Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube
Home Blog Page 80

Dravidian Model: Retired Police Officer Varadharajan Arrested For Alleged ‘Defamatory’ Remarks Against Madras High Court Judge Who Made Scathing Remarks Against Vijay

By
The Commune
-
varadharajan karur stampede

The Chennai South Cyber Crime Police arrested retired police officer Varadharajan for posting alleged defamatory content on social media against Justice N Senthilkumar of the Madras High Court, who made personal remarks against actor and politician Vijay regarding the Karur stampede that claimed 41 lives.

The incident occurred on 27 September 2025 at Velusamypuram in Karur, where nearly 30,000 people reportedly gathered for Vijay’s first major rally after launching his political party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The venue, designed to accommodate only a few thousand, became overcrowded, resulting in a stampede that caused multiple fatalities and injuries.

Following the tragedy, Tamil Nadu Police intensified action against individuals spreading “misinformation” and provocative content related to the incident. Cybercrime units registered several cases for attempts to disturb public order through false or inflammatory posts. Popular YouTubers Felix Gerald and Maridhas were among those targeted in the crackdown. The court declined to remand Gerald to custody, while Maridhas was questioned and released with a direction to appear for further inquiry if required.

Justice N Senthilkumar, who is hearing petitions connected to the stampede, earlier directed the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under North Zone Inspector General Asra Garg to probe the circumstances leading to the disaster. During one of the hearings, the judge made unwarranted remarks about Vijay and his leadership quality, suggesting that TVK’s top functionaries, including Vijay, had shown poor management of the event.

The judge’s comments triggered an online debate, drawing both support and hostility. Police said retired police officer R Varadharajan, who heads a small political organisation called Nethaji Makkal Katchi and regularly uploads political commentary videos on his YouTube channel Nethaji TV, had posted a video allegedly attacking the judge over his observations. He questioned the neutrality of the judge given that he shares close ties with the DMK.

Based on complaints and digital evidence, cybercrime officers arrested Varadarajan. Officials stated that the arrest forms part of a larger operation aimed at ‘curbing hate campaigns’ and maintaining lawful public discourse while the sensitive judicial inquiry remains underway.

(With inputs from Sakshi Post)

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

Book Review: Matadaana By S. L. Bhyrappa – A Timeless Tale Of Society And Transformation

By
Gee Vee
-
Book Review: Matadaana By S. L. Bhyrappa - A Timeless Tale Of Society And Transformation

This book review comes during despondent times of S. L. Bhyrappa’s (SLB) passing and unification with the elements. I had picked this book up as this is the latest offering from Subbu Publications, and SLB’s works are always an attraction. First of all, the English translation is top-notch, with the core essence of the culture and times retained as compared to the Kannada original. The language is quite simple and lucid, with some quintessential Kannada words quoted in their original form. This effort has ensured that non-Kannada speakers can fully savour the richness of this fantastic composition.

MataDana means Voting in Kannada. However, the literal meaning is Daana, i.e., gift or bestowing a charity/favour of Mata, i.e., Vote. Quite literally, the name itself is laden with so many interesting facets of the novel. The story is set in the rural setup of Karnataka and deals with the lives and times of a few of the characters. Dr. Shivalingappa, a young and idealistic doctor whose mind is set on being a social reformer rather than one to benefit from his medical education. As a human, he puts society at large ahead of personal comforts or, for that matter, personal priorities. The book is about a few of the characters directly or indirectly connected to this central character and an election that changes the lives of each of these in an irreversible manner.

First and foremost, the book is a sharp reflection of society. S. L. Bhyrappa turns philosophical and asks some very hard questions about the society we inhabit, the values we profess, and what we practice and the overall destination of life. As one proceeds with the book, one may start to wonder if the author was a clairvoyant. The happenings around the election, the words spoken about the choice of candidates etc, reminds one of a similar recent “civil society movement” that emphasised very similar lines. SLB clearly articulates the various faults in society wherein the simplicity of a few well-meaning individuals is sacrificed at the altar of politics.

