In an unprecedented event, three petrol bombs were thrown at theaters screening the movie ‘Amaran’ in Tirunelveli, sending shockwaves. The police have launched an investigation,
On the morning of 16 November 2024, ‘unidentified individuals’ threw petrol bombs at the ‘Alangar’ theatre as it was showcasing ‘Amaran’ in Melapalayam, Tirunelveli district, escalating tensions in the area.
The Melapalayam police have filed a case and launched an investigation into the attack. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify those responsible. The attack is believed to be linked to protests against the Tamil film ‘Amaran’, which has been criticized by some groups for its portrayal of Muslims. In response, additional security has been deployed to maintain order.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of condemnation from a coalition of leftists, Islamists, and Dravidianists, who have expressed discomfort with the rise of nationalism fueled by the film ‘Amaran’ The movie, which tells the story of Major Mukund Varadharajan’s heroic sacrifice during a counter-terror operation in Shopian, Kashmir, has drawn criticism from these groups. Initially, these groups pushed the narrative that the film was “Islamophobic,” a claim that was baseless and misleading, which led Muslim leaders in the state to protest and demand a ban.
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Jaffer Sadiq, a former DMK member and the mastermind behind a large-scale drug trafficking operation, is believed to have actively recruited individuals holding international driving permits and stationed them in countries like New Zealand, Australia, Dubai, and Malaysia. These individuals were employed as drivers, with the covert task of assisting in his drug trade operations, according to the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
This group of operatives formed part of Jaffer Sadiq’s extensive network, which he used to run his global drug syndicate. The ED’s investigation revealed that Sadiq was involved in sourcing pseudoephedrine, a controlled substance, and smuggling it abroad by disguising the drug within everyday items like desiccated coconut, food products, soda ash, and bangles.
The agency’s probe also uncovered an attempt by Sadiq to send three men—two from Pune and one from Ramanthapuram—to Auckland, New Zealand. These individuals were recruited to work as drivers with a monthly salary of ₹3.5 lakh. They had obtained forged IDs and resident visas for Dubai-based companies through bribery and fake documentation. However, their travel plans were thwarted when Dubai airport authorities stopped them due to a faulty visa.
The ED has filed a charge sheet against Jaffer Sadiq and 11 others, including his family members, film director Ameer, and eight companies used for laundering illicit proceeds. Investigators discovered cash deposits totaling ₹30 crore linked to entities controlled by Sadiq, which were funneled into the film industry through JSM Pictures and other businesses. Additionally, the ED has provisionally seized assets worth ₹55.3 crore, including properties and vehicles belonging to Sadiq and his associates.
From 2014 to 2024, Jaffer Sadiq used six front companies based in Delhi, Trichy, and Chennai to export 237 shipments of pseudoephedrine and ketamine to countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia. The drugs were sent to 12 companies across these nations—five in Malaysia, six in Australia, and one in New Zealand. The ED’s investigation revealed that many of these companies were actually controlled by Sadiq and his network, operating covertly from India.
In February, during a raid at a location in Delhi, authorities discovered a purchase order and yellow stamps from two Australian companies—Linear Imports and Lovo Trading—that were receiving the shipments. This raised suspicions that the documentation for these shipments was being manipulated in India to deceive Customs authorities. Further investigation revealed that no payments were made by these Australian firms, which strengthened the case against the trafficking operation.
The front companies, set up under the names of Sadiq’s associates—many of whom worked as casual laborers, auto drivers, or film extras—were used to launder the proceeds from the drug trade. Bank accounts in the names of these individuals were used for day-to-day financial transactions and to launder the drug money.
The investigation revealed that six Indian front companies were established under the names of Sadiq’s proxies, including Ashok Kumar, Mujeepur Rahman, Mukesh PU, and Sathanantham, who were employed as daily wage laborers, auto drivers, and film extras. These firms’ bank accounts, which were used for routine expenses and laundering cash derived from drug transactions, were also registered under their names.
The drugs, sourced by Jaffer Sadiq and his brothers, Saleem and Mydeen Gani, were initially transported from Chennai or Tiruchy to Delhi by train, disguised as cargo labeled as ragi or other food items. From Delhi, Mumbai, or Chennai, the drugs were then shipped internationally by air, the ED’s investigation concluded.
Tamil Nadu: A Key Transit Hub for International Methamphetamine Smuggling
Tamil Nadu has emerged as a significant transit point for international drug syndicates trafficking methamphetamine and its precursor, pseudoephedrine, to countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Australia, where there is a high demand for these substances, according to Indian investigators.
Rise In Methamphetamine Seizures
Recent data from the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Chennai highlights a sharp rise in the seizures of methamphetamine headed for Sri Lanka. The NCB’s seizures jumped from 12 kg in 2021 to 66 kg in 2022, and to 81 kg in 2023, signaling a notable increase in transnational meth trafficking. In 2024 alone, both the NCB and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Chennai have confiscated 57 kg of the drug, with an estimated street value of ₹360 crore across just four major cases. All of these seizures involved methamphetamine sourced from Myanmar and smuggled en route to Sri Lanka. The latest seizure occurred last week when the DRI confiscated 10 kg of meth, leading to the arrest of six individuals and the dismantling of an international drug syndicate.
