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TN Congress Spokesperson Lakshmi Ramachandran Tries To Whitewash Pahalgam Hindu Massacre With ‘Terror Has No Religion’ Narrative, Blames “Godi Media”

By
The Commune
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Lakshmi Ramachandran, General Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Congress and spokesperson for the TNCC, is facing intense backlash on social media following her recent comments regarding the Pehalgam terror attack. In an attempt to buttress the Muslim minority in state, Ramachandran posted on her official account on X, downplaying the communal angle of the April 22nd attack in Pehalgam, where reports claimed that Hindu tourists were specifically targeted. Eyewitness accounts shared online alleged that the attackers forced male victims to strip down to confirm their religious identity before shooting, further fueling outrage.

Despite these allegations, Ramachandran framed the incident solely as an act of terrorism by Pakistani militants, stating it was not a Hindu-Muslim issue. Critics accused her of insensitivity and of trying to whitewash the religious targeting aspect of the attack.

In her post, she wrote, “Attack by Pakistani terrorists on innocent tourists in Pehalgam is extremely disturbing. The way Godi media is reporting the ghastly attack, treading a careful line lest they displease Modi-Shah, is highly irritating. They are making this a Hindu-Muslim issue to please their bosses. They are claiming that the terrorists made sure that the victims were Hindus before shooting them down. Some of the victims are Tamils and Telugus we hear. How the hell will Pakistani terrorists distinguish between a Tamil Muslim and Tamil Hindu? Shame on you Godi media. You have no humanity left in you. INDIANS were killed and the perpetrators should not be spared.” 

Sinister 2025 Pahalgam Hindu Massacre Leaves 28 Dead, Dozens Injured in Kashmir

On 22 April 2025, militants carried out a brutal attack in the scenic Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, killing at least 28 people and injuring more than 20 others. The assault, one of the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot. Indian officials condemned the incident as a terrorist act, with evidence suggesting the attackers aimed to resist alleged demographic shifts in the Kashmir Valley.

The Attack

Around 2:50 PM, between four and six armed militants disguised in military-style clothing emerged from the nearby forest and opened fire on a crowd of tourists enjoying the clear weather after days of rain. Survivors recounted that the attackers initially posed as security personnel, asking victims for their names and religious identity before launching a targeted assault.

Eyewitnesses reported that the militants singled out non-Muslims by demanding that individuals recite the Islamic kalma and checking for circumcision—those who failed were executed. Most of the victims were men. In a chilling account, a gunman reportedly spared a woman, telling her she was being left alive to “tell Prime Minister Modi what happened here.”

Graphic videos circulated online showed blood-soaked victims lying across the meadow, with terrified survivors pleading for help. Emergency responders quickly arrived, transporting the wounded to nearby hospitals, with some critically injured individuals airlifted to a military hospital in Srinagar.

Casualties

The attack claimed the lives of 28 civilians, including:

  • 24 Indian tourists from states like Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Gujarat, Haryana, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh,

  • 2 locals from Jammu and Kashmir, and

  • 2 foreign nationals from Nepal and the UAE.

Among the deceased were a 26-year-old Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official. Over 20 others were seriously injured, hailing from Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

Security forces swiftly launched a joint search and cordon operation, involving the Indian Army and local police. Helicopters were deployed to track the militants, and a temporary lockdown was imposed in parts of Pahalgam.

The Resistance Front (TRF), which operates under the umbrella of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility. In a statement, the group justified the attack by accusing the Indian government of settling over 85,000 “outsiders” in the region, allegedly attempting to alter the valley’s demographic makeup.

Despite widespread media coverage and survivor testimonies confirming that victims were forced to strip and recite the Islamic kalma to determine if they were Hindu or Muslim—with threats of being shot otherwise—Tamil Nadu Congress spokesperson Lakshmi Ramachandran chose to downplay the communal nature of the attack. By insisting it was merely a generic act of terrorism, not one specifically targeting Hindus, she appeared to be prioritizing political optics and vote-bank considerations over acknowledging the truth.

