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J&K: Congress Banihal Candidate Wani Sentenced To 5 Months In Jail For MCC Violations

By
The Commune
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Vikar Rasool Wani, former president of the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC), was convicted by a court of five months imprisonment and a fine of ₹1,000 for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

He is the Congress candidate for the Banihal constituency, which will vote in the first phase of the J&K Assembly elections on September 18.

After disagreeing on seat-sharing, the National Conference (NC) and Congress fielded their candidates from this constituency in a ‘friendly contest’. The last day of filing nomination papers has passed. If Wani is disqualified in Banihal, the NC candidate, Sajjad Shaheen, will face the BJP in a direct contest.

During the 2012 Assembly elections, MLA Wani addressed a public meeting organised without official permission at the Junior High School in Mithepur village of Banihal. The then-Block Development Officer, Siyaram Varshney, registered a case against MLA Wani for violating the MCC. A Special MP MLA Court heard the case and found the charges valid. It sentenced Vikar Rasool Wani, Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Sachin, Ikramuddin and Nazim to five months in prison and imposed a fine of ₹1,000 each.

J&K Polls

The NC and Congress have entered a seat-sharing arrangement for the J&K Assembly elections. According to the arrangement, out of 90 seats, the NC is fighting 52 and Congress 3.

Both parties will field candidates for a ‘ friendly contest ‘ in the five Assembly seats of Sopore, Nagrota, Doda, Bhaderwah, and Banihal. The NC and the Congress have left two seats, one for CPI(M) and the other for the Panthers Party. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is the main contestant against the NC in the Valley.

The common challenge for both the NC and the PDP comes from Engineer Rashid’s Awami Itihad Party (AIP) and the ex-members of the Jamaat-e-Islami organisation. Those ex-members of the Jamaat are fighting the election as independent candidates. Four of these ex-Jamaatis have already filed nomination papers for the first phase of elections in J&K.

This story is based on an IANS-syndicated feed.

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NPR Investigation Suggests US Ambassador To India Eric Garcetti Lied Under Oath To Cover Up Sexual Misconduct Of Aide Earlier; Garcetti Denies Allegations

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The Commune
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Did Eric Garcetti Lied Under Oath To Cover Up Aide's Sexual Misconduct?

An NPR investigation has unveiled new allegations of sexual harassment against Rick Jacobs, a former top adviser to US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti. The investigation also raises questions about whether Garcetti, who served as the mayor of Los Angeles, lied under oath during testimony related to these allegations.

Eric Garcetti, a prominent Democrat and former mayor of Los Angeles, was questioned under oath in 2021 about allegations that he witnessed and enabled sexual harassment by Rick Jacobs, his close friend and political adviser. Jacobs, who had been a key figure in Garcetti’s political career, has faced multiple accusations of inappropriate behavior, including unwanted touching and crude sexual jokes. Despite the allegations, Garcetti, who has positioned himself as a supporter of the #MeToo movement, denied witnessing or being aware of any harassment by Jacobs.

Key Allegations

Jacobs, who has denied all allegations, had a reputation for making unwanted physical advances and inappropriate comments. Several former Los Angeles City Hall staffers testified that Jacobs engaged in such behaviour in the presence of Garcetti.

The NPR investigation includes testimony from two former communications directors for Garcetti, who believe he was aware of Jacobs’ conduct and lied about it under oath. A notable piece of evidence is a group photo in which Jacobs is seen making a suggestive gesture in close proximity to Garcetti, raising further doubts about the former mayor’s claims of ignorance.

The allegations came to light through a lawsuit filed by LAPD officer Matthew Garza, who accused Jacobs of years of harassment, often in Garcetti’s presence. Despite these severe accusations, Garcetti supported Jacobs until additional allegations surfaced, after which he severed ties with his longtime adviser.

White House Support

Despite the controversy, the Biden-Harris administration supported Garcetti’s appointment as US ambassador to India. The White House dismissed a Senate investigation into the allegations as a partisan attack, citing an earlier city investigation that cleared both Jacobs and Garcetti. However, critics argue that the city investigation failed to interview key witnesses.

After Garcetti was confirmed as ambassador, the city of Los Angeles settled the lawsuit with Officer Garza for $1.8 million, without admitting wrongdoing. Garcetti has continued to deny any knowledge of Jacobs’ alleged misconduct and has expressed regret that the case did not go to trial, attributing the allegations to a campaign aimed at damaging his political career.

