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DMK Govt Files Case Against Hindu Munnani, BJP Leader Annamalai In Connection With Murugan Devotees Conference

By
The Commune
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hindu munnani murugan devotees conference

A criminal case has been registered against Hindu Munnani state president Kadeswara Subramaniam, BJP leader K Annamalai, and a few members of the Hindu Munnani in connection with speeches delivered during the Murugan Devotees Conference held on 22 June 2025 in Madurai.

The complaint, filed by advocate Vanjinathan, alleges that inflammatory speeches made at the event promoted religious disharmony and hurt religious sentiments. Among those named are Hindu Munnani state president Kadeswara Subramaniam and functionary Selvakumar. The Anna Nagar police registered the case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), including Sections 196(1)(a), 299, 302, and 353(1)(2)(B) provisions relating to inciting enmity, disrupting public harmony, and offending religious feelings.

The complaint reportedly highlighted that several speeches and resolutions passed at the event attended by prominent figures like Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran and Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan fueled “communal tension”.

In response, Hindu Munnani’s State Vice President V.P. Jayakumar issued a strong statement condemning the state government’s actions. He described the case as politically motivated and an abuse of authority by the DMK government, accusing it of targeting those who spoke in favor of Hindu unity.

Jayakumar alleged that the state initially tried to block the Murugan conference by denying permission and later imposing hurdles like mandatory e-passes for vehicles. He credited the courts for allowing the event to proceed and noted the overwhelming participation of Murugan devotees across Tamil Nadu.

According to the statement, the case against Annamalai and Hindu Munnani leaders reflects the government’s inability to accept the event’s success and its growing influence among the Hindu community. Jayakumar further criticized the government for failing to take similar legal action against DMK leaders who had previously made derogatory remarks against Hindu beliefs and practices, citing figures like Ponmudi and A. Raja.

He concluded by asserting that Hindu Munnani will face the legal battle head-on and accused the DMK of attempting to stifle free speech through selective policing. The group vowed to continue its efforts and warned that the public would hold the government accountable for what it described as oppressive actions.

Press Release issued by V.P. Jayakumar, State Vice President of Hindu Munnani, stated, “The Murugan Devotees Conference was held grandly in Madurai on 22nd June. This conference, attended by millions of Murugan devotees, has created a huge impact and Hindu unity in Tamil Nadu. From the beginning, the ruling DMK government refused permission for the conference, aiming to disrupt it. Later, after obtaining permission through the court, the Tamil Nadu government exerted pressure by demanding e-passes for vehicles, further attempting to cause disruption. That obstacle was also overcome based on a court order, and the conference was successfully held with the overwhelming support of the Hindu people.”

The statement went on to add “Unable to tolerate this, the Tamil Nadu government has unleashed the police and registered cases against many individuals, including the Hindu Munnani State President Kadeswara Subramaniam, who presided over the conference and spoke, and Annamalai, the former BJP State President who addressed the conference, as well as the organizers of the conference. This demonstrates the DMK government’s abuse of power.”

Hindu Munnani stated that despite the High Court’s order for the Tamil Nadu police to register a case against former DMK minister Ponmudi for his offensive remarks about sacred Hindu forehead symbols, no action has been taken. While several DMK leaders, including A. Raja, have made disparaging comments against Hinduism, its traditions, and Hindu women, the police, lacking the courage to file cases against them, have instead targeted leaders advocating Hindu unity at a spiritual gathering, showing clear bias, Hindu Munnani said in its statement.

“Unable to tolerate the success of the Murugan devotees’ conference, the trembling Tamil Nadu government, engaging in such childish acts, will be taught a lesson by the Hindu people at the appropriate time.”, it added.

“Hindu Munnani is a people’s movement that has grown by facing thousands of cases and arrests. The Hindu people are not going to be intimidated in the slightest by such authoritarian threats from the Tamil Nadu government. Times will change soon. The DMK and the police will then have to answer for all this oppression. Hindu Munnani will legally confront the dictatorial tendencies of the DMK government. Hindu Munnani strongly condemns the arrogant stance of the Tamil Nadu government, which seeks to threaten and snatch away the freedom of expression of Hindu movement leaders by filing false cases.” Kadeswara Subramanian concluded.

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Former Aide Of MDMK Chief Vaiko Arrested For Derogating Hindu Gods

By
The Commune
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mdmk chief vaiko derogating hindu gods

Arunagiri (60), a former close aide of MDMK general secretary Vaiko, was arrested for allegedly posting content on his blog that insulted Hindu deities and religious practices.

Arunagiri is the son of former Sankarankovil Municipality chairman Palaniswami and a native of Sankarankovil in Tenkasi district. He had been consistently posting derogatory remarks about Hindu gods on Facebook and blogs under the pseudonym “Arunagiri Sankarankovil.”

The complaint was filed by Hindu Munnani leader Padagalingam at the Sankarankovil police station. Following the complaint, police arrested Arunagiri for allegedly offending religious sentiments. He was presented before Magistrate Suresh Kumar and has been remanded to Tirunelveli Central Jail.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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25 Custodial Deaths In Tamil Nadu From 2021 Till Date In Dravidian Model DMK Regime

By
The Commune
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dmk dravidian model custodial death tamil nadu

While the Sathankulam custodial deaths rocked the state, when it came to the custodial deaths in the DMK regime, not a whimper was heard from the same activist/celebrity gang. Following the horrific murder of temple guard Ajithkumar, social media was abuzz with the numbers of custodial deaths in Tamil Nadu, especially since it came to power. Numbers vary between 24 and 36 – some documented, some not.

