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DMK & Dravidianists’ Track Record Of Hate Speech That India Hate Lab Won’t Document (Willingly?)

By
The Commune
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DMK & Dravidianists' Track Record Of Hate Speech That India Hate Lab Won't Document

India Hate Lab, a pro-Dravidian platform, has launched scathing accusations against actor Vijay for allegedly promoting “hate speech” against Tamil Nadu’s DMK government, following his fiery critique of its policies. The platform, originating in the US, alleged that Vijay’s remarks foster division while it conveniently ignored hate speeches made by DMK members.

Vijay Criticizes DMK

Vijay’s maiden conference on 27 October 2024, held for his political launch, seems to have disturbed the Dravidianists quite a bit. During his speech, Vijay made a statement targeting the fascist policies of the ruling DMK government.

The actor-turned-politician had said, “There is a crowd here that for some time has been singing the same paeans. Anybody who comes into politics is given ‘one particular colour’. They keep fearmongering people and cheat them. But ‘these people’ (indirect reference to DMK) will put underground dealing with ‘them’ (indirect reference to BJP). During elections, they will give statements and give sounds. For them, it’s always ‘fascism’, ‘fascism’, ‘fascism’. Among the people who are united here, they fearmonger by splitting people as majority-minority and keep putting a full-time scene with it.

I’m asking you – If ‘they’re fascism’, are you ‘payasam’? You’re no better than them. You call this anti-people government a ‘Dravida Model’ government and cheating people.” Vijay literally blasted the DMK with that comparison.

This comparison seems to have sent jitters down the Dravidian supporters’ spines. Following this, Dravidianist handles such as Dravidian Insights shared infographics mapping “hate speech” across the country. Ironically, he shared data from The Quint and the source of the data was “India Hate Lab”.

The map showed more instances of hate speech in BJP-ruled states compared to others – very groundbreaking research! He claimed that the non-BJP-ruled states were more civilized and stated, “That “Payasam” against real fascism“

It is noteworthy that organizations like India Hate Lab, are based out of Washington DC (as indicated on its X profile). Raqib Hameed Naik, an Indian journalist, founded India Hate Lab. According to WIRED, the site documents “instances of hate speech and conspiracies that target India’s minority communities.” One wonders how they can trust such data if it is going to be focused only on “minority communities” – aren’t majority communities also subject to hate speech – in fact to a larger extent?

Let’s take a look at the hate speech in Payasam DMK-run Tamil Nadu – hate speeches made by members of the DMK itself.

Even A Dog Gets BA Degree

In July 2024, senior DMK leader RS Bharathi sparked controversy by claiming that even a dog could earn a BA degree today, attributing this to the Dravidian movement’s impact on education. Speaking at a protest against NEET in Tamil Nadu, he criticized the exam and highlighted the movement’s role in expanding access to education.

RS Bharathi said, “I am a lawyer B.L. educated. Ezhilarasan BE, BL. All these did not come from a clan or gotra. If it was not for the alms of the Dravidian movement and communal GO, so many doctors and so many people with B.E degrees would not have come. When I studied BA, only one person in the town had studied BA. Then they will write the title on the name board outside the house. Now everyone in the town is studying for a degree, even a dog is getting a BA degree. Dravidian movement is responsible for this development.”

Alms Given By Dravidian Movement That Dalits Became Judges

In May 2020, Bharathi was apprehended by the Central Crime Branch of the Chennai city police following accusations of making provocative remarks during a party gathering held in February of that year. Referring to a judge, he reportedly said that many Dalits were inducted into the judiciary because of the indulgence of the DMK leadership during former chief minister M Karunanidhi’s tenure. Speaking at an event in Anbagam (the DMK youth wing headquarters), in February 2020, he said “If Tamil Nadu remains the best state, it is because of the Dravidian movement. No Harijan has become a judge of the High Court in Madhya Pradesh. After Karunanidhi became Chief Minister A Varadarajan was appointed as HC judge. Seven or eight others from the Adi Dravidar community went on to become judges after that. It is the alms (picchai) given by the Dravidian Movement”. He later issued an apology for his remarks.

Nagas Eat Dog-Meat

In another instance, RS Bharathi made racist and derogatory comments about the people of Nagaland. Speaking at an event commemorating the 100th anniversary celebrations of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK patriarch Karunanidhi, Bharathi said, “What is the governor doing? He just wants to create problems for the ruling government. We have seen so many governors, but what this governor does is create a fuss and drag us into a fight. He refuses to sign the bills we send. I addressed a gathering about what happened to him in Nagaland; they chased him away. Don’t mistake me; I am just quoting an example. The people of Nagaland eat dog meat. If someone who eats dog meat themselves has so much self-respect that they chased away this governor, then imagine how much self-respect Tamils, who consume food with salt, would have. The day he was chased away, the people of Nagaland celebrated it like Deepavali.”

