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YouTube Removes Popular Tamil Socio-Political Satire Channel ‘PoliTalks’ That Busts Dravidianist Myth

By
The Commune
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The popular YouTube channel PoliTalk’s has been taken down by YouTube, just days after it was recovered from a malicious hacking incident. This time, YouTube cited severe or repeated violations of its Harmful and Dangerous Content policy as the reason for the removal. However, in contrast to YouTube’s claims, PoliTalk’s had gained immense popularity for its satirical content, which focused on exposing the lies and hypocrisies of Dravidianist, garnering a large following of viewers.

On 19 March 2025, PoliTalk’s announced via its official X account that its YouTube channel had been permanently taken down. In its official communication, YouTube stated, “We have reviewed your content and found severe or repeated violations of our harmful and dangerous policy. Because of this, we have removed your channel from YouTube.” 

Previously, on 13 March 2025, PoliTalk’s announced via its official X account, “My gmail and Youtube account is hacked. Channel user name is “@politalkstamil” and now its showing channel has been closed. The hackers added a USB security key, changed the password, and recovery email.” 

Notably, during the same period, on 11 March 2025, “The Commune” magazine also fell victim to a cyberattack, with its website being hacked and its links redirected to multiple unrelated and baseless sites.

Independent websites can recover on their own, but the process takes time. In the case of “The Commune”, it took around a week to neutralize the threat, identify vulnerabilities, and restore operations, finally coming back online on 18 March 2025. However, YouTube channels like PoliTalk’s, which operate within YouTube’s own framework and policies, are bound by its rules. The platform provides extensive mechanisms for reporting and taking down content, effectively restricting freedom of expression under the guise of enforcement. Unfortunately, there are no real options for creators to challenge wrongful takedowns or defend themselves against targeted abuse, highlighting the one-sided nature of YouTube’s moderation system.

In a recent explanation video following the first recovery of the PoliTalks YouTube channel, its creator Vignesh detailed how the hack unfolded. “On 12 March, I received a notification on my phone alerting that someone was attempting to access my email ID. Within I clicked on the notification to select ‘It was not me,’ and block the access. However, within the next two minutes, the password, recovery email, and phone number were changed. The entire access to our channel had been transferred to someone else. I had no idea where it went or how it happened—it was a complete blackout for me.”

With the support of SMaRT4Bharat and Divomusics India, Vignesh was able to recover the channel. However, upon reviewing past activities, they discovered that the hackers’ intent was not the usual extortion or reselling of the channel. Instead, their malicious goal was to ensure the channel’s removal by YouTube by violating its policy guidelines. During the time the channel was under their control, a livestream was broadcast for several hours, likely triggering YouTube’s enforcement actions.

Rising Trend of Digital Suppression?

Whether it’s the malicious cyberattack targeting The Commune magazine or the removal of YouTube channels like PoliTalks, a disturbing pattern appears to be emerging voices are being silenced through digital means when legal avenues fail. This is not the first time PoliTalks has faced suppression.

PoliTalks Taken Down: A Repeated Target

Back in June 2023, PoliTalks was abruptly terminated by YouTube after a copyright complaint was filed by Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd., through its partner AiPlex—a company specializing in online reputation management and content removal strategies.

Despite its large following, PoliTalks gained attention for its satirical content, which challenged the narratives of Dravidianists, exposing inconsistencies and hypocrisies in their rhetoric.

The takedown followed PoliTalks’ critical coverage of Zee Tamil’s talk show Tamizha Tamizha, hosted by left-wing filmmaker Karu Palaniappan. Several episodes sparked controversy, including discussions on:

  • Marriage vs. Live-in Relationships
  • Traditional Women vs. Feminists

Critics accused the show of pushing Dravidianist propaganda under the guise of women empowerment, influencing social narratives in a particular direction.

PoliTalks openly criticized these episodes, and its videos went viral, surpassing a million views each. The backlash was so intense that Zee TV ultimately replaced the show’s anchor in March 2023 following public pressure.

The Copyright Strike Takedown

In May 2023, AiPlex—on behalf of Zee TV—sent a deletion request to PoliTalks. However, as YouTube allows criticism and review of publicly available content, the platform did not remove the videos.

