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Dravidian Model Social Justice: DMK Ally KMDK’s Suriamoorthi Given MP Seat Under ‘Rising Sun’ Symbol, Had Called Dalits “Beggars” And Threatened To Kill Those Doing Inter-Caste Marriages

The Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK) announced S. Suriamoorthi as its candidate for the Namakkal Parliamentary Constituency on 18 March 2024, nominated by the DMK as part of the I.N.D.I. Alliance. Suriamoorthi will contest under the DMK’s ‘rising sun’ symbol. A 51-year-old native of Sivagiri in Kodumudi block, he currently resides in Namakkal. Engaged in farming and construction activities, he previously contested unsuccessfully in Assembly elections in Modakkurichi in 2001, in Vellakoil in 2006, and as the party candidate in Modakkurichi in 2016. Suriamoorthi joined KMDK in 2007 and has served as its youth wing secretary for the past seven years. 

As soon as this announcement was made, an undated video of his speech made the rounds on social media platform X. In this undated video, he is seen giving out a warning to people from the “lower caste” not to woo his community women otherwise “he and his boys will unleash a reign of terror”.

Here is the translation of the entire speech: The video begins when he says, “They say I speak too brashly. We are a community that donate (food) to tens of homes, You are a begging dog in those ten houses, if you speak that much, I donate to ten houses, I have enough wealth for 10 generations, so you can measure to what extent I can speak. If you train your eyes on the Gounder community women or the Gounder Community, if a low caste wants to become a high caste, they must work hard and earn. But if you lead your youth by wrongly propagating that if they marry a Goundachi (Gounder woman) they can become a high caste, if you do that, we will commit genocide when he is in his mother’s womb.”

He added, “Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam’s youth wing is working towards a goal. I am telling the intelligence wing here, don’t think that Gounders will not get into a fight or go to jail, we are at a stage where we have to do that. In a village, there are unmarried people in their 30s and 40s. Do you think we will sit and watch our girls roaming around with other boys? We have a 1500-member strong youth wing in Erode. If you try to touch our community girls, we will root out the embryo in the womb itself.”

He further added, “We have decided that if someone else (from another community) takes away (elopes with) our girls, we will try to counsel them over it. If they listen to us, both will be spared. If not, we are ready to kill both of them.”

He then goes on to narrate an incident in Kanchi that took place 5-6 years before the event in the video. It was a case of eloping and they tried to counsel the people involved and told them not to elope with a person from another caste. They did not listen to what we told them and justified how they would take care of a child if it were to be born. He counselled the girl once again and told her that if she wanted to see the boy she loved alive, she had to forget and let go of him. If not, he warned her that the boy would be slaughtered. This, he said, was at a different time. He also proudly said that he and his community youth wing were ready to go to jail for this cause.

He also proclaimed that if any male or female from the Gounder community was facing an issue, one must not hesitate to take a violent step. He added, “If the police think I am promoting terrorism, yes we are. Try to stop it.”

He further said, “Give rice, pulses, clothes to the oppressed communities, but if you make law convenient for them then the Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam will take law in our hands. Law and order will go haywire in Tamil Nadu. You people are claiming free houses and food by proclaiming your caste. You use your caste to claim concessions and allowance (benefits), why do you feel pained when we mention the caste name? A beggar can be called a beggar only, can we call him master?”

He continued his speech by saying, “Yesterday there was a debate and the topic was “Hard work is development/progress”. But the verdict of the debate was that “Culture is progress”. I pondered how this could be because I progressed because of hard work.” He then enumerated the businesses he set up and complained that even after all this, he could not find a bride for his son. He said, “I had to go to Kerala to find a bride for him. Such was the situation. What is the reason for that? Cultural degradation. That’s when I thought it over. Even if we earn a lot, we should protect our culture.”

He further added that we must not point fingers at the girls of the community alone. He pointed out that parents enroll children in big schools but fail to inculcate knowledge about their own culture. He added, “If your child hands you his salary, we parents don’t say a word. We just listen to what they say. If we wait for the child to repay the loans at the age of 23 and let them work further at their job, they will elope with someone else. What is the point of crying then?”

The video concludes when he says, “Our boys intend to take care of the girl he is married to and works hard for it. But the boys from other communities look at our girls as prized possessions who come from wealthy families.” He ends by warning the intelligence department that in the coming days, murders will occur in Kongunadu.

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Report Exposes Terrorist Plot Involving Siddique Kappan & PFI; BJP Leaders Targeted

Shocking revelations have emerged regarding a terrorist plot orchestrated by Siddique Kappan, allegedly ordering the killing of BJP leaders during a terrorist camp organized by the Popular Front at Manjeri Green Valley Academy in September 2020. Janmabhumi reported that this information surfaced during the interrogation conducted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of Kamal, hit squad coaches Anshad Badruddin and Firoz Khan.

