign validation over national interest.
None exposed and brought to book the fraud Medha Patkar as effectively as the current @LtGovDelhi, VK Saxena did. Calling out her testimony to the US House of Representatives, point by point, Saxena put the facts before Courts and got her punished even by the Supreme Court.
The Sardar Sarovar Project: 20 Years Of Denying Water To Gujarat
The human cost of Medha Patkar’s activism is quantified in the parched lands of Kutch and Saurashtra in Gujarat. For decades, these regions faced severe water scarcity. The Sardar Sarovar Dam project was the definitive solution, designed to provide drinking water and irrigation to millions and generate hydropower for four states.
Patkar’s NBA waged a relentless war against raising the dam’s height from 121.92 meters to 138.68 meters, claiming it would displace 40,000 families and destroy tribal culture. Despite comprehensive rehabilitation packages offered by the government, the opposition continued, often turning violent with reports of government surveyors being attacked.
Patkar’s sustained opposition to the Sardar Sarovar Project resulted in catastrophic consequences:
A 20-Year Delay: The project was stalled for over two decades due to agitations and political apathy from the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre.
Escalating Cost: The project’s cost ballooned from ₹4,400 crore to a staggering ₹44,000 crore, a financial burden borne by the Indian public.
Denied Basic Rights: Crores of people in Gujarat were denied their fundamental right to clean drinking water for a generation.
Project Timeline and Delays
1987: Construction began with 1997 completion target
1997: Original completion date missed due to NBA agitation
2009: Project 5 years behind schedule, new target set for 2014
2014: Modi government clears final approvals
2017: Narmada water finally reaches Kutch
2022: Project reaches its furthest extent, vindicating its utility
Human Cost Of Delays
The delay caused by Patkar’s movement had devastating humanitarian consequences:
Crores of people in drought-prone areas continued suffering water scarcity
Agricultural productivity remained constrained for decades
Economic development of Gujarat’s arid regions was severely hampered
Electricity generation for four states was postponed
Legal Battles And Judicial Victories Against Patkar
VK Saxena, currently Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, systematically exposed Patkar’s false claims and secured multiple judicial victories:
Supreme Court Conviction (August 2025): The Supreme Court confirmed Patkar’s conviction in the 2001 defamation case, though waiving the ₹1 lakh penalty. The conviction stands as a permanent stain on her record.
Delhi High Court Upholds Conviction: On 29 July 2024, the Delhi High Court rejected Patkar’s appeal and maintained her conviction, noting her statements were clearly defamatory.
Non-Bailable Warrant: In April 2025, a Delhi court issued a non-bailable warrant against Patkar for deliberately avoiding court orders, demonstrating her contempt for judicial processes.
Pattern Of Anti-National Activities
Patkar’s career shows a consistent pattern of opposing infrastructure projects vital to India’s development:
Kovvada Nuclear Project:Opposition to clean energy initiatives
Various hydroelectric projects: Systematic campaign against power generation
Tata Singur Plant: Patkar also protested against the setting up of the Tata Nano plant in Singur, WB
JSW Steel project in Odisha: Patkar opposed the JSW steel project in Odisha citing environmental reasons.
Foreign Funding And International Lobbying
Circumstantial evidence suggests there is significant foreign hand and international lobbying that is supporting Patkar’s protests:
International Rivers Network support from Berkeley
Appeals to US House of Representatives misrepresenting India’s position
Goldman Prize money under scrutiny by US authorities
Coordination with foreign anti-dam networks as revealed in emails
Research Contradicts Patkar’s Claims
Studies have indicated that Patkar’s claims are not essentially true. Here are a few:
National Bureau Of Economic Research Study
Research by the NBER found that tribal families resettled from Sardar Sarovar were significantly better off than those who remained in forest areas. The study specifically contradicted Patkar’s claims about cultural and economic damage, showing:
Better socio-economic conditions for resettled families
Intact cultural traditions despite relocation
Desire among non-resettled families to now seek resettlement after seeing improved living standards
Project Success Vindicated
The eventual completion of Sardar Sarovar has conclusively proven the project’s benefits:
4 crore people receiving water and electricity as promised
Agricultural transformation in previously arid regions
Industrial development enabled by reliable power and water supply
Patkar’s Political Connections And Continuing Influence
Patkar has survived all these years because of her political connections, let’s take a look at them:
AAP
Despite her controversial record, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) fielded Patkar as their Lok Sabha candidate in 2014 and reportedly considered projecting her as a Chief Ministerial candidate for Gujarat.