Frustrated, AiPlex took a different approach, selectively reporting specific PoliTalks videos for copyright violations. Since YouTube automatically disables channels receiving three or more strikes, this method led to PoliTalks’ termination.

A total of six videos featuring clips from Tamizha Tamizha were flagged, ultimately triggering the channel’s removal.

Who Is Karu Palaniappan?

Karu Palaniappan was formerly a Tamil cinema director and is the son of politician Pala Karuppaiah who is known for hopping from one party to another (AIADMK, DMK, Kamal Haasan’s MNM, to name a few). He is Dravidian Stockist and identifies himself as a ‘Periyarist’, a follower of rabid anti-Hindu demogogue EV Ramasamy Naicker.

Palaniappan is known for peddling canards against Hindus especially Tamil Brahmins.

In the above speech, Karu Palaniappan says “First let us drive them (Brahmins) out of our state to other states and then we will drive them out of the country.”

Karu Palaniappan has been in the news every now and then for his remarks on Savarkar. When quitting the show, Karu Palaniappan shared a Facebook post where he mentioned that “…if the words social justice, self-respect, Dravidam are bitter, it is better to end the journey!” After he quit (a few sources say he was made to) Zee Tamil, he joined DMK-owned Kalaignar TV to host the show “Va Tamizha Va”.

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Rural Areas Avail Over 75% Cancer Treatments Under PMJAY: Union Health Minister

By
The Commune
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Rural areas in the country have availed over 75 per cent cancer treatments under the government’s Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), Union Health Minister JP Nadda has informed.

Nadda stated in the Parliament that the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme has enabled more than 68 lakh cancer treatments worth over Rs 13,000 crore across the country.

Of these, more than 4.5 lakh treatments worth over Rs 985 crore were undertaken for “targeted therapies” against cancer. About 76.32 per cent of beneficiaries were from rural areas. The minister also mentioned about the recently rolled out nationwide screening drive for the management and prevention of non-communicable diseases, like diabetes, hypertension and cancers. The nationwide campaign, valid till March 31, aims to achieve 100 per cent screening of people aged 30 years and above.

It is being conducted across Ayushman Arogya Mandir facilities and other healthcare institutions under the NP-NCD framework. The PMJAY scheme provides treatment for several cancers, including of breast, oral and cervical. It also provides more than 200 packages with more than 500 procedures of medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology and palliative medicine. Of these, 37 packages are related to targeted therapies such as chemotherapy for CA Breast, metastatic melanoma, chronic myeloid leukaemia, Burkitt’s Lymphoma, and lung cancer, the minister informed.

Those suffering from cancer and are below the poverty line can also avail of one-time financial assistance of up to Rs 15 lakh, provided under the Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF). The minister said that the scheme provides for the sale of generic medicines at 50 per cent to 80 per cent price of branded medicines through Janaushadhi Stores and the 217 AMRIT Pharmacies. A total of 289 oncology drugs are given at half the market price.

Nadda said that the government had in the budget announced it would set up 200-day care cancer centres at district hospitals in 2025-26. Further, under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), 770 district NCD clinics, 233 cardiac care units, 372 district day care centres, and 6,410 NCD clinics at community health centres have been set up, he said. In addition, 19 state cancer institutes and 20 tertiary cancer care centres have been set up in different parts of the country to provide advanced cancer care.

Cancer treatment facilities have been approved in all 22 new AIIMS with diagnostic, medical, and surgical facilities, he said. Two such centres where advanced cancer treatment is provided are the National Cancer Institute in Jhajjar, Haryana, with 1,460 beds, and the second campus of Chittranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata, which has 460 beds. There are 372 District Day Care Centres providing chemotherapy across the country.

–IANS

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Over 54% Of Equity Mutual Funds In India Outperform Respective Benchmarks

By
The Commune
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Thematic Funds In India See 488% Growth In Net Collections As Manufacturing, Energy Lead

More than half of the equity mutual funds in India managed to beat their respective benchmarks in February, a report said on Wednesday. According to the report by PL Wealth Management, the wealth management arm of PL Capital, 54.08 per cent of the 294 open-ended equity diversified funds analysed performed better than their benchmarks during the month.

