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ASI Begins Removal Of Green Paint Vandalism From Ancient Jain Caves At Thiruparankundram Hill

By
The Commune
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Officials from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) have begun removing green paint that was deliberately applied to ancient Jain caves at Thiruparankundram Hill, a site of significant religious and historical importance.

‘Unidentified individuals’ vandalized the Jain cave on the hill’s side by painting it green a week or so ago. The vandalism came to light after Shankar, Assistant Conservation Officer of the ASI, filed a complaint. The Thiruparankundram police registered a case under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 (AMASR Act), and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984 (PDPPA).

Thiruparankundram Hill, revered as the first Arupadai Veedu (abode) of Lord Murugan, is sacred to Hindus. It also houses Jain caves with Tamil Brahmi inscriptions from the 2nd century BCE to 2nd century CE, along with bas-reliefs of Parsvanatha and Mahavira from the 8th to 9th century. These caves, protected by the ASI, hold immense historical and spiritual value.

The Issue

Tensions flared on December 27, 2024, when Madurai police detained a family attempting to bring goats and roosters to the hilltop dargah for ritual sacrifice. Led by Syed Abu Dahir, a 53-year-old from Malaiyadipatti, the family protested after being stopped at the base of the hill. Their detention sparked demonstrations by over 20 local Muslims in solidarity.

On January 5, 2025, another group of Muslim protesters gathered at the hill, demanding access to the mosque for prayers. When police denied their request, the situation escalated, resulting in a brief scuffle and several detentions.

Further unrest followed the announcement of an “Equality Feast” (Samaanbhojan) scheduled for January 18 at the hilltop dargah. Social media posts indicated plans for goat and rooster sacrifices during the event. Concerned about communal violence, authorities erected barricades and conducted searches to prevent livestock from being transported to the site. When protesters were informed that animal sacrifices were prohibited, clashes erupted between Jamath members and the police, disrupting the area further.

Compounding the issue, the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), an AIADMK ally linked to the banned group PFI, has been accused of orchestrating these sacrilegious acts to inflame tensions.

On January 21, 2025, controversy deepened when DMK Manapparai MLA Abdul Samad conducted an unauthorized survey around the temple, allegedly to assert control over the hill. The same day, IUML leader Navas Kani reaffirmed in an interview that the dargah falls under the Tamil Nadu Waqf Board’s jurisdiction, further fueling the conflict.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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75 Bangladeshi Nationals Vanish After Bail, Exposing Security Lapses In Dravidian Model Tamil Nadu

By
The Commune
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12 Bangladeshi Illegals Arrested In Tiruppur, Nearly 98 Arrested In January 2025 Alone

In a major security lapse, 75 Bangladeshi nationals arrested in Tamil Nadu over the past year have disappeared after securing bail, raising concerns over the enforcement of immigration laws. These individuals were among approximately 175 foreign nationals apprehended for illegal stay and travel without valid documents.

The disappearance has occurred despite a Supreme Court directive issued on 6 January 2025, which states that foreign nationals facing criminal charges in India cannot be allowed to leave the country. According to standard procedure, such individuals should have been transferred to the special camp in Tiruchy, where foreign nationals involved in crimes in Tamil Nadu are detained until deportation.

Officials explained that even after securing bail, these individuals were supposed to remain in the special camp until deportation, and efforts were being made to obtain the necessary orders to ensure their transfer.

DT Next reported that according to a senior officer, all arrested foreign nationals are initially remanded to Puzhal Central Prison near Chennai. Before they are granted bail, investigating officers are required to submit a request to the State Public Department—through the Q-Branch or the Foreign Regional Registration Office (FRRO)—seeking approval to transfer them to the Tiruchy special camp under the provisions of the Foreigners Act. However, this transfer can only take place if the Public Department issues a government order (GO) for each individual.

Sources indicated that in this case, the necessary GOs were not issued, allowing the foreign prisoners to walk free upon securing bail without any requirement to return.

Intelligence agencies at both the state and central levels estimate that thousands of Bangladeshi nationals are staying illegally in Tamil Nadu, particularly in suburban Chennai and industrial hubs like Tirupur, Coimbatore, Perundurai, and Salem. Many of them reportedly claim to be from West Bengal and use forged Aadhaar and other identity documents to support their claims.