Congress
She was seen joining hands and walking with Congress scion Rahul Gandhi.
But the fact is that Congress leader Dr. Urmilaben Patel formally submitted evidence of Patkar’s judicial manipulation to the External Affairs Ministry demonstrates concerns even within opposition parties about her activities.
Medha Patkar: A Cautionary Tale
The Medha Patkar case represents one of the most serious examples of how foreign-funded activism can compromise national interests while masquerading as social justice. The documentary evidence of judicial manipulation, systematic deception, and anti-national activities demands serious attention from law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.
Medha Patkar is not a mere activist; she is the face of a sophisticated ecosystem that operates through a well-established playbook: orchestrated agitations, strategic litigation, international lobbying, manipulating media narratives, and allegedly compromising domestic institutions. While dressed in the language of human rights and environmentalism, the outcome of her work has been undeniably anti-development and anti-poor.
The story of the Narmada is not one of her successes, but a tragic tale of how millions were held hostage for decades by an agenda that was anything but altruistic. The long-delayed water in the canals of Kutch is not just a victory of engineering; it is the final, quiet rebuttal to a decades-long campaign against India’s progress.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
For years, the term “global conspiracy” has been dismissed as a fringe theory. Today, that theory is exposed as a coordinated reality. Operating in plain sight, a powerful network of political parties, NGOs, and billionaire donors is waging a silent war against conservative leaders and national sovereignty across the globe. At the center of this web for India is the Indian National Congress and its leader, Rahul Gandhi.
The Atom Bomb: The Progressive Alliance
The engine of this global operation is the Progressive Alliance – a formal coalition of over 140 left-wing, socialist, and progressive political parties from around the world.
This group is not a recent phenomenon. It was established in 1951 by the London-based Fabian Society – the same organization that founded the British Labour Party. Originally named the Socialist International, it rebranded in 2014 to become the Progressive Alliance we see today.
This is not merely a group of parties; it is a complete ecosystem. It collaborates seamlessly with progressive NGOs, think tanks, activist groups, unions, and federations, creating a unified front with immense resources and influence.
The Stated Agenda vs. The Real Target
The Alliance publicly champions a suite of universal values:
Equality
Wealth redistribution
Gender rights
LGBTQ rights
Multiculturalism
Fighting racism and intolerance
Climate change
However, their key objective, clearly defined in their own literature, is to use their political arms to counter right-wing populist ideology. In practice, this means all right-wing parties and their affiliated institutions are treated as adversaries.
This explains the relentless, coordinated targeting of these sovereign leaders by a seemingly disconnected network of media, activists, and political opponents across different countries. The pattern is too consistent to be a coincidence.
The Bomb Shell: Membership And Power
The membership list of this alliance reads like a who’s who of the global left:
Democratic Party (USA)
Labour Party (UK)
Social Democratic Party (SPD – Germany)
Indian National Congress (India)
Each of these parties commands its own vast domestic ecosystem. When they unite under a single banner, the scale of their power is staggering. The Democratic Party of the USA, arguably the most powerful political machine in the world, is a key pillar of this alliance, backed by the influence of figures like Obama, Clinton, Biden, and the funding of George Soros and the globalist deep state.
This connection sheds light on Rahul Gandhi’s frequent and mysterious visits to the United States during the Biden regime. These were not simple vacations; they were likely strategic meetings.
The Board Members
Congress MP from Tamil Nadu, Jothimani Sennimalai and Rahul Gandhi’s motormouth aide Sam Pitroda are members of the Board.
The Hydrogen Bomb: Rahul Gandhi, Executive Member
Now, we get to the core of the revelation. This is the Alliance’s Presidium, which acts as its executive body. As clearly listed, one of its members is Rahul Gandhi. The question must be asked: why is his picture not displayed? Why this level of secrecy around the involvement of India’s principal opposition leader in a global political organization?
