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Chennai’s Flashy Flop vs Kashmir’s Quiet Success: How Srinagar’s F4 Race Outpaced DMK’s Overhyped Event

By
The Commune
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Chennai's Flashy Flop vs Kashmir's Quiet Success: How Srinagar's F4 Race Outpaced DMK's Overhyped Event

While the roar of engines filled the air in Srinagar and Chennai this year, the stories behind the Formula 4 races couldn’t be more different. Srinagar’s race event, held on the banks of Dal Lake, showcased a transformed region, highlighting normalcy after the abrogation of Article 370. In contrast, Chennai’s night race was marred by delays, safety concerns, and frustration, raising questions about the DMK government’s execution and priorities.

So far, the DMK has been criticized for claiming central government schemes as their own. Recently, it has come to light that their latest claims are also questionable. For example, the recently concluded “Formula 4” night street race, a pet project of DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin, was touted by the Dravidian faction as ‘Asia’s first.’ However, this claim is false, as the Formula 4 format had already been held on 17 March 2024, on the banks of Dal Lake in Srinagar, located along Boulevard Road in the Zabarwan Mountain Range by the BJP.

If you take a little background check, the F4 Indian Championship is a single-seater motorsport series adhering to the FIA’s Formula 4 regulations and organized by Racing Promotions Pvt Ltd. The series began its inaugural season in 2023, making the Dravidian faction’s claim about it being a unique event incorrect.

Real Difference Between The 2 Events – A Closer Look

Srinagar’s Formula 4 race was a significant achievement, showcasing the restored normalcy in Kashmir after Article 370 was abrogated. In the very streets where stone pelting used to be common, officials hosted such a prestigious event highlighting the region’s progress.

Unlike Udhayanidhi Stalin’s approach, the BJP didn’t spend ₹42 crores on extravagant road improvements or an additional ₹40 crores to host the Formula 4 race. This begs the question – if the BJP managed to execute the Srinagar’s race event efficiently without excess spending, why did the Chennai event cost over ₹80 crores? If Chennai still has to resort to elaborate events to attract investors, it indicates a failure in addressing broader issues by the current DMK regime. In contrast, Kashmir needs to display its newfound stability following the abrogation of Article 370, a change primarily credited to Home Minister Amit Shah.

In Srinagar, the race was open to the public from the banks of Dal Lake at no cost, whereas the Chennai event charged ₹1000 to ₹20,000 for tickets. It’s puzzling that some people equate such costly events with social justice. Unlike in Chennai, the UT Administration in J&K didn’t need to plead in court for FIA certification; their primary goal was to demonstrate Kashmir’s return to normalcy. Additionally, the Srinagar’s race event was not a public nuisance there were no road closures or traffic diversions, and public funds were not wasted.

Let’s examine the chaos they created both during and in the lead-up to the event.

Failed To Get Clearance On Time

Racing Promotion Private Limited (RPPL) organized the event, which hit a snag when it failed to secure the necessary clearance from the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) by the noon deadline set by the Madras High Court. As a result, RPPL petitioned the court for a six-hour extension.

RPPL explained to the special bench that unexpected rain on the evening of 30 August had delayed some critical work. They had invested over ₹200 crore into the event, with more than 5,000 tickets sold. They argued that not granting the extension would cause significant prejudice and hardship. A special bench of Justices R. Suresh Kumar and P.B. Balaji granted an extension until 8 p.m. when the FIA clearance was finally received.

Spectators Left High & Dry

The delay was particularly exasperating for fans who had braved the sweltering heat only to be met with uncertainty. Information about the delay was scarce, leaving many spectators wondering when the event would commence.

One attendee, who had paid around ₹20,000 for tickets for himself and his two children, expressed frustration. “We were excited about the night race coming to Chennai, but the organization has been a letdown. My kids followed car racing closely and were looking forward to this,” he said.

This year’s Formula 4 championship in India has been held over five rounds, with the second round ending in Chennai. On 1 September, the turnout was notably lower compared to 31 August, as only those with tickets attended. The previous day had seen a large crowd, many of whom thought entry was free.

K Shiva, who travelled from Kumbakonam to watch the Formula 4 event, expressed frustration, “We were told either entry would be free, or ticket prices would be low. However, there was a lack of clear guidance from the authorities, and we ran from gate to gate without proper information.” As a result, nearly half of the attendees from Saturday left after discovering that admission was not free.

Information for ticket holders was scarce, leaving many spectators confused and frustrated.

Circuit Not Well Done – Safety Issues

The day’s schedule included free practice and qualifying sessions for the Indian Racing League (IRL), Formula 4 Indian Championship (F4IC), and the JK Formula LGB 4 categories. The F4 free practice session, initially set for 1:45 p.m., was delayed after an FIA inspection at 11 a.m. revealed that two corners of the circuit were not up to standard and needed modifications for approval. RPPL then rushed back to court for an extension, granted at 5 p.m. when the FIA approved the circuit for a G3 licence.

