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DVAC Raids AIADMK MLA Amman Arjunan’s Premises

By
The Commune
-

The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) of Tamil Nadu was on Tuesday conducting searches at the residence and office of opposition AIADMK‘s Coimbatore North MLA Amman K. Arjunan.

The raids, which began in the morning, are based on a case registered against him for allegedly amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income during his previous tenure. A team of eight DVAC officials, accompanied by armed police personnel for security, was inspecting his house and office.

This is not the first time DVAC has acted against AIADMK leaders since the DMK assumed office in 2021. Earlier, raids were conducted at the residence of former state Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar and former Local Administration Minister S.P. Velumani in separate corruption cases. Investigators conducted searches at 13 locations linked to Vijayabaskar, including his residence, following a complaint related to corruption.

Similarly, DVAC sleuths carried out raids at 10 locations associated with S.P. Velumani in another corruption case. The DVAC has registered a case against former minister and AIADMK legislator S.P. Velumani for alleged corruption in awarding stormwater drain (SWD) and roadwork tenders by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) in 2018. This marked the fourth FIR filed against Velumani by the state’s anti-corruption agency since the DMK government came to power in 2021. Velumani, currently AIADMK’s Organising Secretary, served as the Minister for Local Administration from 2014 to 2021.

The FIR is based on complaints filed by Jayaram Venkatesan, convenor of the NGO Arappor Iyakkam. The DVAC has also filed a charge sheet in the disproportionate assets case against former Minister C. Vijayabaskar and his wife, Ramya.

The charge sheet is based on a case registered under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. According to the charge, Vijayabaskar and his wife accumulated wealth in their names and those of their family members in the form of movable and immovable properties worth Rs 35.79 crore, which was found to be disproportionate to their known sources of income.

The DVAC has also previously conducted raids and registered a case against AIADMK leader and former T. Nagar MLA B. Sathyanarayanan in connection with a disproportionate assets case. The investigating agency has alleged that Sathyanarayanan amassed wealth amounting to Rs 2.64 crore, which was found to be disproportionate to his known sources of income.

–IANS

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Book Review: Kupwara Codes By Maj Manik M. Jolly – A Riveting Military Thriller

By
Gee Vee
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A good friend recommended this book during the pre-launch phase. Reading through the insightful tweets of the Major on social media, I was expecting a cracker of a book, presumably based on his experiences. However, after reading the book, I should comment that the Major has surprised all of us – This is an absolute humdinger with a thoroughly captivating narrative and excellently told fiction. The book’s title suggests that this is the first of many books and I eagerly look forward to the future editions.

This is a military fiction set in Kashmir, detailing the lives and travails of the First Battalion of the 4 Gorkha Rifles regiment. Major Danny Deka is an absolutely wonderful character, sketched to every great detail, and whose life arc is beautifully presented. Deepak, his protege and understudy, bubbling with youth and energy is a perfect foil to the daredevilry of Danny. One of the strengths or rather the beauty of the book is that many such characters are introduced in the narrative. Every single one of them is carved exquisitely and leaves a lasting memory on the reader.

The book gives some great insight into the lives of the army personnel. From regional tags like “Jat”, and “Khalsa” to the banter and leg-pulling of junior officers, this book embeds such nuggets smartly within the conversations. One of the biggest USP of the book is the enormous amount of leadership lessons that are distributed across the narrative. The importance of virtues like Humility is illustrated with some very fine examples, something that the readers can consider imbibing in their lives. Death is an event that acts as a catalyst for a gentleman cadet to transition into a Man. The conversations and experiences around this incident are quite hard-hitting.

Beyond the fiction, the book does present some fundamental issues critical to our society as part of the narrative. For example, the role of social media and influencers in setting a narrative, albeit a biased one, and the weaponization of such media by enemy powers. The role of media debates, open papers in international publications, etc are highlighted quite excellently. The author has inserted these life realities in such a wonderful manner that they don’t seem out of place at all.

Towards the end of the book, I observed a couple of instances where the dialogues are critical of the so-called defence experts who appear on all these TV debates. I wasn’t sure if this was just a conjecture of the character or a deeper reflection of the author’s experiences.