North Indians Are Fools

On another instance at a meeting (in an undated video), Bharathi ridiculing north Indian labourers said, “The reason why Tamil Nadu is the best state in India is because of the DMK. The people in the other states are fools, they have no brains, these north Indians, I am saying this openly.”

Governor Also Like Bihari Panipuri Sellers

In January 2023, at a public meeting, he compared the Governor to a migrant worker from Bihar and said that he would not have left without being beaten had Jayalalitha been alive. “I had earlier stated that those who sell Soan papdi and Panipuri don`t know the pride of Tamil Nadu. I said this in a meeting. I came to know that many have come from Bihar and I think the Governor (RN Ravi) has similarly come by train,”. 

Hindi Speakers Clean Toilets

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran is no less in comparison to RS Bharathi when it comes to derogating Hindi speakers. During a public address, the DMK MP stated that people who learn Hindi end up as construction workers and toilet cleaners in Tamil Nadu, while Tamilians who are not proficient in Hindi occupy high-ranking positions in the IT sector.

He said, “We asked you to study Tamil and English. You studied. Look at Sundar Pichai, he is now the CEO of Google. He would have been a construction worker if he had studied Hindi. Our children hold high-level positions in IT firms and earn a good living. Look at those who studied Hindi. They work as construction workers and clean toilets.”

North Indians Are Fools

During another public meeting, he referred to North Indians and Hindi-speaking individuals as ‘fools’ who would support the BJP in the elections.

Are We Depressed Class People?

He also made derogatory casteist remarks during his visit to the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary’s office in 2020 where he met reporters after the meeting. Dayanidhi Maran said “Engalai moondram thara makkal pol nadathinaargal. Naangal enna thaazhthapatta aatkala?”(They treated us like third-class people. What are we? Depressed class people?)”

You Are A Shudra

A. Raja in September 2022 had said “You’re a Shudra till you remain a Hindu. You’re a son of the prostitute till you remain a Shudra. You’re a Panchaman (Dalit) till you remain a Hindu. You’re an untouchable till you remain a Hindu. How many of you wish to stay as children of prostitutes? How many of you wish to remain untouchable? Only if we’re vocal about these questions, it will become elemental in breaking Santhana (Sanatana Dharma)”

Arunthathiyar Indulge In Manual Scavenging

During a DMK party’s booth-level agents meeting in August 2023, the former central minister allegedly made disparaging remarks about the Arundathiyar community. He was quoted as saying, “Though Arunthathiyar community, who indulge in manual scavenging cleaning human excreta, is a minority community in that region who are not numerically strong as far as votes are concerned, Karunanidhi granted them 3% reservation. This does not mean I am belittling them.”

Yogi Adityanath Is A Pandaram, Paradesi

In April 2023, abusing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, A Raja called him a “Pandaram, Paradesi”. “Do you know how many people are Below Poverty Line, in Uttar Pradesh, where you’ve built a temple for Ramar? You’ve built a Ram Temple there. A ‘Pandaaram’, ‘Paradesi’ is a Chief Minister there.”, the DMK leader abused the UP CM. Pandaaram is a most backward community (MBC) in Tamil Nadu whose members were once priests of non-Agama temples. However, the term has over the years become a slur. Paradesi literally means a person from another country, but it has also become a slur. “Uttar Pradesh, where you have a ‘Pandaram’, ‘Paradesi’ as a Chief Minister and a Ram temple built, the number of people below the poverty line is 27%.”, he said.

Are You A Gowda?

In the same speech, A Raja who claimed that casteists are inventing new ways to determine caste should be shown a video of MK Stalin in which he determined the caste of an old man to be ‘Gowda’ as soon as he stated that he was from Hosur.

https://twitter.com/sinam_anger/status/1210014958416580608

Throw That Dog Out

In 2020, DMK MP from Nilgiris and former Union Minister A. Raja in a public meeting, lambasted a fellow party volunteer and called him a ‘dog’ for raising slogans in the middle of his speech. Raja was addressing a public meeting in Perambalur organized against the Farm Bills that were passed then by the Parliament. A man from the crowd was heard shouting “Long live brother Raja!” to which Raja blurted out at the man and called him to be thrown out. “Yarra avan? Veliya thooki podu da avana! Andha naai a velila thooki podu!” (Who is that fellow? Throw him out! Throw that dog out!), Mr. Raja burst out in the middle of the speech and later continued with it.

EPS Would Be Doing Labour, Vanathi Picking Coconuts, Annamalai Rearing Goats

In February 2023 while campaigning for the Erode by-polls, speaking at Periyar Nagar in Erode, the DMK MP said “They say that Edappadi Palaniswami has studied till BA. Vanathi Srinivasan has studied law. Annamalai became IPS. That pen (Karunanidhi’s pen) put you under the Backward Class category and made you study. If not for that pen, Annamalai would’ve reared goats. Edappadi Palaniswami would be doing labour. Vanathi Srinivasan would be picking coconuts in some coconut farm.”