The FIA’s statement clarified that while the circuit licence ensured a minimum level of safety, it did not guarantee absolute safety for the event, which remained the responsibility of the circuit owners and event organizers. As a result, the entire tournament schedule was shifted, with 31 August 2024 night’s qualifying sessions moved to 1 September 2024.

The chaos finally subsided around 9 p.m., and spectators could finally at least enjoy the practice sessions. The roar of engines and the sight of cars racing through the illuminated streets restored excitement for the event.

Car Collision

In the main race on 1 September 2024, a collision between two cars during the final lap caused the race to be temporarily halted. Dark Don Racing’s T.S. Diljith, who had maintained the lead throughout the race, was declared the winner after the interruption.

Overall, the DMK’s Formula 4 event was marred by hype and haste, resulting in considerable frustration among fans and enthusiasts. The execution fell short of expectations, revealing the DMK’s inability to manage a sporting event effectively. It appeared that the event was treated more like a DMK affair than a professional racing competition, with the FIA’s approval coming only at the last minute, placing the burden of responsibility on the organizers. The collision between cars during the race was not fully explained or investigated, leading political commentators to criticize the DMK for allegedly downplaying the issue.

Stray Dogs Loitering On Circuit, Bikers Performing Stunts

Organizers seemed unprepared for behaviours, such as stray dogs running on the track and bikers using it for stunts. Such activities further compounded the chaos before the Formula 4 event finally began.

Overall, the DMK’s racing event in Chennai appears more as an attempt to mask the failures of the Dravidian Model in Tamil Nadu rather than to foster enthusiasm and inspiration for racing genuinely. If their intention had been sincere, they would have chosen race tracks on the outskirts rather than the city center.

The Formula 4 race events in Srinagar and Chennai offered a stark contrast in execution and outcomes. The Srinagar’s race was a testament to the region’s progress and the government’s ability to successfully host a major sporting event. In contrast, Chennai’s race was a chaotic affair that exposed the DMK government’s shortcomings in organization and planning. While the race event may have been a temporary distraction from the state’s pressing issues, it ultimately revealed more about the government’s priorities and capabilities than it did about the sport of racing.

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“Al Kaswa” YouTube Channel’s ‘Social Experiment’: Makes Young Non-Muslims Girls In TN To Wear Hijab In Public As Part Of ‘Hijab Challenge’

By
The Commune
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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 the Islamic attire.

Right on the footpath and in the public glare, she makes the women, mostly Hindus, wear the hijab and burkha. 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.

 

What If The Roles Are Reversed?

Let us imagine a role reversal for a moment. What if there is a Bindi challenge, and a Hindu host asks Muslim girls to sport a bindi and shows them the transformation? Will these Muslim girls say ok? Will their parents even agree to this? Will there not be uproar? Won’t their community start chants of ‘sar tan se juda’ and accuse Hindus of blasphemy and forcing their girls to do un-Islamic things? It is unfortunate to see the mothers not making a fuss – the secularism mindset seems to have made Hindus spineless and unable to say no.

How Love Jihad Happens

In the film Kerala Story, the Muslim friend of the girls who face Love Jihad introduces them to the hijab after an incident orchestrated by her own. The Hindu girls start wearing the hijab and slowly are initiated into the Islamic way of life through namaz and such, along with the romantic angle on the side.

This hijab challenge seems to be a precursor to Love Jihad, where unaware Hindu girls are trapped into falling in ‘love’ with Muslim men, married, and made to have children, only to be discarded later. Surprisingly, the parents in the video are even more enthusiastic about this challenge than the girls themselves. There are millions of parents across the country who have had their hearts broken to see their girl children fall victim to Love Jihad. Need we say any more than mention the Hindu girl Shraddha, who was chopped into pieces by her Muslim boyfriend?

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“After Retd Justice’s Report, I Started Wearing Vibuthi”, Says Justice Subramanian, Criticizes Retd Judge Chandru’s Recommendations On Caste Conflicts In Schools

By
The Commune
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On 2 September 2024, Justice Subramanian of the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has expressed his disagreement with the recommendations made by retired Justice Chandru, which were aimed at preventing caste conflicts in schools. He stated that after the controversy surrounding the report, he started wearing “vibuthi”.

The issue arose from an incident in a government school in Nanguneri, where a student was assaulted by peers. In response, the Tamil Nadu government established a one-man committee led by retired High Court judge Chandru in August 2023 to address and recommend measures to prevent caste conflicts in schools and colleges nationwide.