The Manjeri Green Valley Academy, believed to be the terrorist training headquarters of the Popular Front of India (PFI), was shut down following an NIA raid. The objective of the camp reportedly involved targeting BJP leaders Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Verma, who played significant roles in countering the North Delhi riots led by the Hindu sect.

During the early days of the North Delhi riots, the PFI allegedly orchestrated attacks targeting Hindus, prompting a response from Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Verma, who mobilized armed groups from Haryana to protect the community. As per reports, Badruddin and Feroze Khan were instructed to devise a plan to eliminate these BJP leaders who thwarted the PFI’s riot strategy.

Subsequently, Badruddin and Feroze Khan, along with Kamal, reportedly traveled to Delhi and stayed at the NCHRO office. However, upon learning of the arrest of Kamal and other associates, Badruddin and Feroze Khan returned to Delhi, only to be apprehended by the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) four months later.

Further investigations revealed that K.P. Kamal, after two years of hiding, was also arrested by the UP police. Interrogations conducted by the NIA unveiled details of the terrorist attack planning at the Manjeri Green Valley camp, with Kamal corroborating statements provided by Badruddin and Feroze Khan.

Notably, Kappan, described as a ‘think tank’ of the PFI, allegedly conducted a class for hit squads during the camp. The chargesheet filed by the UP Police confirms Kappan’s affiliation with the PFI terror group, despite being granted bail by the Supreme Court on the basis of being a media worker.

While Kamal, Badruddin, and Feroze Khan remain incarcerated in Lucknow jail, the role of Kamal, Badruddin, and Firoz Khan in the Hathras riot conspiracy came to light during investigations conducted by the UP police. Rauf Sharif, a campus front leader, was also arrested in connection with the Hathras insurgency project, with recent reports indicating his release on bail.

Siddique Kappan was arrested in October 2020 near Mathura while en route to Hathras to report on the rape and murder of a Dalit, a case that had sparked nationwide outrage. Alongside facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and sedition, Kappan was also accused of operating under the now-prohibited organization, Popular Front of India (PFI).

In September 2022, the Supreme Court granted him bail in the UAPA case, citing his right to freedom of expression. However, Kappan remained detained due to a separate case filed by the Enforcement Directorate for alleged money laundering, accusing him of receiving foreign funds to incite riots. In February 2023, the Allahabad High Court granted him bail in the aforementioned case as well. 

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Annamalai Busts Congress Leader Jairam Ramesh’s Claims On Cyclone Michaung & Textile Crisis In TN

Against the backdrop of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s road show in Palakkad, Kerala, and Salem, Tamil Nadu, on 19 March 2024, the Congress, aiming to propagate a negative narrative suggesting discontent among the visited populace, faced rebuttal. Jairam Ramesh, an MP and Congress’s communication head, crafted inquiries purportedly representing public sentiment. However, Tamil Nadu State President Annamalai swiftly countered these assertions.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh raised several questions regarding Prime Minister Modi’s visits to Tamil Nadu and Kerala. He highlighted concerns about the Prime Minister’s attention to Tamil Nadu during crises with a tone buttressing its ally DMK, the impact of policies on textile factories, development remarks about Kerala, and environmental conservation efforts. In response, Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai refuted these claims, emphasizing discrepancies in flood relief figures, attributing struggles in the power loom industry to the DMK government, and accusing the Congress of lacking understanding of ground realities. Annamalai urged Ramesh to direct his questions towards the ruling DMK government in Tamil Nadu and emphasized the BJP’s efforts in aiding MSMEs in Tamil Nadu.

On 19 March 2024, Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh released a statement through his official X account, stating that, “The Prime Minister is visiting Salem, Tamil Nadu and Palakkad, Kerala today. Some important questions that he must address:

1. While the Prime Minister has been visiting Tamil Nadu frequently in the last few weeks, he has historically paid little attention to the state. For instance, he did not set foot here during the Cyclone Michaung crisis in December 2023. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has repeatedly urged for the release of Rs. 37,907 crores from the Modi Sarkar for rehabilitation and reconstruction after the cyclone. Does the Prime Minister plan to fulfill this critical need of the people of Tamil Nadu?

2. During Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Salem, he will hopefully notice the numerous textile factories that have either shut down and disposed of machinery or reduced working hours for laborers. After having single-handedly destroyed India’s MSME manufacturing capacities with demonetization, GST, and the unplanned COVID-19 lock-down, what is the Prime Minister’s vision to rescue these textile factories?

3. ⁠ Kerala is the state that the Prime Minister had infamously compared to Somalia. Kerala’s performance on development indicators has been consistently better than *all* Indian states. Will the Prime Minister finally apologize to the people of Kerala for his misleading commentary on the state?

4. Kerala is home to the Western Ghats, an extremely fragile but important ecosystem. In the last 10 years, under Modi’s tutelage, there have been continuous assaults on its ecosystem. The Modi Government has diluted all environment and forest laws to help a few favored corporates, and perhaps to repay the debts incurred for their purchase of the BJP’s electoral bonds. Will the Prime Minister come clean on what his motivations were when he was diluting our environmental protection regime to favor his corporate friends?”

