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Audio Of DMK Minister Sekar Babu And Party Supporter Threatening Each Other Go Viral; Party Supporter Arrested

By
The Commune
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A DMK supporter has been arrested for allegedly threatening P.K. Sekar Babu, the DMK minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE). The controversy erupted after an audio recording, purportedly of a DMK supporter making threatening remarks, went viral on social media.

In the audio, the speaker—identified as Kolathur Dhanaraj—allegedly threatens to expose DMK Minister Sekar Babu’s reported involvement in a disturbing incident where a group of goons, posing as sanitation workers, vandalized the home of YouTuber ‘Savukku’ Shankar. The attackers allegedly dumped human waste throughout the house, smeared filth across the rooms and dining area, and intimidated Shankar’s mother. The incident is believed to have occurred after Shankar publicly revealed an alleged scam involving Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President Selvaperunthagai. The threats have caused a major stir in political circles.

Sekar Babu, a powerful figure in North Chennai and considered one of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s close aides, appears to be the target of internal friction. Dhanaraj is known to be a close associate of former DMK Youth Wing executive Mahesh Kumar, who is the husband of Saritha, the DMK’s Zone 6 Chairman and 6th Ward Councillor of the Chennai Corporation. Mahesh Kumar reportedly runs a used car business in the Kolathur area and has been accused of involvement in kattapanchayat (extrajudicial settlements) and intimidation tactics.

In the leaked call, Dhanaraj insists on speaking directly with Sekar Babu, to which the minister responds that he should come in person. When the minister refuses to continue the conversation over the phone, Dhanaraj becomes aggressive, threatening to release details related to “Savukku Shankar” to the media. Despite the minister urging him to end the call, Dhanaraj maintains a hostile tone.

In the alleged audio recording, Dhanaraj is heard calling DMK HR&CE Minister Sekar Babu and introducing himself by saying, “Brother, this is Dhanaraj from Kolathur.” The minister responds, “Who is this?” to which Dhanaraj repeats, “It’s Dhanaraj from Kolathur.” The minister then asks, “What is it?” Dhanaraj replies, “I’m also in your party, the DMK.”

The minister immediately responds, “Alright, come in person.” Surprised, Dhanaraj asks, “You want me to come in person?” The minister replies, “Yes, then what else?” Dhanaraj then says, “I’m with Mahesh.” The minister responds, “Okay, so what? You could be with anyone. Just because you call, should I talk to you?” Dhanaraj questions, “Why shouldn’t I speak over the phone?” The minister repeats, “Come in person.” Dhanaraj insists again, “Why shouldn’t I speak on a phone call?” The minister warns, “I’ll use this number to file a complaint against you.”

Unfazed, Dhanaraj replies, “Go ahead, brother. File the complaint.” He then adds, “You do (complain), and I’ll reveal everything to the media. Just wait and watch.” The minister calmly responds, “Go ahead and do it.” Dhanaraj threatens the Minister saying, “I’ll even expose the Savukku Shankar matter too, watch me.” The minister said, “Go ahead, I’m filing (complaint) right now.” In response, Dhanaraj challenged him, saying, “Go ahead. Watch me—I’ll say that I was the person behind the Savukku Shankar issue.” Angered, the DMK minister snapped, “Hang up the phone respectfully.” The conversation quickly escalated, with both sides exchanging heated words.

Following the release of the audio, police reportedly acted on a formal complaint from the minister. Dhanaraj was apprehended, and his phone was seized for investigation.

(With inputs from Asianet News)

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Radio Silence From ‘Feminist Champion’ The News Minute On DMK Min Ponmudi’s Sexual Innuendos Against Hindus And Women

By
The Commune
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A recent video of DMK Minister K. Ponmudy has ignited widespread controversy and condemnation across social media platforms, with many calling out the minister for his offensive remarks targeting Shaivite and Vaishnavite communities. The video, which surfaced on X, captures Ponmudy making a crude analogy involving a prostitute to mock the religious practices of these Hindu sects, drawing sharp criticism for its insensitivity and vulgarity.

In the video, Ponmudy recounts a supposed interaction between a man and a prostitute, where the woman asks the man if he is a Shaivite or a Vaishnavite. According to Ponmudy, the prostitute explains that Shaivite means “lying down position” (referencing the horizontal tilak worn by Shaivites) while a Vaishnavite means a “standing position” (referencing the vertical tilak worn by Vaishnavites).