Retired Justice Chandru submitted a comprehensive 610-page report to Chief Minister M. K. Stalin at the Chief Secretariat in Chennai last June 2024. This report included various recommendations for immediate and long-term actions to tackle caste conflicts, which were literally curbing only the Hindu worship and practices. Hence, the BJP and Hindu Munnani have continued to protest against Chandru’s recommendations.

Judge Subramanian of the Madurai High Court has now weighed in. He criticised the government’s response in a case regarding the appointment of permanent deans to government medical colleges, which Justices Subramanian and Victoria Gowri heard. Justice Subramanian noted that while the appointment of deans for government medical colleges is underway, a committee headed by a retired judge was formed to address issues like online rummy and caste conflicts in educational institutions. He questioned why the recommendations of the retired judge on caste conflicts were readily accepted while the appointment of deans was delayed.

Justice Subramanian remarked, “The recommendations of the committee led by the retired judge to avoid caste conflicts in schools are not acceptable to me. To eradicate caste discrimination, we need to increase tolerance.” He expressed his reservations about the report, stating, “After the retired Justice’s report, I am wearing Vibuthi (on forehead).”

Following this, the Madurai High Court has directed that vacant dean positions in government hospitals in the southern districts be filled promptly. While political parties have protested against retired Justice Chandru’s recommendations, Judge Subramanian is the only judge to publicly address the issue.

https://twitter.com/TamilJanam_TV/status/1830882796203843727

Justice Chandru’s committee was formed as the result of the disturbing Nanguneri incident in Tirunelveli district where two Scheduled Caste students were attacked by students from an intermediate caste on the night of 9 August 2023.

The Committee & Its Recommendations

To prevent such caste-based violence, the government set up a one-man committee. Retired Madras High Court judge Justice K. Chandru submitted the report to CM Stalin and recommended “significant” changes to eliminate caste indicators in Tamil Nadu schools. The recommendations include banning coloured sacred wrist threads, rings, and forehead marks – tilak that signify caste, and removing caste-related names from schools. Point 8B states, “Students should be prohibited from wearing any coloured wristbands, rings, or forehead marks (Tilaka). They must also refrain from coming to school on bicycles painted with reference to their caste or exhibiting any caste-related sentiments. Failure to comply with these rules must result in appropriate action being taken, in addition to advising their parents or guardians.”

Some of the other recommendations include:

  • The report advises that students must not display any caste-related sentiments, including using bicycles marked with caste references. Non-compliance should result in appropriate actions and parental advisement.
  • State-run schools should remove terms like ‘Kallar Reclamation’ and ‘Adi Dravidar Welfare’ from their names. Private schools should be requested to drop caste appellations, with legal action considered for non-compliance, potentially through legislative changes.
  • The committee also recommends that student attendance registers omit any caste-related details. Teachers should avoid calling students by their caste or making derogatory remarks linked to caste.
  • To enforce these changes, the report suggests amending the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, to prevent societies intending to start educational institutions from using caste-based names.
  • The report also calls for new legislation to promote social inclusion and eradicate caste discrimination, imposing responsibilities on students, staff, and school management, with mechanisms for supervision and penalties for non-compliance.

Additionally, the committee proposes enhancing local bodies’ control over primary education, granting block-level administrations full authority over schools, including staffing decisions. The state government should handle curriculum guidelines, standards, and board exams while formulating new laws to empower local bodies and amend the Tamil Nadu Panchayat Act of 1994 for a more community-focused education system.

This removal of caste names, hiding/”protecting” caste names, and prohibiting wearing Tilak and sacred wrist threads is akin to the Dravidian model of making Hindus remove their caste/surnames. The Dravidian ideologues enforced this removal of a person’s surname as a means to “abolish/eradicate” caste. Ironically, despite having succeeded in removing surnames as a mode of eradicating caste differences, incidents like Nanguneri continue day in and day out.

Critics see this move as a method to divide the Hindus further based on caste and also ensure that Hindus lose their identities forever. Instead of creating awareness and empathy in children about various castes and fostering harmony, recommending such drastic and Hinduphobic measures will only lead to dividing the society further and deepening the Dravidianist ideologies in the minds of the people and destroying society.

(With Inputs From Minnambalam)

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Ex-Idol Wing IG Ponn Manickavel Urges Action To Retrieve Stolen Sivagami Amman Idol From US Museum Before It Gets Auctioned

By
The Commune
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Ex-Idol Wing IG Ponn Manickavel Urges Action To Retrieve Stolen Sivagami Amman Idol From US Museum Before It Gets Auctioned

Former Idol Wing IG Ponn Manickavel visited the ancient Puradhana Vaneswarar Temple, a ancient Shiva temple located in Thiruchitrambalam, Thanjavur district, to perform darshan at the request of local villagers and Om Namachivaya devotees. Following his visit, he engaged with the assembled villagers and devotees, discussing various aspects of the temple’s activities.