The Tamil Nadu BJP president, K Annamalai, promptly busted the allegations and released a statement via his official handle on social media platform X that, “Thiru @Jairam_Ramesh, known for banning the pride of TN, the Jallikattu, has a newfound affection for Tamil Nadu (Understandable as elections are around the corner). Sitting in an ivory tower, Congress leaders do not see the ground reality. Neither have they changed nor their poll promise of “Roti, Kapada, Makkan” since the 1980s.

1. The flood relief sought by TN is not ₹37,907 Crore but ₹15,645 Crore (Confirmed by the Ministry of Finance in the Lok Sabha). The total SDRF fund available with the TN Govt was ₹2013 Crore & ₹3406 Crore was the total flood relief work carried out by the DMK Govt. We asked the DMK Govt to furnish the breakup of the ₹37,907 Crore inflated flood relief they sought but are faced with defeating silence.

We request Thiru @Jairam_Ramesh to ask his alliance partner to furnish the necessary details before politicising this matter. Does Thiru @Jairam_Ramesh know that the DMK Govt claimed completion of 99% of stormwater drain works in Chennai before the floods and flipped to 42% after the floods? Is scamming people the single-point agenda of the I.N.D.I. Alliance?

2. The Powerloom industry in Tamil Nadu is struggling due to the gross inefficiency of the DMK Government. Electricity tariff increased between 15 to 50%, Peak hour charges were increased from 35/KW to 150/KW, and there was a phenomenal increase in fixed charges.

Recently, @BJP4TamilNadu exposed the monumental corruption of the DMK Government in the Free Dhoti scheme & regardless of it, the Handloom & Textile Minister of Tamil Nadu continues to exploit the handloom & powerloom weavers of Tamil Nadu by taking a fixed fee as commission for orders placed to them.

When the Ambattur industrial estate was flooded due to the incapability of the DMK Govt, our Hon FM Smt @nsitharaman avl swiftly arranged the necessary assistance from the insurance companies to help them restart their business activity.

This is one of the many instances that we could quote! Thiru @Jairam_Ramesh , please do your homework right & your questions should be posted to DMK & not our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi avl. And please look into the quantum of assistance/loans issued to MSMEs in TN through PM Mudra, PMEGP & MSME Credit Guarantee programmes before pointing fingers the next time.”

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Worms Found In Orange Aavin Milk Packets Sparks Concern in Nilgiris District

The Nilgiris saw significant commotion following an incident where worms were discovered floating in milk packets purchased from a tea shop.

The proprietor of the tea shop, located along the road to the Nilgiris district collector’s office, bought a packet of Orange packet full cream Premium Aavin milk from a nearby shop near the farmer’s market today on 18 March 2024. To his dismay, upon inspection, he found numerous white worms in the milk.

Promptly, he notified the Food Safety Department officer. Responding to the report, the food safety officer conducted an investigation specifically focusing on the milk packet with worms. Examination revealed that the packet had been distributed to various shops on the same day.

Subsequently, the Food Safety Officer announced plans to inspect milk packets bearing the same identification number across all shops in the city. He further stated that an inspection report would be issued thereafter. The incident of worms found in government-produced milk has sparked concern throughout Nilgiris.

This isn’t the initial occurrence for Aavin Milk Cooperative; just last month in February 2024, there was another alarming incident in Thoothukudi. Consumers discovered worms floating in the Delite (purple) variant of the brand’s milk packet. This has caused significant distress among homemakers, who recorded it as a video and shared it within their social circles.

These consecutive incidents are causing consumer confidence to dwindle. Aavin milk, known for its affordability and relatively good quality, enjoys widespread popularity in Tamil Nadu. The brand offers four different variants distinguished by the color of the milk packets: Orange, Green, Purple, Blue, etc. If such worms are carelessly consumed by adults or children, it could lead to stomach aches, diarrhea, and other health issues.

The same Delite variant was recently in the spotlight due to discrepancies in the fat content listed on the packaging compared to the actual content.

(with inputs from AsianetNews)

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DMK Mouthpiece Sun News’ Narrative Busted For Peddling Fake Narrative On Electoral Bonds Beneficiaries

The Sun News channel, owned by the ruling DMK’s first family, has recently been caught spreading a series of false narrative news cards. These narratives are purportedly set by certain so-called news channels to manipulate public opinion in favor of the DMK’s narrative of Anti-Modi in Tamil Nadu. However, they seem to have underestimated the discernment of today’s online youth. Unlike in the past, where people might accept their news at face value, today’s netizens are adept at verifying information and debunking falsehoods.

Sun News was attempting to weave a narrative connecting Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Income Tax (IT) raids by the central agencies to electoral bonds purchase by wrongdoers.

