A startling report by News 18 Malayalam has unveiled documentary evidence that exposes how the Waqf Board is allegedly laying claim to thousands of acres of land in Munambam, a suburb of Kochi, Kerala, that does not belong to it. The land spans over 600 families and has been the subject of a protracted dispute, with the Waqf asserting ownership.
According to the documents, in 1902, the land in question, known as the Munambam property, was leased by Rama Varma, the King of Travancore, to Abdul Sattar Musa Haji Seth, a Kutchi Memon entrepreneur. The lease included 404 acres of land and 60 acres of backwater, given as a gesture of appreciation for Seth’s contributions to the region’s economy. Importantly, the lease specifically excluded land occupied by local fishermen who had lived there for generations.
Later, Sattar Seth’s son-in-law, Muhammed Siddique Seth, and his father, Musalman Seth, registered the land in the Edapally Sub-Registrar Office, unlawfully including the area where the fishermen had resided for decades. This registration, however, did not constitute a Waqf transaction but rather a gift deed (Ishtadanam), as evidenced by two key documents.
The first document, dated November 1, 1950, shows that Muhammed Siddique Seth donated 404 acres of land to Farooq College. The second document, dated January 15, 1990, details the college’s sale of a portion of this land. These documents clearly indicate that the land was not transferred under the Waqf system but as a gift, undermining the Waqf Board’s claims to the property.
The documents also highlight that a critical condition for land to be considered Waqf is that the grantor can impose no additional conditions. Since the land in question was transferred with specific conditions, it cannot be classified as Waqf property.
The revelations raise serious questions about the legality of the Waqf Board’s claims in the Munambam land dispute. Despite these irrefutable proofs, the Waqf Samrakshana Vedhi (Waqf Protection Front) and others continue to assert ownership. This suggests that the Waqf Board, emboldened by institutional backing, may be making illegal claims with little opposition or accountability.
In light of this, many are now questioning the role of political figures who have opposed reforms to the Waqf Bill, which could potentially put an end to such controversial land disputes. The ongoing controversy in Munambam exposes the deep-rooted issues within the management of Waqf property in India and the need for urgent reforms.
Documentary evidence with NEWS 18 Malayalam exposes how Waqf is claiming thousands of acres of land that isn’t its own from 600 families in Munamban, suburb of Kochi, Kerala.
Documents show that in 1902, the land belonged to
Rama Varma the King of Travancore who leased 404… pic.twitter.com/bmm7YDFoFF
In Tamil Nadu, the coalition of leftists, Islamists and Dravidianists, have been unable to bear the surge of nationalism among the public sparked by the film ‘Amaran’, which chronicles the heroic life of Indian Major Mukund Varadharajan, who sacrificed his life in a counter-terror operation in Shopian, Kashmir. Initially, these groups pushed the narrative that the film was “Islamophobic,” a claim that was baseless and misleading, which led Muslim leaders in the state to protest and demand a ban.
In a recent development, Dravidianist Thirumurugan Gandhi, the founder of the May 17 Movement and a known sympathizer of extreme left and separatist ideologies, has made a new, equally unfounded allegation on ‘Amaran’. He objects to the portrayal of Indian Army soldiers shouting “Jai Bajrangbali” without realizing that it is the battle cry used by the Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles and the Rajput Regiment military units.
In a recent press conference, Thirumurugan Gandhi, has raised objections and criticized ‘Amaran’ for allegedly depicting the entire Kashmiri population as enemies, which he claimed is a “one-sided” narrative that undermines the rights of the people of Kashmir. He argued that the film reflects a biased political stance and called on the producer and director to answer for the portrayal.
Gandhi also condemned the praise ‘Amaran’ received from Seeman, leader of the Naam Tamilar Katchi, who reportedly invited Yasin Malik, a Kashmiri separatist leader, to speak at his conference. Gandhi criticized this as a glaring contradiction, highlighting Seeman’s controversial stance and questioning the inconsistency in his political actions.