The evidence confirms it: Rahul Gandhi is an executive member of this deep state arm.
The Hyderabad Connection And The Plan Against India
The alliance isn’t just operating abroad. Its activities have come directly to Indian soil.
Their last meeting was held in Hyderabad on April 25-26 of this year. At this meeting, they passed resolutions focused on creating “regional network exchanges” with the explicit goal of countering the rise of far-right politics – a clear reference to the BJP.
This is a direct declaration of a global left ecosystem vs. BJP war. Furthermore, delegates from the Alliance were also photographed visiting 10 Janpath for private meetings with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, solidifying the partnership.
The Man Behind The Curtain: George Soros
Every network needs funding. The financial engine for this operation is the Democracy Alliance – a network of progressive mega-donors who coordinate their political donations to left-wing causes.
Since its founding in 2005, it has funneled over $1 billion to liberal organizations and political campaigns. At the center of this web of finance stands George Soros.
The dots connect perfectly: the targeting of Modi, the attacks on Adani, the Open Society Foundations’ funding of media and activists, and their backing of Rahul Gandhi. Is the Progressive Alliance the force behind the ‘Vote Chori’ campaign? The answer is yes, because the toolkit is identical.
The Democratic Party in the USA, a key Alliance member, is running a nearly identical campaign against Donald Trump. The architect of both?
George Soros, who is now preparing the next “hydrogen bomb” for the Indian political landscape.
The Historical Roots: The Fabian Society
The origins of this web lead back to the Fabian Society, created in 1884 in Britain and backed by dynasties like the Rockefellers and Rothschilds.
This society founded influential institutions like the Council on Foreign Relations, Chatham House, the UN, and the London School of Economics, completing the circle of the globalist deep state.
Intriguingly, the Fabian Society was created in 1884. The Indian National Congress was created in 1885 by the British. Annie Besant, a founding member of the Fabian Society, was also President of the Congress. Gandhi, Jinnah, and Nehru were all connected to the Fabian Society.
A Fabian government under Clement Attlee was in power in Britain from 1945-1951 – the very government that transferred power to Nehru and Jinnah. One is forced to ask a chilling question: did the British truly leave, or have they been ruling India indirectly through the Congress party until 18 May 2014?
As a key member of the Progressive Alliance, the Congress would be expected to advance its agenda of wealth redistribution, multiculturalism, and LGBTQ rights if it comes to power.
But the real, sovereign question remains: Under the Congress and this global alliance, would India truly remain a sovereign nation? The evidence suggests it would answer to a higher, globalist authority.
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B), one of the nation’s premier educational institutions, has found itself repeatedly embroiled in controversy over the past six years. A pattern of incidents involving certain faculty members, student groups, and hosted events has sparked intense public and political backlash, with accusations of promoting anti-Hindu and anti-India sentiments.
This report details 14 such instances, from 2019 to 2025, that have raised serious questions about the academic and political environment within the institute, often leading to official inquiries, cancellations, and widespread condemnation.
#1 The “Pyramid Of Capitalist India” Poster (2025)
In September 2025, a workshop co-hosted by IIT-B featured a poster depicting PM Modi, Amit Shah, and Yogi Adityanath under the caption “WE FOOL YOU.” It also portrayed the army and police as “WE SHOOT AT YOU.” The institute swiftly distanced itself, claiming no prior knowledge of the provocative imagery, and condemned the content. It removed its name from all event materials, halted its association, and launched an investigation into how the event was approved, amid widespread national outrage. However, the fact remains that the event was co-organized by New Political Economic Initiative of IIT-Bombay which has ties to Ford Foundation.
#2 The Ford-Funded NPEI Initiative (2025)
The New Political Economic Initiative (NPEI) at IIT-B, led by UK citizen Prof. Anush Kapadia, faced scrutiny for its research. Backed by a $4 million Ford Foundation grant, the initiative was accused of pushing political propaganda, such as an unsourced claim about Maharashtra’s beef industry employing lakhs. Critics questioned the academic rigor of its outputs and the appropriateness of such externally funded programs operating within a government-funded technical institute. The involvement of foreign funding in sponsoring politically sensitive academic projects has raised concerns about external influence on India’s publicly funded institutions. NPEI has consistently promoted the idea that Indian democracy is in decline, framing its work in ways that align with Western think-tank narratives critical of the Modi government.