On 15 March 2024, the Election Commission of India officially released the first phase of electoral bonds on their website. Many were delighted by this development as it provided an opportunity to target the BJP, leading to the propagation of various narratives. Sun News channels were particularly active in associating the BJP with beneficiaries, and they released several lists (as below) to support their claims.

  1. Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized assets worth 409.92 crores from Future Gaming and Hotel Services Pvt Ltd on 2 April 2022. Subsequently, the company purchased Electoral Bonds on 7 April 2022.
  2. On 11 April 2022, the ED arrested an executive director of Aurobindo Company. Subsequently the company purchased Electoral Bonds on 15 April 2022.
  3. On 20 December 2023, Income Tax (IT) raided Shirdi Sai Electricals Ltd, which Subsequently purchased Electoral Bonds on 11 January 2024.
  4. Similarly, on 11 November 2023, IT raided Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. Subsequently  the company too bought Electoral Bonds on 17 November 2023.
  5. IT raids were conducted on Kalpa Taru Real Estates on 4 August 2023, and the company immediately purchased Electoral Bonds on 10 October 2023.
  6. Micro Labs Synapse Ltd faced an IT raid on 14 July 2022 and subsequently purchased Electoral Bonds on 7 October 2022.
  7. On 21 March 2022, IT raided Hero MotoCorp, which then purchased Electoral Bonds on 7 October 2022.
  8. Similarly, Yasoda Hospitals underwent an IT raid on 26 December 2020, and purchased Electoral Bonds on 4 October 2021.
  9. Torrent Power purchased Electoral Bonds on 10 January 2024, and on 7 March 2024, it entered into a 1,540 crore agreement with the Maharashtra government to install solar panels under the PM-KUSUM scheme.
  10. On 10 January 2022, Apco Infratech Pvt Ltd purchased Electoral Bonds, and on 24 January 2022, the Maharashtra government awarded a 9,000 crore project for the Versova-Bandra Sea Link.

The narrative presented by Sun News has been refuted with data from the Electoral Commission of India, particularly concerning the purchase of electoral bonds. This refutation begins with Future Gaming and Hotel Services Pvt Ltd, which claimed to have been buying electoral bonds since 21 October 2020. However, the narrative propagated by the DMK news channel suggests that the company only purchased these bonds on 7 April 2022 after raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on 2 April 2022 favoring the BJP. Interestingly, the Sun News channel conveniently omitted to mention the proprietor’s name (DMK) which received ₹160 crores from the same company, Future Gaming and Hotel Services Pvt Ltd within 4 days.

(Picture Credit Savukku Media)

The second piece of information peddled was that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) apprehended an executive director of Aurobindo Company on 11 April 2022, right after it allegedly acquired electoral bonds. However, this claim was completely false. In reality, the executive director was arrested on 10 November 2022, in connection with a liquor scam. Moreover, the purported dates spanning from 10 April 2022, to 30 June 2022, were no purchase made by any company according to available data. Despite this, the DMK Sun News channel asserted that the company had indeed bought Electoral Bonds on 15 April 2022. Aurobindo Pharma Ltd has been acquiring bonds since 3 April 2021.

The third blatant lie circulated was regarding Shirdi Sai Electricals Ltd, which acquired Electoral Bonds on 11 January 2024. However, it wasn’t the BJP but the Telugu Desam Party, a state party that encashed those bonds.

The fourth falsehood spread by Sun News channel suggests that when the IT department raided Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, the company, in turn, purchased Electoral Bonds on 17 November 2023, implying a connection with the BJP , this claim is so ironic because its owner DMK’s ally Congress is the benefactor.

Claims made by the DMK mouthpiece Sun News channel, such as the assertion that Torrent Power and Apco Infratech Pvt Ltd procured Electoral Bonds and subsequently gained crores deal with the Maharashtra government , lack substantiation and appears baseless. These claims seem to be driven more by an agenda and sensationalism rather than increasing credibility.

https://twitter.com/OnlyTruth2024/status/1769615294547546174

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When Independent “Journo” Poonam Agarwal Peddled Half-Truths And Fake News Under The Garb Of “Investigation”

An independent “journalist called Poonam Agarwal who was associated with The Quint and NDTV earlier made far-fetching claims that the electoral bonds offered by SBI were problematic. Leftist media like The Wire, The News Minute, The Quint and her liberal fraternity carried her claims and pushed the propaganda.

In her articles and interviews, Poonam claimed that the SBI was sharing misleading information on Electoral Bonds as the purchase dates were not matching. She said she bought 2 Electoral Bonds of Rs 1,000 each in April 2018. But the data showed her name as a purchaser of electoral bonds dated 20 Oct 2020. She wondered if this was an error, inaccuracy or a namesake had purchased the bond. She claimed a unique hidden number in the data would’ve cleared doubts.

Netizens dug through her old videos on The Quint and found that she had indeed bought the bonds in 2020. When confronted, she claimed a “foggy memory” due to COVID!

