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Dravidian Model: Police Cite IPL Match For Inaction On Hotel Mobile Theft; Manager Apprehends Thief, Yet Police Refuse Action

By
The Commune
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In a shocking incident, Salim, the manager of Hotel Everest Central, has revealed the apathy and negligence of the Periyamedu police in handling a theft case. On 1 May 2024, around 4 am, an unidentified person entered the hotel and stole Salim’s iPhone 15 along with several other mobile phones used for hotel communication.

Salim acted swiftly. By 5 am, he had reviewed the CCTV footage, identifying the perpetrator. He immediately reported the incident to the Periyamedu police station, providing them with the crucial footage and requested their immediate assistance. However, they asked him to return at 10 am.

“When I visited the police station at 10 am, I was informed that due to an IPL match, no one would be available to assist me,” Salim stated. “Despite submitting a written complaint the next day, there was no response for two days.“, he added.

Frustrated by the lack of action, Salim took the matter to the Commissioner’s office. Under pressure from the Commissioner’s office, the police contacted him. “They insisted that I rewrite the complaint according to their version, which falsely claimed that I had misplaced the mobile phone in the hotel, and it disappeared by the next morning. Despite their threats to implicate me as one of the accused if I didn’t comply, I refused and returned.” Salim revealed.

Salim continued his own investigation. He identified the thief through the CCTV footage and convinced him to stay at the hotel, subsequently handing him over to the police. However, even then, the police failed to act promptly.

“They asked me to come back the next day to retrieve my stolen phone, claiming there was no one available at the station,” Salim explained.

With the intervention of the Commissioner’s office, the police finally initiated a search for the stolen phone. The device was tracked to a local phone shop where it had been sold by the thief. Despite this evidence, the police instructed Salim to release the thief after obtaining his contact details.

Furthermore, the auto driver who assisted Salim in apprehending the thief was also threatened by the police.

“The police instructed me to release the accused after obtaining his address and contact number. Additionally, they threatened the auto driver who had assisted me.” said Salim.

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Misleading Claim Spread By Congress And Kalaignar News About Dalit Youth Being Kicked By UP Home Guards For Not Voting BJP

By
The Commune
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In a troubling incident at a tehsil complex in Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh, a violent confrontation unfolded on 14 May 2024 between two homeguards and a watchman, sparked by a discussion about the recent Lok Sabha elections.

The confrontation, which took place outside the SDM office, was observed by onlookers and swiftly circulated on social media platforms. Seizing upon the incident, the Congress party, led by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, attempted to portray it as an instance of BJP-affiliated Homeguard members assaulting Dalits. However, the true nature of the conflict revealed a longstanding feud between the parties involved, which escalated during a discussion on political matters.

Priyanka Gandhi stated, “The public gets ration because every citizen in this country has the right to food. The grain is grown by the farmers, the money spent on distribution is the public’s. Does the BJP government want to make the public hostage by spending a little of their money on them? Where did these policemen get the courage to behave like BJP goons and be so cruel to our Dalit brothers?”

Immediately the DMK’s mouth piece Kalaignar news peddled the fake allegation with title, “ Uttar Pradesh police brutally assaulted Dalit youth for not voting for BJP!”

Real Incidents Context

Virendra Kumar, hailing from Bahor Nagla village and employed as a watchman at the local police station, visited the tehsil to obtain a record copy of his land. Upon encountering two homeguards, Virbahadur and Rampal, stationed at the tehsildar office, he found them engaged in a heated debate over the election results, marked by the use of vulgar language and grievances about voter participation despite government schemes.

When Virendra intervened to challenge their statements and protest against their offensive language, the situation escalated, leading to a violent assault by the homeguards. Virendra recounted being accused of neglecting his voting duties despite benefiting from government programs. He was thrown to the ground, subjected to verbal abuse, and physically attacked, including being struck with the butt of a rifle. Additionally, casteist slurs were reportedly hurled during the assault.

