Facebook Instagram X Youtube
Monday, August 10, 2026
Facebook Instagram X Youtube
Home Blog Page 653

Dravidian Model: Long Queues, Devotees Slapped & Manhandled, Poor Arrangements For Thaipoosam At Murugan Temples Across TN

By
The Commune
-

Thaipoosam, one of the biggest Hindu festivals for devotees of Lord Muruga in Tamil Nadu, turned out to be a sour experience for many, especially with their temple visits marred by heavy crowding, poor management by the staff of the Murugan temples, some of which are managed by the HR&CE department. Let’s take a look at each of them.

Kundrathur Murugan Temple

On the occasion of Thaipusam, thousands of devotees gathered at the Kundrathur Murugan Temple in Kanchipuram district, with many arriving as early as 4 AM. However, they faced significant hardships due to the lack of basic facilities such as drinking water and shelter, exacerbated by the intense heat. The overwhelming crowd led to chaotic situations, with long queues and delays in darshan. Many devotees expressed concerns that even those arriving early might have to wait for over ten hours to see the deity.

Adding to the frustration, preferential treatment was reportedly given to certain individuals, with temple staff allowing select people through a separate entrance while ordinary devotees were left waiting. This led to outrage among the crowd, who confronted temple authorities, including the executive officer, questioning the discrimination.

Tensions escalated when a journalist covering the issue had his identity card and mobile phone forcibly taken by temple staff. Reports indicate that the journalist faced threats from officials who were also taking photos and intimidating those who questioned them. This incident has caused a stir in the area, further highlighting the mismanagement at the temple.

Given the worsening situation and the expected increase in devotees, there is a strong demand for immediate improvements in basic facilities and better crowd management to ensure a smoother and fairer experience for all. It is noteworthy that this temple comes under the HR&CE purview. 

Siruvapuri Murugan Temple

A few transgender devotees who had been on a vow to visit the temple had been using the VIP path for the past few weeks while carrying out their vow. Since yesterday was Thaipoosam, the VIP path was reserved for VIPs and politicians, so these devotees chose the VIP path as usual, and were allegedly manhandled by the police personnel. One of them stated that she had recently undergone an implant surgery and yet the police pushed her and developed chest pain. Another transgender who was with the victim questioned the police as to why they behaved so but received no response. When questioned why they went on the VIP path instead of the common path, they said they felt uncomfortable among the crowd since they were transgenders.

Police alleged that they were indulging in begging which the transgenders refused saying they were involved in a tailoring business and did not have the need to beg people. Continuing to describe the physical altercation, the transgender said, “A lady officer came when this was happening and slapped me without any reason. But in the news, it has been reported that we were begging the people, asking them for money and that is why the police slapped us. It is totally wrong. You can check the CCTVs. If we stand in the regular queue, we are subjected to harassment by the general public and that is why we took the other queue. The male police officers pushed us touching our chest, how is this justified?”

Some other devotees also alleged manhandling and abuse at the hands of police officers at the same Siruvapuri temple. One of them said, “A child is hurt, and these people are not attending to her even. The police are not doing their duty properly. There are so many people here. They are giving more importance to the VIPs. When we asked about this, they beat those who raised questions. In the other place, there is no police personnel deployed and there is a huge crowd there. They are all here (attending to VIPs).”

Some alleged that if devotees paid money, they would be allowed inside through the shorter queue. Another devotee alleged that a policeman abused her and used the word “podi“.

Vadapalani Murugan Temple

At the Vadapalani Murugan temple, it was no different. The temple which comes under the purview of the HR&CE faced flak from devotees for its poor coordination and crowd management.

A devotee asked, “Do they know that it is a festival day only today? Shouldn’t safety measures be taken properly? The crowd is crushing an infant. An old person is fainting because of the heat and crowd, there is no water or any other facilities. There is absolutely no coordination. I don’t understand why they are doing this. Everyone wants to peacefully have the darshan of the Lord. They could have put a barricade in front and ensured a single-line queue. They are giving importance to those who are paying and entering the temple. Those in the free queue are suffering. They have been standing in the queue from 2 AM. There are old people, women, and other poor people. I request the HR&CE department to take appropriate measures – now the crowd is less but it will increase with time.”

Women were seen fainting and sweating profusely. The devotees carrying paal kudam (pots of milk) and kavadi to complete their vow were very high in number faced a chaotic crowd and were manhandled by the police as seen in this video. The queues were long and winding and many had to stand in the hot sun to get darshan.