Let’s take a look at some the documented incidents of death due to police torture that deserve as much traction as that of the Sathankulam case especially during the DMK regime from 2021 to date.

#1 June 2021 – Murugesan

In June 2021, Murugesan, a fruit stall owner, died after being beaten by police at the Pappanaickenpatti check post. A video circulated on social media showed Special Sub-Inspector Periyasamy thrashing Murugesan with a lathi until he became motionless. Murugesan had engaged in an argument with the police while being penalised for drunk driving. Periyasamy was arrested following a complaint.

#2 August 2021 – Sathyanathan 

Sathyanathan, along with Abdul Majeed and Surya from Sirkazhi, was taken to the Thanjavur West Police Station for questioning in connection with a jewellery theft case. During the course of the interrogation, Sathyanathan died while in custody, raising serious concerns about the circumstances of his death.

#3 September 2021 – Manikandan 

In Paramathi Vellore, a lorry driver named Manikandan from the Sevalkattu Mangli area of Pandamangalam was arrested by the local police in relation to a sexual complaint. While being questioned, Manikandan suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness. He died shortly after, prompting allegations of custodial abuse.

#4 December 2021 – Manikandan 

In Mudukulathur, Ramanathapuram district, a college student named Manikandan was picked up by the police for interrogation. Although he was later released and returned home, he died unexpectedly the following morning. The incident sparked suspicion about the treatment he received during police custody.

#5 January 2022 – Prabhakaran

In January 2022, a physically challenged man named Prabhakaran was locked up for allegedly stealing jewellery. Falling ill in jail, he was rushed to Namakkal Government Hospital and later to Salem Government Hospital, where he died on 11 January 2022. Prabhakaran’s relatives alleged police torture as the cause of death, resulting in the suspension of three police officers.

#6 February 2022 – Sulaiman 

A 42-year-old man suspected of stealing a two-wheeler died on Friday evening while in police custody during interrogation, according to officials. The deceased, identified as Sulaiman from Melapalayam, was allegedly caught by the owner of a bike that had been reported stolen from near Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (TVMCH) a few days earlier. The bike owner spotted Sulaiman riding the stolen vehicle near Tirunelveli Junction and, with the help of friends, intercepted and nabbed him. After reportedly being beaten by the group, Sulaiman was handed over to the TVMCH Police, who had previously registered a case related to the theft. During interrogation, Sulaiman complained of breathing difficulties and was taken to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital. However, he died en route. Police said Sulaiman had a history of theft and was facing at least 28 criminal cases.

#8 April 2022 – Vignesh

On 18 April 2022, during a routine night check at Kellys in Chennai, police stopped two youths, Vignesh (25) and Suresh (28), in an auto. The duo, found in possession of ganja and liquor, engaged in a verbal duel with the police. Vignesh later developed health complications, vomited, and had seizures. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he was declared dead. Relatives reported seeing injuries on Vignesh’s body, leading to the suspension of a police sub-inspector, a constable, and a home guard personnel.

#9 April 2022 – Thangamani

In Tiruvannamalai, Thangamani was taken into police custody on 26 April 2022 for an inquiry into illegal liquor sales. Relatives alleged a false case, stating that the police demanded money for their release. The police claimed Thangamani had fits the next day, leading to his hospitalisation and subsequent death during treatment.

#10 June 2022 – Rajasekar

Rajasekar, a 33-year-old resident of Munthiri Thoppu in Tiruvallur district, was brought to the P6 Kodungaiyur police station on 11 June 2022 for an inquiry related to two burglary cases. He was pronounced dead at the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital on 12 June 2022. The autopsy report revealed multiple external injuries, with two injuries occurring approximately 18-24 hours before his death.

#11 June 2022 – Siva Subramanian

In Nagapattinam district, a 44-year-old man named Siva Subramanian, employed at a cycle repair shop, died in judicial custody. Siva and his brother Ganesh were detained after a brawl with Venkatesh, who owed Ganesh ₹95,000. According to the police, Siva suffered seizures while in jail and was taken to Nagapattinam Government Hospital, where he passed away on the evening of 13 June 2022. The police attributed his death to alcohol withdrawal symptoms, dismissing reports of custodial torture.

#12 December 2022 – Gokul Shree

In December 2022, Gokul Shree, a 17-year-old teen, was arrested on December 28 by the Railway Police in Tambaram on suspicion of stealing a battery from a railway station. He was sent to a children correctional facility because he was a minor. On December 31, he was rushed to Chengalpet Government Hospital with complaints of seizures, where he passed away within hours.

The preliminary autopsy report showed that the child was subjected to a physical attack, had severe contusions on his legs, and several external injuries on his body. The child was beaten severely before being killed, and the majority of his injuries were were ante-mortem. The parents, however, were not given access to the complete autopsy report.

On the basis of the postmortem report, six prison officials of the correctional facility were arrested. S Mohan, 30, superintendent of prisons, P Vidyasagar, 33, assistant superintendent of prisons, J H Raj, 29, barber at the juvenile home, prison wardens D Vijayakumar, 30, M Saranraj, and teacher R Chandrababu, 40, were arrested.

4 Unverified Suspected Custodial Deaths

In addition to the above documented cases, social activist Advocate Henri Tiphagne and rights group Madurai People’s Watch, adds more custodial deaths that have reportedly occurred in Tamil Nadu between January 2021 and April 2022. Though these cases have not been independently verified, they have been referenced in regional media reports and by civil society activists.

Below is a list of four additional reported custodial deaths, following the same timeframe and concern pattern

#13 April 2021 – Rajamani (68) died at Athur Police Station in Salem district.

