Chennai Corporation Mayor R. Priya expressed visible frustration during a media interaction when reporters questioned whether substandard slaked lime had been used instead of bleaching powder in sanitation efforts ahead of a welfare event in Pulianthope. Reacting sharply, she sarcastically asked if what was used was “Ponds powder,” showing her displeasure over the allegations.
The sanitation drive was carried out in preparation for the ‘Annam Tharum Amudha Karangal’ food distribution program, organized in connection with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s birthday. The event, typically conducted by HR&CE Minister P.K. Sekar Babu, was overseen by Mayor Priya in his absence.
Due to the area’s long-standing issue with foul smells—attributed to its closeness to slaughterhouses and waste accumulation—cleaning and disinfection were carried out. However, concerns were raised post-event about the actual materials used for disinfection. Reporters claimed that only slaked lime, not proper bleaching powder, had been used, despite food being served in such unsanitary surroundings.
This prompted a tense exchange between the media and the Mayor, who insisted that appropriate steps had been taken and promised further inquiry into the matter.
One journalist confronted the DMK Mayor Priya, saying, “Madam, they’re using slaked lime here instead of bleaching powder. This place smells terrible due to the slaughterhouse nearby, and people are coming here to eat. No proper bleaching powder has been used anywhere. This is the powder they’ve sprayed—please check if there’s any (disinfectant) smell at all.”
Mayor Priya took a sniff and acknowledged, “Yes, there’s a smell.” The reporter responded, “This is your zone, under your Corporation.” The mayor raised her voice, saying, “Yes, this is our area—we know it very well!”
The reporter continued, “They’ve only used this powder, and if bleaching powder had been used, the stench would have been arrested.” Mayor Priya then questioned, “So what powder is this?” The reporter replied, “There should at least be some recognizable smell. I do not know what it is”
Challenging the claim, Priya asked again, “You tell me—what powder is this? Do you think people would just throw powder here without knowing what it is?” Then, with sarcasm, she remarked, “Or is this Ponds powder?” She proceeded to her vehicle and, before leaving, asked the reporter, “Which media house are you from?” and drove away.
On 2 May 2025, The News Minute (TNM) published an article echoing global outrage over India’s position—151 out of 180 countries—in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Under the stewardship of Editor-in-Chief Dhanya Rajendran, the article cited “media monopolies,” “political interference,” and “economic pressures” as indicators of press freedom in decline.
India ranks 151 in World Press Freedom Index, report raises alarm over media monopoly https://t.co/O18VTtbWh1 #
Reporters Without Borders (RWB) presents itself as an independent press watchdog, but its funding sources reveal ideological leanings, with 22% coming from private philanthropic organizations like George Soros’s Open Society Foundations and the Ford Foundation—both known for backing media projects with clear ideological slants—while only 11% comes from public donations. Its flagship Press Freedom Index relies on survey-based perception rather than objective data, which explains how India is ranked below countries where journalists are routinely bombed or gunned down. In fact, RWB consistently places authoritarian regimes like Qatar (84), Congo (123), Rwanda (144), and Palestine (157) above India (159), despite their well-documented crackdowns on dissent, lack of editorial independence, and near-total media control.
But the irony couldn’t be starker: the very woman lamenting the alleged throttling of press freedom in India enjoys complete liberty to criticize, mock, and vilify the Narendra Modi-led government day after day—without facing even a whiff of censorship or retaliation.
A Free Hand To Slam The Centre
Dhanya Rajendran’s editorial line has been relentlessly hostile towards the BJP government at the Centre. Whether it’s mocking the Prime Minister’s speeches, questioning central policy decisions, or amplifying opposition narratives, TNM has never shied away from broadcasting its anti-Modi stance loud and clear.
And yet, TNM now invokes the World Press Freedom Index to portray India as a dystopia where journalism is under siege. If India were truly gagging journalists, would Dhanya Rajendran be operating so freely? Would her publication continue to function, fundedandflourishing, without facing the bans, arrests, or silencing that are a daily reality for journalists in actual authoritarian states like China, Iran, or North Korea?
A Catalogue Of Hypocrisy
Let’s take a look at the hypocrisy of high priestess Dhanya Rajendran and her TNM.