You Are Also Like A Parayan

In an undated video, Duraimurugan narrates an incident when EV Ramasamy, the Dravidian ideologue asked him about his caste. Upon hearing the caste name, EVR said, “You are also like Parayan. Don’t think too much of yourself for being a Vanniyar.”

In another video, VCK’s Vanni Arasu says, “Like how you say don’t walk in the common streets or bathe in the common ponds, denying us a ticket to the general constituency is on the same lines. Kalaignar said this.”

You Are An SC, Right?

In an undated public meeting, DMK Minister Ponmudi is seen introducing a lady and says, “This lady is from an oppressed community, you are an SC, right?”

Ambattan Kadai

In an undated video, probably from during the Covid-19 pandemic, the former Tamil Nadu Finance Minister is seen referring to a barber shop by caste name – he uses the word, “Ambattan kadai” to describe it.

In an undated video, DMK leader KKSSR Ramachandran is seen saying, “We would have gone professionally, but since TN has so many Reddiyars, we came up with a GO. Both the GOs were made by me. Kalaignar made that GO. If in Tamil Nadu, you are getting a BC certificate, it is because of this. We can even get OBC as mentioned. Politics will come and go, it is not permanent. But if someone wants to do something courageously for this community, it can happen only when me and Nehru are the ministers. No one else can do it bravely.”

Gomiyum Gang

DMK Minister TRB Rajaa also has a history of spewing hate. He regularly refers to those who support BJP and oppose the DMK as “Gomiyum Gang” meaning “Cow Urine Gang”, an apparent dig at their Hindu identity. There are many tweets in which he keeps throwing the cow piss jibe at his political opponents.

 

Vadakkan

DMK MLA TRB Rajaa had spewed venom against north Indians umpteen number of times. He had once said ‘Vadakkans’ (slur for North Indian) don’t have a sense of democracy adding that Biharis will remain at the bottom because of their voting choices.

Hate Against Brahmins

In 2023, the DMK’s IT wing, led by TRB Rajaa, shared a comic strip targeting Tamil Brahmins, featuring casteist stereotypes and inflammatory dialogue. The comic, part of the series “Dravidathaal Vaazhgirom,” portrays Brahmins as scheming against non-Brahmins and indulging in divisive practices. Such fictional depictions of Brahmins were only seen to be conspiring to weaken non-Brahmin unity. The post was criticized as anti-Brahmin propaganda aimed at appealing to the DMK’s traditional vote bank among wealthy, non-Brahmin castes.

Hate Against Hindi Speakers

Dravidianists in Tamil Nadu, including members of the Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK), have several times incited hostility toward North Indian migrants, often using derogatory language and fostering regional divisions. NTK leader Seeman, known for his aggressive stance on Tamil nationalism, once even threatened to chase out Hindi-speaking migrants, stating they would “pack their bags in just one week.”

There have also been multiple violent incidents, such as verbal and physical abuse on a moving train, the murder of a migrant worker mistaken for a thief, and altercations in workplaces and colleges.

Slurs Against North Indians

Slurs like ‘Vadakkan’, ‘Paani Puri wala’ ‘Panparag vaayan’ have been normalised through social media. A popular YouTube channel named Paridhabangal, led by Gopi and Sudhakar, released a video attempting to portray North Indians in a negative light through their jokes and videos.

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Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar: A Freedom Fighter, Social Reformer, And People’s Leader

By
Dr Padmapriya S
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Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar: A Freedom Fighter, Social Reformer, And People's Leader

Ukkirapandi Muthuramalinga Thevar was born on 30 October 1908 in Pasumpon, Ramnathapuram, which was part of Madras Presidency under British rule in India. Muthuramalinga Thevar’s father remarried after his wife passed away. His maternal grandmother Parvathiammal was angry and unhappy with Muthuramalinga Thevar’s father for having taken two new wives shortly after the death of his second wife. Parvathiammal took care of Ukkirapandi for many years. The grandmother-grandson duo lived in Kallupatti.

Kuzhanthaisami Pillai, a close family friend of his father, took responsibility for arranging Muthuramalinga Thevar’s schooling. Initially, he was given private tuition, and in June 1917, he began attending classes at an elementary school run by American missionaries. Later, he joined the Pasumalai High School, which is near present-day Thirupparankundaram, and then he shifted to the Union Christian High School in Madurai in the Madras Presidency region. He couldn’t finish his studies owing to family circumstances.

There are outstanding reasons why we should never forget to revere the great Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar.

He was a great leader in the 20th-century Tamil Nadu of Bharat. In the beginning, he was a full-time member of the Congress Party. Later, he left the Congress because he became disappointed by the Congress Party and became the leader of the All-India Forward Bloc (AIFB) and was its National Deputy Chairman from 1952. He was also a close friend and associate of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and took part in the freedom struggle against the British. In fact, Netaji introduced Pasumpon Thevar as his ‘younger sibling’ to his mother.