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The Wire Caught Whitewashing Pahalgam Terror Attack: Misquotes Eyewitness, Silently Edits Report After Backlash

By
The Commune
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In yet another glaring instance of journalistic malpractice, left-leaning propaganda outlet The Wire has come under fire for distorting a victim’s testimony in its coverage of the Pahalgam terror attack that left over 20 Hindu tourists dead. The outlet, notorious for routinely shielding Islamist perpetrators and peddling narratives to paint them as victims, was caught red-handed misrepresenting a crucial eyewitness account that clearly pointed to the religious targeting of non-Muslims in the attack.

The original article, published on 22 April 2025 and authored by Jehangir Ali, quoted a distraught woman who witnessed her husband being murdered by terrorists. In a widely circulated video, the woman can be heard saying that her husband was shot “because he was not a Muslim.”

The terrorists, according to multiple survivor testimonies and video evidence, stripped victims, checked their ID cards, and then executed them point blank after confirming they were Hindus.

However, The Wire seemed to have deliberately twisted the woman’s statement, claiming instead that the attackers “assumed he was a Muslim.” This not only flipped the context of the attack on its head but also blatantly attempted to erase the clear religious motive behind the massacre.

Following a wave of outrage and scrutiny on social media, The Wire quietly edited the story, sneaking in a passive footnote at the bottom:

“A previous version of the story had inadvertently quoted a woman victim saying that her husband was targeted because the attackers assumed that he was a Muslim. However, the woman can be heard saying that he was targeted for not being a Muslim. The error is regretted.”

This casual “oops” from the publication exposes the rot at the core of its editorial standards. There was no proper apology, no correction highlighted at the top of the article, and no accountability for the sheer damage caused by spreading misinformation about an ongoing terror incident. Instead of retracting the report or issuing a formal editorial note, The Wire opted for a sly update buried in the footnotes — a tactic familiar to those who have tracked its long record of distortions and ideological bias.

Worse, the so-called journalist from the publication even responded to criticism on social media with a dismissive “It was an inadvertent error, being corrected, thanks for pointing out.”

This cavalier attitude toward gross misreporting, especially during a tragedy of this scale, reeks of both arrogance and editorial negligence.

The attack in Pahalgam, which many believe was timed and motivated in response to recent anti-Hindu rhetoric from Pakistan’s military leadership, has sent shockwaves across the nation. The visuals from the site are chilling — blood-stained clothes, distraught survivors, and grieving families of newlyweds. To misquote a victim in such a context is not merely “regrettable” — it is unforgivable.

The Wire’s coverage, rather than informing the public, appears focused on protecting narratives — even if it means gaslighting survivors and whitewashing the identities and motivations of terrorists. This incident must serve as a wake-up call about the real cost of agenda-driven journalism: truth becomes collateral damage.

This is not the first time The Wire has tried to whitewash crimes of Islamists and portray them as victims. You can read more here.

(With inputs from OpIndia)

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Indian Army Foils Infiltration Bid In Uri Line of Control; Ops Underway

By
The Commune
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Alert troops of the Indian Army on Wednesday foiled an infiltration bid on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s (J&K) Uri sector. A Defence Ministry statement said that an exchange of gunfire took place between the terrorists and the Army when an infiltration bid was foiled after terrorists were engaged by the Army in a firefight near the Uri Nala area of Baramulla district.

Army’s Srinagar headquartered 15 corps said on X, “On 23 Apr 2025, approximately 2-3 UI terrorists tried to infiltrate through general area Sarjeevan at Uri Nala, Baramulla, the alert troops on LC challenged and intercepted them resulting in a firefight. Operation is in progress”.

Wednesday’s infiltration bid on the LoC comes a day after Pakistan sponsored terrorists killed 16 innocent civilians including 2 foreigners and 2 locals.

The brutal attack unfolded on Tuesday in the scenic Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, where terrorists reportedly emerged from dense forest areas and opened indiscriminate fire on a group of unsuspecting tourists.

Government officials confirmed that the ambush resulted in 16 fatalities, with dozens more injured, making it one of the deadliest terror strikes in the region in recent times.

Initial Intelligence inputs point towards the Pakistan-based terror outfit, The Resistance Front, a known offshoot of the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba, as the perpetrators of the assault. A high alert has been sounded throughout J&K as security was beefed up in all sensitive and security installations.

A team of the NIA is visiting the Pahalgam terror attack site as Union Home Minister, Amit Shah is also scheduled to visit the terror attack site today. An anti-terror operation was launched in Pahalgam immediately after the attack on tourists to hunt down the killers.

