The body of Vignesh, a young man from Tirunelveli who was tragically killed in a supermarket shooting in Jamaica last December, is finally being repatriated after three months, thanks to the efforts of BJP state president Annamalai. It was initially said that it would cost 25 lakh rupees to transport Vignesh’s body back to his hometown, but former Tirunelveli mayor Bhuvaneswari reached out to Annamalai for help. In response, Annamalai contacted the Indian Embassy in Jamaica and coordinated with the Central Government’s ICW funds to facilitate the repatriation of Vignesh’s body.
Vignesh Nagarajan, a 31-year-old from Meenakshipuram near Tirunelveli, was shot and killed in December 2024 during a robbery at the supermarket where he worked on an island in Jamaica. His relatives, including his brother-in-law Mohan, appealed to the District Collector Dr. K.P. Karthikeyan to assist in bringing Vignesh’s body back to India.
Mohan shared, “I received a call at 7 am from Amirtharaj, who runs a supermarket in Jamaica. He informed me that robbers attempted to rob the supermarket and opened fire at 1 am IST, killing Vignesh instantly. Two others from Tamil Nadu were also seriously injured. We request the state government’s help in bringing Vignesh’s body home.”
In response, Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai utilized the Ministry of External Affairs’ assistance and worked with the Indian Embassy in Jamaica to arrange the return of Vignesh’s body, with the expenses covered through the Central Government’s ICW funds.
In what looks like a newsletter sent to subscribers and patrons, Equality Labs has blatantly tried to propagate Hinduphobia in a very overt manner. The newsletter screenshot that is being shared on social media platforms calls the Mahakumbha Mela “Islamophobic“.
The newsletter reads,“Ramadan Kareem. During this special month of Ramadan, Equality Labs proudly recommits to standing alongside our Muslim kin in the fight for collective liberation. During trying times such as these, showing solidarity for Muslims-caste-oppressed, South Asian, Palestinian, queer, and beyond-means actively battling real- world threats like Islamophobia, casteist hate speech, and misinformation. Undoing the intergenerational harms caused by this insidious, targeted violence is an ongoing reality for many religious minorities across the world. Recent incidents like the surge in online and offline hate against Muslims during the Mahakumbh Mela, one of the largest and most sacred gatherings in Hinduism, indicate that anti-Muslim rhetoric is spreading. It is becoming even more critical to raise awareness of the uniqueness of the Muslim identity as well as the daily struggles that coincide with it. But even in the face of great adversity, our communities have each other. Our shared spaces are growing Muslim political power and cultivating grassroots defense-from Know Your Rights primers, to critical digital security resources and inclusive community Iftars, we are keeping ourselves safe and grounded as the political spectrum rapidly fluctuates. We hope this special month can bring about hope, reflection, and renewal. Ramadan Kareem to all those who observe. We stand with you, now and always.”
Maha Kumbh Mela was Islamophobic? And to say that in a Ramadan greeting 🤦🏽♀️
Folks, there’s a reason we see Equality Labs as one of the most blatantly anti-Hindu entities in the American space. pic.twitter.com/mucqPO9nIf
It is perplexing to understand the connection between Ramzan and Kumbhamela unless one has prior knowledge of Equality Labs – propagating anti-Hindu and anti-India rhetoric in the American space.
Who Is Equality Labs?
Equality Labs claims to advocate for the rights of Dalits and marginalized communities. The organisation was founded by Thenmozhi Soundararajan.
Image Source: Disinfo Lab
OFMI (Organization for Minorities in India) has formed alliances with other anti-India organizations, including Hindu for Human Rights (HfHR) and the Indian American Muslim Council (IAMC). Together, these groups established the Alliance for Justice and Accountability (AJA). This coalition aligns with recommendations made by Pakistan’s Senate, which advocated for the creation of NGO fronts to lobby against India. Among the prominent organizations that emerged from this effort are Hindu for Human Rights and Equality Labs, both of which maintain close ties to IAMC and ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America).