The minister’s remarks were met with laughter from some in the audience, but they have since triggered a firestorm of backlash online.

Also, this isn’t the first time that DMK Minister Ponmudi has made such crass remarks from a public platform.

While inaugurating a ration shop at Manappoondi in Vizhupuram district, the DMK Minister openly asked a panchayat union chairperson about the caste she belonged.

“Even your panchayat union chairperson is a woman from an oppressed community. See who’s the chairman of this village? You are from a downtrodden community right? You are an SC right?” he asked on stage.

In yet another instance of DMK ministers abusing common people, DMK Minister Ponmudi yelled at a woman to ‘shut up’ when she came to him to express her grievances.

While speaking at a function, the DMK Minister made remarks in a belittling way while reminding women members in the audience about the ‘free bus scheme for women’ introduced by Stalin government.

“For you only 4000 rupees per card. Did he (Stalin) give or not? You got it right? Open your mouth and say. You got 4000 right? How are you going in bus today? If you want to go from here to Koyambedu or anywhere, you are going in ‘OC’ (free). You are going in ‘OC’ bus.”, he said.

Radio Silence From Feminist Champion The News Minute

The sacred symbols of the Hindu sects had been reduced to a sexual joke, and a woman—fictional or otherwise—was objectified in the process. In such moments, one expects India’s progressive media to respond swiftly and unequivocally. After all, ‘publications’ like The News Minute have built entire reputations championing against misogyny in public discourse.

Had this same language been used by a BJP politician, RSS member, or even a random sadhu, The News Minute’s newsroom would’ve sprung into action faster than you could say “patriarchy.”

  • “Misogynistic mindsets in saffron.”
  • “Hindutva’s dangerous view of women.”
  • “Why BJP’s toxic masculinity threatens Indian democracy.”

We’ve seen similar headlines before. Often within hours of a clip going viral.

But when the misogyny and mockery flow from a Dravidian politician, whose party thrives on anti-Hindu rhetoric and cloaks itself in “social justice”? Suddenly, the outrage pipeline dries up.

As of 14 April 2025, The News Minute has published no original reporting, no editorial, and no opinion piece on this incident. Nothing condemning Ponmudy. Nothing defending the dignity of Hindu women, saints, or symbols. Just radio silence. Their only mention? A syndicated feed noting that the AIADMK Women’s Wing plans to protest the remark.

This Isn’t Just About Hinduphobia. It’s About Hypocrisy

It isn’t the first time progressive platforms have displayed such double standards, but the hypocrisy has rarely been this blatant. Misogyny, when cloaked in anti-Hindu sentiment or delivered by a minister from the Dravidian fold, seems to slip past their radar. The same media house that throws the book at a pro-Hindu speaker for calling out gender dynamics within religious spaces suddenly discovers the virtues of nuance and silence. The minister, a person of power, has sexualized the religious symbols of the majority population of the state and country and no one in the DMK leadership has apologized – the only action taken is stripping Ponmudy of his party post – very strong action!!

This controversy isn’t merely about anti-Hindu rhetoric. It reveals an uncomfortable truth about ideological tribalism in Indian media. For many in the so-called liberal press, the legitimacy of outrage depends less on what was said, and more on who said it. If the perpetrator is aligned with their political sympathies, the story dies a quiet death. But if it comes from a saffron-tinged corner of the spectrum, the reaction is swift, scathing, and sustained.

Misogyny/Hate Isn’t Partisan, TNM, Your Outrage Shouldn’t Be Either

In the case of Ponmudy, the silence from the likes of The News Minute speaks volumes. There has been no call for an apology. No feminist think piece. No panel discussion on the commodification of women in political speeches. For a media platform that claims to stand for women’s dignity and secular fairness, the refusal to cover this story is not just disappointing—it’s damning.

If The News Minute truly believes in the values it claims to uphold, it must show the courage to apply them consistently. Misogyny is misogyny, whether it comes wrapped in a saffron shawl or draped in Dravidian rhetoric. And if it lacks the spine to say so, then it must stop pretending it ever had one.