He also criticized the depiction of Major Mukund Varadarajan, the film’s protagonist, who is shown saying “Jai Bajrangbali” before heading into battle, questioning the relevance of the slogan in the Indian Army. Gandhi contended that the Indian military, which comprises soldiers of various faiths, does not use religious slogans like “Jai Bajrangbali” and suggested that the portrayal in ‘Amaran’ was “anti-military” and “anti-Muslim.”
He questioned, “Before Major Mukund Varadharajan went into battle, he shouted ‘Jai Bajrangbali.’ But I ask, when in the Indian Army have soldiers ever shouted ‘Jai Bajrangbali’? When has this RSS Hindutva slogan ever been used? This is why we’ve been saying for years that Kamal Haasan is a ‘Sanghi’. He is a person who is repeatedly spewing Islam hate”.
Continuing his criticism, Gandhi accused Kamal Haasan, the part-time politician and full-time actor-producer of ‘Amaran’ of harboring anti-Muslim sentiments. He alleged that Haasan promotes a Hindutva agenda through his films. Gandhi further claimed that Haasan deliberately chooses controversial topics, steering clear of narratives that would resonate with the common people of Tamil Nadu—such as stories highlighting the struggles of ordinary citizens, like the death of a fisherman and the suffering of his widow. Gandhi concluded by accusing Kamal Haasan of making films that inflame caste divisions and stir political controversies, instead of focusing on stories that reflect the real, everyday issues facing Tamil society.
Social media users and netizens have expressed their anger over Thirumurugan Gandhi’s remarks, accusing him of promoting anti-India sentiments and spreading falsehoods about the Indian Army’s war cry being part of a Hindutva agenda. Critics flooded social media with sharp rebukes, educating Gandhi on the true nature of the Indian Army’s battle cries and highlighting the patriotic spirit behind them, urging him to reconsider his statements.
In the Indian Army, each regiment or unit has its own distinctive “war cry”, a phrase or slogan used to inspire and motivate soldiers in battle, boost morale, and reinforce the identity and legacy of the unit. These war cries are often deeply rooted in cultural, religious, or regional traditions, and they reflect the unique history, values, and spirit of the regiment. Below is an explanation of the war cries for various regiments:
Gorkha Rifles: “Jai Maa Kali, Ayo Gorkhali” – This war cry combines reverence for the Hindu goddess Kali (symbolizing power and protection) and the pride of the Gorkha people, known for their courage and bravery. “Ayo Gorkhali” means “The Gorkhas are coming,” signaling the arrival of fierce warriors.
The Grenadiers: “Sarvada Shaktishali” – This translates to “Always Powerful,” representing the regiment’s unwavering strength and combat readiness.
Parachute Regiment: “Balidan Param Dharma” – Meaning “Sacrifice is the Highest Duty,” this reflects the regiment’s elite status and its commitment to selflessness and valor.
Rajput Regiment: “Bol Bajrangbali Ki Jai” – “Victory to Lord Bajrangbali,” invoking Lord Hanuman (Bajrangbali), a symbol of strength, devotion, and fearlessness.
Rajputana Rifles: “Raja Ram Chandra Ki Jai” – A tribute to Lord Ram, the revered king and hero of the Hindu epic ‘Ramayana’, symbolizing duty, righteousness, and bravery.
Dogra Regiment: “Jwala Mata Ki Jai” – This war cry honors Jwala Mata, the goddess of fire, symbolizing fierceness and resilience in battle.
J&K Light Infantry: “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” – “Victory to Mother India,” a patriotic slogan evoking love and devotion to the country.
J&K Rifles: “Durga Mata Ki Jai” – Acknowledging the power of Goddess Durga, the war cry reflects strength, protection, and divine support in battle.
The Garhwal Rifles: “Badri Vishal Ki Jai” – This refers to the Badri Vishal Temple in Uttarakhand, honoring Lord Vishnu. It signifies devotion and courage.
The Guards: “Garud Ka Hun Bol Pyaare” – Referring to Garuda, the mythical bird and vehicle of Lord Vishnu, this cry signifies swiftness, power, and the fighting spirit.