Language Hypocrisy
When Home Minister Amit Shah introduced new legal codes with Hindi names like Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Rajendran accused the Centre of “Hindi imposition.” Yet she never raised similar objections to colonial English names in laws that governed India for decades. Her outrage appears more political than principled.
Selective Censorship Complaints
When the Centre proposed empowering the PIB to flag fake news, TNM sounded the alarm bells about media censorship. But when the DMK government in Tamil Nadu funded a social media monitoring cell—a move eerily similar in spirit—Rajendran was silent.
Whitewashing DMK Dynastic Politics
In another glaring case of bias, TNM published a glowing piece legitimizing Udhayanidhi Stalin’s political rise, equating his film roles with the legacy of social justice icons—conveniently ignoring his own admission that he never wanted to be in politics.
One-Sided Hashtag Wars
TNM gave prominent coverage to anti-Modi hashtags like #GoBackModi, but ignored or minimized the #GoBackStalin trend during protests against the Tamil Nadu CM. If press freedom matters, it should cut both ways.
Sterlite Shutdown Spin
Even during the COVID-19 oxygen crisis, TNM pushed narratives favoring the DMK-backed anti-Sterlite protests, despite the urgent need for Sterlite’s oxygen production. Ideology trumped public health.
Flooding Blame Game
When Chennai flooded in 2021 due to poor urban planning, TNM deflected blame away from the DMK-led Corporation and instead focused on defunct weather radars. The ruling party was once again shielded from criticism.
The Arul Arumugam Silence
Rajendran’s TNM previously praised environmental activist Arul Arumugam. But when the DMK government jailed him under the draconian Goondas Act for protesting a SIPCOT project, TNM conveniently forgot about this point and highlighted everything else to bring bad name to PM Modi. His activism didn’t fit the narrative anymore.
The NewsClick Whitewash
When Delhi Police raided journalists linked to NewsClick—a platform under serious scrutiny for alleged Chinese funding—TNM covered the incident as a straightforward “press crackdown.” It completely downplayed the foreign interference angle, focusing instead on the emotional distress of figures like Abhisar Sharma. Would TNM be as sympathetic if the raids were on right-leaning outlets funded by Russia or the US? Unlikely.
Is the crackdown on leftist portals the reason why The News Minute feels “threatened” in PM Modi’s India? No prizes for guessing!
Friendly With Power, But Only In Tamil Nadu
In one revealing moment, TNM journalist Shabbir Ahmed criticized the DMK’s cyclone relief failures. The backlash was so severe that Dhanya Rajendran publicly thanked DMK IT wing chief TRB Rajaa for helping manage the social media fallout. It’s not every day a journalist thanks the ruling party’s digital team for damage control.
This cozy relationship, combined with TNM’s consistent silence on state-level abuses, paints a picture of selective journalism masquerading as independent reporting.
A Freedom They Use, A Fairness They Deny
Dhanya Rajendran and TNM enjoy extraordinary press freedom in India. The fact that they can publish searing criticisms of the central government daily—and even receive awards and funding while doing so—proves the very point they seek to deny.
What India faces is not a crisis of press freedom, but a crisis of ideological honesty. It’s not that journalists like Rajendran can’t speak. It’s that they selectively choose when to speak—and when to stay silent.
They are not victims of repression. They are beneficiaries of it—when it comes from regimes they support.
And that’s the real press freedom story no one wants to report.
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Indian intelligence agencies have traced the 22 April 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam to a growing alliance between Palestinian militant group Hamas and Pakistan-backed jihadist outfits, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD). This emerging nexus, intelligence sources say, was formalized during a provocative conference held in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on 5 February 2025.
Held at Shaheed Sabir Stadium, the event marked Hamas’ first formal presence in PoK. Chilling threats were issued: “Blood will be spilled… pic.twitter.com/FImEufzPk2
— 🎙The Milli Chronicle (@millichronicle) May 1, 2025
The event, titled the Kashmir Solidarity and Hamas Operation Al-Aqsa Flood Conference, was held at the Shaheed Sabir Stadium in PoK and attended by high-ranking commanders of multiple jihadist groups. The conference marked the first formal appearance of Hamas in PoK, with its Iran-based envoy Dr. Khalid Al-Qadoumi in attendance alongside key figures from LeT, JeM, and the Jammu and Kashmir United Mujahideen (JKUM).