Methamphetamine trafficking is a highly lucrative illegal business, with prices varying significantly depending on the location. In Manipur, meth costs between ₹50,000 and ₹1,00,000 per kilogram, while in Chennai, the price reaches around ₹7 lakh per kilogram. However, the street value of the drug multiplies substantially in countries like Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The NCB estimates that methamphetamine can fetch up to ₹10 crore per kilogram in these markets, while the DRI values it at approximately ₹5 crore per kilogram in international trade.
Investigations reveal that methamphetamine is primarily sourced from Myanmar, part of the notorious Golden Triangle region known for producing large quantities of illicit drugs. The narcotic is then smuggled across the border into Manipur and subsequently transported to Tamil Nadu via human carriers who travel by train.
After entering Tamil Nadu, the methamphetamine is moved to coastal towns like Rameswaram, Thoothukudi, and Nagapattinam via bus, train, or car, often in specially concealed compartments designed to evade detection. From these towns, the drugs are transported to Sri Lanka via mid-sea transfers, often coordinated with fishing boats crossing the porous maritime border.
According to law enforcement, trafficking syndicates heavily rely on Sri Lankan Tamils residing in Tamil Nadu, particularly in cities and refugee camps, to help coordinate and execute the smuggling operations. Locals from Manipur also play an important role in navigating the trade routes, and this particular smuggling network has reportedly expanded over the past five years.
Local Connections And Cross-Border Networks
A closer look at some of the recent arrests sheds light on how the trafficking networks operate. For instance, an individual arrested in Chennai’s Koyambedu area, a major wholesale market, was found to be a vegetable trader with established business links to Sri Lanka. In another recent DRI seizure, one of the arrested individuals was a Tamil man who had lived in Manipur before moving to Tamil Nadu, illustrating the cross-border nature of the syndicate’s operations.
Moreh, a town located near the India-Myanmar border in Manipur, has become a key focal point in the drug trade. The town is home to a sizable Tamil community, and investigators have linked some individuals from Moreh to drug syndicates operating in Red Hills, Chennai. In 2023, the NCB arrested three Tamils from Imphal in a 4 kg methamphetamine seizure in Tamil Nadu, which later led to a much larger 11 kg seizure in Manipur—the agency’s largest of the year.
The Role Of Sri Lankan Tamils And Manipur Locals
Drug syndicates involved in methamphetamine trafficking often rely on Sri Lankan Tamils for logistical support, especially when it comes to coordinating mid-sea transfers and managing hawala-based financial transactions. Their familiarity with maritime routes and the coastal regions of both Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka makes them invaluable to these operations. Locals from Manipur also play a crucial role in helping syndicates navigate the complex and often treacherous trade routes that run along India’s northeastern border.
While Tamil Nadu serves as a key transit hub for methamphetamine, officials note that the consumption of meth within the state remains relatively low. Those seeking high-end drugs in Tamil Nadu are more likely to prefer substances like cocaine or LSD, rather than methamphetamine. Despite this, the state’s role as a major trafficking corridor for international drug syndicates highlights its increasing involvement in the global narcotics trade, which continues to expand despite ongoing enforcement efforts.
Earlier reports had also pointed to Tamil Nadu’s growing role as a critical location for the transshipment of illegal narcotics. Investigations over the past few years have increasingly focused on the state’s coastal routes and border areas, which serve as key points for the smuggling of methamphetamine from Southeast Asia to international markets.
In one high-profile case in 2022, the NCB seized a record 100 kg of methamphetamine in Chennai, originating from Myanmar and destined for Sri Lanka. That seizure, along with others, further cemented Tamil Nadu’s position as a major hub in the global methamphetamine trade. Authorities have since ramped up surveillance and intelligence sharing to combat this growing problem, but the complex nature of the trafficking networks continues to challenge law enforcement agencies.
Into Jaffer Sadiq's international drug syndicate: To run his cartel in Australia and NZ, Sadiq hired three drivers who fraudulently obtained Dubai work permits and resident visas and tried to send them to Auckland.
The recent marriage of Mahalinga Swami, the 54-year-old head (Adheenam) of the renowned Suriyanar Temple in Kumbakonam, to 47-year-old devotee Hema Sri has caused a major uproar within the Adheenam and among the temple’s followers. The union has sparked intense criticism and anger among locals, leading to widespread protests against the Adheenam head, with many demanding that he step down from his post.
The controversy has been further fueled by statements from HR&CE Minister P.K. Sekarbabu, who has suggested that the HR&CE department may intervene and take over the administration of the Adheenam. Legal consultations are reportedly underway to explore this possibility.
The Issue
Mahalinga Swami, who had long upheld the tradition of celibacy expected of religious leaders, broke with that tradition by marrying Hema Sri, a 47-year-old devotee from Bengaluru, on 10 October 2024 through register marriage.