Meanwhile, the Union Home Minister chaired a high level security meeting at the Raj Bhawan in Srinagar to review the overall security scenario in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

After cutting short his Saudi Arabia visit, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi took a meeting at the airport in which the External Affairs Minister and the National Security Advisor were present.

–IANS

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TVK ‘Virtual Warrior’ & Instagram Influencer Vishnu Kumar Caught Red-Handed Sending Lewd Messages To A Friend’s Sister, Apologizes In Viral Video

By
The Commune
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A controversial video featuring Shri Vishnu Kumar, an Instagram influencer and known supporter of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has gone viral, drawing widespread criticism across social media. In the video, Vishnu is seen being confronted for allegedly sending inappropriate messages to a woman, sparking fresh debates about the conduct of those representing TVK online.

Vishnu, who is married to popular beautician and YouTuber Asmita, has been actively promoting TVK and its founder, actor-turned-politician Vijay. The party, which recently gained momentum among youth, had hailed its social media supporters as “virtual warriors,” a term Vijay himself used during a recent IT wing meeting to commend their online outreach.

However, Vishnu’s online conduct has landed him in trouble. Reports claim that he sent vulgar messages on Instagram to a close friend’s sister. In response, the woman’s brother and his friends posed as her online, arranged a meeting, and confronted Vishnu at their residence. He was allegedly forced to apologize in person, with the moment captured on video. The family members were shocked to discover that he had made it a habit to regularly message and flirt with multiple women. The clip has since gone viral, drawing strong condemnation.

Vishnu and Asmita are no strangers to the spotlight. After announcing their divorce a few years ago, the couple later reconciled and remarried, citing a renewed understanding of their relationship. Asmita, who had two children at the time of their split, is now reportedly pregnant again, with her due date just weeks away.

Adding to the controversy are accusations of financial fraud involving Vishnu, who is alleged to have defrauded several individuals of nearly ₹50 lakh through a trading scam.

The growing scandal has intensified scrutiny of TVK’s leadership and internal vetting processes. Despite frequent declarations by the party regarding women’s safety and empowerment, incidents like these raise uncomfortable questions. Many are now asking what action Vijay, the founder of TVK, intends to take against those within his social media ranks who engage in such misconduct.

This isn’t the first controversy to hit TVK’s online team. Earlier, the appointment of R. Ram Kumar as Deputy Coordinator of the party’s social media wing triggered criticism. Ram Kumar had previously faced backlash for posting misogynistic and abusive comments online, under the belief that he was anonymous. Though he later released an apology video, further damage was done when videos of him making suggestive TikToks with women also surfaced online.

Abusing TNM Editor-in-Chief Dhanya Rajendran

In 2017, Dhanya Rajendran, editor-in-chief of ‘The News Minute’, faced a coordinated online harassment campaign after she casually mentioned that she had once walked out halfway through a film starring popular Tamil actor Vijay. Following an ominous warning to “wait till 6:00 p.m.,” Vijay’s fans launched a relentless trolling attack against her, flooding her social media with vicious abuse and even issuing rape threats. The outrage seemed fueled not only by her critique of Vijay’s film but also by the fact that she, as a woman, dared to publicly voice her dislike of his work. The nature of the threats and the organized manner of the attack suggested a planned campaign, likely led by a central figure with a structured network behind it.

One of the individuals involved, Ramkumar, who had been investigated by the police for his role in the trolling, later admitted his involvement. In a video apology, he confessed to targeting Rajendran and expressed regret, stating he had “learned a lesson.” Ramkumar, who had created a hashtag on Twitter to amplify the harassment, claimed he was unaware that Rajendran was a journalist and had mistakenly assumed she was a fan of actor Ajith, Vijay’s industry rival.

Reflecting on his apology, Rajendran remarked, “I’m glad that at least one person has come forward to apologize. And like he himself says, anonymity is not a permanent shield. When you break the law, you can get into trouble. I hope other youngsters take this as an example.”

The incident began on 4 August, when Rajendran shared her opinion about a Hindi film on Twitter, mentioning that she had left the screening midway and comparing the experience to watching a Vijay film. Shortly after, she became the target of a flood of online abuse, with coordinated attacks marked by threats and misogynistic slurs.