A netizen raised a query to the Bareilly police, seeking clarification on the situation, and shared the widely circulated video stating, “Bareilly. Home guards beat up a chowkidar over a minor dispute. He was beaten up brutally in the tehsil premises with a rifle and kicks and punches The viral video is being said to be of the tehsil premises of police station Nawabganj area. @Uppolice Tell me what the matter was.“

To which Bareilly Police replied, “Investigation in the referred case found that two home guards working in Tehsil Nababganj, one of whom is HG 1669 Rampal and the other HG 55 Veer Bahadur. The watchman appointed at the police station was Virendra, son of Nankulal, resident of Bahorangala, who had gone to Tehsil Nawabganj for some work. There was an argument with HG Veer Bahadur in the tehsil, due to which he was beaten and humiliated by HG Veer Bahadur and his associate HG Rampal by kicking and punching him on the ground. In this regard, on the basis of the complaint of Chowkidar Virendra, a case has been registered and necessary legal action is being taken. A report is being sent to Commandant, Home Guard, Bareilly for departmental action against both Home Guard 1669 Rampal and Home Guard 55 Veer Bahadur.”

Numerous witnesses observed the incident, with one individual capturing it on video, which rapidly circulated on social media platforms, sparking widespread condemnation.

In response, Virendra submitted a formal complaint to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior officials, urging action against the homeguards. Nawabganj SDM Govind Maurya initiated an investigation into the matter, acknowledging the altercation and noting the affiliation of both parties with the police department, hinting at potential prior disputes.

Meanwhile, Videsh Kumar Sharma, the police outpost in-charge, indicated that no official complaint had been lodged yet. However, he assured that appropriate measures would be taken upon receiving a formal complaint.

(With Inputs From FPJ)

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Dravidian Model: Scheduled Caste Panchayat Council Members Face Continuous Discrimination In Tamil Nadu

By
The Commune
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For all the tall claims of the Dravidian Model being based on the premised of social justice, casteism remains deeply entrenched in the political landscape of Tamil Nadu.

Gauri Maharajan, originally from Muthuvanthidal  near Thirupuvanam in Sivagangai District, hails from the Scheduled Caste community, serves as the head of the Panchayat Council. Meanwhile, Rajkumar, a member of the backward class within the same panchayat, holds the position of secretary. Allegations have surfaced suggesting discriminatory treatment towards Gauri Maharajan due to her caste background, purportedly manifested by Rajkumar’s actions. Specifically, it’s claimed that during a general meeting of the Panchayat Council, Rajkumar prevented Gauri Maharajan from occupying the chair designated for the council chairman.

Deeply perturbed by this incident, Gauri Maharajan has lodged a formal complaint with the District Collector, urging swift action against Rajkumar, the Panchayat Council Secretary. Furthermore, Gauri Maharajan has expressed her intent to step down from her position if no action be taken against Rajkumar. This incident has stirred significant unrest within the local community.

When questioned about these allegations, Rajkumar denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the accusations were baseless. Interestingly, amidst various accusations, Rajkumar was transferred, eventually leading to the appointment of Maharajan as the new Panchayat Secretary of Muthuvanthidal . Subsequently, Gauri Maharajan, accompanied by 50 villagers, visited the district collector’s office to lodge a formal complaint, urging appropriate action against Rajkumar.

Another occurrence in Pudukottai on 14 May 2024 involves Manimuthu, who serves as the president of the Thirunalur Panchayat Council affiliated with DMK. After the panchayat building, which he had overseen for half a century, suffered damage, a contract was arranged for the construction of a new structure following the District Collector’s directive. However, during the construction process, it was reported that a group of individuals, including Thennalur Palaniappan, the Deputy Secretary of the DMK Literary wing in Pudukkottai District, obstructed the work.