#14 July 2021 – Indra Prasad (45) died at Karumathampatti Police Station in Coimbatore district.

#15 August 2021 – Satyavanan (35) died at West Police Station, Thanjavur district.

#16 February 2022 – Thadiveeran (38) died at Taluk Police Station, Tirunelveli district.

#17 June 2023 – Thangasamy

In June 2023, the death of a 26-year-old Scheduled Caste (Pallar community) youth, Thangasamy, who was in the custody of the Puliyangudi police in Tenkasi district died. According to reports, Thangasamy was remanded in judicial custody, but he complained of uneasiness, prompting authorities to transfer him to Tirunelveli Medical College. However, his condition deteriorated, and he subsequently passed away.

According to Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPc) Section 176 (I) of the CrPC, in the event of a person’s death or disappearance in custody or if a woman is raped in custody, the Judicial Magistrate holds the authority to order an inquiry. Section 54 of the CrPC also empowers the Magistrate to appoint a medical petitioner to examine accused individuals under trial. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) in Sections 330 (a) and (b) allows for sentences of up to 7 years for policemen involved in cases of torture.

#18 July 2023 – Vedan 

Vedan, a locksmith from Sealnayakkanpatti in Madurai district, died while being taken in for questioning by the police on suspicion. The circumstances surrounding his death raised concerns about the treatment he received during the custody process.

#19 January 2024 – Balakrishnan

In January 2024, Tamil Nadu witnessed another shocking case of alleged custodial death. M. Balakrishnan, a 36-year-old from Srivaikuntam, Thoothukkudi, travelled to Erode on 26 December 2023. The next day, while at a bar in Palayapalayam with friends, he and five others were detained by Erode police. While four were released, Balakrishnan and his friend Prakash were allegedly held in a private lodge and interrogated over an old case. His family claims he was brutally assaulted by police, leading to his hospitalisation on 28 December and eventual death on 2 January 2024 at Perundurai Government Medical College Hospital. His brother, M. Mariyappan, filed a complaint citing custodial torture. Advocate V. Maharajan, representing the family, highlighted severe injuries and alleged evidence tampering. The Madras High Court ordered a fresh post-mortem in Coimbatore on 9 January. A case under CrPC Section 176(1A) was registered at Chennimalai police station.

#20 August 2024 – Arputharaj

In August 2024, Arputharaj (33), an undertrial prisoner, died a day after being remanded to Villupuram sub-jail. Arrested on a non-bailable warrant in an assault case, he reportedly collapsed in jail and was declared dead on arrival at Villupuram Government Hospital. While police claim he fell ill suddenly, his family alleges police assault led to his death. A judicial inquiry and post-mortem have been ordered to determine the cause.

#21 September 2024 – Dravidamani

In September 2024, Dravidamani (40), arrested for illegal liquor sale, died while being taken to Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital from Trichy Central Prison after complaining of chest pain. Police claim he collapsed during lunch and died en route to the hospital. Earlier, he was arrested by Jeeyapuram police on 26 September for possessing 66 IMFL bottles and was remanded to judicial custody. His family alleged custodial torture and staged a protest at the hospital, which was later called off after officials promised an investigation. An autopsy was conducted in the presence of a judicial magistrate before the body was handed over to the family

#22 November 2024 – Vignesh

In November 2024, a 36-year-old man named Vignesh, detained during a drug raid, died while being taken to the Pudukkottai Government Medical College Hospital after reportedly falling ill in custody. Police claimed his death was due to health complications during inquiry. He was one of 13 suspects detained after a tip-off. A case under BNSS Section 196 (suspicious death) was registered, and Judicial Magistrate A. Vijayabharathi inspected the body and questioned family members. An x-ray was ordered to check for internal injuries. The body was handed over to the family, while the other detainees were remanded to jail.

#23 February 2025 – Shankar

A 35-year-old history-sheeter, Shankar alias ‘Vettu’ Shankar, with over 40 criminal cases against him, died on 13 February at Karur Government Medical College Hospital while undergoing surgery. He had been arrested on 7 February after allegedly attacking a man with a sickle and sustaining injuries while trying to flee police custody.

Police claim he fractured his leg jumping off a bridge during the arrest. However, JAACT, a human rights group led by Henry Tiphagne, alleges Shankar was held in illegal detention from 6 to 8 February and tortured, leading to his death. They have demanded an independent inquiry and access to CCTV footage to verify the custodial torture claims. A judicial inquiry under Section 196 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita is underway.

#24 April 2025 – Senthil

In April 2025, a youth named Senthil was found dead under suspicious circumstances in the Emanur forest area near Pennagaram, located in Dharmapuri district. Senthil had reportedly been under investigation as a suspect in an elephant poaching case. According to initial reports, he was allegedly taken to the forest area by authorities as part of the probe. However, he was later found dead, and officials claimed he had escaped custody while still in handcuffs a detail that has raised serious questions and fueled public skepticism. Amid mounting pressure and controversy surrounding the circumstances of his death, a CBI-CID inquiry has been ordered to conduct an independent and thorough investigation into the incident.

#25 July 2025 – Ajithkumar

The state has been rocked by the news of a 27-year-old temple guard, Ajithkumar, employed under Tamil Nadu’s HR&CE Department, having died in police custody on 28 June 2025. Detained by Thirubhuvanam Police over an alleged theft of 80g of gold jewellery from a disabled devotee’s car at Madapuram Kaliamman temple, Ajith was reportedly tortured for 18 hours without any formal legal procedure. Witnesses claim he was beaten with rods, tied to a tree, and forced to drink chilli-laced water. His brother, Naveen, also alleges being beaten to force a false confession. Ajith died at Thirubhuvanam Government Hospital, but the police allegedly moved the body without informing the family. Protests erupted after news of his death spread, with demands for a CBI probe and FIRs against senior officials. Six policemen have been arrested, but critics call this a cover-up, pointing to political interference and a pattern of custodial deaths in the region.