Is politics only about money? As we know, political affiliations translate into familial bonds cemented through marriages. This has been a practice for centuries, and it’s no different in this novel, where marriage becomes a tool to forge some new alliances.

SLB blends some very interesting topics into the narrative like the use of homemade remedies and highlighting the efficacy of the same through the well-meaning Allopathic doctor. Dr. Shivappa is someone with whom many of us relate – a simple, common man with everyday troubles of survival, but rich with values. There is a political undercurrent of the unification of Karnataka, which places the timeline of the novel around 1955-56. SLB also provides some very impactful commentary on social topics like caste reservations or regional factionalism within a political party.

In one of the instances, a wonderful poetic metaphor in the form of Bhima’s taunts to Duryodhana is employed to describe a similar conflict situation. However, the most impactful portions of the book are towards the end, where things take a very serious turn for a few of the characters. Ramalinge Gowdru undergoes a serious of philosophical contemplations and reflections on certain events upto that point, which hold a very strong mirror to the society. The portion of the book where he debates and conflicts with himself in the mind about certain choices he is about to make is deeply insightful, but disturbing at the same time.

The storytelling is quite unique, where there is one general narrative till the election, after which the author forks into separate perspectives from each of the central characters and merges the narrative towards the end. Dr. Shivappa’s transition from a young, idealistic citizen to a more practical social animal is laden with lessons for the modern reader.

The best part of the book is the transformation of the character, Rangalakshmi, from a timid girl to a person who asserts their decision, much against societal norms, to taking some hard decisions in her own life and carving a new life for herself. I feel people read this book to understand how truly women’s liberation happens. The book ends with a beautiful crescendo. One needs to be aware that this book was written in 1965, set in 1955-56. Considering the conservative nature of the society, SLB displays amazing courage to introduce divorcee remarriage into the narrative and fittingly ends the book with the same.

This book can be read just as a story or as a reflection of the society with its various fractures. However, SLB clearly brings out the human spirit that can transcend these barriers and achieve newer goals that could be considered impossible. Absolutely masterful storytelling. Very highly recommended read.

Gee Vee is an engineer and avid fan of itihasas, puranas and books.

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

Gandhi Returned British Medal Over Khilafat And Not Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

By
The Commune
-
National Archives Reveals Gandhi's Medals Were Returned Over 'Wrong' Done To Mussalman Countrymen's Religious Sentiment during khilafat movement

An exhibition at the National Archives of India in 2022 brought to light historical documents that presented a nuanced picture of Mahatma Gandhi’s decision to return his British medals, clarifying that the primary impetus was the Khilafat Movement and not solely the Jallianwala Bagh massacre as is commonly believed.

The original letter, dated 2 August 1920, written by Gandhi to the then Viceroy Lord Chelmsford, is part of the ‘Saga of Freedom: Known and Lesser-known Struggles’ exhibition. In it, Gandhi states his reasons for returning the prestigious Kaisar-i-Hind Gold Medal, the Zulu War Medal, and the Boer War Medal.

The communication reveals that the act was a direct part of the “scheme of non-cooperation inaugurated today in connection with the Khilafat movement.” Gandhi expressed his inability to wear the honours “with an easy conscience, so long as my Mussalman countrymen have to labour under a wrong done to their religious sentiment.”

He strongly criticised the Imperial Government, accusing it of acting in the Khilafat matter in an “unscrupulous, immoral and unjust manner.” The Khilafat Movement was a pan-Islamic protest against the dismantling of the Ottoman Caliphate by the Allied powers after World War I.

While the Jallianwala Bagh massacre of April 1919, where British troops gunned down hundreds of unarmed Indians, was a significant factor in the growing discontent, the archival evidence shows it was an “additional cause for grave dissatisfaction” in Gandhi’s decision, not the primary one. The timeline supports this, with the medal return occurring over a year after the massacre.

