A shocking incident in Tiruppur has left residents in disbelief after drug peddling youth brutally attacked a father and son following a police complaint. The attack was reportedly triggered when the victims alerted authorities about an attempted break-in at a rice shop.
On 23 March 2025, the Tiruppur city police arrested five individuals—Balaji, Akash, Aadhi, Stephen Raj, and Lalith Kumar—all residents of Anna Nagar in Veerapandi. The gang had allegedly targeted M. Aravindan and his father, Murugesan, after the duo intervened in their criminal activities.
According to police reports, around 1 a.m. on 23 March, Balaji, Akash, and their associates attempted to break the lock of a local rice shop. Aravindan and Murugesan, who witnessed the act, confronted them, leading to a heated argument. Later, Aravindan reported the incident to the Veerapandi police, allegedly mentioning the gang’s involvement in drug-related activities in the area.
Enraged by the complaint, the gang retaliated in the evening, attacking the father and son. During the assault, Akash reportedly stabbed both victims with a knife. They were rushed to Tiruppur Government Medical College Hospital for treatment. Following the incident, Veerapandi police swiftly arrested all five suspects later that night. Investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of their criminal activities.
The Sri Mridanga Shaileshwari Temple committee has withdrawn its plan to host an Iftar Sangam, at the temple premises. This temple is home to Sree Porkali, the ancestral deity of Kerala king Varma Pazhassi Raja.
Located in Muzhukkunnu Grama Panchayat, the Mridanga Shaileshwari Temple is a revered Bhagavathi temple where Goddess Durga is the presiding deity. The temple also houses deities such as Saraswati, Lakshmi, Kali (Porkali), Ganapati, Dakshinamurthy, Shasta, and Naga gods. Historical records suggest that Guruthi Puja was conducted here before the Pazhassi Raja war. This temple is one of the 108 Durga temples believed to have been established by Parashurama and is said to be over 2,000 years old. A full-length statue of King Pazhassi stands near the temple as a tribute to its rich history.
The Sri Mridanga Shaileshwari Temple Porkali Kalasha Committee had initially organized the event for the residents of Muzhukkunnu Mahal, scheduling it for 6 PM on 26 March at the temple auditorium. However, the Hindu Seva Kendra challenged this initiative by filing a petition in the High Court. The petition was set to be reviewed on 26 March, but before that, the Malabar Devaswom Board stepped in and informed the court that the event would not take place. Advocate Krishnaraj represented the Hindu Seva Kendra in the case.
The temple, which operates under the Malabar Devaswom Board, is managed by a committee affiliated with the Marxist Communist Party of India (CPIM). The local CPIM leadership oversees temple festivals and other rituals, with both contractual and permanent job positions within the temple being assigned to CPIM members.
The Hindu Seva Kendra proudly announced the successful prevention of the proposed Iftar gathering at the Sri Mridanga Shaileshwari Temple, stating, “Running with your Iftar plate… The High Court has arrived.” It is with great joy that we inform all believers that the Iftar gathering, which comrades had planned to hold at the Mridangashaileshwari Temple, has been completely scrapped. The plan was to organize an Iftar feast in the temple auditorium under the name of the Kalasha Committee, which had been packed with comrades. Yesterday, the court sent a notice via a special messenger to the temple executive officer and the Kalasha Committee, ordering them to appear at 2 PM today. The complete surrender ceremony that took place in court was so overwhelming that it brought tears to the eyes of those witnessing it. What Iftar… Whose Iftar… Who is conducting the Iftar… What even is Iftar… Not only has it been declared that no Iftar will be held in the temple or the temple auditorium, but it has also been made clear that no one is permitted to conduct such an event. The Kalasha Committee has no authority to organize an Iftar gathering. And so, the comrades’ “Mridangashaileshwari Iftar Feast” has come to a permanent end… No, it was brought to an end by Us !!”
"Running with your Iftar plate… The High Court has arrived."
It is with great joy that we inform all believers that the Iftar gathering, which comrades had planned to hold at the Mridangashaileshwari Temple, has been completely scrapped.
Several people were injured in stone pelting after two groups clashed during a ‘Mangala procession’ in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, late on Tuesday night. The incident occurred between Jhanda Chowk and Jama Masjid Road in the city, leading to tension in the area.