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The Calcutta Quran Petition’s Prophetic Warning: How Bengal’s Islamist Violence Proves Sita Ram Goel Right

By
The Commune
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In 1986, a lone man’s petition to the Calcutta High Court exposed the rot at the heart of India’s secular machinery. Decades before Islamist mobs took to the streets of West Bengal, torching police vehicles and clashing with state forces over the Waqf (Amendment) Act of 2025, Chandmal Chopra’s petition on the Quran is documented in the now-banned book The Calcutta Quran Petition by Sita Ram Goel and Chopra himself, continues to haunt India—more so today, as the streets of Bengal burn with the very rage the petition warned about.

The Petition That Shook the System

Filed in the Calcutta High Court, Chopra’s Public Interest Litigation (PIL) did not call for hate, nor did it twist scripture. It merely cited over 24 verses from standard Quranic translations—verses that, in his view, incited hatred and violence against non-Muslims—and demanded legal parity.

His core argument: if Hindu scriptures and saints can be prosecuted under Sections 295A and 153A of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly “hurting religious sentiments” or “promoting enmity,” why should Islamic texts be immune from scrutiny?

The State’s response was swift and brutal:

  • The judiciary dismissed the petition as “frivolous and malicious.”
  • Chopra was arrested and denied bail.
  • The media enforced a deafening blackout.
  • The book based on the petition was banned in multiple states.

As Goel later noted, “Bharat’s secularism is a disguise for the continuation of the Muslim problem under a different name. Instead of resolving it, we have legalized it.”

The Present Eruption in Bengal: History Repeating Itself

Fast forward to April 2025. Murshidabad and Jangipur—districts with rapidly shifting demographics and growing Islamist assertiveness—exploded in violence as protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 turned into full-blown riots.

Three people were killed during violent clashes with police.

Police vehicles were torched, officers pelted with stones, and law and order collapsed.

The Calcutta High Court intervened, ordering deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), stating, “We cannot turn a blind eye to the various reports that have surfaced which prima facie show vandalism in a few districts of West Bengal.”

Incidents were reported not just in Murshidabad, but also in South 24 Parganas (Amtala), North 24 Parganas, and Hooghly (Champdani)—all areas where Hindu voices have been increasingly silenced or driven underground.

The Warning Ignored

The Calcutta Quran Petition had already warned of this trajectory.

Goel’s commentary in the book traced a pattern.

British-era laws, such as Section 295A (originally enacted to protect Muslim sentiments after the Rangeela Rasool episode), were retained by Nehru’s Congress, but selectively enforced against Hindus.

Islamic texts enjoyed de facto legal immunity, while Hindu saints, authors, and even temple rituals were criminalized.

This imbalance created a two-tier legal system—one for Muslims, one for Hindus.

Today, we are witnessing the real-world consequences of that double standard. In places like Murshidabad, the State that jails Hindus for quoting the Manusmriti or reciting Hanuman Chalisa now hesitates to act decisively against violent Islamist mobs—even when lives are lost and state authority is undermined.

The Islamist Ecosystem: From Congress to Mamata

West Bengal didn’t reach this boiling point overnight. As the book predicted, decades of vote-bank politics, appeasement, and legal cowardice laid the foundation for today’s crisis.

Congress sowed the seeds with land grants to the Waqf Board, unchecked madrasa proliferation, and cleric appeasement.

The Left turned a blind eye to radicalization and demographic shifts.

Mamata Banerjee’s Trinamool Congress perfected the model: cultivating minority vote banks while suppressing dissent, even within the judiciary and police.

Demographic data tells its own tale:

Muslims now form over 30% of West Bengal’s population, with border districts like Malda, Murshidabad, and Dinajpur irreversibly altered.

Hindu families routinely report intimidation, forced migration, and loss of cultural rights in these regions.

Legal Apartheid, Not Secularism

The core question remains unchanged since 1986:

Why are Hindus subject to laws that are never applied to others?

If quoting a Quranic verse invites legal scrutiny, then every religious text should be open to the same lens—or the laws themselves must be repealed.

Instead, India’s system chose the worst of both worlds:

  • Protect one religion with absolute immunity.
  • Punish another with legal harassment and social ostracism.

This isn’t secularism. This is legal apartheid, and it is fueling the alienation and anger we now see erupting across West Bengal.