Jat Regiment: “Jat Balwan, Jai Bhagwan” – “The Jat is strong, Victory to God,” emphasizing the strength and resilience of the Jat community, coupled with divine blessings.
Maratha Light Infantry: “Bola Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai” – This war cry pays homage to the legendary Maratha king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, symbolizing courage, leadership, and national pride.
Mahar Regiment: “Bolo Hindustan Ki Jai” – “Victory to India,” a patriotic cry reflecting devotion to the nation.
Naga Regiment: “Jai Durga Naga” – Combining the warrior spirit of the Naga people with reverence for Goddess Durga, symbolizing strength and invincibility.
Bihar Regiment: “Jai Bajrang Bali” – Invoking Lord Hanuman, a symbol of unmatched strength, courage, and selfless devotion.
Assam Regiment: “Rhino Charge” – The rhinoceros symbolizes power, fearlessness, and toughness, all qualities the Assam Regiment is proud to embody.
Kumaon Regiment: “Kalika Mata Ki Jai” – Honoring the Goddess Kali of the Kumaon region, symbolizing strength, protection, and divine power.
Madras Regiment: “Veer Madrasi, Adi Kollu, Adi Kollu” – A chant reflecting the bravery of the Tamil people (Madrasi), with “Adi Kollu” symbolizing the call to battle.
Mechanised Infantry: “Bolo Bharat Mata Ki Jai” – “Victory to Mother India,” a patriotic cry, reflecting the mechanized unit’s commitment to national defense.
Sikh Light Infantry: “Jo Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal” – A Sikh battle cry meaning “Whoever says ‘Sat Sri Akal’ shall be blessed,” signifying the warrior spirit of the Sikh faith, with “Sat Sri Akal” being a greeting meaning “God is the Eternal Truth.”
Ladakh Scouts: “Ki Ki So So Lhargyalo” – A traditional Tibetan war cry used by the Ladakh Scouts, reflecting the region’s unique culture and the scouts’ formidable resilience in high-altitude warfare.
Each of these war cries is more than just a slogan; it carries the weight of history, culture, and values, forging a unique identity for the regiments they represent. They are a source of immense pride, symbolizing the collective strength, valor, and determination of the soldiers who serve in these units.
Condemn in the strongest terms the statement of #ThirumuruganGandhi for distorting the #IndianArmy's war cry in a way that disrupts religious harmony and incites communal tensions. No Indian can tolerate this attempt to misrepresent the honor of our forces and mislead the public. https://t.co/WzdldXFc0rpic.twitter.com/lOSwBSBZGa
— Lt Col N Thiagarajan Veteran (@NTR_NationFirst) November 8, 2024
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Sarita Devi, 61, who does not use a smartphone, had a hard time applying for a digital life certificate online. Devi, who uses a feature phone, does not have the facility to download the Aadhar and Jeevan Praman apps—essential to getting the digital life certificate.
Kishan Kumar, 65, also faced a similar problem at one of the digital life certificate centres in the national capital. Since his son’s smartphone is registered with the national pension system, the OTP is generated on his son’s number (who currently lives in another city), making it difficult for Kumar to get a digital life certificate.
The list of elderly people who are not part of the vast digital and connected ecosystem yet is long. Beginning November 1, the government has rolled out the third and largest-ever digital life certificates (DLC) campaign nationwide “to promote digital empowerment of pensioners using face authentication technology.”
According to the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, more than 1.8 lakh pensioners generated their DLCs on the first day.
While digitisation has helped many pensioners obtain their life certificates easily, it remains a challenge for those who lack digital skills, are not aware of the digital mechanisms, or lack the facilities.
To access the DLC, a pensioner must use a smartphone camera and get a facial scan to help in authentication. The Aadhaar Biometric Authentication uses face, finger, and IRIS authentication through apps such as Jeevan Praman and the Aadhaar Face RD App.
To get DLC, one can also physically visit the nearest CSC or pension disbursing banks, post offices, or designated government offices.
However, Shanti Verma, an 80-year-old widow who opted to visit one of the common service centres (CSCs) despite her age as she had no one to help her around, was stunned while filling out the form as it asked her whether she had ‘remarried’.
