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Ajit Doval To Visit Moscow As PM Modi Tries To Broker Peace Between Russia & Ukraine

By
The Commune
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Ajit Doval To Visit Moscow As PM Modi Tries To Broker Peace Between Russia & Ukraine

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will travel to Moscow this week to hold discussions aimed at resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, sources have said.

This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Russia (in July) and Ukraine (in August) where he held meetings with the Presidents of the two countries — Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky.

Shortly after his trip to Ukraine and meeting with President Zelensky, Prime Minister Modi spoke to President Putin over the phone on August 27. A Russian Embassy statement then said that PM Modi informed President Putin about his visit to Kyiv and stressed India’s commitment to bring about a settlement by political and diplomatic means.

Sources said that it was during this phone call that the leaders decided that NSA Doval would travel to Moscow for peace talks. “President Putin shared his principled assessment of the destructive policies of the Kyiv authorities and their Western patrons, and went on to highlight Russia’s approaches to resolving this conflict,” the Russian Embassy said about the phone call. The Prime Minister’s Office said the two leaders exchanged views on the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“The PM shared insights from his recent visit to Ukraine. He underlined the importance of dialogue and diplomacy as well as sincere and practical engagement between all stakeholders to achieve an abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict,” a PMO release said. The Prime Minister reiterated India’s firm commitment to support an “early, abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict” on his official handle on X.

Ajit Doval’s visit, however, is part of the BRICS NSA meeting this week ahead of the annual Summit in Kazan. The meeting will see top security officials of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa besides new members Saudi Arabia, UAE, Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia.

Doval is also expected to hold bilateral talks with Chinese counterpart Wang Yi. The travel to Moscow this week is also said to be a bid to reach a peaceful resolution between the warring neighbours Russia and Ukraine.

Other world leaders, too, are of the view that India can play a key role in finding a resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that countries like India and China can play a role in resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Her remarks, made at the Ambrosetti Forum in northern Italy’s Cernobbio city on Saturday — where she also held a meeting with the visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky — came less than 48 hours after Russian President Putin also highlighted India’s efforts in solving the ongoing crisis in the region. On Thursday, while addressing the 9th Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin mentioned India’s role in providing a “helping hand” in resolving the issue.

“We respect our friends and partners who I think are sincerely interested in addressing and resolving all the issues associated with the conflict (with Ukraine). China, Brazil, India… I am in contact with my partners and I have no doubt that the leaders of these countries, and we have the relations of trust and confidence with one another, will be interested in providing a helping hand,” said Putin.

This story is based on an IANS wire feed. 

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Joseph Vijay Who Didn’t Wish For Vinayagar Chathurthi Announces About TVK Becoming Registered Political Entity

By
The Commune
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Part-time politician and actor Vijay took to his social media to announce his party getting recognized as a registered political outfit by the Election Commission of India.

In an official statement, Vijay stated “Our approach to politics with the basic tenet of ‘All are one and equal at birth’, is a celebration in itself. However, we’ve been waiting to celebrate in full until the legal recognition as a political party. Now, we’ve got that permission.”

He said that his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) was submitted its application to the Election Commission on 2 February 2024 and that it has now recognized his party as a registered party in electoral politics.

“I am very happy to share with you this news”, Vijay said adding that the first door has now opened towards victory.

He asked his cadres to wait as efforts are underway for the first state-level rally of his party which is scheduled to happen in September third week.

Adding further he said “We’ll break all obstacles, hoist the flag, carry our ideological lamp, and grow as a primary political party for Tamil people in Tamil Nadu. We’ll carry our ‘victory flag’ and meet people. Let’s emerge victorious.”

His announcement comes a day after Vinayagar Chaturthi, a day celebrating the birth of Hindu God Vinayagar, the elephant-god who is the remover of obstacles.

Vijay who claims to profess a politics for all did not wish Hindus on the occasion of Vinayagar Chathurthi. However, he did wish Muslims on Ramzan and Christians on Easter. Ironically, his party’s flag has two elephants.