The Book That Echoes Loudest Today

The Calcutta Quran Petition was never about hate. It was about legal consistency and civilizational clarity. It asked a bold but necessary question—one that the Indian State still refuses to answer:

Are Hindus truly equal in their own homeland? 

As mobs roam freely in Murshidabad, courts play catch-up, and politicians mouth platitudes, Goel and Chopra’s words sound less like history and more like prophecy. The fire they warned about has now jumped from the courtroom to the street.

(This article is based on an X thread by Manisha Singh)

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Vijay Goes The DMK Way In Not Wishing For Tamil New Year

By
The Commune
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Is Vijay's TVK DMK 2.0? These Instances Show He's Nothing But Just Another Pseudo-Secular Dravidian Stock

Despite claiming himself as an alternative to the ruling DMK and calling the DMK as its political adversary, part-time politician and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay has once again chosen not to extend wishes for Chithirai 1—the Tamil New Year celebrated by Tamils across the globe. This marks the second consecutive year he has skipped the occasion since launching his political party.

Instead of directly wishing “Tamil Puthandu Vaazhthukkal”, Vijay struck an elusive note like a filtered Dravidian Stock extending “Chithirai Thirunaal wishes”

While Vijay previously faced backlash for ignoring Hindu festivals, he later corrected course by extending greetings for Ayudha Pooja, Saraswati Pooja, and Vijayadasami. However, his continued silence on Chithirai 1—a centuries-old tradition deeply rooted in Tamil culture—raises eyebrows.

Many see this as aligning, whether intentionally or not, with the DMK’s stance of promoting the Tamil month of Thai as the New Year instead. Critics argue that Vijay’s refusal to acknowledge Chithirai 1 reflects a subtle endorsement of the Dravidian ideological narrative, under the guise of opposing the DMK. Rather than challenging the ruling party’s cultural positions, his silence appears to reinforce them, leading some to question his true political motives.

On Chithirai 1, instead of extending greetings for the Tamil New Year, Vijay chose to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution. His gesture, however, wasn’t without political undertones—widely interpreted as an attempt to appeal to the VCK (Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi) chief Thirumavalavan. Through his official social media account, Vijay shared, “On the occasion of the 135th birth anniversary of our Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam’s ideologue, Ambedkar, I paid my respects by garlanding his statue in Palavakkam, Chennai. On the birth anniversary of Ambedkar, who dedicated his life to the people, emphasizing that not only legal rights, but also social justice, equality and brotherhood are for everyone, let us honor him. Let us resolve to eliminate inequalities in our society and maintain equality forever.” 

In the videos and photos shared by Vijay, the Ambedkar statue was surrounded by VCK-flagged stickers featuring the image of VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan. This has led to widespread speculation that Vijay is strategically trying to woo Thirumavalavan and potentially secure an alliance with the VCK ahead of the 2026 elections.

Vijay has blatantly avoided wishing Hindus for Hindu festivals such as Tamil Puthandu, Vinayakar Chathurthi, and Krishna Jayanti. In contrast, he wished for Onam, Ramzan, Easter, and neutral special days such as Labour Day, Independence Day, etc.

Actions like these indicate that Vijay is also set to walk the Dravidianist ideology path and further strengthen the claims that his party is only DMK 2.0. In that case, Vijay should consider renaming his party from Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam to Dravida Vettri Kazhagam.

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US: Georgia Becomes First State To Introduce Landmark Bill To Recognize Hinduphobia As Hate Crime

By
The Commune
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In a historic move, the state of Georgia has introduced legislation that seeks to formally recognize Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry as forms of hate crime. If passed, Senate Bill 375 would make Georgia the first U.S. state to codify Hinduphobia into law, marking a significant milestone for Hindu advocacy efforts nationwide.

The bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by Republican Senators Shawn Still and Clint Dixon, alongside Democratic Senators Jason Esteves and Emanuel D. Jones. The legislation proposes to amend Georgia’s penal code by inserting a specific definition of Hinduphobia and mandating state and local law enforcement agencies to consider anti-Hindu bias in the enforcement of existing anti-discrimination laws.

According to the bill, Hinduphobia is defined as “a set of antagonistic, destructive, and derogatory attitudes and behaviours towards Hinduism.” The proposed law would require authorities to address such attitudes in hate crimes targeting members of the Hindu community.