In his apology video, Ramkumar urged others to refrain from trolling and using abusive language on social media. “Take my life as an example,” he said. “The police came to my house to investigate and questioned my mother. This caused distress to my family. There was no one to support me except my family. Anonymity doesn’t help.”

Later in an interview to The News Minute with Dhanya Rajendra herself, Ram Kumar thanked her saying that it was a positive event that happened in his life. He said that her complaint raised awareness to many about what to do and what not to do.

Lewd TikTok Videos

Another widely circulated and criticized video featured R. Ram Kumar, the newly appointed Deputy Coordinator of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) Social Media unit. In the video, Ram Kumar was seen recording a TikTok video where a woman, dressed in just a bath towel, appeared to be dancing suggestively opposite to the camera as part of a prank, later revealing she was wearing a skirt underneath. During the video, Ram Kumar was captured making inappropriate gestures and lewd signals directed at the woman on screen, sparking widespread backlash and criticism online.

https://twitter.com/aravinth43AK/status/1885309281534443760

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFhONGxTiBG/

These repeated incidents have fueled criticism of TVK’s selection of digital representatives, with many accusing the party of enabling individuals with histories of misogyny, deception, or manipulation. Social media users continue to demand accountability from Vijay and question whether the party’s internal values align with its public stance on gender sensitivity and ethics.

(With Inputs From ABP Nadu)

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Loyola College Caught In Foreign Collaboration Scandal: RTI Activist Alleges Cover-Up By University Of Madras

By
The Commune
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loyola college madras university

A new controversy is erupting at one of Chennai’s most prestigious institutions, Loyola College, as allegations surface about unauthorized foreign academic collaborations — and a potential cover-up by its parent body, the University of Madras.

At the center of the storm is R. Joseph D’ Kennedy, a Loyola alumnus and national representative of Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA) India. Kennedy has filed a detailed and damning complaint, alleging that the Jesuit-run college has repeatedly flouted affiliation norms by entering into academic agreements with foreign universities without the required approvals — and that the University of Madras has knowingly turned a blind eye.

Kennedy’s claims are backed by multiple Right to Information (RTI) replies, university records, and public documentation that point to a decade-long pattern of regulatory evasion.

The RTI That Sparked The Fire

On February 15, 2025, Kennedy filed an RTI application (Ref. No. PIO/RTI/2025/074) seeking information on:

  • The rules governing MoUs between affiliated colleges and foreign universities;
  • Whether Loyola College had obtained permission for tie-ups with institutions such as:
    • Avila University, Kansas City
    • Ajman University
    • University of Dubai
    • Skyline University
    • Sunway University, Malaysia
    • American University of Sovereign Nations (AUSN)
  • Any action taken by the University in response to possible violations.

The reply, received after a first appeal on March 21, 2025 (Ref: PIO/RTI/2025/100), was startling in its vagueness. While the University of Madras admitted that approval is mandatory for student and faculty exchange programs, it claimed it was “unaware” whether Loyola had ever executed such exchanges — despite the college’s official Loyola International Academic Collaborations (LIAC) portal and brochures openly advertising these partnerships.

Contradictions, Cover-ups, And A Decade-Long Silence

Kennedy’s complaint highlights the disturbing contrast between this evasive response and a much clearer RTI reply issued by the same university in 2012. That earlier communication explicitly stated:

“A college shall conduct the courses only for which affiliation is granted by this University.”

It also confirmed that Loyola College had not obtained approval for foreign tie-ups with institutions like London South Bank University (UK), Lille Catholic University (France), and a twinning program with Pondicherry University (PULC).

“This is not a one-off lapse — it’s a pattern,” Kennedy told The Commune. “For over a decade, Loyola has been engaging in unauthorized collaborations, while the University’s response has shifted from strict enforcement to convenient ignorance. It’s either gross negligence or willful complicity.”

A Crisis Of Trust And Oversight

Kennedy’s complaint raises serious, unanswered questions:

1. Why did the University’s policy on prior approval change without any public explanation?

2. How can the University claim ignorance of foreign partnerships that Loyola has proudly advertised?

3. Why has no inquiry or disciplinary action been initiated despite documented violations?

The activist has called for urgent intervention by the Chancellor of the University of Madras (Governor of Tamil Nadu) and the University Grants Commission (UGC), demanding disciplinary action against both Loyola College and complicit university officials.