It is noteworthy to mention that his latest film “The Greatest Of All Time” was released on Thursday coinciding with Vinayagar Chathurthi celebrations so that the film makes money.

Many on social media have called out the hypocrisy of Vijay who claims that his party is for all humans regardless of caste and religion is just emulating DMK’s Dravidian Model which too doesn’t wish Hindus on festivals like Vinayagar Chathurthi or Deepavali and disrespects Hindu sentiments.

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Average Monthly Household Spending On Food Is Less Than Half For The First Time In Modern India

By
The Commune
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Average Monthly Household Spending On Food Is Less Than Half For The First Time In Modern India

Significant changes are unfolding in India’s food consumption pattern and the share of total household expenditure on food has declined substantially in rural and urban areas and across all states and union territories (UTs) since 1947, a government paper has revealed.

It is the first time in modern India (post-independence) that average household spending on food is less than half the overall monthly spending of households and is a marker of significant progress, according to the paper titled ‘Changes in India’s Food Consumption and Policy Implications,’ by the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) to the Prime Minister.

Within food items, the share of expenditure on cereal has declined significantly across rural and urban areas. “However, this decline was more substantial for the bottom 20 per cent of the households in rural and urban areas. In all likelihood, this reflects the effectiveness of the government’s food security policies, which provide free food grains to large numbers of beneficiaries across all states of the country, with a particular focus on the vulnerable bottom 20 per cent of households,” the findings showed.

The significant decline in the share of cereals in household expenditure has allowed households to diversify their diets, with increased spending on milk and milk products, fresh fruits, and eggs, fish and meat.

Schemes like PMGKAY, which provides free food grains to approximately 800 million eligible people across the country, seem to have performed the role of an expansionary fiscal policy where households are spending their ‘saved expenditure’ from cereals on diverse food items.

The paper said that significant changes in the food composition of household expenditure have implications for agriculture policy and the country’s health and nutrition policies.

The changing consumption basket of Indians will also impact the calculation of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in the future. “As household demand shifts and supply factors improve, the government should continue to support agricultural policies that promote the production and accessibility of diverse food items, mainly fruits, vegetables, and animal-source foods,” read the paper.

Agriculture policies will have to be tailored beyond cereals, whose consumption is declining across all wealth classes of society. “At the same time, support policies like MSP, which overwhelmingly targets cereal procurement, will have a limited impact on the welfare of farmers,” it noted.

The EAC-PM paper also observed a significant increase in the share of household expenditure on served and packaged processed food. This increase was universal across the classes but more pronounced for the country’s top 20 percent of households and significantly more in urban areas. “While food processing is a growth sector and a significant creator of jobs, this rising consumption of processed and packaged food will also likely affect health outcomes,” the paper stressed, adding that policies may be required to regulate the nutritional content of these foods and promote healthier alternatives.

This story is based on an IANS wire feed. 

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Chennai: Couple Who Reported About Rape Of Their 10-Year-Old Daughter Beaten And Detained By Police, Accused Still At Large

By
The Commune
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A couple who reported that their 10-year-old daughter had been repeatedly raped by a neighbor were allegedly beaten by an all-women police inspector in Anna Nagar and detained at the station until the early hours of 31 August 2024. The child, a sixth-grade student at a government school, witnessed the mistreatment of her parents in the presence of the accused, Sathish, a local water can supplier.

Despite the FIR being filed on 31 August 2024, Sathish has not yet been arrested. The girl’s father works as a construction worker, and her mother is a cook.

The rape incident came to light on 29 August 2024. However, the child did not receive the necessary mandatory counseling from a District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) or the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). On 29th of August, after the girl’s mother discovered her in severe pain and had her examined at a private clinic, it was confirmed that she had been sexually assaulted. The child was then referred to Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital (KMCH), where doctors verified the repeated assaults.

Following notification from KMCH, an all-women police team from Anna Nagar visited the hospital. Contrary to protocol, Inspector Raji demanded the mother bring her Aadhaar card and other documents to the station, where she conducted an inquiry with the child. During this inquiry, the inspector repeatedly questioned why the girl had been named Sathish, with the girl mistakenly claiming it was an error. She also mentioned that her cousin had assaulted her in 2022.