Overall, this is a wonderful unputdownable book. Very highly recommended.

Gee Vee is an engineer and avid fan of itihasas, puranas and books.

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“DMK – A Bunch Of Confused Nincompoops, Visit ED Or Income Tax Office With Same Black Paint”: BJP Leader Annamalai Slams DMK For Vandalizing Central Govt Properties Having Hindi Names

By
The Commune
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Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai criticized the DMK’s attempt to maintain its old anti-Hindi stance, despite the Tamil Nadu BJP exposing the party’s hypocrisy. He pointed out that many DMK leaders, who had been rallying against the imposition of Hindi, actually own schools that follow the CBSE curriculum, where Hindi is taught. Despite these revelations, some of the DMK’s cadres have continued to deface Hindi words on the boards of central government offices and buildings.

Annamalai took to his official X account to express his frustration, saying, “Had seen a few misguided individuals roaming around with a can of black paint, striking Hindi Letters in opposition to the three-language formula in the New National Education Policy. We would humbly suggest that they visit the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Office with the same can of black paint. They can check for the addresses of these offices from the corrupt DMK Ministers as they frequently visit these places. The DMK party is a bunch of confused nincompoops who have different standards for their families and others. They either run CBSE/Matriculation schools, which offer an option of 3 languages or ensure that their children/grandchildren are enrolled in such schools. After securing their children’s future, they go around spreading fallacies and propaganda against the three-language policy; irony of things.

We strongly recommend that Thiru @mkstalin not hide behind the imaginary Hindi Imposition and answer these questions.

  • While the DMK ministers to councillors enrol their children in private schools where 3 languages or more are taught, why is it deprived of students studying in government schools?
  • Why are Hindi, other Indian Languages, and International Languages taught to students in the CBSE/ Matriculation schools run by DMK leaders? Why is the right to learn a third language refused only for students studying in government schools? Is the right to learn an additional language a privilege only for those who can afford it?
  • Our Hon. Minister, Thiru @dpradhanbjp avl, has clarified many times that the three-language policy does not mandate Hindi as the third language and is only an optional third language among many other languages. The same is proposed in the National Education Policy 2020. Why is the DMK deliberately confusing people?
  • Over 25 languages are defined as Dravidian languages. Having named your party the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, why is the State Government opposed to Government school students learning a third language such as Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam?
  • Did your party founder, Thiru Annadurai, not say that Tamil Nadu is willing to adopt Three language formula if other states also adopt it?

The people of Tamil Nadu deserve transparency, not hypocrisy. Will Thiru @mkstalin dare to answer these questions, or will he continue to hide behind false narratives? Thiru@mkstalin should also bring his I.N.D.I. Alliance partners to TN and give them also a box of black paint.”

This comes in the wake of DMK cadres defacing Hindi words on the boards of central government offices and buildings at locations including Sankarankoil, Pollachi, and Palayamkottai railway stations, as well as on the boards and banners at the Parangi Malai post office and BSNL office.

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Hindu Activists And Villagers Apprehend 27 Missionaries For Religious Proselytization At The Gates Of Peravurani Govt School Near Thanjavur

By
The Commune
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Hindu activists and local villagers in Thanjavur’s Peravurani apprehended over 27 Christian missionaries accused of spreading religious propaganda and denigrating Hinduism among students and the public at the gates of Peravurani Government School. They were subsequently handed over to the police for further action,

It was alleged that around 40 people from Nagercoil in Kanyakumari district, along with individuals from Thuravikkadu, Madukkur, and Karur in Thanjavur district, were seen distributing religious pamphlets in areas surrounding Thiruchitrambalam, Madathikadu, and Kalathur near Peravurani in Thanjavur district.

The group had faced resistance when they attempted to distribute pamphlets in Madathikadu earlier, causing a disruption. Later that evening, they stopped in front of the Government High School in Kalathur and began handing out pamphlets to students as they left the school. During this time, they made derogatory remarks about Hindu deities and attempted to influence the students.

Upon hearing about the incident, local villagers, parents of the students, and BJP members intervened and confronted the group. The 13 members who were present initially fled, stating that they would report the matter to the police.