“This is bigger than a procedural lapse,” Kennedy asserted. “It undermines student welfare, academic integrity, and the credibility of our institutions. Loyola was once a beacon of academic excellence. What we’re seeing now is institutional decay — and a betrayal of everything it claimed to stand for.”

As of now, neither Loyola College nor the University of Madras has issued an official response.

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“Terrorists Checked Identity And Then Shot Saying He’s Not A Muslim”, Pahalgam Terror Attack Witness Reveals

By
The Commune
-

“Terrorists Checked Identity And Then Shot Saying He’s Not A Muslim”, Pahalgam Terror Attack Witness Reveals

A devastating terrorist attack targeting tourists in the scenic Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has left the nation in shock.

Terrorists attacked tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, opening fire in the Baisaran valley, a well-known tourist spot. According to reports, one person was killed, and several others were injured. Sources indicate the attackers questioned the tourists about their names and identities to determine their religion before shooting.

A disturbing video shared by journalist Aditya Raj Kaul shows bloodied victims lying motionless as women desperately cry for help. In one clip, a witness claims the terrorists targeted non-Muslims after verifying their identities.

Multiple videos capture women sobbing and pleading for assistance for their injured husbands. The Resistance Front, linked to Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the assault. Security forces have arrived at the scene, and the wounded have been rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Reports indicate that the attack injured at least 12 tourists, with some sources suggesting the number could be as high as 20. The exact number of fatalities remains unverified, though one death has been reported by various accounts. The incident took place in a remote area accessible only by foot or horseback, complicating rescue efforts. Security forces, including the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, were immediately deployed to the site, launching a search operation to apprehend the attackers. A helicopter was pressed into service to evacuate the injured, and local residents assisted by transporting some of the wounded on ponies to the nearest medical facilities.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Amit Shah said that he had briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the situation and conducted a video conference with concerned officials to assess the response.

“Those involved in this dastardly act of terror will not be spared, and we will come down heavily on the perpetrators with the harshest consequences.”, Amit Shah promised and added that he will be leaving for Srinagar to take stock of the situation.

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Chennai Police Detain Differently-Abled Protesters Demanding Pension Hike And MGNREGS Jobs

By
The Commune
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(Image Credits: Thanthi)

Police have detained several members of the differently-abled community who were staging a protest against the DMK government, pressing for a range of long-standing demands. These included raising the monthly disability pension, extending the allowance to all eligible and newly applied beneficiaries, and ensuring 100 days of employment under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

More than 500 differently-abled individuals had planned to march towards the Tamil Nadu Secretariat to voice their grievances. However, police intervened and arrested them as soon as they arrived at the Koyambedu bus stand in Chennai, preventing the protest from proceeding further.

The demonstration was organized by the Tamil Nadu Association for the Rights of All Persons with Disabilities and their Guardians. Their demands included increasing the monthly pension to at least ₹6,000, similar to schemes in states like Andhra Pradesh, with higher amounts—₹10,000 or ₹15,000—based on the severity of disability.

Protesters also called for immediate disbursal of pending benefits to nearly one lakh individuals. This includes applicants who have been waiting for over a year as well as those whose existing allowances were suddenly halted without explanation.

They further opposed the current system where children under 18 are denied support unless approved by age relaxation committees led by District Collectors. The group urged that assistance be extended to all children with disabilities, without age-based restrictions, and administered solely by the Department for the Welfare of the Differently-Abled—excluding the Revenue Department from the process.

Additionally, the protest sought a dedicated job card for each disabled person applying under the 100-day work scheme, with guarantees of full 100-day employment. They demanded an end to the practice of offering only half-days (4 hours), citing a government order that mandates 8-hour workdays as inappropriate for many differently-abled individuals. They also called for accessible work conditions, including transportation and sanitation at sites located more than 2 km from their residences.

The group also urged the state to extend the total working days for disabled individuals to 125 days annually, in line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, which mandates a 25% increase in social security benefits for this group.

They demanded immediate payment of overdue wages from the fiscal year 2024–25, and insisted that legal penalties for delayed wage disbursement be enforced.

