Facebook Instagram X Youtube
Sunday, July 26, 2026
Facebook Instagram X Youtube
Home Blog Page 373

Dravidianist Mouthpiece Sun News Peddles Fake News About Supreme Court Order On Use Of Temple Funds For Colleges

By
The Commune
-
sun news fake news temple funds supreme court

In yet another instance of proving itself to being the Dravidianist mouthpiece, the DMK-family-owned news channel Sun News has seemingly deliberately misreported the Supreme Court proceedings related to the use of temple funds for constructing colleges.

Activist TR Ramesh, who has been fighting legal battles against the diversion of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) resources, accused the channel of spreading misinformation and shielding the Tamil Nadu government.

What Sun News Reported?

The point of dispute arose after Sun News reported that the Supreme Court had questioned what was wrong in using temple land and money for setting up colleges.

The post caption read, “What is the harm in using temple funds for education?” -Supreme Court question “

And their image stated that, “The case filed by Ramesh against the use of Mylapore Kapaleeswarar temple funds for education has been dismissed.”

According to Ramesh, this is a misrepresentation of the apex court’s decision. He clarified that the Supreme Court did not issue any order authorising the construction of colleges with temple resources, but only dismissed an appeal in procedural terms, leaving the Madras High Court’s earlier order intact.

What Madras High Court Said

On 29 August 2025, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court quashed multiple government orders issued by the HR&CE Department, which had sought to divert temple funds towards building marriage halls, commercial complexes, and colleges. The court held that such use of temple money was contrary to law unless specifically permitted under Section 34 of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Act and supported by demonstrable surplus funds.

The High Court’s ruling, therefore, barred the state from utilising temple wealth for non-religious, commercial, or educational projects without following statutory procedures.

Supreme Court’s Role

When the matter reached the Supreme Court, the appeal against this High Court ruling was dismissed. However, contrary to Sun News’s reporting, the Supreme Court did not say that colleges could be built with temple funds. Instead, the dismissal effectively meant that the High Court’s restrictions remain in force.

Ramesh called out Sun News for deliberately twisting the outcome to favour the government narrative. He pointed out that while the High Court had struck down government announcements to build colleges and other projects with temple resources, Sun News failed to report this, and instead implied that the Supreme Court had given approval.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Karnataka Congress Govt Arrests Bengaluru Temple Assistant Priest For Remarks Against CM Siddaramaiah

By
The Commune
-
Complaint Of ₹68 Crore BBMP Fraud Filed Against Karnataka Congress CM Siddaramaiah In MLAs/MPs Court siddaramaiah temple priest dussehra Karnataka Congress Govt’s Hate Speech Bill: A Framework Built To Silence Hindus?

Police on Saturday arrested an assistant priest of a temple in Kengeri, southwest Bengaluru, for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.

The accused, identified as Gururaj Achar, was taken into custody after video clips of his comments went viral on social media. The Kengeri Police registered a suo motu case in connection with the incident.

According to officials, the remarks were linked to the state government’s decision to invite Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate this year’s Mysuru Dasara festival.

Following the controversy, the Sri Raghavendra Seva Samithi trust clarified Achar’s position and announced his dismissal. “He is not a priest of Raghavendra Swamy Mutt, but an assistant priest of a Ganesha temple attached to it. He has since been dismissed,” the committee said in a statement, while strongly condemning his remarks.

(With inputs from Deccan Chronicle)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Congress, TMC MPs Justify Peter Navarro’s “Brahmin Profiteering” Jibe

By
The Commune
-
sagarika ghose peter navarro trump brahmins russian oil india

The Congress-Left ecosystem has come to buttress the jibes against Brahmins made by US President Donald Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro, who accused India of acting as a “laundromat for the Kremlin” and alleged that “Brahmins” were profiteering from discounted Russian oil.