When questioned about the obstruction, Palaniappan allegedly responded with derogatory remarks, insinuating that Manimuthu, despite being elected, lacked legitimacy to lead in their vicinity. Upon learning of this, residents of Thirunalur united to petition for the reconstruction of the building at its original location. Subsequently, tensions escalated on the 5th of the month, with Manimuthu, Palaniappan, and their supporters engaging in verbal altercations laced with caste-based insults. Despite filing a complaint immediately at the Iluppur Police Station, no action was taken, prompting Manimuthu to approach the District Collector and District Superintendent of Police for redress. However, the District Collector allegedly refused to receive their petition. Manimuthu, along with other community leaders, demanded swift government intervention and condemned the violence, stressing the urgent need for justice and accountability.

Just a week ago, on May 9th, another female head of a local governing body filed a complaint at the Swamimalai police station. She demanded action against those responsible for defacing the name banner on the Kadichambadi Panchayat office in the Kumbakonam circle.

Malarkodi Srinivasan, aged 49, affiliated with the AIADMK, serves as the Chairman of the Kadichambadi Panchayat Council. The inauguration of the newly constructed Panchayat Council office opened on 10 August 2023, Subsequently, Malarkodi’s name was prominently displayed on the office facade. However, due to restrictions during the Lok Sabha elections, her name was temporarily obscured. Following the conclusion of electoral proceedings, when Malarkodi unveiled her name, it was discovered that it had been tampered with. As a result, Malarkodi, the Panchayat Council President, lodged a complaint at the Swamimalai police station. She expressed frustration, stating, “After five decades in Kadichabadi, I hold the position of a marginalized woman leading the Panchayat. However, I face social barriers hindering my authority.”

Srinivasan alleged that her name was deliberately erased by N. Sivabalan, the Vice President of the Panchayat affiliated with the PMK, and M. Selvakumar, a former Panchayat Council President affiliated with the DMK. Additionally, she claimed that they circulated derogatory messages about her on WhatsApp, tarnishing her reputation. Consequently, she urged authorities to take appropriate action against the perpetrators.

The situation underscores broader issues of social injustice in Tamil Nadu, with incidents like the contamination of drinking water tanks and continued violence against marginalized communities further exacerbating tensions. The lack of response from authorities, including the failure to register FIRs, has drawn strong criticism from advocacy groups like the Ambedkar People’s Movement, who insist on immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens.

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Suchitra Alleges Cocaine Served On Silver Plates At Kamal Haasan’s Birthday Party, Netizens Dig Out Kamal’s Pic With Drug Kingpin Jaffer Sadiq

By
The Commune
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Once again, the playback singer Suchitra has stirred up controversy in the Tamil film industry with her recent interview with Kumudam, where she made allegations against several film personalities. Suchitra, renowned for her unique voice in playback singing and her work as a dubbing artist in Tamil cinema, was previously married to actor Karthik Kumar before their divorce, reportedly due to the infamous “Suchi Leaks” scandal of 2016, during which private photos of celebrities were leaked under her name.

Against the backdrop, her recent allegations involving actor Dhanush, Bayilvan Ranganathan, ex-husband Karthik Kumar, and Kamal Haasan, once again stirred significant controversy.

Suchitra went on to personally target her ex-husband Karthik, accusing him of being homosexual and impotent. She asserted that the entire “Suchi leaks” scandal was a misinterpreted prank. Despite her assertions, she remains the target of ongoing scrutiny stemming from the controversy. She maintains that her professional life was ruined by the incident but asserts contentment after finding love anew. Additionally, she expressed her frustration towards Trisha Krishnan and Chinmayi for their responses to the ordeal.

But there’s another part of the interview that has raised eyebrows.

Cocaine Allegedly Served On Silver Plates At Kamal Haasan’s Birthday Party

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan, who ironically advocated for a drug-free society in his recent movie “Vikram”, while remaining silent on real incidents of drug seizures in involving the now-expelled DMK functionary Jaffer Sadiq now finds himself being at the centre of drug menace. It is noteworthy to mention that Vikram was produced by none other than Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Red Giant Movies.

