Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube
Monday, December 15, 2025
Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 712

Escalating Political And Caste Based Murders In Dravidian Model Tamil Nadu

By
The Commune
-

During the run up to the 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, MK Stalin in a campaign propaganda video said “Law & Order would be under my direct control. Those who do wrong, I am saying again, those who do wrong will be punished“.

Ever since the ascension of DMK to power, Tamil Nadu has witnessed a disturbing trend of brutal murders, often driven by caste or political motives. These incidents have drawn strong criticism from politicians and the public alike, highlighting perceived failures in the DMK government’s management of law and order in the state.

Incident 1

Recently, K Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu state unit president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), was brutally murdered on 5 July 2024 evening near Perambur in Chennai. He was attacked by a gang of six assailants while chatting with friends and supporters near his residence. The attackers, armed with machetes and sickles, threatened anyone who tried to intervene, causing Armstrong’s friends to flee. His family rushed to the scene upon hearing his cries, only to find him grievously wounded and lying in a pool of blood. He was quickly taken to a nearby private hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

The police are exploring the possibility of a rivalry with a criminal from North Chennai, currently incarcerated, as a motive for the murder. In August 2023, Arcot Suresh and his associate Madhavan were assaulted by a gang near Pattinampakkam in Chennai. During the incident, Arcot Suresh tragically lost his life, while Madhavan survived. Five months later, Madhavan himself was killed in another attack by a separate gang. Ponnai Balu, the brother of Arcot Suresh, has been implicated in the murder of BSP leader Thennarsu back in 2015. His other brother, known as bomb Saravanan, is suspected in the murder of Arcot Suresh last year, according to police sources. Currently, Ponnai Balu is accused in the murder of BSP leader Armstrong. He is the sibling of Arcot Suresh, a notorious criminal who was slain by a rival gang in Chennai the previous year. Chennai police have arrested Arcot Balu, along with seven others, in connection with Armstrong’s murder a senior police official confirmed. Armstrong, a lawyer by profession, had a troubled past with previous criminal cases, though his legal troubles reportedly ceased a decade ago.

Incident 2

Deepak Raja, a Dalit figure and history sheeter, was fatally attacked in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, on 20 May 2024, by an unidentified gang in broad daylight near a restaurant in Palayamkottai’s KTC Nagar. The 30-year-old was assaulted by a team of six individuals and succumbed to his injuries immediately. The Palayamkottai police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under multiple sections of the law, including provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Deepak Raja had a history of several pending cases against him. In response to the incident, City Police Commissioner Pa Moorthy has assembled six specialized teams to apprehend the perpetrators. As of now, eight individuals have been arrested in connection with the crime, with efforts ongoing to locate others involved.

Incident 3

In the late hours of 3 July 2024, a 62-year-old AIADMK functionary, M Shanmugam, was tragically murdered in Dhadagapatti, Salem. Shanmugam, who served as the AIADMK branch secretary, was attacked while returning home near Dhagapatty Mariamman temple area. According to police reports, he sustained severe injuries and died on the spot.

Following a complaint by Shanmugam’s wife, Parameshwari, police swiftly arrested DMK Ward 55 councillor Dhanabhagiyam, her husband Sathish, and 12 others in connection with the murder. Initially, Shanmugam’s family members and local residents prevented police from moving his body, demanding immediate action against the suspects.

Speaking to the media, Shanmugam’s wife, S Parameshwari, alleged that her husband was targeted due to his efforts against illegal lottery and drug sales in the area. She claimed that Shanmugam had previously filed complaints with Annadhanapatty police station, seeking action against those involved. Parameshwari accused Sathish and Dhanabhagiyam of involvement in the attack. Later that evening, police arrested a total of 14 individuals, including the couple. To investigate the case thoroughly, Salem Commissioner of Police Vijayakumari has formed five special teams dedicated to uncovering the truth behind Shanmugam’s murder.

Incident 4

The charred body of KPK Jeyakumar Dhanasingh, the District Congress president of Tirunelveli East, was discovered at his farm on 4 May 2024. His son, Karuthaiah Jafrin, reported him missing to the Uvari police two days earlier, expressing concern about his father’s absence since Thursday.

Jeyakumar’s sudden and mysterious death has sparked widespread shock and outcry throughout Tamil Nadu, prompting leaders from various political parties to demand swift justice for what they described as Jeyakumar’s ‘murder’. Meanwhile, the police have launched an investigation to determine whether Jeyakumar’s death was a result of foul play or a tragic suicide.