#3 Praise For MIT Pro-Palestine Speech (2025)
In June 2025, Professor Anupam Guha from the public policy department praised a controversial MIT graduation speech that was strongly pro-Palestine, calling the student’s actions “admirable” and courageous.
Professor of Humanities (Policy Studies) at IIT Bombay. Our IITs have become trash due to humanities departments.
His public endorsement of the speech, which was critical of Israel, drew significant criticism from those who felt it legitimized a one-sided narrative against a key Indian ally.
#4 Fuelling Anti-CAA Protests (2025)
Professor Anupam Guha was again at the center of controversy in January 2025 for his active role in amplifying anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protests.
Despite being a government employee, he used his platform to urge people to protest against the law and was accused of amplifying separatist voices, particularly concerning Kashmir, thereby challenging the state’s sovereignty.
#5 Inviting A Rape Accused And Terror Sympathizer For Diwali (2024)
IIT-B faced massive student protests and public fury in October 2024 for inviting filmmaker Mahmood Farooqui, who was previously convicted (later acquitted) in a rape case, as the chief guest for its Diwali celebrations. The outrage was compounded by his past signing of a mercy petition for 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab. Bowing to pressure, the institute cancelled the event.
#6 Cancelled Talk By Achin Vanaik (2023)
In November 2023, IIT-B invited Professor Achin Vanaik, known for his pro-Palestine and anti-Hindu views, for a talk. After student protests over his past comments glorifying suicide bombing and criticizing Hindutva, the institute cancelled the event citing “unforeseen circumstances,” highlighting the tension between free speech and inflammatory rhetoric on campus.
Professor Sharmishtha Saha invited Sudhanva Deshpande, who during a lecture in November 2023, glorified Palestinian militants Zakaria Zubeidi and Ghassan Kanafani, the former being a member of a group specializing in suicide bombings. The lecture, which called for armed rebellion, occurred on the same day the Vice President of India was on campus, creating a stark contrast.
#8 Equating Vegetarianism to Militancy (2023)
In an October 2023 op-ed, Professor Suryakant Waghmare equated upper-caste vegetarianism to “militancy,” accusing it of enforcing social hierarchy. He dismissed environmental reasons for the diet, linking it instead to “cow nationalism” and discrimination, sparking outrage for its sweeping generalization and derogatory characterization of a common cultural practice.
#9 Published Research Paper On OpIndia (2023)
A research paper from IIT-B’s Ashank Desai Centre, authored in part by an Alt News staffer, analyzed Opindia’s content. The May 2023 paper concluded the portal fostered “anti-Muslim narratives,” a finding critics dismissed as biased, given the author’s association with a far-left fact-checking website itself accused of political partiality and shielding Islamists.
#10 PhD Student’s Anti-Hindu Remarks (2023)
A February 2023 video showed PhD student Amarkant Thakur insulting Hindus and Lord Ram on campus, blaming “Brahminical society” for mistreating Dalits and claiming “Jai Shri Ram” chants perpetuated caste hierarchy.
The incident, which occurred in the presence of security, raised questions about campus discourse and respect for religious sentiments.
#11 Rally Supporting Sedition Accused (2020)
On Republic Day 2020, left-leaning student groups held a “Reclaim the Republic” rally supporting Sharjeel Imam, accused of sedition for speeches calling to “break India,” and demanding the release of UAPA-booked activists. The event showcased a strong political faction within the student body aligning with individuals accused of threatening national integrity.
In August 2019, Professor Anupam Guha endorsed an article branding the historic, Parliament-passed abrogation of Article 370 as “constitutionally illegitimate.”
His public challenge to a central government policy and a subsequent Supreme Court validation sparked accusations of overstepping academic boundaries into political activism against national interests.
#13 Sterlite Protest “Martyrs” Tweet (2019)
During the violent Sterlite plant protests, Professor Guha posted that “capitalism cannot function without state terrorism” and referred to those who died as “martyrs.”