The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), a national advocacy group, welcomed the introduction of the bill and praised the lawmakers for their leadership. “Georgia becomes the first state to introduce such a bill, and if passed, will make history once again,” CoHNA said in a statement. “We are proud to work closely with Senator Shawn Still on this important bill and thank him along with Senator Emanuel Jones, Senator Jason Esteves, and Senator Clint Dixon for supporting the needs of the Hindu community in Georgia and the United States.”

This legislative push builds on the momentum from April 2023, when Georgia passed a resolution condemning Hinduphobia and anti-Hindu bigotry. That resolution, spearheaded by Republican Representatives Lauren McDonald and Todd Jones of Forsyth County—home to one of Georgia’s largest Hindu and Indian-American populations—recognized Hinduism as one of the world’s oldest religions and condemned hate speech and violence against Hindus.

Community leaders and advocacy groups have lauded the introduction of Senate Bill 375 as a long-overdue acknowledgment of the growing concerns around Hindu-targeted hate incidents in the U.S.

“Senator Still has always been a staunch supporter of the Hindu community and has stood with us during the tough times we faced in the U.S. as well as in places like Bangladesh,” said Rajeev Menon, founder of the Hindus of Georgia Political Action Committee (PAC). “His commitment to fighting Hinduphobia has been a beacon of hope and change for all Hindus across the U.S.”

Dhiru Shah, a senior community leader and board member of the Hindus of Georgia PAC, echoed the sentiment. “Huge shout-outs to Senator Shawn Still and to all the members and supporters of the Hindus of Georgia PAC whose tireless efforts over the years to defend and protect the civil rights of the Hindu community led to this bill,” he said.

According to the Pew Research Center’s 2023–2024 Religious Landscape Study, there are approximately 2.5 million Hindus in the United States, comprising about 0.9% of the national population. Georgia is home to over 40,000 Hindus, primarily residing in the Atlanta metropolitan area.

If enacted, Senate Bill 375 would represent a significant step forward in combating religious discrimination and protecting the civil rights of Hindu Americans—potentially setting a precedent for similar legislation in other states.

(With inputs from NDTV)

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“Have You Had Drinks?”, TN Minorities Commission Chairman Joe Arun Allegedly Asks Buddhist Community Representatives, Members Protest Over Derogatory Conduct

By
The Commune
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Tensions flared at the Nagapattinam District Collectorate on Friday (11 April 2025)after members of the Buddhist community staged a protest, accusing Tamil Nadu Minorities Commission Chairman Joe Arun of making an inappropriate remark during an official meeting.

The incident occurred following a discussion convened by the Tamil Nadu Minorities Commission, held at the Collectorate and chaired by Joe Arun. District Collector Akash, Superintendent of Police Arun Kabilan, and officials from various government departments were in attendance.

As part of the event, welfare scheme benefits totaling ₹10 lakh were distributed to 100 beneficiaries. During the meeting, representatives of the Thanjavur Zone Buddhist Association submitted a memorandum to Joe Arun, urging the state government to convert the historic Soodamani Temple in Nagapattinam into a Buddhist tourism center.

The controversy erupted shortly after the meeting concluded. According to the Buddhist Association, when members including Jayaraman approached Chairman Joe Arun for a follow-up discussion, he allegedly asked, “Have you had drinks?” while patting Jayaraman on the cheek. The remark was perceived as derogatory and humiliating by the Buddhist representatives. Outraged by the comment, members of the Buddhist Sangam began raising slogans condemning Joe Arun’s behavior. The situation escalated, prompting Chairman Arun to leave the venue.

The protesting group later demanded that Chief Minister M.K. Stalin take immediate action against Joe Arun for what they described as an insult to their dignity and faith. They also called for his removal from the post of Minorities Commission Chairman. Police personnel intervened and dispersed the protesters, bringing the situation under control. However, the incident caused a brief commotion within the Collectorate premises. It is noteworthy to mention that Fr. Joe Arun, is a Jesuit priest belonging to the Society of Jesus which also runs Loyola College, Chennai. Fr. Joe Arun is the current Director of Loyola Institute of Business Administration, Chennai.