Officials also suspect that a significant number of these individuals could be Rohingya Muslims who fled persecution in Myanmar and entered India via Bangladesh.

Authorities are now under pressure to tighten monitoring and enforcement to prevent further security breaches and unauthorized migration in the state.

(With inputs from DT Next)

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EPS Opposes Waqf Amendment Bill, Calls For Its Withdrawal

By
The Commune
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AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami has strongly opposed the proposed Wakf Amendment Bill 2024, criticizing the BJP-led government for pushing it forward despite concerns from various sections of society.

In a statement on Thursday, Palaniswami condemned the decision of Parliament’s Joint Committee to approve the bill hastily while rejecting recommendations from various parties. He argued that the amendments could undermine the rights of Muslims over Wakf properties, intensifying fears within the minority community that the bill may lead to encroachments.

“Wakf properties across India, including Tamil Nadu, are governed by the Wakf Act, 1995. The Islamic community has full rights over these properties, and there is no provision for private individuals to claim them. So, no one is disturbed by their existence. However, the central BJP government is attempting to amend this law, raising serious concerns among the Muslim community that their rights may be taken away,” he stated.

Palaniswami highlighted the nationwide protests against the bill and called on the central government to reconsider its stance. While the BJP claims the amendment aims to protect Wakf properties, he asserted that the fears of the Muslim community regarding its impact on minorities are justified.

Urging the government to withdraw the bill, Palaniswami said, “I request the Central Government to respect the sentiments of the minority people and drop the Wakf Board Amendment Bill from being tabled in Parliament.”

(With inputs from Times of India)

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“I Have Gnanasekaran’s Call Records, I Know Whom He Spoke To After Committing The Crime”, Says BJP TN Chief Annamalai

By
The Commune
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Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai who lashed himself over the ‘sins’ committed by Tamil Nadu’s ruling dispensation has once again created a stir with his statements surrounding the call detail records of the Anna University sexual assault case culprit Gnanasekaran. He met with the press in Madurai.

Responding to a question about the police confiscating journalists’ mobile phones, Annamalai replied, “Ask them to find that ‘sir’, instead of that they are investigating the journalists. Let me tell you this, I have Gnanasekaran’s call records. I am not publishing them. I have analysed everything – who he spoke to on 23 December, I have that record. I also have the record of who he spoke to on the 24th. Some police officers are also involved in it. I cannot do all the work, I am not a sniffer dog. Tell us who is this sir. How did I take the CDR you ask(call detail record)? I went against the law and retrieved it, so the truth would come out. I do not have the authority to take the CDR but I did it. I have 1 year’s worth of Gnanasekaran’s call details with me. Who did he talk to, how many times he spoke, who did he speak to on the 23rd after committing the crime? The FIR was filed on the 25th only and I will release it one day. I am being patient, I am just seeing if you will do your job or will the SIT do its job. You are pulling out the call records of journalists – My journalist friends, how you got the FIR, the same way I caught hold of the CDR. That is your dharma, this is mine.”

Speaking on the leaked FIR, he said, “A leaked FIR reaches the journalists only then they can broadcast it as news. If the leaked FIR has reached the journalist’s phone, who was the one who leaked it? A DSP has withdrawn from the case. Even my phone has the leaked FIR, call me also for investigation. Only after reading the FIR, I spoke and held a press meeting. I request the SIT and the state government, if you are going to investigate like this, I too know how to release the CDR. Let us tell the people of TN who he spoke to after committing the crime. Who did he speak to on the 24th, why was the FIR delayed? I also know to talk about the DMK members who are linked to him. But you do your job and catch the sir. I appreciate those journalists who have the leaked FIR on their phones, you are doing your job. I request the CM to appreciate the journalist on whose phone the leaked FIR was found. If the journalist does not do his job properly, he won’t have the FIR and won’t be able to broadcast news. Instead of doing their job, it is a shame that they are investigating the journalists. We stand with the journalists in this matter. Our advocate will appear for you if you are being harassed in this case and we will take care of the expenses even if the case goes to Supreme Court.”