Chennimalai Murugan Temple

Thousands of devotees attended the Thaipusam chariot festival at Chennimalai Murugan Temple in the Erode district but faced severe difficulties due to road construction. The town panchayat reportedly dumped stones and sand on the path traditionally used by devotees for their foot procession, causing injuries and discomfort.

Chennimalai Murugan Temple, one of the oldest and most revered temples in the region, attracts lakhs of devotees, especially during special occasions like Thaipusam. However, the ongoing roadwork, allegedly carried out without considering the festival schedule, has left pilgrims struggling to walk barefoot, with reports of injuries due to the rough terrain.

Concerns have been raised about the timing of the construction, with critics questioning why the work was not planned before or after the festival.

Even during the Kanda Shashti festival in January 2025, people faced severe difficulties at Thiruchendur. HR&CE Minister Sekar Babu made insensitive comments at the people who demanded they be given better facilities.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Hindu Munnani Protests Speaker Appavu’s Role In Uvari Suyambulingaswamy Temple Chariot Inauguration, Had Earlier Praised Christianity

By
The Commune
-

The Hindu Munnani has expressed its disapproval of Speaker Appavu’s involvement in the inauguration procession of the Suyambulingaswamy Temple chariot in Uvari, Tirunelveli district due to his prolonged approach of praising missionary activities in the church events, while now being invited to inaugurate a significant Hindu festival. When the Cheranmadevi Sub-Collector initiated an inquiry, Hindu Munnani State Vice President V.P. Jayakumar walked out, citing the officer’s biased attitude. He claimed that the officer refused to acknowledge their complaints or review the necessary documents, and he warned that if this practice continued, it would lead to protests against injustices towards Hinduism.

In the meeting, the Hindu Munnani argued that the Uvari Suyambulingaswamy Temple is a significant religious site, and they criticized the Tamil Nadu Speaker, Appavu, who has previously expressed support for Christianity while making negative remarks about Hinduism. In protest, the Hindu Munnani filed a complaint on behalf of the Hindu community and temple devotees. On 10 February 2025, V.P. Jayakumar attended the inquiry called by the Cheranmadevi Sub-Collector, where he presented evidence, including a recorded video, showing Speaker Appavu praising Christianity and making disparaging remarks about Hinduism. However, the Sub-Collector rejected the video, stating, “This is a public temple; anyone can go.”

While Jayakumar accepted the argument and clarified that while only Hindus are free to visit the temple without discrimination, people of other religions are not allowed, as many temples have notices stating such. He further explained that, according to temple tradition, participation in ceremonies is only permitted for those who sign an agreement affirming their faith in Hinduism. The Sub-Collector, however, dismissed these points and stated, “You should not stop him.”

The Hindu Munnani leadership questioned the fairness of the inquiry, noting the Sub-Collector’s refusal to accept crucial evidence. Disappointed with the lack of a fair investigation, Jayakumar and the other leaders walked out of the meeting, condemning the Sub-Collector’s actions. They also criticized the Sub-Collector for failing to conduct a thorough investigation despite calling it an inquiry.

V.P. Jayakumar warned that if Speaker Appavu is allowed to participate in the procession, the Hindu Munnani would mobilize Hindus and organize a protest. The event was attended by Tirunelveli District General Secretary K. Brahma nayakam, as well as executive committee members Guna, Karthik, Kombaiya, and city union in-charges.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Part-Time Politician Vijay Appoints ECR Saravanan As TVK Functionary, Was Linked To News Journalist Kidnapping

By
The Commune
-

Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) has found itself embroiled in controversy once again, following the appointment of ECR.P. Saravanan as the Party’s Chennai Suburban District Secretary.

Saravanan has faced severe criticism due to his involvement in the kidnapping of Tamil media journalists, which has sparked significant backlash.

Since the party began appointing district heads, there have been allegations of internal conflicts, with claims that hardworking members have been overlooked in favor of those who offer favors, leading to accusations that posts are being treated like “horse trading.” The appointment of individuals with questionable backgrounds, like Saravanan, has raised further concerns about the party’s leadership.

According to a report by News Tamil 24×7, on 22 November 2022, a group of journalists went to the Nazarathpettai area of Chennai to gather news. While on assignment, their equipment, including cameras and microphones, was seized by an unknown gang. The journalists were subsequently kidnapped, taken in a car to an undisclosed location, and held for over an hour.