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Islamist Terror Outfit PFI Links Emerge In Bajrang Dal Activist Suhas Shetty’s Murder, Here’s How TNM Whitewashed The Crime Just Like It Has With Other Jihadist Attacks

By
The Commune
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tnm the news minute secular islamist violence suhas shetty murder

A few days ago, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which took over the investigation into the murder of Bajrang Dal leader Suhas Shetty, has uncovered links between the accused and the banned radical Islamist outfit Popular Front of India (PFI), officials said.

In its 2 May 2025 article on the murder of Suhas Shetty, The News Minute once again appeared to adopt a reporting style that downplays Islamist-linked violence by subtly framing the victim as deserving of the attack. They titled the report pointing to the justification of the murder that Suhas Shetty was a key accused in the murder of Mohammed Fazil in 2022. Then they come to the actual news that he was hacked to death in Mangaluru the previous by ‘unidentified assailants’.

So, the idea to impress on the reader that Shetty deserved the death he died because he allegedly murdered another person, especially an Islamist, is there right from the start.

The article highlights Shetty’s ‘criminal’ background and specifies that he had been “convicted in one case, acquitted in two,” and “on trial in two others,” setting the stage for the reader to view his death as a form of extrajudicial retribution. Crucially, the article contextualizes Fazil’s murder as “retaliation” for the killing of BJP worker Praveen Nettaru. This phrasing linking Shetty directly to Fazil’s killing and suggesting that it was part of a tit-for-tat communal cycle implicitly frames Shetty’s own murder as a continuation or correction of that cycle, rather than an independent crime requiring condemnation.

Notably, the attackers’ religious identity is never mentioned, despite the communal background of Fazil’s case and the bandh call by Hindu groups following Shetty’s death. While the article meticulously details Shetty’s alleged past and the government’s response, it avoids naming or speculating on the ideology or affiliations of the perpetrators – an omission that is very consistent in TNM’s reportage when violence is suspected to involve Islamist groups.

This isn’t the first time The News Minute has been accused of employing selective framing. Here is a list of instances where The News Minute justified murders of Hindus, hid the names especially if the perpetrators were Muslims and whitewashed crimes secularly.

Instance 1 – Butchering Of Shraddha Walkar By Aftab

Last year, we all came to hear about the horrific butchering of Shraddha by her partner Aftab Ameen Poonawalla. Aftab had a serious argument with his partner Shraddha, and things took a horrifying turn. He used a sharp weapon to dismember her body into 35 pieces and even bought a fridge to hide them! What’s even more chilling is that he threw those gruesome body parts at 18 different locations in Delhi over the course of 18 days. To make matters worse, he tried to avoid getting caught by sneaking out in the early morning with 1-2 body parts in a plastic bag and dumping them in a forest. Yes, we all know what happened. 

As always, TNM hid the name of the perpetrator in a bid to secularise the gruesome incident.

TNM’s Editor-in-Chief Dhanya Rajendran shared an Indian Express article titled “A toxic and abusive relationship that ended in death” on her Twitter handle and she wrote the following caption, “Shraddha continued their relationship as Aaftab emotionally blackmailed her and said he would die by suicide if she leaves him. The level of entitlement such men have”.

Instance 2 – Giving Communal Colour To Petty Fight

On a different occasion, The News Minute allegedly attempted to spark communal tensions by sensationalising a minor altercation between college students that occurred in a little-known town within the Dakshin Kannada district. The article titled “Dakshina Kannada: Muslim man beaten up for speaking to Hindu woman classmate” claimed that Mohammed Saneef was allegedly attacked for befriending a Hindu classmate. However, the article didn’t mention anything about stalking or harassment. Instead, the police referred to it as a “love-related case.”

Interestingly, The News Minute seemingly made efforts to associate the students who assaulted Saneef with a Hindu rights organisation, even though there was no direct evidence supporting such a link.

Netizens pointed out this starkly contrasting reporting style of TNM:

Instance 3 – Justifying Crime Because Perpetrator Felt Disrespected

In March 2023, during Holi celebrations in Telangana, a man named Mohammad Shabbir set his ‘friend’ Anjaiah on fire after the latter playfully smeared Holi colours on him. The News Minute “reported” the incident while seemingly trying to portray the perpetrator, Shabbir, in a less negative light and subtly shifted the blame onto the Hindu victim. They initially wrote an article justifying Shabbir’s actions, claiming he felt disrespected and insulted, and doused Anjaiah in petrol before setting him ablaze. You can read our report here.

However, after outraged Twitter users called attention to this biased reporting, TNM modified the text of their report. A Twitter user named Sai called out TNM’s one-sided story, tagging Dhanya Rajendran, Editor-in-Chief of TNM, and asking, “Who writes copy like this? It almost sounds like a justification. Even by #TNMurasoli standards, this is terrible.”

After facing severe backlash on social media for their insensitive reporting, The News Minute (TNM) modified the content of their article without offering an apology for the initial version. The article was published on March 9, two days after the disturbing incident took place. The headline used by The News Minute (TNM) read: “Upset at being smeared with color, a man allegedly sets friend ablaze in Telangana.” In doing so, TNM appeared to defend the perpetrator right from the start, suggesting that the victim was at fault for smearing colour on Muhammed Shabbir during the Holi festival.