Subsequently, 27 individuals were apprehended and handed over to the Thiruchitrambalam police for further action.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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DMK MP Kathir Anand’s Kingston School Insists On Cash-Only Fees

By
The Commune
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Kingston Group of Institutions, a CBSE school in Vellore owned by DMK MP Kathir Anand, has come under scrutiny for its cash-only fee policy. Parents are required to pay fees in cash at the school office, with no options for digital transactions. This has raised concerns over transparency, especially given the numerous corruption allegations surrounding Kathir Anand and his family.

Kathir Anand, the son of DMK Minister Duraimurugan, serves as the Chairman of Kingston Group of Institutions, while his wife, Sangeetha Kathir Anand, is the Chairwoman. Despite the DMK’s frequent advocacy for digital transactions and financial transparency, the school enforces a rigid rule that fees must be paid in person, in cash, by the 10th of each quarter. Students whose fees are unpaid are considered defaulters and are barred from attending classes until dues are cleared. Additionally, the school does not offer refunds under any circumstances.

Corruption Allegations Against Kathir Anand

The cash-only policy at Kingston School raises suspicions in light of Kathir Anand’s long history of financial controversies.

In January 2025, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided Kingston Engineering College, also owned by Kathir Anand, and seized ₹13.7 crore in cash, along with incriminating documents and hard disks. The raid, which lasted 44 hours, revealed unaccounted money allegedly intended for salaries, festival bonuses, and student fees. Further investigations led to the seizure of an additional ₹2.74 crore and the sealing of the college’s server room.

This investigation ties back to a 2019 case where over ₹10 crore in cash was confiscated from locations linked to Kathir Anand’s associates in Vellore. The money was reportedly used for cash-for-votes activities during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, ultimately leading to the cancellation of elections in the constituency.

Adding to the controversy, Kathir Anand’s father, Minister Duraimurugan, was accused of orchestrating a ₹300 crore bribe scheme in Tamil Nadu’s sand quarry business. Leaked audio recordings surfaced in 2021, allegedly exposing his involvement in illegal sand mining contracts with notorious sand baron Sekhar Reddy. Reports suggest that the deals were arranged through Kathir Anand, further cementing the family’s reputation for corruption.

Lack of Transparency In School’s Financial Dealings

With such a track record of financial misconduct, Kingston Group of Institutions’ insistence on cash payments raises serious concerns. The absence of digital payment options allows for untraceable transactions, leaving room for potential financial irregularities. It is perplexing why such a big CBSE school refuses to accept online/digital payments or even cheques when even small vendors have embraced digital transactions.

The cash-only policy at Kingston School, combined with the corruption allegations against its owner, suggests a broader pattern of financial opacity.

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Pastor & Family Arrested For Sexually Assaulting 13-Year-Old Girl in Kanyakumari

By
The Commune
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In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, Reverend John Rose, a priest from the Sembaruthivilai area near Thakala in Kanyakumari district, has been arrested for allegedly raping a 13-year-old girl. The accused, who runs a prayer hall in the Karumparai area, is said to have sexually assaulted the minor under the guise of religious guidance.

According to reports, the incident came to light when the girl suddenly complained of severe stomach pain. Concerned, her parents took her to a hospital for a medical examination. Doctors confirmed that the girl had been raped, prompting her family to file a formal complaint with the local police.

The investigation revealed that Reverend John Rose had allegedly threatened and sexually assaulted the girl when she visited the prayer hall a few months ago. The police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and launched a manhunt for the accused.

It was later discovered that Reverend John Rose had fled to Coimbatore with his family in an attempt to evade arrest. Acting swiftly, the police tracked him down and apprehended him. In addition to the priest, his wife and son were also arrested as alleged accomplices in the crime.

The arrest has sparked outrage among locals, with many demanding strict action against the accused. The case has also raised concerns about the safety of children in religious institutions and the need for stricter oversight to prevent such heinous crimes.

