Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took a guided tour along the ceasefire line in the historic city of Nicosia along with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides. “Tour with the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi along the ceasefire line, in old Nicosia. Where the signs of the Turkish occupation remain visible,” the Government of the Republic of Cyprus posted on X along with the photographs of the two leaders visiting the area. PM Modi’s nearly 24-hour visit to Cyprus remains significant as it came in the middle of India’s tensions with Turkey over the latter’s continuous support to Pakistan.
Ankara’s recognition of the so-called Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in the northern region that was seized by Turkish forces in 1974 and differences over gas exploration rights in the Eastern Mediterranean remain a constant source of tensions between Turkey and Cyprus. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that the two leaders took a walk through the historic heart of Nicosia — a city standing firm and resilient in its onward march, reflective of the indomitable spirit of the proud people of Cyprus. “Gratitude to President Christodoulides for showing me parts of the very historic city of Nicosia. We look forward to closer people-to-people linkages with Cyprus!” PM Modi posted after his departure.
The June 15-16 visit was the first visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus in over two decades and massively strengthened New Delhi’s relationship with Nicosia – a close friend and an important partner in the Mediterranean region and the European Union. “This landmark visit underscores the enduring friendship and trusted partnership between our two countries. In his remarks to the media, Prime Minister Modi spoke about the strategic direction of the India-Cyprus partnership. This partnership also holds significance in the broader context of the India-EU strategic partnership and India’s growing engagement with the Mediterranean region,” said Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) as the PM concluded his Nicosia visit.
Several agreements were signed on Monday between the two countries, reaffirming their shared commitment to deepen bilateral ties and strengthen India’s engagement with the Mediterranean region and the European Union. Earlier, Christodoulides conferred upon Prime Minister Modi the country’s honour – the Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III – at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. The award marks the 23rd international recognition bestowed on PM Modi by a foreign country. Underlining his unmatched stature, several analysts reckoned that no Prime Minister of India has ever had such a profound global impact as a global statesman. PM Modi was welcomed at the palace by Christodoulides while a military band paid tribute.
The National Anthems were played and then the Prime Minister of India laid a wreath at the statue of Archbishop Makarios III. A private meeting between the two leaders followed. Welcoming Prime Minister Modi, the President of the Republic said: “It is a great pleasure and honour to have you with us on this historic visit, 23 years since the last visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Cyprus. “Your visit also reflects the clear political will to further strengthen our bilateral relations in a multitude of sectors, from economy, trade, defence and security, technology, tourism and connectivity. We saw yesterday at the forum with businessmen, the strong interest that exists from both Indian and Cypriot businessmen.”
The Joint Declaration adopted later demonstrated in practice the new page in bilateral relations between India and Cyprus, also more generally at the European and international level. “Cyprus is a predictable and secure ally of India in a region of particular geostrategic importance, such as the Eastern Mediterranean, the wider Middle East. At the same time, it is a Member State of the European Union (EU) that constitutes India’s gateway to Europe, and in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU that will begin on 1 January 2026, we will work to further strengthen India’s strategic relations with the EU,” said Christodoulides.
‘I also want to publicly thank you for your long-standing stance on the Cyprus issue and our efforts to end the Turkish occupation and reunite our homeland. At the same time, I want to publicly express the support of the Republic of Cyprus in your efforts to confront both international and cross-border terrorism,” he added.
–IANS
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In a dramatic turn of events, sugarcane farmers in Thanjavur district were arrested today after staging a protest against the DMK government’s inaction over their demands for unpaid dues from a private sugar mill. The protest, which involved displaying black flags against Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, has sparked widespread condemnation from political leaders, including BJP state president K. Annamalai.
The farmers, who have been agitating for over a year and a half, sought the release of pending payments for their sugarcane supplies during the 2020-21 crushing season. Despite their prolonged struggle, the DMK-led state government has been accused of remaining indifferent to their plight. The situation escalated when the farmers decided to escalate their protest by showing black flags to the Chief Minister, leading to their immediate arrest by the police.
K. Annamalai, in a strongly worded statement on social media, criticized the DMK government’s handling of the issue. He highlighted the farmers’ frustration, noting that they have been demanding the minimum support price for paddy and sugarcane, promises made during the last elections but never fulfilled. Annamalai also pointed out the irony of the government’s actions, especially in light of the Goondas Act imposed on farmers in Tiruvannamalai who were fighting to protect their lands.
“Isn’t the betrayal of farmers in the last four years, such as increasing the minimum support price for paddy and sugarcane, deceiving farmers by making false election promises, and imposing the Goondas Act on farmers in Tiruvannamalai district who fought to protect their lands, enough? Are you showing your oppression to the farmers who have been fighting for one and a half years demanding payment of arrears? In the last four years, your claim of being a son of the soil of Delta region stands exposed”, Annamalai’s statement read.
தஞ்சாவூர் மாவட்டத்தில், தனியார் சர்க்கரை ஆலையில், கரும்பு கொள்முதலுக்கான நிலுவைத் தொகையை வழங்கக் கோரி, கடந்த ஒன்றரை ஆண்டுகளாக விவசாயிகள் போராட்டம் நடத்தி வந்த நிலையில், திமுக அரசு எந்தவித நடவடிக்கையும் எடுக்காமல் பாராமுகமாக இருப்பதைக் கண்டித்து, முதலமைச்சர் திரு @mkstalin… pic.twitter.com/YVtTTL5U8c
The arrests have reignited debates about the state government’s approach to farmer welfare. Over the past four years, the DMK has faced criticism for series of betrayals against the farming community, including unfulfilled electoral promises and heavy-handed responses to peaceful protests.