Incident 5

In an another tragic incident Jagan Pandian, the Tirunelveli BJP general secretary known for his active participation in public affairs and real estate ventures, was hacked to death near his residence in the Moolikulam area, adjacent to Palaiyankottai in the Nellai district.

The unfortunate incident took place yesterday (30 August 2023) as Jagan Pandian was returning home on his two-wheeler after concluding his daily work. After parking his vehicle near his residence, he was standing beside a nearby canal when unidentified assailants attacked him, inflicting fatal injuries before fleeing the scene. Neighbors who rushed to the spot upon hearing Jagan’s cries discovered him lying lifeless in a pool of blood.

Responding to the incident, the local police arrived at the crime scene, recovered the body, and dispatched it to the Government Medical College Hospital for post-mortem examination. A murder case was registered, and investigators began reviewing CCTV footage from the vicinity. In an effort to gather evidence, a sniffer dog named Barani was brought in to aid the investigation. Over a hundred police personnel were deployed to ensure security while a comprehensive probe into the incident was launched.

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

“Actor Vijay Aligns With DMK, Embraces Dravida Model”, Says DMK Minister Ponmudi

By
The Commune
-

DMK minister K. Ponmudi addressed a large public gathering today in Vikravandi assembly constituency. During his speech he highlighted actor Vijay’s ideological alliance with DMK.

“We were thinking about what Vijay would do, but he has joined our Dravida model by saying NEET should be banned,” Ponmudi said.

Adding further he said “He also mentioned that states should be granted more rights, and that education and healthcare should be under state jurisdiction. He is just echoing what our Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has consistently advocated. Vijay has also lent his support to the bill brought by M.K. Stalin to ban NEET. This is the statement of someone who understands the emotions of Tamils. Whatever party he may start, M.K. Stalin has welcomed his ideological alliance with the DMK. Vijay fans should take note of this.”

Ponmudi contrasted Vijay’s stance with that of PMK’s candidate Anbumani Ramadoss, who is running in the upcoming elections.

“Anbumani said NEET should be banned, but today he shared the stage with BJP leaders. Did he have the courage to oppose NEET in front of Annamalai? Is he ready to support the demand for a caste-based census? Annamalai condemned Vijay’s statement. In the DMK, we have unity in ideology with actor Vijay.“, Ponmudi said.

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

“Shameless, Resign”: Brutal Murder Of BSP TN Head Armstrong Triggers Law & Order Crisis, Massive Protest Brings Central Chennai To Halt, Opposition Demands Stalin’s Resignation

By
The Commune
-
Armstrong Murder Case: TN Police To File Charge Sheet Soon

K Armstrong, the Tamil Nadu state unit president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), was brutally murdered on 5 July 2024 evening near Perambur in Chennai. He was attacked by a gang of six assailants while chatting with friends and supporters near his residence. The attackers, armed with machetes and sickles, threatened anyone who tried to intervene, causing Armstrong’s friends to flee. His family rushed to the scene upon hearing his cries, only to find him grievously wounded and lying in a pool of blood. He was quickly taken to a nearby private hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

According to police sources, the gang arrived on three motorcycles around 7 pm, carried out the attack, and fled before supporters could respond. Senior police officials including Deputy Commissioner I Eswaran and Assistant Commissioner Praveen Kumar visited the crime scene. A special investigative team under Sembium Inspector of Police Chiranjeevi has been formed to apprehend the suspects, and security in the area has been tightened to prevent further violence.

The police are exploring the possibility of a rivalry with a criminal from North Chennai, currently incarcerated, as a motive for the murder. In August 2023, Arcot Suresh and his associate Madhavan were assaulted by a gang near Pattinampakkam in Chennai. During the incident, Arcot Suresh tragically lost his life, while Madhavan survived. Five months later, Madhavan himself was killed in another attack by a separate gang. Ponnai Balu, the brother of Arcot Suresh, has been implicated in the murder of BSP leader Thennarsu back in 2015. His other brother, known as bomb Saravanan, is suspected in the murder of Arcot Suresh last year, according to police sources. Currently, Ponnai Balu is accused in the murder of BSP leader Armstrong. He is the sibling of Arcot Suresh, a notorious criminal who was slain by a rival gang in Chennai the previous year. Chennai police have arrested Arcot Balu, along with seven others, in connection with Armstrong’s murder a senior police official confirmed.

Armstrong, a lawyer by profession, had a troubled past with previous criminal cases, though his legal troubles reportedly ceased a decade ago. He rose to prominence through his association with former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, organizing rallies in Chennai and establishing himself as a prominent Dalit leader despite the BSP’s limited influence in Tamil Nadu.

