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Live Wire Snaps After Heavy Rain In Villupuram’s Gingee Area, Two Brothers Electrocuted

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The Commune
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In a tragic incident near Gingee in Villupuram district, two brothers lost their lives due to electrocution after accidentally touching a fallen live wire on 19 September 2025. The victims were identified as K. Ramachandran (36) and K. Chinnarasu (30), both sugarcane harvesters from Konganallur village.

According to police reports, the accident occurred while Ramachandran was heading to a sugarcane field in Perumpugai village, owned by a local farmer named Nagaraj. A team of 19 labourers from Konganallur, including two women, had been working there for over a week.

On the morning of the incident, Ramachandran took a path through an adjacent field when he came into contact with a high-tension wire that had snapped during the heavy rainfall that hit the region the previous night. He suffered a fatal electric shock and collapsed instantly.

His younger brother, Chinnarasu, who was working nearby, rushed to his aid. Unfortunately, he also touched the same live wire and was electrocuted, police said. The other labourers immediately transported both men to the government hospital in Gingee, where they were declared dead on arrival. Their bodies were later shifted to Mundiyambakkam Government Medical College Hospital for postmortem examination.

Ramachandran is survived by his wife and three daughters, while Chinnarasu leaves behind his wife and two daughters. Following the incident, officials from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB), the local tahsildar, and revenue department personnel visited the location and launched an investigation. The incident has sparked concerns among local residents, who are now urging authorities to take prompt measures to ensure the safety of electrical infrastructure, especially in and around agricultural areas, to avoid such fatal accidents in the future.

(With Inputs From TNIE)

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17 College Students Arrested For Beating Tribal Student Over False Theft Allegation In Dharmapuri

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The Commune
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In Dharmapuri, police have arrested 17 college students including three minors for allegedly assaulting a 22-year-old tribal student after accusing him of stealing a pair of earphones. Authorities are still searching for two additional suspects believed to be involved in the incident.

The students have been charged under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, with the minors being presented before the Juvenile Justice Board.

The arrests were made following a complaint lodged by V. Thiruvarasan, a BSc Mathematics student from Tirupattur, currently studying at Dharmapuri Arts and Science College. In his statement, Thiruvarasan reported that a group of 19 fellow hostel residents physically assaulted him and falsely accused him of theft on the night of 18 September.

Police officials said Thiruvarasan, who supports his education by working at a bakery near Adhiyamankottai, returned to the college hostel late that evening. Upon his arrival, some hostel inmates accused him of stealing earphones.

“Despite denying the accusations, Thiruvarasan was confronted by his roommates and other students, who insisted he had stolen items from them,” police stated. The confrontation escalated, leading to a physical attack and caste-based verbal abuse. Thiruvarasan sustained multiple injuries from the assault, and a formal investigation is underway.

(With Inputs From TNIE)

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ECI Delists 42 Inactive Political Parties In Tamil Nadu, Including 3 In DMK Alliance In Nationwide Cleanup

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The Commune
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eci tamil nadu dmk

On 19 September 2025, the Election Commission of India (ECI) revoked the recognition of 42 political parties in Tamil Nadu for their inactivity over the past six years. This move is part of a nationwide effort to delist inactive parties, with a total of 474 parties removed from the rolls across the country. Among them, 121 parties were delisted in Uttar Pradesh, and 44 in Maharashtra.

The decision to cancel these parties’ recognition also stems from their failure to submit the mandatory election expenditure reports, as required under the Representation of the People Act, 1951. According to this law, political parties must regularly contest elections and provide financial disclosures to maintain their registration status.

Some of the parties affected in Tamil Nadu include the Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi, Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, Tamizhaga Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, and Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi. In June 2025, the ECI had already issued notices to 24 such parties, offering them an opportunity to respond before taking action. The ECI’s move is aimed at streamlining the electoral system, ensuring that only active and compliant parties remain recognized in the political landscape.