Coming to the question about when he intends to release the CDR, Annamalai said, “I have the CDR with me, in case, the SIT doesn’t do its job, I will have to release the CDR and I will do it, I am being patient to see if the girl will receive justice. But instead of that, they are diverting the case to somewhere else and is not coming to its logical end. I want to tell the CM once again, the CM who did not go to Anna University, we came to know when he came to Vellalapatti, where the politics lay. The CM who did not come to Vellalapatti when people were protesting, the CM who did not meet the 1 lakh people who walked 18 km, came in a hurry on Republic Day after hoisting the flag – why? So, no one can be ahead of him. The haste he showed then, he has not shown the same haste for the Anna University sexual assault case. This is your state, you are the CM. They have not suspended Gnanasekaran from the party yet. I request him to please do not do media harassment.“

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The Significance of Casino Site Payment Rate

By
The Commune
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When it pertains to online casino sites, one of the vital variables that gamers often overlook is the payout speed. Lots of gamers focus on the games, rewards, and general experience, but the speed at which a casino site refines withdrawals can make a substantial difference in the overall fulfillment

Continue

Malankara Orthodox-Jacobite Church Feud: Supreme Court Directs Kerala High Court To Take A Relook At Contempt Petitions

By
The Commune
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The vexed long-standing feud between the Malankara Orthodox and the Jacobite Churches took a new turn on Thursday when the Supreme Court set aside the directions of the Kerala High Court and asked them to take a fresh decision on the contempt petitions which had directed the state authorities to take over the possession of six churches from the latter faction and hand them over to the former faction with police help.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh directed the division bench of the High Court that there was a need to determine the true effect of the previous judgments of the Supreme Court in the church dispute and to ascertain which are the parties bound by those decisions.

“It seems to us that the High Court, while entertaining the contempt proceedings, need to determine some of the relevant issues, including, What is the true import of the decisions of this court? Who are the parties who shall be bound by the dictum of this court? Whether the decree which attained finality has been satisfied/fulfilled, if not, which part of the decree remains unfulfilled and what remedial action in that regard is required to be taken? What is the legal impact of The Kerala Right to Burial of Corpse in Christian (Malankara-Orthodox- Jacobite) Cemeteries Act, 2020 on the pending contempt petitions? Should the High Court in a dispute relating to religious affairs direct the civil administration to take over a religious place and to what extent is such an intervention desirable in the public interest?” it maintained.

The bench further pointed out that, “since we find that all the said questions require fresh consideration by the High Court, we remit the matter to the division bench to decide the fate of contempt petitions afresh after hearing all parties concerned”.

The apex court also clarified that the interim exception given to the state’s officers from appearance in the contempt petitions would continue to operate. It was very particular about the High Court’s judgment on the issues and expressed concerns about police intervention.

“We hope you will appreciate why we are sending the matter back…let’s hope the court will find some mechanism…police force help, police going inside the religious place is what is bothering us. That’s why we are hoping the HC would find out some mechanism,” stated Justice Surya Kant.

A non-Catholic Christian community in Kerala, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has two factions – the majority Orthodox, who have their headquarters in Kottayam, and the Jacobites, who consider the Patriarch of Antioch in Beirut as their supreme leader.

The community first split into Orthodox and Jacobite in 1912, but following a Supreme Court ruling, it came together in Kottayam for a brief period between 1958 and 1970. Since 1970, they have been at war over control of churches. After decades of trial, the apex court gave its final verdict in 2017. Consequently, the Orthodox faction has been taking control over churches now run by the Jacobite faction.

While the Orthodox faction has already taken over a few churches on directions from the High Court after the police were given specific instructions, in some churches, the Jacobite faction has been unrelenting. In terms of numbers, the Orthodox Church is a much bigger entity than the Jacobite Church.

–IANS

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PM Modi Shares Glimpses Of His Journey Towards Viksit Bharat

By
The Commune
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a series of captivating pictures highlighting his key engagements throughout January, showcasing India’s journey towards a “Viksit Bharat”.

His month-long activities reflected a blend of governance, cultural traditions, national pride, and people’s outreach. From traveling on the Namo Bharat train and visiting the snow-clad landscapes of Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir to meeting housing beneficiaries at Swabhiman Apartments, PM Modi’s photographs offered a vivid snapshot of his interactions with citizens and his commitment to national development. On January 26, PM Modi participated in the Republic Day celebrations, marking the nation’s pride and unity.