Garcetti’s Controversial Statements On India

Garcetti was appointed last year after the country had no ambassador for two years. He warned that the India-U.S. relationship wasn’t “deep enough” to be taken for granted. He criticized the idea of “strategic autonomy” during conflicts and urged both nations to act as trusted allies, especially amid global crises like Ukraine.

He has made controversial statements in the past on human rights, particularly regarding India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). During his 2021 confirmation hearings, Garcetti pledged to “actively raise” human rights issues in New Delhi, drawing criticism from some Indian political figures who accused him of interference.

The NPR investigation has sparked renewed scrutiny of Garcetti’s actions and testimony, raising questions about the extent of his knowledge of Jacobs’ behavior and whether he perjured himself during the legal proceedings.

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RG Kar Tragedy: CBI Finds Documents For Attempted Renovation Near Crime Scene

By
The Commune
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Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials probing the rape and murder of a junior doctor at state-run R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital here earlier this month have secured crucial clues regarding instructions about attempted renovation near the scene of the crime, sources said.

On the evening of August 13, just hours after a division bench of Calcutta High Court ordered CBI to take over the rape case and investigation probe from Kolkata Police, the state PWD staff attempted the renovation work at a room adjacent to the seminar hall from where the body of the victim was recovered on the morning of August 9.

However, that renovation work could not be carried out following massive protests by the students’ fraternity within the hospital premises as soon as that work on that count started.

Sources said that the investigating officials have come across a crucial document which shows that the instructions on the renovation activities were given on August 10, just a day after the victim’s body was recovered.

As per the documents accessed by the investigating officials, according to sources, the instruction was given by a former senior doctor of the hospital who also held an administrative position and who was transferred after the rape and murder tragedy. He is known to be a highly close confidant of the former and controversial Principal of R.G. Kar College, Sandip Ghosh.

Now, CBI officials are trying to figure out whether the senior doctor gave the instruction on his own or it was given following the advice of anyone. At the same time, sources said, the Central agency officials are also tracking the secret behind the cremation of the body of the victim in haste instead of preserving it at the hospital morgue which could have enabled a second post-mortem of the body.

A team of CBI officials reached the hospital on Thursday afternoon and questioned some hospital staff and officials under whose instructions arrangements were made for the cremation of the body. At the same time, Ghosh is also being interrogated by them on why as head of the medical college, he did not instruct preserving the body at the morgue to facilitate a second post-mortem if necessary or if demanded by the family members of the victim.

This story is based on an IANS-syndicated feed.

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Chennai Doctor Arrested: Unrequited Love Leads To Online Harassment & Rape Threats Against Married Former Classmate

By
The Commune
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Chennai Doctor Arrested: Unrequited Love Leads To Online Harassment & Rape Threats

Chennai police arrested a doctor for allegedly harassing a married former classmate who rejected his romantic advances.

The doctor, identified as Suresh Kumar, sent explicit messages and threatened her with sexual assault. The harassment escalated after she married another man. The doctor was arrested after she reported the incident to Chennai police.

The victim is a doctor at a private hospital in Chrompet. Last year, she married Dr. Rajesh Gautham (32) from the Zamin Pallavaram area. She studied MBBS with Dr. Suresh Kumar (27) at a Puducherry college from 2015 to 2021.

An infuriated Kumar started harassing her by sending explicit images and troubling messages on social media accounts and her phone. He also threatened to sexually assault her by posting compromising pictures of the couple.

The woman reported the matter to the Pallavaram crime branch police. The police arrested Kumar, filed a case against him, and presented him in Tambaram court. The court sentenced him to imprisonment.

 

Crimes Over Unrequited Passion

In a tragic incident at Pune’s Ambethan last month, 21-year-old Prachi Vijay Mane was allegedly murdered by Aviraj Ramachandra Kharat after she refused his marriage proposal. He stabbed Prachi in the neck and abdomen, took her mobile phone to destroy evidence, and fled the scene. The police apprehended him after a 15-kilometre chase on the Satara-Karad Road.

(With inputs from PTTV News)

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Moody’s Ups India’s GDP Growth Forecast To 7.2% For 2024

By
The Commune
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New York-based Moody’s Ratings on Thursday raised its forecast for India’s GDP growth for 2024 to 7.2 percent from 6.8 percent as projected earlier, citing stronger private consumption driving up aggregate demand in the Indian economy.