Some of the delisted parties had contested elections in alliance with major parties. For example, the Kongunadu Makkal Desia Katchi, a member of the DMK alliance, saw its registration canceled. The party’s general secretary, Kongu Easwaran, is an MLA from Tiruchengode. Similarly, the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, which contested in alliance with the DMK in the last three elections, was delisted. Its candidates ran under the DMK’s rising sun symbol, meaning they are not considered as representatives of the party.

Other notable parties affected by the ECI’s decision include John Pandian’s Tamil Nadu Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam, which participated in elections alongside the AIADMK and BJP. It used the AIADMK’s two-leaves symbol in the 2021 elections and the BJP’s symbol in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The registration of the Manithaneya Jananayaga Katchi, led by Thamimum Ansari, was also revoked. This party had contested the 2016 assembly elections under the AIADMK symbol but failed to participate in the subsequent 2019, 2021, and 2024 elections.

The delisting of these inactive parties marks a significant step in the ECI’s broader efforts to maintain the integrity and efficiency of the electoral system.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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One Court, Different Laws For Different Religions: Supreme Court Directs ASI To Supervise Repair Of Dargahs In Delhi After Mocking Hindu Petitioner To Approach Lord Vishnu For Seeking Restoration Of Beheaded Idol

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The Commune
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The Supreme Court of India is under scrutiny for what is seen as an inconsistent approach to heritage protection based on religion, following CJI Gavai’s insensitive remarks in a recent petition seeking restoration of a beheaded Vishnu idol at the Khajuraho temple complex. The court reportedly told the petitioner that, as Khajuraho is an archaeological site, he would require permission from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to restore the idol; a remark critics say appeared dismissive and insensitive.

However, the same court recently directed the ASI to take active supervision of Muslim religious sites in Delhi, including the 13th-century Ashiq Allah Dargah and the Chillagah of Baba Farid inside Mehrauli Archaeological Park.

In August 2025, a bench of Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan ordered the ASI to repair and renovate these centuries-old monuments, despite them not being listed as “protected” under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act).

The intervention came after petitioners, led by Zameer Ahmed Jumlana, raised concerns about potential demolition by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), which had earlier destroyed a 600-year-old mosque, Masjid Akhonji, and associated structures in January 2024. The Supreme Court noted that these monuments were historically significant and within ASI’s purview, directing: “That monument has to be preserved… ASI should take under its consideration the supervision of monuments in question, the matter of repair and renovation.”

Critics point out the contrast with the court’s treatment of Hindu heritage. In the case of the Khajuraho Vishnu idol, the petitioner seeking restoration was effectively told to approach the deity, rather than being granted direct relief through the ASI. Legal observers argue that this sets a troubling precedent in which protection and restoration efforts appear influenced by the religion associated with the monument.

Similar examples of active judicial intervention in heritage preservation include:

Allahabad High Court (Dec 2024): The court granted interim protection to the 17th-century Hammam of Ali Vardi Khan in Agra and directed the ASI and state authorities to prevent damage from illegal encroachments, based on a PIL filed by Chandrapal Singh Rana. The ASI had confirmed the structure dated back to 1620 AD.

Allahabad High Court (Feb-Mar 2025): The Shahi Jama Masjid in Sambhal received court-sanctioned cleaning and maintenance supervision by the ASI after the management committee sought routine whitewashing and repairs for Ramzan.

Supreme Court (2023-2025): The Supreme Court criticized the Goa Bench of Bombay High Court for quashing ASI’s order to demolish a residential house in Old Goa’s UNESCO heritage zone. The ASI had ordered the demolition under Section 19(2) of the Ancient Monuments Act, citing illegal construction near Viceroy’s Arch and Church of St. Cajetan. The High Court claimed ASI violated natural justice by not hearing the owners. The Supreme Court observed that the High Court acted prematurely and should have remitted the matter back to ASI for reconsideration with proper hearings, rather than outright canceling the demolition order.