According to a classified assessment first accessed by The New Indian, operatives involved in planning the Pahalgam attack were present at the summit. The gathering served to consolidate ideological and operational ties between Islamist groups in South Asia and Hamas, with a focus on replicating the Gaza model of asymmetric warfare in Kashmir. The summit reportedly established a collaborative framework for future joint operations.
Prominent commanders at the event included Talha Saif, brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar, senior field operatives Asghar Khan Kashmiri and Masood Ilyas, and several Lashkar leaders. The event was marked by aggressive calls for intensified militancy in Jammu and Kashmir and threats of violence against India.
In the days leading up to the February 5 summit, a coordinated propaganda campaign was launched by the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League, which released a provocative video glorifying Islamist separatists and slain terrorists including Burhan Wani and Manan Wani. The video featured funeral footage and chants linking the Kashmir conflict to the Palestinian cause, with slogans like “Pak ki Azadi, Kashmir ki Azadi”, aimed at radicalizing youth and inciting rebellion.
Security analysts believe this hybrid propaganda model, blending emotive imagery with militant messaging, is designed to foster communal polarization and attract global sympathy by linking the Kashmir conflict with the internationally resonant Palestine-Israel issue.
The Pahalgam attack itself was described by intelligence sources as meticulously planned and executed by highly trained Pakistani terrorists. The ambush targeted Hindu pilgrims and tourists, confirming the communal intent of the operation. Victims were reportedly interrogated about their religion before being executed, signaling a shift toward explicitly faith-based targeting.
Three key operatives have been identified as masterminds behind the Pahalgam strike:
Saifullah Kasuri (alias Saifullah Khalid), a senior Lashkar commander with ties to founder Hafiz Saeed and designated by the U.S. Treasury Department. He has played a leading role in LeT’s political front, Milli Muslim League (MML), which has been used to mask militant operations behind a civilian facade.
Abu Musa (alias Musa Kashmiri), a former ISIS affiliate known for planning attacks on foreign nationals and later aligning with LeT to focus on Indian security personnel and non-local civilians.
Rizwan Hanif, a senior JKUM commander based in Rawalakot, PoK, believed to have overseen infiltration logistics and arms procurement for the Pahalgam operation.
The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency of Pakistan is reportedly coordinating the evolving Hamas-LeT alliance. According to intelligence assessments, the ISI is attempting to reposition the Kashmir conflict in global discourse by framing it through the lens of the Palestinian struggle. This strategy is intended to provoke pan-Islamist sentiment, increase foreign media attention, and destabilize Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir through communal violence and radicalization.
Indian military and intelligence officials have raised concerns that Pakistan-based groups are increasingly adopting Hamas-style guerrilla tactics and propaganda techniques. This includes the use of social media to incite violence and emotionally manipulate young recruits.
The convergence of Hamas’s ideological framework with the operational networks of Pakistan-backed jihadist outfits marks a new chapter in the region’s terror dynamics. Indian security officials have flagged this as the onset of a dangerous phase of cross-continental hybrid warfare, blending local insurgency with global jihadist narratives.
As security agencies continue to investigate the Pahalgam attack, counterterrorism experts are calling for a reassessment of India’s internal security strategy, emphasizing the need to counter not only cross-border infiltration but also ideological warfare being waged online and across political forums.
After evading authorities for two months, Selvam, the prime suspect in a major counterfeit currency operation, was finally captured by police in Karnataka during a targeted operation.
— News18 Tamil Nadu (@News18TamilNadu) May 2, 2025
Selvam, originally from Atharnatham village near Ramanatham in Cuddalore district, had served as the West District Treasurer of the Viduthalai Siruthaigal Katchi (VCK). He was already under police scrutiny due to an earlier dispute with a man named Sankar from Avatti village, a case being handled by Ramanatham police.
As part of their inquiry into the dispute, police visited Selvam’s house. Finding him missing, they moved to inspect another property nearby. Spotting the approaching officers, Selvam and several others fled.
Police conducted a search of the premises and discovered equipment for producing counterfeit currency, along with firearms and police uniforms—raising suspicions of more extensive illegal activity.
Their investigation soon led to the arrest of two more suspects, Naveen Raja and Karthikeyan, who were caught with ₹85,000 in fake currency, walkie-talkies, air rifles, a laptop, forged RBI seals, police gear, and various vehicles including a JCB and lorries.