He also commissioned key naval ships, interacted with young leaders, and met Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the chief guest for this year’s Republic Day celebrations. One of the images captured a heartwarming moment of PM Modi receiving a grand welcome in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

Another image depicted him caressing a calf before leaving his official residence for Republic Day celebrations. PM Modi’s visit to Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir, was a highlight of the month.

He shared breathtaking pictures of the snow-covered valley and was seen interacting warmly with the youth. His visit and interactions were met with enthusiasm, as he embraced the local culture and aspirations of the people in the region.

During his travel on the Namo Bharat train from Sahibabad to New Ashok Nagar, Delhi, he engaged with fellow passengers, emphasising the transformative impact of India’s modern railway initiatives.

In another touching moment, he visited the Swabhiman Apartments in Delhi, where he met proud homeowners who were provided affordable housing. PM Modi also paid a visit to the Sri Sri Radha Madan Mohanji Temple in Navi Mumbai, where he participated in an auspicious ritual by blowing a Shankh (conch shell), symbolising positivity and spiritual strength.

The images from this visit exuded devotion and tradition. On January 23, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, PM Modi engaged in a heartfelt interaction with students at the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan, New Delhi.

PM Modi’s commitment to India’s maritime strength was evident in his participation at the commissioning of Indian Naval Ships Surat, Nilgiri, and Vaghsheer in Mumbai. He met with the Vice Admiral of the Indian Navy and inspected the Guard of Honour at the Naval Dockyard.

As part of Republic Day celebrations, PM Modi held an important meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at Hyderabad House, New Delhi. The pictures reflected the warmth and diplomatic strength between the two nations, fostering deeper bilateral ties.

–IANS

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Facing Global Embarrassment, Pakistan Decides To Criminalise Begging As Pakistanis Get Caught For Begging And Other Criminal Activities In Gulf Countries

By
The Commune
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Saudi Arabia Issues Stern Warning To Pakistan For Sending Beggars Under Umrah And Hajj Visas

The government of Pakistan has finally decided to criminalise begging following multiple complaints from foreign countries after thousands of Pakistanis abroad have been caught in illegal activities and begging resulting in a major global embarrassment and visa bans for travellers from the country.

As part of the move, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry on Thursday decided to propose addition of the term “organised begging” to the Section 3 of the ‘Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Bill 2024’.

Islamabad has received multiple complaints from foreign countries – especially members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Iraq and Malaysia – about the increasing cases of Pakistani nationals caught begging in their respective countries.

Pakistan’s diplomatic missions have urged a strict action as thousands of Pakistanis who visit these countries for Haj, Umrah, and other religious pilgrimages have been found involved in begging and other criminal activities.

The proposed draft amendment bill also highlights the same issue and maintains that the matter needs to be ingested into a law.

“The agents and gangs who are involved in this practice easily dodge prosecution as begging is not a crime in any law entrusted to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA). The sensitivity of the issue demands an urgent need to make beggary a crime,” reads the proposed draft amendment.

“The organised beggary includes an act of a person to allure, entice or coerce a person intentionally, knowingly, by use of force, fraud or without fraudulent intention to indulge or to be indulged in soliciting or receiving alms directly, indirectly or on any pretext,” the bill adds.

The Pakistani government has been forced to take the issue seriously after thousands of its citizens have been caught begging in Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi government had called on Pakistan to not send beggars, sick people or people without skills to the country.

Pakistan recently put about 4,300 beggars on the no-fly list and assured the Saudi government of strong action against the culprits.

Hundreds of Pakistani nationals have also been deported from the Gulf countries in recent times, most of them found involved in begging or other criminal activities.

On January 15, three beggars were arrested and deported from Saudi Arabia and taken into custody upon their arrival in Karachi. Another beggar was also arrested on his return from Umrah for passport forgery.

The government of Pakistan considers the matter in line with the human trafficking and human smuggling domains, directing officials at the airports to be vigilant while clearing passengers.

As per the directives, an efficient system of profiling passengers travelling from Pakistan to other countries including Azerbaijan, Senegal, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Libya, Iran, Mauritania, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait and Kyrgyzstan should be implemented with an immediate effect.

Strict scrutiny, profiling and monitoring is also being done for travellers from cities like Gujarat, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Bhimber, Jhelum, Toba Tek Singh, Hafizabad and Sheikhupura.