Suchitra made alarming claims about the pervasive influence of drugs in the Kollywood industry. She accused her husband, Karthik Kumar, of cocaine consumption and alleged that cocaine was served on silver plates at Kamal Haasan’s birthday parties.

While speaking, Suchitra said, “Whenever on stage, why is Karthik Kumar is speaking extra-wild? Everyone knows that he shoots four lines of cocaine (before) coming to stage. What are you all speaking? At Kamal Haasan’s birthday party, they would bring cocaine in a silver plates (Tambulam). Are they criticizing me because I said no to it. Drug culture is prevalent now in Kollywood.”

Incidentally, Kamal Haasan has also met drug kingpin Jaffer Sadiq, a former DMK NRI wing functionary who was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau in connection with an expansive international drug trafficking network on 9 March 2024.

 

 

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Dravidian Model: Temples In Tiruvannamalai Under HR&CE’s Control Goes Missing, HR&CE Website Shows Pics Of Shop & Damaged Building Instead Of The Temples

By
The Commune
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Once again, TR Ramesh, a leading advocate for temple preservation, has cynically sounded the alarm regarding the purported absence of two ancient temples from the area earmarked by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department’s Integrated Temple Management Information System in Tiruvannamalai.

Tiruvannamalai, situated in Tamil Nadu, stands as a multifaceted city, blending spiritual and cultural significance. It boasts the revered Annamalaiyar temple, the majestic Annamalai hill, the ritualistic Girivalam, and the vibrant Karthigai Deepam festival, making it a focal point for pilgrims. Within its bounds lie 1472 temples, as reported by the HR&CE department.

Among these, two ancient temples, the Sri Idumban Temple and Sri Ilayanar Temple, hold distinct historical importance, bearing the MIS numbers 42925 and 42926, respectively.

These temples, purportedly located near the bus stand, are documented in the records of the HR&CE and uploaded in its website. To aid devotees in finding these sacred sites, GIS maps have been made available. However, temple activists have expressed dismay at the absence of actual temple images on the official website. Instead, the pictures for Ilayanar Temple shows a hardwards and paints shop while the Idumban temple pictures show a dilapidated build at the junction of the road.

This has led to concerns about the precarious situation of smaller lesser known local temple that are under the ambit of HR&CE.

On 15 April 2024, temple activist TR Ramesh formally notified the Secretary of the Tamil Nadu government and the Commissioner of HR&CE regarding discrepancies purportedly identified in the temple MIS system.

Despite his efforts, he has not received any response from the authorities. He indicated that if this issue remains unaddressed, he will pursue legal remedies.

TR Ramesh communicated this stance through his official X handle that, “On 15th April I issued notice to TN Govt Secretary and @tnhrcedept Commissioner stating two ancient temples in Tiruvannamalai town are missing – It appears I am wrong – Not only has the @tnhrcedept website has given the temples’ GIS Maps – they have also given the “AMAZING ” Pictures of the temple said to be missing – The Temple numbers are – (a) Sri Idumban Temple – Integrated Temple Management System No. 42925 (b) Sri Ilayanar Temple – Integrated Temple Management System No. 42926 I have never seen temple pictures like these – simply amazing – Hey @tnhrcedept – Way to go – (that is…. the way to go and disappear… for Hindu temples under your control) These and more “pictures of the missing temples” are uploaded by the greatest administrators of Hindu Temples ever – THE TN HR&CE Department of Government of Tamil Nadu. hrce.tn.gov.in/hrcehome/templ And dont forget – this Govt charges Hindu Temples 16% of their income as Administration fees and audit fess – If you are not able to see the temples in these pictures – you must be lacking devotion. Perhaps this is why the Govt Secretary and the Commissioner of @tnhrcedept did not reply to my legal notice – The temples are there as evidenced by the “photos” posted by the Dept in its website. Still – I think I would be filing a Writ Petition seeking to know what happened to this and other missing temples“