Local farmer leaders expressed their dismay, stating that the government’s response was not only unjust but also a clear indication of its disconnect from the ground realities faced by the agricultural sector. “We have been fighting for our rights for over a year and a half. Instead of addressing our grievances, the government chooses to silence us with arrests,” said one of the protesting farmers before being taken into custody.
The incident has also drawn attention to the broader issues plaguing Tamil Nadu’s agricultural sector, including water scarcity, inadequate compensation for crop losses, and the lack of support for small-scale farmers. The arrests have been seen as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the farming community under the current administration.
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Former Congress MLA and President of the Tenkasi District Natural Resources Conservation Association, K Ravi Arunan, has strongly condemned the continued neglect of road and water infrastructure damage caused by overloaded mineral trucks. He has announced a public protest in response to the issue.
In a statement issued recently, Arunan said, “In various parts of Tenkasi district, particularly from Ambasamudram onwards, the roads have been badly damaged due to the constant movement of heavily loaded mineral transport trucks. These damages have also affected the underground drinking water pipelines, leading to large-scale water wastage.”
He pointed out the irony of the situation: while many residents are struggling to get water, the available supply is being lost due to leaking and broken pipes. He criticized the local administration and municipal authorities for ignoring repeated complaints, accusing them of apathy and inaction. “Despite numerous alerts from our association, no real effort has been made to repair the damage. The silence from public representatives and officials shows that the government system has become non-functional.”
He also expressed concern over the fact that the district-wide maintenance of the collective drinking water supply project has been handed over to a single contractor, who, he claims, operates without accountability and ignores directives from authorities.
If corrective action isn’t taken within ten days, Arunan warned that his organization’s members would begin a symbolic funeral protest, “On behalf of the Natural Resources Conservation Association, our volunteers station themselves at each damage site and perform a funeral rite protest by blowing a conch shell to make people realize that the government machinery is dead.”
If there is still no response, he stated that the situation would be treated like “ringing a bell in the ears of the deaf”—symbolizing the futility of trying to wake a sleeping administration.
Finally, he called on the district administration to act urgently, urging them to lift the court-imposed ban that currently prevents the enforcement of limits on the size of mineral transport vehicles. He believes that only then can the infrastructure be protected from further damage and the issue permanently resolved.
Former Congress MLA & Tenkasi Iyarkai Vala Paathugappu Sangam president K Ravi Arunan announces protests over frequent road & drinking water pipeline damages caused by overloaded mineral trucks and officials' apathy. 👇 இனி சங்கு தான்… வேற..… pic.twitter.com/YEJRthf1TL
Puthiya Tamilagam party president Dr. K. Krishnasamy strongly criticized the Dravidianist political ecosystem, particularly the DMK and its allies, for what he described as double standards in practicing secularism. In a statement issued on 16 June 2025, he argued that true secularism means not aligning with any religion—not selectively siding with a few.
In a statement released on 16 June 2025 Dr K Krishnasamy said, “‘Secularism’ does not mean favoring certain religions; it means not aligning with any religion at all! Declaring India as a ‘Hindu nation’ is the ultimate solution to all problems. It reflects the deep sentiments of 140 crore Indians!
The Indian Constitution is a treasure that encompasses the aspirations of people from all walks of life. The primary goal of the freedom fighters was to liberate India from 200 years of British rule. That’s why their key slogan was “Quit India Movement!” (Vellayane Veliyeru Iyakkam). However, after independence, there was little broad-based thinking among most leaders—except a few like Subhas Chandra Bose about what kind of society India should become. Many of them, were influenced by Western capitalist ideologies from America and Britain. Nehru leaned toward socialism, yet this wasn’t fully reflected in the Indian Constitution. Gandhi spoke of “Ram Rajya,” and also made confusing remarks like “Ram and Rahim are one.” Congressmen of that era held both radical and moderate ideologies. In the Constitution there was a provision that anyone in India can buy property except for Kashmir. But it doesn’t explain the method for how all citizens can practically do so. Even today, such a mechanism doesn’t exist. Private ownership has become an inescapable part of Indian society, making it impossible for Indian society to move toward equality.
At a time when freedom (movement) was at its peak, the Khilafat Movement, centered around Turkey, also participated in the independence struggle. Yet even then, no one knew its true objective. Suddenly in 1946, Jinnah became a pawn in Britain’s divide-and-rule policy and put forth the demand for a separate nation. Even before that, a Constituent Assembly with 246 members had been formed in India. This assembly reflected the diverse voices of the Indian population. But after the idea of Pakistan gained traction, therefore, the Constituent Assembly functioned in a semi-defective manner at the Indian level. Thus, an incomplete Indian Constitution was created. It is only gratifying that the freedom of speech, expression, and writing, as enshrined in most countries around the world, have also been included in the Indian Constitution.
