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‘Graveyard Of Democracy’: Awami League Student Wing Slams Yunus-Led Interim Bangladesh Government

By
The Commune
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The Bangladesh Chhatra League, student wing of the Awami League, has launched a scathing attack on the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, accusing it of dismantling democratic institutions and pushing the nation toward becoming a “failed and fragmented state.”

The student body claimed that Bangladesh has effectively turned into a “graveyard of democracy” under the current regime. The student body asserted that the defeated anti-liberation forces “Jamaat-Shibir, fundamentalist-communal groups, and terrorist-militant factions” under the command of Yunus, have continued their “spree of killings, attacks, terrorism, and destruction” that began in July-August 2024. “Democratic norms, the rule of law, freedom of speech, human rights, and voting rights – all are now on life support in the ICU. Exploiting the emotions of the people, the ideals of justice and values, the collective strength, the protesting spirit and participation of the youth- killers infiltrated, struck at the heart, awakened pain, spread anger through brutal killings, lynched police officers, unleashed terror, and took society, the state, the law, and democracy hostage,” read a statement issued by the Students’ League.

“By attempting to assassinate Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister elected by the people’s vote, they have turned August 5, 2024, into a dark day of democracy, student, people, and police killings,” the statement added. Slamming the Yunus-led interim government, the student body alleged that “jungle law has been established” in Bangladesh, as by granting indemnity, Yunus has provided “state protection to his terrorist-militant forces”, allowing them to “commit crimes against humanity under state patronage”. “The killers of democracy, students, people, and police have been seated on the throne of power. The people have been reduced to worthless, honorless, hopeless beings. Venom of despair and hatred has been spread across minds and communities. The air is heavy with heart-wrenching cries, silent sobs, and suffocating groans,” the Students’ League mentioned.

“With deep respect for the collective strength of the people’s aspirations, rooted in the values of Bangladesh’s great Liberation War, and pledging justice for the victims and injured of this meticulously planned killing mission, we vow to put an end to this oppression and backwardness. Justice will be served,” it added. The Students’ League vowed to uproot “all anti-Bangladesh evil forces” while restoring democracy, voting rights, the rule of law, progress, and human dignity. Describing 5 August as “Democracy, Student-People-Police Killing Day”, the student body extended condolences to all the people killed and expressed solidarity with the injured, calling them its source of “strength and courage”. 

-IANS

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Suriya Fans Unleash Abuse, Send Death Threats To Actor’s Critics

By
The Commune
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Once again, Dravidianist actor Suriya’s fans have crossed the ”lakshmana rekha’ by unleashing abuse against ordinary netizens who dared to criticize him on social media. The latest incident involved a netizen, who goes by the name NR Sanghi, when he questioned Suriya’s recent attempt to promote his Agaram Foundation in a positive light with the backing of the DMK-aligned Sun TV.

NR Sanghi took to his social media account to express his frustration, “The vileness of these nameless faceless spineless fellows.. my timeline I write what I see, think and feel like.. don’t like it? Disagree and move on.. from yesterday Suriyas fans/supporters or whoever these minions are have been attacking me, my family, wishing death upon me.. lol. I will continue to write what I want.. I do not have to prove anything to any of these scumbags about what philanthropy I do.. absolutely no need for me to advertise like this fellow.. moving forward all dirt bags and foul mouthed aholes will be blocked..”

This attack came in response to his earlier post criticizing Suriya, “Looks like Sivakumar and family are trying to bring some positive image about their family with the help of Sun TV by having some programme on Agaram etc.. whatever good you do,. If you shut your trap when an atrocity happened in the society and selectively outrage.. no amount of crying will help you..”

Following this, Suriya’s fans reportedly flooded his comments section and other social media channels with abuse and threats.

Some of the comments posted by these fans include:

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DMK Stooge Actor Suriya’s Agaram Foundation Allows Anti-Hindu Dravidianists And DMK Propagandists To Teach Kids

By
The Commune
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actor suriya agaram foundation

Virtue-signaling actor and a filtered DMK stooge Suriya along with his family is known for peddling propaganda against the Modi government’s policies like NEET, National Education Policy, farm laws etc while buttressing the DMK in the state.