Mahalinga Swami, who became the 28th head of the Suriyanar Temple Adheenam in 2022, married Hema Sri in Bengaluru after becoming a regular temple devotee. Their relationship reportedly grew over time during her visits to the temple. Apparently, she has offered her own land to start a mutt in Karnataka’s Bidadi. Traditionally, the heads of Adheenams are expected to lead celibate lives, focusing solely on their spiritual responsibilities. While some past pontiffs have taken up the role after renouncing family life, there are virtually zilch instances of an Adheenam head returning to family life.
The private wedding, which was kept secret for weeks, was only recently revealed after it got circulated through social media. This has ignited widespread criticism from local Hindu devotees and followers.
Swaminatha Desika Swami, the srikaryam (administrator) of the Suryanar Temple mutt, alleged that the marriage took place to expropriate assets worth around ₹1,000 crore belonging to the mutt.
A BBC Tamil report quotes Mahalinga Swami as saying that Hema Sri will only look after the administrative responsibilities of the Ashram located in Karnataka and will not claim the mutt in Tamil Nadu.
The controversy reached a boiling point on 12 November 2024, when villagers and devotees of the Suriyanar Temple, a major Navagraha worship center, demanded that Mahalinga Swami step down as head of the mutt. The protestors forcibly ousted him from the mutt’s headquarters, calling for him to renounce his leadership position due to his marriage. In response, Mahalinga Swami, sent a letter to the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, requesting that the government take over the administration of the mutt.
Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam Response
Apparently, the HR&CE officials who were present at the time of the tiff had asked Mahalinga Swami to hand over the mutt to Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam according to Srikaryam Swaminatha Swamigal but Mahalinga Swami was adamant about handing it over to only the HR&CE department.
In an interview with BBC Tamil, Rajendran, the General Manager of Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam, noted that their responsibility was solely to appoint the Adheenam of Suriyanar Temple Mutt and not manage its affairs.
Rajendran further mentioned that the Suryanar Kovil Adheenam has been making complaints against them from the start. He said that there have been complaints against the Adheenam from locals and had visited the site having become aware of the seriousness of the issue. Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam has noted that Mahalinga Swami is speaking against them to cover up the controversies against him.
Defending his marriage, Mahalinga Swami explained that his decision was a personal matter and pointed out that there had been instances in the past where heads of Adheenams had married. He insisted that his marriage did not impact his spiritual duties. Despite the protests, Mahalinga Swami claimed that he still remained the head of the mutt, which is one of the 18 Shaivite mutts founded centuries ago in Tamil Nadu.
However, the local community was adamant that he leave, and Mahalinga Swami stood his ground, declaring that he would not leave the village until the administrative control of the mutt was transferred to the HR&CE. “I won’t leave the village until the transfer is complete. Afterward, I plan to move to Karnataka,” he said.
HR&CE Response
In this regard, HR&CE Minister P.K. Sekarbabu announced that the government was considering taking administrative control of the mutt, citing Sections 60 and 60(A) of the HRCE Act. Legal experts are being consulted, and an official decision is expected soon. Sekarbabu also mentioned that an evaluation of the mutt’s assets would be undertaken as part of this process.
P.K. Sekarbabu said, “Under Sections 60 and 60(A) of the HR&CE Act, if such allegations arise, the HR&CE has the power to take control after conducting a proper investigation. Alternatively, another provision allows them to voluntarily request the HR&CE to take over by submitting a letter. We are currently consulting with legal experts on this matter. Yesterday, the Executive Officer (EO) of the temple received a letter from the mutt to take over, and we are reviewing it. Today or tomorrow, the HRCE will announce its decision.”
It is important to note that Mahalinga Swami, who has recently been at the center of attention, had previously attracted controversy for his involvement in political matters. He had supported for Dravidian ideology, attended a DMK function celebrating Christmas, and publicly praised current Chief Minister MK Stalin as well as the late former Chief Minister Karunanidhi. His remarks, which resembled those of a political leader rather than a spiritual head, raised questions about his role as a responsible religious leader.
He praised organizations known for their anti-Hindu sentiments, stating, “In North India, there is a philosophy of ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’, but they couldn’t gain entry into Tamil Nadu or Kerala due to (the influence) of the Communist in Kerala and the Dravida Kazhagam in Tamil Nadu.” He also openly courted minority groups, encouraging them to vote for the DMK without hesitation.
He also promoted the agenda of Christian missionary conversions, saying, “You don’t need to go anywhere for conversions. Just do your worship well, and they will come on their own. Do you understand? I urge you to just embrace this principle.”
About Suriyanar Temple Adheenam
The Suryanar Koil Adheenam is one of the 18 prominent Shaiva Maths in Tamil Nadu, with a rich history dating back to its establishment by Sivagra Yogi in the early 14th century. Situated in Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district, this monastery holds significant spiritual and cultural importance within the Shaivaite tradition.
Historically, the Suryanar Koil Adheenam has received substantial patronage from various royal dynasties. The kings of Ramanathapuram, Sivagangai, and Pudukottai, as well as the illustrious Sarabhoji rulers of Thanjavur, donated vast tracts of land to the temple.
Traditionally, the position of Adheenam in this math has been held by celibate ascetics who have renounced worldly life. This monastery, also known as the ‘Shivachariyar Math,’ has been a beacon of Shaivaite teachings and practices for centuries.