As news came of his murder, his supporters flocked to the streets and slammed the DMK government over crumbling law and order in the state.

In a viral video, a supporter of Armstrong can be heard lashing out at MK Stalin saying “You shameless Stalin!” Another supporter can be heard using vulgar Tamil slangs against the Chief Minister.

“What is the intelligence department doing?”, asks another.

In this regard, Mayawati the National President of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and a four time Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh condemned the incident in her X official account stated, “The gruesome killing of Mr. K. Armstrong, Tamil Nadu state Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) president, outside his Chennai house is highly deplorable and condemnable. An advocate by profession, he was known as a strong Dalit voice in the state. The state Govt. must punish the guilty.”

In response to the murder, Tamil Nadu BJP chief Annamalai condemned the incident, criticizing the law and order situation under the DMK government led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. He expressed shock at Armstrong’s killing and questioned the moral responsibility of the Chief Minister in light of escalating violence in the state over the past three years.

Annamalai in his official X account stated, “Deeply shocked by the news of the brutal murder of the State President of the Bahujan Samaj Party, Thiru Armstrong avl, in Chennai today. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family & the cadres of the Bahujan Samaj Party at this time. Violence & brutality has no place in our society but has become a norm in TN in the last 3 years under the DMK regime. Having left the law & order of the State in shatters, Thiru @mkstalin should ask himself if he has the moral responsibility to continue as the CM of the State.”

The brutal murder has deeply affected society, especially the party workers and supporters, leading to significant protests outside Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital in Chennai. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) workers and supporters have blocked Poonamallee High Road, causing traffic congestion, as they demand a CBI investigation into the killing of their state president, Armstrong. He was fatally attacked by an unidentified group of six individuals near his home in Perambur, Chennai. Police efforts are currently focused on locating the perpetrators.

In this regard the Greater Chennai Police have said that, “Armstrong, State President, Bahujan Samaj Party was assaulted by unknown persons with knives at Venugopal Samy Kovil Street, Perambur in Sembium Police station limits, due to previous enmity. He was admitted to the hospital for treatment but succumbed to injuries. 10 teams led by Tr. Asra Garg IPS ACoP North have been formed immediately and traced 8 accused within hours of the incident and arrested them. Police are investigating.”

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

The Ancient Origins Of Shri Jagannath: From Nilamadhav To Kantilo’s Sacred Legacy

By
Surya Sarathi Roy
- 
Image Source: Wikipedia

The origin of Shri Jagannath & especially his unique iconography is shrouded in mystery. Three ancient texts – Skanda Puran, Bamdeva Samhita, Markendya Puran & Niladri Mahodaya are considered to be the most important ancient texts for the study of Shri Jagannath. However, only a few are aware of Shri Jagannath’s connection back to Lord Neelmadhav & Sri Krishna’s demise towards the end of Dwapar Yug.

Exactly 36 years after the Kurukshetra War somewhere between 3100 BC- 3300BC, both Yudhistir & Sri Krishna saw the cosmic movements & planetary position changes coupled with a Comet explosion in the Sky which was an indicator to them of the imminent destruction that was coming up. While for Samrat Yudhistir he saw signs of Kali Yug stepping in, Sri Krishna remembered the curse of Gandhari & the ensuing annihilation of the Yadava’s that was foretold.

Yudhistir dispatched the Master Archer Arjun towards Dwarka & Sri Krishna went to a solitary place near Prabhas. As fate would have it Sri Krishna had left his mortal body before Arjun could have reached. While Arjuna had received the last orders of Keshav that he should escort the civilians of Dwarka out of the Walled City inside the Sea to a safe place & burn his body near Prabhas (Ban Ganga), to his utter dismay Arjuna couldn’t cremate the naval portion of Sri Krishna, which floated across the Sea as per the divine instructions towards the east coast. Here it was the tribal king Sabar Raj Bishwabasu (First birth – Bali, second Birth Jara the hunter & now the tribal chief) who located this Bramha Bastu (Sri Krishna’s Navel) & placed it in a Tiger Cave atop a dense jungle.