Recently, DMK-aligned Dravidianist YouTuber Senthil Vel has exposed this that all anti-Hindu orators from the Dravidar Kazhagam have been given a platform within the foundation. More shockingly, Periyarists like Mathivadhani and Arulmozhi are reportedly conducting classes for the poor who come seeking aid.

This raises concerns that Suriya may be using his foundation as a tool to indoctrinate people with anti-Hindu and anti-India ideas, effectively recruiting individuals to propagate Dravidian ideology.

Senthil Vel stated in his video, “The Agaram Foundation doesn’t just provide education. Along with that, it teaches them about social justice. They keep volunteers to teach them in classes, and they go to those classes to study. If you had seen the attendees of that function, I’m telling about the friends I know, they are journalist who have been continuously speaking about education. Brother Karthigaichelvan, the news editor of News18 Tamil Nadu, participated in this event. My dear sister Maha came with her children. My loving sister Mathivadhani also participated, and Mathi regularly go there to teach those children, continuously giving them lessons on social justice. All these people travel with the students. So, social justice is being taught there, isn’t it? If you think about it, advocate Arulmozhi, and everyone who participated in that event, including actor Kamal Haasan, spoke against NEET on that stage. All these people are passionate about education for our children, wanting our children to study.”

The controversy deepens when considering the backgrounds of the individuals involved—all of whom have a history of Periyarist, anti-Hindu, anti-Brahmin, and anti-India rhetoric.

Dravidian Stockist Mathivadhani

M. Mathivadhani, Deputy General Secretary of the Dravidar Kazhagam, has repeatedly made derogatory remarks, including mocking Union Home Minister Amit Shah and disparaging those with the surname “Shah.”

Mathivadhani in a undated video be heard saying, “the Home Minister Amit Shah, everyone talked about him. It’s not just Amit Shah, even if it’s Shah, Shoe, or whoever comes, the BJP cannot win even a single seat in Tamil Nadu. Knowing they cannot get even a single seat, they are coming along with the ADMK. The ADMK also cannot win even a single seat because you are with the BJP. They went and asked Amit Shah why you didn’t provide the jobs for the two-crore people. Home Minister Amit Shah replied ‘Jhumla’. It means he said it casually (summa sonaru). In which country would this kind of joke happen? Would this mockery happen? Would people believe this? At a time when the youth are looking for employment, last week, not like 20 or 30 years ago, a news report came out last week in India Today stating that Tamil Nadu is the leading state in India in the manufacturing sector.”

She has also used Periyar’s rhetoric to criticize judicial decisions, implying Brahmin bias in courts, and has drawn backlash for promoting divisive caste-based narratives.

In a previous incident, following a legal setback for the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, she made similarly controversial remarks. On 21 May 2025, the Madras High Court comprising Justices G.R. Swaminathan and V. Lakshminarayan issued an interim stay on the state government’s amendments that aimed to strip the Governor of the authority to appoint Vice-Chancellors in state-run universities. Reacting to the ruling, Mathivadhani referenced the words of E.V. Ramasamy Naicker (also called as Periyar) to criticize the judgment, insinuating that when Brahmins hold judicial positions, the verdicts tend to reflect caste bias. Her remarks drew widespread backlash for casting aspersions on the judiciary and promoting divisive rhetoric.

She stated “A country where the Paapan (derogatory slur denoting Brahmins) becomes the judge and the ruler is like a jungle inhabited by a ferocious tiger. That is why we are engaged in a tiger hunt. When the tiger leaps, one or two people are bound to get hit! – Thanthai Periyar”

Similarly during the horrific Pahalgam attack that claimed 25 innocent Hindu lives, Mathivadhani blamed “Sanghis” and accused them of inciting religious tensions, further fueling communal controversy.

In a inflammatory post, she claimed, “The Sanghis have started to paint a religious picture to hide their defeat. Even before they could write condolence messages to those who suffered the loss, they had already started using religion to incite riots. They are the threat to India!” 

Dravidianist Journo Karthigaichelvan

Karthigalchelvan is a Dravidian propagandist journalist and a Modi-baiter. He has come under fire for some of his buttressing attitude towards the DMK. He had a sycophantic interview with DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin in which he posed soft, easy and simping questions that felt more like scripted PR.