After a vast territory was split on religious grounds, the political form was given without any thought how a secular nation could include large populations from the same religious background that had demanded the partition. After the partition, India should have been declared a Hindu nation. Everyone knows that caste divisions exist in India. The creation of linguistic states has not resolved the country’s fundamental problems. In fact, language-based state divisions are a major cause of today’s pressing issues in India. Secularism has merely become a slogan of certain political parties and does not reflect the deep-rooted values of 140 crore Indians! Secularism should not be a pseudo-ideology that certain individuals and political parties speak while leaning on the lap of certain religions. It should be spoken without actually being affiliated with any religion. In India, each caste is a national community. So, acknowledging these castes as national communities and declaring India as a Hindu nation is the only path to security for India and its people.”
'மதசார்பின்மை' என்பது குறிப்பிட்ட சில மதங்களை சார்ந்து நிற்பதல்ல; எந்த மதத்தையும் சாராது நிற்பது!
’இந்தியாவை 'இந்து’ நாடாக அறிவிப்பதே’ அனைத்துப் பிரச்சினைகளுக்கும் தீர்வு.!
140 கோடி இந்திய மக்களின் உள்ளக் கிடக்கையின் வெளிப்பாடும் அதுவே!…
Ultra-woke singer and virtue signaler Chinmayi Sripaada who was in the spotlight owing to the #MeToo allegations against Vairamuthu has to be reminded of something today.
Earlier in the day on 16 June 2025, The Commune had reported how former Kalakshetra director Leela Samson made a Facebook post expressing her “regret” for “wrongly mentioning” a former student’s name in connection with a male faculty. She wrote that she regretted the error and would not make comments about the student in the future.
Background
Samson’s admission comes after nearly two years of controversy stemming from her initial post, which alleged misconduct by a male teacher — Hari Padman — and inadvertently drew a student, into a scandal that disrupted her life and career. The student later alleged that the mention of her name, and its subsequent circulation in media reports and social media, had caused immense distress, mental agony, and damage to her reputation.
This ‘regret’ post came after the dispute was resolved recently through a mediated settlement following both civil and criminal complaints. The dragging of the student into the issue prompted the filing of a civil suit and related criminal charges. During the subsequent mediation process, as told to The Commune, Leela Samson expressed regret for her actions and agreed to do whatever was needed to make amends. This included putting up a public post on Facebook as a form of apology. In exchange for this, the complainant agreed to withdraw both the civil suit and the criminal case, effectively putting the matter to rest.
Before making the Facebook post, however, Leela took careful measures to control its visibility. She removed nearly all her friends from her account — reducing their number from approximately 2,000 down to just 5 — ensuring that the message would reach a limited and carefully curated viewership. Furthermore, as requested by the complainant, Leela made the post visible to the public while retaining this small number of friends. This tactic meant that the majority of her friends, and even many of her previous social media connections, remained oblivious to its content. In this way, the defendant was able to fulfill the terms of the agreement without broadly disclosing the details or drawing significant attention from her social circle.
As per the settlement, Leela Samson is to pay a total sum of ₹8 lakhs in two instalments — half upon withdrawal of the civil suit and the rest upon submission of a consent affidavit in the quash petition. The complainant also agreed to pursue quash proceedings before the Madras High Court.
Kalakshetra Issue
The controversy resulted in large-scale student protests, the temporary closing down of the institution, and the arrest of Hari Padman, who was later released on bail after the police failed to submit a chargesheet within the mandated time frame. A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against Leela Samson and four other individuals under Section 509 of the IPC (intent to insult a woman’s modesty).
The FIR alleged that Samson made unfounded and derogatory comments, adding to the mental agony faced by the student, and further fueling rumors about her character. The complainant stressed in her filing that there was “not even a shred of truth” to the comments made by Samson and that their publication had a profoundly harmful effect on her personal and academic future.
What Did Leela Samson Post?
The complainant was a dance intern at the Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts (“RDCFA”) and has been associated with the institution for the past 7 years. The FIR states that the complaint pertains to the post made by Ms. Leela Samson, former director of the Kalakshetra Foundation on her Facebook profile in December 2022.
The post has been deleted but the complainant claims that it has brought ill repute to her name and upheaved her personal and academic life. She also accuses Samson of having written the post with a highly vindictive agenda.
The post made by Samson alleged that a male staff member indulged in acts of sexual harassment inside the campus. The alleged male staff member mentioned therein is one Mr. Haripadman who happened to be one of the complainant’s mentors and he had trained her for years together.
In the comments section of the now-deleted Facebook post made on 23 December 2022 by Leela Samson, the complainant says that various comments were made about the alleged misdemeanours committed by Mr. Haripadman and that what was particularly disconcerting was that her name was linked in an uncharitable manner with Mr. Haripadman in one of those comments on the Facebook post.
The comments said, “His victims are many. (Name hidden) had an abortion and wanted him to marry her. And so on. He had a mistress who is an intern – (name hidden) known to bully the younger students. Everyone knows. Junior students apparently ask the question – what do have to do to get a role in the concert section!”
The comment on the Facebook post mentions the complainant’s name (removed for anonymity), although misspelled makes an explicit reference to her and the FIR says that it has given rise to an immense upheaval of her personal and academic life. The contents of the comment, at first glance, besides being false and baseless, are patently derogatory, disparaging, and vituperative, which projects the complainant in an extremely disparaging manner, the FIR said.