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Rabid DMK Stage Speaker Sivaji Krishnamurthy Hurls Filthy Abuses At BJP Leader Radhika And Her Husband Sarathkumar, Radhika Slams Stalin And His Son

By
The Commune
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Sivaji Krishnamurthy the most provocative, hate-driven, and rabid figure, in the DMK, has sparked controversy with his attack on Sarath Kumar and his wife Radhika, used abusive double entendres in his speeches. This criticism was met with strong opposition from Radhika, a BJP official and candidate for the Virudhunagar constituency.

The video featuring Sivaji Krishnamurthy, which rapidly circulated on social media starting yesterday, showcased his campaign speech endorsing DMK MP Candidate G Selvan from Kanchipuram. This speech exemplifies the notorious style of DMK’s street campaigns, known for their history of employing abusive, indecent, and offensive language against the opposition. Sivaji Krishnamurthy, a prominent DMK campaigner, is no stranger to this, as his speeches are often characterized by derogatory and abusive language towards opponents.

Sivaji Krishnamurthy said, “Who is he? Nirodh (Condom) …. Sorry! Sarath Kumar… Even if I go to Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, it will be exactly 1 or 2 O’clock, then I will go home and wake up my wife. She has to be woken up for something right. Don’t you need a reason to wake up your wife?

This sister f*c*er has woken her half past two… this Sarath Kumar. She is sleepy, she has come and lie down after giving advertisement to nighties. At half past two, he calls ‘Radhika, Radhika’. Squinting her eyes, she asks what? If you have waken her up for something else, you are a man. Instead he tells her ‘Modi is calling shall we go?'”

This video clip went viral prompting Radhika to strongly criticize Sivaji Krishnamurthy, the DMK party, its leader MK Stalin, and Udhayanidhi Stalin on her official social media account X, Radhika stated, “Sinner! Even after going to jail, won’t you change? Those who still keep you in that party … they should be blamed. And you bear the name of the great emperor too! People like you should be severely punished. Shame on #dmk @mkstalin @Udhaystalin disgraceful.”

DMK Sivaji Krishnamurthy’s abusive derogatory speech on Radhika and Sarath Kumar is not the first time, Sivaji Krishnamurthy previously scorned and verbally attacked actor Sarath Kumar with his wife Radhika in an indecorous manner of merging his party with the BJP. Krishnamurthy said, “He wakes up the sleeping Radhika at two o’clock, ‘wake up Radhika, wake up, shall we go to Modi?’… What kind of survival is this? He says this on stage – ‘At half past two, I asked my wife and she said we can go with Modi. My wife and I came holding hands.’”

A few months earlier, during a meeting to commemorate Karunanidhi’s centenary, Sivaji Krishnamurthy not only disparaged Governor Ravi but also made derogatory comments about Khushbu. The speech quickly went viral on social media, leading to widespread condemnation from people across various spheres of life.

Khushbu, visibly angry and deeply hurt by the disparaging remarks made against her, met with reporters at her home to address the issue. Her emotions were raw as she passionately spoke out against the mistreatment of women, regardless of their field of work. She vowed to take action against those who speak ill of women and emphasized her willingness to stand up against any individual or political party that abuses women.

Sivaji Krishnamurthy, known for his controversial speeches, had previously faced suspension from the DMK party for threatening to kill Governor R.N. Ravi using terrorists and for abusing other leaders like K. Annamalai, Edappadi Palaniswami, etc. However, he was reinstated back into DMK by the party leadership only to once go on an abusive spree.

Despite facing significant backlash, including criticism from social media, political parties, and commentators, and having been suspended and later reinstated in the DMK party several times, he appears unapologetic. He continues to deliver abusive speeches laden with offensive language especially directed at women.