The DLC campaign 3.0 runs in 800 cities or districts across India from November 1 to 30. “This is the biggest-ever DLC campaign undertaken,” said a statement issued by the personnel ministry.
–IANS
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Whistleblowers have once again stirred the pot, reaffirming their earlier accusations against Vijay, the actor-turned-politician and leader of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), and his family. This time, they’ve introduced new allegations, suggesting deeper involvement in a web of corruption tied to the Loyola College syndicate under the influence of the “Society of Jesus”. The fresh claims focus on Vijay’s uncle, Xavier Alphonse, who served as the principal of Loyola College from 1992 to 1995.
According to these whistleblowers, when Xavier Alphonse took over as principal, his family allegedly seized control of the Loyola syndicate and orchestrated various illicit activities, including financial embezzlement, money misappropriation to personal trusts, and sexual harassment. The most explosive allegations suggest that funds intended for the college were misappropriated, with an estimated ₹2 crore being siphoned off during Alphonse’s tenure. The stolen money is said to have been funneled into movie studios to finance Vijay’s film ventures, adding a new layer to the growing list of charges.
Sexual Harassment Allegations
TVK Vijay’s uncle, Xavier Alphonse, has been accused of sexually harassing a woman who worked with him in the Loyola Alumni office. The harassment allegedly occurred after the woman brought to light his plan to siphon off the college’s corpus fund into his personal trust.
This accusation was further validated with the international human rights organization ‘Ending Clergy Abuse (ECA)’—a global network of activists focused on children’s and victims’ rights—became involved.
ECA, which advocates for an end to clerical abuse and demands accountability from the Church, issued a statement warning Xavier Alphonse. The organization called for a thorough investigation and for justice to be served, criticizing the Church’s structural mechanisms that they believe enable such abuse to occur.
In a statement issued in August 2020, ECA expressed its full support for the All India Christian Forum in their fight for justice on behalf of Mary Rajasekaran, a victim of sexual harassment at her workplace by a Catholic clergyman. The incident took place at Loyola College in Chennai, and the accused is Father Xavier Alphonse, a Catholic priest. ECA condemned the actions of the Catholic institution, which allegedly prevented the victim from reporting the harassment to local authorities. The statement highlighted the shocking nature of the case, where the institution’s protection of the accused further compounded the victim’s suffering.
Looting In The Name Of A Trust?
It is alleged that in 2013, when TVK Vijay’s uncle, Xavier Alphonse, was serving as the head of the Loyola College Alumni Association, he organized a fundraising event during which a significant portion of the funds was allegedly misappropriated. According to the allegations, half of the tickets for the event were sold with the false promise that actor Vijay would attend, targeting his fan base. It is claimed that 50% of the tickets were sold under this pretext, and out of the total ₹6 crore raised, approximately ₹3 crore was diverted to Father Alphonse’s personal trust.
At the same time, Mary Rajasekaran, who was working under Xavier Alphonse, reportedly raised concerns about these illegal activities. As a result, she was allegedly dismissed from her job without any legitimate explanation. The official excuse given was that she was employed on a contractual basis, but an investigation into her appointment revealed that there was no mention of her being a temporary or contract employee. This discrepancy points to a larger pattern of corruption and power abuse by the Alphonse family, suggesting that the alleged syndicate was operating with the full backing of Vijay’s uncle within the institution.
Furthermore, Mary was already employed at the Loyola Institute of Business Administration (LIBA) based on her merit and performance. She had earned recognition for her work, and the head of LIBA, Kashmiri Raj, recommended her for the position. According to Raj, her appointment was permanent, and she was serving a probationary period.