In total, 159 funds recorded outperformance as of February 28, 2025. Among different categories, small-cap funds emerged as the best performers. Nearly 79.31 per cent of small-cap schemes outperformed the Nifty Smallcap 250 benchmark, making them the top category in February. Focused funds also showed strong performance, with 67.86 per cent of them beating their benchmark, the report said. Large and mid-cap funds followed closely, with 65.63 per cent of schemes delivering higher returns than the Nifty LargeMidcap 250 benchmark.

On the other hand, large-cap funds were the least performing category, with only 21.88 per cent of the funds outperforming the Nifty 50 benchmark. Other fund categories such as flexi-cap, mid-cap, and equity-linked savings schemes (ELSS) also delivered mixed results, with outperformance rates ranging between 44 per cent and 58 per cent. The report suggests that small-cap and focused funds continue to attract interest due to their strong growth potential, while large-cap funds have struggled to keep pace with their benchmarks.

The total assets under management (AUM) in February this year stood at Rs 23,12,570.67 crore. The strong performance of several equity mutual funds indicates that fund managers have been able to generate higher returns for investors in a volatile market, the report concluded. Meanwhile, in January this year, over 26 per cent of equity mutual funds in the country outperformed their respective benchmarks, the4 another the report by PL Wealth Management said. The report, based on analysis of 291 open-ended equity diversified funds, found that 76 mutual fund schemes managed to deliver better returns than their respective indices during January.

–IANS

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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor Praises Modi Govt On Russia-Ukraine Stance; BJP Welcomes But Congress Distances

By
The Commune
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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s recent remarks acknowledging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic stance on the Russia-Ukraine war have drawn both praise and criticism, from different sides of the political spectrum. While BJP leaders welcomed his endorsement of Modi government’s stance on Ukraine-Russia face-off, Congress leaders questioned Tharoor on his own admission of flip-flop. Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue, Tharoor admitted that he had misjudged India’s position on the conflict.

“I am still wiping the egg off my face because I was one of those who criticised India’s position back in February 2022. Three years later, it turns out I was wrong. India now has a Prime Minister who can hug both the President of Ukraine and the President of Russia within two weeks and still be accepted in both places. That means India is in a position to make a difference to lasting peace,” he said. BJP MP Sambit Patra welcomed Tharoor’s comments and highlighted India’s diplomatic advancements under Modi government.

“India’s diplomacy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is unparalleled. He has positioned India uniquely on the global stage. Tharoor, having worked at the UN, understands this and has acknowledged it. Congress leaders should learn from this instead of constantly opposing PM Modi,” Patra said. Congress leader Udit Raj, however, dismissed Tharoor’s remarks and questioned India’s influence in global affairs. “Does Tharoor think he knows better than 140 crore Indians? Does he have nothing else to do? What significant role has India played in global affairs? Who even acknowledges India? Trump taught a lesson to PM Modi, but no one had the courage or stature to say anything. It is NATO or the US that decides. Moreover, earlier, he criticised PM Modi; did it make any difference? Did his criticism have any real impact?” Raj told IANS.

“Another point is that PM Modi maintains an equal distance from both sides, which essentially follows the non-alignment policy initiated by Pandit Nehru. So, if anyone should be endorsed, it should be Pandit Nehru, not PM Modi. Tharoor does not acknowledge the fact that it was a Congress leader who initiated this policy, and ultimately, PM Modi had to accept it. I do not know what is wrong with him,” he added. Madhya Pradesh Minister Vishvas Sarang also welcomed Tharoor’s statement and said that PM Modi has been recognised as a global leader. “Whenever ceasefire or peace talks are discussed, the world looks toward PM Modi. He is not just India’s leader but a leader on the global stage,” Sarang told IANS.

JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar took a swipe at the Congress and told IANS, “The real question is whether there is any discipline left in their party. Rahul Gandhi has criticised India abroad, and now his own MPs are contradicting him. Only he can say whether he is embarrassed or proud.” Speaking to IANS, BJP MLA Tarvinder Singh Marwah emphasised global appreciation for the Prime Minister. “Not just Tharoor, but world leaders like Putin, Biden, Trump, and even New Zealand’s Prime Minister have praised PM Modi. Several nations have honoured him with their highest awards, which no Indian PM has received before,” he stated. “Everyone praises PM Modi — some openly, some in private. But the fact remains, he is widely respected,” BJP MLA Karnail Singh said.

–IANS

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India AI Mission, Gates Foundation To Soon Collaborate On Creating AI Solutions: Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

By
The Commune
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Union Minister for Railways, Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Wednesday said a collaboration between India AI Mission and the Gates Foundation, an American private foundation founded by Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates, is on the cards.

In a post on X, the Union Minister said an MoU will soon be signed to create AI-based solutions to strengthen several critical sectors in the country. “AI solutions for better crops, stronger healthcare, smarter education and climate resilience— MoU soon between India AI Mission and @gatesfoundation,” Vaishnaw tweeted after meeting Gates who is currently visiting the country.

In a bid to make access to quality datasets easier for developing AI technologies, the government recently took a big step in its India AI Mission by launching AIKosha, the country’s sovereign datasets platform, and an AI Compute Portal. The government has also set a target of developing GPUs domestically within the next three to five years.

This is part of the larger Rs 10,000-crore IndiaAI Mission. The AI Compute Portal will allow companies to access subsidised GPUs for research and development. As of now, about 14,000 GPUs have gone live, with another 4,000 in the pipeline. Earlier, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had announced the procurement of 18,693 GPUs from selected vendors. According to Vaishnaw, ministries related to agriculture, weather forecasting, and Bhashini have already provided data to the platform.

“India’s own AI foundational model is progressing well; we have 67 applications, of which 22 are for developing large language models (LLMs),” Vaishnaw said earlier this month.

The significant part of India’s compute capacity will be used for developing sovereign AI models. Meanwhile, Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, on Monday visited NITI Aayog’s Viksit Bharat Strategy Room (VBSR) and experienced an advanced AI-enabled immersive centre designed to enhance evidence-based decision making for policymakers across the country. The ‘Viksit Bharat Strategy Room’ was launched on March 7, 2024, as a revolutionary step in data-driven governance.

–IANS

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DMK Minister, Sons Appear In Court In Illegal Red Sand Quarrying Case

By
The Commune
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Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy and his two sons — Gautham Sigamani, a Lok Sabha MP from Kallakurichi, and Ashok Sigamani, president of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association– appeared before a special court on Wednesday in connection with an illegal red sand quarrying case.

The trio, listed as accused in the case, appeared before the Additional Special Judge for CBI cases, S. Ezhil Velavan. During the proceedings, Ponmudy filed a petition under Section 205 of the CrPC, requesting an exemption from further personal appearances in court, citing his responsibilities as a minister and deputy general secretary of the DMK.

The judge directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to submit a response to the petition, with Special Public Prosecutor N. Ramesh taking notice on behalf of the ED. The case dates back to 2012 when the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) registered a complaint against Ponmudy, accusing him of facilitating illegal red sand quarrying in Villupuram. The allegations state that between February 13, 2007, and May 15, 2007, while serving as Minister for Mines and Minerals, Ponmudy helped his son, family members, and close associates exploit red sand quarries without proper authorization.

This allegedly caused a loss of Rs 28.36 crore to the Tamil Nadu state exchequer. In 2023, the ED registered a money laundering case against Ponmudy, Gautham Sigamani, and four others based on the original DVAC FIR. As part of its investigation, the ED conducted raids at multiple locations linked to Ponmudy, including properties in Chennai and Villupuram, as well as educational institutions run by his family. Ponmudy was later summoned and interrogated at the ED office in Chennai. Following the raids and questioning, Ponmudy and Gautham Sigamani appeared before ED officials at the Joint Director’s Office in Nungambakkam, Chennai.

The agency grilled them for two consecutive days, during which they were handed written questionnaires and their responses were recorded. The ED subsequently filed a 90-page charge sheet, detailing how Ponmudy allegedly misused his position between 2007 and 2009 to allocate red sand quarries to his son and relatives without paying the required seigniorage fee. The agency maintains that this led to significant financial losses for the state.