The survivor later confided in her mother that she did not name Sathish initially because he had threatened to kill her parents and younger sister, making her an orphan.

After the inquiry, the inspector summoned the parents to the station and detained them until the early morning hours of the following day. The girl’s mother reported to TOI that police had assaulted her husband during this time, and she is now receiving support from AIMS coordinator Kanya.

When Inspector Raji was contacted, she stated, “You should not inquire about POCSO cases with the investigation officer.” Anna Nagar Deputy Commissioner Snehapriya denied any such attacks on the complainants at the all-women police station.

The girl remains at KMCH, and the CWC has yet to forward the case to the DCPO to assign a child counselor. CWC Chairperson Rajkumar Muthukrishnam informed that “I was unaware of this case. We will follow the procedure and assign a counselor to speak with the girl.”

(With Inputs From TOI)

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Dravidian Model: Report Says Over 200 Police Detain “Motivational Speaker” Mahavishnu At Chennai Airport Following His Speech On Karma And Rebirth To Govt School Students

By
The Commune
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Dravidian Model: Report Says Over 200 Police Detain "Motivational Speaker" Mahavishnu At Chennai Airport Following His Speech On Karma And Rebirth To Govt School Students

Motivational speaker and self-styled spiritual guru Mahavishnu was detained by police in Chennai following complaints filed at the Saidapet and Tiruvottiyur police stations. The controversy erupted after Mahavishnu allegedly made offensive remarks about differently-abled individuals during a speech at a government school.

On 7 September 2024, a significant number of police was deployed at Chennai airport to apprehend Mahavishnu upon his arrival from Australia.

Since the video went viral on 6 September 2024, the DMK urged the police to intensify their investigation. The Avinashi police, along with intelligence officers, conducted an inquiry at the head office of the Paramporul Foundation located in Kulathupalayam, near Avinashi in Tirupur District. The investigation revealed that the Paramporul Foundation has branches in several countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Sydney, Australia, with its headquarters in Tamil Nadu.

It was also discovered that Mahavishnu was in Sydney for a training course. The investigation examined various aspects, including Mahavishnu’s birthplace, background, income sources, donation details for the foundation, and the nature of the foundation’s activities. Additionally, inquiries are ongoing regarding the schools where Mahavishnu has delivered speeches and the topics he has covered.

While some news outlets reported that Mahavishnu had gone into hiding due to the police investigation, he later clarified through a social media video that he is in Australia for a discourse and plans to return to Tamil Nadu to address the case against him, despite having another scheduled program.

Background – Mahavishnu

Mahavishnu, a motivational speaker from the Paramporul Foundation, was invited to talk in the Ashok Nagar and Saidapet area government schools. During his speech, Mahavishnu stated that ancient Indian education systems, like Gurukulams, were destroyed by British rule, leading to the loss of powerful knowledge once written on palm leaves (olaichuvadu). He asserted that reciting specific mantras could heal bodies, cause “rain of fire,” or enable one to fly, alluding to mystical powers lost over time. He then stated that social inequalities and people’s circumstances whether rich, poor, criminal, or heroic were the result of actions in their previous lives.

A school staff member objected to the content of Mahavishnu’s speech, pointing out that the speaker was invited for a motivational talk, not a spiritual discourse. This led to a heated argument, with Mahavishnu questioning the teacher how a child will live a proper life without knowledge about past life karma. A video of the incident, later uploaded to Mahavishnu’s YouTube channel, went viral, triggering widespread criticism among Dravidianists.

Students’ reactions to the speech also raised alarms. Some reportedly broke down in tears, with one student stating, “We were thinking that there is someone above us. But now I understand that God is within us.” Another student commented, “I realized that beyond basic education, there is something beyond the reach of knowledge.” These statements have heightened concerns over the speaker’s influence on impressionable young minds.