The context, tone and tenor of Leela Samson’s post gives away that she had used the word “mistress” with a sexual connotation.
The reference to the complainant as a “mistress”, the FIR said, was an attack against her dignity and an affront to her modesty and as such attracts the provision of Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
The police subsequently closed the complaint against Samson. When the complainant asked for the reason, she was informed that Samson claimed “mistress” meant “ejamaani” (in Tamil ejamaani means a feudal landlady) in the context of the intern giving tuitions to Haripadman’s son. As Samson had already removed her post, the police found her explanation “satisfactory” and decided to close the case.
Where Does Chinmayi Come Into The Picture?
After Leela Samson made the Facebook post, instead of verifying the facts, Chinmayi amplified it (despite it being deleted) and supported Leela Samson’s narrative. She wrote, “Leela Samson’s post on a male staff member at Kalakshetra ‘known to be threatening and molesting minors’.
Since 2018 nothing really came of carnatic music and dance MeToo
Sabhas platform the molesters and the audience goes to these kutcheris
Hope people who flock the kutcheris will hold the system accountable.
There are multiple known molesters in the Carnatic Music and Dance space – happily conveniently shushed.
Whether it is the Poettu or Carnatic musicians – they re given a free pass and a platform
This is why I always say
They might all be divided by caste / creed / community – BUT THEY ARE ALL UNITED BY ONE GOAL
Protecting sex offenders.
Especially here. Vekkame illa.”
She also amplified it on X a month after Leela Samson made the Facebook post and deleted it. She wrote, “Please amplify. Leela Samson spoke about an alleged child sex offender in Kalakshetra. She described experiences of sexual assault and rape and then deleted the post and comments. Sex offenders going scot free in the Carnatic Music, Bharatnatyam space is not new.”
In a subsequent post, she shared the screenshot of Leela Samson’s deleted Facebook post. She wrote, “Here she directly alleges that a male member molests minors. I am not sure if an enquiry was conducted, suo motu cognisance taken. Is nobody worried?”
Chinmayi’s Uncritical Support For False Allegations Exposed
The old Facebook and X posts reveal Chinmayi Sripaada continued supporting Leela Samson’s narrative even after the post was deleted, raising serious questions about her judgment in this case. By amplifying unverified claims, she prioritized viral outrage over factual accuracy. She did not bother to call out Leela Samson for naming the student and calling her “mistress”.
Now when the article on Leela Samson’s “regret” was published by The Commune on X, a netizen challenged her, stating, “FYI @Chinmayi came in her support… Leela Samson has a case…”, Chinmayi retorted, “Chinmayi came to whose support please?”, disregarding the fact that her own words supported Samson’s false allegations — without verifying their authenticity.
Chinmayi’s own words have been presented here. Perhaps this will help her reflect on the very real consequences that can unfold when allegations are amplified without proper verification. While standing against injustice is commendable, true advocacy requires more than just enthusiasm—it demands responsibility, fact-checking, and accountability, especially when innocent individuals get caught in the crossfire.
Why was she so quick to endorse unverified claims? Why has there been no acknowledgment of the harm caused to those wrongly implicated? And why does her activism seem to apply only one-way accountability? Will she call out Leela Samson for falsely naming the victim?
If the goal is genuine justice rather than performative outrage, then self-reflection is just as important as calling out others. The movement deserves better than selective indignation—it deserves integrity.
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Congress MP and the Congress party’s media in-charge Jairam Ramesh is back in the news for amplifying fake news once again. Jairam Ramesh recently shared a misleading claim on social media platform X, alleging that Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir was invited to the U.S. Army Day parade in Washington, D.C.
Ramesh suggested this was a diplomatic failure for India and a blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, the narrative quickly unraveled when the White House clarified that no such invitation had been extended, exposing the claim as false.
This is not the first time that Ramesh has peddled fake news. Let us take a look at some instances from the past where he has amplified propaganda.
#Fake News 1: GST being imposed on TN Temples
One of the notable instances where Congress MP Jairam Ramesh spread a misleading narrative occurred on 9 March 2025, when he alleged that temples in Tamil Nadu under the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department were being subjected to Goods and Services Tax (GST). Citing a report from Dinamalar, Ramesh tweeted that this was an “extraordinary” development, suggesting it was a cause for concern.
Today's Dinamalar has a truly extraordinary newsitem on GST being imposed on Temples.
Translation –
GST Imposed on Temples: Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments Department Raises Concern
Madurai, March 9 – The temples that generate revenue under the Hindu Religious &…
However, this claim was debunked upon review of official government policy and parliamentary records. As per a written reply in Parliament on February 3, 2025, temples and religious bodies are not required to pay GST for their core religious functions. The exemptions include:
Prasadam Distribution: Free or paid prasadam offerings are not subject to GST.
Religious Rituals: Services related to poojas and spiritual ceremonies are fully exempt.
Rental Income Below Thresholds: Rental of halls, shops, or spaces is not taxed if income remains below prescribed limits.