A few years ago, he conducted a similar interview with the current Chief Minister, MK Stalin, which also faced public backlash for lacking tough questioning. In a compilation of multiple interviews featuring Stalin, he appears to follow a repetitive pattern, asking questions about his fitness routine, preparations for long journeys, sources of energy for campaigning, and how he readies himself for such activities.

Pro-DMK Behavior Exhibited By Karthigaichelvan

During a debate on News18 Tamil in June 2023, moderated by Karthigaichelvan, when one of the panelists Advocate Tamil Mani accused Senthil Balaji of corruption, citing his admission to taking money for job placements. Karthigaichelvan defended Senthil Balaji, claiming the ongoing case made labeling him corrupt premature. Despite a DMK spokesperson’s insults, Karthigaichelvan tried to maintain neutrality, softly condemning Saravanan from DMK towards the end.

During a News18 Tamil Nadu debate in October 2022, Karthigaichelvan and DMK spokesperson Constantine Raveendran faced criticism for allegedly protecting CM MK Stalin over a fake news claim related to the Sterlite protest firing. Hindu Munnani’s A.T. Elangovan pointed out the incident where Stalin falsely implicated PM Modi, but Raveendran demanded proof, limiting Elangovan’s response. Karthigaichelvan claimed ignorance and declined to express an opinion. 

Modi Hate

In the past, Karthigaichelvan had consistently expressed animosity towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In 2015, he shared a derogatory cartoon (now deleted) suggesting that the Union Government, led by Narendra Modi, was influenced by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Karthigaichelvan shared cartoons mocking PM Modi, implying he acts as per Hindu or secular sentiments. One cartoon depicted Modi hitch-hiking on Karunanidhi’s wheelchair during a courtesy visit. Another mocked Digital India, accompanied by a euphoric caption “Hahahaha.”

Once he was called out by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for deliberately trying to peddle anti-Modi propaganda saying that the Centre was waiving off loans taken by corporates.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted widespread searches across Tamil Nadu on 6 March 2025 investigating large-scale financial irregularities linked to the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited (TASMAC). The operation, carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, uncovered a deep-rooted network of bribery, kickbacks, and systematic corruption amounting to a ₹1,000 Crore Scam. However not one news card was shared by him.

His repeated promotion of anti-Modi propaganda, combined with his political leanings, raises serious questions about the ideological influence on students who attend classes at Agaram Foundation.

In light of these affiliations and actions, the involvement of such politically motivated individuals in educating vulnerable communities through Agaram Foundation is deeply concerning for the future of students exposed to this environment.

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NIA Conducts Raids Across Punjab In Connection With March Amritsar Temple Grenade Attack

By
The Commune
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on 5 August 2025, carried out raids at 19 locations across Punjab in connection with the March grenade attack on a temple in Amritsar.

The searches were conducted in the border districts of Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Batala as part of a widening investigation into the terror incident. The raids led to the seizure of several incriminating materials, including mobile phones and other digital devices, the agency said.

According to the NIA, the grenade attack on Thakur Dwara Sanatan Temple, located on Sher Shah Road in Amritsar, was orchestrated by terrorists supported by foreign-based handlers. The attack occurred on the night of 14 March and is one of several such incidents in Punjab attributed to terror modules with overseas links. The case, registered as RC-08/2025/NIA/DLI, revealed that two accused individuals Gursidak Singh (now deceased) and Vishal Gill were directly involved in the execution of the attack. Gursidak Singh had been in contact with foreign handlers who recruited Indian nationals to carry out acts of terror.

The handlers reportedly radicalised vulnerable youth, offering them money and drugs in exchange for conducting grenade attacks and smuggling weapons. The investigation also found that Gursidak Singh and Gill were engaged in multiple operations involving the movement and delivery of grenades and firearms across different locations in Punjab. These activities were aimed at spreading fear and disrupting communal harmony in the state. “Gursidak Singh and Vishal Gill were involved in multiple instances of picking and dropping of grenades, weapons, etc., as per the NIA investigations, which are continuing,” the NIA said in a press statement.