The coterie of urban naxal Indians who justified his comments include Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs Sagarika Ghose and Saket Gokhale, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, and Sridhar Ramaswamy, All India Congress Committee (AICC) National Coordinator for Social Media and Digital Platforms.

What Did Peter Navarro Say?

Navarro, in an interview with Fox News, charged that Indian refiners were buying Russian crude at a discount, processing it, and exporting it to Europe, Africa and Asia. “India is nothing but a laundromat for the Kremlin…You got Brahmins profiteering at the expense of the Indian people. We need that to stop,” he said, claiming the practice was sustaining Russia’s war machine in Ukraine.

The remarks triggered a political and social media storm in India, with many objecting to Navarro’s use of the term “Brahmins.”

Justification And Buttressing By Brown Sepoys

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram wrote, ““Boston Brahmins” is a term used to describe the elite of society in common parlance.”

Responding to the controversy, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose wrote on X that Navarro’s language was being misinterpreted. “‘Boston Brahmin’ was once a widely used term in the US to refer to the American New England wealthy elite. ‘Brahmin’ is still a term used in the English-speaking world to denote social or economic ‘elites’ (in this case the rich). The illiteracy on X is astonishing,” she said.

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale wrote, “Classic case of ignorance (and I don’t mean Navarro) Peter Navarro is from Cambridge, MA. In New England (esp Boston & around where he’s from), the term “Brahmin” is used for someone that’s extremely rich BJP “ecosystem” spokespersons should start reading some real books”

He even shared “proof” justifying his statement.

Then once again came the Congress guy – Sridhar Ramaswamy, All India Congress Committee (AICC) National Coordinator for Social Media and Digital Platforms, who wrote, “Many jokers on X having a meltdown over the reference to ‘Boston Brahmins’ which is a commonly used term for elites in America nothing to do with attacking the caste here. Though the initial origin of the term was coined by Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. in his 1861 novel Elsie Venner, he used the analogy of the highest caste in India to describe Boston’s elite families, highlighting their perceived intellectualism and inherited status.”

Navarro, who also called India “the Maharaja of tariffs,” defended the Trump administration’s 50 per cent tariffs on Indian exports. He further questioned India’s engagement with Russia and China, describing Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “a great leader” but criticising him for “getting into bed with [Vladimir] Putin and Xi Jinping.”

The remarks coincided with Modi’s visit to Tianjin, China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and was expected to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Chennai Among Bottom 10 Cities In Women’s Safety Index

By
The Commune
-
Chennai’s Safety For Women Declines: City Drops To Second Behind Bangalore In National Safety Rankings As Crimes Surge women's safety

The National Annual Report and Index on Women’s Safety (NARI 2025) has ranked Chennai 21st among 31 Indian cities, with an overall score of 61.7% – lower than the national average of 64.6%.

The report, released by the National Commission for Women in New Delhi on Friday, assessed women’s perceptions of safety across public spaces, workplaces, and institutions.

According to the findings, only 8% of women described Chennai as “highly safe” and 46% as “safe,” bringing the total to 54% – below the national figure of 60%. Meanwhile, 33% of women gave a neutral response, while 11% said they felt unsafe and 3% felt highly unsafe, both higher than national averages.

Daytime safety fared better, with 75% of women saying they felt secure. At night, however, this dropped to 54%, and 21% said they felt unsafe or highly unsafe after dark.

When asked about public infrastructure, 46% of women rated the city’s facilities as women-friendly, while 55% said they trusted the police and local authorities. However, nearly one-third expressed uncertainty, indicating a lack of strong confidence.

Harassment remains a pressing concern. Around 7% of women reported experiencing harassment in public spaces in 2024, matching the national average. Verbal abuse was most commonly reported, followed by physical harassment. Incidents were most frequent on public transport (31%), in neighbourhoods (21%), and in recreation areas (21%).

Women adopted various coping strategies: 54% moved to safer places, 48% reported incidents to police, 13% left the area quietly, and 15% confronted their harassers.