Later, in a media interaction, Manickavel revealed that the Sivagami Amman Panchaloha idol from the Puradhana Vaneswarar temple had been stolen 20 years ago. Speaking to reporters, Manickavel clarified, “They say the main deity is Periyanayaki and other names, but according to the inscriptions, the temple’s main deity is Thiruchitrambalamudaya Mahadevar, a Tamil name, not Eshwarar or Shiva, which are names in northern languages. Parvathy is also a word from the north, but no one knows it; only Sivagami Amman is ours, and let it be. In total, we have stated the temple and the deity’s name. Next to say the ancientness the temple is a 1374-year-old temple.”

He then noted that a Lingōdbhavar, located behind the Garbhagriha, suggests that the temple dates back to the era of Aditya Chola I, the son of Vijayalaya Chola. Additionally, he mentioned that inscriptions from the Rajaraja Chola period, his son Rajendra Chola’s period, and later from the Vijayanagar period, specifically from ruler Venkatapathi, are also present in the temple. Manickavel explained that he visited the temple at the villagers’ request due to concerns about the lost Sivagami Amman idol, which was stolen 20 years ago, and discussed a petition related to its recovery.

Speaking about the idol, Manickavel said, “The deity’s name is Sivagama Sundari, and she is currently in a foreign country, specifically displayed in a private museum as an exhibit to generate revenue. The museum is now planning to auction the idol. We need to bring it back, and that’s why I came here after being informed about the situation.”

Manickavel further addressed the petition, revealing that the Sivagami Amman idol was stolen more than 20 years ago. He accused the HR&CE of concealing details from the court, explaining that it was their responsibility to report the theft. He emphasized that it is the police’s duty to arrest those responsible if an offense is involved. However, he noted, no officers were reprimanded. Instead, he claimed that efforts to hold them accountable are met with criticism and attempts to silence him.

He then ridiculed the recent criticisms aimed at him, mockingly asserted, “It’s okay if you bite like a dog, but you bite like a fox. It doesn’t matter if you bite like a fox, dog, or even a lion, I will not give up my work. I will be engaged with it until I die.” 

He explained that the idol is currently on display in a private museum in New York State, USA, after being transported from Mumbai. The museum exhibits the statue daily and is now preparing to auction it. Hence, Manickavel urged the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department to act swiftly to retrieve the ₹10 crore idol within the next three months. He warned that, if necessary steps are not taken, he would pursue legal action with the support of the local community to recover the stolen artifact. He also noted that there had been three previous instances where various idols were stolen and later recovered.

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Distorter-In-Chief Anubhav Sinha Hijacks A Tragedy To Make A Sh*t Series On IC814 Portraying Jihadis In Good Light And Vajpayee Govt In Bad Light

By
The Commune
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Anubhav Sinha Hijacks IC814 Tragedy To Make A Sh*t Show Portraying Jihadis In Good Light And Vajpayee In Bad Light

The hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC814 in 1999 remains a haunting memory for India. However, the Netflix series “IC814: The Kandahar Hijack” by Anubhav Sinha is a travesty that distorts the truth. It whitewashes terrorism and undermines the gravity of this tragic incident.

IC814, Kandahar, hijack – these words haunt the citizens of India as well as the victims of the hijacking incident in December 1999. Twenty-five years on, it remains a dark memory for most of us who witnessed the scenes unfolding in front of our eyes on television. This hijacking incident happened close to the heels of the Kargil war earlier that year. As the world awaited the new millennium and was busy handling the Y2K problems, the news of a hijack sent us all into a trauma.

Anubhav Sinha, known for distorting facts, also made films like Article 15, which propagated certain propaganda.

His Netflix series IC814: The Kandahar Hijack is a travesty that undermines the gravity of one of India’s most harrowing national security incidents—the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC814 in 1999. By choosing to blur facts, distort historical events, and portray the perpetrators in a sympathetic light, Sinha has not just missed the mark but has done a disservice to the memory of those who lived through the ordeal.

The Netflix series on IC814 is nothing short of a blatant attempt to rewrite history, portraying the Vajpayee-led NDA government as incompetent while downplaying the role of Pakistani jihadists in the tragedy. The series on the IC814 hijacking begins with a note stating that it was inspired by real-life incidents and is based on the book Flight Into Fear by Captain Devi Sharan and Srinjoy Chowdhury.

So how much of it was inspiration, and how much of it was fiction/reality? Let’s take a look.

Whitewashing Terrorism: A Gross Misrepresentation

One of the most glaring issues with the series is its failure to identify the hijackers accurately. The show refuses to name the real culprits—Pakistani Islamist terrorists—hiding behind codenames like “Shankar” and “Bhola.”