Image Source: Disinfo LabIn 2016, Equality Labs joined this alliance. Founded by US-based Dalit activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan and Bangladeshi Muslim activist Sharmin Hossain, Equality Labs has received funding from controversial sources such as George Soros and Pakistan’s ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence). The organization gained notoriety for publishing a caste report that has been widely used to propagate a caste-based narrative against India.
Image Source: Disinfo Lab
Notably, Huma Dar, a Pakistani citizen with direct links to the Pakistani Army, serves on the board of Equality Labs. Her involvement further underscores the organization’s connections to entities with vested interests in undermining India’s global image.
Equality Labs has been linked to Pannun’s SFJ and other pro-Khalistani elements. On 22 May 2019, Thenmozhi Soundararajan hosted an event in collaboration with Pannun’s SFJ, a group that openly supports Pakistan-sponsored terrorism targeting India. This collaboration further strengthens the suspicions about the pro-Khalistani leanings of Equality Labs and its founder. In fact, Soundararajan’s Equality Labs is saidto also havebeen associated with Bhajan Singh Bhinder (alias Iqbal Choudhry), a notorious operative of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), who has been involved with Khalistani terrorist activities for over three decades.
Did you know! -Gurpatwant Singh Pannun-a designated terrorist by Indian govt, who has openly issued threats to govt officials/leaders, is a close associate of DalitDiva (@EqualityLabs ) founder Thenmozhi Soundararajan!!
The attack at that time on the Indian Consulate in San Francisco was allegedly instigated by Khalistani groups. Notably, pro-Khalistani individuals, including Soundararajan, were linked to the Khalistani movement since Soundararajan had shared a stage with Pannun at an event held at the Allan P. Kirby Center for Constitutional Studies and Statesmanship in Washington, DC. The event occurred on the same day as the Lok Sabha 2019 election results were announced, amplifying the significance of this connection.
Equality Labs also has been accused of exacerbating anti-Hindu hate through its caste-based Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training programs. According to a study by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) and Rutgers University, Equality Labs’ training materials have been found to promote dehumanizing rhetoric, particularly against Brahmins. Participants exposed to these materials were more likely to use derogatory terms like “parasites,” “virus,” or “devil personified” when referring to Brahmins.
#Breaking | HAF has independently confirmed that @nytimes killed a news story affecting the Hindu American community. 🧵
The study also revealed that these trainings increased participants’ likelihood of perceiving bias and harm in situations where none existed, fostering racial suspicion and anti-Hindu sentiment. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has criticized these programs for worsening discrimination rather than mitigating caste bias as intended.
In 2020, Equality Labs played a significant role in the high-profile Cisco caste discrimination case. The organization, which claims to fight caste-based discrimination, was instrumental in pushing allegations against Cisco engineers Sundar Iyer and Ramana Kompella, accusing them of caste-based discrimination against a Dalit employee, John Doe. Equality Labs supported the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) in its lawsuit against Cisco, which was later dismissed due to lack of evidence.
Equality Labs has been criticized for promoting divisive narratives and anti-Hindu rhetoric, including making controversial comparisons and pushing for caste-based legislation like SB403 in California. Their involvement in the Cisco case, along with their training programs, has been accused of exacerbating anti-Hindu sentiment and fostering division rather than addressing discrimination. Despite the case’s dismissal, Equality Labs continued to advocate for caste-based policies, while media outlets aligned with their agenda failed to report the exoneration of Iyer and Kompella, highlighting their biased approach.
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The ruling DMK faced severe criticism for its apparent favoritism towards minority appeasement after granting special permission for Muslim government employees to leave early during Ramadan. Netizens quickly called out the party’s hypocrisy, questioning why they offer such accommodations to Muslims and whether they would extend similar treatment to Hindus during the Navaratri festival.
On 26 February 2025, the Greater Chennai Corporation issued a circular stating, “To enable Muslim officials working in the Greater Chennai Corporation who observe fasting during Ramadan to perform the fasting related rituals, they are allowed to leave the office one hour earlier than regular office hours in the evening, instead of taking the lunch break, for a period of 30 days from 2 March 2025, to 31 March 2025.”