His comments were seen as justifying violent protest and blaming state forces, ignoring the complex circumstances of the clashes that led to the fatalities.
#14 Management School’s Handle Posts Anti-BJP Tweet, Later Claims It Was “Hacked” (2019)
In April 2019, the official Twitter account of IIT-B’s management school posted a tweet claiming Hinduism and Hindutva are different and that people in West Bengal were “not stupid enough to vote for BJP.”
Image Source: Swarajyamag
The school later claimed the account was hacked, but the incident damaged its reputation and revealed the highly charged political undercurrents within the institute.
#15 IIT B Prof Mocked Hindu Practices And Promoting Anti-India Narratives
Humanities Professor Suryakant Waghmore’s disdain for Hindu traditions is well-documented. He once compared a PhD in humanities to “not drinking cow urine for cancer cure,” mocking Hindu beliefs.
He posted a photo from Europe with the caption, “Somewhere in Europe where… no one wears a sacred thread, no one takes dowry… where 94% of the population does not have arranged marriages, where women are not disallowed in kitchens and temples during their periods. Shall I go on?”
His research paper “The Dominant Victim”argues that upper-caste Hindus claim “imagined victimhood” to overshadow Dalit struggles.
His social media posts and public interviews regularly attack vegetarianism and Hindu practices. In a widely circulated post, he wrote, “I am hoping to be pure vegetarian in next life. Hope to have an arranged marriage, take dowry, drink cow urine, vote for BJP and attack Muslims. This life is dedicated to Ambedkarism.”
#16 Allegations of Bias
In 2024, IIT Bombay’s PhD entrance exam included a question on Hindutva, which many saw as an attempt to screen out Hindu applicants.
IIT Bombay, in their Phd entrance exam asked a provocative question on Hindutva.
it's ok to study Hindutva but asking that question in a screening test is basically making sure only Hindu haters will be selected.
When students protested, Waghmore mocked them by posting a video of himself dancing, further fueling accusations of unprofessionalism.
@iitbombay who is this chutiya Suryakant Waghmore ?
Recently IIT Bombay held Phd entrance test in which they asked about Hindutva. This is clearly an attempt to deny entry to Hindus. When some students called out this blatant partisanship, this video was his reply. pic.twitter.com/hMK1eYjb6X
IIT Bombay faced criticism over its contradictory stance on food segregation after the administration was seen facilitating elaborate meal arrangements for Ramadan while previously “refusing” its approval for vegetarian-only tables, calling it “exclusionary and casteist.”
An internal email sent by the General Secretary (Health Advisory HA) on behalf of “Ramadan volunteers” informed students about Sehri (pre-dawn meal) arrangements for those observing the fast. Hostels were divided into zones for easy access, and meals would be delivered to female hostels based on headcount. Students interested in availing of the facility were asked to register.
Today #IITBombay students rec'd a mail about the amazing fasting preparation for #Ramadan. Entire Humanities department had a collective orgasm.
The same professors and some left students had had a fit when a mere six tables were reserved for those eating vegetarian food. Anyone… pic.twitter.com/IDcrUjSlLl
However, this move ignited accusations of selective religious favoritism. IIT-B buckled under pressure for a decision to allocate just a few tables for vegetarian students.
In 2023, posters marking “vegetarians only” seating areas appeared in a hostel mess, triggering outrage from the Ambedkar Periyar Phule Study Circle (APPSC). The posters were torn down, and RTI inquiries later confirmed that IIT-B has no official policy allowing separate eating spaces. The administration followed up with a warning email, declaring that no student had the right to designate areas for specific food preferences.
Even though the vegetarian-only tables were open to all castes and religions, the move was labeled“discriminatory” and“a Brahminical imposition.”Some activist students even went as far as to deliberately consume non-vegetarian food at those tables in protest.
Yet, the same faculty and student groups that opposed vegetarian tables have raised no objections to Ramadan-specific dining arrangements. This has led to allegations that IIT-B selectively enforces its so-called secular principles—opposing dietary preferences linked to Hindu and Jain traditions while bending over backward to accommodate Islamic practices.