Due to administrative challenges, the management of the Suryanar Koil Mutt was temporarily handed over to the Thiruvavaduthurai Adheenam, another significant Shaiva math in Tamil Nadu. Under this arrangement, senior monks (Thampirans) from Thiruvavaduthurai have been appointed as Adheenams of the Suryanar Koil Mutt to ensure continuity and effective stewardship.
In line with this tradition, Mahalinga Desika Bandara Swami was appointed as the 28th Adheenam following the demise of Sankaralinga Desika Swami in 2022, who had previously served as the Adheenam of the Suryanar Temple. This succession ensures the preservation of the math’s spiritual legacy while adapting to contemporary challenges.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s Political Secretary P Sasi, who faced several allegations from Independent legislator P.V. Anvar – earlier linked to the ruling LDF, on Friday launched a legal battle against him. Sasi filed two criminal defamation cases against Anvar in courts in Thalassery and Kannur. The CPI-M leader has decided to take on Anvar on legal grounds after the legislator failed to reply to his lawyer’s notice sent to him last month.
It was in September that Anvar first attacked Sasi by alleging he, along with (the then) controversial ADGP, Law and Order, M.R.Ajith Kumar, was engaged in nefarious activities, including supporting gold smuggling. Then Anvar accused Sasi of engaging in ‘benami’ deals after the suicide of Kannur Additional District Magistrate Naveen Babu took place last month. Soon after filing the criminal defamation case on Friday, Sasi said Anvar had been engaged in a free-for-all against him. “Since I work in the office of CM Vijayan, Anvar has been engaged in attacking the CM and his family, by levelling baseless allegations against me. There is a mafia behind Anvar and their deeds got stuck after the state government started taking strong action,” he alleged.
Anvar, in September, said that he met both Vijayan and CPI-M state Secretary M.V. Govindan and handed over a detailed letter against the misdeeds of Sasi, but it was dismissed outright by both Vijayan and Govindan. Sasi is a political appointee by the party as he is also a state Committee member of the CPI-M and hails from Kannur, the home town of both Vijayan and Govindan. After being kept out from party posts due to a sexual misconduct case, a decade back, he came back to prominence when he was brought into the powerful state committee of the CPI-M in 2022 and then, appointed to the key post of the Political Secretary to Vijayan. Incidentally, it is the second time that Sasi is holding the post, with his first tenure being during E.K.Nayanar’s term as Chief Minister in 1996.
–IANS
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The COP29 Presidency on Friday launched the Baku Call on Climate Action for Peace, Relief, and Recovery (BCCAP), a milestone initiative aimed at addressing the urgent nexus of climate change, conflict, and humanitarian needs, at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP29. This initiative responds to the growing recognition that the adverse effects of climate change, such as water scarcity, food insecurity, land degradation and human displacement, can act as catalysts for conflict and instability, especially in the most climate-vulnerable regions.
The Call was launched by Azerbaijani Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov at the high-level panel, “Climate and Peace: Enabling Joint Action to Leave No One Behind”, to inaugurate the COP29 Peace, Relief, and Recovery Day. The event brought together ministers and governmental envoys from a wide range of countries across both the Global North and South to develop a strategy for preventing conflict-induced conflicts and scaling up support for climate and conflict-vulnerable nations with high humanitarian needs. Through multiple rounds of consultations over the past six months, the COP29 Presidency has developed, in collaboration with partner co-lead countries of Egypt, Italy, Germany, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, and the UK, which has already endorsed the Baku Call, the concrete, solution-oriented responses that build upon climate and peace initiatives championed by previous COP Presidencies.
It has established the Baku Climate and Peace Action Hub as a coordination platform to deliver on pledges to mitigate challenges on peace and climate nexus. The COP29 Presidency will host the Secretariat of the hub in Baku. The hub will drive results-oriented synergy and foster joint peace-sensitive climate action of ongoing peace and climate initiatives, namely the COP27 Climate Responses for Sustaining Peace (CRSP) Initiative, the COP28 Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery, and Peace (CRRP), Germany-led Climate for Peace Initiative (C4P), and the climate dimension of Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa to meet needs of the climate and conflict vulnerable countries.
The Baku Call reiterates global pledges and introduces innovative recommendations addressing critical issues such as water scarcity and enhancing sustainable water management practices, food insecurity and promoting climate-resilient agricultural solutions, and land degradation and supporting land rehabilitation and ecosystem restoration. COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev said: “With a disproportionate impact on the most at-risk communities, particularly in developing, lower-income, climate-vulnerable, and conflict-affected states, the Baku Call emphasises the importance of peace-sensitive climate action.” “It also prioritises support for the most vulnerable groups, including women, children, and youth, who bear the brunt of these intersecting crises.”
The development of the Baku Call has been a highly inclusive process, informed by consultations with a diverse range of international partners, think tanks, governments, UN agencies, development banks, civil society, and the private sector and represents an opportunity to collectively amplify commitments to peace-sensitive climate action, while scaling up support for the most vulnerable communities worldwide.