The NIA is continuing with its action against operatives of various terror modules threatening the security and sovereignty of the country. The agency’s probe is ongoing, with more arrests and evidence collection expected in the coming weeks.

-IANS

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9 Anti-Hindu Remarks Made By DMK Stooge Kamal Haasan

By
The Commune
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anti-hindu kamal haasan dmk stooge rajya sabha mp

On 3 August 2025, during an event organized by the Agaram Foundation in Chennai, actor and newly appointed Rajya Sabha MP DMK stooge Kamal Haasan remarked that “education is the only weapon that can break the chains of dictatorship and Sanatanam.” Echoing this sentiment, NCP-SP leader Jitendra Awhad claimed, “There was never any religion called Sanatan Dharma.”

This report compiles nine controversial statements made by actor, filmmaker, and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan between 2017 and 2025, highlighting his repeated criticism of Hinduism and remarks that have been widely perceived as anti-Hindu.

#1 Education as a Weapon Against Sanatana Dharma

On 3 August 2025, at an Agaram Foundation event in Chennai, DMK stooge Kamal Haasan, newly inducted as a Rajya Sabha MP, declared that “education is the only weapon that can break the chains of dictatorship and Sanatanam.” His remarks came in the context of a broader attack on Sanatan Dharma, echoing NCP-SP leader Jitendra Awhad’s claim that “Sanatan Dharma” never existed. Critics saw this as part of a growing narrative aimed at discrediting Hindu philosophical traditions by branding them regressive or oppressive.

#2 Backing DMK Scion Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Call to Eradicate Sanatan Dharma

On 8 September 2023, Kamal Haasan came out in support of Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s highly controversial statement equating Sanatan Dharma with diseases like dengue and malaria. Udhayanidhi had advocated for its eradication, sparking nationwide protests. In a social media post, Kamal Haasan said “The hallmark of a true democracy is the ability of its citizens to disagree and engage in continued discussion. History has repeatedly taught us that asking the right questions has led to important answers and contributed to our development as a better society.”, adding that Udhayanidhi Stalin is entitled to his views on Sanatana and refrained from using the word Dharma along with it, going by the Dravidianist claims of there is no ‘Dharma’ in Sanatana.

#3 Cholas Are Not Hindus

In the wake of the release of Ponniyin Selvan in October 2022, Kamal Haasan backed director Vetrimaaran’s assertion that Raja Raja Chola should not be labeled a Hindu king. Vetrimaaran said, “They (BJP) are trying to steal our identity. They have already tried to saffronize Thiruvalluvar. We should never allow that.”

Kamal Haasan echoed this view, stating, “There was no name called ‘Hindu religion’ during Raja Raja Chola’s period. There was Vainavam, Shaivam, and Samanam, and it was the British who coined the term Hindu since they didn’t know how to refer to it collectively.” He compared it to the colonial renaming of places, saying, “It is similar to how they changed Thuthukudi into Tuticorin.”

#4 Hindu Gods Wear Less Clothes

While talking about women’s issues on a stage back in 2020, Kamal Haasan said, “Gods too wear less clothes. A few Gods don’t wear any. When the mind is not spoiled by seeing those Gods, how come it is spoiled while seeing my sisters”. This statement of the MNM chief has invited severe backlash.

While addressing the women audience Kamal Haasan said, “I have never felt shy to speak in front of women. Because my house was mostly dominated by women. Women play an important role in the transformation of the world. Even before Gandhiji, women took part in the freedom struggle. They say that women wearing less dress is the reason for the rape crimes. Gods too wear less dress. A few Gods don’t wear any dress. When you don’t get the urge on seeing ‘that’, how come you feel the urge while seeing my sisters. It is mutual consent when there is love but when they want to have that without love, then is the problem”.

This remark of his came just days after he refused the ‘poornakumbham’ honours offered by Hindu priests on behalf of a Murugan Temple in Kanchipuram on 21 December 2020.