Despite their intentions for a peaceful protest, authorities had not granted permission for the demonstration. As a preventive measure, police detained differently-abled participants across various districts en route to Chennai. In some areas, district leaders of the association were reportedly placed under house arrest.

When the protesters attempted to march towards the Secretariat from various points, they were intercepted—most notably at Parry’s Corner junction and again at Koyambedu bus stand, where many lay on the road in protest before being forcibly removed by police.

Those arriving from other districts intending to join the protest at Ezhilagam in Chepauk were also stopped and detained at different bus stands, effectively quashing the planned siege of the Secretariat.

(With inputs from ETV Bharat)

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VCK Chief Thirumavalavan Reaffirms DMK Alliance After He Says He’s Not Dependent On DMK For Alliance

By
The Commune
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Cheetah Becomes Cat: Thirumavalavan Muscle-Flexing Against DMK Turns Damp Squib, Loud Talk On Alcohol Prohibition Fizzes Out As He Invites DMK

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) chief Thol. Thirumavalavan, who recently stirred political discussion with remarks suggesting that his party is not dependent on the DMK and is free to form alliances as it sees fit, has now clarified his stance, affirming continued support for the DMK-led coalition.

On 20 April, during a Facebook Live session, Thirumavalavan addressed his party members, stating that external forces were deliberately misinterpreting his words to portray the VCK as reliant solely on the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for political survival.

Thirumavalavan lamented, “They are spreading slander against the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal using their propagandists, creating the impression that we are relying solely on the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and surviving off them. Although we are overlooking the slanders of those misguided individuals, the party’s comrades should gain clarity on this matter.” 

He further added, “We can make any decision in electoral politics. It is not a major Kamba Chitra. Keeping all options open, bargaining with multiple parties simultaneously, and maintaining relationships where there is more negotiation and deciding the alliance is not great diplomacy. It is selfish, opportunistic politics. We do not concern ourselves with it, nor do we show any interest in it. If we state that we are continuing in an alliance without any expectations or conditions, that also requires courage, clarity, and a far-sighted vision.”

These remarks reignited rumors that VCK may be preparing to exit the DMK alliance, prompting widespread speculation in political circles.

However, on 22 April, Thirumavalavan addressed the media to clarify the context of his statements, stating that his comments were misconstrued. He said, “I did not say that we are not dependent only the DMK; rather, I said that some politically ignorant individuals are criticizing us for relying solely on the DMK for our survival. That is the explanation I provided to our party cadres. In other words, there are numerous opportunities to form alliances in electoral politics.” 

He emphasized that while there are many options in electoral politics, VCK’s decision to remain in the DMK-led secular and progressive alliance is rooted in long-term vision and the well-being of Tamil Nadu. He added, “We are capable of making our own decisions and creating our own paths. Even with such opportunities, I addressed our cadres in live to explain that our far-sighted vision and the welfare of Tamil Nadu are the reasons we remain steadfast in the secular progressive alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. This (message) has been distorted. I pointed this out as someone who is aware that conspiracies are being orchestrated in various ways and on multiple fronts to undermine the secular progressive alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. That is all.”

The VCK chief concluded by reiterating his party’s commitment to the secular, progressive alliance and accused detractors of trying to weaken its unity through deliberate misinterpretation.

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Foreign YouTuber Inadvertently Exposes Corruption In TASMAC Run By Dravidian Model DMK Govt

By
The Commune
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A recent viral video featuring a foreign tourist at a TASMAC liquor outlet in Chennai has reignited public scrutiny over pricing irregularities and operational transparency under the supervision of the Prohibition and Excise Department headed by Senthil Balaji. The video, which captures a tourist being charged ₹180 for a beer with an MRP of ₹140, has stirred debate over long-standing complaints of overcharging at Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) retail outlets.

In the video, the tourist, accompanied by a long-time Singaporean resident of India, inquires about the MRP of beer and is casually told by the staff that prices are ₹20–₹40 above the legal maximum. The casual admission of the markup, captured on camera, corroborates with the allegations against Electricity, Prohibition and Excise Minister Senthil Balaji.

When inquiring about beer, the Singaporean who spoke Tamil, was quoted ₹180 per bottle despite confirming the MRP should be lesser around ₹140. The transaction was completed without explanation for the 12.5% markup. Similarly, a bottle of whiskey was sold for ₹1,300.