Gandhi also used the letter to condemn the British response to the Punjab disturbances, holding Lieutenant Governor Sir Michael O’Dwyer’s policy “primarily responsible for infuriating the mob at Amritsar.” He did, however, acknowledge the “unpardonable” mob excesses, including the “murder of five innocent Englishmen and the cowardly assault on Miss Sherwood.”

The exhibition also features Rabindranath Tagore’s 1919 letter renouncing his knighthood in direct protest against the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, drawing a parallel yet distinct form of intellectual dissent against colonial rule.

(With inputs from The Print)

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

2009 vs 2025 – How Rajdeep Sardesai Judges Shoe-Throwing Differently

By
The Commune
-

The recent shoe-throwing incident at Chief Justice of India Justice Gavai has once again exposed the glaring double standards in Indian journalism, particularly embodied by senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai. His contrasting reactions to similar incidents separated by sixteen years reveal a pattern of selective outrage that aligns perfectly with political narratives rather than journalistic principles.

Shoe Throwing Attempt

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Bhushan R. Gavai on 6 October 2025 faced an attempted shoe-hurling incident in court but decided not to take any action against the lawyer involved, instead directing officials to “just ignore” the episode.

Reportedly, after security personnel intervened and escorted the lawyer out of the courtroom, officials sought the CJI’s instructions on the future course of action. “Just ignore,” the CJI told them, asking that the lawyer be warned and let go. The lawyer was later identified as Rakesh Kishore.

The dramatic scene unfolded during the mentioning of cases before the CJI’s Bench, when Kishore suddenly approached the dais and tried to take off his shoe. As he was being taken away, he was heard shouting: “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge (We will not tolerate any insult to Sanatan).”

The incident comes in the wake of a recent controversy over the CJI’s reported remarks during a hearing last month, when a Bench of CJI Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran declined to entertain a plea filed by one Rakesh Dalal. Dalal had sought directions to restore a seven-foot beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari temple, part of the Khajuraho group of monuments in Madhya Pradesh.

The petitioner had argued that the idol was mutilated during Mughal invasions and that authorities had failed to restore it despite repeated representations. The court held that the issue fell within the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and not the judiciary. During the hearing, the CJI reportedly told the petitioner’s lawyer: “Go ask the deity itself to do something now. You say you are a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. So go and pray now. It’s an archaeological site and ASI needs to give permission etc. Sorry.”

Rajdeep Sardesai’s Two Faces

Here’s how Rajdeep reacted to the two instances of shoe hurling.

In 2009, when a Sikh journalist named Jarnail Singh hurled a shoe at then Home Minister P. Chidambaram in protest against the Congress government’s handling of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Sardesai’s response was one of empathy. He wrote, “Jarnail is a remarkably calm man. Something snapped in him the day he threw the shoe. Lost his job, but not his self-esteem.”
The tone was understanding, even sympathetic – a portrayal of moral outrage as human and perhaps justified.

Fast forward to 2025. When a lawyer reportedly attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India Justice Gavai, claiming he would not tolerate “anti-Sanatan” remarks, Sardesai’s tone was the polar opposite. “TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE behaviour,” he declared. He condemned the act as a symptom of “a culture of caste hatred and religious intolerance being normalised.”

So What Changed?

The difference in tone is striking. In one case, defiance was framed as a moment of personal conviction; in the other, it was branded as proof of religious extremism. Both men committed the same act – throwing a shoe at a powerful public figure – one attempted to throw. Yet one was treated as a man pushed to the edge by injustice, and the other as a dangerous emblem of intolerance.

What changed between 2009 and 2025? Not the act, but the political and ideological context surrounding it. Sardesai’s moral lens seems to shift with the target and the narrative. When the establishment was Congress-led and the protest came from a minority community, it was treated with empathy. When the establishment is judicial and the protest draws from a Hindu civilizational sentiment, it becomes “deeply worrying.”