Moreover, under provisions of the Income Tax Act, services offered by temples for religious or spiritual purposes continue to remain GST-exempt. Sadly, Ramesh’s claim that temples are being forced to pay “crores” in GST misrepresents the facts. GST is levied only on commercial activities undertaken by temples—such as leasing out large spaces, shops, or guest houses on a commercial basis. This is a uniform tax rule applicable to all organizations, including private entities, trusts, and religious institutions—not something uniquely targeting temples. The 18% GST on commercial property rental is part of general taxation policy and not a targeted measure against Hindu temples or religious practices.
#Fake News 2: Amit Shah contacted DMs To Influence counting in Lok Sabha
In yet another instance of spreading unverified allegations, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stirred controversy by accusing Union Home Minister Amit Shah of attempting to influence the outcome of the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.
Ramesh alleged that Shah had contacted 150 District Magistrates (DMs) across an equal number of parliamentary constituencies to sway the counting process. This serious accusation was made publicly via Ramesh’s official handle on social media platform X. He claimed, “The outgoing Home Minister has been calling up DMs/Collectors. So far he has spoken to 150 of them. This is blatant and brazen intimidation, showing how desperate the BJP is. Let it be very clear: the will of the people shall prevail, and on June 4th, Mr. Modi, Mr. Shah, and the BJP will exit, and the INDIA Janbandhan will be victorious. Officers should not get under any pressure and must uphold the Constitution. They are under watch.”
The outgoing Home Minister has been calling up DMs/Collectors. So far he has spoken to 150 of them. This is blatant and brazen intimidation, showing how desperate the BJP is. Let it be very clear: the will of the people shall prevail, and on June 4th, Mr. Modi, Mr. Shah, and the…
The Election Commission of India (ECI) responded swiftly, taking serious note of the allegation. It issued a formal notice to Ramesh, requesting him to provide specific details, including the names of the DMs who were allegedly contacted. Caught off guard by the ECI’s demand for evidence, Jairam Ramesh asked for a one-week extension to gather the details—a delay that raised further questions about the authenticity of his claims.
#Fake News 3: NSA Ajit Doval’s Son Operated A Hedge Fund, Apologised Later
In another instance in 2020, Jairam Ramesh, issued a formal apology to Vivek Doval, son of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, for making defamatory remarks based on an article published in The Caravan magazine. The apology led the Delhi court on 19 December to close the criminal defamation case filed against him.
The controversy began following the publication of an article titled “The D Companies” by The Caravan, which accused Vivek Doval of operating a hedge fund allegedly backed by promoters with questionable backgrounds. The piece led Ramesh to hold a press conference on January 2019, where he made allegations against Vivek Doval, his family, and his business activities—claims later revealed to be unverified.
In response, Vivek Doval filed a defamation case against Jairam Ramesh, as well as The Caravan’s Editor-in-Chief Paresh Nath and journalist Kaushal Shroff.
In his written apology, Ramesh admitted the accusations were baseless and acknowledged that he should have independently verified the claims made in the article before taking them public. The apology was formally accepted by Vivek Doval. Ramesh stated, “I had conducted a press conference on 17 January 2019 making certain statements about you, your family and your business venture GNY Asia Fund. I understand these statements have hurt you deeply.” He added, “I want to clarify that these statements or accusations, were made drawing conclusions from an article that was published the previous day in the Caravan magazine. As the case progressed, I realized that perhaps some independent verification may have been in order.”
Ramesh felt it was appropriate to highlight the questions raised in the article as the general elections were about to take place. However, he added, “In retrospect, I may have gone overboard in making certain insinuations against you and your family. Thus, I would like to offer my apologies to you and your family for any hurt the statements have caused. I would also urge the INC to remove the press conference from the press releases available on their website,” he added.
#Fake News 4: Deflects DMK Failures, Shifts Blame to Centre Amidst PM Over Southern Outreach
In 2024, Jairam Ramesh raised several questions regarding Prime Minister Modi’s visits to Tamil Nadu and Kerala. He highlighted concerns about the Prime Minister’s attention to Tamil Nadu during crises with a tone buttressing its ally DMK, the impact of policies on textile factories, development remarks about Kerala, and environmental conservation efforts. In response, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai refuted these claims, emphasizing discrepancies in flood relief figures, attributing struggles in the power loom industry to the DMK government, and accusing the Congress of lacking understanding of ground realities. Annamalai urged Ramesh to direct his questions towards the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu and emphasized the BJP’s efforts in aiding MSMEs in Tamil Nadu.
On 19 March 2024, Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh released a statement through his official X account, stating that, “The Prime Minister is visiting Salem, Tamil Nadu and Palakkad, Kerala today. Some important questions that he must address:
1. While the Prime Minister has been visiting Tamil Nadu frequently in the last few weeks, he has historically paid little attention to the state. For instance, he did not set foot here during the Cyclone Michaung crisis in December 2023. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has repeatedly urged for the release of Rs. 37,907 crores from the Modi Sarkar for rehabilitation and reconstruction after the cyclone. Does the Prime Minister plan to fulfill this critical need of the people of Tamil Nadu?
2. During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Salem, he will hopefully notice the numerous textile factories that have either shut down and disposed of machinery or reduced working hours for laborers. After having single-handedly destroyed India’s MSME manufacturing capacities with demonetization, GST, and the unplanned COVID-19 lock-down, what is the Prime Minister’s vision to rescue these textile factories?