“Household consumption is poised to grow as headline inflation eases toward the RBI’s target. Indeed, signs of a revival in rural demand are already emerging on the back of improving prospects for agricultural output amid above-normal rainfall during the monsoon season,” the global rating agency said.

“These forecast changes assume strong broad-based growth, and we recognise potentially higher forecasts if the cyclical momentum, especially for private consumption, gains more traction,” Moody’s said.

Moody’s upgraded forecast matches the RBI projection of 7.2 percent growth for the Indian economy in 2024-25, which factors in rising rural and urban demand as a growth driver.

In its growth projection, the RBI cited the pick-up in the monsoon, which would lead to stronger growth in the farm sector and higher rural income, as a factor driving up the growth rate.

Moody’s also cited strong performances in the industrial and services sector, indicated by the Purchasing Managers’ Index, as an indicator of higher growth momentum.

Moody’s said the Indian economy is also expected to grow faster, at 6.6 per cent in 2025, compared to the 6.4 per cent growth projected earlier.

“Over the medium and longer term, India’s growth prospects depend on how well the country can productively tap its substantial labour pool. It should be possible for the economy to post 6-7 per cent growth, sheerly based on the present conditions,” Moody’s stated.

“India’s external position has also strengthened in recent years amid a marked narrowing of its current account deficit,” the rating agency said.

“Global growth is stabilising, and inflation in most markets is close to the central bank targets. We expect global growth will slow to 2.7 per cent and 2.5 per cent in 2024 and 2025, respectively, from 3 per cent in 2023, though growth trends differ across countries,” Moody’s said.

The rating agency also predicted that countries would move from a cyclical recovery to an expansionary phase. Apart from ongoing geopolitical conflicts, the report viewed the deteriorating US economic outlook as the most immediate risk to the global economy.

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said at the monetary policy review on August 8 that, taking all the factors into consideration, the country’s real GDP growth for 2024-25 is projected at 7.2 percent, with Q1 at 7.1 percent, Q2 at 7.2 percent, Q3 at 7.3 percent, and Q4 at 7.2 percent. He also projected real GDP growth for Q1 2025-26 at 7.2 percent.

–IANS

This story is based on an IANS-syndicated feed.

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YouTuber Dhruv Rathee Calls UP Govt’s Initiative To Engage SM Influencers “Legalized Bribery”; Silent On Similar Initiatives By Cong/AAP Govts

By
The Commune
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The Yogi Adityanath-led government in Uttar Pradesh has introduced the Uttar Pradesh Digital Media Policy, 2024, a new initiative aimed at regulating social media content and engaging influencers to promote state government programs. Drafted by the state’s information department and recently approved by the state cabinet, this policy mirrors similar efforts in Punjab, focusing on leveraging the reach of social media influencers to enhance public awareness of government schemes and achievements.

Under this policy, influencers on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X will be encouraged to create and share content that aligns with the government’s objectives. The state has appointed a digital agency, V-Form, to manage advertising and distribute videos, tweets, posts, and reels promoting the government’s welfare schemes.

The policy categorizes influencers into four groups based on their follower counts and sets out a structured payment model. Influencers will be compensated based on the platform and type of content they produce:

  • X, Facebook, Instagram: Influencers can earn up to ₹5 lakh, ₹4 lakh, and ₹3 lakh per month, respectively.
  • YouTube: Payments vary depending on content type, with a cap of ₹8 lakh per month for video creators. Short film creators can earn up to ₹7 lakh, while podcast creators and other content producers can receive up to ₹6 lakh and ₹4 lakhs, respectively.

In addition to promoting government initiatives, the policy also imposes strict regulations on content deemed anti-national or defamatory. Posting such content can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment ranging from three years to life.

Dhruv Rathee Finds UP Govt Over Initiative Problematic

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee, a well-known left-leaning commentator, criticized the new social media policy. He labelled it a “legalized bribe” that misuses taxpayer money. He claimed that paying influencers to promote government initiatives is unethical and amounts to bribery.

Rathee also called for public shaming of any influencer participating in this program, suggesting that accepting money from the government to promote its achievements compromises their integrity. Netizens questioned whether Rathee’s logic should also apply to traditional media outlets like newspapers and TV channels, which regularly run paid advertisements for government campaigns.