The show concludes with a bio of the three terrorists released. Sinha could have very well shown the real names and faces of the terrorists who carried out the heinous act. This deliberate omission not only dilutes the reality of the situation but also seems like an attempt to exonerate Pakistan and its notorious intelligence agency, ISI. Instead of holding the actual perpetrators accountable, the series conveniently shifts the blame onto Osama Bin Laden and a few nameless terrorists, seemingly giving Pakistan a clean chit.

Portraying Terrorists As Humane & Kind

The series shows that terrorists are more human than anyone else on the planet. The air hostesses are seen admiring the passenger, who turns out to be a terrorist. But later, the episodes also show the same terrorist being kind to one of them—offering her water when she throws up after trying to clean the overclogged toilet and also offering her a piece of cloth to clean herself.

The terrorists are shown to give the passengers vegetarian food, specially ordered to suit the victims’ palate and also seen playing ‘antakshari’ with them!

The terrorist named Doctor is shown to offer a cigarette to the Captain, who politely refuses but ends up accepting it. Despite stating that he gave up smoking (maybe due to the situation), he almost smokes it, but thanks to the kindness of the terrorist, he is allowed not to. How humane of the terrorist to let him do what he wanted.

In the scene where the toilet gets clogged, and Captain Sharan offers to clean up the pipes inside, he is seen having a very friendly conversation with the terrorist Burger, and they share a light moment—how wonderful. One of them is also shown playing an instrument. What was missing was showing the terrorists doing namaz—the circle would have been complete in making saints out of the criminals.

The exchange between one of the air hostesses and the terrorist where he says, “hameh bhi ghar jana hai” in response to the airhostess’ words “we want to go home” illustrates the series’ flawed attempt to humanise the terrorists. This dialogue diminishes the severity of the situation and blurs the critical distinction between victims and perpetrators. By depicting the terrorist as merely someone longing for “home,” the series misplaces sympathy for those responsible for heinous acts.

Lacks Proper Research

The series’ lack of basic research is evident in its dialogue and cultural references. As journalist Aditya Raj Kaul pointed out, “washroom” and “cute,” commonplace today, were not part of the Indian lexicon in 1999. These anachronisms betray a fundamental misunderstanding of the era, making the series feel disconnected from the time it claims to represent. He also noted that the series makes a bizarre and unfounded attempt to shift blame onto Kashmiri Hindus by introducing bureaucrats with Kashmiri Hindu names. This misrepresents the situation and presents a harmful and baseless narrative entirely out of place.

The flight lands in Amritsar in one episode and all of a sudden they are in mid air in the next – the hurried and confused sequence of events in Amritsar makes it all the more irritating for the viewers. There are accusations and theories that the commandos in Punjab were stuck in a traffic jam, some said the CM played a role in preventing them from entering the airport – why couldn’t have Sinha done some research on this and presented facts?

Mocking Indian Govt Officials, Taking Sly Digs At Bureaucrats

Perhaps the most offensive aspect of the series on IC814 is its portrayal of Ajit Doval, the present National Security Adviser, who played a pivotal role in the negotiations as a part of the team involved. The series reduces Doval—a man known for his steely resolve and strategic brilliance—to a caricature, portraying him as a bumbling negotiator in a comical farce. The severe and tense negotiations that took place, which were a matter of life and death for the hostages, are depicted ludicrously. The iconic images of Doval on the Kandahar tarmac, which symbolize the gravity and complexity of the situation, are glaringly absent.

Adding insult to injury, the portrayal of the government’s response in New Delhi is equally flawed. The series fails to capture the genuine crisis in the capital, showing a government fumbling in the dark, devoid of cinematic depth or historical accuracy. Even the desperate 45-minute standoff at Amritsar, where the National Security Guards failed to act, is glossed over without an honest exploration of the chaos and failures. While there may have been costly mistakes on the government’s side, the portrayal in the series seems far from reality.

Failure To Portray Indian Govt Actions Correctly

Sinha’s series also fails to depict the Indian government’s response to the crisis accurately. While it’s true that the government faced immense challenges, including international pressure and public outcry, especially with the events unfolding on television worldwide, the series doesn’t even attempt to show the complexities involved. The show glosses over the background of the terrorists who were released in exchange for the hostages—men like Masood Azhar, who went on to commit several cruel acts of terror against India – such as the attack on Parliament in 2001. By doing so, the series not only distorts the narrative but also undermines the sacrifices made by the Indian armed forces and intelligence agencies.

Actors & Their Performances

The series has several heavyweights. However, each of them has been able to do justice to the series. It is not clear why Dia Mirza is even a part of the team—she hardly has a few dialogues to mouth; a log of wood would have done the same thing that Dia enacted. The journalist under Dia, Nandini Martin, played by Amrita Puri, seems perpetually angry and has no relevance in the series.

Despite a stellar cast, the IC814 series fails to deliver impactful performances due to poor direction and dialogue, mostly involving functional exposition and protocol barking.