Pasumpon also stood against the cruel Criminal Tribes Act enacted in 1920 by the government of the Madras Presidency during British rule. He was instrumental in getting the Act repealed in 1946.

He also formed and led the Pasumalai Mahalakshmi Mill Workers’ Union, the Madura Knitting Company Labour Union, and the Meenakshi Mill Workers’ Union in the Madras Presidency.

He is worshipped as a deity by many members of the Mukulathor community comprising Kallars, Maravars, and Ahambadiars as he fought for their rights and gave away most of his wealth and property to the poor. He was a very generous and people-oriented person.
He never opposed Hinduism as such although he opposed the superstitions and the caste system within Hinduism.

He hated the practice of untouchability and was a crusader for the Harijans. He supported the Temple Entry Authorisation and Indemnity Act passed by C. Rajaji in 1939, which removed the restrictions prohibiting Dalits from entering Hindu temples. In July 1939, he supported the social activist, A Vaidyanatha Iyer in taking Dalits to enter the Madurai Meenakshi temple.

He was a deeply spiritual person and a great humanitarian. His birthday and Guru Pooja are celebrated on 30 October, every year. His 117th birthday and 62nd Guru Pooja will be celebrated this year (2024) at his birth district of Ramanathapuram in Tamil Nadu as well as all over Tamil Nadu, Bharat, and the world.

Dr. S. Padmapriya is an author and thinker based out of Chennai.

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Tambaram City Police Bust Major Ganja Smuggling Operation, Seize 150 Kg And Arrest Two

By
The Commune
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Tambaram City Police Bust Major Ganja Smuggling Operation

Tambaram City Police have dismantled a significant ganja smuggling operation, seizing 150 kg of the drug from a truck near the Railway Ground in Tambaram on 28 October 2024. Additionally, another 5.3 kg of ganja was recovered in a separate incident, according to police reports.

The operation began around 9 AM when the Pallikaranai Prohibition and Enforcement Wing (PEW) received a tip-off regarding the transport of ganja in East Tambaram. A special team subsequently intercepted a load van, leading to the discovery of 150 kg of ganja. Two individuals, R. Muthuvel Pandi (37) and U. Chandra Kumar (34), both from Tuticorin district, were arrested in connection with this case.

Investigations revealed that the pair had sourced the ganja from Andhra Pradesh, intending to sell it in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu.

In a separate case, the Tambaram PEW apprehended a man carrying a suspicious parcel that contained 5.3 kg of ganja. The suspect, identified as Suresh Mahapatra from Odisha, admitted to purchasing the ganja with the intention of selling it to migrant workers in Chennai.

Both sets of accused were presented before a magistrate and have been remanded in judicial custody.

(With Inputs From ETV Bharat)

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CBI Special Court Summons Ex-DMK Functionary Jaffer Sadiq And Dravidianist Actor-Director Ameer Sultan In Drug-Related Money Laundering Case

By
The Commune
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ED Files Chargesheet Against Ex-DMK Functionary Jaffer Sadiq And His Bestie Dravidianist Director Ameer Sultan In Drugs-Cum-Money Laundering Case

A Special Court for CBI cases has summoned Jaffer Sadiq, who was arrested in a narcotics smuggling case, along with Tamil actor-director Ameer Sultan and others, to appear in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to drugs on 28 October 2024.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a chargesheet on 18 September 2024 against expelled DMK member Jaffer Sadiq, his bestie Dravidianist actor-director Ameer, and others in a money laundering case connected to drug activities.

The chargesheet, submitted to the Principal Sessions Court, named 12 individuals, including Sadiq’s wife and brother. The court has yet to register the chargesheet officially.

This development comes shortly after ED’s Chennai office provisionally seized assets worth ₹55.30 crore belonging to Sadiq and his associates under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The ED’s investigation followed Sadiq’s expulsion from the DMK after his arrest by the Narcotics Control Bureau for allegedly heading a drug cartel involved in smuggling pseudoephedrine and ketamine. The probe revealed that Sadiq, along with his brother Mohammed Saleem and others, was involved in the export and concealment of narcotics. Mohammed Saleem, the now-expelled VCK functionary admitted to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that they engaged in drug smuggling under Sadiq’s direction. This admission follows Saleem’s arrest by the ED on 13 August 2024 regarding the high-profile drug smuggling and money laundering case.

Sadiq, previously associated with the DMK, is imprisoned in Puzhal Jail over charges related to drug trafficking and illegal money transfers. Mohammed Saleem, who was a member of the VCK, was taken into custody by the ED and is undergoing a seven-day interrogation concerning drug smuggling and money laundering operations.