–IANS

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Mohammed Riyaz, Sirajuddin, Abubakar Siddique, & Raja Muhammad Arrested With ₹1.60 Crore Hawala Money At Villupuram Bus Stand

By
The Commune
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Mohammed Riyaz, Sirajuddin, Abubakar Siddique, & Raja Muhammad Arrested With ₹1.60 Crore Hawala Money At Villupuram Bus Stand.

Four individuals were arrested today at the Villupuram New Bus Stand after police discovered they were carrying hawala money worth ₹1.60 crore. Sudhakar and Murugavel, two policemen on patrol near the bus stand, became suspicious when they noticed the four youths walking around with a suspicious bag.

The police stopped the individuals for questioning, and they all gave different answers, and during the investigation, it was revealed that the money had been brought from Chennai by train. The suspects had planned to get off at the Villupuram railway station and transport the cash to Trichy by bus.

The arrested individuals—identified as Mohammed Riyaz, Sirajuddin, Abubakar Siddique, and Raja Muhammad—are from the Varaganeri area of Trichy. They were acting as couriers for the hawala operation. The police have taken them to the Taluka police station for further questioning.

Authorities are now investigating the intended recipient of the money, which was reportedly picked up from the Broadway area in Chennai.

(With inputs from Puthiya Thalaimurai)

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“A Brahmin Woman Achieved What Periyarists Could Not”: Seeman Hails Former TN CM J Jayalalithaa, Slams Dravidianists Over Failed Social Justice Model

By
The Commune
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Seeman attacks EVR, calls Dravidianists hypocrites for failing on atheism and social justice while bowing to Brahmin Jayalalithaa.

Naam Tamilar Katchi chief Seeman continues to go ballistic against Dravidianist ideologue EV Ramasamy Naicker, or EVR, hailed as Periyar by his followers. He accused them of failing in their core ideologies while distorting Tamil culture. Campaigning in Erode, Seeman mocked the Dravidianists for destroying Tamil by promoting English usage and questioned their so-called atheism, citing Durga Stalin’s religious practices.

He also criticized their anti-Brahmin stance, highlighting that Jayalalithaa, a Brahmin woman, empowered Dalit leaders more than Dravidianist parties ever did. Seeman has been attacking the “demagogue” of the Dravidianists for quite some time now and breaking down the illusion created the Dravidianists all these years.

Speaking to reporters at Erode where he is campaigning for his party candidate, he said, “You talk about Periyar all the time. Who is Periyar? Social justice, Brahmin bashing, atheism – did he win in all this? He won only in one thing – he said leave this Tamil “saniyan”, mix English with Tamil and speak, write Tamil in English alphabets. You Dravidians have only won in this aspect. You have destroyed my mother tongue by removing it fully from my land. Other than creating generations of people who cannot read and write Tamil, you have never succeeded in anything. Where is your atheism? Shall I show your sister-in-law, Durga Stalin, chanting Sanskrit slokas in her puja room? Did you not go as a family to the Athivaradar temple? You said you performed “Kumbhabishekam”, a Sanskrit word for ‘Kudamuzhukku’ in 1999 temples in the state. I am speaking about Muruga because Tamil is my god. Why did you conduct the conference (Lord Murugan)? Is that atheism?”

Continuing his comments on the anti-Brahmin stance of the Dravidianist party, he said, “Next you talk about anti-brahmin stance. In the evolution of the Dravidian movement, under the leadership of the so-called Brahmin woman, all Dravidians fell at her feet. You fell at her feet and enjoyed position and status. What Periyarists could not achieve, that lady had achieved. A Brahmin woman. She fielded a Dalit candidate, Dalit Ezhumalai in a general constituency and made him win. You field A Raja – you see him as an oppressed person and not a Tamilian and make him contest in a reserved constituency in Nilgiris. You will speak about social justice, eradication of sanatana dharma? That was an era. My ancestors were enamoured by all this. Jayalalithaa made an oppressed caste person, Dhanabal as the Speaker of the Assembly – she took him to such a height that even a Chief Minister had to stand when he entered the Assembly. This is the same Brahmin woman you people are against. Did you do anything like that? Why do you talk about social justice? Where is your Periyar in all this?”

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