3. Kerala is the state that the Prime Minister had infamously compared to Somalia. Kerala’s performance on development indicators has been consistently better than *all* Indian states. Will the Prime Minister finally apologize to the people of Kerala for his misleading commentary on the state?
4. Kerala is home to the Western Ghats, an extremely fragile but important ecosystem. In the last 10 years, under Modi’s tutelage, there have been continuous assaults on its ecosystem. The Modi Government has diluted all environment and forest laws to help a few favored corporates, and perhaps to repay the debts incurred for their purchase of the BJP’s electoral bonds. Will the Prime Minister come clean on what his motivations were when he was diluting our environmental protection regime to favor his corporate friends?”
The Prime Minister is visiting Salem, Tamil Nadu and Palakkad, Kerala today. Some important questions that he must address:
1. While the Prime Minister has been visiting Tamil Nadu frequently in the last few weeks, he has historically paid little attention to the state. For…
The Tamil Nadu BJP president, K Annamalai, promptly busted the allegations and released a statement via his official handle on social media platform X that, “Thiru @Jairam_Ramesh, known for banning the pride of TN, the Jallikattu, has a newfound affection for Tamil Nadu (Understandable as elections are around the corner). Sitting in an ivory tower, Congress leaders do not see the ground reality. Neither have they changed nor their poll promise of “Roti, Kapada, Makkan” since the 1980s.
1. The flood relief sought by TN is not ₹37,907 Crore but ₹15,645 Crore (Confirmed by the Ministry of Finance in the Lok Sabha). The total SDRF fund available with the TN Govt was ₹2013 Crore & ₹3406 Crore was the total flood relief work carried out by the DMK Govt. We asked the DMK Govt to furnish the breakup of the ₹37,907 Crore inflated flood relief they sought but are faced with defeating silence.
We request Thiru @Jairam_Ramesh to ask his alliance partner to furnish the necessary details before politicising this matter. Does Thiru @Jairam_Ramesh know that the DMK Govt claimed completion of 99% of stormwater drain works in Chennai before the floods and flipped to 42% after the floods? Is scamming people the single-point agenda of the I.N.D.I. Alliance?
2. The Powerloom industry in Tamil Nadu is struggling due to the gross inefficiency of the DMK Government. Electricity tariff increased between 15 to 50%, Peak hour charges were increased from 35/KW to 150/KW, and there was a phenomenal increase in fixed charges.
Recently, @BJP4TamilNadu exposed the monumental corruption of the DMK Government in the Free Dhoti scheme & regardless of it, the Handloom & Textile Minister of Tamil Nadu continues to exploit the handloom & powerloom weavers of Tamil Nadu by taking a fixed fee as commission for orders placed to them.
When the Ambattur industrial estate was flooded due to the incapability of the DMK Govt, our Hon FM Smt @nsitharaman avl swiftly arranged the necessary assistance from the insurance companies to help them restart their business activity.
This is one of the many instances that we could quote! Thiru @Jairam_Ramesh , please do your homework right & your questions should be posted to DMK & not our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl. And please look into the quantum of assistance/loans issued to MSMEs in TN through PM Mudra, PMEGP & MSME Credit Guarantee programmes before pointing fingers the next time.”
Thiru @Jairam_Ramesh, known for banning the pride of TN, the Jallikattu, has a newfound affection for Tamil Nadu (Understandable as elections are around the corner). Sitting in an ivory tower, Congress leaders do not see the ground reality. Neither have they changed nor their… https://t.co/BiL10iyzi5
Ghulam Nabi Azad Accuses Jairam Ramesh Of “Planting Stories”
A 2023 interview of Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad went viral recently where he accused Ramesh of ‘planting stories’ irrespective of the government in power. Azad said, “I don’t know the person, he is a person whose biodata in Congress party nobody knows. Nobody knows where, which state does he belong? which district he belong? which party he belonged to? He was never in Youth Congress, NSUI, he was never in Congress, he was not in block committee, district committee, state committee, PCC. All of a sudden by doing these tweets we saw him becoming MP. We saw him becoming cabinet minister. And he is the one in cabinet minister who would put his telephone on, so that the media people will listen. That is the type of person. He is the person in a house sleeps with the laptop and gives messages. Earlier, he used to plant messages and plant stories against the government, against the opposition leaders. Now he’s planting stories against me. So many dirty stories.”
He further added, “He is 24/7 doing all these planting of stories. He is a great story planter, you know, very famous for planting stories then and now. So, his job is this that’s why he was made the media head.”
The Congress party has once again found itself mired in controversy, accused of prioritizing political opportunism over national interest. Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Jairam Ramesh recently shared a misleading claim on social media platform X, alleging that Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir was invited to the U.S. Army Day parade in Washington, D.C. Ramesh suggested this was a diplomatic failure for India and a blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, the narrative quickly unraveled when the White House clarified that no such invitation had been extended, exposing the claim as false.
This incident has sparked significant backlash, with many questioning not only the credibility of the Congress party but also that of its affiliated media supporters.
This isn’t the first time Jairam Ramesh has faced accusations of spreading misinformation. His consistent pattern of promoting misleading narratives to target opposition figures has been widely noted, including by former Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad. In an interview with a private TV channel, Azad directly criticized Ramesh, accusing him of habitually spreading falsehoods to stay in the spotlight.