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2 Girls Gangraped, 9 Individuals Including 3 Minors Apprehended In Udumalpet

By
The Commune
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Chennai College Student With Mental Health Issues Repeatedly Raped For Months; Police Allegedly Let Off Suspects With Warning, 2 Arrested After Fresh Complaint Filed, 5 Absconding

The Udumalpet police have taken into custody 9 individuals, including three juveniles, in connection to a gang rape incident involving a minor under the POCSO act in the Tirupur district.

A minor girl of 17 years, a resident of Udumalaipet, Tirupur district, residing with her grandparents, has seen her physical health alter in recent times. Consequently, she was taken to a local hospital for a check-up, where it was revealed she was four months pregnant. This news startled her relatives, and upon questioning her, she revealed that she was sexually violated by 9 individuals, including 3 young boys. An official complaint was filed at the Udumalpet All Women Police Station concerning this incident.

The police, in response to this complaint, registered a case under the POCSO Act and arrested Jaya Kaliswaran (19), Madankumar (19), Bharani Kumar (21), Prakash (24), Nandagopal (19), Bhava Bharti (22), along with 3 minors aged 14, 15, and 16. All accused are residents of the Udumalai area. Following their arrest, the nine were presented before the court and subsequently imprisoned.

Simultaneously, relatives of the arrested individuals gathered outside the Udumalpet ADSP office, necessitating a thorough investigation into the girl’s rape, causing an uproar. The police, after interacting with the crowd, reassured them that arrests were made only after in-depth investigation and requested their cooperation. Consequently, they dispersed. The local community has asked law enforcement to take the necessary steps and ensure the minor victim’s safety in this instance of sexual exploitation. The reports of the girl’s gang rape in Udumalpet have left the community appalled.

A 17-year-old girl, has been allegedly residing with her grandparents following the unfortunate death of her parents. She pursued her studies up to the 10th grade and then decided to seek employment due to financial constraints in the family. She encountered a 14-year-old boy during her job hunt, who was employed as a helper in a nearby ration shop.

He assured her of getting her a job, so she established a friendly relationship with him, trusting his promises. The boy proceeded to exploit the girl sexually in various places, and permitted eight of his friends to do the same. They compensated the girl to ensure her silence on the matter.

During this time, they also held a 13-year-old friend of the 17-year-old girl captive, according to their will. For the past year, the two girls were sexually abused by the group of nine men, under false pretenses of procuring them jobs. They used alcohol to facilitate these heinous acts. The discovery of the older girl’s pregnancy has raised suspicions of wider involvement, prompting a full police investigation with expected significant findings.

(With Inputs From Hindu Tamil & Zee News)

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“How Long Will We Keep Begging For Seats? There Was Time When We Gave Seats”: TN Congress President Selvaperunthagai Voices Frustration

By
The Commune
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"Should We Just Come And Go Like Orphans?", TNCC President Selvaperunthagai Criticizes DMK For Inadequate Security At Tyagi Immanuel Sekaran Memorial Event

The President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, 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.

Selvaperunthagai lamented, “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.”

Speaking at Congress executive meeting in Arani, Tiruvannamalai district, Selvaperunthagai expressed, “57 years of deception since 1967 is enough. The Congress party should grow from asking for constituencies to distributing constituencies during the elections. Kamaraj’s regime should be restored and the administrators should work hard. How much longer do we have to wait? We waited for peace for 57 years. Assembly elections are due in two years. The question arises whether we should remain silent any longer . We are compelled to strengthen the structure of the Congress party in Tamil Nadu without delaying even a second. How long will we wait for another party to give us seats? Once upon a time we allotted constituencies to all the parties. We need to restore that condition. It should be made possible with the slogan of Kamaraj rule, “ he said

As all parties awaiting the vote count on 4th June, Selvaperunthagai surprised many by embarking on a tour of every district starting from 13 May 2024. From the evening of 10 May 2024, a message from Satyamurthy Bhavan (Tamil Nadu Congress Committee Headqarters) informed the administrators of Tiruvannamalai and Vellore districts that the state president would be visiting their districts for a consultative executive meetings. In response, hurried meetings were arranged in Arani, Tiruvannamalai district, and another in Vellore district.