According to the ED, Sadiq and his associates used various firms and entities to launder the proceeds from drug trafficking. It is important to remember that Ameer had initally tried to wash his hands off of Sadiq by claiming that he was unaware of Sadiq’s “other face” and also stated that the shooting of the film Iraivan Miga Periyavan was halted abruptly following the news of the ₹2000 crore drug bust.

Ameer on 1 March 2024 shared a video of his in which he tried to establish is Muslim identity in an attempt to play victim card and tried to distance himself away from Jaffer Sadiq and the drug bust.

However, during launch function of his now abandoned film “Iraivan Miga Periyavan” in February 2022, Ameer is seen saying Jaffer Sadiq is a distant relative of his. He also mentions that Sadiq had been requesting Ameer to direct a film under his banner for 5 years.

Another video surfaced on social media platform X where Ameer is seen wishing all success to Jaffer Sadiq. He says, “I have been closely watching his meteoric rise in all businesses he has begun. I pray he achieves success with this film (production business) Iraivan Miga Periyavan too.”

It is noteworthy that he addresses Sadiq as “thambi” and Sadiq addresses Ameer as “Anna”.

Director Ameer and Jaffer Sadiq opened a coffee shop called 4AM Coffee and Kitchen under the Mahyan Pvt Ltd company, located at ECR near Chennai. The organization’s managing director, Abdul Basith, is also a director at Zuko Overseas Pvt Ltd alongside Jaffer Sadiq. Notably, Ameer, also known as Ameer Sulthan, is a director of Zuko Overseas Pvt Ltd as well.

Director Vetrimaran and actor Soori attended the launch of the coffee shop. Another establishment, Law Cafe, was opened at Radhakrishnan Salai under the Mahyan Group of Companies, which Ameer and Sadiq run.

Ameer, Vetrimaran, and Jaffer Sadiq have often been seen together in photographs, highlighting the close connections between directors and so-called producers in the Tamil film industry.

Some of the films produced by Jaffer Sadiq include Ameer’s Iraivan Miga Periyavan, Mangai, and Indira, all under the JSM Pictures banner. Interestingly, Sadiq’s social media cover photo features four posters, including these three films and another called Maayavalai, which is produced by Ameer’s production house and co-produced by Vetrimaran’s Grass Root Film alongside Sadiq.

It is noteworthy that DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s wife Kiruthiga Udhayanidhi was the chief guest at the launch of a single from the film Mangai.

Sadiq is also associated with the Saleem Bhai Biriyani chain, which Ameer inaugurated. In media interactions, Ameer has mentioned that the biriyani shop is one of Sadiq’s business ventures.

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Did Vijay Make Subtle Attacks On Rajinikanth In His Maiden Political Speech?

By
The Commune
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Did Vijay Make Subtle Attacks On Rajinikanth In His Maiden Political Speech?

Kollywood actor Vijay successfully wrapped up the inaugural political conference of his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), on 27 October 2024. This event is seen as a pivotal moment in his political journey, where he subtly hinted at his political adversaries. Although he did not explicitly name them, it was clear that he views the DMK as his main rival in Tamil Nadu and the BJP, the ruling party at the national level, as his ideological opponent.

In an extempore fashion, Vijay also made some comments which can be perceived as indirect references to actor Rajinikanth.

Vijay stressed the importance of actions over words, which can be construed as a sly jab at Rajinikanth’s mere words about “system change” and his U-turn on political entry.

While Rajinikanth has expressed intentions to enter politics in the future, he has repeatedly postponed his plans, and finally backed off citing ‘health concerns’. It is another matter that he continues to act in films produced by DMK-family owned production houses. His fans were left frustrated by his continuous hints about a political career that never materialized.

Vijay said, “In the beginning, I also thought, what’s in politics for us? Let’s act and get paid. But isn’t it selfish to think that only we should prosper? Would it be loyal to do nothing for the people who have made us live? What are we going to do by accumulating wealth above a certain level? What are we going to do for these people who gave us life? So many questions like these kept coming to mind. When I thought about the answers to all these questions, I realized that the answer is ‘politics.'”

In this context, Vijay’s remark, “What are we going to do by accumulating wealth beyond a certain level?” was a pointed jab at actor Rajinikanth. Vijay implied that Rajinikanth, despite claiming he would enter politics, continues to work steadily in films aligned with Dravidian themes while still earning a substantial income. While Rajinikanth had previously assured his fans of his political ambitions, he later dismissed those plans, citing health issues, yet he remains active in acting and continues to receive annual paychecks.

Vijay also added, “Well, what about this politics? Can we handle it? Does it align with our nature?” so many questions arose, almost as if a goblin had emerged. It appears that if we keep looking at everything with a magnifying glass, we can’t do anything properly. Sometimes we can do good for those who believe in us only if we take action and address things without thinking about the consequences. I felt it here, that’s why I came down.”