This move has sparked controversy, with netizens criticizing the decision as hypocritical. They argue that secularism should mean equal treatment for all religions, but the DMK-led Greater Chennai Corporation appears to be showing bias towards the Muslim community.
ஒரு மதத்திற்கு மட்டும் சலுகை காட்டும் பாரபட்ச திமுக அரசு!! இஸ்லாமியர்கள் என்றால் சட்டம் கூட வளைந்து கொடுக்கிறது..
இஸ்லாமிய அரசு ஊழியர்கள் நோன்பு முடிப்பதற்காக, அரசு அலுவலகப் பணி நேரத்தில் மாலை ஒரு மணி நேரம் குறைக்கப்பட்டு ஒரு மணி நேரம் முன்னதாக செல்ல அனுமதி அளித்து சென்னை… pic.twitter.com/U0evqFEpUL
ரம்ஜான் நோன்பு முடிக்க 30நாட்கள் துலுக்க அரசு ஊழியர்கள் ஒருமணி நேரம் முன்னதாக பணி முடித்து செல்லலாம். சென்னை மாநகராட்சி ஆணையர் உத்திரவு.
சஷ்டிவிரதம், பிரதோஷம், சங்கடஹரசதுர்த்தி, ஏகாதசி விரதங்களுக்கு ஒருமணி நேரம் முன்னதாக செல்ல இந்து அரசு ஊழியர்களுக்கு இந்த சலுகை கிடைக்குமா ? pic.twitter.com/j9jp3oHSMu
— Suresh நீலகண்டன்.2 (@Suresh33737771) March 2, 2025
இஸ்லாமிய ஊழியர்களுக்கு ரம்ஜான் மாதத்திற்கு ஸ்பெஷல் சலுகை வழங்கிய சென்னை மாநகராட்சி pic.twitter.com/us9IAs4OPE
Kerala’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector is facing a severe crisis, with 42,179 units shutting down over the past nine years, resulting in the loss of jobs for at least 1,03,764 workers, according to government data. While the state government has touted a surge in MSME registrations as a sign of economic growth, the ground reality paints a starkly different picture.
The worst-hit districts include Thrissur (7,962 closures), Ernakulam (6,560), and Thiruvananthapuram (6,309), which are traditionally strong economic regions. In contrast, districts like Alappuzha (89 closures), Kottayam (524), Idukki (608), and Pathanamthitta (978) recorded the lowest number of shutdowns.
Surge in MSME Registrations: A Misleading Narrative?
The Kerala government has claimed a significant increase in MSME registrations, with 3,43,491 new units registered in the past three years, compared to 85,333 units registered between 2016-17 and 2021-22. This spike has been attributed to the state’s “Year of Enterprises” campaign and improved ease of doing business. However, experts argue that the surge is largely due to the Centre’s UDYAM registration system, introduced in July 2020, which mandates registration for MSMEs to access loans and other benefits.
Economist Mary George pointed out that many defunct MSMEs, including those under Kudumbashree, registered under UDYAM in hopes of reviving their businesses. “This became a convenient tool for the state government to claim that new businesses were emerging due to its efforts,” she said.
A closer look at the sectoral composition of the newly registered MSMEs reveals that the majority fall under agro-food-based businesses and the services sector. While this aligns with Kerala’s economic structure, it raises concerns about sustainability. Service-based businesses are more prone to failure due to competition, customer dependence, and the difficulty in establishing tangible value compared to manufacturing units.
Despite claims of providing up to Rs 8 lakh in financial assistance to revive defunct units, the government admitted in the assembly that it has no specific program to rehabilitate workers who have lost their jobs due to business closures. This lack of support has left thousands of workers in the lurch, exacerbating the economic challenges faced by the state.