The purpose of these visits was to assess the performance and effectiveness of the Village Congress Committees and District Congress Committees. Simultaneously, there is speculation among his close associates that Selvaperunthagai aims to replace district leaders within the Congress party. Taking advantage of the interim period before the vote count, Selvaperunthagai planned his district tour, even drafting a proposed list of new district leaders beforehand.

Selvaperunthagai, departing from his predecessor’s approach, has shifted towards a more conservative style. He has not consulted either his supporters or reached out to former state leaders and senior figures to select district leaders like Alagiri. Likewise, there are discussions about whether Selvaperunthagai will maintain the current successful leaders or choose to install his own supporters. This has led to much speculations and noise within the Congress party. Selvaperunthagai is poised to make decisive moves to fortify the Congress structure, with plans to replace longstanding district leaders with fresh faces, according to sources close to him.

Political observers note that Congress’s adoption of this strategy stems from the leadership achievements demonstrated by K. Annamalai, the BJP President in Tamil Nadu. Annamalai seems to have successfully expanded the party’s reach in a remarkably short period. Now, Selvaperunthagai’s actions, suggesting preparations for the upcoming general election and addressing concerns over seat allocation with the DMK, as well as the restructuring of district leadership within the Congress, have sparked considerable debate.

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Who Is This Priest Who Accompanied PM Modi During Filing Of Nomination For 2024 Lok Sabha Elections?

By
The Commune
-

Prime Minister Narendra Modi submitted his nomination papers for the Lok Sabha elections in Varanasi on Tuesday (14 May 2024). He was accompanied by Alongside him, several Union ministers like Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah, along with 12 chief ministers from different states and leaders of NDA allies.

Visuals show PM Modi seated alongside an old man looking like a priest with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and another man accompanying.

Who Is The Bearded Priest?

Ganeshwar Shastri Dravid, a revered scholar of Kashi, is renowned for his unparalleled expertise in astrology and Vedic knowledge. His mastery extends to the intricate realms of planetary movements, constellations, auspicious timings (choghadis), and rituals, surpassing that of any other scholar in the country. Despite being originally from Tamil Nadu, he has made Meerghat area of Kashi his home, residing at the Sangveda Vidyalaya in the ancient city.

Family Background

Ganeshwar Shastri is the second son of Rajeshwar Shastri, who was also a scholar of Vedas and Shastras. He lives along with his brother, Pandit Vishweshwar Shastri, who is also an equally esteemed scholar. The brothers are consulted for inputs on special rituals, research and significant muhurthams.

Ganehswar has traveled extensively across India to spread religious teachings. When in Kashi, he teaches and primarily implements decisions provided by the Girvanavagvardhini Sabha at the Sangveda Vidyalaya. Additionally, he generously offers guidance on astrology, Ayurveda, and rituals to address people’s concerns.

Ganeshwar operates his own Shastrarthshala, established by his great grandfather who had migrated from Tamil Nadu. Legend has it that when his grandfather arrived in Kashi, local Pandits rigorously examined him before granting him residence. The institution also taught children to become Acharyas and perform rituals.

His Tamil Connection

According to reports, Ganeshwar’s ancestry can be traced to Thiruvisanallur, a small village near Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. Their great grandfather, Ram Subramanya Ganapathi, hailed from Thiruvisanallur and was also a Vedic scholar by who went by the name Ramachandra Shastri. His father was Venkatahara Sheshadri too was a Vedic scholar. Two centuries ago, the southern part of India boasted two eminent scholars of Krishna Yajurveda: Ram Subramanya Ganapathi and Muthu Ganapathi. Their legacy continues to influence scholars of Krishna Yajurveda in southern part of India even today.