The report noted that visible measures such as police patrols and emergency contacts in buses increased the sense of safety, while poor lighting, deserted places, and unguarded areas heightened insecurity.

To improve safety, women called for better infrastructure, more helplines, panic buttons, CCTV cameras, and stricter law enforcement.

(With inputs from Times of India)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Transport Workers’ Strike Enters Third Week; CITU Insists On Deadline for Pending Dues

By
The Commune
-
transport workers strike protest chennai citu
Image Source: Hindu Tamil

The indefinite strike by state transport workers, organized by the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), has entered its third week, with union leaders declaring that the agitation will continue until the government announces a clear timeline for addressing their demands.

The strike began on 18 August 2025, with workers pressing for the settlement of wage arrears and the disbursal of retirement benefits up to April 2024. The protests intensified after police detained participants of the Kaththiruppu demonstration on Pallavan Road in Chennai. Since then, workers have staged road blockades and continued demonstrations across the state.

Union representatives pointed out that despite assurances, not all retirees have received their entitled cash benefits. They demanded that the state government at least fix a deadline for clearing the arrears to all eligible workers.

On Sunday, 31 August 2025, large numbers of employees gathered at the Ayanavaram and Vadapalani workshops in Chennai, continuing the Kaththiruppu protest.

Participants criticized both the current DMK government and the previous AIADMK regime for failing to resolve the issue. They alleged that while the Chief Minister attributed the shortfall to a lack of central funding, state finances were not being transparently allocated. Workers also accused both major parties of adopting a “dual stance” on the new pension scheme bill.

Union leaders maintained that only sustained, large-scale agitation would compel the government to meet the workers’ long-pending demands.

(With inputs from Hindu Tamil)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Madurai Bench Of Madras High Court Upholds Disqualification Of Panchayat Chairperson For Concealing Conversion To Christianity While Contesting As Hindu SC

By
The Commune
-

The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has upheld the disqualification of Therur Town Panchayat Chairperson Amudarani after it was found that she had concealed her conversion to Christianity while contesting elections under a Scheduled Caste (SC) reservation.

The case was initiated by Ayyappan, a DMK councillor from Therur, Kanyakumari district, who filed a petition challenging Amudarani’s election. He argued that she had converted to Christianity in 2005 but contested the 2022 polls by claiming to belong to the Hindu Pannadiar community, a Scheduled Caste.

Single Judge Victoria Gowri, while hearing the petition earlier, had observed that a person from a Hindu SC background who converts to Christianity or Islam cannot continue to claim SC benefits. She ruled that Amudarani’s candidature itself was invalid and ordered her disqualification, remarking that “a person should not enjoy two privileges at the same time.”

Amudarani subsequently filed an appeal. However, a Division Bench comprising Justices G.R. Swaminathan and K. Rajasekhar upheld the earlier order, noting that documentary evidence confirmed her baptism and acceptance of Christianity.

The Bench observed that while the Constitution guarantees the fundamental right to practice and convert to any religion, concealing such a conversion in order to continue availing SC benefits amounted to fraud on the Constitution.

“The order of the Single Judge is confirmed, and the appeal is dismissed,” the judges declared.

(With inputs from Hindu Tamil)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

“Brahmins Profiteering At Expense Of Indian People”, Says Trump’s Trade Advisor Peter Navarro On India’s Russian Oil Purchases

By
The Commune
-
navarro brahmins russian oil

US President Donald Trump’s trade advisor Peter Navarro has renewed his sharp criticism of India, accusing New Delhi of indirectly funding Russia’s war in Ukraine by purchasing discounted Russian crude, refining it, and exporting it for profit.

In an interview with Fox News, Navarro doubled down on his “laundromat” characterization of India, arguing that the practice was sustaining Moscow’s war machine.

“India is nothing but a laundromat for the Kremlin…You got Brahmins profiteering at the expense of the Indian people. We need that to stop,” Navarro said, alleging that refiners were reselling Russian oil at a premium to Europe, Africa, and Asia.