 

 

 

Interestingly, Rathee has not made similar criticisms of the Punjab government’s initiative in 2023, which also involved paying influencers to promote the state’s culture, heritage, and governance. The Punjab Influencer Empowerment Policy, 2023, was designed to leverage social media influencers to narrate positive stories about Punjab and included a structured compensation model similar to Uttar Pradesh’s. The AAP-led Punjab government, in October 2023, launched an initiative to leverage social media influencers’ power to share the state’s ‘rich cultural heritage, vibrant traditions, and progressive governance initiatives’. The initiative was titled ‘Punjab Influencer Empowerment Policy, 2023’.

The ‘Punjab Influencer Empowerment Policy, 2023‘ aimed to ‘harness the storytelling prowess of social media influencers’ to narrate compelling stories about Punjab’s cultural diversity, historical heritage, and the progressive steps taken by the government. The policy categorized influencers based on their subscriber base across various social media platforms. The five distinct categories, as outlined in the policy, determined the compensation structure for influencers participating in this initiative. Surprisingly, it is very similar to the one proposed by the UP government.

  • Category A: Influencers with more than one million subscribers are eligible for a maximum compensation of ₹8 lakh per campaign.
  • Category B: Influencers with a subscriber base between five lakhs to one million can earn up to ₹5 lakhs per campaign.
  • Category C: For those with one lakh to five lakh subscribers, the compensation is capped at ₹3 lakh per campaign.
  • Category D: Influencers with a following between 50,000 to one lakh are also eligible for up to ₹3 lakh per campaign.
  • Category E: Those with 10,000 to 50,000 subscribers can similarly earn up to ₹3 lakh per campaign.

Similar campaigns were put forth by the Rajasthan Congress government in 2023 and more recently the Karnataka Congress government as well in 2024. 

Rathee’s silence on Punjab’s initiative has once again raised questions about his integrity and his double standards in his selective outrage. While Rathee has been vocal against the BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government’s use of influencers, his lack of commentary on the AAP-led Punjab government or the then Congress-led Rajasthan government, or the Congress-led Karnataka government’s similar approaches shows his blatant bias.

Once more, Rathee’s bias against the ruling BJP comes to the fore. He seems to have his lips sealed when someone from parties other than the BJP would have done similar things. If hypocrisy had a face, it would look like Dhruv Rathee.

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Anna University’s Ghost Faculty Crackdown: Top 10 Politically Affiliated Engineering Colleges Implicated In Scandal, Arappor Iyakkam Reveals

By
The Commune
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Arappor Iyakkam, an anti-corruption NGO, recently uncovered significant malpractice within private engineering colleges affiliated with Anna University in Tamil Nadu. Their investigation revealed that around 352 faculty members are simultaneously employed across multiple institutions, with some listed as faculty in up to 11 different colleges. This issue prompted Arappor Iyakkam to file a formal complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC), urging an investigation into these practices.

A thorough investigation by Anna University into the ghost faculty scandal uncovered that 676 teachers were simultaneously employed as full-time faculty across multiple engineering colleges during the 2023-24 academic year. Among these, around 20 individuals were repeat offenders. They held positions at over ten colleges for at least two years. The university has resolved to blacklist these faculty members.

In the previous academic year (2022-23), the number of teachers working at multiple institutions was reported as 686. This new figure was determined after examining a database of 52,500 teachers.

This increase in reported cases is significant, given that the university had previously identified 211 faculty members in duplicate positions. At the same time, Arappor Iyakkam, the organization that exposed the fraud, had detected 353 fake faculty members. University officials attributed the discrepancy to the more detailed investigation that is now completed.

Vice Chancellor R. Velraj highlighted a particularly egregious case where a single faculty member was found on the payroll of 22 colleges, a situation that persisted from the previous year. He emphasized that no leniency will be shown to such individuals, and they will be barred from teaching at any of Anna University’s affiliated colleges. Faculty members will have the opportunity to explain their situation before any action is taken. Additionally, the university plans to publish the names of these faculty members on its official website to alert the 433 affiliated colleges.

The university has also issued show-cause notices to 295 engineering colleges implicated in the scam, requesting their responses by August 5. Over 80 colleges have already replied.

Based on these findings, we present a list of the top 10 colleges with notable issues regarding ghost faculty and prominent political parties’ involvement.

Rank 10

Three colleges are tied for this position. Two are administered by former MLAs and one by current MLAs.