In a video published on The Quint YouTube channel on 18 March 2024, she peddles half truths. She only talks about the unique numbers that are visible under UV light. But she does not reveal what the Supreme Court hearing said.

In a Supreme Court hearing on electoral bonds on 18 March 2024, the SBI made a significant revelation. Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing the SBI, disclosed that the bond numbers assigned by the banks are exclusively found on the bonds themselves and not elsewhere.

When questioned about the purpose of these bond numbers, whether they serve as a security measure or as part of an audit trail, the bank clarified that the primary function of the bond numbers is for security purposes. They distinguished that the audit trail serves a separate function.

Harish Salve’s submissions for SBI debunked leftist conspiracy theories, particularly those propagated by Poonam Agarwal. SBI clarified that the unique alphanumeric codes on bonds, visible under UV light, serve as a security measure, not for auditing. The revelation refutes claims by Poonam that these codes could link donors to political parties. 

A Look At Poonam’s Credibility Or The Lack Of It

Let’s peep into what Poonam has been doing over the years in the name of investigation. 

Spreading Fake News During COVID To Create Panic

During COVID, she spread lies that India was in stage 3 (Community spread) in March 2020 by bringing in a PhD as a medical doctor to spread fake news and panic in the country. 

Abetting Suicide Of Army Jawan

One of the “stories” she broke destroyed a family entirely. She did a fake sting operation on Lance Naik Roy Mathew where he was “criticising the Sahayak system”. Mathew ended up taking his life by suicide after that interview video went viral. Poonam was booked for abetting Mathew’s suicide. 

Her most recent “investigation” has taken her credibility down further. It is ironic that she received the Ramnath Goenka award in January 2020 for her “relentless coverage on electoral bonds” raising questions on the credibility of the award itself.

This award came after Poonam was booked for abetting the suicide of Army jawan Roy Mathew. However, this FIR was quashed by Bombay HC stating she was “wrongly implicated”.

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“Independent Journalist” Poonam Agarwal Makes Fake Claims On SBI Electoral Bonds; TNM, Wire Peddle Same Propaganda; Says Foggy Memory Due To COVID When Confronted With Truth

Independent “journalist” Poonam Agarwal who was associated earlier with NDTV and The Quint published an “investigation” on the electoral bonds and claimed there was no tracking number attached to it. 

The Wire put out an entire article, The News Minute carried out interviews of the said journalist, and the leftist media based their narrative solely on Poonam’s claims. 

What Did Poonam Claim?

In her articles and interviews, Poonam claimed that the SBI was sharing misleading information on Electoral Bonds as the purchase dates were not matching. She said she bought 2 Electoral Bonds of ₹1,000 each in April 2018. But the data showed her name as a purchaser of electoral bonds dated 20 Oct 2020. She wondered if this was an error, inaccuracy or a namesake had purchased the bond. She claimed a unique hidden number in the data would’ve cleared doubts.

https://twitter.com/poonamjourno/status/1769404444196958315

This post of hers was quoted by leftists, picked up by TNM and The Wire which even ran an article on it. The article is now deleted. 

It has come to light now that Poonam was lying. Netizens dug through her old videos on The Quint and found that she had indeed bought the bonds in 2020. When confronted, she claimed a “foggy memory” due to COVID!

This fake post is still there on her profile on X at the time of publishing this article. Her clarification post however has much lesser views compared to her fake post!

https://twitter.com/poonamjourno/status/1769729034899136883

The outlets which peddled this misinformation did not put out any clarification for peddling her claims. The Wire retracted its story silently stating the claims made by the journalist were not substantiated. It is noteworthy that The Wire ran several fake articles that attacked the BJP only to silently delete them when found fake. 

Poonam deleted the video where she alleged discrepancies in the electoral bonds as well from her YouTube channel. 

SC Hearing Busted All Her Claims

In a Supreme Court hearing on electoral bonds on 18 March 2024, the SBI made a significant revelation. Senior advocate Harish Salve, representing the SBI, disclosed that the bond numbers assigned by the banks are exclusively found on the bonds themselves and not elsewhere.

When questioned about the purpose of these bond numbers, whether they serve as a security measure or as part of an audit trail, the bank clarified that the primary function of the bond numbers is for security purposes. They distinguished that the audit trail serves a separate function.

Harish Salve’s submissions for SBI debunked leftist conspiracy theories, particularly those propagated by Poonam Agarwal. SBI clarified that the unique alphanumeric codes on bonds, visible under UV light, serve as a security measure, not for auditing. The revelation refutes claims by Poonam that these codes could link donors to political parties. Leftist circles lauded Poonam’s report, which alleged government surveillance using these codes, yet faced criticism. Poonam also suggested that the government tracked bond purchases. 