Fake Threat Allegedly Orchestrated By Loyola Syndicate
In 2013, Mary Rajasekaran’s family, particularly her son Kennedy, suddenly received a notice from the Coimbatore Cyber Police instructing him to appear at the station, but without specifying any reasons for the summons. At the time, the family was based in Chennai. Whistleblowers have alleged that the directive came allegedly under SP AK Vishwanathan, who had close ties with the Vijay’s family. However, when the whistleblowers sought to verify the legitimacy of the notice and they dug out a Right to Information (RTI) Act, the response from the police station was shocking. According to the RTI reply, no such direction had been issued on the date or with the reference number provided, revealing that the police summons was fabricated. In 2018, the officer involved in this incident was ironically honored with an award as a “Loyola Star.”
This latest round of accusations paints a troubling picture of a family network allegedly involved in a wide range of unethical practices, with the aim of consolidating both political and financial power. The whistleblowers maintain that these activities were carried out under the guise of the “Society of Jesus,” using it as a shield for protection, and they claim the scale of the wrongdoing extends far beyond what has previously been reported.
Two Sides Of The Same Coin: Xavier Alphonse’s Atrocities At Loyola College; Xavier Britto’s Lavish Life
On one side, Xavier Alphonse, one of actor Vijay’s uncles, has been accused of committing serious atrocities at Loyola College in Chennai. As the former Director of the Loyola Alumni Association and a priest, Xavier Alphonse allegedly siphoned off nearly ₹1 crore from the college’s funds, misappropriating money meant for the institution and funneling it into personal trusts. In addition to financial corruption, he has been accused of sexually harassing an employee, Mary Rajasekaran, who had raised concerns about his fraudulent activities. Instead of taking action against him, the college administration allegedly silenced Mary, transferring her to another office, eventually forcing her out of the institution without due process or explanation.
In the meantime, Mary’s son, Joseph Dominic Kennedy, sought justice through Canon law and the Vatican, though the response from church authorities was minimal. In 2019, after facing repeated disappointments, Team Hail Mary, led by the All India Christian Forum, wrote to the Indian Prime Minister, prompting further investigations. This led to a renewed inquiry by the Jesuit Curia, but Loyola College continued to deny responsibility.
Mary’s case was eventually taken up by the National Human Rights Commission and the National Commission for Women. However, despite support from international groups like the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), there was a deafening silence from the local Tamil Nadu media, the Catholic Church, and influential figures in the South Indian film industry, including her relative, actor Vijay. Despite these grave allegations, Xavier Alphonse remained untouchable, shielded by his position within the powerful Loyola syndicate system.
On the other side, Xavier Britto, another of Vijay’s uncles, was embroiled in a separate controversy involving St. Britto’s Academy in Velachery, Chennai. Xavier Britto, who was the chairman of the school and also the producer of Vijay’s film ‘Master’, was accused of charging exorbitant fees from parents during the pandemic. Even though schools were closed due to COVID-19, St. Britto’s Academy allegedly collected full tuition fees, including ₹67,000 for online classes for LKG students. Many parents, already struggling financially due to the pandemic, protested the high fees. In response, the school allegedly removed students from online classes if their fees weren’t paid, further escalating tensions. Despite the protests, the school administration, backed by Xavier Britto’s wealth and influence, continued to shield itself from any accountability.
While Xavier Alphonse faces accusations of corruption and abuse within an educational institution, Xavier Britto runs a luxury lifestyle funded by his educational ventures. He owns 85 luxury villas on Chennai’s East Coast Road, a multi-billion-dollar logistics business (Kerry Indev Logistics), and continues to shield himself under the name of his educational trust, all while allegedly exploiting students and their families. Both men, part of the same family, seem to be untouched by the law or public scrutiny, hiding behind institutional titles and their connection to the “Society of Jesus” syndicates.
These two incidents highlight a disturbing pattern of power abuse and exploitation within institutions run by Vijay’s uncles, who have been accused of corruption and other malpractices, protected by the very institutions that should be upholding ethics and fairness.
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President Droupadi Murmu on Friday highlighted the need for integrity and honesty in the nation’s fight against corruption which is an obstacle to economic progress. Addressing the Vigilance Awareness Week function organised by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, President Murmu said corruption reduces trust in society and adversely affects the feelings of fraternity among people.