–IANS
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Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said that the blunders and crimes committed by the previous government and the heavy debts raised by it have now become a curse for the State. The previous ruling dispensation created a history of looting the State with its inefficient administration, anti-development policies, ransacking the public properties, heavy taxes and introducing schemes only to resort to scams, the Chief Minister said in the state Assembly.
Making it clear that no wonders will happen overnight, Chandrababu felt that more attention needed to be paid to fulfilling the people’s expectations.
“With the assistance of the Centre, we have saved the State, which was on ventilation and is moving forward by building brick by brick,” Chandrababu Naidu said, explaining in detail the destruction caused to the state by the previous government, including the total amount of debts raised and the crimes committed by that ruling dispensation.
Stating that the people are the ultimate decision-makers in a democracy, the CM said that the primary responsibility of the ruling party is to work for the people. The people gave a historic verdict in the last elections. Chandrababu Naidu said that an appeal has been made to the voters that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) should win the polls if people have to become victorious.
He said that the voters have come forward to elect the NDA with a fond hope that the State will march in a progressive path. Recalling Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan’s appeal to ensure that the anti-incumbency votes are not divided, Chandrababu said that the NDA received a 93 per cent strike rate as the BJP too has joined hands. “This is a classic example of how the people reposed faith in all of us, and 100 per cent, we will stand by them to keep the promises made to them,” he remarked. The TDP President said even in 1995 when he was the Minister for Finance before becoming the Chief Minister, the combined State’s situation was not so bad.
“Taking it as a challenge we had taken certain new initiatives then in the administration,” he said. He recalled that when the State was bifurcated in 2014 there was absolutely no revenue to the residual Andhra Pradesh. Such was the situation that doubts were expressed if salaries and pensions would be paid on time. The TDP and the BJP together contested the polls in 2014 and the then government strived hard with the close cooperation of the people and had overcome the 22.5 million units power scarcity too, he said.
Making it clear that the power tariff was not revised even once in those five years, the Chief Minister said that the State had no capital after the bifurcation. The farmers voluntarily came forward to donate 33,000 acres for constructing the capital city while 72 per cent of Polavaram works have been completed, Chandrababu said. Had the TDP back in power in 2019, the project would have been completed by 2021. Alleging that the previous government had looted the State and caused destruction in a novel way, Chandrababu Naidu said that he never expected that a politician could easily escape after plundering the State so heavily. That ruling dispensation resorted to a misinformation campaign that lakhs of crores need to be spent to build Amaravati, he said. This is a self-financing project and about 10,000 acres is still surplus and if this land is sold with that money the capital city can be built, he said. Regretting that with the inefficiency of the previous government, the per capita income has come down drastically while the per capita expenditure has gone up steeply, he pointed out that the growth rate which was 13.5 per cent in 2018-19 fell to 10.6 per cent by 2023-2024.
Assuring the House that the State Government will certainly implement all the Super-Six promises, Chandrababu Naidu said that in addition to that more welfare schemes and programmes will be implemented. The Chief Minister also said that separate legislation will be enacted to deal firmly with the social media psychos and expressed shock at whether those who resort to posting highly objectionable comments on their own mother can be called humans at all.
“How those who resort to assassinating their own mother’s character can be called political leaders,” Chandrababu asked. The Chief Minister informed the Assembly that 300 acres have been allocated for the drone hub, while necessary land has been allotted for the railway zone. “Very soon foundation will be laid by the Prime Minister and house-warming will be organised in December for one lakh houses. House-sites of two cents in urban areas and three cents in rural areas will be allotted to the eligible beneficiaries,” the Chief Minister added.
–IANS
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Karnataka BJP President BY Vijayendra on Friday dismissed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s allegations that the state BJP was attempting to poach ‘50 Congress MLAs with Rs 50 crores’ bribe and cautioned that he should fear his own ministers, claiming that they were the ones, ‘conniving’ at his back to dethrone him. Vijayendra further said that the Chief Minister was undermining his own party by levelling such baseless accusations as he would lose his credibility in face of not being able to corroborate his allegations with evidence.
Speaking to reporters at state BJP headquarters, Vijayendra said, “Mr CM Siddaramaiah, you need to fear your ministers who are always found beside you. I want to convey this message to you.” Citing the example of Haryana, he said that the Congress party was under the illusion that they had won the state but lost. Now, they are losing Maharashtra as well. After seeing the setback in by-polls in Karnataka, the tall Congress leaders from the state are trying to purchase your own MLAs.
“Four to six leaders within the Congress want to dethrone CM Siddaramaiah. They see him as an outsider and want him to step down much before the five-year term. They see you as the CM mired in corruption,” cautioned the BJP leader. “The resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is certain. There is no doubt about it. The question is when he is resigning and who will be the next CM,” he claimed while adding that the BJP has just 66 MLAs in the state Assembly and hence won’t attempt at poaching.
“If you (media) ask me whether CM Siddaramaiah will continue in his position, hundred percent it is not possible. He will be resigning very soon,” Vijayendra maintained. He further stated, “I don’t think the high command won’t wait till the winter session. They will get his resignation before that.” “CM Siddaramaiah has spoken on Congress MLAs being offered Rs 50 crores by BJP. But the reality is that there is simmering discontent as CM Siddaramaiah and his family is indulged in rampant corruption and his CM’s chair is shaking,” he underlined. “The truth is CM himself has realized that his time is up and making allegations on BJP to save the blushes,” he concluded.