Instance 4 – Shifts Blame On Victim Again, Calls People “Hindu Mob”

In May 2023, an incident in Telangana involving a gas cylinder delivery agent named Lingam and Imran Ahmed came to light after a video of their altercation went viral on social media. Lingam, who was wearing a Hanuman Mala at the time, went to deliver a gas cylinder to Imran’s house. When Lingam asked for the empty cylinder, Imran’s mother refused to hand it over, leading to a heated argument between her and Lingam. Imran joined in and assaulted Lingam with chappals while insulting the Hanuman Mala.

Later, Hindu organisations, including the BJP, RSS, and Hindu Vahini, were informed about the incident and gathered at the scene, resulting in a fight where Imran was attacked by a group of men. However, media reports portrayed the attackers as a “Hindu mob” and overlooked the role of Imran and his family in inciting the tension.

However, media outlets like The News Minute focused more on portraying the Hindu group’s attack on Imran as the main story while downplaying Imran’s instigation and assault as a minor event. Phrases like “Hindu Mob” and “Hanuman devotees are perpetrators” were used in their articles, allegedly attempting to stereotype Hindu Hanuman devotees negatively.

It is to be noted that the entire episode of violence might not have occurred if Imran and his mother had followed the customary procedure and returned the empty cylinder. However, The News Minute’s article, edited by its Editor-in-Chief Dhanya Rajendran, made it appear as if the Hindu group attacked Imran’s biryani shop for no apparent reason.

Instance 5 – Udupi Video Scandal

The Udupi video recording horror where 3 female Muslim students video recorded their Hindu classmates in the washroom of the institution secretly. There are reports of this happening for over a year – read more here and here. 

The News Minute as mentioned above played the he said-she said card and reported the horrendous incident as a “prank” and whitewashed the whole issue to make the perpetrators look like victims especially because of last year’s Hijab controversy in the region. 

Instance 6 – Bulli Bai/Sulli Deal Issue

The Bulli Bai and Sulli Deal controversy emerged in 2021 and 2022 when a group of teenagers created an app on GitHub, posting publicly available pictures of Muslim women and seemingly “auctioning” them. While these images were not meant for actual sale and were publicly accessible, they still caused indignation and humiliation among the Muslim women whose pictures were involved.

While the distress caused because of these actions especially since it relates to the misuse of images on the Internet is understandable, it needs to be acknowledged that the teenagers’ actions were foolish and ignorant, not fully comprehending the potential consequences of their actions. This action can be placed under the category of a “prank”, a disgusting one at that. 

The response from the Muslim community and their ideological supporters was deemed excessive. The teenagers involved in the incident faced extended periods of imprisonment, and the incident sparked worldwide anger about Islamophobia and the perceived oppression of Muslim men by “Hindu fascists.” As a consequence, the teenagers were labeled as Hindu terrorists, and the entire Hindu community faced scrutiny in connection to the victimisation of Muslims, particularly Muslim women.

Dhanya Rajendran, who also defended TNM’s stance on the Udupi case as a “prank”, previously advocated for trafficking charges to be applied to the arrested teenagers involved in the incident.

This would have resulted in the teenagers facing jail time for offences related to prostitution and flesh trade, despite their actions involving publicly available images on an app. In addition to this, she exposed the identities of the accused teenagers, including an 18-year-old girl.

A few more instances where TNM tries to paint one particular community as supreme and peace-loving:

Instance 7 – Justifying Alleged Land Grab By Waqf Board

In September 2022, TNM published an article where it attempted to establish that the village of Thiruchendurai belonged to the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board, rather than the rightful landowners. According to the report, the Waqf Board sent a letter to the Registration Department with documents claiming ownership of the entire village and requesting a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for any land registration in the area.

As the news created controversy, the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board decided to “temporarily allow” property-related transactions in the Tiruchendurai village. The TNM article quoted the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board Chairman, Abdul Rahman, who asserted that their records show the Waqf Board owns 389.03 acres of land in Thiruchendurai.

TNM further corroborated the Waqf Board’s claims by stating, “TNM also verified the Gazette Notification number 570 to confirm that the land had been registered as Waqf property on June 27, 1956.”

Instance 8 – Denying The Existence Of Love Jihad 

The release of “The Kerala Story” created a buzz, discussing topics that were previously avoided by the ‘Left-Liberal’ intelligentsia of Lutyens Delhi. The News Minute (TNM) published articles attempting to present an alternative narrative to “The Kerala Story.”

TNM published an article highlighting communal harmony stories from Kerala as an alternative to the movie, but it was criticised for trying to ignore the truth behind “Love Jihad” and brushing it aside with other stories. The article in TNM failed to engage in a real discussion about Love Jihad as a social issue. The practice of using love as a means for proselytising by Jihadists is a well-documented reality.

Malappuram, once a Hindu-majority district, saw demographic changes over time, with Muslims now comprising over 70% of the population. Factors contributing to this change include the Moplah rebellions and the invasion of Tipu Sultan, which led to the deaths of many Hindus and the destruction of Hindu temples. The Hindu population in Malappuram declined due to these events, leading to it becoming a Muslim-majority district. Instances of forced conversions to Islam and Love Jihad have been reported in Malappuram. TNM’s response to “The Kerala Story” only appeared to divert attention from the issue of Love Jihad and deny its ugly existence in India.