This was a pointed critique aimed at Rajinikanth, who has been teasing his fans about entering politics since 1996. That year, he publicly criticized then-Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, stating, “Even God cannot save Tamil Nadu if she returns to power.” He supported the DMK-TMC alliance, which won the elections.

In 1998, Rajinikanth backed the DMK-TMC alliance once more during the Lok Sabha elections, but this time, the alliance did not succeed. From 1999 to 2003, he avoided endorsing any political group. However, in 2004, he subtly urged his fans to vote against PMK candidates, indirectly supporting the AIADMK. That year, the DMK-Congress-PMK alliance won all 39 Lok Sabha seats.

From 2004 to 2017, Rajinikanth remained largely silent on political matters. On December 2017, he announced his intention to enter politics, and by March 2020, he suggested that it was up to the people to determine if he would pursue a political career. Ultimately, on October 2020, he acknowledged that he would not be entering politics after all. he underwent a renal transplant and the plan was closed for good he declared no intention of politics in 2021.

Critics argue that Vijay’s intense remarks aimed at Rajinikanth were influenced by Rajinikanth’s recent anecdote involving an eagle and a crow during the audio launch of “Jailer”. Rajinikanth shared the now-famous “Eagle & Crow” parable, which illustrates that while the eagle soars high with grace, it remains composed. In contrast, the crow incessantly caws and tries to provoke the eagle, which chooses to ignore the disturbance and continues its ascent. No matter how much noise the crow makes, it will never reach the heights of the eagle.

This story was interpreted as a subtle jab at Vijay, especially given the song’s lyrics suggesting that the title of “superstar” exclusively belongs to Rajinikanth. Vijay’s comments, therefore, can be seen as a response to Rajinikanth’s longstanding pattern of teasing fans with promises of a political career that never materialized, while Vijay has taken the plunge into politics.

The event wrapped up with a rallying cry for his supporters, reinforcing Vijay’s dedication to political engagement and community service.

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Farmers In Karnataka’s Yadgir District Protest Waqf Board Claims On Agricultural Lands

By
The Commune
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Farmers In Karnataka's Yadgir District Protest Waqf Board Claims On Agricultural Lands

Amid the charges that the Waqf board had taken away 15,000 acres of farmers’ land in Karnataka’s Vijayapura district, more than 20 farmers from the Yadgir district on 29 October claimed that the Waqf board now claims their agricultural lands. The farmers urged the government to intervene immediately to resolve the issue.

Most of the farmers came to know about their lands claimed by the Waqf following the rejection by the Railway Department to provide them compensation. The Railway Department had acquired their land for the Wadi-Gadag railway lane. When the farmers claimed compensation, the Railway Department rejected their demands and informed them that their land has been claimed by the Waqf. The lands were acquired by the railways in 2020. However, more than 20 farmers from the village alleged that they were never issued notices or intimated regarding the claims of the Waqf board.

One of the owners whose land has been shown as the Waqf property stated that he had not been given notice by the Revenue Department or the Waqf board. However, the documents reveal that their land was shown as the Waqf property four years ago.

Another landowner said that his three acres of land were acquired by the Railways. “I wanted to buy the agricultural land in the compensation money. Now, I have lost even the land which we tilled and earned our livelihood. The government should come to our help,” he said.

Another farmer said that the Waqf board and authorities are resorting to highhandedness. “We also questioned about the inclusion of our 1.18 acres of farmland, which is ancestral property, to the Wakf board. The Waqf board has planned to take away the compensation. We are facing ‘dadagiri’,” he said.

The farmers of Uppin Betageri village in Dharwad district are also facing similar issues regarding land ownership. “It has come to light that many farmers’ lands were registered in the name of the Waqf board a few years ago,” said another farmer.

The farmers who inherited the property are now aghast after seeing the records which claim that their land falls under the Waqf property in the “Other Rights and Liabilities” section of Record of Rights (11-E column). In Survey Number 20 of Uppin Betageri village, 3 acres and 13 guntas of land jointly held by farmers Marabasappa and Shreeshail are being shown as the Waqf property.

Similarly a half a dozen farmers are concerned over their land ownership being shown as Waqf property without their knowledge. The farmers have submitted a written appeal along with supporting documents to the Tehsildar and Dharwad District Waqf authorities, but none have been able to resolve the issue. The farmers are made to shuttle between the tehsildar’s office and the Waqf board.

-IANS

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Chinese Businesses Stare At Rs 1.25 Lakh Crore Loss This Diwali: CAIT

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The Commune
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Chinese Businesses Stare At Rs 1.25 Lakh Crore Loss This Diwali: CAIT

The government’s ‘vocal for local’ initiative has resulted in Chinese businesses staring at a massive loss of at least Rs 1.25 lakh crore this Diwali, as the sales of Chinese goods related to the five-day festival have considerably diminished, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) said on Tuesday.