–IANS
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BJP President and Union Minister JP Nadda on Friday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi linked politics with development and changed its definition as once politics meant appeasement, divide and rule, misleading people, and corruption. “It’s a huge shift in politics,” the BJP leader claimed. During his interactive meeting with intellectuals, Nadda said, “Today Prime Minister Modi has changed the definition of Indian politics. At one point in time, politics was synonymous with appeasement, divide and rule, misleading the public, and corruption. However, Prime Minister Modi has redefined politics by linking it to development and advocating for the nation’s progress.” “We all are fortunate that we are moving forward for the development of a new India under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi,” Nadda added.
“In Uttar Pradesh, after 50 years, a government has come back to power consecutively… we won Uttarakhand for the second time… we won Assam and Tripura consecutively. That means BJP-NDA governments are repeated now, this is the result of pro-incumbency. The same is going to be repeated in Maharashtra on November 23rd,’’ said Nadda hinting that the MahaYuti alliance will come back to power in the state. “This government is pro-poor, pro-women, pro-farmers and pro-youths. This government is accountable and responsive. This is a cultural and political shift,” said Nadda. The BJP chief targeted the Congress party saying that it never gave importance to the manifesto. “They used to present their old manifesto in every election. However, you can see the politics of the report card. On every platform, Prime Minister Modi gives an account of the work done by his government,” he said.
Nadda accused the Congress of mocking the digitalization of the country. “Optical fibre cable (OFC) of 6.83 lakh kms has been laid. More than 2 lakh gram panchayats have been connected with OFC and satellite. In Maharashtra, 8975 Panchayats are connected with OFC,” he said. The BJP leader said that Rs 12 lakh crore has been spent on the country’s infrastructure in the last 10 years, adding that the Prime Minister has decided on Speed, Scale & Skill. “Earlier, it used to take years for medicines for various diseases to arrive in the country. Whereas in just nine months, PM Modi made not just one but two Corona vaccines and gave them to India. Not only this, India has supplied vaccines to 100 countries. The country supplied vaccines to 48 countries for free. This is a changing India,” he claimed.
Nadda criticised Maha Vikas Aghadi for halting the Mumbai Metro project, redevelopment of Dharavi, Bullet Train, Coastal Road, Pune Outdoor Link Road and Navi Mumbai Airport. They also went to court against the Ladki Bahin Yojana. “On November 20th, you need to stop Aghadi,” he urged the participants at the meet. “Congress and Aghadi want to snatch the rights of OBC/SC/ST and give them to Muslims in the name of the minority. We talk of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas and these people (Aghadi people) are working to divide the society,” Nadda added.
–IANS
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A significant uproar occurred at the Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital (KCSSH) in Guindy, Chennai, as family of a deceased youth clashed with hospital staff, accusing the doctors of negligence and claiming that the absence of medical professionals led to the young man’s death. The incident follows an earlier assault by Vignesh, a man from Perungalathur, who attacked Oncologist Dr. Balaji Jagannath, blaming poor treatment and neglect for his mother’s deteriorating condition.
Vignesh, a resident of Perumbakkam in Chennai, was admitted to KCSSH on 13 November 2024, with complaints of abdominal pain. Medical tests revealed he had gallstones, and he was moved to the emergency department that same night. However, Vignesh suddenly passed away in the early hours of 15 November allegedly without receiving treatment.
His family members accused the hospital staff of not being present when needed, claiming that the absence of doctors was the cause of his death. This led to a heated argument between the relatives and hospital staff. Following the altercation, Guindy police inspector intervened and engaged in discussions with the family, which eventually led to calm.
The brother of the deceased youth spoke to the press, saying, “My brother’s name is Vignesh. On the 13th night, we brought him to the hospital because he was suffering from abdominal pain due to gallstones. They asked us put admission here and asked for Aadhar card, which we provided. After that, they took him to the emergency ward for about five minutes. In the emergency ward, they didn’t do anything. They simply made him sit in a wheelchair, asked him to bend and raise, and then said it was nothing by giving him an injection and transferred him to a regular ward.
They placed him in the MAG ward or something like that, and after that the entire night, no one checked on him. Even the next day, until 9 p.m., no one came to see if he was okay. They didn’t check him whether he was alright has pulse, blood pressure, or not. They have done anything at all. Then, last night, when he struggled to breathe, they moved him to the emergency ICU and inserted a temporary respirator into his mouth. But even in the ICU, after putting the temporary respirator in his nose and mouth, they didn’t provide any further treatment. Whether doctor’s visit to check or assess his condition whether his condition could be recovered or not. No doctor came to see and not even single person came to check.”
He expressed his frustration, saying, “The poor come to government hospitals hoping for help from the government, but despite the hospital being named after Kalaignar Centenary, the treatment is inadequate. If they had told us during admission that there were no doctors available, we would have gone to another hospital instead of wasting time here.”