“It also has a widespread impact on the country’s unity and integrity,” she said, commending the ongoing Preventive Vigilance campaign under the CVC. She expressed her appreciation for the initiative which aims to instil a culture of vigilance and transparency in government institutions. “As we all know, the Vigilance Awareness Week is observed during the week of the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who inspired millions to dedicate themselves to the nation’s development,” President Murmu said. She drew a connection between Sardar Patel’s vision for a unified India and the ongoing efforts to build a corruption-free nation, emphasising that the fight against corruption was not just a ritual but a responsibility shared by every citizen. Cautioning against a pessimistic attitude that considers the elimination of corruption as impossible, she expressed confidence that the government’s policy of “Zero Tolerance Against Corruption” will eradicate graft from its roots.
The President highlighted the words of the ancient Greek historian Megasthenes, who, over 2,300 years ago, praised the disciplined and law-abiding nature of the Indian people. “About 2,300 years ago, Megasthenes wrote that Indians do not indulge in indiscipline and strictly follow laws. This spirit still endures today,” President Murmu remarked, noting the relevance of this year’s Vigilance Week theme: ‘Culture of Integrity for Nation’s Prosperity.’ She stressed that upholding integrity is fundamental to ensuring the prosperity and success of the nation, adding, “Every year, on Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary, we reinforce our commitment to unity and integrity. This is not just a ceremonial act but a solemn duty of every citizen.” In a personal reflection, the President, who hails from a tribal background, spoke of the values of contentment and simplicity she observed among her people, despite limited resources. President Murmu noted that true prosperity comes from honesty and integrity, not from corruption or the exploitation of resources. “I come from a community where, despite limited resources, people live happily and with contentment. Corruption is rooted in bad intentions. Those who indulge in it live in constant fear of being exposed,” she said.
Highlighting the government’s steps in combating corruption, President Murmu pointed to key legislative measures such as the 2018 amendment to the Prevention of Corruption Act. “In the last decade, the government has seized over $12 billion worth of properties under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of 2002,” she said. The President expressed confidence that India’s “zero tolerance for corruption” approach would be successful in creating a transparent, accountable, and ethical environment.
“Eradicating corruption from India is like cleaning our country — it requires effort, commitment, and the support of every citizen,” the President said. Concluding her address, President Murmu lauded the CVC for its diligent work in promoting vigilance and accountability in the public sector. “The CVC is fulfilling its responsibility excellently. Let us all join hands to make India a corruption-free nation,” she urged, calling on citizens, institutions, and government officials to remain vigilant.
–IANS
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The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the unilateral appointment of arbitrators by a government entity in a public-private contract violates Article 14 of the Constitution. A 5-judge Constitution Bench, headed by CJI D.Y. Chandrachud, said that since the activities of the government have a public element, it is incumbent upon the government to ensure that it enters into a contract with the public without adopting any unfair or unreasonable procedure.
“Therefore, government agencies have to consider the principles of equality and non-arbitrariness when crafting arbitration procedures, including the procedure for the appointment of arbitrator,” it added. The opinion, concurred by Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, said that unilateral appointment clauses in a public-private contract fail to provide the minimum level of integrity required in authorities performing quasi-judicial functions such as arbitral tribunals and a unilateral appointment clause is against the principle of arbitration, that is, impartial resolution of disputes between parties. Further, the apex court held that the principle of equal treatment of parties applies at all stages of arbitration proceedings, including the stage of appointment of arbitrators.
“The Arbitration Act does not prohibit PSUs from empanelling potential arbitrators. However, an arbitration clause cannot mandate the other party to select its arbitrator from the panel curated by PSUs,” it added. The SC clarified that the law laid down in its judgment will apply prospectively to arbitrator appointments. In his separate opinion, Justice Hrishikesh Roy opined that the independence and impartiality of the arbitrator must be examined within the statutory framework of the Arbitration Act and public law and constitutional principles should not be imported into arbitration proceedings.