Such selective outrage undermines journalistic credibility. The role of the press is not to rationalize one act of violence while condemning another, but to apply a consistent moral standard. The inconsistency here does not merely reflect bias; it shapes how society perceives dissent and legitimacy.

If shoe-throwing is wrong, and it should be, it is wrong regardless of the protester’s faith or the ideology invoked. A journalist’s credibility rests on that consistency.

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

Dravidian Model: Minor Girl Locked In Lodge, Sexually Assaulted, Forced Into Prostitution; Actor, DMK Functionary Among Accused

By
The Commune
-
sexual assault minor dmk

 The Koyambedu all-women police have arrested eight individuals, including a supporting actor and a local DMK functionary, for their alleged involvement in a sex trafficking ring that exploited a 15-year-old schoolgirl. The case, which began with a rescue operation in August, has expanded to reveal a network that preyed on the vulnerable minor.

The victim, a Class IX student, was left orphaned after her father’s death and abandoned by her mother who remarried and moved away. She was taken in by her mother’s friend, Poongodi, a dancer residing in K.K. Nagar, who allegedly exploited the girl’s precarious situation.

According to police, Poongodi and her niece, Aishwarya, lured the girl into prostitution with promises of money, mobile phones, and a comfortable lifestyle. The minor was subsequently introduced to clients by Bharathi Kannan (63), a real estate businessman and supporting actor known for Tamil films “Pattaya Kelappu” and “Peya Kaanom.”

The investigation reveals that the accused, including DMK functionary Ramesh (40) – a former Panchayat Council president – and Mahendran, an employee of a private construction firm, sexually assaulted the girl at a private lodge in Koyambedu. She was allegedly moved between locations and further enticed with offers of iPhones, cash, and clothes.

The case came to light on August 22 when police, acting on a tip-off, raided a luxury hotel on Koyambedu’s 100-Feet Road and rescued the girl. Initial arrests included three individuals from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh: A. Anjali (31), N. Nagamma (45) – a supporting actress in the Telugu film industry – and Nagaraj (46).

“The two absconding accused, Bharathi Kannan and Ramesh, were arrested after intensive investigation,” a police official stated. “We are examining mobile phone records to identify other individuals involved in this racket.”

All eight accused have been remanded in judicial custody and charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The minor has been moved to a government shelter home for girls and women in Mylapore as police continue their investigation into the trafficking network.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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

DMK Stooge Kamal Haasan Who Simped For Senthil Balaji At Karur Stampede Site, Once Called Him “A Criminal”

By
The Commune
-

DMK ally Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan on 6 October 2025 visited the site of the stampede at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur, meeting families of the victims. Forty-one people were killed and over 50 injured in the September 27 incident, marking one of the worst political tragedies in recent Indian history.

What he did yesterday was plainly simp for the DMK government and most importantly – Senthil Balaji.

Specifically praising former DMK Minister for Electricity, Prohibition & Excise and Aravakurichi MLA Senthil Balaji who was arrested dramatically in June 2023 in connection with a money laundering case for which he is out on bail, DMK stooge Kamal Haasan said, “We have to thank Balaji. Rather than asking why he came, it’s more important to be happy that he came (to the site of tragedy). This is his area, his house, his town, his people, who else will come looking here if not for him? Don’t ask questions like that. It doesn’t depend on the party.”

He added, “For now, I would like to thank Balaji for arriving on time and saving lives.”

He also said, “We must ensure this doesn’t repeat and we were discussing this even in the car on our way about what we can do to prevent this from happening again.”

When asked about who should take responsibility, he said, “We all should. Why point to others for blaming responsibility, we must take responsibility. He is responsible (pointing to Senthil Balaji). He has done his duty to the best of his ability. Don’t thank him for that, don’t interrupt him, let him do what he does.”

But did you know, that at a time when MNM positioned itself as a remedy for the kind of politics DMK does, Kamal Haasan has spoken against the same Senthil Balaji who he simped for at Karur.