The anchor during the interview read Ramesh’s post from X, “Jairam Ramesh has tweeted, you must have seen. Everyone and many people in the Congress have come out and criticized what you said. Jairam Ramesh tweeted, ‘A man who has been treated by the greatest respect by the Congress leadership has betrayed it by his vicious personal attacks which reveals his true character. GNA’s DNA has been modified or MODI-fied.'”
In response, Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “I don’t know the person, he is a person whose biodata in Congress party nobody knows. Nobody knows where, which state does he belong? which district he belong? which party he belonged to? He was never in Youth Congress, NSUI, he was never in Congress, he was not in block committee, district committee, state committee, PCC. All of a sudden by doing these tweets we saw him becoming MP. We saw him becoming cabinet minister. And he is the one in cabinet minister who would put his telephone on, so that the media people will listen. That is the type of person. He is the person in a house sleeps with the laptop and gives messages. Earlier, he used to plant messages and plant stories against the government, against the opposition leaders. Now he’s planting stories against me. So many dirty stories.”
He further added, “He is 24/7 doing all these planting of stories. He is a great story planter, you know, very famous for planting stories then and now. So, his job is this that’s why he was made the media head.”
The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has partially relaxed several restrictions imposed by the city police on the ‘Muruga Bakthargal Maanadu’/Murugan Devotees Conference, a large-scale Hindu religious conference organized by the Hindu organization Hindu Munnani, scheduled for 22 June 2025.
Court Modifies Police Conditions
Justice B. Pugalendhi delivered the verdict on two writ petitions filed by Hindu Munnani challenging the 52 conditions set by Madurai police. The organization had objected to six key restrictions, including:
Mandatory vehicle passes for attendees
Ban on vehicle processions
Submission of participant lists in advance
Permission from HR & CE Department and Madurai Corporation
Complete ban on drone usage
The court upheld the vehicle pass rule but directed police to process applications within 24 hours and provide valid reasons for rejections. However, it struck down the requirement for submitting participant lists, noting that vehicle pass details would suffice.
On drone usage, the judge permitted two drones for event coverage, provided they remain within the venue. The conditions demanding HR & CE and Corporation permissions were deemed “irrelevant” and set aside.
The Tamil Nadu government and intervenors, including Makkal Kalai Ilakkiya Kazhagam, had opposed the event, fearing communal tensions. They cited past incidents, including a February 2025 agitation in Thiruparankundram, where Hindu groups protested alleged attempts to rename the sacred hill as “Sikandar Hill.”
Justice Pugalendhi referenced the Supreme Court’s rulings on maintaining communal harmony and warned against “mixing religion with politics.” He advised organizers to ensure the event remains strictly devotional and does not provoke unrest.
The conference, to be held near Vandiyur Toll Plaza, will feature miniature replicas of Lord Murugan’s six abodes (Arupadaiveedu), devotional chants, and cultural programs. While Hindu Munnani claimed self-managed crowd control, the court directed police to monitor traffic near the highway venue.
Hindu Munnani had initially sought permission to install Murugan idols and conduct rituals from June 10-22, but police denied approval, citing potential disturbances near residential areas and schools. The court, however, allowed the setup, noting that similar events (like HRCE’s Muthamizh Murugan Maanadu) had previously taken place without issue.
With the legal hurdles cleared, the stage is set for one of Tamil Nadu’s largest Hindu gatherings in recent years. The event is expected to draw lakhs of devotees, spiritual leaders, and political figures, including invites to CM Stalin, AIADMK’s EPS, and actor Rajinikanth.
Hindu organization Hindu Munnani along with the RSS, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, along with the Bharatiya Janata Party are preparing for what they describe as one of the largest religious mobilisations in Tamil Nadu in recent years — the Muruga Bakthargal Maanadu/Murugan Devotees Conference, scheduled for 22 June 2025 in Madurai.
Organisers said the event, which will feature collective chanting of the Kanda Sashti Kavasam, is meant to foster “Hindu unity” and consolidate cultural solidarity. According to them, the mobilisation is being carried out by contacting pilgrimage groups at temples, meeting seers from mutts and various dominant OBC-caste groups.
VHP state general secretary Bala Manimaran described the gathering as “like going on an Ayyappa pilgrimage.” He said the event would bring together not just Lord Murugan’s devotees but also the followers of Sai Baba, Aadhiparasakthi, Mariamman, and over a dozen caste-based organizations.
BJP units in Trichy are looking after transport logistics for the event, employing two vans per ward and another per panchayat to aid in the movement of people. Local party cadres are sending daily updates through WhatsApp groups.
Hindu Munnani’s general secretary, M. Muruganandham, said over 50 lakh invitation pamphlets featuring Lord Murugan’s image had been printed and were being distributed across the state. In the Kongu region, the campaign includes traditional Valli Kummi performances to connect with local communities.
Thiruparankundram — one of Lord Murugan’s six sacred abodes — has become a flashpoint in the lead-up to the event. Some Sangh-affiliated leaders alleged there are attempts to rename the hill as “Sikandar Hill” and accused the DMK government of allowing its “Islamisation.” According to RSS (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Puducherry) zonal secretary (public outreach) B. Prakash, the aim of the conference was “spiritual awakening, not political gain.” “This is for Hindus’ spiritual unity to safeguard their rights. Many temple committee members, regardless of political affiliation, are supporting this. We are not asking for votes,” he said.