He added, “It kills Ukrainians…And what do we have to do as taxpayers? We’ve got to send them more money.”

Navarro claimed that India had purchased little Russian oil before Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 but is now a major buyer. “Before Putin invaded Ukraine, India didn’t buy Russian oil to speak of—very, very small amounts. What happened? Now, Russian refiners provide discounts, India refines it and then sells it at a premium…It fuels the Russian war machine.”

The Trump aide also defended punitive tariffs imposed on Indian exports, calling India “the Maharaja of tariffs.” He said, “25% of the 50% is because India is the Maharaja of tariffs. They have the highest tariffs in the world. They won’t let us sell to them. So who gets hurt? Workers in America, taxpayers in America, Ukrainians in cities getting killed by Russian drones.”

Navarro accused Indian refiners of working with “silent Russian partners” and using “American trade dollars” to bankroll the Kremlin. In a post on X, he wrote, “India uses our dollars to buy discounted Russian crude. This isn’t just about India’s unfair trade; it’s about cutting off the financial lifeline India has extended to Putin’s war machine.”

The Trump administration has escalated its rhetoric against India’s ties with Moscow, with Navarro earlier dubbing the conflict “Modi’s war.” “India, you’re the biggest democracy in the world, okay? Act like one… side with the democracies…(instead) you’re getting in bed with the authoritarians,” he said.

Navarro also questioned New Delhi’s deepening engagement with both Russia and China. “[PM] Modi’s a great leader…I don’t understand why he’s getting into bed with [Vladimir] Putin and Xi Jinping, when he’s the biggest democracy in the world,” he said.

The comments come as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Tianjin, China, for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit. He has already met President Xi Jinping and is expected to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin later today.

(With inputs from Hindustan Times)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Dharmasthala Mass Burial SIT Probe: Sujata Bhat Confesses Daughter ‘Ananya’ Never Existed

By
The Commune
-
sujatha bhat ananya bhat dharmasthala confession

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the “mass burial” allegations in Dharmasthala has said that Sujata Bhat, who claimed her daughter went missing during a college trip to the temple town, has admitted that her story was fabricated.

According to investigators, Sujata underwent two rounds of questioning. On the first day she was allowed to present her version, but during the second round the SIT confronted her with evidence contradicting her claims. Officials said she confessed to lying about two key points: her surname and the existence of a daughter named Ananya Bhat.

Her shifting accounts had drawn attention on regional television and social media platforms. She initially alleged that her daughter, a medical student, disappeared during a college trip to Dharmasthala. She later told a YouTuber that the daughter never existed, before again reversing herself by saying she had been pressured by a channel to deny the claim. The latest confession marks her third major turnaround in recent weeks.

Pattern of Deception

Sujata’s confession follows the recent arrest of another key figure in the case – CN Chinnaiah, alias Chennayya, the masked man whose dramatic allegations sparked the massive investigation. He appeared in public with a human skull and alleged that mass burials had taken place in Dharmasthala. The SIT later found that he had made false statements and arrested him on charges of perjury.

Investigators carried out extensive digging and searches following his allegations, but the results have been limited. More than 50 days into the probe, human remains have been recovered from only two locations near a river. Around 100 bone fragments were found, which forensic experts suggest may correspond to just one or two individuals rather than the large numbers claimed.

Chinnaiah’s former wife and associates had described him as a “habitual liar”, further weakening his testimony.

Despite the recent revelations about fabricated claims, Dharmasthala has been shadowed by mysterious disappearances for decades. The first recorded case dates back to 1987 when 17-year-old Padmalatha was found dead, with her family alleging rape and murder. The case was never solved. In 2012, another 17-year-old, Soujanya, was found raped and murdered a day after being declared missing.

Sources indicate that Sujata’s family may be involved in a property dispute with the temple administration, potentially providing motivation for the false allegations. Police are now working to determine the complete scope of the deception and what legal actions to pursue against those who provided false information.