Critics argue that while motivational speeches in schools are meant to inspire students, they should promote a scientific outlook and not delve into religious or spiritual doctrines. Social activists and education advocates have called for stricter oversight in government schools to ensure such events do not compromise the core values of the educational system.

Politicians and Dravidianists condemned the school administration for allowing such sensitive topics to be addressed before children.

DMK School Education Minister Threatens Mahavishnu

DMK School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh visited the school to investigate the matter. After reviewing the situation, he addressed the press and issued a warning, announcing that severe action would be taken against the speaker involved. Speaking to the press, the DMK minister stated that an investigation into the matter is underway. He emphasized that within two to three days, appropriate action will be taken. Currently, the inquiry is focused on determining whether the fault lies with the school headmistress or the departmental officials.

When reporters asked how the minister planned to address the motivational speaker Mahavishnu’s claim that no laws prohibit him from delivering spiritual talks in schools, the minister did not respond directly. Instead, he shifted the focus and began praising the teacher who had halted the speaker’s discourse during Teacher’s Day. The minister stated that, regardless of whether the teacher files a complaint or not, action will be taken based on the video of the confrontation between the speaker and the schoolteacher.

Anbil Mahesh took the issue personally and remarked, “You came to my area, spoke, and left, you have insulted my teachers. So, I’m stressing at this point that I will not let you off lightly.” 

Action Taken by Dravidian Model Government

In the wake of the controversy over Maha Vishnu’s motivational speech, the School Education Ministry ordered the transfer of Headmistress, Tamilarasi, of Ashok Nagar Government Girls Higher Secondary School to Kolvil Padhagai Government School in the Tiruvallur District on 6 September 2024. This decision prompted protests from teachers in reaction to the transfer.

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Tamil Nadu: YouTuber Arrested For Controversial ‘Hijab Challenge’ Video

By
The Commune
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Coimbatore’s cybercrime police have detained a YouTuber following the viral spread of a controversial ‘Hijab Challenge’ video. Filmed at the Coimbatore racecourse, the video featured a woman in a burqa approaching young Hindu women, asking them to try on hijabs and capturing their reactions. The provocative footage, which sparked widespread backlash, led to a formal complaint and the subsequent arrest of Anas Ahmed, the channel owner.

On 3 September 2024, in a video titled ‘Hijab Challenge,’ a woman clad in a full burqa approached young women walking in the area and asked if they would like to try on a hijab, capturing them and sharing it on social media. This YouTube video sparked severe criticism.

Following a complaint lodged by Kumaresan from the Ganapati area, the YouTuber channel Anas Ahmed was taken into custody by the cybercrime authorities.

Al Kaswa, a Tamil YouTube channel devoted to spreading the ‘message of Islam’ to its viewers, has a sister channel named Kaswa TV Exclusive. In a video that has gone viral on social media, the host, Binth Hanifa, states she is from al Kaswa TV and asks women and young girls on the streets of Tamil Nadu (it is not clear which part of the state) to participate in a Hijab challenge.

Hanifa herself covered completely from head to toe – including gloves and whatnot, whose eyes alone are visible, tells the participants to wear a hijab. She makes them curious to find out how they look wearing Islamic attire.

Right on the footpath and in the public glare, she makes the women, mostly Hindus, wear the hijab and burka. At the end of each such challenge, she tells the girl/woman, “You look very cute, you look really nice with this transformation.” She also tells some of them, “You look very neat wearing the hijab, it fits you well.”

The girls, over-enthused by the appreciation, thank Hanifa and she shows them how they look after the “transformation“.

After showing them how they look, Hanifa asks them how they feel. One of them said, “I feel good. I have always wanted to try this on, but this is my first time.” Another girl said, “I look like a Muslim girl.”

In one instance, the girl’s mother participating in the al Kaswa “challenge” is also right next to her. Hanifa proceeds to ask the mother how she feels about it. The mother says, “It is very beautiful; it suits her well. I am so happy to see this.”

Hanifa then (in what seems like gaslighting) makes her audience tell her that the attire is nice and that the participants are feeling good about wearing the hijab. Notably, one of the girls wearing a bindi has it removed after wearing the hijab.