Kerala’s MSME registrations pale in comparison to neighboring states. Since the introduction of the UDYAM system, Kerala has registered 8.19 lakh MSMEs, including over 3 lakhs in the last three years. In contrast, Tamil Nadu recorded 32.74 lakh registrations, four times that of Kerala, while Karnataka registered 19.64 lakh, more than double Kerala’s numbers.
The state’s “Mission 1000” initiative, aimed at transforming select MSMEs into Rs 100 crore turnover companies within four years, has seen limited success, with only 213 applications approved so far. This highlights the gap between the government’s ambitious plans and the actual implementation on the ground.
The Economic Review 2024 acknowledges the MSME sector as a critical component of Kerala’s industrial economy. However, the data reveals a troubling trend of small businesses struggling to survive. With over 42,000 closures in nine years, the focus on quantity over quality in MSME registrations raises serious questions about the state’s economic policies.
Experts emphasize the need for a deep audit to determine how many of the newly registered MSMEs are operational and contributing to the economy. Without addressing the underlying issues, the state’s claims of MSME growth risk remaining a mere statistical illusion.
Dismayed to see that the Kerala start-up entrepreneurship story is not what’s been reported. The only silver lining is that at least the GoK’s claims point to the right intentions. We need more MSME start-ups — and not just on paper. Kerala must head this way! pic.twitter.com/tVc22YWyGl
Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) on Monday announced it has refinanced $1.06 billion to develop India’s largest solar-wind hybrid renewable cluster in Rajasthan — achieving another milestone in its capital management journey.
India’s largest renewable energy company successfully refinanced its maiden construction facility with an outstanding amount of $1.06 billion taken in 2021.
The long-term financing raised to refinance its construction facility has a door-to-door tenor of 19 years, with a fully amortised debt structure emulating the underlying asset life, the company said in a statement.
On the back of the strong operational performance track record, the construction facility has been rated AA+/stable by three domestic rating agencies. With this breakthrough, AGEL has successfully completed its capital management programme for the underlying asset portfolio, which involves securing long-term facilities that are perfectly aligned with the cash flow lifecycle of that portfolio.
The framework of this programme provides significant benefits through deep access to diverse pools of capital, securing large sums with long duration.
“This approach not only enhances financial stability but also ensures AGEL’s ability to continue its growth trajectory and deliver sustainable value creation to its stakeholders,” said the company. AGEL currently has an operating renewable portfolio of 12.2 GW, the largest in the country, spread across 12 states.
The company has set a target of achieving 50 GW by 2030, aligned to India’s decarbonisation goals. Last week, the company surpassed a record 12,000 megawatts (MW) operational portfolio with the commissioning of an additional 275 MW solar capacity at the world’s largest renewable energy plant at Khavda in Gujarat.
AGEL is the first renewable energy company in India to reach this landmark. The 12,258.1 MW portfolio consists of 8,347.5 MW solar, 1,651 MW wind and 2,259.6 MW wind-solar hybrid capacity. It has operationalised a cumulative capacity of 2,824.1 MW renewable energy at Khavda in Gujarat so far.
–IANS
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The common saying amongst writers is that the more you read, the better your writing gets. Successful authors have always recommended reading not just in the genre one writes in, but on a wider scale as well.
When I first picked up Vritrahan, I did it with some trepidation. I know Ratul as a writer, but the thought of reading a book written completely in verse, was daunting, to say the least. I must confess here that I have never been a fan of free verse. I like my ‘love’ to rhyme with my ‘dove’ in every other sentence! How on earth was I going to make my way through 325 pages of free verse? That too, of a story that I had read in an Amar Chitra Katha all those years ago and which I knew fairly well?
I need not have worried. Vritrahan, at its surface, is the well-known story of the killing of Vritra, by Indra. For those unaware of the story, it starts with Indra’s killing of Vishwarupa, the Maker Tvashta’s son. In despair over the loss of his son and with rage at the adharmic way in which he was killed by Indra, Tvashta creates Vritra, a demon, who is unstoppable. Vritra steals the waters of the earth and turns the world into a desert.