Despite these setbacks, investigators emphasize that their work continues. The SIT remains committed to examining all credible evidence and following legitimate leads regarding any actual crimes that may have occurred in Dharmasthala.

(With inputs from NDTV)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

PM Modi In Tianjin For SCO Summit, Meets Xi Ahead Of Key Talks

By
The Commune
-
pm modi opposition sco summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Tianjin, China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit on Monday, marking a significant diplomatic engagement with regional powers.

The SCO summit will see participation from key regional leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Prime Minister Modi, President Xi, and President Putin will all share the stage at the multilateral event, underlining the significance of regional cooperation at a time of global uncertainty.

Later today, PM Modi is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, with whom India continues to maintain a close strategic and energy partnership despite global tensions. The SCO Summit itself will focus on combating the “three evils” of terrorism, separatism, and extremism, a founding priority of the organization. An agreement signing ceremony is scheduled for this afternoon, followed by a leaders’ joint statement.

This is PM Modi’s first visit to China in seven years and comes as India and China cautiously rebuild ties following a prolonged border standoff. PM Modi is scheduled to return to India later tonight, concluding a high-stakes diplomatic visit.

Ahead of the summit’s official opening, PM Modi held a bilateral meeting with President Xi on Sunday, their first in nearly ten months. The two leaders discussed ways to stabilize and enhance India-China relations, following the recent breakthrough on border management protocols.

Both sides have reportedly agreed to new patrolling norms along the 3,500-kilometer Line of Actual Control (LAC), signaling a thaw after four years of heightened tensions. This meeting is particularly notable as it comes just months after their last interaction on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia in 2024.

Officials say the Tianjin meeting aimed to build on that momentum by focusing on economic collaboration, regional security, and managing strategic competition in Asia.

-IANS

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Trump Claims Tariffs Brought In ‘Trillions’ After Appeals Court Rebuke

By
The Commune
-
trump tariffs king india us russian oil

US President Donald Trump claimed his tariffs brought in “trillions of dollars” to the US economy, after a federal appeals court ruled that he overstepped his presidential authority by imposing them without congressional approval. Trump took to Truth Social to defend his trade agenda.

In a post, he declared, “Prices are WAY DOWN in the USA, with virtually no inflation. With the exception of ridiculous, corrupt politician-approved ‘Windmills,’ which are killing every State and Country that uses them, Energy prices are falling, big time. Gasoline is at many year lows. All of this despite magnificent Tariffs, which are bringing in Trillions of Dollars from Countries that took total advantage of us, for decades, and are making America STRONG and RESPECTED AGAIN!!!”

Trump’s remarks come after a significant legal blow to his administration’s trade policies. On Friday, the US Court of Appeals ruled that Trump had overstepped his presidential authority by unilaterally imposing so-called “reciprocal tariffs” during his time in office.

The court emphasised that the power to levy tariffs lies “exclusively” with Congress as part of its constitutional authority over taxation and trade. The court specifically addressed Trump’s use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), stating that while it grants the President certain emergency powers, it does not provide the authority to impose tariffs or taxes.

The ruling, however, will not take immediate effect and has been stayed until October 14 to allow the administration to seek an appeal. In response to the decision, Trump indicated he would take the matter to the US Supreme Court, arguing the ruling undermines presidential powers necessary to protect national economic interests. Notably, tariffs on steel and aluminium, enacted under a separate legal statute, will remain in effect.

-IANS

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

1...372373374...1,940Page 373 of 1,940
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.
Contact us: thecommune.news@gmail.com
Facebook Instagram X Youtube

NATIONAL NEWS

Kerala Jesuit Priest Identified As Mastermind Behind Delhi’s CJP Unrest

The Commune - 0
A Kerala Jesuit priest named George Mutholil has been identified as the key strategist behind the current protests and unrest in New Delhi, according...
© The Commune 2025. All Rights Reserved.