In response to Selvam’s disappearance, three dedicated police teams were formed to track the operation. Their efforts culminated in his arrest in Karnataka after weeks of pursuit.
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In a continued crackdown on illegal immigrants, Tamil Nadu police have arrested eight more illegal Bangladeshi nationals from Akaramel near Poonamallee, including two women, for staying in the state without valid documents. This brings the total number of arrests to 41 in recent days, following the earlier detention of 33 Bangladeshi nationals near Mangadu and Kundrathur on 29 April 2025.
— News18 Tamil Nadu (@News18TamilNadu) May 2, 2025
The latest arrests were made after local authorities, acting on intelligence inputs, conducted checks in the Akaramel area. Officials confirmed that the arrested individuals were residing without valid identification or travel documents and had been living undetected in the area for an extended period.
The earlier operation on April 29 was carried out by a special team from the Delhi Police, which had launched a search based on the interrogation of Sand Miya, a man arrested in 2024 for producing forged Aadhaar cards and passports. During questioning, Miya disclosed the presence of illegal immigrants from Bangladesh living in parts of Chennai, prompting coordinated raids in the Mangadu and Kundrathur regions.
The 33 individuals arrested earlier—including women, elderly persons, and children—were reportedly working as ragpickers and had been living in the city for over a year. Authorities have detained them at a secure community welfare centre in Kolappakkam, with heavy police presence in place around the facility.
Security agencies are investigating how the immigrants entered Tamil Nadu and whether they were aided by local networks. Investigations are also underway to determine if the individuals had any links to extremist groups or were involved in unlawful activities.
These developments come amid heightened national security concerns following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Central and state security agencies have since increased surveillance on undocumented immigrants, particularly those from Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Authorities have assured that action will be taken against those who provided shelter or assistance to the illegal immigrants. More arrests are likely as the investigation continues.
In a significant ruling, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has held that a person who has converted to Christianity cannot invoke the protections of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The Court quashed an FIR and subsequent charges filed under the SC/ST Act against the accused, citing the complainant’s conversion and his role as a pastor.
Justice Harinath N, presiding over the single-judge bench, ruled that once a person voluntarily converts to another religion, they cease to be a member of the Scheduled Caste for the purpose of the SC/ST Act. “The 2nd respondent has ceased to be a Member of the Scheduled Caste Community the day he had converted into Christianity,” the Court observed.
The complainant in the case, a Christian pastor, had alleged that he was assaulted by the petitioners during a prayer service. Based on his complaint, an FIR was registered under Sections 3(1)(r), 3(1)(s), and 3(2)(va) of the SC/ST Act, along with Sections 341, 506, 323, and 34 of the IPC. The petitioners, however, contended that the charges under the SC/ST Act were legally untenable since the complainant had converted to Christianity and was no longer entitled to the protections of the Act.
The Court accepted the petitioners’ argument, noting that the complainant had been functioning as a pastor for over a decade. “Having converted to Christianity and admitting his role as a Pastor in a Church, the 2nd respondent could not invoke the provisions of the SC/ST Act,” Justice Harinath stated.
The complainant had claimed he was still eligible for protection under the SC/ST Act based on a caste certificate issued by the Tahsildar identifying him as belonging to the ‘Hindu-Madiga’ caste. However, the Court clarified that mere possession of an unrevoked caste certificate cannot override the fundamental change in religious status brought by conversion.
“Caste system is alien to Christianity,” the Court emphasized, reiterating that the protective legislation is applicable only to individuals who continue to belong to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes in terms of their religious identity.
In its final order, the Court quashed the pending Special Case No. 36 of 2021 on the file of the IV Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-SC/ST Court, Guntur, and allowed the criminal petition filed by the accused. It also observed that the complaint appeared to be false and that no purpose would be served by subjecting the petitioners to trial.
The vehicle carrying Srilasree Arunagirinatha Gnanasambantha Desika Paramacharya Swamigal, the current Mahasannidhanam of the Madurai Adheenam, was involved in a road accident near Ulundurpet early this morning, sparking concern and speculation about a possible conspiracy.
According to initial reports, the incident occurred while the Mahasannidhanam was en route to Chennai to attend a Saiva conference organized by the Dharmapuri Adheenam at SRM University. Near Ulundurpet, a car trailing the Mahasannidhanam’s vehicle allegedly rammed into it from behind and fled the scene without stopping. A formal complaint has been filed with the local police station in Ulundurpet.