Organisers said actor Rajinikanth and television stars had been approached, and invitations had been extended to AIADMK leaders, including Edappadi K. Palaniswami, as well as Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and others who may be ideologically opposed to the event.
Some traditional pilgrimage groups, however, remain unsure whether to align with the event. In Edappadi, where over 60,000 devotees make their annual pilgrimage to Palani Temple, organisers said they had yet to reach a decision on their participation.
A Canadian investigative journalist raised serious concerns about the growing threat posed by Khalistani extremists operating from Canadian soil, just days before the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta.
Mocha Bezirgan, speaking to ANI, said he was attacked by Khalistan supporters during a rally in Vancouver, hours after warning about growing extremism targeting Indian leaders.
“It just happened two hours ago and I’m still shaking,” Bezirgan told ANI over the phone. “They acted like thugs — crowding in on me, grabbing my phone, trying to stop me recording.”
Bezirgan, known for covering Khalistan-related activities across North America, was physically confronted while he was reporting from the pro-Khalistan demonstration. In a post on X, he said: “I’ve been surrounded by a group of Khalistanis who grabbed my phone out of my hand and threatened me. Naturally I’m a bit shaken, but not deterred.”
FAILED AMBUSH: Canadian Journalist Survives Terrorist-Affiliated Plot at Vancouver Rally On June 7th in Vancouver, I was targeted in what I now believe was a coordinated ambush attempt by individuals linked to Babbar Khalsa—a listed terrorist group.
He described the attack as a direct result of his independent editorial work. “Today’s thuggery I was subjected to was not the first time,” he wrote, referring to an incident in March 2024 when he reported that Khalistan supporters were “armed with daggers, swords, and spears” while protesting against India’s high commissioner in Edmonton.
Bezirgan’s comments come amid heightened tensions between India and Canada, particularly over Ottawa’s perceived inaction against groups operating from Canadian soil. He alleged that the movement is largely orchestrated by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and supported by political organizations, including the World Sikh Organization (WSO), which he described as offering political cover.
“This is a movement headed by Sikhs for Justice. They mobilise people to come from local Gurudwaras to create a bit of a crowd,” he said. “But there are bigger political organizations like the World Sikh Organization, based in Canada, which has a troubled history. Their executives include current and former MPs and ministers, who have spread influence across Canadian institutions.”
He also raised concern over the reluctance of Canadian politicians to distance themselves from these groups. “Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, the NDP, and some Liberal MPs recently attended a Nagar Kirtan in Surrey, BC, which had significant Khalistani influence. They shared the stage with Santokh Singh Kelha, a convicted Sikh Canadian who conspired to bomb an airplane.”
Bezirgan condemned what he called the glorification of violence by Khalistan sympathisers. “They are celebrating the assassins of Indira Gandhi and openly saying they will ambush and kill India’s Prime Minister, Modi’s politics at the G7,” he told ANI. “They say, ‘We are the descendants of the killers of Indira Gandhi,’ and glorify these acts of violence.”
BREAKING: Khalistani activists plan to converge on Calgary City Hall during the G7 to “ambush and kill” Modi’s politics, per their own posters and slogans.
Alberta’s two largest cities—Calgary and Edmonton—are led by mayors with ties to the Khalistani-linked World Sikh… pic.twitter.com/GYS2k2tdj9
He also raised concerns over the lack of media coverage and accountability within Canada. “It is disturbing that Canadian politicians continue to associate with such extremists, despite their violent history and inflammatory rhetoric,” he said. “As a citizen, I expect my representatives to distance themselves from extremists and those with violent pasts.”
For the G7 Summit, Prime Minister Modi recently received an invitation from Canada. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney defended the move, citing India’s status as the world’s “fifth-largest economy” and a key player in global supply chains. Modi’s travel plans are yet to be finalised, but he is expected to arrive in Alberta in time for the G7 outreach session on 17 June 2025.
Meanwhile, the World Sikh Organization of Canada strongly criticised Carney’s invitation to Modi, describing it as a “betrayal of Canadian values and Sikh concerns.” In a statement, WSO’s legal counsel Balpreet Singh said the decision had triggered “outrage and pain” within the Canadian Sikh community. He added that the organisation had formally written to Prime Minister Carney on May 21, urging him not to invite Modi.
Meanwhile, G7 preparations continue amid growing controversy. The group Sikhs for Justice is calling for action against Modi’s visit. “Yes, I am ready to kill Modi politics, [to] ambush Modi,” said Manjinder Singh, leading a convoy from Gurdwara Dashmesh in Calgary. “[He] is an enemy of Canada, this Hindu terrorist Narendra Modi.” The group is asking Canadians to join them in their “ambush” tomorrow. Sikhs for Justice consider themselves the descendants of the assassins of late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and are calling for the killing of Modi’s politics during their demonstration in Canada.
G7: Khalistanis Across North America Meet in Calgary to Ambush and Kill India’s PM’s Politics
“Yes, I am ready to kill Modi politics, [to] ambush Modi,” said Manjinder Singh, leading the convoy from Gurdwara Dashmesh in Calgary.