Justice P.S. Narasimha, in his opinion, said that arbitration agreements enabling one of the parties to unilaterally constitute an arbitral tribunal do not inspire confidence of independence and after scrutinising the agreement, the court can hold them to be invalid. “It is not permissible for the court to give an advance declaration that all such agreements which enable one of the parties to unilaterally constitute the arbitral tribunal would be void per se. No two agreements are the same and it is necessary for the court to examine the text and context of the agreement,” he added.
–IANS
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Karnataka BJP President B Y Vijayendra on Friday exuded confidence that the NDA candidates will win all three seats in Karnataka bypolls as people were fed up with the Waqf issue and the Siddaramaiah government’s approach towards it.
Speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, Vijayanedra claimed: “People were questioning the anti-farmers’ policy of the state government. The attempt to encroach the properties of the mutts and religious institutions, the anti-Hindu approach of the state government will compel the people to rebel against the state government.” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s approach to the Waqf row was being questioned by the people of the state and farmers, he said. The BJP and JD-S candidates will win all three constituencies in by-elections in the state, he reiterated. “In the Shiggaon Assembly seat, there was an atmosphere that the BJP has emerged victorious. In Sandur and Channapatna seats, the Congress was under the illusion that it would win at any cost. Now, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his ministers have realised that they are suffering setbacks,” he stated.
“After cancelling his fixed programmes, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah was camping in Sandur constituency. It shows that the Sandur constituency was slipping away from the Congress and the people were all set to make the BJP victorious,” Vijayendra claimed. Former CM Basavaraj Bommai’s son Bharat Bommai was contesting as BJP’s candidate from the Shiggaon seat. The seat was represented by Basavaraj Bommai. The Congress has fielded Yasir Ahamed Khan Pathan. Congress ticket aspirant Syed Ajjampeer Khadri rebelled against the decision and filed for nomination as an independent candidate. Later, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and top party brass managed to convince Khadri to withdraw the nomination.
ST Morcha State President Bangaru Hanumanthu is the BJP candidate from Sandur. Hanumnathu will contest against Annapurna, the wife of the Congress MP from Ballary E. Tukaram. The seat was represented by Tukaram. The high-profile Channapatna seat was witnessing a direct fight between former PM H. D. Deve Gowda and Dy CM and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar’s family. The seat was represented by Union Minister Deve Gowda’s son H.D. Kumaraswamy. Kumaraswamy’s son Nikhil is contesting as the NDA candidate under the JD-S symbol.
Alongside Kumaraswamy, 92-year-old Deve Gowda was camping in the constituency and campaigning for his grandson spiritedly. On the other hand, Shivakumar and his brother D.K. Suresh managed to hijack BJP leader C. P. Yogeshwara and made him their candidate. Both have extensively toured the constituency for three months and carried out intense campaigning in the region.
–IANS
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The Kerala High Court, quashing a case against a school teacher for allegedly beating a student in her class, pointed out that teachers are now working under threat of a criminal case being registered against them. The court’s observation came as it took up the petition of a teacher, booked under Section 75 (cruelty to child) of the Juvenile Justice Act and IPC’s Section 324 (voluntary causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means) for beating a student.
Quashing the case, the court pointed out that the case against the teacher was that she beat the student after noticing that he was sitting with his leg placed on top of the desk. It also said that the student himself admitted in his statement that he called the teacher an abusive word. Following this, the teacher beat him with a stick and sent him out of the class. “Now, as I could notice, teachers are in a world of fear, to deal with the students, apprehending registration of criminal cases and detention from behind bars. The teachers are imparting education bearing fear in mind that what to do or what not to do. Some of the students are in the habit of not respecting the teachers and every therapeutic restorative instruction given by the teachers and punitive steps taken by the teachers with bona fide intention as part of their duty, are given the colour of serious non–bailable offence with a view to detaining them in custody,” the bench said.
After making this point, the court cited the story of Drona and Ekalavya where Ekalavya gave his thumb, an organ important for his skill, as ‘gurudakshina’, as it lamented that in the technologically advanced developed world, the teacher-student relationship has become ‘upside down’. It held that the teacher did not do anything intentionally to cause unnecessary mental or physical suffering to the student as it quashed the case against her.