Additionally, in 2020, the ED attached properties worth Rs 8.6 crore belonging to Gautham Sigamani, linking them to illegal financial activities, including non-repatriation of foreign exchange earnings. The agency also found evidence suggesting that the DMK MP invested Rs 7.5 lakh in the UAE and Rs 41 lakh in a company based in Indonesia. As the case progresses, the court awaits the ED’s response to Ponmudy’s petition seeking exemption from personal appearances, while the investigation into the alleged illegal quarrying and financial misconduct continues.

–IANS

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Total Trains In Operation Exceed Pre-Covid Levels With Over 90% Punctuality Says Railway Ministry

By
The Commune
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The total number of trains in operation has now exceeded pre-Covid levels, reflecting the Indian Railways’ commitment to reliability and improved service delivery, the government has informed. According to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Railways has achieved an on-time performance of over 90 per cent through the adoption of advanced signalling systems, real-time monitoring, AI-driven scheduling and predictive maintenance.

As highlighted by the minister in the Lok Sabha, out of 68 railway divisions, 49 have already surpassed 80 per cent punctuality, while 12 divisions have impressively reached 95 per cent. This enhanced efficiency has resulted in smoother train operations, benefiting both passengers and freight services. Currently, Indian Railways operates more than 13,000 passenger trains, including 4,111 Mail and Express trains, 3,313 Passenger trains, and 5,774 Suburban trains.

The minister also highlighted the modernisation of railway stations, with 129 stations already completed and many more to be operational by 2025-26 as part of the world’s largest station redevelopment programme. He further highlighted the significant expansion of the Kolkata Metro, where 38 km of metro lines have been added in just a decade, compared to 28 km in the previous 42 years. Vaishnaw also emphasised on the ambitious Bullet Train project as a transformative step toward modern, high-speed rail connectivity, ensuring world-class infrastructure for future generations.

In line with the government’s commitment to environmental sustainability, Indian Railways has taken several initiatives towards environmental sustainability with its ambitious goal of achieving Net Zero Carbon Emission (Scope 1) by 2025. A major step in this direction has been the transition from diesel to electric traction, with 97 per cent of railway operations already electrified, and the remaining 3 per cent nearing completion. With projected emissions for 2024-25 estimated at 20 lakh tonnes and available offsets reaching 22 lakh tonnes, Indian Railways is well-positioned to meet its Net Zero target ahead of schedule, according to the minister.

—IANS

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The Wire Blames Maharashtra CM Fadnavis, Hindus, And Chhaava For Nagpur Riots

By
The Commune
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In a recent video, leftist rag The Wire has once again demonstrated its penchant for peddling biased narratives by squarely blaming Hindus and the film Chhaava for the recent communal tensions in Nagpur. This sensationalized and one-sided account not only distorts the facts but also fuels division by targeting a specific community and cultural expression.

The report, which heavily relies on the opinions of ‘journalist‘ Nikhil Wagle, attempts to paint the Nagpur riots as a pre-planned conspiracy orchestrated by Hindu organizations and the BJP-led state government. It alleges that the film Chhaava, which depicts the life of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, was used as a tool to incite violence against Muslims. However, this narrative conveniently ignores the complexities of the situation, and the role of all stakeholders involved.

Misrepresentation Of Facts

Wagle claims that the riots were a direct result of Hindu organizations targeting the tomb of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, with the film Chhaava serving as a catalyst. While it is true that tensions escalated following protests and counter-protests over Aurangzeb’s legacy, they fail to acknowledge the provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric from the Islamists. Instead, he singles out Hindu groups and the film, portraying them as the sole instigators of violence.

Wagle also alleges that the state government and police were complicit in the riots, citing instances of inaction. Wagle says, “I believe that the Devendra Fadnavis government was aware that something is going to happen because of this agitation, that riots will be sparked. The Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was himself involved in instigating the feelings of the people. He was the one who said that Aurangzeb’s tomb must be destroyed but I cannot do that because 50 years ago, it was given security and it has archival values and the Congress government has preserved it. Nitesh Rane always instigates through his speeches, Raja Singh also does it but Devendra Fadnavis on the floor of the house has made an instigatory speech against Aurangzeb’s tomb. I allege that Devendra Fadnavis wants riots in Maharashtra, he wants the Phule-Ambedkar legacy to be destroyed, and that the ideology of Hedgewar, Golwalkar, and Savarkar be established here.”