Though the Mahasannidhanam sustained only minor injuries, the vehicle was visibly damaged. Sources close to the Adheenam expressed suspicion that the accident may not have been entirely accidental, hinting at a potential conspiracy. Police have begun an investigation to ascertain the cause and whether there was any malicious intent behind the crash.
Following the incident, the Mahasannidhanam is expected to proceed to Kanchipuram, where he will stay at the Adheenam Mana before attending tomorrow’s Saiva conference in Chennai.
Several disciples and devotees, upon hearing about the accident, contacted the Adheenam to inquire about his well-being. Devotees expressed relief that, by the grace of God, the Mahasannidhanam was safe and unharmed.
It is noteworthy to mention that Madurai Adheenam has been a vocal supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Hindutva cause.
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A major controversy has erupted at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN), where the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) department is under fire for promoting ideologically charged research topics, many of which center around Islamic theology. The situation has sparked national concern, with calls for the Ministry of Education and the IIT Council to investigate the use of taxpayer-funded resources for what critics are calling “ideological indoctrination.”
At the center of the controversy are several MA-level thesis projects approved and supervised by faculty members at IITGN. These projects, according to students and critics, do not approach religious themes through critical academic frameworks but instead seem to endorse theological perspectives under the guise of social science research.
Among the topics that have drawn scrutiny are: “Robes of Authority: Sunni Ulama, Sartorial Tradition, and Embodied Piety in Malabar,”“Fishing With Faith: Islam, Indigenous Knowledge and Ecological Sustainability in Lakshadweep,” and “From Gods to Jinn: Ontological Rewriting and the Islamization of Spirits in Kerala.” Critics argue that such topics resemble theological glorification rather than academic inquiry, particularly in a technical institution originally meant to promote scientific research and innovation.
These thesis topics were submitted by three MA students—Muhammed Luqman, Salmanul Faris, and Mohammed Jabir—and approved by faculty members including Nishaant Choksi, Rosa Maria Perez, Madhumita Sengupta, and Sharada Visweswara. The approval also granted these students access to institutional resources and funding, drawing sharp questions about how government funds and public infrastructure are being utilized in institutions like IITs.
Here is the original research that has gone into this great Islamic study. I request IIT Gandhinagar to take up a new project that will help identity Kafirs through the fear in their voice even if they memorize kalma. Let's create more application oriented research shall we? pic.twitter.com/LNNTgQm1J3
Several Hindu students at IITGN raised objections to what they saw as overtly religious and ideologically slanted research. They expressed concern that a technical institute like IIT should not be allocating funds and academic legitimacy to topics that could have been more appropriate in a religious or theological university. According to student accounts, their opposition was met with threats of academic retaliation, including the possibility of being failed, penalized, or subjected to disciplinary committees.
@iitgn needs to give a clarification over all this BS going on, instead of threatening the students.
— Indian Right Wing Community (@indianrightwing) May 1, 2025
An email by Professor Nishaant Choksi, now circulating on social media, allegedly warned students of “consequences” for leaking thesis topics and related information. In his email, Choksi invoked the institute’s “honor code” and characterized the disclosure of internal academic work as a serious breach, prompting further concern about the lack of transparency within the department.
🚨 This is scary. Our students are not safe in an environment of academic intimidation, secrecy & sexual exploitation.
After I exposed Islamic idiocy being studied in @iitgn, this is the mail one of the professors Nishaant Choksi sent.
Adding to the alarm, some students allege that IITGN has become increasingly hostile to Hindu sentiments. In the aftermath of the recent terror attack, students say the administration denied permission for a candle march in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, while simultaneously allowing events viewed as sympathetic to the Palestinian cause shortly after the October 7 Hamas terror attack.
The administration of @iitgn recently denied any protest or solidarity march regarding the Pahalgam Terrorist attacks. pic.twitter.com/MdGProrShg
— Indian Right Wing Community (@indianrightwing) May 1, 2025
They also cite past events where religious Hindu festivals faced administrative pushback—such as restrictions on Diwali celebrations—while events critical of Hinduism, including readings from B.R. Ambedkar’s “Riddles in Hinduism” on Mahashivratri, were allowed to proceed.