This is the present-day Kantilo. This Bramha Bastu assumed the shape of Shri Neel Madhava which was then worshipped by the Gods & Sabar King from then onwards. Madhav popular as the reincarnation of Sri Hari Vishnu has been worshipped since ancient times in the four regions of Odisha (Uddro Desh – Skand Puran) namely,

  1. Prachi Valley
  2. Mahanadi Valley
  3. Baitarani Valley and
  4. Rushikulya Valley

The worship of Madhava was immensely popular in the Mahanadi Valley & also patronized by the Kings of those regions. The fabrication of the Nilamadhav Temples in the Mahanadi Valley was manifested in the most important Nayagarh District & Kantilo as a town.
The beauty of Kantilo is absolutely fascinating one that of a Tapobhumi with abundant presence of hills, greenery & the breathtaking Mahanadi with its vast stretch.

The Neelmadhav Temple is located on the hilltop by the name of Bramhadri Parvat where Lord Bramha had prayed to Lord Nilamadhav for his resurrection & offered his Yagna. Major findings indicate that Kantilo was the abode of the primeval Lord Nilamadhava where Vaishanavism & Shaivisim both grew up together. This is further corroborated by the presence of a Kashi Vishwanath replica inside the Nilamadhava Temple.

It is widely & strongly believed that the Tiger Cave where Tribal King Sabaraj Bishwabasu worshipped the four-armed Lord Nilamadhav is located here at the Bramhadri hilltop overlooking the beautiful Mahanadi that touches its feet. Evidence & artifacts found indicate the emergence of Madhav Worship in Kantilo & adjoining areas of Mahanadi Valley from the 4th Century AD to the 14th Century AD.
Of all ancient places, Kantilo was popularly designated as Padmakhestra & Darubramha Khestra. Because the term Nilamadhava has the assimilation of three deities & can be broken up into Nila+ Ma+ Dhava which means Nila = Lord Jagannath (The creator of the Blue (Nila) earth & Sky, Ma = Subhadhra & Dhava = The white dress holder Lord Balabhadra.

The most important festival of Sri Neelmadhav is on Kartik Purnima when he is accorded the Sunabesh or the Golden Attire, also known as the Raj Rajeshwar Besh. Interestingly, the residents of Kantilo town & the adjoining villages are the descendants of either the Vidyapatis clan of Brahmins (one who discovered Sri Nilamadhav) or of the tribal lord Sabaraj Bishwabasu. This is evident from their way of living in the villages & the customs they follow.

One must remember to take a bath in the Mahanadi before visiting Sri Nilamadhava Temple as it is said in the Skanda Puran & Markendya Puran that Uddro desh has two major holy water bodies, the Mahanadi & the Mahadodhi ( Sea in Puri). One of the versions as detailed by the Shaunak Munigan, popularly known as the Shaunakadi shows the 4 super knowledgeable adolescent sons & yogis of Bramha – Sanat, Sanatan, Sananadan & Sanatkumar details that Vidyapati while carrying back the deity of Lord Nilamadhav went against the instruction of the primeval lord of not resting, for wherever Vidyapati would rest the deity will get fixed in that place /area, & that is how Nilamadhav got established in Kantilo as this is the place where Vidyapati had kept the deity down to answer to nature’s call.

While there are multiple folklore & legends associated with Nilamadhava’s existence in Kantilo (90kms from Bhubneshwar), the ancient & mythical environment existent over there is a clear indicator of the fact that this place is Older than times & civilizations. The hills display a striking resemblance to the descriptions mentioned in the Skanda Puran with a light blue radiant color emanating from them. As Skanda Puran states of the Neel Parvat (Blue Mountains), you only know that there you are. Kantilo is one of the 108 main Vaishnava sites associated with Vaishanivism & is a must-visit for all Lord Jagannath devotees. For here is the true birthplace of the Supreme Purush … Purushottam.

Published from Surya Sarathi Roy’s blog with permission.

Surya Sarathi Roy is a Heritage Conservationist and Indic History researcher who balances his IT career with work in historical preservation, affiliated with organizations like INTACH, ICOMOS, and IHAR.

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

‘Purananooru’ Starring Virtue Signaler Suriya Is Anti-Oppression, Anti-Hindi Imposition Says Sudha Kongara Who Allegedly Stole ‘Irudhi Suttru’ Plot From Poor Real-Life Boxer; Had Distorted Air Deccan Founder’s Story To Peddle Dravidian Propaganda

By
The Commune
-

In an interview with film reviewer Baradwaj Rangan, film director Sudha Kongara revealed her latest film with Kollywood actor and virtue signaler Suriya’s next film titled Puranaanooru was ‘anti-system’ story (whatever that means). She said that it was an anti-system story set in the backdrop of “anti-Hindi imposition” agitations that happened in Tamil Nadu adding that the film strongly speaks about “anti-oppression”. She goes on to talk about the real-life boxer whose story she made into a film titled Irudhi Sutru.