This extends beyond seating arrangements. While vegetarian tables were deemed casteist, halal food remains unquestioned on campus. Critics argue that if separate tables for vegetarians were seen as divisive, then so should halal-only meat, which actively excludes non-Muslim butchers. However, IIT-B faculty and leftist student groups remain silent on this inconsistency.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
On 8 September 2025, in an editorial for The Hindu titled “The Making of an Ecological Disaster in Nicobar,” Sonia Gandhi condemned the ₹72,000 crore Great Nicobar Project. She branded the initiative a “misguided and extravagant expenditure” and an “ecological disaster in the making,” arguing it poses an “existential threat to the island’s indigenous communities” and endangers its “unique and fragile ecosystem.”
This report highlights ten incidents from 2017 to 2025 in which the Indian National Congress opposed key Indian development projects.
#1 Congress Calls Great Nicobar Project “A Misadventure”
On 8 September 2025, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, in a column for The Hindu titled “The Making of an Ecological Disaster in Nicobar”, dismissed the ₹72,000 crore Great Nicobar Island Project at Galathea Bay as a “completely miscalculated expenditure.” She warned that the proposed major port would pose an existential threat to the island’s indigenous communities and devastate its unique ecosystems. Rahul Gandhi echoed her stance, sharing the editorial and cautioning that the project would displace villages, endanger tribal populations, and irreparably damage the fragile environment.
#2 Congress Protests Vizag Steel Plant Privatization
On 6 September 2025, at the Andhra Pradesh Udyamala Aikya Vedika meeting in Visakhapatnam, state Congress leader Sunkara Padma Sri, along with members of farmers’ forums, opposed the privatization of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and the large-scale land acquisitions for green energy projects. Padma Sri argued that farmers were being displaced in the name of green energy while vast tracts of land already acquired for projects such as Lepakshi Knowledge Hub and Jindal Alumina remained idle. The gathering expressed strong resistance to both central and state government policies on the steel plant and land acquisition.
Congress leader YS Sharmila issued a stern ultimatum to Visakhapatnam Steel Plant management, accusing it of authoritarianism and ignoring workers’ grievances as a strike looms. Posting on X, she condemned the “arrogant” stance, cited termination of 2,000 contract workers and planned layoffs of 3,000 more, suspensions of dissenting employees, and eight months’ unpaid salaries for regular staff. She demanded immediate reinstatement, clearance of pending wages, revocation of the January 2021 privatization decision, and a formal merger with SAIL.
#3 Congress Terms Chhattisgarh Skywalk Reconstruction Wasteful
On 17 May 2025, the Chhattisgarh Congress opposed the state government’s decision to reconstruct the skywalk in the capital, calling it an impractical and wasteful project. Party spokesperson Dhananjay Singh Thakur argued that despite heavy expenditure, the skywalk remained incomplete and failed to serve its purpose. He urged the government to drop the plan and instead build a flyover that would address traffic concerns more effectively.
#4 Congress Questions Centre on Kutch Renewable Energy Park
On 12 February 2025, the Congress demanded clarity from the Union government over a Guardian report alleging that rules on land allocation near international borders were altered to benefit the Adani Group’s renewable energy project in Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch, close to the India-Pakistan border. The following day, Congress MP Manickam Tagore submitted a notice in the Lok Sabha seeking an adjournment motion to debate the reported relaxation of national security protocols for the Khavda Renewable Energy Project.
#5 Congress Opposes Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway
On 29 June 2024, proceedings in the Maharashtra Legislative Council were adjourned after Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) members staged protests against the proposed Nagpur-Goa Shaktipeeth Expressway. Raising the issue through a calling attention motion, Congress MLC Satej Patil, along with other legislators, demanded that the project be scrapped, questioning the need for a new expressway when an existing road already connects the route.
#6 Congress Alleges Corruption in Bharatmala Highway Projects
On 3 September 2023, the Congress accused the Central government of corruption and favoritism in the Bharatmala Pariyojana highway projects, citing a CAG report that flagged inflated costs and lack of transparency. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had earlier, on August 14, raised concerns over corruption in infrastructure projects, while party leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that contracts were awarded to Prime Minister Modi’s close associates and electoral bond donors. The Bharatmala Pariyojana aims to develop 35,000 km of national highways to improve freight movement across India.