–IANS
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The Hindu Munnani has strongly condemned and raised serious concerns over the silence of the Thoothukudi district authorities after temple land in the area was allegedly seized by Christian missionaries. The missionaries have reportedly erected structures that block access to local temples in Thoothukudi. Despite locals identifying the issue, the district administration has remained conspicuously silent on this matter.
In Sathankulam Panchayat, Palankulam village, the road leading to the Arulmigu Sastha Palankulamuthaiyan Temple has been encroached upon, with a wall being built allegedly by some Christian miscreants. When locals alerted the Hindu Munnani, State Executive Committee member Sakthivelan, Sathankulam Panchayat General Secretary P. Mayavana Muthusamy, and Thattarmadam Hindu Munnani Auto Association chief Muthu visited the site to investigate. Upon their inspection, they confirmed that the land had indeed been taken over.
Additionally, the locals expressed concern that Christian missionaries had plans to take control of the entire road leading to the Sastha Palankulamuthaiyan Temple. They also claimed that 2.5 acres of land belonging to the nearby Vinayagar Temple had mysteriously disappeared. In response, Hindu Munnani members have vowed to support efforts to recover the land.
The Hindu Munnani has now questioned the inaction of the Deputy Collector of Sathankulam, the District Collector, and other higher officials. The organization has called on them to speak out and intervene to resolve these issues, or to clarify whether they, too, will remain silent in the face of this growing controversy.
தூத்துக்குடி தெற்கு மாவட்டம், சாத்தான்குளம் ஒன்றியம், பழங்குளம் கிராமம், பழங்குளம் ஊரில் அமைந்துள்ள, அருள்மிகு சாஸ்தா பழங்குளத்தையன் திருக்கோவிலுக்கு போகும் பாதையை, சில கிறிஸ்தவ சமூக விரோதிகளால் ஆக்கிரமிப்பு செய்யப்பட்டு, மதிற்சுவர் போடப்பட்ட இடத்தை இந்துமுன்னணி pic.twitter.com/Pdqb7Jwl4x
Outgoing Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud on Friday responded to the allegations that the pendency of cases in the apex court has gone up during his tenure. In his remarks at the farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the CJI said that in the last two years, 1,11,000 cases were filed, 5,33,000 cases were listed, and 1,07,000 cases were disposed of.
“You probably read somewhere that the pendency of the Supreme Court has gone up to 82,000 cases. I want to tell you the raw data. Before November 2022, unregistered/defective cases were never put on public domain and accounted for,” he said. CJI Chandrachud said that when he took over as Chief Justice in November 2022, he found that around 1,500 files were stashed up in the cupboard of a Registrar. “I said this has to change. Every case which enters the system has to be tagged with a number. We decided to put data of all pending cases in the public domain, whether registered or unregistered.” “On January 1, 2020, 79,000 cases were pending, including what we now call the defective cases. That number on January 1, 2022, went up to 93,000 cases. On January 1, 2024, the number came down to 82,000 cases. So this includes both registered and unregistered cases and the number has decreased by 11,000 in 2 years.”
CJI Chandrachud said that the filing of cases has doubled in the top court and while 21,000 bail cases were filed in the last two years, 21,358 bail pleas were disposed of by the SC judges. Appreciating his companion judges, he said that each of his colleagues worked beyond the call of duty and accepted the work given by him as the Chief Justice. After a two-year-long stint in the highest judicial office of the country, CJI Chandrachud is due to retire on November 10 on attaining the age of 65 years. He was first appointed as judge of the Bombay High Court on March 29, 2000, and has also served as Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court since October 31, 2013, until his elevation as an apex court judge on May 13, 2016.
CJI Chandrachud passed BA with honours in economics from St Stephen’s College, New Delhi and completed LLB from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. In June 1998, he was designated as a senior advocate by the Bombay High Court. He also served as Additional Solicitor General of India from 1998 till 2000. After CJI Chandrachud recommended the name of Justice Sanjiv Khanna as his successor last month, the Centre has cleared the appointment of Justice Khanna as the 51st CJI with effect from November 11.
–IANS
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