(With inputs from Daily Thanthi)

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Madras HC Dismisses Plea Against Isha Mahashivratri Celebrations

By
The Commune
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The Madras High Court on 24 February 2025 dismissed a petition seeking to halt the upcoming Mahashivratri celebrations at the Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore’s Velliangiri foothills. The event, scheduled for the night of February 26-27, 2025, will proceed as planned after a Division Bench comprising Justices S.M. Subramaniam and K. Rajasekar found no grounds for intervention.

The court relied on a submission from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), which confirmed that Isha Foundation had complied with pollution norms. The board stated that seating arrangements for the 2024 Mahashivratri celebrations were made for 60,000 people and that environmental regulations were strictly followed.

The petitioner, S.T. Sivagnanam, a neighboring landowner, had claimed that seven lakh people attended the 2024 event, raising concerns over sewage management and noise pollution. However, the TNPCB countered this claim, citing an official capacity of 60,000. It assured the court that sewage from the event would be handled efficiently. The Isha Yoga Centre operates four sewage treatment plants (STPs) with a total capacity of 1.725 million liters per day (MLD), deemed sufficient for the 6,000 residents and 5,000-10,000 daily visitors. For the 2025 celebrations, temporary toilets will be installed, and additional sewage will be transported to Coimbatore Corporation’s STP.

Regarding noise pollution, the TNPCB reported that a survey conducted at five locations, including the petitioner’s premises, during the 2024 celebrations found noise levels within the permissible limit of 75 decibels. A similar assessment will be conducted for the 2025 event. Isha Foundation’s legal representative, senior counsel Satish Parasaran, assured the court that cone speakers were not used on the premises and that noise limiters were in place to regulate sound levels.

The Bench observed that environmental regulations must be strictly followed, as public health and fundamental rights are of paramount importance. However, since the TNPCB confirmed that Isha Foundation adhered to pollution control norms in 2024, the court saw no reason to interfere with the 2025 celebrations based on mere apprehensions.

The judges also noted that a similar petition filed by Sivagnanam before the 2024 Mahashivratri festival remains pending before the High Court.

(With inputs from The Hindu)

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MDMK Functionary Exposes DMK’s Alleged Paddy Procurement Bribery

By
The Commune
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A complaint raised by an MDMK functionary about its ally and the ruling DMK’s demand for a commission on paddy procurement has sparked controversy in Madurai district, especially after the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) issued a statement urging the public to report corruption. The complaint follows numerous allegations of corruption in areas like Pudukottai, Tanjavur, and Pattukottai.

At the Chelampatti paddy procurement center in Madurai district, a DMK union secretary allegedly forced a farmer who is also an MDMK functionary, to wait for five days to have his sacks of paddy weighed unless he paid a commission. The farmer, visibly distressed, tearfully shared his experience during a farmers’ grievance redressal meeting with Collector Sangeetha. Unable to speak properly, fellow farmers offered him water for comfort.

The farmer, identified as Manavalakannan, explained, “Sudhakaran, the union secretary of the DMK in Chelampatti, is demanding that I pay money to the staff at the procurement center before they will weigh my paddy bags. He kept my bags waiting for five days without weighing them. They are asking for a commission of ₹70 per 40 kg bag, while the state government only provides ₹10 per bag to the workers.”

He further explained that, in addition to paying the ₹70, farmers are also expected to give ₹25 per bag to the office staff and ₹20 to local dignitaries for the procurement center to function smoothly. If they refuse, the center will not operate.

While this practice has been ongoing for the past three years, the farmer claimed that this time, the situation has escalated. He pointed out that 17 new centers had opened recently, despite 95% of the paddy harvest being completed in the Chelampatti area. He expressed concerns that these newly opened centers were benefiting out-of-town traders rather than local farmers, as only a small percentage of the paddy was actually ready for harvest.

According to the farmer, at the Chelampatti center, even after paying the requested commission, farmers are still charged between ₹65 and ₹80 per sack. He also mentioned that he had informed his leadership at MDMK about the situation but was unsure of what further steps could be taken.