As Diwali festivities began on a positive note this week, retail trade on Dhanteras alone is estimated to touch Rs 60,000 crore, according to Praveen Khandelwal, CAIT General Secretary and Chandni Chowk MP.

“This Diwali, the ‘vocal for local’ initiative is fully visible in the markets because almost all the purchases are Indian goods. According to an estimate, due to the non-sale of Chinese goods related to Diwali, China is facing a loss of about Rs 1.25 lakh crore,” CAIT General Secretary Khandelwal said in a statement.

CAIT has urged businesses nationwide to help women, potters, artisans and others, who are producing Diwali-related items, increase their sales.

According to Pankaj Arora, national president of All India Jewellers and Goldsmith Federation (AIJGF), there has been a huge sale of gold and silver on Dhanteras.

“On Dhanteras, gold worth about Rs 20,000 crore and silver worth about Rs 2,500 crore were purchased across the country,” said Arora.

There are about 2 lakh jewellers registered with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), who sold about 25 tonnes of gold worth Rs 20,000 crore and 250 tonnes of silver was sold across the country.

Last year, the price of gold was Rs 60,000 per 10 grams, which is now more than Rs 80,000. The price of silver was Rs 70,000 last year, which has now crossed Rs 1 lakh.

Therefore, despite the decline in weight sales, currency terms sales have increased.

In addition, there was a huge demand for old silver coins, which were sold at Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,300 per piece almost across the country.

According to the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd. (IBJA), the price of 24-carat gold remains at Rs 78,850 per 10 grams.

–IANS

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Woman In Palladam Fined ₹200 For Not Obtaining Ticket On Free Government Bus

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The Commune
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Woman In Palladam Fined ₹200 For Not Obtaining Ticket On Free Government Bus

In a surprising incident in Tamil Nadu, a woman was fined ₹200 for not getting a ticket on a government bus that offers free rides for women. The event took place in Palladam town, Tirupur district, when a bus from Tirupur to Puliampatti arrived 28 October 2024, morning.

The woman boarded the bus in Palladam but did not get a ticket, claiming the conductor was occupied with issuing tickets to the men standing when she got on. Upon her arrival at the bus stand, the ticket inspector questioned her about the lack of a ticket.

Despite her explanation, the inspector insisted on issuing a fine. When she stated she didn’t have cash on hand, he directed her to transfer the amount via the conductor’s GPay number. She complied, sending the ₹200 before leaving the scene.

The inspector clarified that even though the journey is free for women, purchasing a ticket is still mandatory. He noted that the woman had been preoccupied with her mobile phone and did not take the necessary steps to obtain a ticket.

The inspector confirmed that the fine collected was promptly deposited into the bank and issued a copy of fine to the conductor, though the woman left without receiving a receipt for her payment.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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“Only 1 Or 2 IB Schools In Chennai”: Suriya Who Opposed NEP For Imposing Hindi Says He Moved With Family To Mumbai For ‘Better Education’

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The Commune
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Suriya Who Opposed NEP For Imposing Hindi Says He Moved With Family To Mumbai For 'Better Education'

In a striking display of hypocrisy and opportunism, actor Suriya, known for his vocal opposition to so-called Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu, hailed his family’s move to Mumbai for better opportunities while promoting his film, Kanguva, in Hindi.

This sharp contradiction raises eyebrows, especially considering his past stance against Hindi in Tamil Nadu, where he even slapped a character onscreen for speaking the language.

Suriya Looks North For Opportunities

Virtue-signalling actor Suriya is back in the news with his “empathising” nature being hailed in an interview with Anupama Chopra for The Hollywood Reporter.

When asked if it was true that he and his family moved to Mumbai because Jothika was working on a web series, Suriya replied, “I can be very open and say this. At the age of 18-19, she shifted to Chennai, and for almost another 27 years, she was in Chennai. It was only 18 years in Mumbai and almost 27 years in Chennai and she was with me, with my family, and gave up her career, her friends, and relatives, her Bandra lifestyle, everything was given up when she was in Chennai. She is happy spending time here, she is happy again spending time here with her parents after 27 years. Like whatever a man needs, a woman also needs that. I think I am a pretty late bloomer when it comes to understanding. She needs those vacations, she needs those friends, she needs financial independence. She needs respect, she needs her gym diet, and she needs fitness.

Whatever we crave for, I think they equally need it. And why take away her time from her parents, her lifestyle, and what she loves to do, and when are we going to make that change? Why is it always I me myself, is what the thought was. I am happy to see that growth in her, as an actor also, My kids also, they were part of an IB school, there are only one or two IB schools in Chennai, they have subjects that they love to do, and it is a blessing when kids are studying well, they want to really grow out and excel and get good at it. We saw a lot of opportunities here, there are a lot of IB schools here in Bombay, so we shifted here. I am balancing between Chennai and Bombay. I take away for at least 10 days in a month, I don’t shoot at all, 20 days I don’t mind doing 18-20 hours shifts, I am ok, I can work, but 10 days I do not do anything, there is no appointments, no phone calls, there is no office. It is just quiet here in Bombay, but of course, I meet a few of my industry friends here otherwise, there is no office-office happening here in Bombay. I am happy to walk with my daughter at the park or go for a drive or an ice cream, take my son for basketball…“

Notably, the same Suriya championed the Hindi Theriyadu Poda campaign pushed by the DMK and other Dravidianists in Tamil Nadu. Suriya opposed teaching Hindi to students in Tamil Nadu and is also known for featuring a scene in his film where a North Indian man is slapped for speaking Hindi.