#5 Calling Godse ‘India’s First Hindu Terrorist’

In May 2019, actor-politician Kamal Haasan stirred controversy by calling Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi’s assassin, “free India’s first terrorist.” While campaigning in Aravakurichi, a Muslim-majority constituency in Tamil Nadu, Haasan stated, “I am not saying this because this is a Muslim-dominated area, but I am saying this before a statue of Gandhi. Free India’s first terrorist was a Hindu, his name is Nathuram Godse. There it [terrorism] starts.” Emphasizing unity and equality, he added, “Good Indians desire for equality and want the three colours in the Tricolour to remain intact. I am a good Indian, will proudly proclaim that.”

His remarks drew sharp criticism from BJP leaders. Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan condemned the statement, calling it “strongly condemnable” and accused Haasan of inciting “communal violence” through “divisive vote bank politics.” She urged the police to take action and ban his campaign.

In response, Haasan later clarified, “Let me tell you terrorists abound all religions. Every religion has its own terrorists, and we cannot claim that we are sanctimonious.” He emphasized that his speech aimed at maintaining harmony and warned that arresting him would escalate tensions: “Let them arrest. But if they arrest me tensions will escalate.”

His film Hey Ram was another attempt at minority appeasement in which he would’ve shown Hindu nationalists as Nazis.

#6 Tweet Questioning the Term ‘Hindu’

In a Twitter post dated 18 May 2019, Kamal Haasan claimed that the term ‘Hindu’ was never used by ancient Indian saints and was imposed by foreign invaders. He advocated identifying simply as “Indian” to promote unity and national harmony. This was seen as yet another attempt to delegitimize Hindu identity by erasing its nomenclature.

#7 Rejecting the Sacred Thread (Poonool)

In July 2018, actor-politician Kamal Haasan held a Q&A session on Twitter where he candidly answered questions from his fans. When asked which books (“nool” in Tamil) had influenced his life, Haasan replied with a pointed wordplay that sparked controversy. He said, “There is a thread I avoided. The thread affected me a lot – Poonool. That is why I avoided it.”

The remark, referring to the sacred thread traditionally worn by Brahmins, drew sharp criticism from members of the Brahmin community. Offended by what they saw as a dismissive statement about a significant religious symbol, the community issued a statement condemning his comment. “The poonool is the most secular thread and his statement has no logic,” they declared. The statement further accused Haasan of disrespecting his own roots, stating, “Kamal Haasan has no respect for his parent heritage and is putting forth a poor personality in front of the people and now people are more aware of it.”

#8 Alleging Hindu Extremism in Tamil Nadu

In a 2 November 2017 column for Ananda Vikatan, actor Kamal Haasan claimed that “Hindu extremism is alive and kicking in Tamil Nadu,” alleging that Hindu outfits were using state festivals to display muscle power. Responding to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s query on rising Hindu right-wing influence, Haasan said such groups had shifted from dialogue to violence. He praised Kerala for resisting extremism and hoped Tamil Nadu would return to its legacy of social justice. 

#9 Criticizing the Mahabharata

On 12 March 2017, in a televised interview, Kamal Haasan remarked that the Mahabharata glorified the objectification of women, saying, “India respects a book where a woman was used as collateral,” referring to Draupadi’s disrobing. The statement triggered widespread condemnation. Hindu organizations like the Hindu Munani Katchi filed legal complaints, alleging blasphemy and repeated anti-Hindu rhetoric.

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“On What Merits Was Jawan Given National Award?” Actress Urvashi Slams National Awards Jury

By
The Commune
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urvashi malayalam actress jawan shahrukh khan national awards

The 71st National Film Awards, announced on 1 August 2025, brought celebrations for Shah Rukh Khan fans as the Bollywood superstar bagged his first-ever National Award for Best Actor for his performance in Jawan, a landmark moment in his 33-year-long career.

However, the decision hasn’t gone down well with everyone. Veteran South Indian actress Urvashi, who herself won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Ullozhukku, voiced concern over the fairness of the jury’s selection, specifically in relation to Malayalam actor Vijayaraghavan.

In an interview with Asianet News, Urvashi questioned why Vijayaraghavan, known for his critically acclaimed performance in Pookkaalam, was relegated to the Best Supporting Actor category.

“Vijayaraghavan is such a great actor. What exactly did the jury consider distinguishing between Vijayaraghavan’s and Shah Rukh Khan’s performances? How did one become a supporting actor and the other the best actor? On what criteria? We should raise such questions, as we too are taxpaying citizens. Kutettan (referring to Vijayaraghavan) has decades of experience in cinema. The film wasn’t a big-budget, 250-day shoot kind of project like those in other languages,” she said.