One particular student society, “Awaam,” has come under the spotlight for its programming, which has included lectures on “Brahminical Oppression of Women” and support for causes perceived as anti-India or anti-Hindu. The department also reportedly hosted lectures on Periyar and organized a birthday celebration for the controversial Dravidian figure, merely 10 km from the Chief Minister’s office.
Periyar Jayanti celebration in IIT Gandhinagar.
You know which department is this.
I repeat: catapult the person who gave idea of opening humanity departments at IITs. pic.twitter.com/6EMpnaT0fb
These incidents have ignited a larger debate about the role and accountability of Humanities departments within IITs. Many critics argue that these departments operate with ideological bias, shielded by the label of academic freedom but unchecked by the scrutiny applied to scientific and technical departments. Calls are growing for either the removal of such departments from IIT campuses or their restructuring to ensure ideological neutrality and transparency.
The administration of IITGN, including Director Rajat Moona and Dean of Student Affairs Shivapriya Kirubakaran, has yet to publicly address the specific allegations. Students claim that those questioning the department’s practices have faced increasing institutional pressure.
There is growing consensus that IITs—institutions that have played a pivotal role in India’s technological rise—must not become platforms for ideological experiments under the cover of academia.
If the allegations are substantiated, this episode could mark a turning point in how humanities programs are regulated within elite technical institutions. For now, all eyes remain on IIT Gandhinagar and the response of India’s higher education leadership.
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In the aftermath of the Pahalgam massacre in Jammu & Kashmir on 22 April 2025, the Congress party started facing public outrage over controversial statements made by several of its leaders.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi have issued a strict directive to party members, urging them not to issue any remarks that stray from the official party line. This move comes as a response to a series of insensitive and divisive statements made between April 23 and April 28—remarks that have not only sparked widespread criticism but also appear to align with pro-Pakistan narratives.
This report compiles 13 highly controversial comments made by Congress leaders and supporters during that period, many of which have been echoed or openly supported by Pakistani political figures and media. The Congress leadership, now under pressure, is attempting damage control, but the growing perception of sympathy toward Pakistan-linked narratives is causing deep concern among the public and security observers.
#1 Congress Social Media Post Praised By Fmr Pakistani Minister
On 28 April 2025, the official Congress party handle posted an image on social media platform X showing a headless figure, indirectly mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The post drew immediate backlash across India for its insensitivity in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack. What escalated the controversy further was a response from former Pakistani Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhary, who mocked, “I had heard that the horn was missing from the donkey’s head, but here Modi Saheb has disappeared.”
The remark was celebrated in Pakistani circles. Under intense criticism, Congress later deleted the post.
#2 Kerala Congress Echoed On Pakistani TV
Also on 28 April 2025, the Kerala unit of the Congress party posted a message questioning how terrorists could infiltrate 200 kilometers beyond the border to carry out the Pahalgam attack. “Pahalgam is not a nearby village… how did terrorists reach there?” the post stated, implying a serious lapse in national security. This message gained traction in Pakistan, where it was repeatedly broadcast by ARY News, a prominent Pakistani news channel, which highlighted it as a criticism of India’s internal security.
रॉबर्ट वाड्रा सिद्धारमैया के बाद अब कांग्रेस पार्टी पाकिस्तान में हीरो बन चुकी है pic.twitter.com/zkHPA9nsJY
The alignment of the Congress narrative with Pakistani media coverage raised eyebrows and intensified scrutiny of the party’s public statements.
#3 Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s Anti-War Remark Gains Pakistani Attention
Following the Pahalgam attack, on April 26, 2025, Karnataka Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah stated, “There is no need for war with Pakistan. We are not in favour of war. We should take strict measures and strengthen our security.”
On 26 April 2025, Karnataka Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah’s remarks following the Pahalgam terror attack were widely covered in Pakistani media.
Leading channel Geo News highlighted his statements, calling him a “voice against war from within India.”
😡ग़द्दारो की कमी नहीं देश में, एक ढूढो हज़ार मिलते है😡
पाक वाले भी कांग्रेस की तारीफ़ कर रहे है.
कर्नाटक CM सिद्धारमैया ने जब कहा कि पुलवामा हमला भारत की गलती से हुआ है इसीलिए भारत को पाकिस्तान पर हमला नहीं करना चाहिए
Siddaramaiah’s comments, perceived as soft on terrorism, were amplified across the border, with Pakistani channels using them to portray divisions within India over its response to the attack.