Poonam alleged that hidden codes on electoral bonds breached donor anonymity, implying government surveillance. She dismissed the codes as unnecessary for security, refuted by SBI’s claim that they’re solely for security and unrecorded, akin to serial numbers on currency notes. While SBI might release bond numbers if pressed by the Supreme Court, linking them to donors appears unlikely. 

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Will Annamalai’s BJP Breach The Dravidian Wall? Exploring The Political Situation In Tamil Nadu

As the Lok Sabha elections draw near, political parties are gearing up, with established ones already announcing their alliances and gradually revealing their lists of candidates for various constituencies.

Discussing the distinct political landscape of Tamil Nadu, one cannot overlook the intriguing winds of change blowing through the state. These winds carry not only the fervor of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in 2024 but also harbor aspirations for the 2026 state legislative assemblies. In the realm of Tamil Nadu’s political discourse, a common refrain among the populace often echoes the need for a third alternative apart from the entrenched Dravidian parties.

Let’s ramp up our understanding by identifying who the key contenders are in the field.

Actors Turning Into Politicians

Following the passing of prominent political figures like J Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi, many individuals have sought to fill the void, actors such as Kamal Haasan launched his party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), Rajinikanth for a period of time flirted with the idea of entering politics before retracting his decision, and in February 2024 actor Vijay launched his political venture under the banner of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK).

Vijay’s political inclination has been a subject of conjecture, with questions arising about whether he will tread the traditional Dravidian path or carve a new ideological trajectory for himself. His stance on issues such as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) are similar to the existing Dravidian parties, leaving observers pondering the true essence of his political agenda. Unlike Kamal Haasan, whose party appeared to be targeting Rajinikanth’s potential voter base for fragmentation, the MNM joined hands with the DMK in this election after the agenda concluded, reminiscent of a flock of birds returning to their mother and secured one Rajya Sabha seat. But the motivations behind Vijay’s political aspirations remain uncertain. Hope lingers that Vijay, with his insightful and logical approach, will chart a distinct course in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape, diverging from the familiar paths trodden by other actors turned politicians.

Old Wine Dravidian Parties

Firstly, we have the two well-established Dravidian parties: the DMK and AIADMK. Adding an intriguing twist, the DMK has solidified its stance, prepared to enter the elections with its coalition, the I.N.D.I alliance. This alliance comprises parties such as the Congress, both factions of the Communists (CPI & M), VCK, Muslim League, and KMDK. They are set to contest under the DMK’s rising sun symbol. On the flip side, the AIADMK finds itself in a precarious position after ending its alliance with the BJP, which stood shoulder to shoulder with for four years. Unable to align with its former ally, the AIADMK is currently seeking alliances, confirmed only with the DMDK, SDPI, Puthiya Tamizhagam, and Puratchi Bharatham parties. The challenge faced by AIADMK in solidifying its party was more significant than discussions about forming alliances. Only recently the party actively demonstrating their presence realizing the upcoming elections.

Sole Contender In The North – The BJP

In the northern part of India, the BJP has solidified its position with sure-shot resounding victory for the third consecutive time, and setting the stage for the upcoming 2029 elections. Meanwhile, in Tamil Nadu, the presence of the BJP has surged notably ever since former IPS officer K Annamalai assumed the role of party president. His distinct approach to critique, coupled with his articulate communication of ideas, has captured significant attention among the youth and political circles in the state.

Recently, Annamalai has risen as a significant figure in the political landscape of Tamil Nadu, particularly the news media went behind him for clarity content. His “En Mann En Makkal” padayatra has traversed through all constituencies creating impact, serving as a platform to elucidate his party BJP’s stance. He emphasizes development-oriented politics and takes a firm stance against prevalent social issues such as corruption, nepotism, and drug abuse. The parties’ commendable strategy initiative, exposing DMK through the “DMK Files” series of corruption related audio recordings, revealing incriminating evidence. Additionally, a former DMK functionary, Jaffer Sadiq, was implicated in a drug scandal following a police bust , has garnered considerable attention. This well-crafted narrative has effectively shifted the focus from ‘Anti-BJP’ to ‘Anti-DMK,’ providing the DMK with a taste of its own medicine. This strategy seems to be resonating more effectively with the public sentiment on the ground.

Following the 2021 state assembly elections, where the DMK emerged victorious, the BJP strategically positioned Annamalai as the youthful face and party president for Tamil Nadu. Since then, Annamalai and the BJP have demonstrated their effectiveness as the primary opposition force against the Dravidian parties. This was evidenced by the smooth alliance formed between the TN BJP and various other parties, including the Tamil Manila Congress led by GK Vasan, AMMK led by TTV Dinakaran, New Justice Party led by AC Shanmugam, IJK led by Ravi Pachamuthu, Kamaraj People’s Party led by Tamilaruvi Manian and finally AISMK led by Sarath Kumar has merged his party with the BJP. Additionally, AISMK, headed by Sarath Kumar, has united with the BJP. Furthermore, there’s an expectation that PMK, led by Ramadoss, will soon join the coalition, although it’s important to note that the alliance isn’t yet sealed, still changes are to be expected.