The report also mentioned that the journalists were physically assaulted during the ordeal. Though they were eventually rescued with the help of the police, their seized equipment was not recovered. The media outlet further reported that the incident occurred when the journalists were investigating claims of animals being used illegally on a nearby movie set, based on information they had received. The goons, allegedly led by Saravanan, confronted the journalists, questioned their intentions, and attacked them to prevent them from reporting. The journalists’ equipment was confiscated before they were kidnapped.

Despite the serious nature of the incident, Saravanan has now been appointed to a significant position within the party, raising eyebrows and fueling suspicions about the party’s connections to such individuals.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

The Eternal Values of Bharat: How Respect And Reverence Define Our Culture

By
Arun Krishnan
-

The recent fracas over the utterances of some social media “influencers” turned my mind onto how society degenerates when it loses certain core values.

Bharatiya values are to revere the parents. Mata, Pita, Guru, Deivam (Bhagwan) is a saying in Tamil. Your first God is your mother, who gives birth to you. Then your father, who helps to nourish you, then the Guru who enriches your mind, and ultimately, the God of the Universe (however one sees it, as the Brahman and Ultimate Reality, or in any of the myriad forms in which we imagine that Reality).

We revere the feminine as divine. The ONLY civilization existing that still does that. And yet, calumny is heaped upon us, calling us the “Rape capital of the world.” Frankly, given our meagre citizen-police ratios and the HUGE population, it is a wonder that we are still mostly a peaceful society.

This was brought home to me again, during our recent Kumbh visit. My younger child, on the way back, said, “You know. What was amazing was that, given the crowds, I never felt unsafe.”

Let that sink in. She never felt unsafe! Despite the huge number of men there (and women and children of course). There were no lecherous looks that came her way, no attempts to touch her. Things that are so common in so-called, well-heeled crowds in urban cities. None of that.

Women were having their baths, getting soaking wet, and changing in makeshift changing rooms formed by holding up towels by members of their groups, or under hastily held up tarpaulins. Yet, I didn’t see any lechery. No unfriendly eyes on women. People were gathered together, yes. But yet, each person seemed to inhabit their own personal universe and space, searching for something. Perhaps joy, peace of mind, or simply, an understanding of the Eternal Truth.

So how, if we are the “Rape capital of the world” as one well-known news portal pronounced us, did we not see any untoward behaviour? Nearly 450 MILLION people have been there and there have not been ANY cases of eve-teasing or lechery or debauchery or rape.

How can I be so certain, you ask? Because the outside world is constantly looking for it. Looking for that ONE slip, that they can then take to the world as evidence of the baseness of Hindutva and Sanatana. that they haven’t tells me, that it hasn’t.

Coming back to my question, why is it that so many women have been able to travel and get wet and change their clothes without feeling unsafe? It has to do with our culture. The culture of respect. We, the urban folks have lost it. But the rural folks, the ones who make up the majority of the crowds at the Kumbh, haven’t.

This is the culture that doesn’t mind subsuming ego at the feet of anyone blessing them, be they ever so humble. This is why, when a random woman asked me for money, and I gave her, she blessed us. And this is the same culture that prompted my kids to touch her feet in a gesture of respect.

They didn’t know or care for who that person was– which caste, or jati or varna or social status. They just fell at the feet of someone blessing them with all their heart.

And this culture is what the social media influencers don’t seem to have imbibed. If they had, they would not have tried to ape an alien mindset to pass the crassest of comments.

This culture is us. This is Bharat. This is Sanatana. This is eternal!

Arun Krishnan is the author of Battle of Vathapi: Nandi’s Charge.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Are Dravidian Model Govt Schools Safe? Incidents Of Staff Sexually Assaulting Children On The Rise

By
The Commune
-

Law and order situation in Tamil Nadu is deteriorating by the minute in the state. In under 48 hours, nearly 3-4 cases of sexual assault were reported in TN. Let’s take a look at these cases.

Math Teacher Accused Of Sexual Harassment At Tiruppur Corporation School

A math teacher at a corporation school at Noyyal Road in Tiruppur has been accused of sexually harassing multiple students, triggering protests from outraged parents. The accused, identified as Sundara Vadivelu, allegedly targeted seventh-grade students over the past few months.