A video clipping of what both have to say about each other has made its way back on to the social media platforms. In the video, Kamal is seen saying (speaking about Senthil Balaji), “He said, you go with your vehicle at 11 o clock, if anyone, any official stops you, I will ensure he will ensure he is not there – so does he mean he will fire him from his job or is he talking about killing him? However you look at it, you are a criminal. Your words expose your crimes.”

Senthil Balaji also had some nice things to say about Kamal Haasan. Responding to Haasan’s allegations, he said, “A half-baked like Kamal Haasan should speak knowing what he is saying. Ask Kamal Hassan’s candidate to speak. Ask that candidate to speak courageously. BJP and ADMK are behind this. Ask Kamal Haasan, BJP, ADMK’s candidates to come and speak at Sevanthipalayam, we will not allow to mine sand.”

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

“Kamal Sold His Soul For 1 Rajya Sabha Seat, People Won’t Take Him Seriously”: BJP Leader Annamalai On DMK Stooge MP Kamal Haasan’s Karur Visit

By
The Commune
-
annamalai kamal haasan mental hospital mnm tr baalu sriperumbudur dmk bjp lok sabha elections

BJP leader K. Annamalai took a sharp dig at actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief and DMK ally Kamal Haasan over his visit to the Karur stampede site, accusing him of siding with the ruling DMK and speaking in defence of the administration.

He said, “I am finally happy Kamal Hassan ji as a politician, as a leader of the Makkal Needhi Maiam has never found time to visit Karur, over the last many many years. Now suddenly he has found time to visit Karur – today he has gone so I am happy that he visited Karur. Now we all know what he would have spoken at Karur. We have also seen.”

“Kamal Haasan has sold his soul a long time back for one Rajya Sabha seat,” Annamalai said, referring to Haasan’s recent nomination to the Upper House. “Whatever Kamal Haasan speaks, people of Tamil Nadu are not going to take him seriously. Going to Karur and saying the administration is not at fault, who will accept that?” he added.

On 6 October 2025, Haasan visited the site of the September 27 stampede in Karur that left 41 people dead and over 50 injured during a rally organised by actor and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) founder Vijay. Calling it a tragedy, Haasan said the organisers must take responsibility instead of shifting blame. “We came here to ensure justice and express condolences,” he said, adding that it was not the time for political blame games.

He also defended the police, saying they had done their duty and should not be criticised. Haasan reserved particular praise for the Chief Minister’s response to the crisis. “A dignified politician should show all the qualities of leadership and how to conduct things. That has been shown, and we are proud of it,” he said.

Annamalai criticised the MNM chief for what he described as a pattern of favouring the DMK government. “Kamal Haasan is a fine actor, no doubt. But when it comes to politics, whatever he says is one-sided and meant to favour DMK, even on an issue like Karur,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Inspector General of Police Asra Garg has been constituted to probe the incident, following directions from the Madras High Court. The court also pulled up TVK leader Vijay for leaving the venue soon after the stampede and temporarily banned public rallies on highways until a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is framed.

(With inputs from India Today)

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

Desperation Promotion? DMK Minister Takes School Children To Watch Idli Kadai Released By Udhayanidhi’s Son Inbanidhi As Theatres Go Empty

By
The Commune
-
DMK Health Minister Takes School Kids To Idli Kadai Film Released By Udhayanidhi's Son Inbanidhi"

State Health and Family Welfare Minister Ma Subramanian spent Sunday hosting a special event for orphaned and single-parent children under the Tamil Nadu government’s Anbu Karangal scheme, but the outing has drawn attention for its political and cinematic overtones.

The Minister, who represents Saidapet, organised a day-long programme where nearly 400 children identified under the Chief Minister’s Anbu Karangal initiative were brought together for entertainment and welfare activities. The initiative, launched by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin provides monthly financial assistance to children who have lost one or both parents.