  • Shree Venkateshwara Hi-Tech Engineering College in Gobichettipalayam, Erode District: This college is managed by K. C. Karuppannan, a former Environment Minister and AIADMK MLA, who serves as the secretary. Notably, the college has 13 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.
  • Indira Institute of Engineering and Technology, Tiruvallur: This college is managed by current DMK MLA V. G. Raajendran. Notably, 13 faculty members are listed as ghost faculty.
  • ARM College of Engineering and Technology in Kanchipuram: This college is overseen by Ganesh Kumar, a former PMK MLA who serves as the Vice Chairman. Additionally, 13 faculty members are listed as ghost faculty.

Rank 9

Three colleges are tied for this position.

  • Shivani College of Engineering, Trichy: This college is chaired by Dr. P. Selvaraj, who is recognized for his significant role in developing JJ Engineering College, Kurinji Engineering College, and SSC College. Notably, the college has 14 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.
  • Renganayagi Varatharaj College of Engineering, Virudhunagar: This college is managed by Keshavan Varatharaj. Notably, the college has 14 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.
  • Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman College of Engineering in Thiruvannamalai: This college remains enigmatic, with details about the chairman and other aspects of the college shrouded in mystery and currently unverified. Notably, the college has 14 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.

Rank 8

Satyam College of Engineering and Technology, Kanyakumari: This college is managed by Engineer Dinakaran. The college has 15 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.

Rank 7

Two colleges are tied for this position.

  • Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering and Technology, Thiruvallur: This institute is chaired by Sk Purushothaman. The college has 16 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.
  • A V S Engineering College, Salem: Chaired by K. Kailasham, the college has 16 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.

Rank 6

Apollo Engineering College in Kancheepuram has 17 faculty members listed as ghost faculty. The college’s ownership and chairman are not disclosed, making the details about the institution obscure.

Rank 5

Surprisingly, Meenakshi College of Engineering in Chennai includes Dr. R. Velraj, Vice Chancellor of Anna University, on its governing council. The college also has 21 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.

Rank 4

Hari Babu chairs Sri Venkateswara College of Technology in Kancheepuram. The college has 23 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.

Rank 3

Sri Muthukumaran Institute of Technology in Kancheepuram is managed by Ms. Gomathi Radhakrishnan. The college has 27 faculty members listed as ghost faculty, and their other institutions hold ranks of 5 and 10.

Rank 2

T.J. Institute of Technology in Chengalpattu, associated with former Congress MP K.V. Thangabalu, has 33 faculty members listed as ghost faculty.

Rank 1

Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan College of Engineering and Technology in Chengalpattu, is owned by Manachanallur DMK MLA S. Kathiravan. It has the highest number of ghost faculty members in Tamil Nadu, with 34 listed.

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Punjab Police Seize Four Glock-19 Pistols, One With NATO Imprint

By
The Commune
-

In a breakthrough, Punjab Police, in a joint operation with a Central agency in Tarn Taran district, led to the seizure of four Glock-19 pistols, one with NATO army imprint, along with four magazines, seven rounds, and Rs 4.8 lakh ‘hawala’ money, Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Thursday.

Accused Harpreet Singh has links with a Pakistan-based smuggler. The investigation is going on to establish backward and forward linkages, he posted on X. Earlier, in a breakthrough against trans-border narcotic smuggling networks, Punjab Police arrested two drug smugglers, including a woman, after recovering 6.65 kg heroin and Rs 6 lakh drug money from their possession.

Those arrested have been identified as Simran Kaur, alias Indu (38) and Gurjot Singh. Both the accused have a criminal background with accused Simran facing at least 15 criminal cases pertaining to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Prisons Act, etc. DGP Yadav said that Ferozepur Police had received input that accused Simran and Gurjot retrieved a huge consignment of narcotics dropped using a drone from across the border, and were on the way to deliver it to someone in their Toyota Innova car.

Acting swiftly, police teams laid a checkpoint at Old Mudki Road and arrested both the accused and seized 6.65 kg heroin along with Rs 6 lakh drug money concealed in the car, he said, adding that the police teams have also impounded their vehicle. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ferozepur, Saumya Mishra, said that after working on technical inputs, the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) police team successfully conducted the operation and made the seizure.