The clash reportedly began over a dispute regarding a song played during the procession. According to eyewitnesses, an argument between members of the two groups quickly escalated, resulting in stone pelting from both sides. Several people sustained injuries in the chaos. Police fired four to five rounds in the air and used tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. Senior police officials, including SP Arvind Kumar Singh, arrived at the spot and brought the situation under control.
“There was a clash between two groups during the Mangala procession. The situation is now under control,” said SP Singh, urging people not to believe in rumours. He said the police are in the process of registering FIR against those involved in the violence. Following the incident, police and security forces have been deployed in sensitive areas, including the city’s main road and Jama Masjid Road, to prevent further clashes.
The Ram Navami festival is celebrated on a large scale in Hazaribagh, attracting thousands of participants from the city and nearby areas. As part of the tradition, Mangala processions are taken out from various Akharas with drums, Mahaveeri flags, and other religious symbols every Tuesday evening during the Chaitra month. Members of the Ram Navami Mahasamiti and community leaders also intervened to restore peace. Authorities have also appealed to the public to maintain harmony and avoid spreading misinformation.
Security has been heightened across the city, with additional personnel stationed in key areas to prevent further incidents. Investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for instigating the violence.
–IANS
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Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai has criticized the ruling DMK government for its failure to properly maintain Mahakavi Bharathiyar’s house in Ettayapuram. On 25 March 2025, the roof over the verandah of the first floor of the house collapsed. Annamalai questioned why the DMK government is spending hundreds of crores in vain to erect statues of individuals with no connection to Tamil Nadu, yet shows no interest in preserving the birthplace of Mahakavi Bharathiyar, one of the greatest icons of the Tamil language.
This comes at the backdrop of the roof of the verandah in the two-story, 200-year-old building, which follows the traditional Kattakuthu (Madras terrace) roofing style, collapsed on 25 March evening. At the time, the house’s caretaker and watchman were outside, so fortunately, no casualties were reported.
The building, which was taken over by the Tamil Nadu government and declared a memorial house in 1973, houses a photo gallery featuring Bharathiyar’s photographs and works. The memorial is maintained by the Tamil Nadu Public and Information Department.
Annamalai expressed his concerns on the incident via his official X account stating, “The house where Mahakavi Bharathiyar was born, in Ettayapuram, Thoothukudi district, has collapsed without proper maintenance. On 12 August 2023, during my ‘En Mann En Makkal’ yatra, I had the privilege of visiting this historic house where Mahakavi was born. I could still feel the revolutionary spirit of Mahakavi within its walls. I strongly condemn the DMK government for not maintaining such a significant site and deteriorated it to the point of collapse today. While they waste hundreds of crores on in vain to install statues of individuals with no connection to Tamil Nadu, does the DMK government have no intention of preserving the birthplace of Mahakavi Bharathiyar, one of the greatest symbols of the Tamil language?”
தூத்துக்குடி மாவட்டம் எட்டயபுரத்தில், மகாகவி பாரதியார் பிறந்த வீடு, முறையான பராமரிப்பு இல்லாமல் இடிந்திருக்கிறது. கடந்த 2023 ஆம் ஆண்டு ஆகஸ்ட் மாதம் 12 அன்று, என் மண் என் மக்கள் பயணத்தின்போது, மகாகவி பிறந்த இல்லத்தைத் தரிசிக்கும் பாக்கியம் எனக்குக் கிடைத்தது. மகாகவியின் புரட்சி… pic.twitter.com/pdzsUsRo58
In a move to celebrate Maharashtra’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage, Sony Marathi unveiled “Kon Honar Maharashtracha Ladka Kirtankar,” India’s first-ever reality show dedicated to the art of Kirtan.
The show was officially launched in a grand ceremony by the Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, who also unveiled the iconic Veena-shaped trophy, symbolizing the deep-rooted tradition of devotional music.
The show, set to premiere on April 1, 2025, offers a landmark platform to revive and honor the age-old practice of Kirtan, providing a fresh and engaging stage for spiritual music enthusiasts across the nation.
Speaking at the occasion, Devendra Fadnavis, stated, “Maharashtra’s rich spiritual heritage has always been its strength—and Kirtan is at the heart of that legacy. It has educated, uplifted, and united generations through devotion and storytelling. I commend Sony Marathi for creating a platform that honours this tradition while bringing it to a new generation. Kon Honar Maharashtracha Ladka Kirtankar is not just a show but a cultural movement that will keep our sacred legacy alive and thriving.”