Urvashi also shared that she had been offered the role opposite Vijayaraghavan in Pookkaalam but turned it down due to the demanding physical transformation involved.

“I was initially approached to play his pair in Pookkaalam. Still, I declined because the role required me to undergo a significant physical transformation, for which I would have had to be in the makeup chair for several hours. I told them, even if you pay me crores, I wouldn’t do it. But he, at his age, endured all of that and performed. That alone deserves at least a Special Mention. How is he only a supporting actor? On what basis was that decided? That’s all I’m asking, there must be some fairness,” Urvashi added.

At this year’s awards, Shah Rukh Khan shared the Best Actor honor with Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail. Vijayaraghavan was named Best Supporting Actor for Pookkaalam, in which he starred opposite veteran actress K. P. A. C. Leela.

Meanwhile, Urvashi shared her own award with Janki Bodiwala, recognized for her supporting role in the Gujarati film Vash.

(With inputs from NDTV)

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Dravidian Model: Ambattur Home Receives ₹91,993 Electricity Bill For 2-Month Consumption

By
The Commune
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dravidian model electricity bill

In what comes as a shocking example of Dravidian model governance, a household in Ambattur, Chennai, was left stunned after receiving an electricity bill of ₹91,993 for the July billing cycle, a figure vastly exceeding their average bi-monthly bill of ₹1,500 to ₹2,000.

Nandakumar, a resident of Thiruvalleeswarar Nagar in Ambattur, reported the incident after receiving the bill, which claimed his household had consumed 8,370 units over two months. Typically, the household consumes around 450 units during that period.

According to Nandakumar, he immediately approached the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) office on 11th Main Road, Anna Nagar West, to lodge a complaint. EB officials acknowledged the issue and assured him that the matter would be investigated.

TNEB authorities stated that the meter reading has been sent for re-examination under the MRT (Meter Relay Testing) process. Preliminary observations suggest the bill may be the result of a meter reading error, an issue that has reportedly occurred in other isolated cases as well.

The incident comes at a time when residents across Tamil Nadu are already concerned about rising electricity tariffs. As per Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) norms, electricity tariffs are revised annually. The last hike of 4.8% was implemented in July 2024. This year, the TNEB has proposed another increase between 3% and 3.16%, citing debt levels and rising power generation costs.

(With inputs from News18 TN)

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Sanitation Workers Protest For Fourth Day Against Dravidian Model Waste Management Privatization In Chennai

By
The Commune
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sanitation workers protest dravidian model

For the fourth straight day, sanitation workers under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) from the Royapuram, Thiru Vi Ka Nagar, and Ambattur zones continued their protest outside the Ripon Buildings. They are demanding that the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) reverse its decision to privatize solid waste management in their localities under the Dravidian model.

The protest has seen over 300 conservancy workers abstaining from duty, significantly disrupting garbage collection in the affected zones. As a result, personnel from neighboring areas have been forced to work overtime to manage the mounting waste backlog.

The workers, who have served for over a decade, expressed frustration over the sudden shift to outsourcing, which officially began on 1 August 2025.

“We’ve been doing this job for 15 years with the hope of being made permanent. In 2021, the Chief Minister assured us of regularization. But now, our zones have been handed over to private contractors, and we’ve been removed from our roles,” said R. Prasanth, a conservancy worker from Thiru Vi Ka Nagar. “It’s been four days of protesting, but no officials, including Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran, have addressed us.” Many women participating in the protest were seen in tears, lamenting that their years of dedication had been discarded as though they were waste themselves.

The protesting workers argue that privatization, while being promoted by officials as a way to enhance efficiency, could instead lead to exploitation. “Private contractors might cut salaries from ₹23,000 to ₹15,000. On top of that, various deductions labeled as ‘benefits’ will make it difficult for workers to make ends meet,” warned J. Dinakaran from the Labour Rights Movement (Uzhaipor Urimai Iyakkam).