The Wire’s decision to blame Chhaava for the riots is particularly egregious. The film, which celebrates the legacy of a revered Maratha king, is a cultural expression that resonates with millions of Hindus. By linking it to the violence, The Wire demonizes Hindu sentiments. This is a clear attempt to stoke cultural and religious divisions rather than fostering understanding and dialogue.

The interview conveniently glosses over the role of Islamist organizations and leaders in escalating tensions. It fails to mention the inflammatory speeches and actions such as torching Hindu businesses, vehicles, injuring Hindus and such – that have been the reason behind the unrest. By presenting a one-sided narrative, The Wire does a disservice to its readers and perpetuates a dangerous us-versus-them mentality. It is the Hindus who are the victims and not otherwise. 

This is not the first time The Wire has reported in a biased manner, covering up facts – here are 31 instances of fake news peddled by the pro-Congress leftist propaganda rag.

By blaming Hindus and Chhaava for the violence, it ignores the complexities of the situation and fuels communal tensions. Instead of promoting dialogue and understanding, The Wire has chosen to fan the flames of division.

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TN BJP Chief Annamalai Slams DMK Govt Over Tiruchendur Temple Stampede; Alleges Pressure On Victim’s Family To Cover Up Dravidian Model Incompetence

By
The Commune
-

Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai has strongly criticized the ruling DMK government, accusing it of pressuring citizens to conceal its administrative failures. He pointed out the stark contrast between the initial statements given by the deceased victim’s family—who blamed the government for the lack of medical facilities at the temple—and the later remarks by Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister P.K. Sekar Babu at the backdrop of stampede incident at the Tiruchendur temple. The minister dismissed concerns about the temple’s infrastructure, claiming that the death was due to the victim’s pre-existing medical condition. He also presented a letter allegedly written by the victim’s family, which seemed to contradict their earlier claims.

Annamalai alleged that the DMK government had coerced the victim’s family into writing the letter in order to secure the release of the body of Om Kumar, who lost his life in the stampede at the Tiruchendur temple. He further demanded that the government provide immediate financial assistance of ₹10 lakh to the bereaved family and take necessary steps to prevent such tragedies in temples in the future.

Sharing his views on his official X account, Annamalai stated, “I have read the letter that Minister Sekar Babu claimed was written by the wife of Mr. Om Kumar from Karaikudi, who tragically lost his life in a stampede at the Tiruchendur temple.  I have highlighted certain lines in that letter. It seems to be a letter written under the name of persuasion implying that the body of the deceased would only be released if such a letter was submitted. I also saw the interview given by late Om Kumar’s family to @PTTVOnlineNews yesterday.  What a clear contradiction between the contents of the letter and their statements to the media. Minister Sekar Babu, who devalues public lives to cover up his regime’s incompetence, should remember that while a king may delay justice, divine justice strikes at last. I urge the DMK government to immediately provide ₹10 lakh in compensation to Om Kumar’s family, who died in the stampede and take necessary measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in temples in the future.”

In his statement, Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Annamalai attached a letter purportedly written by the wife of the deceased, Om Kumar. He pointed out a noticeable inconsistency in the letter, where it was repeatedly stated—around four times—that the deceased had breathing issues and was undergoing medication. Annamalai found this repetition unusual and questionable.

In an interview given to the private media channel, the victim of the deceased said, “We went to Tiruchendur to worship. We all came after worshipping in the front row. My uncle came after behind us, suddenly suffocated and died there. The reason for that is the crowd was huge, he fell down and died. They called us and said that, ‘he had fainted and asked us to come’. On the way, when we were going, they called us back and said, ‘He died.’ We don’t know what happened. But the people who came and told us said, ‘It took half an hour to come out of the temple. They said that the ambulance arrived after half an hour. But the police told us that they came and took him away in ten minutes. He had a pulse. He was fine.”