In another achievement put together by Deputy Inspector General (Border Range) Satinder Singh, the Amritsar Rural Police froze assets worth Rs 37.72 crore belonging to notorious drug smugglers. Punjab shares a 553-km barbed-wire fenced international border with Pakistan which is under the vigil of the Border Security Force (BSF). The drug and arms network operates along the Afghanistan-Pakistan-India route.

–IANS

This story is based on an IANS-syndicated feed.

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“Why Is Hindi Not Taught In TN Schools While French Is Offered?”, BJP Councillor Uma Anandan Questions Chennai Mayor Priya

By
The Commune
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In a recent meeting of the Greater Chennai Corporation, BJP councillor Uma Anandan kicked off a heated debate by questioning why Hindi is not taught in TN schools while French is offered as a language for students. She also criticized the English pronunciation skills of students in Chennai Corporation schools. The remarks, which have quickly gone viral, prompted a swift response from Corporation Mayor Priya Rajan.

On 29 August 2024, the Greater Chennai Corporation held its council meeting before the monsoon season to review its course, led by Mayor Priya Rajan, including participation from Corporation Commissioner Kumaraguruparan, Deputy Mayor Mahesh Kumar, and various councillors. The agenda focused on measures to prevent monsoon rain damage and improve rainwater drainage systems.

During the meeting, BJP councilor Uma Anandan noted that while French is taught in schools within her wards, it is not universally spoken and questioned why Hindi is not also included in the curriculum. She argued that Hindi could be beneficial for students in communication across India and for UPSC exams. Anandan further claimed that Chennai Corporation students struggle with English pronunciation due to inadequate teaching methods.

Uma Anandan said, “Teach them Hindi. They can cross Guduvancheri, and it will be useful for the central government exams, for exams like IAS and IPS. There is no charge for it; the Hindi Prachar Sabha teaches for free.”

This caused a stir among DMK councillors, leading Mayor Priya Rajan to address the concerns. The Mayor explained that while skill development is crucial, Tamil and English are prioritized, with French offered as an optional subject for interested students. She emphasized that English instruction includes daily vocabulary exercises, newspaper readings, and conversational practice.

Priya Rajan countered Anandan’s criticism by stating that pronunciation and skill development are continuously addressed from early education. She acknowledged that pronunciation could vary regionally and globally but assured that the focus is on making students proficient in English communication. The Mayor reaffirmed that the Chennai Corporation aims to provide quality education, emphasizing comprehension and effective communication rather than conforming to any specific English accent.

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Karnataka Congress Govt Withdraws Order To Remove Street Lights With Hindu Symbols In Hanuman’s Birthplace Gangavathi After Backlash From Hindus

By
The Commune
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K'taka Congress Orders Removal Of Street Lights With Hindu Symbols In Hanuman's Birthplace Gangavathi After SDPI Objects

The Congress government in Karnataka reversed its decision to remove religious symbols from newly installed streetlight poles in Gangavathi, Koppal district, the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. The initial order, which came after a complaint from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), sparked widespread protests from Hindus who objected to the removal of symbols, including a bow and arrow, a mace, and the name of the deity Tirupati Thimmappa.

The streetlights, installed by Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) in July 2024, were part of a beautification project along the Nagar Cross to CBS Circle stretch, an area known for its deep cultural and religious significance as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. These designs and symbols in Gangavathi were inspired by similar installations in religiously significant areas like Ayodhya and Tirumala.

SDPI President Mohammad Ali argued that the symbols were provocative and could incite unrest. Following their complaint, the government, through the Tehsildar’s office, ordered the removal of the poles, citing concerns over offending religious sentiments and disturbing communal harmony. The order was issued based on instructions from the District Collector of Koppal.

However, this decision was vehemently opposed by Hindu organizations and residents, who argued that the streetlights celebrated the town’s heritage. Critics accused the SDPI of using communal harmony as an excuse to suppress Hindu cultural expressions.

In response to the backlash, the Tehsildar’s office has withdrawn the order, following a request from the Executive Committee of the Gangavathi Municipal Council, which had previously discussed the issue. The Municipal Council argued that the installation of the poles was appropriate and that no case should be filed against KRIDL. Officials requested that the case be closed without further action.

This reversal has been communicated to various officials, including the District Collector of Koppala, the Sub Divisional Officers of Police in Gangavathi, and the Municipal Commissioner, for their information and necessary action.

This is another instance of how Hindu unity for our causes can help prevent others from dictating things to Hindus in their motherland.

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