According to the Health Department, 399 children, including 68 who lost both parents and 331 with a single parent, had been identified for aid in the Saidapet outreach camp. On Sunday morning, the children assembled at the Minister’s office, where they were given breakfast before being taken to a local theatre for a screening of Idli Kadai, a newly released family drama featuring actor Dhanush.

The film, notably, was released by Inbanidhi Stalin, son of Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development Udhayanidhi Stalin, further reinforcing the DMK’s growing crossover between political and film promotion.

Following the movie, the Minister took the children to a textile showroom in T. Nagar, where they were allowed to select clothes of their choice, an activity that was widely photographed and circulated on social media. Actor Dhanush reportedly called the Minister later in the day to express appreciation for the gesture, a development promptly highlighted in official press releases.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Broadcastmedia (@broadcastmedia24)

While the outreach effort has been framed as a welfare measure under Anbu Karangal, critics noted that the event doubled as an indirect promotion for Idli Kadai, a film released under the banner associated with the ruling family. With multiple ministers publicly linking welfare outreach to cinema associated with the Stalins, the line between governance and political branding appears increasingly blurred.

(With inputs from Tamil Samayam)

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

“Don’t Ask Why He Came, Be Happy He Came”, DMK Stooge Kamal Haasan Simps For Senthil Balaji At Karur Stampede Site

By
The Commune
-
DMK Stooge Kamal Haasan Simps For Senthil Balaji At Karur Stampede Site

DMK ally Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan on 6 October 2025 visited the site of the stampede at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur, meeting families of the victims. Forty-one people were killed and over 50 injured in the September 27 incident, marking one of the worst political tragedies in recent Indian history.

Speaking to the press, Haasan emphasized the need for humanity over politics. Haasan reserved particular praise for the Chief Minister’s response to the crisis. “A dignified politician should show all the qualities of leadership and how to conduct things. That has been shown, and we are proud of it,” he said.

Regarding accusations of a security lapse, he said: “This would have become a bigger tragedy had permission been granted for some other place. We were able to stop it here itself. I am happy about that. Had there been a security lapse and they all fell into the river, what situation would it have been? All opposition parties say this is due to security lapse; they accuse that way. I am a centrist and a Tamil Nadu citizen, what happened is clear to everyone.”

Specifically praising former DMK Minister for Electricity, Prohibition & Excise and Aravakurichi MLA Senthil Balaji who was arrested dramatically in June 2023 in connection with a money laundering case for which he is out on bail, DMK stooge Kamal Haasan said, “We have to thank Balaji. Rather than asking why he came, it’s more important to be happy that he came (to the site of tragedy). This is his area, his house, his town, his people, who else will come looking here if not for him? Don’t ask questions like that. It doesn’t depend on the party.”

He added, “For now, I would like to thank Balaji for arriving on time and saving lives.”

He also said, “We must ensure this doesn’t repeat and we were discussing this even in the car on our way about what we can do to prevent this from happening again.”

When asked about who should take responsibility, he said, “We all should. Why point to others for blaming responsibility, we must take responsibility. He is responsible (pointing to Senthil Balaji). He has done his duty to the best of his ability. Don’t thank him for that, don’t interrupt him, let him do what he does.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by S.N.Prasath (@s.n.prasath_)

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

“Police Should Be Thanked, Not Blamed; CM Stalin Showed Exemplary Leadership”, Says DMK Stooge MP Kamal Haasan After Visiting Karur Stampede Victims Families

By
The Commune
-

DMK ally Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) chief and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan on 6 October 2025 visited the site of the stampede at a Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Karur, meeting families of the victims. Forty-one people were killed and over 50 injured in the September 27 incident, marking one of the worst political tragedies in recent Indian history.

Speaking to the press, Haasan emphasized the need for humanity over politics.

He also praised journalists for their role in exposing facts: “Especially journalists, because you exposed this way, the truths have started coming out little by little. In this time period, everyone is questioning who is truth. There is no single truth; from many perspectives, it appears differently. Both courts and police are forced to uncover the truth in this time. Police should be thanked, not blamed. I am not like this when I came here.”