Interplay Between Actual Footage & Fiction

Most often, directors inspired by an incident show the footage and recent updates at the end credits. However, Sinha fails to make an impact on the archival footage. He could have shown the video footage from 1999 towards the end or made a documentary with narration much like the 2010 NatGeo documentary on the same incident – but Sinha, in an attempt to peddle a narrative, used footage that would only leave the audience with the message that the then-government was weak, spineless, the bureaucrats were incompetent nincompoops who made bathroom jokes.

Distortions In Earlier Films

Anubhav’s adaptation of his film Article 15, which was based on the rape and murder of two sisters at Badaun in 2014. Sinha took significant liberties with the original incident. He portrayed the victims as Dalits instead of OBC girls, changed the perpetrators from Yadavs to Brahmins, and depicted the indifferent Chief Minister as a saffron-robed monk reminiscent of Yogi Adityanath. This approach to adapting an actual event was criticized as deliberately inflammatory since it could stoke caste tensions to promote a particular ideological narrative. It seems Anubhav views cinema not as an art form but as a means to sway public opinion on sensitive social and political issues.

He has attempted the same with IC814 – trying to make terrorists look kind and even better humans than the victims themselves.

He has also made films like Mulk, Bheed, and Thappad, peddling specific narratives. Mulk was a courtroom drama made to ‘address Islamophobia’. How benevolent of Sinha to make such films!

Bheed, a box office failure, tried to create some noise about the migrant workers returning to their home states from various parts of the country during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thappad was another misadventure by Sinha, trying to give the feminist in him some limelight. In short, Sinha made films that would show Hindus and the ruling establishment in a lousy light. He did that with the current series as well.

A Cinematic Disaster

The Netflix series on IC814 is far from a masterpiece; it is less than mediocre. It is a cinematic disaster that plays fast and loose with the facts. When dealing with such sensitive national security, one would expect filmmakers to exercise caution, base their work on thorough research, and perhaps even consult with those directly involved. Instead, Sinha has taken so much creative liberty that the series becomes intolerable, reducing a tragic event to a piece of fictional drivel.

The hijacking of IC814 was a defining moment in India’s battle against terrorism. It was a moment that demanded courage, resilience, and clear-headedness—qualities that are sadly missing from Sinha’s portrayal. By distorting the truth, Anubhav Sinha has hijacked a national tragedy and turned it into a farce, doing a grave injustice to the memories of those who lived through it.

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Chhatrapati Shivaji Statue Crash: Sindhudurg Collector Shunted; Post Downgraded To Non-IAS Junior Admin Level

By
The Commune
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Chhatrapati Shivaji Statue Collapse: Court Extends Judicial Custody Of Accused Sculptor, Consultant

In the first major fallout of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue crash at Rajkot Fort, the Maharashtra government has abruptly transferred the Sindhudurg Collector and surprisingly downgraded the post to a non-IAS junior administrative level category, raising eyebrows in different circles.

Accordingly, Sindhudurg Collector Kishor S. Tawade has been moved to an innocuous posting and replaced by Haffkine Bio-Pharmaceutical Corporation Ltd Managing Director Anil A. Patil.

The shunting orders came exactly a week after the 28-feet tall Chhatrapati figurine erected on a 10-feet high platform at Rajkot Fort in the picturesque Malvan seaside town, crashed down, ostensibly due to bad weather conditions.

Tawade will be the new Managing Director of the Maharashtra State Farming Corporation Ltd, in Pune, and Patil will be the new Sindhudurg Collector, which has a pristine 120-km long west coastline on the Arabian Sea. Both officers — Tawade and Patil — have been directed to take charge of their new assignments on top priority, as per the transfer orders issued late on Monday by the General Administration Department (GAD).

“The question is why such a prestigious post of Collector of Sindhudurg — a major coastal district bordering Goa state with strategic significance — has been suddenly downgraded to a non-IAS junior administrative level position,” constitutional expert, Barrister Vinod Tiwari told IANS. Tiwari said that though the government has the power to do it for 10 per cent of all the Collectorates in the state, the motives behind the Sindhudurg move at this sensitive juncture — when the Maharashtra Assembly elections looming ahead — are not clear.

It may be recalled that the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue collapse on August 26 triggered a major public outrage and political furore, with possible repercussions for the MahaYuti government with Assembly elections around the corner. As the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) of Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (SP)-Shiv Sena (UBT), staged a series of aggressive protests across the state, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar apologised for the tragedy.

On August 30, Prime Minister Narendra Modi—who was in Maharashtra for several engagements—surprised everyone by tendering a public apology with folded hands and a bowed head at a function in Palghar. The PM’s unexpected apology and glowing tributes to the Chhatrapati were interpreted as throwing a lifeline to the besieged MahaYuti state government of Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party-Nationalist Congress Party.