Instance 9 – Peddling Half-Truths About Halal Certification

In April 2022, The News Minute published an “explainer” on Halal Certification showcasing it in a positive light by stating that it guarantees hygienic and non-toxic food prepared according to Islamic law. However, the article whitewashed the impact of imposing Islamic practices on non-Muslims and justified the act of blowing into food.

The article ignored several problematic points about Halal and these include:

  1. Imposes Islamic hegemony over non-Muslims, as non-Muslims have no choice but to consume meat slaughtered in the Halal way.
  2. Halal slaughter is considered cruel, as it leads to slow death for animals, unlike Jhatka slaughter.
  3. Halal effectively discriminates against non-Muslims in the meat industry, leading to monopolization by Muslims.
  4. The practice of Halal is seen as misogynistic, as only Muslim men are allowed to perform the Islamic prayer during meat cutting.
  5. Halal certification is often issued by organisations with alleged links to supporting terrorists and jihadists, inadvertently funded by non-Muslim consumers.

The consistent pattern in these “news” articles is the evident bias shown by TNM towards a specific community, where it seemingly downplays heinous crimes and refuses to acknowledge the underlying ideology driving that community’s actions. This has raised curiosity among netizens regarding whether The News Minute will continue to assert itself as an objective “news” portal or openly acknowledge its alignment as a mouthpiece for the leftists, Islamists and the Dravidian stocks.

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BJP IT Wing Functionary Arrested Again In Namakkal Over Social Media Post About Pahalgam Terror Attack Allegedly Targeting Minority Community; BJP Leaders Slams DMK Govt

By
The Commune
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A 28-year-old BJP IT wing functionary was arrested by the Nallipalayam police on Tuesday for allegedly posting content on social media that targeted a minority community and referenced terrorism. The arrest has sparked political backlash from BJP leaders, who accused the ruling DMK government of misusing state machinery to suppress dissent.

S. Pravinraj of Muthukalippatti in Rasipuram taluk, had reportedly been absconding after posting a controversial message on 25 April 2025 from his pseudonymous X handle, “Sanghi Prince.” The post in question tagged a private television channel’s report and made comments interpreted as offensive towards a religious group.

The case is said to be about his social media post where Pravinraj is said to have claimed that a muslim was involved in the case where a person tried to derail a train by removing bolts from the railway track. However, upon investigation, the police arrested a sadhu named Om. Since there was no involvement of a person belonging to a minority community in the case, the police seem to have gone ahead with the case on Pravinraj.

Officials stated he had previously shared critical content targeting Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin as well.

Based on a complaint filed by the Namakkal Cybercrime Cell, the Nallipalayam police booked Pravinraj under Sections 196 and 346 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertain to promoting enmity between groups and tampering with property marks in a way that could cause harm.

He was taken into custody and produced before a magistrate on Tuesday.

Namakkal Superintendent of Police S. Rajesh Kannan issued a public warning urging citizens not to post content on social media that could provoke caste or communal tensions and threaten law and order.

Meanwhile, the arrest drew sharp condemnation from the BJP. TN BJP President Nainar Nagendran condemned the arrest. He wrote on his X handle, “I strongly condemn the arrest of our Tamil Nadu BJP functionary Mr. Praveen Raj by the DMK’s puppet department for criticizing those who carried out the terrorist attack in Bahalgam. After learning of the matter, I spoke with Mr. Praveen Raj’s father over the phone, expressed condolences to his family, and assured them that @BJP4Tamilnadu will stand by brother Praveen Raj legally to overcome this difficult situation.”

BJP leader and former president Annamalai, in a post on X, called the arrest “strongly condemnable,” alleging that the Tamil Nadu police were being used to shield the DMK government’s administrative shortcomings.

“The arrest of Mr. Pravinraj, associated with Tamil Nadu BJP, for a social media post is strongly condemnable. With thousands of law and order issues in Tamil Nadu, such as the increasing circulation of narcotic substances, sexual crimes against women and children, and the murder of elderly people living alone, isn’t it shameful for Chief Minister Mr. @mkstalin to use the Tamil Nadu police full-time to monitor social media, just to prevent the DMK government’s administrative failures from becoming a topic of discussion on social media platforms? Even when complaints are filed against DMK members who make derogatory remarks about the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Union Ministers, and BJP leaders, the government of Chief Minister Mr. @mkstalin merely watches without taking action. However, it is not right for them to continue this childish behavior of arresting BJP members for ordinary social media posts. Power and authority are not permanent.” Annamalai wrote.

In a lengthy post before his arrest, Pravinraj claimed he had been threatened for refusing to retract his statements on terrorism and alleged that police had previously harassed his family. He said that during an earlier arrest, he was placed in a jail cell alongside a convict in the 1998 Coimbatore bomb blasts case, where he was threatened again. Pravinraj also referred to the recent custodial death of Ajith Kumar in Sivaganga district, claiming he would be the “next Ajith Kumar,” but as a “victim of terrorism.” He also accused the police of attempting to intimidate him ahead of a court hearing related to an ongoing case. He wrote, “20 Police at my doorstep… I am the next Ajith Kumar…but this murder is not for jewellery, it is for speaking out against terrorists @NainarBJP @annamalai_k

13-05-2025: Pakistani terrorists, write an apology letter saying that I will no longer write that “those who carried out the Pahalgam terror attack are Islamic terrorists” I will not, I will meet you in court

22-05-2025: We never went to Pravin’s house, Judge Sir

22-05-2025: After watching the entire CCTV, Judge asks: – Then what is this? Why did you lie in court? We are going to take departmental action

25-06-2025: Yes sir, there is an FIR

That day, when I was not at home, the intention of the police that is under Stalin was to come and threaten my parents… Was it because I should not speak against the terrorist? Or was it because I should not speak against Pakistan?