Ram Subramanya Ganapathi, also known as Shesha Jata Vallabh, embarked on a pilgrimage, journeying on foot from his village to Prayag, then to Rameshwaram, and finally arriving at Kashi, carrying Ganga water and sand from Ram Setu.

Upon reaching Kashi, he faced a grueling test lasting 36 days from the scholars of the city, displaying impeccable recitation of mantras and affirming his scholarly prowess. He resided near the Manikarnika Ghat, sustaining himself on alms and conducting continuous recitation of Krishna Yajurveda and Vishnu Sahasranamam. In the evening, he would receive leftover vegetables from the vegetable vendors at Dashaswamedh Ghat, which he would cook and consume at night.

He has had four sons, all of them scholars. The eldest, Sitaram Shastri, has been a great scholar of Nyaya. The second son, named Laxman Shastri, has been a scholar of Nyaya, Vedanta, and Shukla Yajurveda. The third son, Narayan Shastri, has been a scholar of Puranas, among other subjects. The fourth son, Venkatesh Shastri, has been a scholar of English and History. Ram Subramanya Ganapathi has taught Vedas to his second son Laxman Shastri until the age of 14. He has studied Nyaya Shastra under the guidance of Kailash Chandra Shiromani Mahashay. Ram Subramanya Shastri himself took sanyaas after arranging Laxman Shastri’s marriage to Annapurna, the daughter of Mahamahopadhyay Subramanya Shastri who had come from Mysore. Ram Subrahmanya Ganapathi then stayed in Uttarakhand for the next 20 years. Later he came back to Kashi and spent his last days.

Ganeshwar Shastri’s Role In The Revival Of Ancient Hindu Sites

Ganeshwar Shastri’s remarkable contributions include determining the auspicious timings for the consecration of Ramjanmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya. Particularly, he was the one who identified the special muhurtham of 84 seconds for the consecration of Ram Lalla at Ayodhya.

For the Bhumi Pooja of Ram Mandir, he had allocated a precise 35 seconds as the auspicious time based on astronomical calculations. Other significant events like the consecration of the Kashi Vishwanath Dham and also its Bhumi Pujan were also marked by him.

While 13th December had been deemed auspicious for the inauguration in Kashi, many scholars had opposed it, citing concerns about the number 13. However, Ganeshwar Shastri had dispelled everyone’s doubts.

(With inputs from Live Hindusthan)

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Ranipet Pastor Arrested Under POCSO Act After Being On The Run For Sexual Assaulting Minor

By
The Commune
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The Tamil Nadu Police have apprehended M Raghu Rajakumar, a 54-year-old AG church pastor, who had been evading authorities for five months following accusations of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The arrest occurred on 6 May 2024 after an investigation into the alleged incident, which reportedly occurred during the girl’s visits to the church situated on Eri Theru (Lake Street) in Ranipet, as per media accounts.

The victim’s mother grew suspicious of her daughter’s changed behavior, and after much hesitation, the girl finally disclosed the traumatic experiences she had endured at the hands of the pastor. On December 2023, the girl’s mother took the brave step of approaching the Ranipet All Women police station to file a complaint. Subsequently, the police registered a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 7, 8, 9, and 9(1) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, as well as section 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Upon learning about the police case, the pastor went into hiding. However, the diligent efforts of the police paid off when they received a tip about the pastor’s whereabouts. Acting swiftly, they arrested him on 9th May and presented him before the Ranipet Magistrate Court. Subsequently, the court ordered his judicial custody. Many have noted that this is not the first instance of such a case coming to light in Tamil Nadu.

There has been a disturbing trend of church pastors targeting teenage girls and young women who visit churches for prayer or confession. It is crucial to recognize the life-altering trauma experienced by these young victims and to ensure that their stories receive the serious attention they deserve from the public and authorities alike.

(With Inputs From Organiser)

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TheCommune
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