High courts across India have repeatedly intervened to preserve heritage sites of all religions. The Madras, Bombay, Allahabad, Patna, and Calcutta High Courts have issued orders directing ASI supervision, police protection, and preventive measures against unauthorized construction or demolition in both Hindu and Muslim monuments.

Critics argue, however, that the Supreme Court’s contrasting tone, mocking a Hindu petitioner while actively directing ASI oversight for Muslim sites, raises concerns of inconsistency in heritage jurisprudence.

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Last Solar Eclipse Of 2025 To Occur On Sunday Night

By
The Commune
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solar eclipse 2025

After witnessing a Total Lunar Eclipse or Blood Moon, skygazers across the globe are in for a treat again as the last solar eclipse of 2025 will grace the skies on Sunday night. The last solar eclipse of 2025, scheduled for September 21, will be partial and will not be visible from India.

People living in parts of Australia, Antarctica, the Pacific Ocean, and the Atlantic Ocean may be able to witness the celestial event. A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth, and the Moon casts a shadow on the Earth and blocks sunlight completely.

But during a partial eclipse, only 85 per cent of the Sun will be obscured in some places by the Moon. In a partial eclipse, Earth’s shadow appears very dark on the side of the Moon facing Earth. What people see from Earth during a partial lunar eclipse depends on how the Sun, Earth, and Moon align. The event will begin at 10.59 pm IST on Sunday night, reach its peak at 1.11 am IST early on Monday, and end at 3.23 am IST. The year 2025 had four eclipses, two partial solar eclipses and two total lunar eclipses.

The partial eclipse on Sunday night is the second and last eclipse of 2025. It will also occur a day before the autumnal equinox or the official start of fall in the northern hemisphere, marked on September 22. Astronomically, this is the time when the Sun finds itself exactly above the equator.

On this day, Earth isn’t tilted toward or away from the Sun, and both day and night are almost exactly 12 hours (with a few small exceptions). Meanwhile, the next solar eclipse is slated for February 17 and August 12, 2026. While these will again not be visible from India, the country will get to witness a solar eclipse in August 2027.

—IANS

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TVK Restricts Volunteers From Climbing Poles, Buildings, Bans Fireworks For Vijay’s Campaign In Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur

By
The Commune
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tvk vijay

As Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and actor Vijay prepares to hit the campaign trail in Nagapattinam and Tiruvarur districts on Saturday, the party has issued strict directions to its cadre, prohibiting volunteers from climbing on electricity poles, buildings, and other elevated structures during public meetings.

Tamil Nadu is heading for Assembly elections in April 2026, and Vijay has already announced that he will devote every Saturday to statewide campaigning. On September 13, he addressed large gatherings in Tiruchirappalli and Perambalur districts.

Continuing the momentum, he is scheduled to campaign at Nagapattinam’s Puthur Anna Durai Statue Junction and near the Tiruvarur Municipality Office on South Road. Ahead of these rallies, the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation reportedly requested that electricity board officials cut the power supply at the venues as a precautionary safety measure, citing the presence of several power poles near the stage.

However, the electricity board confirmed that it would maintain normal supply, while ensuring adequate safety protocols. Meanwhile, TVK General Secretary Anand issued a formal statement outlining the code of conduct for volunteers during Vijay’s campaign.

The directive clearly states that party workers should refrain from climbing buildings, compound walls, trees, electricity poles, transformers, flag masts, statues, grills, or any other obstructions in and around the meeting venues. Volunteers have also been warned against attempting to occupy elevated positions to view the leader’s speeches.

The statement further reminded the cadre that, in line with High Court orders, no arches, placards, flagpoles, or decorative structures should be erected along national highways or public roads without permission. It also discouraged the use of fireworks during welcome ceremonies, citing safety and legal concerns.

By enforcing these guidelines, TVK aims to ensure that Vijay’s campaign remains orderly, disciplined, and free from safety risks, especially as the party positions itself as a serious political force in the run-up to the 2026 polls.