When questioned why the price was not MRP, the employee says that since the bar is attached to the outlet, he cannot sell it for MRP (weird logic).

TASMAC is the state government monopoly for liquor sales in Tamil Nadu, operated under the DMK (Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) government’s “Dravidian Model” of governance. Most often, if not at all times, notably absent from the establishment are displayed price lists, a requirement under consumer protection guidelines. The staff’s casual acknowledgment of the inflated pricing suggests this may represent standard practice at the location. “It’s a bit dodgy here,” Lim remarked in the video after completing his purchase, highlighting the lack of transparency.

TASMAC Controversies

In March 2025, TASMAC in Tamil Nadu came under intense scrutiny after multiple videos exposed rampant overcharging at the liquor outlets. Despite ongoing ED investigations into a ₹1,000 crore financial scam involving inflated procurement costs and collusion with bottle manufacturers, salesmen continue to demand ₹10–₹40 over the MRP from customers. In one viral incident from Cuddalore, a TASMAC staffer threatened a customer who asked for a bill, boldly claiming that officials from the Collector to the Minister were aware of the illegal collection. Similar cases have surfaced elsewhere, with officials admitting there’s no billing system in place. BJP leaders have raised sharp questions about where the excess money—running into crores annually—is going, suggesting a deep-rooted political and bureaucratic nexus.

Additionally, in 2024, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India’s 2021–2022 report on TASMAC highlighted serious operational lapses. Despite efforts to enable cashless payments, over 2,200 of the 5,359 PoS machines at retail outlets were non-functional, encouraging cash transactions and facilitating overcharging—177 of 238 complaints were related to this issue. The report criticizes TASMAC’s outdated procurement and vending policy and delays in implementing an end-to-end computerized Goods Monitoring System. It also flags irregularities in the tender process for liquor transport, pointing to potential cartelization, repeated winners, and vehicles with expired documents. A key bidder lacked a valid GSTIN. Additionally, TASMAC failed to pay ₹30.5 crore in differential excise duty, even though MRPs were revised. The CAG urged swift corrective action on PoS functionality, tender transparency, and excise compliance.

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‘Dhanvanthri Trust’ Administrator Ameenuddin Arrested For Kidnapping, Extortion In ₹1,000 Crore Donation Scam

By
The Commune
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Chennai police have arrested a trust administrator in connection with the alleged kidnapping and assault of a 60-year-old man over a massive donation deal that reportedly went wrong. The accused, along with two others who are currently on the run, allegedly threatened the man’s life and coerced him into handing over valuable assets.

The complaint was lodged by Edwin, a resident of Anna Nagar, who claimed that administrators of the ‘Dhanvanthri’ Trust, operating out of Velachery, abducted him in a vehicle, assaulted him, and demanded ownership documents of his house along with his wife’s jewelry. They also forced him to sign a blank bank cheque under duress, allegedly threatening to kill him if he didn’t comply.

Following the complaint, the Anna Nagar police registered a case and arrested one of the trust’s administrators, identified as Aminuddin. A search is underway for two other suspects, including a female administrator.

According to police sources, Edwin had been in contact with Saptarishi Banerjee, a man from Mumbai, with whom he reportedly had a personal relationship. Banerjee had claimed that he could arrange substantial donations from Dubai for charitable foundations and offered to help if needed. Trusting him, Edwin introduced Banerjee to the administrators of the Dhanvanthri Foundation.

Subsequently, Edwin received a commission of ₹35 lakh for facilitating a promised donation of ₹1,000 crore. However, when the funds failed to arrive after several months, the trust administrators began pressuring Edwin for answers. Despite explaining that he was only the middleman and had no control over the delayed donation, the administrators were allegedly not convinced.

In retaliation, they allegedly abducted Edwin, assaulted him, and forced him to hand over signed cheques. They also demanded the deed to his home and his wife’s jewelry, threatening to kill him if the promised money did not come through.

Investigators reviewed CCTV footage from the area and confirmed that Edwin had been forcibly taken by Dr. Vaishnavi, Moideen, and Aminuddin—administrators of the foundation. While Aminuddin has been taken into custody, efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest the remaining two suspects. The investigation is still underway.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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