Other relatives intervened and said, “We didn’t get any medical help there.” Then she continued, “They said that four medical college students gave him first aid. We heard that there is no medical facility in Tiruchendur. If there was, our uncle would have been there. No, no, it’s been over half an hour. Do you know what Charities Minister says? He came here already unwell, that’s why he died like that. How can he say that? He was fine. We have a video. We have proof for everything. We have proof for everything. We took a photo. We had my child’s head tonsured and pierced his ear. How could he die who took photos with us there? then it is because of the inadequate facilities, right?”

The victim’s family, in tears, revealed that the letter was written by a relative under police instruction, as they were desperate to receive the deceased’s body for a dignified funeral ritual.

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The News Minute Cherry-Picks Facts In Columbia University ‘Scholar’ Ranjani Srinivasan Visa Revocation Case, Whitewashes Her Pro-Hamas Activities

By
The Commune
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The News Minute recently published an article claiming that Ranjani Srinivasan, a Columbia University PhD scholar, was forced to flee the US after her student visa was revoked due to her pro-Palestine views. The article paints a picture of political repression, alleging that Srinivasan was targeted for her activism and that her visa revocation was unjust. However, a closer examination of the facts reveals a different story—one that The News Minute conveniently omitted or distorted to fit a specific narrative.

The Real Reason For Visa Revocation: Support For Hamas & Failure To Disclose Critical Information

Contrary to The News Minute’s claims, Srinivasan’s visa revocation was not an act of political repression or a crackdown on free speech. The primary reason for her visa revocation was her failure to disclose critical information during her visa renewal process.

The primary reason for her visa revocation was her involvement in activities supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, and her failure to disclose critical information during her visa renewal process.

Specifically, Srinivasan did not report two court summonses she received during a pro-Palestine protest at Columbia University in April 2024. According to a statement released by the US Department of Homeland Security on 14 March 2025, Srinivasan was found to have engaged in activities supporting Hamas. The Department obtained evidence of her participation in pro-Hamas protests at Columbia University in April 2024, which included video footage and other documentation. Additionally, Srinivasan failed to report two court summonses she received during these protests, a serious violation of US immigration law.

While the charges against her were eventually dismissed, US immigration law requires visa applicants to disclose any interactions with law enforcement, including summonses, regardless of the outcome. This omission, combined with her support for a terrorist organization, provided ample legal grounds for her visa revocation. The US State Department has consistently enforced this rule, and Srinivasan’s case is no exception.

 

Selective Activism Narrative: Distorting Facts

The News Minute’s article heavily emphasizes Srinivasan’s “pro-Palestine” activism, suggesting that her visa revocation was a direct result of her political views. However, the US government’s statement makes it clear that her involvement with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, was a key factor in the decision. By omitting this critical detail, The News Minute distorts the reality of her situation and ignores the legal basis for her visa revocation.

By portraying her as a victim of political repression, The News Minute distorts the reality of her situation and ignores the legal basis for her visa revocation.

Misleading Claims About ICE Raids And Harassment

The News Minute’s account of ICE agents knocking on Srinivasan’s door is sensationalized and misleading. While it is true that federal agents visited her apartment, they did so with a judicial warrant, which is standard procedure in immigration enforcement cases. The agents did not harass or intimidate her; they were following legal protocols to investigate her visa status.

Moreover, Srinivasan’s decision to leave the US was not a result of ICE pressure but a personal choice to avoid potential legal complications. The News Minute’s portrayal of her departure as a forced exile is exaggerated and ignores the fact that she voluntarily used the CBP Home App to self-deport on 11 March 2025.

Cherry-Picking Facts To Push A Narrative

The News Minute’s article selectively highlights certain aspects of Srinivasan’s case while omitting critical details. For instance, it fails to mention that Srinivasan’s visa revocation was based on a clear violation of immigration law, as well as her political views and activism. It also ignores the fact that her activism was not the sole focus of the US government’s investigation.

By framing Srinivasan’s case as an example of political repression, The News Minute perpetuates a false narrative that undermines the credibility of legitimate concerns about free speech and immigration enforcement.

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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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