(With inputs from Hindu Tamil)

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Over 250 Former Mossad Officials Urge End To Gaza War, Return Of Hostages

By
The Commune
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More than 250 former officials of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency have signed a letter urging the government to immediately end the war in the Gaza Strip and bring about the release of the Israeli hostages still held there, Israel’s state-owned Kan TV News reported.

According to the report, the signatories include three former Mossad chiefs: Danny Yatom, Efraim Halevy, and Tamir Pardo, as well as dozens of other veteran officials in the service.

The ex-Mossad members said, “Continued fighting endangers the lives of the hostages and our soldiers, and every possibility must be exhausted to reach an agreement that will end the suffering. We call on the government to make courageous decisions and act responsibly for the country’s security.”

They expressed support for hundreds of military aircrew members, in reserve or retired, who signed a similar letter, calling for a cessation of hostilities and the return of the hostages, Xinhua news agency reported. Following the publication of the aircrew members’ letter on Thursday, Israeli Air Force Commander Tomer Bar decided to terminate the service of active reservists among the signatories. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu backed the dismissal decision and lashed out at such letters, calling the signatories “an extremist fringe group” attempting to “break Israeli society from within.”

Also on Sunday, about 200 Israeli military doctors signed a petition with the same demand for stopping the fighting and bringing home the hostages, according to several media outlets that published a copy of the letter. “The continued fighting in Gaza is primarily intended to serve political and personal interests, without any security purpose, and endangers the lives of soldiers and hostages,” it said. Hamas took 251 hostages to Gaza during its October 7, 2023 attack on southern Israel.

Currently, 59 Israeli hostages remain in Gaza, with 24 of them still believed to be alive. Israel and Hamas reached a three-phase, ceasefire-for-hostages deal in January. However, negotiations on the second phase face an impasse after the first six-week phase expired on March 1. Israel then resumed military operations in Gaza on March 18 amid the ceasefire deadlock.

–IANS

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Techie Tries To Commit Suicide Near Governor’s House In Bengaluru, Says ‘Tortured’ By Wife

By
The Commune
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In a shocking case, a techie tried to commit suicide near the Governor’s residence here after alleging that he was unable to bear the torture of his wife. The incident was reported on Sunday, and the techie was identified as Junaid Ahmad.

According to police, Junaid hailed from Chikkaballapura district and tried to end his life by pouring petrol and attempting to torch himself. Police said Junaid claimed that he was being tortured by his wife. He alleged that his wife had lodged a false dowry case against him and also lodged many more cases against him.

The techie claimed that he had gone to register a complaint with the Chikkaballapura police station against his wife, but the police refused to take his complaint.

Enraged by this, the techie had decided to end his life in front of the Raj Bhavan and made an attempt. However, the police present on the spot stopped and detained him.

They took him to the Vidhana Soudha police station. After listening to his story, the police counselled and let him off, sources confirmed. On April 7, a software professional who was living separately from his wife and child for two years allegedly committed suicide as he was reportedly unable to bear the pain of separation in Bengaluru.

Earlier, in a shocking incident, a husband set himself on fire in front of his wife’s residence in the Nagarbhavi locality of Bengaluru last Thursday after he was unable to convince her to withdraw the divorce petition.

Earlier, Bengaluru techie Atul Subhash committed suicide over alleged torture and a demand of Rs 3 crore by his wife Nikita Singhania for a divorce settlement. Another case of suicide involving a police officer, allegedly due to similar reasons of torture by his wife and her family, was reported from Bengaluru on December 14, 2024.

–IANS

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Mehul Choksi Arrested In Belgium On India’s Request For Extradition: Sources

By
The Commune
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Fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who is wanted in connection with the Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan fraud case, has been apprehended by the police in Belgium, according to sources in the CBI, who added that this was carried out at India’s request for his extradition. The 65-year-old was reportedly arrested on Saturday (April 12).

The businessman is living in Antwerp, Belgium, with his wife, Preeti Choksi, after obtaining a ‘residency card’ there. He is likely to seek bail, citing ill health and other reasons. Choksi and his nephew, Nirav Modi, are wanted by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for allegedly defrauding the PNB of Rs 13,850 crore.