On 14 November 2024, a violent incident at Kalaignar Centenary Hospital in Chennai shocked the public when a relative of a patient allegedly assaulted a doctor. The incident stirred controversy, but the assailant’s mother, Prema, shared her side of the story, revealing her frustration with the hospital’s care.
Prema explained that her son’s violent reaction was fueled by his emotional distress over the perceived neglect of her condition. She criticized the hospital for providing substandard care and not addressing her concerns. Prema further explained that her son’s actions were driven by his deep affection for her and a sense of helplessness after feeling the hospital staff had failed to offer proper treatment.
Prema also shared her family’s challenges, including the struggle to obtain necessary documents from another hospital, SRM, and her frustration with the government’s lack of support. She claimed that doctors at Kalaignar Centenary Hospital had not explained her medical condition or performed proper tests, and she lamented rumors about her health, including false reports about her having stage 5 cancer.
In a shocking revelation, Prema explained that Dr. Balaji at Adayar Institute had initially told her she was in the second stage of cancer and could be treated with fewer sessions. However, due to financial constraints, she had to decline further treatment. After eventually being admitted to Kalaignar Centenary, Prema claimed that Dr. Balaji did not check on her and dismissed her need for more chemotherapy, further fueling her frustration.
When asked by the press whether the doctor had performed any scans or explained her medical condition, Prema replied, “Not once did the doctor say ‘You’ve this problem’ to me. Not a single time.”
Recently, government hospitals in Tamil Nadu have become increasingly unreliable, with several incidents of sudden deaths attributed to a lack of proper care, attention and due to medical negligence of the doctors. Below are some of the key issues contributing to this growing concern.
Husband Loses Sensation Below Waist After Surgery at Tiruvallur Hospital
In May 2024, Savitri, a woman from Tiruvallur, lodged a formal complaint with the District Collector’s office, accusing doctors at Tiruvallur Government Hospital of medical negligence that resulted in her husband, Kandhan Kumar, losing sensation below the waist.
Savitri’s husband, Kandhan Kumar, was admitted to Tiruvallur Government Hospital on March 10 for treatment of a stomach tumor and underwent surgery on 23 March. However, there was a delay of 2-3 hours after the operation, and Savitri later learned that a needle had broken during the procedure, requiring an operation light, and that his stomach had been scratched. An MRI revealed internal bleeding, and Savitri was advised to transfer him to a Chennai hospital, where doctors informed her that he would never walk again due to nerve damage.
Savitri criticized the hospital for not fully disclosing the complications and for downplaying the severity of the situation. She claimed the staff was now suggesting exercise as a solution, which she believes is an attempt to cover up their negligence.
17-Year-Old Dies After Alleged Wrong Treatment at Villupuram Hospital
In January 2024, 17-year-old Subhasree, a 12th-grade student, died after treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital in Villupuram. Admitted for abdominal pain, she was treated for liver and kidney infections but suffered fatal convulsions after a neck injection.
Doctors noted mild swelling in her liver and gallbladder but couldn’t determine the cause. The family questioned the neck injection, accusing the hospital of wrongful treatment. They staged protests along the Chennai-Trichy highway, demanding justice. Police assured action after the family filed a complaint, calling for accountability for Subhasree’s death.
Woman Undergoes Angio, Ends Up Losing Her Arm
Jyoti, a 32-year-old woman from Chennai, went to Rajiv Gandhi Hospital for an angioplasty procedure and was initially in good health. However, after the treatment, her arm became swollen, and blood clots developed. Allegations of negligence soon surfaced, with her husband, Zeenath, a physically challenged man, claiming the doctors failed to explain the situation properly and even removed tissue from her arm.
Initially, doctors attributed the issue to a blood clot, but later indicated that amputation might be necessary. Zeenath expressed his distress, alleging that the hospital’s carelessness had put Jyoti’s life in danger, with discussions about amputating both her arms and legs.
இவை அனைத்தும் கடந்த 8 மாதத்தில் பேசு பொருளான நாம் கடந்து வந்த அரசு மருத்துவமனை செய்திகள் 🥲
இதில் ஒரு பிரச்சனைக்காவது சுகாதாரத்துறை அமைச்சரோ இல்லை முதல்வரோ எதாவது ஒரு நடவேடிக்கை எடுத்திருக்கிறார்களா?
Head Constable Kothandapani’s daughter had fallen into a coma due to alleged medical negligence while being treated at Egmore Children’s Hospital. The daughter, aged 10, had received government-prescribed medications since she was three, and Kothandapani claimed that incorrect diagnosis and treatment led to severe complications. He demanded action against responsible doctors and questioned the hospital’s lack of explanation. Instead of a response, the child was given a disability certificate from the National Children’s Commission.
Pregnant Woman Loses Newborn Due to Alleged Negligence at Thiruvannamalai PHC
In October 2023, a pregnant woman tragically lost her newborn at Thellar Government Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu, due to alleged medical negligence. The woman, admitted on the night of 29 October with mild contractions, was initially assured that the delivery could proceed smoothly. However, by 3 AM, staff called for an ambulance, citing delivery complications but later claimed the baby was healthy and could be delivered at the PHC.