CPM Councillor P. Vimala of Ward 41 emphasized the need for the GCC to balance efficient waste management with worker welfare. “There is no assurance of job security, and there’s a real threat of significant pay cuts,” she said.

Despite the mounting protests, Deputy Mayor M. Mahesh Kumar stated that the decision to privatize waste collection remains unchanged. He suggested that workers submit formal petitions to the relevant minister or the Deputy Chief Minister, instead of continuing demonstrations.

(With inputs from Times Of India)

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Tamil Nadu Registers Over 12 Lakh Migrant Workers Amid Ongoing SIR Debate

By
The Commune
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migrant workers tamil nadu sir migrant labourers

While poll-bound Bihar is grappling with the exclusion of over lakhs of migrant workers from the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, Tamil Nadu has emerged as a model state in documenting its inter-state migrant (ISM) workforce.

According to official data, Tamil Nadu has registered over 12.17 lakh guest workers employed across various sectors. Of these, more than 2.51 lakh workers hail from Bihar, making them the second-largest ISM group in the state, next only to Odisha, which accounts for 2.89 lakh workers.

The state’s pioneering initiative to map and monitor migrant workers began in early 2020 amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The Tamil Nadu government launched a dedicated web portal, urging ISMs, their employers, and district authorities to register the workforce.

The initiative aims to facilitate the delivery of welfare schemes under the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Act, 1996, and the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1979. A senior government official noted a significant surge in registration over the past six months.

“We enrolled nearly three lakh workers recently through online registration and targeted drives at work sites. The total registrations jumped from around nine lakhs to over 12 lakhs in just four months,” the official said. However, he acknowledged that reaching workers in small shops, plantations, and independent units remains a major challenge.

Experts believe that the registered number reflects less than 25 per cent of the actual ISM population in the state, where migrants are drawn by steady employment and relatively better living conditions.

According to government data as of 31 July 2025, workers from northern and northeastern states comprise 9.28 lakh of the total ISMs in Tamil Nadu. Besides Odisha and Bihar, significant numbers come from Jharkhand (1.95 lakh), West Bengal (1.91 lakh), Assam (93,175), and Uttar Pradesh (91,497). The top employment sectors for ISMs in Tamil Nadu are manufacturing, construction, and textiles, accounting for over 80 per cent of the jobs. Notably, 26,106 workers registered as self-employed, and 41,723 are employed in catering establishments.

Among districts, Tirupur leads with 1.22 lakh ISM workers in the textile and garment sector and 72,463 in manufacturing. Kancheepuram follows with 1.61 lakh workers, driven by its construction and industrial projects. Coimbatore and Chennai have 1.32 lakh and 1.29 lakh ISM workers, respectively.

-IANS

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Sri Lankan Navy Detains 14 TN Fishermen For Allegedly ‘Crossing IMBL’

By
The Commune
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sri lankan navy details tn fishermen protest rameswaram

At least 14 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy in the early morning hours of Wednesday.

The fishermen were in two boats, with 10 in one and four in the other. They were apprehended for allegedly crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and engaging in fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters.

Reports indicate that the arrests took place in the Kalpitiya lagoon area, where the fishermen were accused of violating maritime borders. Following their detention, the fishermen were taken to the Sri Lankan Navy camp in Puttalam for interrogation. This is the latest in a series of incidents where Tamil Nadu and Puducherry fishermen have been arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy for allegedly crossing into their waters.

Apart from arrests, the Sri Lankan authorities have been seizing high-powered fishing boats and, in some cases, undertaking procedures to nationalise them — a move that has severely impacted the livelihoods of the coastal fishing communities in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu fishermen have also repeatedly reported instances of harassment by Sri Lankan naval personnel and even attacks by Sri Lankan sea pirates. These developments have intensified fears among fishing communities and triggered repeated diplomatic interventions by the Tamil Nadu government.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has consistently taken up the matter with the Union government, writing multiple letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging them to secure the release of arrested fishermen and their impounded fishing vessels.

Meanwhile, concerns have also been raised about fines being imposed on the arrested fishermen and reports of gunfire and violent confrontations during their capture.

The Tamil Nadu government continues to press for a lasting diplomatic resolution to protect the rights and livelihood of Indian fishermen operating near the maritime boundary.

-IANS

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