Indra approaches Mahavishnu who advises him to seek out sage Dadichi, who, in an ultimate act of self-sacrifice for the greater good, burns himself to ashes, leaving aside his bones. Bones, that Tvashta, hit by remorse at the evil that he has unleashed, then fashions into the powerful Vajra, Indra battles Vritra and eventually manages to kill him. The river waters are released and the earth flowers again.
This is just the main story of Indra and Vritra. Ratul however, uses this as the substructure on which to expand on his worldview; an Indic worldview.
In doing so, he presents deep Upanishadic philosophies including the Purusharthas, Rta, Atman, Brahman, Karma, Dharma, and Adharma. He begins his magnificent work with creation and the oneness of everything that arises from nothingness. He channels the Nasadiya Sukta as he explores the very beginning of time and space.
As he expounds on his worldview, he relates the Vritra story to the rise and fall of societies and civilizations and then subtly weaves in the many ills plaguing our society today. The challenges arising from a blithe disregard for dharma, the breakdown of societal rules and norms, and the resultant chaos are captured evocatively in the book.
At an even deeper level, Ratul’s exploration of Indra’s trials and tribulations seems like a personal journey that every one of us undergoes in life. Indra’s fall from grace for the unjustified murder of Vishwarupa, the inevitable and inexorable outcome of karma, exemplified by his penitence for his act not resulting in his immediate redemption. Karma IS inexorable and whomsoever it might be, be he ever so exalted or humble, karma cannot be circumvented.
It is only when Indra finally finds his higher purpose, his calling, that one sees his eventual rise from the depths to which he has fallen and for his final redemption. One can see echoes of the nishkama karma philosophy from the Bhagavad Gita in those lines.
Now to the writing. As I mentioned at the start, I have always been wary of free verse. I like rhythm. I like cadence and, in my view, or at least till now, most free verses I have read lacked that.
Not Ratul’s. There is a rhythm to his words, a beat that echoes through his lines. One can almost hear Shiva’s damaru playing as he recreates the origin of our existence. The verses might not end in rhymes, but the beats are there, sometimes soft, like the beats from the smaller drum of the table, at others, deep and resounding as the situation warrants.
The rhythms accentuate the deep truths that his words are trying to bring out. I will never look at free verse the same way again. Here is a short glimpse for you of what I mean: The world wept with Tvashta: The Deodar trees wept Red sap streaking its barks The mountain stream wept Sadness frothing over its banks The flowers wept Dewdrops freezing in the cold The cows wept Salting their milk with tears The altar wept Vermillion and ghee glistening on its steps The snowflakes wept too Finally melting in sorrow.
There are very few books that, when one is reading them, leave one speechless. This one did. Usually, these days, I find it difficult to keep the author in me aside, when I read books or watch movies.
In this case, I could. And when I had finished the book, I was awestruck at what Ratul had managed to do, both as a lay reader and as an author. Some books render one humble. This one did. I was rendered envious and humbled by what I had read.
If this book doesn’t merit a literary award, I don’t know which other recent book does.
Take a bow, Ratul Chakraborty!
Arun Krishnan is the author of Battle of Vathapi Trilogy.
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Sean Baker’s “Anora”, a movie about a sex worker who marries the pampered son of a Russian oligarch, won big at the 97th Academy Awards as it took home five Oscars, including Best Picture.
It was also a race that unfolded during one of the worst natural disasters in Los Angeles history, something that the Oscars reflected with tributes to the firefighters who came to the aid of communities impacted by the wildfires, as well as with a montage highlighting the many films shot in the city, from “The Long Goodbye” to “Licorice Pizza.”
Sean Baker, the maverick behind “Anora,” won for producing, directing, editing and writing the film’s screenplay. His latest film was a favorite with critics and its Oscar success is a statement-making moment for Neon, the indie distributor behind “Anora,” which previously guided “Parasite” to a best picture statue in 2020.
However, having earned $40 million globally, “Anora” also ranks as one of the lowest grossing Best Picture winners in history, reports variety.com.