At around 7 AM, the family was informed that the baby was born unresponsive and CPR was being performed. For two hours, nurses continued CPR without a doctor present. The doctor only arrived at 9:30 AM, and the family alleges that staff had misled them about the doctor’s involvement and the delivery process.
Woman Dies After Caesarean Operation
In August 2023, at the Virudhachalam government hospital in Tamil Nadu, Kalpana, a pregnant woman, underwent a caesarean operation but tragically passed away. Her family was denied access to her initially, and when they finally saw her, she was unresponsive. Despite their efforts, Kalpana could not be revived, and the family accused the medical staff of negligence.
Football Player Dies After Botched Surgery
In November 2022, a tragic incident occurred involving Priya R, a 17-year-old football player who underwent knee surgery to address a ligament tear. Unfortunately, on the morning of November 15, 2022, she lost her life due to medical negligence, resulting in multiple organ failures. The negligence involved the use of a tightly bound band on her right leg following the surgery, which obstructed blood flow. Subsequently, doctors at Rajiv Gandhi Hospital recommended amputation of the leg due to severe muscle rot. Tragically, Priya succumbed to her deteriorating health, passing away at Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital in Chennai.
Toddler Dies After Amputation
In July 2023, a one-and-a-half-year-old toddler, whose right hand was amputated following a medical procedure, tragically passed away at the Government Institute of Child Health in Egmore. The child had been battling for life in the ICU and succumbed to his condition at around 5.40 a.m. The amputation had sparked allegations of medical negligence by the parents against doctors and nurses at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital. However, an internal committee formed by the Health Department cleared the hospital staff, suggesting that a bacterial infection called Pseudomonas might have caused Ischaemia leading to limb amputation. The parents were dissatisfied with this explanation, as they claimed that the improper insertion of an IV cannula had caused gangrene.
Infant Dies After Vaccination
In July 2023, a 10-month-old girl tragically died after receiving a vaccination at an Anganwadi centre in Tanjore, Tamil Nadu. The parents, Geetha and Satish Kumar were called to the centre for their daughter Taranika’s vaccination. Shortly after receiving the vaccine, the child suffered an allergic reaction and lost consciousness. They rushed her to a local primary health centre where she received four more injections, which worsened her condition. Subsequently, they were transferred to Thanjavur Government Rasamirasudhar Hospital, where doctors declared the child dead. The parents suspected the vaccination was the cause of death and demanded a thorough investigation and appropriate action against those responsible.
These are just a few instances that has managed to make it to the news. It is possible that many more such cases either go unreported or gets deliberately buried.
Earlier in 2022, there were reports of medicine shortage in Tamil Nadu government hospitals across the state. These claims of medicine shortages were made by the doctors themselves. According to doctors, the drugs experiencing significant shortages include Ciprofloxacin, Furosemide, Omeprazole, Clopidogrel, and Cefotaxime. Primary Health Centres had a shortage of medicines for snake bite. In addition to these medications, hospitals in Tamil Nadu were grappling with a scarcity of antibiotics and intravenous fluids, which had severely hampered the operations of medical institutions, including medical college hospitals. Injections including Paracetamol, Diclofenac, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone and IV Infusion fluids were in acute shortage in the state. But, the DMK Health Minister Ma Subramanian rubbished the reports saying that there was no shortage of medicines and instead asked people to register a complaint with the helpline number 104 in case there was shortage.
The healthcare system in Tamil Nadu is grappling with serious problems with the poor becoming victims. It is high time the DMK government which thumps its chest about the “Dravidian Model” and Tamil Nadu being a forerunner in healthcare gets its act together.
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Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh said on Thursday that J&K’s Jammu city will have a dedicated railway division with the approval of the Railway Ministry. Jammu is the main centre for nearly 20 million pilgrims, who come each year to pay obeisance at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine. Dr Jitendra Singh said in a series of posts on X, “Heartening news for #Jammu.Railways to set up exclusive Division Headquarter at Jammu.” “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally overseeing the progress of railway infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Dr Singh emphasised PM Modi’s dedication to strengthening Jammu’s railway facilities, which will become an important junction when the Kashmir Valley connects with the rest of India by rail for the first time. The decision follows a proposal by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by its president, Arun Gupta. After discussions with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Dr Singh shared, “The matter was taken up with Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw ji. I am glad to share the update that the Railway Ministry has accepted the proposal and initiated the process for the same.”
The delegation of Jammu Chamber of Commerce & Industry has said in its letter to the railway minister that giving full-fledged division status to Jammu will not only streamline the running of trains but will also create new avenues of employment opportunities for the locals. At present, Jammu is under the Firozpur division of Northern Railways. Jammu city has been the gateway of tourism, industry and other economic activities for the landlocked Kashmir valley. Traditionally, Jammu businesses benefitted from the over 150-year-old royal practice of shifting the seat of governance between the twin capitals of Srinagar and Jammu on a six-monthly basis.
Through this practice, thousands of Kashmiris connected with officialdom and work at different levels of offices would come to Jammu in connection with employment and official work. The practice of shifting offices between Srinagar and Jammu was called the ‘Darbar Move’. This practice was stopped by the Lt Governor administration. After coming to power, the National Conference government has promised to resume the ‘Darbar Move’.
–IANS
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