Following the meeting, a visibly emotional Manavalakannan continued to cry as he spoke with journalists outside the session, repeating his concerns.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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Telugu-Speaking DMK Minister Ethirajulu Vajjaravelu Claims Tamil Is Under Threat

By
The Commune
-

DMK Minister of Public Works E. V. Velu, alias Ethirajalu Vajjaravelu, has recently added to the growing list of contradictions within the DMK’s stance on language politics in Tamil Nadu. While the party opposes the teaching of any third language in Tamil Nadu, Velu’s own school operates CBSE-affiliated institutions where Hindi is a mandatory subject.

Velu’s remarks came during the 32nd Muthamizh Mandram Palsuvai Literary Festival in Vaniyambadi, Tirupattur district. He passionately defended Tamil, questioning whether it was just to allow a 400-year-old language like Hindi to overshadow Tamil, which boasts a history of over 4,000 years. Velu’s rhetoric included harsh criticisms of the idea of Tamil being “threatened” by Hindi, stating, “Why should a language that’s been around for millennia be overrun by a language that’s been around for just a few centuries?” He also stated that the government alone cannot tackle this issue, and that Tamils must come together in unity.

DMK Minister E.V. Velu, who calls on Tamils to unite, is under scrutiny for owning a CBSE school, Jeeva Velu International School in Mathur, Tiruvannamalai, where Hindi is part of the curriculum.

The controversy deepens as Velu, hailing from the Telugu community, seems to appear to have a deep commitment to Tamil culture. This has led to criticism, especially after the DMK’s strong opposition to the central government’s policies, which now seems contradictory. Despite the DMK’s vocal protests against the three-language policy in government schools, all private institutions run by the party and its allies follow the CBSE curriculum, highlighting a clear disconnect between their actions and their political stance.

We had earlier exposed that nearly 30-40 DMK members had a CBSE school attached to them. EV Velu has plenty under his and his wife’s names.

Kathir Anand is already on that list along with DMK allies and Dravidianist parties like the TVK.

DMK MP Kathir Anand’s Kingston School

DMK MP Kathir Anand, son of DMK Minister Duraimurugan, serves as the Chairman of the Kingston Group of Institutions in Vellore, with his wife, Sangeetha Kathir Anand, holding the position of Chairwoman. The institution is a CBSE school that promotes holistic learning. However, despite the DMK’s vocal opposition to the three-language policy and the NEP 2020, the school ironically offers students the option to study Hindi, Tamil, and even Telugu as languages. This contradiction has raised eyebrows, especially given the party’s rhetoric on these issues.

DMK MLA Markandeyan’s Sri Ambal Vidhyalaya

Now, DMK MLA GV Markandeyan is under the spotlight. He is one of the managing trustees of a CBSE school named Sri Ambal Vidhyalaya in Vilathikulam, Thoothukudi. This is an English-medium CBSE school. It is noteworthy that GV Markandeyan is an MLA from the same constituency – Vilathikulam.

 

Part-Time Politician Vijay’s Vijay Vidyashram

Part-time politician Vijay was exposed a few days ago for running a CBSE school that promotes learning Hindi. Some videos of the students at the school have been circulating on social media. These are most likely from the school’s Instagram handle. In one such video is a Hindi play performed by Class 3 students. This is from a performance for Hindi Diwas.

VCK MP Thirumavalavan’s Blue Star Secondary School

Anti-NEP and Anti-Hindi VCK chief Thirumavalavan was also exposed recently by TN BJP President K Annamalai. Thirumavalavan ias associated with Blue Star Secondary School, a CBSE-affiliated school in Velachery, Chennai, which offers trilingual education.

The blatant hypocrisy of the Dravidianist parties and its allies cannot be ignored. While they vocally criticize the three-language policy and present themselves as champions of Tamil, the inconvenient truth is that they all run CBSE schools in Tamil Nadu that directly follows the very policy they claim to oppose. Their attempt to position themselves as saviours of Tamil language rights crumbles in the face of this exposed contradiction.

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Fact-Checking Cong MP Karti Chidambaram’s “Unthinkable In India” Claim: Minorities Have Led India’s Key Institutions, Here’s A List

By
The Commune
-

Kash Patel was sworn in as the ninth director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Friday, 21 February 2025, taking his oath on the sacred Hindu text, the Bhagavad Gita. The ceremony took place at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, where Patel was administered the oath by US Attorney General Pam Bondi, following his confirmation by the US Senate. He succeeds Christopher Wray in the role.