Vijay’s foray into politics has already drawn massive crowds, and with his disciplined campaign structure and weekly roadshows, TVK is expected to remain in the spotlight as Tamil Nadu gears up for what promises to be a high-stakes election.

-IANS

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Delhi Police Arrest Three Nigerians For Visa Overstay, Deportation Underway

By
The Commune
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Delhi Police Arrest Three Nigerians Over Visa Overstay, Deportation Underway

The Delhi Police has detained three Nigerian nationals found to be living illegally in India, officials said on Saturday. Deportation proceedings have been initiated through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) after completing necessary legal formalities, the Operations Cell of Delhi Police’s South West District added.

The Nigerian individuals have been identified as 29-year-old Eloumuno Gabriel, a resident of Amambra; 33-year-old Chinedu Paulinus, a resident of Asaba; and 26-year-old Sunusi Sani, a resident of Lagos. According to police, the trio initially insisted that they possessed valid visas deposited with the Nigerian mission. However, verification carried out with the High Commission of Nigeria and the Immigration Department revealed that they had overstayed in India and had not returned to their country despite the expiry of their visas.

Authorities had received Intelligence inputs regarding illegal African migrants residing in Sagarpur and Palam village areas. Acting on the tip-off, a police team intercepted the three suspects and sought identification documents. When they failed to produce valid visas, they admitted to living in India illegally.

A search of their mobile phones led to the recovery of digital copies of their passports and Nigerian national ID cards. The police said that during questioning, the men revealed that they had been doing housekeeping jobs along with some African acquaintances in Shahpura, Gurugram, and Noida.

They were residing in Dwarka Sector-01 near Palam village at the time of their detention and were looking for work when apprehended, officials confirmed. Police have said the trio will remain in custody until the deportation process is completed in coordination with immigration authorities.

—IANS

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US Imposes $100,000 Annual Fee On H-1B Visas, Effective September 21

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The Commune
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US Imposes $100,000 Annual Fee On H-1B Visas, Effective September 21

US tech films like Microsoft have advised employees with H-1B and H-4 visas, who are currently outside the United States, to return immediately — ahead of the September 21 deadline set by President Donald Trump when the $100,000 fee on H-1B visa comes into effect.

The US administration has imposed a $100,000 annual fee on each visa. The new rule will take effect on September 21 and remain in force for 12 months, the US President said. According to reports, companies like Microsoft and JPMorgan have instructed H-1B workers currently in the US to continue their employment in the country “for the foreseeable future” and avoid international travel until further guidance, Microsoft has also reportedly recommended H-4 visa holders to remain in the US.

“We strongly recommend H-1B and H-4 visa holders return to the US tomorrow before the deadline,” according to the company. There was no official statement yet from either Microsoft or JPMorgan. President Trump expects the revised fee-based visa programme to generate over $100 billion for the US Treasury, designated for national debt reduction and tax cuts. Critics, however, argued that the new fee hinders talent mobility and stifles innovation.

Approximately 71 per cent of H-1B visa holders are from India, primarily working for technology companies including Infosys, Wipro, Cognisant, and Tata Consultancy Services. Shares of major IT services firms, including US-listed Indian companies, dropped by 2 per cent to 5 per cent following the announcement.

With visas typically valid for three years and renewable up to six, the new $100,000 annual fee could make it expensive for companies to retain Indian professionals, especially given the decades-long wait for Green Cards. The H-1B programme allows US companies to hire skilled foreign workers in fields like technology and engineering.

—IANS

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Internal Rift Widens As VD Satheesan Loses Grip On Kerala Congress

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The Commune
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vd satheesan kerala congress

Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, once projected as the face of a generational shift in the Congress party in Kerala, is finding the political ground beneath him increasingly shaky, not because of attacks from the ruling CPI(M), but due to growing dissent within his own party.