With 108 contestants representing all 36 districts of Maharashtra, the show serves as a heartfelt tribute to the timeless tradition of spiritual storytelling—an art form that has echoed through generations. Among others who attended the unveiling event in Mumbai were Gaurav Banerjee, MD & CEO of Sony Pictures Networks India, along with prominent figures from the Kirtan community. The launch event, held as a devotional evening, featured a captivating Kirtan performance by Avadhoot Sudhir Gandhi.
The judges—H.B.P. Radhatai Sanap and H.B.P. Jagannath Maharaj Patil—were honored for their significant contributions to the Kirtan tradition. H.B.P. Radhatai Sanap has elevated the Mahasangvi Sansthan by using her kirtans to raise awareness on crucial societal issues, particularly in the areas of education and social welfare.
Similarly, H.B.P. Jagannath Maharaj Patil, known for his authentic delivery in a local dialect, used his Kirtans to address important themes. The Chief Minister also honored descendants of Maharashtra’s most revered saints for preserving this rich tradition.
Attendees included, H.B.P. Madhav Maharaj Namdas (descendant of Sant Namdev Maharaj), Ravikant Maharaj Vasekar (descendant of Sant Savata Maharaj), Jabbar Maharaj Sheikh (descendant of Sant Sheikh Muhammad), Bapusaheb Maharaj Dehukar (descendant of Sant Tukaram), H.B.P. Janardan Maharaj Jagnade (descendant of Santaji Jagnade) and Gopalbuwa Makashir (descendant of Sant Nilobaray) The ‘Kon Honar Maharashtracha Ladka Kirtankar’ will have its grand premiere on April 1 on Sony Marathi.
–IANS
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A chain snatcher, arrested a day earlier, was shot dead in a police encounter near the Taramani railway station area in Chennai early on Wednesday morning while trying to escape.
This marks the fourth encounter-related death in the city since A. Arun assumed charge as the Greater Chennai Police Commissioner in July 2024, following the murder of Tamil Nadu BSP State President K. Armstrong.
According to police sources, 28-year-old chain Jaffer Gulam Hussain, a native of Uttar Pradesh, was arrested on Tuesday along with his accomplice Suraj at Chennai Airport while attempting to board a flight to New Delhi. The duo had allegedly been involved in multiple chain-snatching incidents across the city.
The encounter took place when police took Jaffer to the Taramani area to recover stolen jewellery. During the operation, he reportedly attacked Inspector Buhari and tried to flee. In response, police opened fire, killing him on the spot. Police said Jaffer had been wanted by Maharashtra authorities since 2020 and had been involved in nearly 50 chain-snatching cases.
Along with Suraj, he had targeted morning walkers and pedestrians along East Coast Road (ECR), Adyar, and Besant Nagar in Chennai, stealing gold jewellery worth approximately Rs 10 lakh, amounting to 16 sovereigns. This incident adds to a series of police encounters that have occurred since the killing of BSP leader K. Armstrong on July 5, 2024.
The key accused in Armstrong’s murder, Thiruvengadam, was shot dead when police took him to Madhavaram Lake to gather evidence. According to officials, he attempted to attack the officers after his handcuffs were removed, forcing them to retaliate. Subsequently, Kakkathope Balaji, a known history-sheeter with over 60 cases against him, was shot dead by a police team in Vyasarpadi.
In another high-profile case, Chennai Police gunned down ‘Seizing’ Raja, an underworld don who had been arrested in Andhra Pradesh and brought back to the city. He, too, allegedly tried to assault officers during an evidence-gathering operation.
These successive ‘encounter killings have drawn the attention of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), which has summoned Commissioner A. Arun for an explanation. The Commissioner had previously stated during a media briefing on July 7 last year that the police would “deal with rowdies in the language they understand”.
–IANS
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Dhanya Rajendran, the Editor-in-Chief of The News Minute, loves to project herself as a fearless advocate of free speech. However, her hypocrisy is so blatant that it no longer surprises those who follow her work closely. Her selective outrage and double standards when it comes to free speech and media freedom expose the hollow nature of her self-proclaimed activism. While she aggressively criticizes the central government for any move that she deems restrictive, she remains conspicuously silent when the DMK government in Tamil Nadu indulges in actual authoritarian practices against free speech.
Take, for instance, her recent tweet on March 25, 2025, where she wrote: “We owe it to Kunal Kamra for standing for free speech and media freedom. It was he who went to court against the govt trying to introduce its fact check unit as part of IT rules and got a stay order.”