The video has now been set to private by the owners of the YouTube channel.

 

(With Inputs From Thanthi TV)

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Vijay Follows The DMK Way In Not Wishing Hindus For Vinayagar Chaturthi

By
The Commune
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Vijay Follows The DMK Way In Not Wishing Hindus For Vinayagar Chaturthi

Kollywood actor-turned-politician Vijay, chief of the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has once again demonstrated that his ideology and party is no different to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). This was evident in his earlier political statements, where he aligned with the DMK’s positions on issues like NEET and CAA. However, Vijay has now become a virtual replica of the DMK by not acknowledging and wishing Vinayagar Chaturthi, a festival celebrated by 87.58% of the Hindu population in the state.

Kollywood actor and TVK chief  Vijay appears to be deliberately avoiding to respect the cultural values and beliefs of Hindus and Tamils. This accusation is supported by his selective social media posts on his official X account. Since the announcement of his party on 2 February 2024, Vijay has been only active on social media, often hinting at his ideology and aligning himself with the DMK. He has acknowledged and wished for Muslim festivals like Ramzan and Eid, Christian festivals like Easter, as well as neutral days such as May 1 (Labour Day), Ambedkar Jayanti, and Mother’s Day.

However, Vijay has cautiously neglected any of the Hindu festivals, including Vinayagar Chaturthi on 7 September 2024, Krishna Jayanthi on 26 August 2024, and even Tamil New Year on 14 April 2024. Instead on 14 April 2024 Tamil New Year, he deliberately chose to wish Ambedkar Jayanti.

This pattern suggests that Vijay, simping DMK sees himself as a proxy of the DMK, which follows a similar approach in Tamil Nadu. Critics argue that if Vijay’s new party is merely an extension of DMK policies, he might as well join the DMK directly and aim for a Rajya Sabha seat, as his predecessor part-time politician and full-time actor Kamal Haasan already laid the path.

If Vijay has an issue exclusively with Hindus and Tamil festivals like Vinayagar Chaturthi, it suggests he is viewing matters through a DMK lens. This approach to appeasement politics has already begun to trouble the DMK, and it is likely to cause similar problems for Vijay and his new party, which also seems to focus on minority appeasement.

Is Vijay’s TVK Acting As A DMK Proxy? 

Yes, it appears that way. Critics, including political commentators, are pointing out that Vijay’s TVK party and Vijay himself are conspicuously absent from engaging in significant issues in Tamil Nadu. Instead, Vijay seems to be solely focused on issuing congratulatory messages through his social media handles.

Actor Vijay entered into politics with the formation of his party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam in February 2024 and this move has often been compared to fellow actor and part-time politician Kamal Haasan and his party Makkal Needhi Maiam. This parallel is evident in the strategic moves and statements made by Vijay, which align closely with the ideology of the Dravidian movement and the DMK.

The political landscape of Tamil Nadu, gearing up for the 2026 state legislative assembly elections, will also be witness to yet another cine star namely Vijay, seemingly propelled by the DMK to echo their Dravidian ideology and potentially further divide the votes in the state.

This strategy echoes the historical move where Kamal Haasan entered politics at a time when actor Rajinikanth was contemplating starting his party, with Rajinikanth’s vision leaning towards spiritual politics. To counter this, the DMK strategically supported Kamal Haasan’s political debut to split the votes.

A notable example of Vijay’s alignment with the Dravidian ideology and the DMK is evident in his recent actions. He extended congratulations to the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its leader Chandra Babu Naidu, along with the Jana Sena Party and its leader Pawan Kalyan, for their significant victory in Andhra Pradesh.

Despite the impending oath-taking ceremony of Naidu as Chief Minister on 12 June 2024, Vijay extended his felicitations. Additionally, he congratulated the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi party and the Naam Tamilar Party for their recognition as state parties in Tamil Nadu. Although indirectly, he also acknowledged the success of the DMK alliance in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Notably absent from his remarks was any mention of the BJP’s victory at the central level, where a meeting has been convened, and the NDA alliance has unanimously chosen PM Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of India for a record third time, with the oath-taking ceremony scheduled for 9 June 2024.