Haasan reserved particular praise for the Chief Minister’s response to the crisis. “A dignified politician should show all the qualities of leadership and how to conduct things. That has been shown, and we are proud of it,” he said.

Haasan stressed that authorities were performing their duty and called for public support: “Because they are doing their duty. So please thank all of you who stood with this life situation until now. Please let them do their work. Sir, you have seen lights too. Have you seen which place is better? Sir, no place is good for this death.”

Regarding accusations of a security lapse, he said: “This would have become a bigger tragedy had permission been granted for some other place. We were able to stop it here itself. I am happy about that. Had there been a security lapse and they all fell into the river, what situation would it have been? All opposition parties say this is due to security lapse; they accuse that way. I am a centrist and a Tamil Nadu citizen, what happened is clear to everyone.”

Haasan urged people to avoid taking sides: “Don’t take sides in this. If you take sides, take the side of the public.”

Speaking again to the press after meeting a family, he called for prioritizing humanity and justice over political debate: “It is ‘time to apologise, time to accept mistake.’ I’ve come to express condolences to the victims of Karur tragedy. Don’t see this tragedy as numbers. Look at them as mothers, sisters and elderly. The investigation is underway. The matter is sub-judice, it not right to comment on it now. I’m a Centrist and a citizen of Tamil Nadu. Let’s not take sides in this issue. If we are to take sides, let’s take the people’s side. Chief Minister MK Stalin displayed exemplary leadership qualities and we should thank him for that. Any government will take responsibility. But the matter is now sub judice. Do not keep blaming somebody else.”

Haasan made an appeal for preventive measures, stating, “This should be a precedent for the nation and for Tamil Nadu to shine again.” He emphasized the need for collective action across party lines, suggesting, “The Chief Minister should raise this with all parties so that this does not happen again. All parties must have strict laws and meet to discuss forward-looking solutions.”

Haasan described the ongoing legal proceedings: “While Vijay, whose maiden statewide tour ended in disaster in its third week, is yet to visit the bereaved families.” 

Two TVK functionaries – including district secretary Mathiyazhagan – have been arrested, while senior leaders Bussy Anand (General Secretary) and Nirmal Kumar (Deputy General Secretary) remain on the run after the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court denied them anticipatory bail. The three, along with unnamed others, have been booked on serious charges including attempt to murder, culpable homicide not amounting to murder, and endangering public safety.

The state government has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Inspector General of Police Asra Garg and a single-member inquiry commission headed by retired judge Justice Aruna Jagadeesan. Chief Minister MK Stalin has assured that a model guideline for political rallies and public gatherings will be framed based on the commission’s findings.

Haasan concluded by emphasizing empathy and responsible leadership: “It is pointless to give such advice now. He must do what a leader must do. That is my request. Giving advice is your prerogative. People are blaming it on DMK or blaming Senthil Balaji. No, no, look here—the one blaming is standing right here. Others blaming are asking questions. You should ask them, not us. I have not come to discuss politics here. I will come next month to discuss politics. Let them rest in peace. They must try to forget the incident. Whenever someone asks how many died, I cry for them. When I cry once, I feel better. Please allow me that.”

Haasan urged unity and patience while investigations continue: “Vijay’s party workers have gone missing; police have been searching for them. I said this earlier; it is not time to quarrel now. The law is in place. Questions have been asked, SIT has come and is investigating with senior police officers. I trust both you and I to conduct the inquiry deeply, firmly, and honestly.”

(With inputs from NDTV)

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

1...798081...1,708Page 80 of 1,708
TheCommune
The Commune is a news and views portal focusing on social and political issues of the southern part of India with a focus on Tamil Nadu.
Contact us: thecommune.news@gmail.com
Facebook Instagram Twitter Youtube

NATIONAL NEWS

© The Commune 2025. All Rights Reserved.