#4 Sr Cong Leader Saifuddin Soz Urges Trust In Pakistan’s Denial
On 28 April 2025, former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Saifuddin Soz stirred controversy by urging India to accept Pakistan’s denial of involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack. In a statement to the Press Trust of India, Soz said, “If Pakistan says it is not involved, then accept it for now and trust your investigation agencies.”
VIDEO | Here is what former Union Minister Saifuddin Soz says on the Indus Water Treaty: “For Pakistan the water is very important for irrigation and drinking purposes. If the river water cannot be diverted the state of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir will be totally submerged. The… pic.twitter.com/TZWPEtWNhA
He emphasized that “dialogue and discussion” were the only path forward, dismissing the use of “military solutions, weapons, or swords.” His remarks mirrored Pakistan’s narrative and were criticized for undermining national resolve against terrorism.
#5 Robert Vadra Links Terror Attack to Communal Tensions
On 28 April 2025, Robert Vadra—husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi—sparked outrage with his comments on the Pahalgam attack. He claimed that the deteriorating communal atmosphere in India was making Muslims feel unsafe and suggested that this was causing identity-based killings. “People are being killed after being asked about their identity,” he said, implicitly shifting blame from cross-border terrorism to domestic tensions.
He says that terrorists attacked because gvt talks about Hindutva all time.
Terrorists confirmed religion before k*lling Hindus to send a message to PM that Muslims are feeling weakened.. pic.twitter.com/EH3pr2n0NM
His remarks were seen as both factually misleading and dangerously divisive at a time of national mourning.
#6 Cong MLA Vijay Wadettiwar Questions Religious Targeting, Then Apologizes
On 27 April 2025, Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar from Maharashtra’s Brahmapuri constituency questioned the reports that terrorists identified victims by religion during the Pahalgam attack. “They are saying that terrorists asked people about their religion and then shot them. Do terrorists have time to do all this?” he asked, implying that such claims might be rumors. His remarks sparked backlash for downplaying eyewitness accounts. Following public outrage, Wadettiwar issued an apology, admitting his mistake.
#7 Karnataka Cong Min Ramappa Timmapur Denies Religious Motive Behind Attack
On 27 April 2025, Congress leader and Karnataka cabinet minister Ramappa Balappa Timmapur dismissed claims that the Pahalgam terrorists targeted victims based on religion. “During a terror attack, the attackers kill people and quickly flee. Do they really have time to ask if someone is Hindu?” he said. Timmapur accused the BJP of politicizing the tragedy by injecting religious angles, adding, “Some vested interests are trying to attack religion in every incident. This is not right.”
#8 Mani Shankar Aiyar Blames Partition For Pahalgam Attack
On 26 April 2025, senior Congress leader and former MP Mani Shankar Aiyar linked the Pahalgam terror attack to the unresolved legacy of India’s Partition. Speaking at the India International Centre, Aiyar described the April 22 attack at Baisaran as “a fallout of unresolved issues of Partition.”
Pahalgam tragedy reflects ‘unresolved questions of partition’
Manishankar Aiyer has taken the lead.. waiting for Sam Pitroda and Digvijay Singh to join in .. the Cong party is simply incorrigible! https://t.co/yd0gZjWy3Mpic.twitter.com/R3IXUqiYBV
His statement drew criticism for intellectualizing the incident and failing to condemn the terrorists directly.
#9 Congress Leader Calls Pahalgam Attack A ‘Secular’ Act
On 25 April 2025, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee leader M Laxman made a controversial statement regarding the Pahalgam terror attack. He said, “Muslims were also killed in the attack, which indicates that it was a ‘secular’ terrorist attack.” Laxman accused the BJP and the central government of politicizing the incident.
#10 Congress J&K Chief Urges Dialogue with Pakistan
On 26 April 2025, Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Tariq Hameed Karra urged both India and Pakistan to show restraint. He said, “Whatever has to be done should be done through dialogue. Both countries should not be pushed toward further destruction.” After backlash, Karra backtracked and clarified, “I am with the party’s stand.”