Though the PM’s regrets for the incident somewhat punctured the Opposition’s agitations, the MVA leaders rejected it, contending “it was conditional and casual”. They continued their aggressive protests in different parts of the state. Meanwhile, the sculptor Jaydeep Apte — who created the ill-fated statue inaugurated by the PM on December 4, 2023, during the Navy Day celebrations — is still absconding. Sindhudurg Police have arrested his associate and structural consultant, Chetan Patil.

This story is based on an IANS wire feed.

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Will Abide By High Command’s Decision: Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah On Leadership Change

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The Commune
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Karnataka Congress Govt Mulls 4% Muslim Quota In Public Contracts, Total Quota May Hit 47%.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on Tuesday, said that he will abide by the decision of the party high command and MLAs amid talks of his replacement from the top post.

The CM said this while answering questions from the media personnel in his hometown Mysuru. Reacting to the statement of former minister and senior leader R.V. Deshpande that he is ready to take over the Chief Minister’s post in case of replacement, CM Siddaramaiah said, “How will the CM be made? Party MLAs and high command will decide in this regard. Whatever decision they take, I will abide by it.”

When the media teased him with a question that how he looked fresh after a long time even as the BJP was claiming that he was looking dull in the wake of the MUDA case, CM Siddaramaiah laughed and said, “The opposition has lied in the matter. If their lie is not proven, it is going to be difficult for them. I have not told lies, nor have I issued false statements and I have not made any mistake.”

Replying to a question on the Congress government’s allegedly using a report on Covid by the judicial commission against the BJP, CM Siddaramaiah stated that the report submitted to the government in this regard is going to be placed before the cabinet on Thursday. “I don’t know about the recommendation of the commission. We will look into it.”

BJP MP and former state Health Minister K. Sudhakar has claimed that the report was being used as a political weapon by the Congress. “One should not worry too much when his role is not there. Why is he desperate? How can they know that it is a false report? Pass comments once the report is in the public domain. BJP MP Sudhakar is guilty and he is mentally disturbed, he knows he is guilty,” said the CM.

Reports have claimed the Commission has found that the previous BJP government committed a Rs 7,000 crore scam during the Covid pandemic. Reacting to this, the CM said that he did not know anything about it. “My allegations over the handling of the Covid pandemic and corruption before the report is a different matter. After placing the report in this regard in the cabinet we will initiate action.” On the question of the suspension of MUDA’s former commissioner, the CM stated that he did not know about the suspension and was not aware of what was written in the order.

“When the commission is appointed to probe the MUDA scam, the report submitted by it would be considered,” he maintained. Answering a question on the opposition by the Mysuru royal family member Pramoda Devi Wadiyar regarding holding the meeting of Shree Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority, CM Siddaramaiah said that it is being done as per the orders of the court. “We have to follow court orders and not the instructions of the MP,” said the CM on BJP MP Yaduveer Wadiyar’s letter dubbing it as an illegal move.

This story is based on an IANS wire feed.

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“State Curriculum Worse When Compared To NCERT”: TN Governor RN Ravi Says TN Students Lagging Behind

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The Commune
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On 1 September 2024, Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi created a storm by criticizing the state curriculum, stating it falls significantly short compared to the curriculum developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).

At the centenary celebrations of KTCT aided primary school and KTCT girls’ higher secondary school in Chetpet, Ravi remarked, “The curriculum provided by the State Board in Tamil Nadu is considerably inferior to that of the national curriculum.”

He shared his observations from visits to various higher education institutions in Tamil Nadu, noting that students demonstrated limited knowledge in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and robotics. He also pointed out concerns about their overall intellectual abilities.

Governor Ravi highlighted that the state board school syllabus lags significantly behind others like NCERT and lacks competitiveness, which is evident in the academic standards of institutions. Therefore, he encouraged students to look beyond the confines of this syllabus.

Ravi praised women’s role and emphasized their crucial contribution to India’s development. “For the first time in a millennium, a historic transformation has occurred, leading to the emergence of a new India. Our aspirations are beginning to take shape,” he said. He encouraged students to explore modern entrepreneurship.

Ravi stressed the importance of the next 25 years for India’s progress. “Our country is brimming with energy, vibrant personalities, and passion. By 2047, as we mark the centenary of Independence Day, India will emerge as a superpower. The power and contribution of women will be vital to achieving this goal,” he concluded.

(With Inputs From DT Next)

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“Brahmin Community Is At The Forefront Of Saving Dharma”, Says TN BJP Leader Raama Sreenivasan At Tamil Nadu Conference

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The Commune
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Tamil Nadu BJP State General Secretary Raama Sreenivasan praised the Brahmin community for their forward-thinking reforms, stating, “The Brahmin community has reached the pinnacle of social reform.” He made these remarks during the Tamil Nadu Brahmin Samaj State General Committee meeting in Madurai.