When Satheesan was elevated to the LoP post in 2021, bypassing senior figures like Ramesh Chennithala, it was seen as the high command’s attempt to break away from the entrenched factional politics that had gripped the party since the 1970s. From the bitter Karunakaran–Antony rivalry to the Chandy–Chennithala years, group wars have shaped Congress politics in Kerala. Satheesan’s assertive leadership initially helped rein in veterans such as Chennithala and state party chief K. Sudhakaran.

However, the tables appear to have turned with younger leaders – Shafi Parambil, P.C. Vishnunath and V.T. Balram – challenging him. Matters worsened when first-time MLA Rahul Mamkootathil was hit by allegations of sexual misconduct. Satheesan’s tough stand against the legislator drew criticism from social media networks sympathetic to the “young turks”, who accused him of isolating a colleague.

Observers note the irony. “During Oommen Chandy’s tenure as Chief Minister (2011–16), Satheesan, along with then KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran, gave Chandy one of his hardest times. Now, Satheesan is experiencing similar resistance,” remarked a political analyst. Beyond internal rumblings, Satheesan is also reportedly losing the confidence of influential community organisations like the Nair Service Society (NSS) and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam – both crucial players in Kerala’s electoral landscape.

These shifts could weaken the traditional support base of Congress. Amid these pressures, Satheesan, who has represented Paravur since 2001 after his initial defeat in 1996, is said to be weighing a shift to the Congress stronghold of Thrikkakara. The constituency, considered loyal to the party, is seen as a safer bet.

For now, Satheesan has maintained a combative front in the Assembly. But insiders say the upcoming local body elections will be a decisive test of his leadership. Any setback could not only dent his credibility but also embolden internal rivals further. At a time when the Congress is struggling to regain lost ground in Kerala, Satheesan’s ability to navigate this storm may well determine both his own political survival and the party’s future trajectory in the state.

—IANS

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PMK Power Struggle: Dr Ramadoss Looks To PM Modi After EC Endorses Anbumani

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The Commune
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dr ramadoss pm modi pmk meeting

The internal tussle in the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has taken a new turn after the Election Commission formally recognised Anbumani Ramadoss as the party’s President. Following this decision, reports suggest that party founder Dr. S. Ramadoss has sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the situation.

The father-son conflict within the PMK has been simmering for months. Both Ramadoss and Anbumani convened separate general council meetings, each claiming to be the legitimate leader of the party. On August 9, Anbumani held a general council session that passed a resolution appointing him as party President. After examining the records submitted on August 10 and 11, the Election Commission accepted this resolution and issued a letter confirming his leadership.

The Ramadoss camp, however, has refused to accept this outcome. Senior executives Murali Shankar, MLA Arul and Swaminathan met Chief Election Commissioner on September 17, urging the poll panel to withdraw recognition of Anbumani. They also requested that the party headquarters be recognised at Thailapuram, the founder’s residence, rather than the address submitted by Anbumani’s group.

Despite these objections, Anbumani commands the backing of a majority within the party. Three out of five PMK MLAs, General Secretary Vadivel Ravanan, Treasurer Thilagavathi Bama, most district secretaries, and over 90 per cent of the general council members have rallied behind him. The Election Commission has maintained that its decision was based on this overwhelming support.

With the Commission’s stance clear, the Ramadoss faction is preparing to challenge the decision in court. Meanwhile, advisers close to Dr. Ramadoss have urged him to directly approach Prime Minister Modi. They believe that while the BJP leadership is firmly behind Anbumani, the PM continues to hold great respect and personal admiration for Dr Ramadoss, having met him on several occasions in the past.

“The BJP is openly backing Anbumani, but the Prime Minister has always valued Dr. Ramadoss,” said an executive aligned with the founder. “If he meets Modi, there is a chance to strike a balance and ease tensions within the party. That is why he has sought time with the Prime Minister.” As the legal and political battle unfolds, the PMK remains a divided house, with the father-son rift threatening to weaken the party ahead of crucial state polls.

—IANS

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TheCommune
The Commune is a news and views portal focusing on social and political issues of the southern part of India with a focus on Tamil Nadu.
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