The issue came to light last Friday (7 February 2025) when parents lodged a complaint with the school principal. Following the allegations, officials, including the Tiruppur District Education Officer, the Assistant Commissioner of Police, and the District Child Protection Officer, launched an investigation. Sources indicate that more than ten children have come forward with complaints so far.

Authorities are also probing whether similar incidents have occurred involving other students, including boys, given that the school has a mixed-gender enrollment of over 700 students.

The accused teacher has been absent from school for the past week, reportedly taking leave before the allegations surfaced. His absence has further fueled tensions, with parents cordoning off the school in protest.

To control the situation, police have been deployed, and officials have urged parents gathered at the school premises to disperse. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the full extent of the allegations.

Temporary Teacher Arrested For Sexually Harassing Students At Government School In Yercaud

A shocking incident of sexual harassment has come to light at a government higher secondary school in Yercaud, Salem district, where a temporary graduate teacher has been accused of harassing students. According to reports, Ilayakannu, a 37-year-old teacher from Neyyamali, Bettanayakkanpalayam, Salem district, had been sexually harassing 10th and 11th grade students at the school.

In a swift and decisive move, the Salem District Tribal Welfare Project Officer, Suganthi Parimalam, has ordered the permanent dismissal of the teacher. 

The incident came to light when an 11th standard student from Vellimalai, who is a resident of the school hostel, complained to the school principal that Ilayakannu, a 37-year-old temporary graduate teacher, had been sexually harassing her and four of her friends. The principal immediately informed the Salem District Child Protection and Welfare Committee officials, who conducted an investigation and found the allegations to be true.

A complaint was filed at the Kondambatti All Women’s Police Station, and a case was registered against Ilayakannu under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The police subsequently arrested him.

The Tribal Welfare Department was informed about the incident, and Officer Suganthi Parimalam conducted an investigation, which led to the dismissal of Ilayakannu from his position as a temporary graduate teacher.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community in Yercaud, and parents of students at the school are demanding greater safety and security measures to protect their children from such incidents in the future. The swift action taken by the Tribal Welfare Officer has been welcomed by social activists, who are calling for greater accountability and stricter measures to prevent such abuses of power and trust.

The government higher secondary school in Yercaud is run by the Tribal Welfare Department, and the incident has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of students, particularly girls, in educational institutions.

Temporary Physical Education Teacher Arrested For Sexually Harassing Student In Salem

In yet another disturbing incident of teacher misconduct, a temporary physical education teacher at a government model school in Kuppur, Sikkampat panchayat of Salem district, has been accused of sexually harassing an 11th grade female student. The incident comes on the heels of similar cases reported in Krishnagiri and Trichy, where teachers and school administrators were accused of abusing female students.

According to reports, Sivakumar, a 40-year-old temporary physical education teacher, allegedly sexually harassed the 11th grade student and violated her by making inappropriate comments about her appearance. The student reported the incident to the school principal, who immediately informed the District Child Protection Commission.

Following an investigation by the commission, it was confirmed that Sivakumar had indeed sexually harassed the student. The principal then filed a complaint against Sivakumar at the Omalur All Women Police Station, and the police registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Sivakumar was subsequently arrested and is currently being investigated.

3 Govt School Teachers In Krishnagiri Arrested For Gang-Raping Minor Girl

A disturbing incident, came to light where three teachers have been arrested under the POCSO Act for the sexual assault of a female student at a Panchayat Union middle school near Bargur, in Krishnagiri district.

The victim, an 8th grade student, who had not attended school for over a month, revealed to the school headmistress that she had been sexually assaulted by three teachers from the same school—Arumugam (48), Chinnaswamy (57), and Prakash (37). According to the student, the teachers gang-raped her, resulting in pregnancy and an abortion.

The headmistress, upon learning of the assault, filed a complaint with the Child Welfare Protection Center (Child Line), which then conducted an investigation at the student’s home.The Child Welfare Committee immediately informed the Bargur All Women Police Station, leading to an inquiry by local police and DSP Muthukrishnan.

Following the investigation, the teachers were arrested and charged under the POCSO Act. The victim was sent for a medical examination at the Krishnagiri Government Medical College Hospital.The Krishnagiri District Principal Educational Officer (In-charge), Muniraj, has ordered the suspension of the three teachers pending further investigation.