1-07-2025: Action against the police will be taken to court this evening

This morning: 20 policemen at the gate saying that we will arrest the man who spoke against the terrorists.

I have been on bail for a month for a case that was not filed…

Are you afraid of the Madras High Court today and trying to save your job by coming to my house and speaking in support of the terrorists…?

Or if I withdraw the case that is coming up for hearing today, will justice be ruined if I am arrested as a precaution so that the police’s speech in support of the terrorists does not come out in the open? @mkstalin @tnpoliceoffl

Note: – I have never told anyone this before.

When I was first arrested, I was locked up in the cell of the Coimbatore bomb blast terrorist in Trichy jail and threatened by him, saying that this time even if I die, I will be happy for the nation, and I will never apologize for speaking against the terrorists.”

District-level BJP members have echoed Annamalai’s concerns, calling the arrest an example of political vendetta.

(With inputs from Times of India)

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NPAs Of India’s Banks Decline To Multi-Decade Low Of 2.3%

By
The Commune
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The soundness and resilience of India’s scheduled commercial banks are bolstered by robust capital buffers, multi-decadal low non-performing loans and strong earnings, according to the RBI’s latest Financial Stability report.

The country’s scheduled commercial banks continued to record improvement in their asset quality, with the GNPA ratio and NNPA ratio declining to multi-decadal lows of 2.3 per cent and 0.5 per cent, respectively, the report states.

While overall gross NPAs (non-performing assets) of banks fell to 2.3 per cent of total loans as of March 31 from 2.8 per cent a year ago, public-sector banks registered a sharp decline in NPAs from 3.7 per cent in March 2024 to 2.8 per cent in March this year.

The gross NPA ratio of private-sector banks remained stable at 2.8 per cent, according to RBI data. Furthermore, macro stress test results showed that the scheduled commercial banks’ aggregate capital levels will continue to remain above the regulatory minimum, even under adverse stress scenarios, the report states.

Indian financial sector remained strong and resilient amidst global headwinds. Banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) reinforced their capital and liquidity buffers while improving their asset quality. Bank credit growth decelerated and moved closer to deposit growth, narrowing the gap between both. The credit expansion by NBFCs was supported by improving credit quality and strong capital buffers.

A favourable interest rate environment, conditioned by monetary policy easing, is expected to catalyse credit offtake, going forward. The capital position of the urban cooperative banks (UCBs) strengthened, while that of the non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) remained well above the regulatory minimum.

The consolidated solvency ratio of the insurance sector, both life and non-life segments, remained above the minimum prescribed threshold limit. Stress test results of mutual funds and clear corporations affirm their resilience to shocks, according to the report. The half-yearly slippage ratio, measuring new accretions to NPAs as a share of standard advances at the beginning of the half-year, remained stable at 0.7 per cent while the provisioning coverage ratio of banks at 76.3 per cent in March 2025 was marginally lower than that in September 2024, the report added.

–IANS

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BJP Announces Joint Protest With ADMK Against DMK Govt Over Custodial Death Of Temple Guard Ajithkumar

By
The Commune
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custodial death of temple guard ajithkumar joint protest

The BJP and AIADMK, key allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu, have announced a large-scale joint protest to be held on 2 July 2025, in Thirubhuvanam, Sivaganga District. The demonstration is being organized to strongly condemn the alleged custodial death of 27-year-old temple security guard, Ajith Kumar, who died following a brutal police assault after being taken in for interrogation at the Thirubhuvanam Police Station.

The protest also aims to demand justice for Ajith Kumar’s family and call for appropriate compensation for their loss. The organizers are also pressing for the immediate arrest of those responsible, including any DMK members allegedly involved.

In an official statement shared on social media, senior BJP leader H. Raja announced, “BJP – AIADMK Joint Protest!! Massive Condemnation Protest by BJP – AIADMK tomorrow, Wednesday, 02.07.2025 at 10:00 AM in Thirubhuvanam, Sivaganga District, demanding justice for the murder of Mr. Ajithkumar of Thirubhuvanam!!! This massive condemnation protest is being organized jointly by the BJP and AIADMK on behalf of the National Democratic Alliance, tomorrow, Wednesday, 02.07.2025 at 10:00 AM in Thirubhuvanam, Sivaganga District being held to demand the arrest of DMK members involved in the murder of Mr. Ajithkumar, who died due to brutal assault by the police after being taken for interrogation to the Thirubhuvanam Police Station in Sivaganga District and also demands justice for Mr. Ajithkumar’s family and compensation for them. I request all State, District, Mandal, and Branch executives, and Wing and Division in-charges of the Bharatiya Janata Party belonging to Sivaganga District, to compulsorily attend this condemnation protest in large numbers with BJP flags. The struggle will continue until justice is served for Thirubhuvanam Ajithkumar’s family..!!”

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Dravidian Model Electric Buses Flagged Off by CM Stalin Breaks Down On Day One Of Operation, Had To Be Towed Away

By
The Commune
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cm stalin mk stalin bus breakdown inaugurated electric bus madhavaram

Just a day after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin flagged off 120 electric buses in Chennai with much fanfare, at least three of the newly launched vehicles reportedly broke down in different parts of the city, prompting criticism from commuters and opposition parties alike.

The electric buses, which were flagged off on 30 June 2025 from the Vyasarpadi MTC depot as part of the Chennai Sustainable Urban Services Program (C-SUSP), mark the first induction of e-buses by the state-run Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC). The initiative, backed by World Bank and AIIB funding, aims to improve urban mobility and reduce pollution in Chennai.