#7 Congress Resists Aarey Metro Car Shed Project
On 30 June 2022, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole opposed the state government’s decision to construct the Mumbai Metro car shed in Aarey, arguing that it posed risks to public health. Despite the pressing need to expand metro infrastructure in the city, the Congress revived objections similar to those raised during earlier protests under the Fadnavis and Maha Vikas Aghadi governments, thereby stalling progress on the project.
#8 Congress Demands Suspension of Central Vista Project
On 7 April 2020, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging suspension of the ₹20,000 crore Central Vista project, calling it wasteful during the pandemic, and also advised a two-year ban on all non-COVID government advertisements. Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma, on May 2, 2020, echoed the demand, terming the project and proposed mega secretariats in 17 state capitals a “criminal waste” of public money. Later, on 7 May 2021, Rahul Gandhi tweeted that the Central Vista was a “criminal wastage,” urging the government to prioritize people’s lives over extravagance.
#9 Congress Stages Protest Against Rafale Deal
On 13 February 2019, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh led a protest outside Parliament against the Rafale deal, carrying paper planes and posters to allege corruption in the multi-crore aircraft purchase. Earlier, in December 2018, MPs from Congress and CPI(M) had submitted adjournment motion notices in the Lok Sabha over the issue. However, on 14 December 2018, the Supreme Court dismissed all petitions seeking a court-monitored probe, stating that no evidence of commercial favoritism was found in the deal.
#10 Congress Questions Viability of Bullet Train Project
On 14 September 2017, the Congress party raised objections to the Ahmedabad-Mumbai bullet train project, questioning its economic feasibility. Party leader Mallikarjun Kharge clarified that while Congress was not opposed to development projects, the bullet train was not economically viable and therefore an unsustainable investment.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
The Congress-led government in Karnataka, under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has approved a substantial grant of ₹398 crore for the development of Muslim-dominated areas across the state. The decision was finalized during a cabinet meeting held at the Vidhana Soudha, and has since sparked a political debate.
According to sources, the government aims to upgrade socio-economically backward neighbourhoods in 22 urban Assembly constituencies, transforming them into what it calls “model colonies.” Critics, however, allege that the move is a strategic attempt to secure minority votes ahead of upcoming elections.
This is not the first time the Siddaramaiah administration has been accused of appeasement. Earlier this year, the state government withdrew legal cases against individuals linked to the 2019 Chittapur stone-pelting incident, which targeted Hindu activists. The individuals reportedly had connections to extremist outfits.
Additionally, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has defended the government’s decision to allocate 4% reservation for Muslims in public contracts under the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category, stating that supporting underrepresented groups is a constitutional responsibility inspired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision.
2025 Budget Raises Eyebrows Over Targeted Benefits
The 2025 Karnataka State Budget, as analysed by political observers, appears to include several policies directly benefiting the Muslim community. These include:
₹500 crore allocated for launching 250 “Maulana Azad Model English Medium Schools”, modeled on Karnataka’s public school system.
₹400 crore set aside for upgrading 100 Urdu medium schools across the state.
₹150 crore earmarked for the restoration and renovation of Waqf properties.
An additional ₹1,000 crore dedicated to the Chief Minister’s Minority Colony Development Programme, a broader plan focusing primarily on Muslim-populated areas.
Budget provisions for building a new Hajj Bhavan and establishing a Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) campus to cater to educational needs of “deprived” Muslim students.
Further, the state has introduced social welfare schemes specific to the Muslim community:
₹50,000 wedding assistance for economically weaker Muslim couples.
Monthly honorariums raised to ₹5,000 for muezzins and ₹6,000 for pesh imams.
Funding for the construction of women’s colleges on Waqf-owned land.
Infrastructure support for cultural and social initiatives within the Muslim community.
50% tuition reimbursement for Muslim students, along with an increase in the foreign education scholarship from ₹20 lakh to ₹30 lakh.
Opposition parties and critics have slammed the Congress government for what they see as blatant religious favoritism. They argue that such targeted allocations risk deepening communal divides and reflect a vote-centric approach to governance rather than an inclusive development strategy.