Adrien Brody and Mikey Madison took the top acting honors. Brody, a previous winner for “The Pianist,” played a brilliant, but troubled architect in “The Brutalist,” while Madison scored an upset victory for her portrayal of an exotic dancer under pressure to get an annulment. Madison said, “I grew up in Los Angeles, but Hollywood always felt so far away from me, so to be here, standing in this room today is really incredible.” She went on to pledge her support to the sex worker community, calling herself, “an ally.”
Brody’s win, one of three prizes for “The Brutalist,” came after a series of setbacks had seen him shunted aside by the movie business. “Acting is a very fragile profession ,” Brody, who had to hand his gum to his partner Georgina Chapman before taking the stage, said. “No matter where you are in your career, no matter what you’ve accomplished, it can all go away. And I think that what makes this night most special is the awareness of that. And the gratitude that I have to still do the work that I love.”
“A Real Pain” star Kieran Culkin was named best supporting actor for his turn as a troubled man on a tour of Poland with his cousin, while Zoe Saldana for “Emilia Pérez” won best supporting actress for her performance as an attorney who helps a cartel leader undergo gender affirmation surgery. With tears streaming down her face, Saldana declared herself “a proud child of immigrant parents.” “I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last,” she added. Among other major winners, “I’m Still Here,” a family drama set during Brazil’s military dictatorship, was named best international feature. It made history as it was the first time the country had ever won the Oscar “Flow,” a fantasy adventure from Latvia about a cat’s efforts to survive a flood, picked up best animated feature over the likes of “The Wild Robot” and “Inside Out 2.”
And “No Other Land,” a look at the Israeli government’s efforts to force Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank, won best documentary despite struggling to get distribution.
Conan O’Brien, a former late night TV staple turned podcasting impresario, hosted the Oscars for the first time, taking over from Jimmy Kimmel, who had emceed three previous shows. His opening monologue poked fun at everything from the fact that the show began at four in the afternoon to “Emilia Pérez” star Karla Sofia Gascón’s social media scandal.
The ceremony also included a tribute to the James Bond franchise, which made headlines last month after Amazon MGM bought creative control of the series from the Broccoli family.
–IANS
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Come Hindu festivals and the leftists start spouting their nonsense to either show the festival in poor light – with virtue signalling messages or shame the Hindus and mock them with “beef jokes” or some such.
One such repeat offender is Naomi Barton. Remember the woman who had an issue with Deepavali because of her pet dog’s sleepless nights? The same one has a problem with Mahashivaratri and Swiggy Instamart offering “only vegetarian items during the festival, allegedly.
On her X handle, she wrote, “On Mahashivratri, @SwiggyInstamart seems to have removed all non-vegetarian items, including eggs, from its grocery list. As a result, I will have no choice but to order in beef biryani from @Swiggy delivery, which is thankfully still available. God bless this country.”
She continued ranting that this was unsurprising because the previous year also she faced issues placing order for meat. She even indulged in fear mongering that this could become a daily phenomenon. She wrote, “This is unsurprising btw – last year, while ordering a Swiggy genie (pickup and delivery service) from the butcher, it took me ages for the delivery to come through because agents kept cancelling the order. I am not oppressed here – it’s a luxury service I’m not entitled to. However, within the larger social hierarchy, the person actually being materially impacted by virtue of being excluded from the marketplace of trade services is the butcher. The individuals and institutional sanction for that exclusion have a religion; so too does the butcher.Last year it was one person (that I know of.) Today, it’s literally everyone who does not fit into that larger religious belief system being excluded, because the right to discrimination is now enshrined. Tomorrow, it might not be for a single day. I don’t know whether this is consistent across India or specific to geographies! Intent here is not journalistic, but the bitchy mutterings of someone who has not had their breakfast eggs.”
When a journalist fact-checked her stating that all meats were available, she immediately gaslighted them saying both experiences need not be the same!