Will Annamalai’s BJP Breach The Dravidian Wall?

The answer to this is yes, BJP in Tamil Nadu  is confirming the narrative set is destroying slowly in the state, has experienced a substantial surge in its electoral support according to recent opinion polls. These polls have indicated a dominant presence for the BJP in the state, with varying percentages reported by different agencies:

  • Chanakya – 22%
  • Times Now – 20.4%
  • India Today – 15.3%
  • Prashant Kishor – potentially up to 15%
  • Puthiya Thalaimurai – 18.5%
  • India TV CNX – projecting 5 seats
  • Thanthi TV – 13%
  • ABP – 11%
  • Times Now ETG – 19%
  • CNN News 18 – 13% with 5 seats

It’s important to note that alliances have not been finalized yet. It’s worth remembering that the BJP in Tamil Nadu only held a 3.5% share of the vote in 2019.

4 June 2024 – the day of counting/results which is also incidentally Annamalai’s birthday will tell us whether Annamalai’s efforts did indeed help the BJP to breach the Dravidian wall.

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“There Is A Word ‘Shakti’ In Hinduism. We Are Fighting Against Shakti.” Says Rahul Gandhi On Concluding Day Of Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

Once again, the Congress Scion faced criticism from both political factions and social media for his remarks that were deemed misogynistic and Hinduphobic during the closing rally of the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra’ at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on 17 March 2024. Prominent figures from the I.N.D.I bloc, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, SP Chief Akhilesh Yadav, Shiv Sena (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray, and others, participated in the concluding event.

In discussing the revered concept of Shakti, symbolizing the Divine Feminine in Hinduism, he connected Shakti to the governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Central Government and voiced his determination to challenge this notion of Shakti. Interestingly, in Hindu philosophy, there exists no concept of opposing Shakti; instead, Shakti is viewed as the inherent energy and force within all beings that assists in the fight against negativity and malevolence.

Rahul Gandhi said “There is a word ‘Shakti’ in Hinduism. We are fighting against Shakti. The question is, what is that Shakti? The soul of the King is in the EVM. This true. The soul of the King in the EVM and every institution of the country, in ED, CBI and Income Tax department. A senior leader from Maharashtra left Congress and cried in front of my mother and said ‘Sonia ji, I am ashamed that I don’t have the power to fight this Shakti. I do not want to go to jail.’ Thousands of people have been threatened like this,”

Rahul Gandhi’s statement not only misinterprets the concept of Shakti, but in the flow of speech, he undermines the leaders in his coalition leaving many shocked and dismayed.

Netizens have been vocal in criticizing Rahul Gandhi for his strange interpretation. The BJP has also condemned the INDI bloc’s continuous disrespect towards Hinduism.

Expressing his views on social media platform X, BJP leader Amit Malviya stated, “After DMK’s Udhayanidhi Stalin called for the annihilation of Sanatan Dharma, it is now Rahul Gandhi’s turn to denigrate Shakti. Maa Durga embodies the diverse aspects of Shakti, or power, known by various names like Sati, Parvati, Uma, Durga, Kali, Gauri, Tripura Sundari, Shivangi, Mahadevi, and more. She is considered the primal power (adi shakti) of the Lord, responsible for creation, sustenance, and destruction. As the creative power (shrishti shakti) of Brahma, the sustaining power (paalan shakti) of Vishnu, and the destruction force (samhaar shakti) of Lord Shiva, she is revered as the mother figure in Hindu belief. Shakti also signifies women empowerment.”

“But Rahul Gandhi speaks of fighting Shakti. He is not just Hinduphobic but also a misogynist. This is the true character of Congress led I.N.D.I Alliance,” 

Netizens, furious over Rahul Gandhi’s public address denouncing their religious beliefs, have strongly criticized the Congress scion on social media platform X. Here are some reactions:

Rahul Gandhi, known for disregarding the counsel of his personal PR team and political strategists in electoral matters, has recently shown a willingness to heed the voices of minority groups, as critics note. This shift is exemplified by his engagement with figures like George Ponnaiah, a controversial Catholic priest whom he met on day 1 of his Bharat Jodo Yatra in TN which commenced from Kanyakumari and ended at Kashmir in 2023. A widely circulated video captured a conversation between Gandhi and Ponnaiah, during which the latter was seen advocating Christianity to the former.

During this exchange, Gandhi queried Ponnaiah about the nature of Jesus Christ, prompting the priest to assert Jesus as the true embodiment of God, contrasting him with the Hindu concept of Shakti. In his latest speech, it seems as if Gandhi has since utilized this notion of Shakti, framing it as a negative characteristic of the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, positioning himself as fighting against this force. This incident serves as one of many instances where Gandhi has been criticized for making disparaging remarks about Hinduism.