Kongara goes on to talk about centuries of patriarchy and how the female boxer made it. She further added, “Every kind of separation and every kind of oppression and division exists, and you beat it, you do not sit and cry about it. So, this is also an anti-oppression kind of film.”

https://twitter.com/videos890/status/1808895793987776668

What Is The Reality of Irudhi Sutru?

In reality, Sudha Kongara has been accused of stealing the real-life story of ex-Boxer Thulasi and her sister Saraswathi to make ‘Irudhi Suttru’ (2016) without giving her credit, denying it was her story and even mildly threatening her.

In an interview with Aval Glitz, Thulasi says “I asked her why she did not add, “inspired by real incidents” or “Thulasi Saraswathi” in the credits because my sister and I are a part of the film. We told her that we did not ask her anything and yet she did not give us credit. She replied saying she heard the same story from over 100 people.”

Thulasi further retaliated against Sudha Kongara asking about specifics of the film which pertain to her life, but Kongara feigned ignorance.

Thulasi continues, “I went to meet her about 4 days after the film’s release, she was very busy and refused to meet her giving excuses. I said thank you and left.”

Thulasi adds, “I feel more hurt because of this than the physical punches I received when I boxed. They stole my entire life story and denied our existence. She even promised me a role in the film, and she said she would depict me as the coach but I came to know about the film when I saw a trailer on YouTube.“

Today, Thulasi drives an autorickshaw to make ends meet.

 

Strangely, Kongara credits a fictional Muthazhagu who inspired the character of Madhi (Thulasi’s role). She wrote on 26 November 2023, “Feb 2nd 2016. I got a call from Ameer Anna. I was driving outside Prasad Studios. I remember the exact moment because he was one of the first and few from the industry to call and praise me for Irudhi Suttru. I just told him one thing then, my Madhi is inspired by Muthazhugu. I went on and on about one of the greatest female characters written by a man! I had made both the actresses who played Madhi and later Bommi watch Paruthiveeran as a reference. And THIS is my homage to a master film maker of Tamil cinema. This is all I have to say.”

In the interview with Baradwaj Rangan, Kongara says, “Though I am a centrist, I do tend to lean a bit towards Left perhaps, and I do say that oppression is not okay. Man, woman, animal, child, transgender, anything. Oppression is not okay, rich poor, or whatever, one person trying to throttle another person is not okay. I felt that all my life.”

Ironically, the same Sudha Kongara who speaks about oppression and patriarchy and fighting to beat the system, has done the same to Thulasi.

Kongara also directed the film Soorarai Potru which claimed to depict the life of Simplifly Deccan (Air Deccan) founder Captain GR Gopinath but cunningly inserted the Dravidianist ideology into the film – he was depicted as a Periyarist fighting for social justice and the villains in the film were all, no prizes for guessing, Brahmins!

Interestingly, the Hindi version of the film’s song in Soorarai Potru was released on 4 July 2024. Comparing it with the Dravidianist Tamil version featuring EVR’s picture and a black shirt-borne Suriya, the Hindi version had nothing revolutionary.

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

“DMK Has Kept Us Like Slaves, We Should Act Like An Opposition Accordingly”: TN Congress Member At Executive Committee Meeting

By
The Commune
-

The Congress Executive Committee meeting in Tamil Nadu saw a volunteer spill out harsh truths about the DMK and the Congress party. This meeting is said to have taken place on 4 July 2024.

A Congress member speaking to the audience said, “DMK could not win a Councillor seat or Municipality Ward seat. See how they are controlling us. They are using us as slaves. We must behave as a true opposition party accordingly. This is one point. Secondly, be it the District president or circle leader, tell me what the DMK is doing. They do everything for themselves. What is their income? What will they spend it on? How can they form the government? We couldn’t even form a Booth committee. If we ask them, they say, wait let me find out. We don’t have one. They say it is an expenditure (Booth committee), but they did not give the money as well. They did not give for the Parliamentary elections either. The District President did not give us the money.”

At this point, he was interrupted by the people sitting on the dais. He continued saying, “Let me finish shortly. This is what is happening. So, the village committee, and booth committee should protest against the DMK along with the support of the people. Only then will the party grow. Otherwise, there is no chance for the party to grow. There is no flagpole in any village or town. They cannot even save the existing Congress workers. There is no way to bring in new people too. Only if we do this, will the party flourish. There are so many parties that came after us and have grown so well, they are all having fun, I do not want to talk about it.”