I don't know what kind of joke you are playing here but this is an absolute lie. Here is a screenrecording I just did a minute ago. Everything is available. pic.twitter.com/NOqMY4ffs3
She replied saying, “Hello OpIndia journalist!! Just an FYI Sometimes your personal experience is not the experience of other people, and saying “Not For Me Tho!” is not the same thing as fact-checking. Hope this helps!”
A typical case of victim card flashing!
Let’s take a look at what she has done in the past in similar fashion.
Shivaji = Jesus Christ
As the film Chhaava gained attention, she shared a picture of Vicky Kaushal starring as Sambhaji and referred to it as “Fascinating. Shivaji getting the Jesus Christ narrative treatment.” She didn’t realise it was Sambhaji he was playing not Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Then she wrote, “Sambhaji etc wtv” unwilling to learn her history.
Barton’s Deepavali Antics
Just around Deepavali, theHindustan Times shared an article based on a viral post on social media. They quoted a “Delhi woman” Naomi Barton whowas allegedly asked to “leave the country” after making a “distress” post on her sick dog’s sleepless nights because of the Deepavali cracker noise.
On her X handle, she wrote“Happy Diwali! My dog has a heart condition and has been trembling with anxiety for the last hour. This will be her second night of no sleep. I hope making large explosive noises has given everyone a deep feeling of spiritual fulfillment!”
On closer examination, it came to light that Hindustan Times had regularly quoted a Delhi woman who turned out to be the same Naomi. Sometimes the same Naomi would be a comedian, a pop fan, a dog owner, a writer – Naomi who wore many hats!
Who Is Naomi Barton?
Naomi Barton, according to her X bio, works as a Literary Agent at A Suitable Pitch. She has also worked as a “journalist/writer” for The Wire. Here is a look at some of her antics from the past.
Back in 2020, she mocked Hindus for welcoming pups to their homes the Hindu way. She somehow had to bring inBrahmanism,andgive a caste marker to the dog as well! She wrote,“This is, ostensibly harmless and cute but says a lot about how the entire edifice on which Brahmanism is built is a construct, given how this is now a Hindu Upper Caste… Golden Retriever? Also it is 2020. Get rescued dog, and don’t contribute to awful puppy mills.”
In 2022, she tried to instigate violence against Hindus during the hijab row. She seemed to be urging Muslims to take up arms against Hindus, asserting that if the roles were reversed, Hindus would naturally respond in kind. She offered no evidence to support these absurd claims.
She wrote, “If any Muslim community had come together to so much as take a dupatta from a Hindu woman there would be blood in the streets. It is a particularly brutal humiliation that Muslims are forced to watch helplessly at the insult given to Muslim women for fear of retaliation.”
She has previously shown a tendency to use derogatory terms when referring to Hinduism openly.
In April 2022, a netizen Daribha Lyndem, shared her distressing experience at a hospital, where she felt exposed and violated during an ECG procedure when a cleaning staff member entered the trauma ward unannounced. She expressed anger over the lack of privacy, noting, “The nurse could have taken me to a private room but she was too lazy.” While many sympathized with her, Naomi Barton criticized Daribha for “weaponizing” her privilege against a man she assumed to be of lower class, suggesting that Daribha was“committing violence deliberately against an accident.”
Barton recommended the book “Conflict is Not Abuse“, framing the incident as a class issue. When asked to reconsider, Barton doubled down, insisting on the relevance of class imbalances. Barton’s response sparked backlash, as critics noted her focus on “class imbalance” minimized Daribha’s traumatic experience, shifting attention away from the lack of privacy and professionalism at the hospital.
Naomi’s entire timeline on her X handle is laced with vitriol aimed at Hindus, driven by a clear agenda. Every word she writes is calculated, and someone at Hindustan Times seems to amplify her “message continuously“, portraying her as “just another Delhi woman/girl.”
The Chinmaya Heritage Centre in Chetpet hosted a compelling discussion on 2 March 2025 under the banner of VIGIL, a public forum known for fostering informed dialogues on national and cultural issues. The event, titled “Women & Civilization: Western Perspectives, Indian Truth”, featured BJP leader Kompella Madhavi Latha as the keynote speaker.