Congress’s J&K Chief, Tariq Ahmed Karra, shockingly claims that Pakistan should not be driven toward devastation any further. He then calls for everyone to “keep their cool” and advocates for dialogue with Pakistan.
#11 Youth Congress Leader Dismisses Religious Angle
On April 25, 2025, Youth Congress leader Mohammad Arman posted on social media platform X, saying, “It is not right to give the angle of religion. People have been shot before also after asking the name—sometimes in a train, sometimes in a crowd. That too is terrorism.”
– नाम- मोहम्मद अरमान – दावा- यूथ कांग्रेस का नेता – कांग्रेस नेता श्रीनिवास BV के साथ कवर फोटो – पहलगाम हत्याकांड पर इसका ट्वीट देखिए
His comment was seen as an attempt to generalize and downplay the religious targeting in the Pahalgam attack.
#12 ‘Terrorism Has No Religion’: Mumtaz Patel
On April 25, 2025, Congress women’s leader and daughter of Ahmed Patel, Mumtaz Patel, reacted to the Pahalgam attack by stating, “Terrorism has no religion, we should not divide the society in the name of religion.” Her remark drew criticism for ignoring the religiously targeted nature of the killings.
#13 Congress Supporter Denies Religious Targeting In Pahalgam
On 24 April 2025, a lady Puja Jadhav appeared in a viral video from Kashmir, claiming that there is no religious threat in the region. “It is being said that the terrorists killed after asking about religion. Such a message is being spread in India, which is wrong. I am in Kashmir since morning, I am a Hindu. But I do not feel any danger,” she said.
कश्मीर घूमने गईं महाराष्ट्र बिड की ये महिला पूजा जाधव
गोदी मिडिया के एजेंडे को एक्सपोज़ कर रही है pic.twitter.com/KVlT0IkPxP
It was later proved that she was a Congress supporter, it is not clear if she is a Congress member as she was seen with Congress scion Rahul Gandhi during the Bharat Jodo Yatra.
At a May Day public meeting held in Arepalayam near Sathyamangalam, Erode district, AIADMK Minority Wing Joint Secretary Abdul Jaffar delivered a strong endorsement of the party’s renewed alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), describing it as a forward-thinking and necessary political step.
The meeting, presided over by senior AIADMK leader and former Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan, was part of the Labour Day celebrations on 1 May. Addressing the gathering, Abdul Jaffar emphasized the need for strategic alliances based on political realities and electoral outcomes.
AIADMK Minority Wing Joint Secretary Abdul Jaffar said, “I personally told Edappadi that in this election, we should form an alliance with the BJP because the Muslims will not vote (for the AIADMK). Muslims will not vote for the AIADMK. I am the head of a major Jamaat in Coimbatore, and I’ve seen this firsthand. Take Velumani, for example in Coimbatore, he has done a lot of good work for the Muslim, yet no one voted for him. In the 2024 elections, we were not allied with the BJP, but we did have a Muslim party with us. Even they voted for the DMK. So why should we envy the BJP? An alliance with the BJP brings strength, manpower, and administrative power. Today, it’s that authority of power which speaks. That’s why I supported forming an alliance with the BJP, and now it has happened. I’m confident this partnership will grow into a strong, powerful force and we must stand with that force.”
Echoing his sentiments, K.A. Sengottaiyan added, “In the 2026 elections, with the support of the BJP, our alliance will surely win 200 seats. As for me, I’m prepared to work at the grassroots level like any other party worker to make this happen.”
Jaffar’s speech was received positively by the gathering, with many appreciating his clear-eyed assessment of political dynamics and his commitment to building a stronger, united front. The AIADMK-BJP alliance is now being seen by party insiders as a pragmatic and decisive move aimed at electoral resurgence in the coming years.
#Watch | "பாஜகவோடு கூட்டணி வைக்க வேண்டும் என நானே சொன்னேன்.. முஸ்லீம்கள் நமக்கு ஓட்டுப் போட மாட்டாங்க.."
அதிமுக முன்னாள் அமைச்சர் செங்கோட்டையன் தலைமையில் நடைபெற்ற மே தின விழா பொதுக்கூட்டத்தில் அதிமுக சிறுபான்மை பிரிவு இணைச்செயலாளர் அப்துல் ஜபார் பேச்சு.#SunNews | #ADMK | #BJP… pic.twitter.com/v3xGaGVo0H