They further claim that while the state government promotes Urdu schools and Muslim-centric programs, it continues to foster divisions on linguistic and cultural lines such as the recent Hindi vs. Kannada debates creating inconsistencies in policy direction. The Siddaramaiah government’s recent budget and policy decisions have reignited the debate over minority appeasement in Indian politics. While the administration maintains that these efforts are aimed at uplifting marginalized communities, critics view them as a calculated electoral move designed to consolidate a specific vote bank.
The launch of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay’s state-wide campaign from Tiruchirapalli on 13 September 2025 once again revealed that the party’s base, rather than reflecting disciplined political enthusiasm, largely resembled an unruly fan club.
From early morning, TVK supporters began flooding Trichy Airport, eagerly awaiting Vijay’s arrival. As the actor-politician landed at 9:29 a.m. and exited the terminal by 9:40 a.m., the crowds surged forward in excitement. Despite the presence of police barricades and security personnel, the overwhelming number of cadres made crowd control nearly impossible, with several barricades eventually being breached.
Once Vijay left the premises, the airport approach roads were littered with discarded slippers, torn banners, and trash, giving the area a messy and unhygienic appearance. Scenes from the airport suggested chaos, not a well-coordinated political movement.
Lack of Discipline: Firecrackers, Banner Tearing, and Traffic Gridlock
Despite police warnings ahead of the event, many TVK supporters went ahead with unauthorized celebrations including bursting firecrackers and even damaging their own party’s banners, adding to the disarray. The incident has raised concerns over the maturity of TVK’s cadre base and their ability to function within democratic norms.
Vijay’s convoy, which began moving from the airport in his campaign vehicle, faced massive delays due to the crowd-packed roads. It reportedly took over two-and-a-half hours to cover just 5 kilometers, reaching TVS Tollgate by noon. As of four hours into the journey, he had still not completed the 8-kilometer stretch to Marakkadai, where he was scheduled to deliver his campaign address.
City Disrupted as Trichy Grinds to a Halt
With supporters overflowing into streets and junctions, traffic was thrown into chaos across several key areas of Tiruchi. Major routes including Pudukottai Road, Palakkarai Underbridge, and the Head Post Office junction were jammed for hours. Commuters were left stranded, and day-to-day activities across the city were disrupted.
Adding to the logistical troubles, many shops remained closed, leading to drinking water shortages for the cadres who had been standing for hours along the rally route. At the Marakkadai junction, thousands crammed into the area near the M.G.R. statue, waiting for Vijay’s delayed speech.
Although authorities had allocated 10:35 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. for Vijay’s public address, the delays completely threw the schedule off balance. The overall execution reflected poor planning and crowd management, casting doubts on TVK’s readiness to function as a serious political entity.
While the enthusiasm for Vijay’s political entry is undeniable, Saturday’s events in Tiruchi painted a picture of fandom overtaking political purpose. The unruly behavior, violation of public norms, and lack of discipline not only disrupted the city but also raised questions about TVK’s preparedness to transition from personality-driven fanfare to meaningful political action.
If the party hopes to be taken seriously in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, it must urgently instill discipline, respect democratic processes, and move beyond celebrity spectacle.
Previous Instance in Coimbatore
This isn’t the first time such disorder has unfolded Coimbatore Airport faced a similar situation back in April 2025, echoing the recent chaos at Trichy. During Vijay’s arrival, the airport descended into confusion as hundreds of TVK supporters swarmed the premises to greet him. This was despite clear police instructions capping the number of attendees at 50.
Crowds ignored the restrictions, parked vehicles recklessly, and reportedly damaged barricades, grills, and even airport trolleys near the terminal entrance. To make matters worse, local TVK leaders failed to cooperate with airport authorities or communicate the anticipated crowd size in advance.
There was no evidence of any organized crowd control or preventative planning from the party’s side. Supporters behaved more like unrestrained fans than disciplined political cadre, paying little regard to rules or the functioning of a sensitive public facility.
The situation disrupted regular airport operations and left portions of the terminal in a state of disarray. The lack of responsibility and foresight shown by TVK during the episode drew sharp public criticism and raised further concerns about the party’s organizational maturity.