It’s astonishing to witness how the second-generation leaders of the I.N.D.I bloc consistently resort to divisive rhetoric in their pursuit of minority support. For instance, on 2 September 2023, Udhayanidhi Stalin, the son of Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister MK Stalin and the Sports Minister of DMK, delivered a speech at the “Eradicate Sanatana Dharma Conference,” wherein he made inflammatory remarks “Mosquitoes, dengue, flu, malaria, corona – we should not oppose these things. They’ve to be eradicated completely. Same is the case with Santanam (Hinduism). Our first work should be to abolish/eradicate Sanatanam instead of opposing it. So, my appreciations to you all for giving an apt title to the meeting”, DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said.

He also further went on to say “What is Sanatanam? The name Sanatanam itself comes from Sanskrit. Sanatanam is opposed to equality and social justice. What is the meaning of Sanatanam? Eternal or something that can’t be changed. Something that can’t be questioned. That is the meaning of Sanatanam.

It is worth noting that Udhayanidhi Stalin, who had identified himself to be a Christian recently and an atheist earlier, has once again made a vitriolic speech against Hinduism and followers of the Hindu faith. With the upcoming elections intensifying efforts to appease minorities, there has been a rise in attacks targeting the Hindu faith.

(with inputs from OpIndia)

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Did TN CM MK Stalin Commit Perjury In Case Linking DMK With Lottery Martin?

In 2019, the then-DMK President MK Stalin filed a defamation suit against Tamil magazine Vikatan over an article alleging financial dealings with Lottery Martin. Stalin termed the allegations ‘fictitious’ and demanded ₹1.1 crore as compensation for damaging his reputation. The article claimed Martin’s close ties with the Karunanidhi family and accused him of funding the DMK and Trinamool Congress (TMC). Stalin denied these claims, stating, “The Plaintiff denies the allegation that the DMK party has received a huge amount as ‘donation’… It is shown by impeachable documents that the said Mr. Martin has never donated to the DMK party.”

Stalin emphasized the lack of journalistic ethics in the article, asserting, “The offending article is not an exercise of free speech or freedom of press. It is not grounded in journalistic ethics and has not followed first principles to verify the veracity of the article being published.” He further highlighted the adverse impact of the article on his reputation, noting, “The said offending article tends to defame, scandalize, lower and tarnish the Plaintiff’s image and reputation and that of the DMK party.”

Initially demanding ₹100 crore in compensation, Stalin reduced it to ₹1.1 crore to avoid “destroying the defendants’ company.” He also sought an unconditional public apology and retraction of the article from both the magazine’s next edition and its website. The lawsuit reflects Stalin’s determination to combat false allegations and protect his reputation amidst political scrutiny.

 

However, it has come to light, after the EC uploaded details of the electoral bonds as shared by the SBI (which issued the bonds) on its website, that the DMK indeed received donations over the years through bonds from Lottery Martin. Here are the details:

    • FY 2020-21: DMK received ₹60 crore from Future Gaming and Hotel Services and ₹20 crore from Megha Infrastructure.
    • FY 2021-22: Future Gaming and Hotel Services donated ₹249 crore to DMK, Megha Infrastructure provided ₹40 crore, Sun TV Network donated ₹10crore, and India Cements donated ₹4 crore. Another entity identified as “Triveni” donated ₹3 crore.
    • FY 2022-23: Future Gaming and Hotel Services donated ₹160 crore and Megha Infrastructure donated ₹25 crore.
    • April 2023 onwards: DMK received electoral bond money of ₹40 crores exclusively from Future Gaming and Hotel Services

This brings about the question of whether Stalin committed perjury in the case of 2019 where he claimed he never received any funds from Martin nor did the DMK. 

Lottery Martin And The DMK Connection

In the 1990s, lottery caused several families in TN to perish. At that time, Lottery Martin was a prominent figure especially known to be close to the DMK as reported in the newspapers. It was alleged that Martin was the biggest benami of the DMK first family and this was the reason why Jayalalithaa banned lottery in TN in 2003. 

He also produced a film called Ilaignan for about ₹2050 crores. The film was in limbo and he came forward to have it up and running. Incidentally, the film was also Karunanidhi’s 75th film as a scriptwriter and it is alleged he was paid ₹45 lakh as a fee. According to a report in India Today, it is claimed that Karunanidhi’s involvement in Martin’s film projects may be linked to his leniency towards Martin’s illegal lottery business.

May 17 Movement founder Thirumurugan Gandhi, known for his hate speeches against Hindus particularly the Brahmin community as well as for his Dravidianist separatist ideology was often seen with Tyson, Lottery Martin’s son. It is alleged that Martin funded Gandhi to create “protestors” and create issues and controversies to enable the DMK to come to power. 

In 2022, allegations surfaced suggesting that the DMK was contemplating reintroducing the lottery system in Tamil Nadu as a gesture of gratitude towards Martin, who was purportedly credited with aiding the party’s ascent to power.

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