They allegedly used letters of undertaking (LoUs) and foreign letters of credit (FLCs) by bribing officials of the bank’s Brady House branch in Mumbai. The CBI has filed cases charging Choksi, his nephew Nirav Modi, their companies, bank staff, and others with conspiracy, cheating, and corruption. Choksi and Nirav Modi fled India in January 2018, weeks before the scam in the PNB surfaced.

According to reports, Choksi has been living in Antwerp with his wife, Preeti Choksi, a citizen of Belgium. A citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, he reportedly left the island nation for medical treatment. In 2021, he went missing from Antigua but was later found on another Caribbean island nation, Dominica. Choksi is the founder of Gitanjali Gems.

Nirav Modi remains in a UK prison as he continues to contest extradition proceedings initiated by Indian authorities. He was declared a fugitive economic offender (FEO) in 2019, while the ED’s plea against Mehul Choksi has been pending since 2018. Sources said that Choksi’s arrest was triggered after Indian agencies reactivated extradition requests when the Interpol Red Notice against him was removed. The ED and CBI, despite the deletion, pursued a fresh request, which ultimately led to his arrest in Belgium.

Sources said that efforts are underway to bring him back to India as soon as possible. However, legal hurdles in Belgian courts can delay the process. Official confirmation of Choksi’s arrest is awaited as also more details.

–IANS

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Murshidabad Violence: Hindus Fleeing In Boats, Take Shelter In School

By
The Commune
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After protests against the Waqf Act in West Bengal turned violent, Hindus are reportedly fleeing from Murshidabad. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, in a post on his X handle, said that more than 400 Hindus have been forced to flee from Dhulian, Murshidabad, cross a river and take shelter in school. He also posted pictures and videos of fleeing Hindus.

“More than 400 Hindus from Dhulian, Murshidabad driven by fear of religiously driven bigots were forced to flee across the river & take shelter at Par Lalpur High School, Deonapur-Sovapur GP, Baisnabnagar, Malda,” said the BJP leader. Adhikari said in the post that “religious persecution in Bengal is real”. “Appeasement politics of TMC has emboldened radical elements

. Hindus are being hunted, our people are running for their lives in their own land! Shame on the State Govt for allowing this breakdown of law & order,: he further wrote in the post. He urged the Central Paramilitary Forces deployed in the district, the State Police and the district administration to ensure the safe return of these displaced Hindus and protect their lives from “this jihadist terror”.

“Bengal is burning. The social fabric is torn. Enough is enough,” he concluded in the post. On Saturday, a special division bench of Calcutta High Court ordered the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployment in the district Murshidabad while saying that the measures taken by the West Bengal government to control communal unrest in the district during the last few days over protests against the newly promulgated Waqf (Amendment) Act were not adequate. The division bench also observed that had the CAPF deployment been done earlier, the situation would not have been so “grave” and “volatile”.

“The deployment of Central Armed Forces earlier could have de-escalated the situation, as it appears that adequate measures have not been taken in time,” the court said. Stressing that the situation is “grave” and “volatile”, the division bench also stressed that there is an urgent need to take action against the culprits to arrest the atrocities committed on innocent citizens on a war footing. “Constitutional Courts cannot be a mute spectator and embroil itself in technical defences when the safety and security of the people are in danger,” read the order copy.

The Court issued the order after a petition was filed by Suvendu Adhikari. He had said that he had requested for urgent intervention of the state government by requisition of the Central Paramilitary Forces, but the same had not been acceded to by the state, forcing him to approach the court. Commenting on the security situation in the state, Amit Malviya, in-charge of the BJP’s National Information and Technology Department, said the morale of the West Bengal Police is at an all-time low.

He said this was low, “following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s repeated capitulation to rampaging Islamist mobs”. In a post on his X handle, he said, “In fact, they even refused to enter the riot-affected areas of Murshidabad until the BSF arrived. The Director General of Police had to be physically present to coax his own force into action. A similar situation occurred during the Sandeshkhali unrest, where the state’s top cop had to intervene personally—though the reasons were different then.”

“During the RG Kar protests, it was police officers who held press conferences and planted stories to shape the narrative. Every time Mamata Banerjee finds herself cornered, she uses the police as a political shield, as if no other TMC leader is willing—or perhaps even allowed—to defend her. The rest appear to be nothing more than clerks in Mamata Banerjee’s criminal empire. A truly pathetic state of affairs,” Malviya said.

–IANS

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