Recently, Suriya even journeyed to Mumbai and Delhi to promote his upcoming movie Kanguva in Hindi. This starkly reveals his & his family’s hypocrisy as they publicly criticize the language preventing others from benefiting from it in Tamil Nadu, all while lining their own pockets.

Suriya’s Hindi Opposition Stunt To Appease DMK

The husband-wife duo has indulged in virtue-signalling the public over Hindi, over building hospitals and schools instead of temples in the past. Here is a look at their past actions.

In 2019, Suriya opposed the National Education Policy’s three-language system. However, when it came to his own film, Kanguva, he posted on his social media X handle in six languages, including Hindi, to promote the film. Suriya had argued that the policy, imposed Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states and disadvantaged rural students.

After all the talk about Hindi imposition, Suriya and his family including his wife Jothika and two children moved to Mumbai in March 2023 into a ₹70 crore apartment. And now in the interview, we are told that they wanted to make use of opportunities, study what they wanted, and excel in life.

In his film, Jai Bhim, in the Tamil version, there is a scene where a character gets slapped for speaking in Hindi. In the scene, Prakash Raj, who plays the role of a police officer, slaps a north Indian (who has been stereotyped as a ‘Marwari’ Seth) for speaking in Hindi and asks him to speak in Tamil. This scene is however absent in the Hindi version of the film. Many pointed out that this was deliberately done to appease the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, the party which is known for inciting hatred in the name of a non-existent ‘Hindi imposition’.

He is known for his anti-NEET stance when he claimed it filters away those aspiring to study medicine but Suriya’s hypocrisy shines through his teeth when one looks at the selection process for students seeking financial help for higher education through Agaram Foundation run by the actor. According to the Agaram Foundation’s website, they have a rigorous scoring system in place to identify ‘deserving’ students. This requirement contradicts the stated mission of promoting education and social equality.

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NCR Drug Bust: Tihar Jail Warden, Mexican Among 4 Held

By
The Commune
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NCR Drug Bust: Tihar Jail Warden, Mexican Among 4 Held

An international drug network was busted with the arrest of four people involving a Mexican, a Mumbai chemist and a Tihar jail warden, and recovery of 95 kg of Methamphetamine from a factory in Gautam Buddha Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh, an official said on Tuesday.

The racket was busted in a joint operation conducted by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Special Cell of Delhi Police. Gyaneshwar Singh, DDG (Operations), NCB, said, “The forward and backward linkages, financial trail and assets generated by the accused through illegal drug trafficking were being ascertained.”

The factory in Kasana Industrial Area of Uttar Pradesh’s district Gautam Buddha Nagar was raided on October 25 during which the businessman, the mastermind of the gang, and the jail warden were present at the synthetic drugs unit. The unit was producing methamphetamine for export as well as consumption in India.

The operations also involved members of the Mexican CJNG drug cartel (Cartel De Jalisco Nueva Generacion) a Mumbai chemist and a businessman, said an investigator. Singh said in the follow-up action after the raid on the factory, another member of the syndicate and a close associate of the Delhi-based businessman was apprehended from Rajouri Garden area of west Delhi.

While the businessman and the jail warden were instrumental in establishing the illegal factory, procuring chemicals required for manufacturing methamphetamine and importing the machinery, the chemist from Mumbai was manufacturing the drug and the Delhi-based member of the Mexican cartel was responsible for testing the final product, he said.

He said the businessman picked up from the illegal drug factory had previously been arrested by the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), in a Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, case and had been lodged in Tihar jail where he came in contact with the jail warden who became his accomplice.

All the four accused arrested in the case were presented in a magistrate court on Sunday and were sent to a three-day police remand, the NCB said.

Items recovered during the raid included chemicals like Acetone, Sodium Hydroxide, Methylene Chloride, Premium grade Ethanol, Toluene, Red phosphorous, Ethyl Acetate and imported machinery, it said.

This year the NCB has busted such labs at five locations — Gandhinagar and Amreli in Gujarat, Jodhpur and Sirohi in Rajasthan, and Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. Earlier this month, a clandestine lab was busted in a joint operation with Gujarat ATS in Bagroda Industrial Estate of Bhopal, in which about 907 kgs of Mephedrone in solid and liquid forms and about 7,000 kgs of various chemicals were seized.

–IANS

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