Looking back at how Vijay exposed his alignment with the Dravidian ideology, it is noteworthy that on the auspicious occasion of Tamizh Puthandu (Tamil New Year) on 14 April 2024, amidst the festive spirit engulfing Tamil Nadu, Vijay stirred controversy by refraining from extending wishes to the people for the Tamil New Year. Instead, Vijay took to social media to share greetings for Ambedkar Jayanti, which coincidentally falls on the same day. This is the same strategy employed by the DMK on the auspicious occasion of Hindu celebrations and festivals such as Vinayagar Chaturthi, Saraswathi Pooja, and other festive occasions. 

As expected, aligning with the stance of Dravidian parties, Vijay (very ignorantly) expressed opposition to the notification of CAA. His press release read, “Any law like the Indian Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA) is not acceptable in an environment where all the people of the country are living in social harmony. The rulers should give an assurance that they will not implement this law in Tamil Nadu.”

Based on these observations, it can be inferred that part-time politician and full-time actor Vijay is yet another emerging foster project by the DMK and embodies the principles of Dravidian ideology in Tamil Nadu.

 

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Victory for V. Kalathur Village In Tamil Nadu: 6-Year Legal Battle Secures Vinayakar Chathurthi Celebration And Visarjan Despite Dravidian Model Restrictions

By
The Commune
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Victory for V. Kalathur Village In Tamil Nadu: 6-Year Legal Battle Secures Vinayakar Chathurthi Celebration And Visarjan Despite Dravidian Model Restrictions

Hindu Munnani has announced that after a six-year legal battle, V. Kalathur village in Perambalur district, Tamil Nadu, is celebrating Vinayakar Chathurthi with a Vinayagar procession. This historic victory is praised for the unity of Hindus and the effective arguments presented by Hindu activists in court.

Hindu Munnani, through their official X account, reported on a six-year struggle for the right to worship Vinayagar in V Kalathur village, Perambalur district. Last year, police violated human rights by beating, harassing, and humiliating many worshippers, falsely accusing hundreds. Despite these challenges, the community and Hindu activists pursued legal action, securing the right to celebrate Ganesha this year, including the Visarjana procession. Tamil Nadu’s government attempted to block this, but State Vice President Advocate Karthikeyan’s persuasive arguments led to a historic victory.

Last year, during the Vinayakar Chathurthi celebration, the village faced significant resistance despite its long tradition of celebrating the festival. The Village Administrative Officer and later the Collector denied permission, claiming there was no historical record of such events in the village. When the villagers went ahead with the installation of the Vinayakar idol anyway, the police intervened violently. They forcibly removed the idol and assaulted residents, including women and children. The authorities’ actions, which involved physical attacks and damage to personal property, left the community shocked and seeking justice. The villagers questioned the fairness of the police treatment and the reasons behind the denial of their long-standing religious practices. It is to be noted, since 2012, some local Muslims have been raising objections to the Hindu processions, branding these religious festivals as ‘sins’.

In 2021, a petition was filed with the Madras High Court concerning the practice of conducting temple processions through the Muslim-majority neighborhood of V. Kalathur, Perambalur district, Tamil Nadu. The petitioner requested police protection for these rituals, and while permission was granted, it came with certain restrictions.

During the hearing, the bench of Justices N. Kirubakaran and P. Velmurugan stressed that religious intolerance threatens the secular fabric of the country. They noted that resistance to religious festivals could lead to riots if reciprocated by another religious group.

The court reviewed an affidavit from the Deputy Superintendent of Police, noting that objections to temple processions had surfaced only since 2012, despite such processions being conducted without issues before that. The court observed that, although permission was granted under Section 180A of the District Municipalities Act 1920, objections from the Muslim community persisted.

The court ruled that dominance by one religious group in a locality should not justify prohibiting other religious groups from celebrating their festivals or organizing processions. The judges highlighted that allowing such intolerance undermines secularism and could lead to widespread conflict if minority communities were barred from celebrating their festivals.