We owe it to Kunal Kamra for standing for free speech and media freedom. It was he who went to court against the govt trying to introduce its fact check unit as part of IT rules and got a stay order https://t.co/7g85hSLNIV
This tweet came in the wake of Shiv Sena attacking a venue where Kamra performed a standup show in which he called Maharashtra Minister Eknath Shinde a coward. Dhanya Rajendran’s defense of Kamra as a ‘free speech warrior’ is laughable given her track record of conveniently ignoring similar or even worse instances of suppression when it comes to her political allies.
The Case Against PIB’s Fact-Check Unit
Back in April 2023, the central government empowered the Press Information Bureau (PIB) to fact-check and request the removal of any content deemed “fake, false, or misleading” regarding the central government on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Google.
This move faced immediate legal challenges from various quarters, including stand-up comedian Kunal Kamra, the Editors Guild of India, and other media associations which is what Dhanya Rajendran referred to her in her X post in solidarity with Kamra.
Kunal Kamra and other petitioners argue that granting a government body the authority to unilaterally determine the veracity of online content posed a significant threat to freedom of speech and expression, potentially leading to censorship and the suppression of dissenting voices.
The Bombay High Court initially heard these petitions and delivered a split verdict.Subsequently, a third judge was appointed to provide a decisive opinion.In the interim, on March 20, 2024, the central government proceeded to notify the establishment of the FCU under the PIB.However, just a day later, on March 21, 2024, the Supreme Court of India stayed the operation of this notification, emphasizing that the matter involved serious constitutional issues related to the fundamental right to free speech.
Dhanya Rajendran’s Rant Against PIB’s Fact-Check Unit
Dhanya Rajendran took to her YouTube series No Filter With Dhanya Rajendran to brand the Centre’s PIB Fact-Check Unit move as an attack on media freedom. She ranted about how the Indian government has a problem with critical journalism.
“The Indian government has a problem with any journalist or media organisation that reports critically on the government. After many covert and overt attempts to muzzle the media, the government is ready with its latest attempt.”, she said.
This certainly isn’t the case as there has never been a government at the Centre which continues to be criticized day in and day out by heavily biased media outlets both within and outside the country, including The News Minute. Dhanya Rajendran’s blanket statement makes it appear as if Communist dictators have taken over the country.
In another video on government “fact-check units”, she says that if the police are involved in any such unit everybody should oppose. But has she?
Fascist Enabler Dhanya
Ironically, she never expressed the same concerns when the Tamil Nadu government implemented a far more draconian policy in 2022. The DMK-led government, in its budget that year, announced the formation of a Social Media Monitoring Centre under the police department, which was tasked with ‘battling fake news and misinformation on social media platforms.’ Over 200 officials and police personnel were deputed to track and take action against posts deemed unfavorable to the government.
Unlike the central government’s fact-checking mechanism, which was at least subject to legal scrutiny, Tamil Nadu’s Social Media Monitoring Centre functioned with unchecked power. Predictably, this ‘monitoring’ system was used to suppress dissent and silence critics of the DMK government. But did Dhanya Rajendran or The News Minute raise an alarm over this blatant attack on free speech? Not a word.
In April 2022, a Twitter handle named @ITWReports emerged, identifying itself as an entity dedicated to reporting ‘abusive content’ against the Tamil Nadu government and its leaders. This handle functioned like a private militia for the DMK, working to suppress criticism and opposition voices. Several individuals faced harassment and legal trouble simply for voicing dissent.
The Fact-Checking Unit (FCU) is tasked with verifying claims related to the state government, its departments, and public sector entities across platforms. It can independently initiate fact-checks and process complaints from various sources, classifying them as actionable or non-actionable. Cases requiring action are forwarded to legal and enforcement teams for further steps. Notably, suo moto powers are exclusive to the High Court and Supreme Court, not even granted to the police.
It is a very well-known fact that the DMK government in Tamil Nadu has been taking extreme action on comments critical of their government made on social media platforms ever since they came to power.
Neither Dhanya Rajendran nor her organization have even uttered a word about the blatant abuse of power by the DMK with the police being used as mercenaries to hunt down on critics.
And guess what did this madam do? She platformed the FCU’s “Mission Director” for a podcast in The News Minute’s YouTube channel.