The incident has shocked the local community, prompting public protests. Residents staged a road blockade near the school, demanding strict action against the accused teachers and a thorough investigation into whether other students had been affected. Police intervened and held discussions with the protesters, eventually dispersing the crowd.

Other Recent Minor Sexual Assault Cases In TN

Let’s take a look at a few other cases of sexual assault on minors in Tamil Nadu.

Manapparai Minor Sexual Assault

The Trichy District Police arrested five individuals, including the trustee and senior staff members of a private CBSE School near Manapparai, following a complaint of sexual harassment of a fourth-grade student. According to the police statement, a trustee of the school and the husband of the principal, allegedly sexually abused a 9-year-old student inside her classroom after sending the teacher outside on 6 February 2025. The victim’s grandmother lodged a written complaint at 10:00 PM the same day at the Manapparai All Women’s Police Station, leading to the immediate registration of a case and subsequent arrests. Five individuals were arrested.

Salem Govt School Teacher Booked Under POCSO Act

A 48-year-old government schoolteacher has been booked under the POCSO Act for allegedly misbehaving with a plus-one student in Salem district. The accused, Sivakumar of Sasthri Nagar, Erode, works as a physical education teacher at a government school in Omalur. On 2 February 2025, during a seminar at a polytechnic college, he allegedly acted inappropriately toward the student. The victim later reported the incident to the school headmaster, who conducted an internal inquiry before filing a complaint with the Omalur All Women’s Police Station. Following this, police registered a case and have launched a detailed investigation.

These incidents have sparked widespread outrage and concern among social activists, who are demanding that the government take immediate action to address the growing number of cases of teacher misconduct and sexual harassment in schools. 

Within just a week, these incidents highlight the deteriorating law and order situation in Dravidian Model Tamil Nadu under the DMK regime. The state is witnessing a pattern of unchecked violence against women and children. Lawlessness has reached the hilt in the state within just 3.5 years of DMK rule.

Dindigul-Based AR Dairy MD Among Four Arrested By CBI In Tirupati Laddu Ghee Adulteration Case

By
The Commune
-

In a major development in the Tirupati laddu ghee adulteration case, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested four individuals on Sunday, including the managing director of a Tamil Nadu-based dairy company.

According to sources, those taken into custody include R Rajasekharan, MD of Dindigul-based AR Dairy; Vipin Jain and Pomil Jain of Uttarakhand-based Bhole Baba Dairy; and Apoorva Chawda from Vaishnavi Dairy in Nellore. The arrests followed three days of intense questioning, after which the accused were produced before a local magistrate in Tirupati.

The investigation uncovered widespread irregularities in the ghee supply process, with violations at multiple levels, according to sources in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD). Representatives of Vaishnavi Dairy allegedly secured tenders under the name of AR Dairy for supplying ghee. To manipulate the tender process, Vaishnavi Dairy reportedly fabricated documents and seals using AR Dairy’s name. Additionally, the company is accused of creating false records, falsely claiming that the ghee was sourced from Bhole Baba Dairy in Roorkee.

Background

The SIT’s probe uncovered widespread irregularities in the ghee supply process, with violations at multiple levels, sources said. The controversy first erupted in September last year when Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of allowing the use of adulterated ghee containing animal fat in the preparation of Tirupati laddus.

The allegations gained momentum after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) released a laboratory report supporting the claims. However, the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) dismissed the report, calling it an attempt to malign the party.

Following the scandal, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) blacklisted AR Dairy and filed a complaint at the Tirupati East police station. The Andhra Pradesh government initiated an investigation, but after the matter reached the Supreme Court, the apex court directed the CBI to take over the case in October last year.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was subsequently formed, comprising CBI Joint Director (Hyderabad) S Veeresh Prabhu, CBI SP (Visakhapatnam) Murali Rambha, Guntur IG Sarvashresth Tripathi, Visakhapatnam Range DIG Gopinath Jatti, and an FSSAI official.

With the latest arrests, the probe is expected to intensify, as authorities seek to determine the full extent of the adulteration and those responsible for compromising the sanctity of the Tirupati laddu preparation process.

(With inputs from Times Of India)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Preacher Carries Out Evangelism On Board Chennai-Thoothukudi Flight, Netizens Call It Harassment

By
The Commune
-

A video widely circulated on social media has sparked debate after a Christian preacher openly proselytized inside a Chennai-Tuticorin flight on 27 January 2025. The incident has drawn criticism, with many questioning selective outrage over religious expressions in public spaces, particularly in Tamil Nadu’s socio-political context.