The court stated, “Merely because one religious group dominates a particular locality, it cannot be a reason to prohibit the celebration of religious festivals or the organization of processions by other religious groups through those areas. Allowing religious intolerance is detrimental to a secular country. Any form of intolerance by any religious group must be restrained and prohibited.”

The court further asserted, “In this case, the intolerance of a specific religious group is evident through objections to festivals that have been celebrated for many decades, and the prohibition of processions through the village’s streets and roads is justified by claiming Muslim dominance in the area.”

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Tamil Nadu: Ancient Shiva Temples In Shambles Hindu Munnani Criticizes DMK HR&CE Minister Sekar Babu For Neglect

By
The Commune
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Ancient temples in Tamil Nadu, managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department, have fallen into severe disrepair due to lack of maintenance. Many of these historic structures, once celebrated in Tamil literature through hymns by saints, now face neglect. Notably, the three-story sanctum of some temples is being overtaken by trees and roots, highlighting the urgent need for restoration. Currently, these temples are only receiving minimal upkeep, with only one puja conducted daily.

Pichaleeswarar Shiva Temple

For instance, the Pichaleeswarar Temple in Pondavakkam village near Uthukottai, Thiruvallur District built during Krishna Devaraya’s reign, is in dire condition. The three-tiered gopuram houses deities such as Moolavar Lord Shiva, Kamakshi Amman, Vinayagar, Muruga, Sandikeswarar, Nandi, Bhairava, and Navakrigam. It’s been 50 years since the last Kumbabhishekam (consecration ceremony) was performed here, and no maintenance has occurred for over 30 years. Consequently, the temple’s tower and flagpole (Kodi Maram) are damaged. Although government-organized pujas like Pradosham and Shivratri festivals still take place with the help of devotees, the temple’s condition remains deteriorated.

Additionally, the government has taken one acre of the temple’s original three-acre land for the Krishna river canal project. This move suggests that the government views these ancient temples primarily as sources of revenue rather than valuing their cultural and historical significance. The 1,000-year-old temple tower is in ruins, and devotees are urging the Tamil Nadu government to repair the gopuram and conduct a Kumbabhishekam.

Pallipattu Shiva Temple

Another neglected site is the ancient Shiva temple in Echambadi village near Pallipattu, Tiruvallur Distric. Due to neglect of maintenance, this temple is now in a dilapidated state, with its building and roof overgrown with plants, compromising its structural integrity. The southern entrance of the stone hall is also damaged. Devotees are calling for restoration efforts to preserve the temple.

Agastheeswarar Shiva temple

In Uthiramerur, the Agastheeswarar temple in Kattankulam village, Kancheepuram district is also managed by the HR&CE Department, also faces similar significant damage. This temple, associated with the sage Agathiyar, features a flagpole, an altar, and sanctuaries. However, these structures were destroyed 30 years ago, leaving only the sanctum for Nandi and some artistic pillars. Currently, daily pujas are conducted by local residents, who are appealing to the HR&CE officials to restore this ancient temple to its former glory.

In this regard, the Hindu Munani has criticized HR&CE Minister Sekar Babu, mocking his claim of addressing spiritual concerns while ignoring the state of the dilapidated 1,000-year-old Pichaleeswarar Temple and raised question whether the Dravida model government will shift its approach to the preservation and maintenance of such cultural heritage sites.

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The Thanjavur Gangrape Case That The Dravidianist Media Has Managed To Silence

By
Sharika
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The Thanjavur Gangrape Case That The Dravidianist Media System Has Managed To Silence

Injustice often hides behind silence. But what happens when the system meant to protect us betrays us instead?

It is what happened to a 23-year-old hardworking daughter of a poor family in Thanjavur who was abducted, beaten up and raped by a group of six men while she was returning home from the bank.

One of the rapists was a ruling DMK functionary and a Udhayanidhi Stalin fan club member. Some reports say he joined the AIADMK while the DMK has been trying hard to mark him as a BJP member. Be that as it may.