It is noteworthy that Tamil Nadu Congress party president Selvaperunthagai had raised a pertinent query to the party cadres during the state general committee meeting on 11 June 2024, “How much longer do we continue depending on others?”, he asked. His address delved into the historical backdrop of the party in Tamil Nadu, prompting reflection among the party cadres. However, in response, former party leader EVKS Elangovan emphasized the importance of aspirations without veering into unchecked ambition, sparking significant dialogue within the Congress ranks. 

This stir came against the backdrop of the announcement of results of the 2024 Lok Sabha election results where the BJP overtook the Congress in terms of vote percentage despite Congress candidates triumphing in all contested constituencies, a stark contrast to their performance in 2014 when they failed to secure any seats and often placed fourth or fifth, losing deposits in many instances.

Despite this success, many attributed this victory to the support of the DMK. This sentiment was challenged by Selvaperunthagai during the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee’s State General Committee meeting, where he questioned the party’s perpetual dependence on others in the state and advocated for independent growth. His remarks stirred controversy within the DMK-Congress alliance.

Previously in May 2024, speaking at a Congress executive meeting in Arani, Tiruvannamalai district, Selvaperunthagai had said, “How long will we wait for another party to give us seats? In Tamil Nadu, the Congress party should grow from the position of asking for seats to the position of giving seats.” Selvaperunthagai, openly expressed his grievances, highlighting the 2026 state assembly elections. He emphasized the party’s past role as a decisive force in the 1950s and urged party members to aim for that level of authority once again. His candid remarks have reportedly caused a commotion within the I.N.D.I Alliance in Tamil Nadu.

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

“Edappadi Palaniswami Is A Traitor”: Annamalai Attacks ADMK Chief Over His Remarks On BJP’s Vote Percentage

By
The Commune
-

The war of words between AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami and TN BJP chief Annamalai seems to keep continuing. This time, they sparred over the vote percentage the parties earned in the recently concluded Parliamentary elections.

Edappadi Palaniswami, speaking to reporters at Coimbatore airport said, “In 2014, the BJP contested the elections by allying with several parties. At that time, in the Coimbatore constituency, Honble Meghalaya Guv CP Radhakrishnan contested. He garnered about 42000 votes lesser than the ADMK candidate. In the 2024 Parliamentary election, Annamalai contested on behalf of the BJP. He lost by about 1,18,000 votes to DMK’s candidate. So, how can you say that BJP has grown in the state? In 2014, the NDA alliance secured 18.8% votes. Today, they have earned 18.28% votes. In toto, they have secured 0.52% fewer votes than before.”

https://twitter.com/SaffronTweetz/status/1809145889212297321

Responding to these allegations, TN BJP chief Annamalai said, “The word traitor suits Edappadi Palaniswwami. The PM made him sit next to him in Delhi. But here, for the sake of self-interest, because he felt the grass was greener on the other side, Edappadi Palaniswami jumped from this side to that. The people taught him a lesson – they lost the deposit in many seats. A party that was at number 1 or number 2 position, once a ruling party lost deposit, it is a Guinness record. Even though the party is good, the people have punished the leader who is not good during the 2024 Parliamentary elections.”

Edappadi Palaniswami gave 134 poll promises for the Parliamentary polls. When will he fulfill them? He is now the LoP in the Assembly. We will fulfill the poll promises we made to the people of Coimbatore. How will he do that with no MP in Parliament? He should think before talking.

Speaking about the Coimbatore seat where he lost to DMK’s Ganapathy Rajkumar and finished second ahead of ADMK’s Singai Ramachandran, he said, “ADMK gained 13000 votes and secured the deposit. Had they got 16.6% votes, they would have lost the deposit. Today he is talking heroically at Coimbatore airport to the reporters. How can a party that just managed to secure a deposit speak against the BJP? We have secured 24% votes more than you. Despite having 6 MLAs and 3 Assembly constituencies, they lost the deposit – Singanallur. They lost deposit in 3 out of 6 seats. Today Edappadi Palaniswami is lecturing me about how to run and grow the BJP. His own party is going down. He should look at the mirror first. Please do not give me advice.”  

He further said, “I have to respond to the remarks made by Edappadi against our party. Our party has formed the government at the centre for the third time in a row. What have they done? They lost in 2019, 2021. He lost Erode despite claiming it to be a bastion. Why did he not let OPS contest? Do you know what he told me over the telephone? He spoke today about the Erode by-election. What is the secret? He told me that it was his native, it was his bastion, and I would win by 1.5 lakh votes, so tell OPS not to contest, I have to contest, did he not tell me to make this possible? This is EPS’s Erode by-election secret. In response, OPS without saying a word, respected him. EPS lost by several 1000 votes and today he is condemning me. But having told you the history, I condemn his remarks.”