By legitimizing an illegal anti-democratic wing of the DMK government, staying mute and turning a blind eye to its brazen overreach, Dhanya should be called out or being a fascist-enabler.
A Shameless Hypocrite
A journalist’s primary duty is to be impartial and to hold all governments accountable, irrespective of their political affiliations. However, Dhanya Rajendran’s double standards suggest otherwise. She goes all out in attacking the central government but refuses to acknowledge the authoritarian tendencies of the DMK.
Her failure to criticize Tamil Nadu’s social media surveillance and suppression of dissent raises serious questions about her credibility. Is she merely a mouthpiece for the DMK? If she truly cares about free speech, why does she apply different standards based on which political party is in power?
Media freedom is a cornerstone of democracy, but when journalists allow their biases to dictate their reporting, they undermine the very principles they claim to stand for. If Dhanya Rajendran genuinely believes in free speech, she must exhibit consistency instead of picking and choosing battles based on her political leanings. Or better yet, she should openly declare her biases instead of hiding behind the facade of ‘independent journalism’ while pushing a partisan agenda.
It’s time that people see through this charade and recognize The News Minute for what it truly is—an unofficial propaganda wing of the DMK masquerading as a media outlet.
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India and China on Tuesday comprehensively reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas and early resumption of cross-border cooperation – including on trans-border rivers and Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra – during the 33rd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) held in Beijing.
The Indian delegation was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) while Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed the Chinese delegation. The meeting, the MEA said, was held in a “positive” and “constructive” atmosphere.
“Peace and tranquility on the border are critical for the smooth development of overall bilateral relations. The two sides explored various measures and proposals to give effect to the decisions taken during the 23rd meeting of the Special Representatives on the India-China boundary question in Beijing in December 2024 and to advance effective border management,” read a MEA statement issued after the meeting.
“The two sides agreed to maintain and strengthen relevant diplomatic and military mechanisms towards this end. They also exchanged views on early resumption of cross-border cooperation and exchanges, including on trans-border rivers and Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra,” it added. During the meeting, both countries agreed to work together to make substantial preparation for the next meeting of the Special Representatives (SR), which will be held in India later this year.
The Indian delegation leader also paid a courtesy call on China’s Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had visited Beijing on January 26-27 for a meeting of the Foreign Secretary-Vice Foreign Minister mechanism between both countries, following which both countries announced their decision to resume the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra in the summer of 2025.
The meeting was held to review the state of India-China bilateral relations, as agreed between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping during their meeting in Kazan, last October. During their discussions, Foreign Secretary Misri and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Sun Weidong agreed to take certain people-centric steps to stabilise and rebuild ties.
Both sides also agreed, in principle, to resume direct air services between the two countries with the relevant technical authorities on the two sides to negotiate an updated framework for the purpose at an early date.
–IANS
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The school education department, which swiftly sprung into action against spiritual/motivational speaker Mahavishnu—having him arrested after he delivered a speech on rebirth, karma, and philosophy at a government school—has now remained conspicuously silent following the emergence of a viral video showing a known history-sheeter performing ‘cinema songs’ at another government school event.
The event took place at the Panchayat Union Middle School in Kilkanrayanapalli, under Thuthipattu Panchayat near Ambur in Tirupattur district. The school’s annual day celebration was held on the night of 22 March, featuring various cultural performances, including dance and singing competitions for students.
Thuthipattu’s DMK Panchayat President Suvita Ganesh attended the function as the chief guest and distributed prizes to the students. Additionally, her husband, Ganesh, was also present at the event. He took to the stage and performed a film song, entertaining the audience. However, controversy arose over how an individual with a history of theft and multiple past arrests with pending cases in states like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka was allowed to participate in the annual function of a government middle school, raising concerns about the invitation of someone with a criminal background to a school event.
A surprising incident unfolded in Ilanthangudi village near Sivaganga when three individuals engaged in religious preaching were detained by local youths and handed over to the police, only to be released without any action taken against them.
These individuals were distributing booklets with messages such as “Merry Christmas. May your sorrow turn to joy,” at a time when schoolchildren were already on summer break. Concerned by their activities, a group of youths apprehended them and reported them to the authorities.
However, a police officer let the three individuals go without issuing any warning, leading to a heated exchange between the youths and the officer. Despite their objections, the policeman dismissed their concerns and allowed the individuals to leave, leaving the youths stunned by the lack of action.