However, on the next morning (1 July 2025), several of these buses reportedly stalled during service, causing inconvenience to passengers and raising questions about the reliability of the fleet. Eyewitnesses reported breakdowns in multiple locations, with the buses being towed away shortly after being put into operation.

Videos circulating on social media showed the electric buses halted on busy routes, while disgruntled passengers voiced concerns about the effectiveness of the project. Some users accused the government of prioritizing publicity over performance, alleging that repeated technical failures had marred what was intended as a milestone in sustainable transport.

In the launch event, CM Stalin had personally inspected the buses and inaugurated a dedicated electric charging station built at a cost of ₹47.5 crore. The fleet itself was procured at a cost of ₹207.9 crore and included features like panic buttons, surveillance cameras, mobile charging ports, and low-floor access for disabled commuters.

According to officials, the buses were to be operated under the Gross Cost Contract (GCC) model by OHM Global Mobility, a subsidiary of Ashok Leyland and SWITCH Mobility. The MTC will pay ₹77.16 per kilometre to the operator over a 12-year period, while conductors hired by the MTC will issue tickets using electronic ticketing machines.

The buses had been deployed on 11 routes including Broadway-Kilambakkam, Poonamallee-Vallalar Nagar, and Vallalar Nagar-Redhills. Officials have not yet issued a formal statement on the breakdowns.

Public reaction has been swift, with many questioning the government’s preparedness and quality checks.

(With inputs from The New Indian Express)

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“You’re Not Fit To Be CM”: DMK MP A Raja’s Statement Comes Back To Haunt MK Stalin

By
The Commune
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mk stalin a raja

The Tamil Nadu BJP has come down heavily on Chief Minister MK Stalin following the alleged custodial death of Ajith Kumar, a 27-year-old temple security guard from Sivaganga. The incident has triggered a political storm, after Chief Minister MK Stalin seemed to shield the police and brushing aside serious allegations.

To highlight the DMK’s hypocrisy, the TN BJP shared an old video of Nilgiris MP and Deputy General Secretary of the DMK, A Raja harshly criticizing former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami over a similar lock-up death case.

In the video, Raja questioned how a Chief Minister could casually dismiss a custodial death and said bluntly, “A custodial death has occurred, but a good Chief Minister should decide what steps to take to prevent it. Instead, for someone who has the police under their control to casually say it’s nothing, what does that mean? You are not fit to be the Chief Minister. I am accusing you, sir. You are not fit to be the Chief Minister in any way… not just the police, but including your statements and ramblings, I am telling you, ‘You have no moral basis to be the Chief Minister. You have no qualification whatsoever for that.”

The BJP posted the video clip on its official X handle, as a “bitter pill” for the DMK regime accused Stalin of responding insensitively when recently questioned about police accountability. During a press conference, when a reporter asked, “Some officials are making mistakes. How are you going to take action against them?” Stalin shot back, “What kind of mistakes are they making?”, a remark widely viewed as defensive and dismissive.

Mocking Stalin’s recent press statement, TN BJP wrote, “To the attention of the puppet chief minister @mkstalin who turned Tamil Nadu into a crematorium…After finishing all your walking, photoshoots, movie reviews, and ‘Manaada Mayilaada’ (a dance show) in the middle of the road… if you have time, answer these questions asked by A. Raja.”

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“Look At The Way He Responds”: Netizens Slam Stalin’s Attitude When Answering About Ajithkumar Custodial Death As He Asks “What Mistake Did They (Police) Do?”

By
The Commune
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stalin tamil nadu chief minister custodial death ajithkumar dmk

 

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is facing mounting criticism over his response to media questions regarding the alleged custodial death of Ajithkumar, a 27-year-old temple security guard in Sivaganga district.

While Stalin had earlier spoken with the bereaved family and assured them of strict action, a press interaction on Tuesday, 1 July 2025, has drawn strong reactions from the public and opposition alike. Responding to a reporter’s question about the state’s accountability in cases like Ajith Kumar’s death, the Chief Minister appeared puzzled and asked, “What mistake did they do?” The reporter briefly explained the incident and the non-filing of the FIR, to which Stalin replied, “When we got the information, we took action, we got them arrested, even today, we have taken action against the higher authorities.”

The exchange, perceived by many as indifferent and lacking empathy, has triggered outrage on social media platforms. Several users accused the Chief Minister of responding defensively and downplaying the seriousness of the custodial death. Hashtags such as #JusticeForAjithKumar trended across X, with users questioning the tone and approach of the state’s top leader.

One user wrote, “The way he is responding with no empathy I will divert Atleast 100 votes going to dmk in 2026 who is with me”

Several others echoed the sentiment.

 

 

 

 

The AIADMK also weighed in, sharply criticizing Stalin’s response. In a post on X, the party wrote, “This is the Chief Minister. The one who claims to have the police under his control. Did you notice the tone of asking, “What wrong are they doing?” If given a chance, he would openly advocate for them. That’s why we say – Puppet Chief Minister @mkstalin!”

Despite Stalin’s assurance that action has been taken—including the transfer of Sivaganga SP Ashish Rawat and the arrest of five policemen—the opposition has questioned why such steps were only taken after public pressure mounted.

Meanwhile, the Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench is continuing to monitor the case through suo motu proceedings. The CB-CID has taken over the probe, and a case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

Ajith Kumar had been detained following a complaint by two women about missing gold jewellery. His death in custody, reportedly accompanied by physical injuries, has added to the list of custodial deaths that have rocked the state in recent years.

(With inputs from ANI)

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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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