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

Chinese Link In Hindenburg Report Against Adani Group Surfaces

By
The Commune
-

In a startling revelation, senior lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani has claimed a potential Chinese connection behind Hindenburg Research’s damaging report on the Adani Group, which led to a significant decline in the conglomerate’s share prices. Jethmalani, through a series of social media posts, implicated American businessman Mark Kingdon and his wife Anla Cheng in orchestrating the adverse report.

The Allegations

The disclosures implicated Kingdon Capital, which purportedly collaborated with Kotak Mahindra Bank to short-sell Adani stocks. Hindenburg’s response to SEBI revealed that Hindenburg and Kingdon Capital teamed up to execute a strategic plan against the Adani Group, profiting from the short-selling of its stocks.

Commissioning Of The Report

Hindenburg Research, a well-known short-selling research agency, was allegedly hired by Mark Kingdon to compile a report on the Adani Group. This report, once published, resulted in a steep fall in Adani’s share prices.

Who Is Kingdon?

Mark Kingdon, the founder and owner of Kingdon Capital, a US-based investment firm managing approximately $623 million in assets. His “philanthropic efforts” include supporting organizations like Harlem Children’s Zone, which aids underprivileged children, and the China Institute, which promotes Chinese culture.

Alleged Role of Kotak Mahindra

Kingdon reportedly approached Kotak Mahindra’s International Investment arm (KMIL) to set up an offshore fund and accounts specifically for trading in Adani shares. This led to the creation of the Kotak India Opportunity Fund (KIOF), which took substantial short positions in Adani shares via the Mauritius route before the Hindenburg report was published. The trade was financed by $40 million from Kingdon’s Master Fund, in which the Kingdon family holds significant shares, including his wife Anla Cheng.

Anla Cheng’s Alleged Chinese Connections

Anla Cheng, a Chinese American, has been described by Jethmalani as an influential lobbyist for Chinese interests in the United States. She was the CEO of SupChina, a media initiative accused of subversion in favor of Chinese interests. After a whistleblower’s testimony before the U.S. Congress, SupChina rebranded as The China Project, which later shut down amid allegations of having ties with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The whistleblower Shannon Van Sant in her statement claimed that Cheng pushed her to produce journalism favorable to China.

She also stated that Cheng instructed Van Sant to promote a book by Peter Walker, an American consultant favored by Chinese state media. Additionally, Cheng informed the staff about a tip from the China Association for Science and Technology regarding a Chinese scientist allegedly being wrongly investigated in the U.S. Cheng told her staff, “We have to protect him.” Van Sant believed that Cheng’s instructions were influenced by her connections with Chinese organizations and interests. Van Sant was fired the same day she expressed discomfort about Cheng’s instructions, which she felt compromised journalistic integrity.Cheng’s push to promote certain content was also linked to fundraising efforts, aiming to gain support from donors and readers.

Key Questions And Concerns

Jethmalani raised several pressing issues that he believes need thorough investigation:

– How the Kingdons were introduced to KMIL? What due diligence was conducted by KMIL regarding the Kingdons, and whether KMIL participated in the short sell as a principal?

– Were Indian politicians, businessmen, and financial intermediaries who assisted Hindenburg in preparing and publishing the report were aware of the short-selling motives and whether they benefitted financially from this scheme?

– Did KMIL and the involved Indian actors knew about the alleged Chinese connection behind Hindenburg?

The allegations suggest that the Kingdons, particularly Anla Cheng, with her purported connections to Chinese lobbying efforts, orchestrated a significant financial maneuver to undermine the Adani Group. Jethmalani accused them of not only eroding the market cap of Adani but also financially devastating numerous Indian retail investors. He insinuated that these actions were designed to advance Chinese strategic interests by crippling an Indian corporate competitor that had outperformed Chinese state enterprises in various international projects.

Jethmalani emphasized the need for SEBI to scrutinize the connections and financial transactions involved, particularly the roles of KMIL and other Indian participants in the short-selling strategy.

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

“Stalin Appointed Me As He Knew A Vanniyar MLA From Here Would Get Votes”: DMK MLA Says, Critics Call Out Dravidian Model Duplicity

By
The Commune
-

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) which boasts its commitment to the ideals of Periyar emphasizing the party’s dedication to social justice and equality. The party faces scrutiny over controversial statements made by one of its MLAs during the assembly election campaign.