This story is not easy to tell, but it needs to be told nonetheless because the institutions that should have protected and sympathised with her failed her, and she deserves justice.

In Pappanad village, just 25 kilometres from Thanjavur, a heinous crime took place on August 12th, 2024, when six men brutally gang-raped a 23-year-old woman.

From a humble family, this girl had completed her Masters’s degree in Microbiology and worked for a private firm in Chennai.

She was visiting her parents in the village when she was attacked. Here’s a timeline of the events as reported by Outlook.

Date: 12 August 2024, Time: 3 PM

It was supposed to be an ordinary day. She had finished some paperwork in her college and bank, and was returning home

She was suddenly confronted by someone she knew — Kavidasan. He demanded she get on his bike, but when she refused and walked away, he and five others appeared from behind her and dragged her to an isolated spot. Six men assaulted her, beating her into silence and overpowering her screams. The poor girl couldn’t stand the blows and fell unconscious soon. Sleeping just meters away, her father had no idea what was happening to his daughter.

Date: 12 August 2024, Time: 4:30 PM

Despite the horror she endured, she showed incredible bravery when she woke up. She went to the Pappanad police station with her family, determined to get justice. But that’s when the system betrayed her.

But that’s when the system betrayed her.

Instead of registering her case, the woman officer in charge demanded a written complaint, something the law does not require.

They didn’t offer medical assistance or show any concern for her wellbeing.

Date: 12 August 2024, Time: 5:15 PM

Confused and desperate, the family traveled to another police station at Pattukottai, 14 kilometers away. There too, they were turned away.

They were advised to go to the hospital and referred back to another police station. No one was interested in her ordeal.

Date: 12 August 2024, Time: 6:00 PM

At the hospital, she was again neglected. Neither the doctor nor the nurses attended to her.

Despite her exhaustion, the hospital staff refused to treat her, insisting she first returns with a registered police complaint.

Date: 12 August 2024, Time: 10:45 PM

She arrived at the Orathanadu Police Station, an All-Women Police Station located 28 km from the Government Hospital in Pattukottai.

She was taken to RMH Hospital in Thanjavur for a medical examination.

Seven hours passed before she was finally taken to the hospital for medical care.

Date: 13 August 2024, Time: 7:00 AM

The FIR was registered only the following day — 15 hours after the attack. The girl didnt even had the opportunity to cry and express her pain while she was running from pillar to post.

According to Indian law, the police cannot refuse to register a crime. Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita clarifies that a complaint can be given orally, electronically, or in writing.

A 15-hour delay in filing the FIR is not just a procedural error; it weakens the entire case.

The trauma didn’t end there. Her nightmare continued when she was confronted by two of her rapists in court. One even had the audacity to ask her not to name him in her statement.

Despite her clear testimony, the police registered the case against only four men, leaving out two attackers.

Yet, CCTV footage clearly shows six men leaving the scene together.

The survivor, an educated woman with a Master’s in Microbiology, lives in complete isolation.

The Leftist-Dravidianist media have maintained a stoic silence on the matter.

The so-called champions of women and outlets that claim to “speak truth to power” are absent.

Those who were outraged over the Pollachi issue when the AIADMK was in power haven’t even reported on this issue.

Is it because one of the accused was a member of DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin’s fan club?

Is it because raising outrage over the issue would upset the powers that be?

Outlook magazine covered this case in detail. Their reporter visited the village and spoke to the survivor. The survivor had only one question: ‘Will this case be over in a month or two? When will I go back to my normal life?

Her question echoes for thousands of victims like her. The law protects the vulnerable, but when those sworn to uphold justice fail them, what does justice even mean for the powerless?

This is the story of a survivor who, despite her courage, was failed at every turn—by the police, the hospital, and the legal system.

But her fight isn’t over. She still hasn’t returned to work. Her life has been turned upside down, and justice remains elusive.

Her question—’ When will this case be over?’—is one we must all ask with her. She could be any one of us. Let’s make sure no other survivor is silenced.

Share her story. Demand justice.

Sharika is a columnist who writes on political affairs and social issues.

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