In the video, a man identified as Wilson Maduram from Thoothukudi stood up mid-flight and began addressing passengers in a style reminiscent of missionary preaching. He greeted passengers, invoked Jesus Christ’s blessings, and quoted a Bible verse. He said, “Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ. My name is Wilson Maduram and I am from Thoothukudi. I would like to pray for our journey and also I’d like to share good news with you this afternoon. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. God loves you and me. That’s why God sent His begotten son Jesus Christ to this world. Also, I’ll pray for our journey. In the name of Jesus Christ, God bless our journey. Be with us oh God. You are so loving and merciful God, be with us we pray for pilot and also all passengers who are travelling, be with them, bless them. God bless you all, wish you a happy journey.”

Surprisingly, neither the passengers nor the airline staff called out the proselytisation. Netizens called out the public harassment inside the flight.

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

 

 

Congress MP Instigates People To Hit The Streets Against Indian State? Says There’ll Be Civil Disobedience

By
The Commune
-

A recent episode of Kapil Sibal’s Dil Se programme on YouTube has ignited a firestorm of political debate, with Congress leaders appearing to advocate for civil disobedience against the Indian state. Speaking with Shiv Sena (UBT) RS MP Sanjay Raut, Congress RS MP Renuka Chowdhury, and RJD RS MP Manoj Kumar Jha, Sibal spoke or rather ranted on a variety of topics with the guests and also raised “concerns” about “media control”, electoral bonds, and government “suppression” – while Chowdhury went as far as to suggest that people must take to the streets in protest.

The discussion/rant centered around various topics and then touched upon media bias and the alleged muzzling of dissent, with Raut claiming that “half of the media is owned by coal contractors” and that the government has stifled any avenue for discussion, whether in Parliament or the press. The rest of them agreed and Chowdhury agreed, questioning where debates on crucial issues—such as the farmers’ protests and the recent Kumbh tragedy—can take place if Parliament refuses to entertain them.

However, Chowdhury’s remarks have raised eyebrows. “When people will come out on the streets, there will be civil disobedience; when people will recognize their rights that under the constitution, we the people, we will speak up for our rights, the country has seen this before and it will happen in the future as well,” she declared, hinting at mass protests and potential civil unrest.

Critics argue that such rhetoric amounts to open instigation against the government, with many interpreting it as a call for large-scale disobedience.

Rahul Gandhi: A Pawn of Foreign Interests?

The timing of these statements is also significant, as they come amid accusations that Rahul Gandhi is working at the behest of anti-India forces. His repeated calls for mass agitation, coupled with his alignment with divisive figures like George Soros—who has openly spoken about his agenda to destabilize India—have fueled speculation about foreign interference in domestic affairs.

The Congress party’s messaging increasingly appears to be veering toward confrontation with the Indian state rather than engagement within democratic institutions. Whether this signals a genuine political strategy or sheer desperation remains to be seen, but the implications are clear: calls for civil disobedience, if unchecked, could lead to dangerous instability.

The growing perception that Congress leaders are encouraging disorder rather than constructive opposition has alarmed political observers. With India facing multiple internal and external challenges, instigating protests and unrest could weaken national unity at a critical juncture. If the party continues down this path, it risks not just political irrelevance but also being seen as actively working against the interests of the country.

The question remains: Is Congress willing to sacrifice the nation’s stability for political gain? And if so, who is truly pulling the strings?

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

“In Which Country Are You Living? This Is Bharat!”: Lok Sabha Speaker Gives Belt Treatment To DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran For Asking “Why Waste Taxpayer’s Money On Translating To Sanskrit”

By
The Commune
-

DMK MP Dayanidhi Maran on 11 February 2025 opposed the simultaneous interpretation of Lok Sabha proceedings in Sanskrit, arguing that it was unnecessary and a waste of taxpayers’ money. He linked the move to RSS ideology and questioned the relevance of Sanskrit as a communicative language.

During Question Hour, Maran cited the 2011 Census, which recorded only 73,000 Sanskrit speakers, and emphasized that while he supported interpretation in official state languages, he objected to Sanskrit being included. He said, “Sir, you are giving translation which is most welcome, for the languages, which are the state languages, official state languages, can you tell me which state official language is Sanskrit? Why are we wasting tax payers’ money with this language which is not even communicable, nobody communicates with it in any of the states in India, nobody speaks with it. The population survey in 2011 said only 73000 people are supposed to be speaking. Sir, when there is data, why should the tax payers’ money be wasted because of your RSS ideologies?”