The Tamil Nadu Brahmin Samaj’s State General Committee and District Conference took place in Madurai under the leadership of State President Hariharamuthu Iyer.

At the Madurai event, Sreenivasan stated, “Just as every village, individual, community, and nation possesses a soul, so does the Brahmin community. This community has been at the forefront of preserving dharma and transforming the freedom struggle into a mass movement, achieving significant social reforms.”

He criticized Dravidian parties for misrepresenting the contributions of Subramania Bharati, who championed women’s rights and the abolition of untouchability. Bharati went so far as to clothe a Scheduled Caste boy in the sacred thread (Poonool) and praised Nandan, saying there was no seer like him. He also highlighted that Vaidyanatha Iyer was the first to attempt to bring a Scheduled Caste individual into the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai. Still, the Justice Party leader of the time showed no interest in this effort.

He noted that scholars like U. V. Swaminatha Iyer were instrumental in translating the Thirukkural and Kamba Ramayanam into English, a crucial step in preserving Tamil culture. In contrast to parties such as those led by Mamata Banerjee, Chandrababu Naidu, and Mulayam Singh Yadav for not opposing nationalism, the DMK is portrayed as conditionally accepting nationalism and expressing hostility towards Hinduism and Hindus.

Despite these challenges, he emphasized that the BJP has chosen to confront this issue in the Lok Sabha elections. He expressed confidence that with a regime change in 2026, there will be a shift in policy. Currently, reservations are provided based on social and educational criteria, and despite the court’s push for an economic-based quota, it has not been implemented in Tamil Nadu. He assured that the BJP would address this issue once in power.

During the conference, it was noted that a caste census conducted in 1931, when Chennai was a province, revealed that Brahmins made up 30 percent of the population. Today, that number has reportedly dwindled to just 3 percent. The attendees called on the Tamil Nadu government to undertake a caste-wise census to better understand the demographics and work towards an egalitarian society.

Resolutions were adopted urging the central government to take decisive action to stop the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, to protect their rights, and to amend existing laws to support this cause.

The ‘Vibra Ratna’ award was presented to Dr. R. Lakshmipathi, Joint Managing Editor of ‘Dinamalar’ daily. At the launch of the ‘Maharathi Volunteers’ project, he emphasized the importance of integrity, stating, “Do not engage in deceit. Pay your taxes properly; only then can you rest peacefully.” Spiritual speaker Nagai Mukundhan remarked, “Piety and discipline acquired in youth will last a lifetime.”

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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Rajasthan CM Flags Off Madurai-Rameswaram Pilgrimage Special Train From Jaipur

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The Commune
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Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma flagged off a pilgrimage special train from Jaipur to Madurai and Rameswaram on Monday. On the occasion, CM Sharma said that visiting pilgrimage sites gives peace to the mind and infuses new energy and positivity.

Under the state government’s Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme, the special train was flagged off from Durgapura Railway Station. “Our country was attacked many times by invaders who destroyed our cultural and religious heritage.

However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has protected and developed our cultural centres. Under his leadership, India’s centuries-old dream of building a grand temple of Lord Ram in Ayodhya has been fulfilled.

Our cultural heritage has also been strengthened by unprecedented works like the construction of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi and Mahakal Lok in Ujjain,” the CM said CM Sharma further said that taking inspiration from the Prime Minister, the state government is doing works like the development of shrines and organising pilgrimages for senior citizens.

“At the start of this year, about 3000 pilgrims were taken to Ayodhya for the darshan of Shri Ram Lalla. Under the Senior Citizen Pilgrimage Scheme, this year, 15000 pilgrims will be taken to Ayodhya and equal number of pilgrims will be taken to other pilgrimage sites, which include Rameswaram-Madurai, Jagannathpuri, Tirupati, Dwarkapuri-Somnath, Vaishno Devi-Amritsar, Prayagraj-Varanasi, Mathura-Vrindavan-Barsana, Ujjain-Omkareshwar-Trimbakeshwar (Nashik), Gangasagar (Kolkata) and others. Also, 6000 pilgrims will be taken on pilgrimage to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu (Nepal) by air,” he added.

CM Sharma said that the state government will make all the arrangements for these pilgrims, including transportation, food, and accommodation, at an estimated expenditure of about Rs 80 crore.

About 780 senior citizens of Jaipur, Dausa, Sawai Madhopur, and Kota districts are travelling in the special train that left for a seven-day journey from Jaipur to Madurai and Rameshwaram. In this pilgrimage, two government employees have been deputed in every coach to care for the passengers. Also, a doctor, two nursing officers, and security personnel are on the train to ensure the health and safety of the passengers.

This story is based on an IANS wire feed.

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