In a recently surfaced video, the Tiruthani MLA was caught making caste-based appeals to a group of women voters, asserting the importance of the Vanniyar community in his constituency.

The video shows the MLA stating, “I’m Tiruthani MLA, DMK MLA. I was a District Secretary. I’m not someone from outside, I’m also a Vanniyar. I am one of you. Congress’s Krishnaswamy is my close relative. In Tiruthani, we run K. Vinayagam Matric School and a women’s college. My father’s name is Shanmugam Reddiar, and he used to conduct Vanniyar Sangam meetings in Tiruthani. People in and around Tiruthani used to come and followed his command. Thalapahty K. Vinayagam is none but Congress Krishnaswamy’s father-in-law. He was Tiruthani MLA. My father started a school and college in his name. Over 2000 students study in campus spread over 30 acres. My father has written a will stating that this school and college belongs to every Vanniyar living in this the world. He started it to provide education for our caste people. Today we’re running it in Thiruthani town. I haven’t mentioned this history anywhere. I didn’t tell this in the meeting yesterday I spoke”

The MLA went on to claim, “There are many within the DMK party working for our Vanniyar community. From that background, I’ve been with the DMK. I’ve been a Municipal Chairman for 15 years. I’ve been continuously winning. I was the Chairman when Jayalalithaa Amma was there and during DMK period. I kept winning continuously. They offered me an MLA seat and I won because I’m a man of my word and honest. I’ve a good name among people. Not one vote will go against my word.”

He further said “MK Stalin appointed me because he was clear that a Vanniyar MLA had to be from this area. He knew that I have this background and I would be able to talk to people and get the votes. You may think with what authority I came here to fetch votes. Kalaignar was the first to propose 20% reservation for our community. Many didn’t know this. Only because of this reservation do our community’s students become doctors, sub-inspectors, and collectors. Before that, there was no reservation. Our community was struggling. Edappadi Palaniswamy failed to secure 10.5% reservation for us, and now the courts have canceled it. If the central government supports us, our DMK government will be able to reinstate this. We have provided so many welfare schemes to women.”

DMK critics on social media called out the duplicity of the Dravidian Model of social justice.

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

“₹10 Lakh Is Too Much”, Madras HC Questions TN Govt’s ₹10 Lakh Compensation For Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy Victims

By
The Commune
-

In a significant development, the Madras High Court has questioned the State government and urged it to reconsider the decision to give ₹10 lakh as compensation to families of victims who lost their lives in the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy. The bench comprising Acting Chief Justice R Mahadevan and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq expressed reservations about the amount being too high and questioned the rationale behind such compensation.

“Why should the family be encouraged? You’re paying ₹10 Lakh. That is encouragement. If a person dies of an accident, you can give compensation. But not in this case. ₹10 Lakh is too much. You need to sit with the secretaries and figure out another mechanism,” remarked the court, emphasizing its concern over setting such precedents. Acting Chief Justice Mahadevan further suggested exploring alternative mechanisms for assistance rather than direct monetary compensation.

The court’s directive came during the hearing of a petition filed by Mohamed Ghouse, Secretary of the Welfare Party, who argued against providing compensation to those who consumed illicit liquor, citing it as an illegal act leading to their demise. Ghouse contended that such individuals should not be considered victims deserving of state solatium, which traditionally applies to accident victims.

Ghouse asserted that the State government’s decision to allocate ₹10 lakh to families of the deceased and ₹50,000 to those undergoing treatment was unreasonable and arbitrary. He also criticized the State for failing to justify why it offered lower solatium to victims of fire accidents or other accidents while allocating a substantial amount to victims of the hooch tragedy.

Furthermore, he argued that those who consumed illicit liquor were not akin to freedom fighters or social activists sacrificing their lives for the greater good of society. Therefore, he urged that individuals who consumed illicit liquor should be denied compensation and should not be regarded as victims deserving of state aid.

The court declined the State’s plea to link this petition with others seeking a CBI inquiry into the hooch tragedy, noting the distinct nature of the relief sought in each case. The matter has been adjourned for further consideration after two weeks.

The tragedy killed at least 65 people and several others lost eyesight, many are still being treated at hospitals.

(with inputs from LiveLaw)

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

1...711712713...1,706Page 712 of 1,706
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 Twitter Youtube

NATIONAL NEWS

© The Commune 2025. All Rights Reserved.