His remarks drew a strong response from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who defended the decision, asserting that Sanskrit has been India’s primary language. Birla clarified that interpretation services were being provided in multiple languages, not just Sanskrit, and later announced the inclusion of six more languages—Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Sanskrit, and Urdu—for simultaneous interpretation in Parliament.

As DMK MPs protested the move, Birla questioned Maran’s objection. Om Birla replied, “Respected member, which country are you living in? This is Bharat, and its primary language has been Sanskrit. That is why we interpreted in 22 recognized languages in Parliament. Not just in Sanskrit. Why do you have a problem with Sanskrit? You have a problem with Hindi and Sanskrit. There are 22 languages in the country that are recognised in the Parliament and simultaneous interpretations will take place in the 22 languages and the simultaneous interpretation will take place in Hindi as well as Sanskrit.”

(With inputs from India Today)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

‘We Have 1000s Of Sarees, But No Salary Hike’: Anganwadi Workers Confront DMK MP Kanimozhi Over Unfulfilled Promises

By
The Commune
-

A welfare distribution event organized by the DMK’s Tirunelveli unit turned chaotic as Anganwadi workers confronted Thoothukudi DMK MP Kanimozhi over the party’s unfulfilled election promise of granting them permanent jobs.

The event, held at the DMK district secretary’s office, saw around 300 Anganwadi workers in attendance. Reports suggest they were allegedly compelled to participate and made to wait for several hours before Kanimozhi arrived. When she eventually distributed sarees and blankets to just a handful of workers and prepared to leave, frustration boiled over.

A large group of workers surrounded her car, demanding answers about the DMK’s pledge to make their positions permanent. Kanimozhi briefly responded, saying, “The Chief Minister will take action,” but left without further engagement.

Many workers reportedly rejected the gifts in protest, stating they had been made to wait an entire day for what they saw as a token gesture instead of meaningful action. The incident has sparked criticism, with observers calling it a public relations misstep for the ruling party.

The confrontation follows Kanimozhi’s participation in the Porunai Book Festival and a DMK public meeting in Tirunelveli earlier that evening.

Speaking to reporters earlier, an anganwadi worker said, “They promised that we will be made permanent and also said that they have given this in their manifesto. Till date no step to enable this has been taken. They asked us all to attend this event, but we are not sure why they asked us to? Are we without sarees? We have thousands of sarees but we have come here to place our request but no one listened to us. They have not appointed people, there is a staff shortage and we are working with that. At one centre, I have 37 children to take care of. There is no helper, parents are asking us what we are teaching them, with no help, I have to do everything, what do I focus on first? I have not be able to focus on anything and have become depressed, I wonder whether I must even do this work. Ok. you have given us sarees, but you have not kept your promise, that is all we ask. First give us a salary hike. We have given petitions countless times, we even met CM Stalin but no heed was paid to our requests. You are not listening to our problem. Today, we were all told by the office to come here, they said they are giving saree and bedsheets – do you think we cannot afford to buy them? They said Kanimozhi madam is giving these. They are calling it a scheme for us, but you are not giving us what we need. We can buy 1000s of sarees and bedsheets. But please solve our problems first, we dont even have a basic salary. We are working as part-time workers. When they came to power, they said the anganwadi workers are suffering and your salaries are low, they said they will be like our brothers and sisters, but nothing has happened. We are still the same. There is no one to even ask us anything. Even if we retire, there is no pension benefit. We are working as part-time workers, that is our situation.”

However, it is the Anganwadi workers’ agitation that has drawn attention, highlighting growing discontent over the government’s failure to implement key election promises.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

1...652653654...1,954Page 653 of 1,954
TheCommune
The Commune is a news and views portal focusing on social and political issues of the southern part of India with a focus on Tamil Nadu.
Contact us: thecommune.news@gmail.com
Facebook Instagram X Youtube

NATIONAL NEWS

How ‘Independent’ Is Abhinandan Sekhri’s Newslaundry? Let’s Follow The Money Trail

The Commune - 0
On paper, Abhinandan Sekhri presents himself as the face of fearless, independent journalism. As co-founder and CEO of Newslaundry, he has built a brand...
© The Commune 2025. All Rights Reserved.