Madhavi Latha delivered a powerful address challenging global narratives that misrepresent the status of women in Indian civilization. She asserted that Bharatiya culture has always revered women, with deities such as Gayatri Devi and Saraswati embodying supreme knowledge and power. She refuted claims of systemic gender discrimination, arguing that women have historically demonstrated exceptional intellectual grasp, even as men engaged in oral recitations. She criticized modern portrayals of India as unsafe for women, stating that Bharat was once “Sone Ki Chidiya”—a land of wealth and harmony, where gender balance was intrinsic to societal prosperity.
Addressing contemporary challenges, she claimed that efforts to weaken Bharat are directly linked to efforts to suppress women. “To curb a rising Bharat, they must curb its women,” she declared, pointing to global media bias and incidents such as the UK grooming scandal, which she framed as a case of femalephobia rather than Islamophobia. She urged Indian society to reclaim its legacy of respect for women, emphasizing that Sanatana Dharma is not a rigid set of rules but a way of thinking that has always placed women in positions of strength.
The event also featured insights from other speakers, including Kalaiyarasi Ramachandran, founder of Raattai, who highlighted handloom weaving as a means of empowerment, and Aparna Krishnan, who shared her experiences working with self-help groups in Paalaguttapalle to address water scarcity, education, and malnutrition through community-driven initiatives like Ashwagandhadi milk distribution.
With a strong call for restoring traditional values, Madhavi Latha urged grandparents to play a guiding role in shaping the next generation. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, where attendees reflected on the need to counter negative stereotypes and reaffirm India’s civilizational ethos.
VIGIL, which had been a key intellectual platform from the 1990s to 2010, continues to serve as a crucial space for discussions that challenge mainstream narratives and reinforce India’s cultural identity.
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In a shocking display of political impunity, DMK state executive committee member Era. Sridharan —who had previously slapped a female police inspector on duty at the Tiruvannamalai temple—was seen presenting a birthday gift to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who accepted it with a smile.
The birthday gift was a huge lion statue that roared and said “Thalapathy! Long live Thalapathy! Hindi Theriyathu Poda!“
முதலமைச்சர் மு.க.ஸ்டாலின் பிறந்தநாளுக்கு திருவண்ணாமலை முன்னாள் ஊராட்சி மன்ற தலைவர் கொண்டு வந்த வேற லெவல் கிப்ட்… ஆச்சர்யமடைந்த திமுகவினர்… Background மியூசிக்கோடு வந்ததுதான் ஹைலைட்..!#Chennai | #CMMKStalin | #Birthday | #Giftpic.twitter.com/8xhYIX0e8q
Sritharan had been absconding in connection with the assault case but was later granted anticipatory bail by the Madras High Court in December 2023. Despite his history of attacking a law enforcement officer, he continues to enjoy the privileges of political proximity, raising serious concerns about law and order in Tamil Nadu.
BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai slammed MK Stalin saying “Does the Chief Minister, who is in charge of the police, realize what kind of message he is sending to the public and the police by welcoming the attacker of a female police inspector?”
Annamalai said that this blatant show of power and disregard for justice highlights the grim reality of Tamil Nadu’s law enforcement under DMK rule.
“What more example do we need to prove that crimes against women continue to occur in Tamil Nadu and that criminals roam around without any fear, because they are in the shadow of the DMK?“, he said.
கடந்த 2023 ஆம் ஆண்டு டிசம்பர் மாதம், திருவண்ணாமலை ஆலயத்தில், பாதுகாப்புப் பணியில் இருந்த பெண் காவல் ஆய்வாளரை, கன்னத்தில் அறைந்து தாக்குதல் நடத்தியதோடு, அது தொடர்பான வழக்கில் தலைமறைவாகி, சென்னை உயர் நீதிமன்றத்தில் முன்ஜாமீன் பெற்ற திமுக மாநிலச் செயற்குழு உறுப்பினர் ஶ்ரீதரன் என்ற… pic.twitter.com/GRcHtR3R09