Patel’s family and girlfriend were present at the event, marking a historic moment for the Indian American community. He is not the first Indian American to take the oath on the Gita—Congressman Suhas Subramanyam had previously done the same.

Calling his appointment the “greatest honor” of his life, Patel emphasized the significance of the moment. He also reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring accountability within and beyond the FBI, pledging to uphold integrity and transparency in his leadership.

Quoting this development, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram called it “practically unthinkable” in India. On his official X handle, he wrote, “It’s a testimony to the U.S. Constitution that a person belonging to an ethnic & religious minority grouping can become the Director of the @FBI. Practically unthinkable here in India under the present political dispensation.”

Is Karti Chidambaram Right?

Well, he isn’t. Let’s go down memory lane and help jog Karti’s memory a bit. 

Muslim President

For starters, we’ve had Dr APJ Abdul Kalam as India’s President from the minority Muslim community. Additionally, it was the Congress who did not support a second term as President for Kalam.

Dalit President

KR Narayanan was India’s first Dalit vice-president in 1992 and India’s first Dalit Christian president in 1997 in independent India’s history.

Ramnath Kovind was India’s second Dalit president from 2017 to 2022 under the NDA.

Tribal President

Draupadi Murmu, India’s first tribal president, was backed by the NDA while the Congress, that Karti Chidambaram belongs to and speaks about diversity, had backed a higher caste candidate, Yashwant Sinha! Murmu became the President in 2022 during the NDA 2.0

Sikh PM Guided By Roman Catholic Party Chief

Dr Manmohan Singh, a Sikh, was the Prime Minister of India for 10 long years from 2004-2014. He was ‘guided‘ by a Roman Catholic extra-constitutional authority of Italian origin who was also the chief of the Congress party then.

Christian R&AW Chief

P. K. Hormis Tharakan, a 1968-batch IPS officer from Kerala, served as the chief of India’s external intelligence agency, R&AW, from February 2005 to January 2007, succeeding C. D. Sahay. He was also the Director General of Kerala Police. In 2008, he advised the Karnataka governor during the President’s rule before state elections. Additionally, he was a member of the National Security Council and served as Chief Advisor of Strategic Affairs. His extensive experience in intelligence and security made him a key figure in India’s national security landscape. Tharakan is a title of a Syrian Christian family, said to have been given to Hormis Tharakan’s family by Travancore Maharaja Marthanda Varma.

Muslim IB Chief

Syed Asif Ibrahim was the former Director of the Intelligence Bureau in India. He served in this role from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2014, becoming the first Muslim to hold the position. A 1977-batch IPS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre, he later took on a diplomatic role. In June 2015, he was appointed as the Indian Prime Minister’s special envoy for “Countering Terrorism and Extremism,” tasked with coordinating efforts with governments in West Asia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan on security-related matters.

Cabinet Ministers Of Minority Origin

Under the NDA, two prominent names of Cabinet ministers can be mentioned who held important portfolios.

Najma Heptullah was a member of the Rajya Sabha for six terms between 1980 and 2016 and held the position of Deputy Chairman for 16 years while associated with the Congress party. In 2012, she joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as a vice-president and later served as a minister in Narendra Modi’s first government from 2014 to 2016. Heptulla was appointed as the 16th Governor of Manipur, holding office from 2016 to 2021.

George Fernandes served as India’s Defence Minister from 1998 to 2004 under Atal Bihari Vajpayee. A veteran socialist, he was a key figure in multiple parties, including the Samata Party, and was elected to the Lok Sabha nine times between 1967 and 2004. As Defence Minister, he oversaw India’s nuclear tests at Pokhran and the Kargil War. A strong opponent of the Emergency (1975–77), he was jailed in the Baroda dynamite case. Fernandes also held key ministerial portfolios, including industries and railways.

These are just a few examples of minorities in India who have held key positions in the Indian bureaucracy. 

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