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The Print’s Sreyashi Dey Deletes X Handle Fearing Mamata Govt’s Police After Posting Victim Family’s Alleged Petition

By
The Commune
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The Print's Sreyashi Dey deleted her X account after sharing details about the Kolkata rape-murder.

Sreyashi Dey, a journalist with The Print, deleted her X account after she posted a snapshot of the alleged petition filed by the family of the Kolkata doctor who was raped and murdered at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.  Her retreat underscores the mounting pressure on critics of the Mamata Banerjee government as Kolkata Police’s intimidation silences dissent.

In her X post, Dey shared details saying that the doctors found 150 mg of semen in the victim’s body.

“The presence of 150 mg of semen in the hymen, a quantity suggesting the involvement of more than one individual, further corroborated the suspicion of gang rape.”

A News 18 report quoting forensic experts noted that the 150 mg mentioned in the autopsy report is the weight of the inner genitalia or the uterus and not that of any fluid.

Sreyashi Dey deleted her X account, reportedly fearing action from the Kolkata Police, sending notices and intimidating voices who speak about the incident on social media.

According to BJP leader Amit Malviya, Kolkata Police had earlier threatened her for reporting on the vandalism in the hospital.

Many on social media slammed the TMC government and Mamata Banerjee, saying, “This is what dictatorship looks like”.

TMC using police to suppress dissent

The shadow of fear cast by TMC-controlled Kolkata Police’s intimidation tactics is growing darker. It envelops not just Sreyashi Dey but also prominent figures like author Shefali Vaidya and journalist Barkha Dutt.

Vaidya received a notice from Kolkata Police for criticising the TMC government’s handling of the horrific incident. In an X post, she questioned the government’s lack of action in ensuring justice. The post had an image card that alleged the involvement of TMC ministers’ sons in the crime. Police demanded she delete the post, threatening strict legal action.

Vaidya, who is not a member of any political party, deleted the post and expressed fear of harassment. She also condemned the WB government for using police power to curb the free speech of private citizens.

Similarly, when Dutt posted on X that the hospital’s emergency room was vandalized, Kolkata Police warned her against spreading false information. The police said from their X handle that the crime occurred in the seminar room, which remained intact.

They threatened legal action against Dutt, even though she specifically mentioned the emergency room, not the seminar room.

Dutt later subtly adjusted her narrative to deflect the threat. While maintaining a confident front, she claimed she had referred to the entire hospital as the crime scene, not just the emergency room.

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From Blaming Victims To Maintaining Silence: Mamata Banerjee’s Stance On Rape And Women Safety Over The Years

By
The Commune
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mamata banerjee rape

Even as West Bengal reels from a surge in brutal violence against women, from the atrocities in Sandeshkhali to the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata, the silence of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who often claimed to be a guardian of women’s rights, speaks louder than words.

While her party members sing her praises, Banerjee’s lethargy speaks volumes, leaving many to question: where was the fierce leader West Bengal’s women promised, and how long can this silence last as the state’s daughters cry out for justice?

WB state police are silencing anyone questioning the Chief Minister’s apparent inaction in addressing such grave issues, especially given her position and status as a woman. However, it isn’t the first time her controversial stance on similar matters has been questioned.

2012

In 2012, Banerjee made a casual statement suggesting that the increase in rape cases in India was due to the more open interaction between men and women. She remarked, “Earlier, if men and women held hands, they would be caught and reprimanded by their parents, but now everything is so open. It’s like an open market with open options.”

The Trinamool Congress chief did not stop there. Their chief also accused a segment of the media of suppressing facts and engaging in “news pollution” by emphasizing a few rape incidents in the state.

“Every day, rape cases are highlighted as if the entire state has become a haven for rapists,” she said.

She criticized the media for allegedly glorifying rape and claimed that such negative journalism only serves to harm. Mamata further claimed that certain news channels targeted her government with “fabricated and exaggerated negative news” to tarnish its image. She accused these media outlets of spreading falsehoods and distorting her statements. She also suggested that some news items were manipulated to serve business interests and criticized the media for focusing on sensationalism rather than highlighting her government’s positive contributions. According to her, this bias aims to undermine Bengal’s cultural integrity.

Shortly after assuming office as Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee made careless statements regarding rape, and her handling of such cases has remained contentious.

In a case in 2012, a woman was raped on Park Street in Kolkata. Banerjee’s response at the time involved questioning the validity of the crime, blaming the victim, and suggesting political motivations. Kamduni became another example of her controversial approach to such incidents.

2013

In 2013, the brutal gang-rape, mutilation, and murder of a young college student in Kamduni, West Bengal, shocked the nation. The victim, known as Aparajita, became a symbol of the state’s issues with violence against women. Banerjee’s visit to Kamduni came a full ten days after the locals discovered the girl’s body. She faced criticism and heckling from the public.

In response, Banerjee questioned the victim’s character, hinted at conspiracies, and accused political opponents of stirring unrest.

She didn’t fulfil her promise to secure the death penalty for the perpetrators within a month, and the investigation, led by Special IGP CID Vineet Goel, concluded that only one man was involved, contrary to the claims of gang rape.

Just a week after the Kamduni case, two more tragic incidents occurred in Murshidabad the gang rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Ranitala, and the rape and murder of a middle-aged woman in Kharjula. In both cases, police responses were criticized. There were also allegations of mishandling and denial of rape.

In 2013, a 16-year-old girl in Madhyamgram was raped twice by the same men, who later set her on fire to prevent her from testifying. The case initially faced denial and slow investigation until the High Court intervened. Banerjee’s response was dismissive, claiming the judicial process was beyond her control and criticizing the media for negative reporting.

By 2014, rape cases continued to emerge. A 15-year-old Scheduled Caste girl was raped and murdered in Dhupguri after protesting the humiliation of her father by a local council. A 20-year-old tribal girl in Birbhum also faced sexual violence. These cases faded from public memory.

2022

By 2022, Banerjee had developed a routine for addressing such cases, deflecting blame, questioning the victims, and attributing violence to political conspiracies. After the rape and murder of a 14-year-old in Hanskhali, Banerjee maligned the victim’s personal life rather than focusing on the crime itself.

“Will you call it rape, or was she pregnant? Was it (the fallout of) a love affair? Have you enquired about these? It is an unfortunate incident. You (the girl’s family) also conducted the last rites of the body. I am talking as a layman. From where will they (police) get the evidence of whether she was raped or she was pregnant, or there was any other reason, such as she was slapped by someone after which she fell ill. I do not have any words to sympathise with the family,” she said.

The year 2022 saw a spate of violent incidents, including the gang rape and attempted murder of a 40-year-old woman in Namkhana, where the accused poured kerosene into the woman’s private parts and tried to set her on fire. The state also saw the rape of a 15-year-old tribal girl in Shantiniketan and the rape and murder of a 21-year-old student in Pingla.

Cases from Deganga, Bansdroni, and Englishbazar further highlighted the ongoing crisis.

2024

When reports on rape and violence against women in Sandeshkhali emerged in 2024, Banerjee claimed the issue was not new and blamed external factors for unrest.

Her statement suggested a pattern of deflecting responsibility and attributing problems to political conspiracies. The recurring themes in Banerjee’s responses, along with the similarities in police and state handling of these cases, suggest a troubling consistency in the state’s approach to addressing sexual violence. This pattern has become evident to many observing the unfolding events in Kolkata and the rest of West Bengal.

Left-leaning liberals and TMC MPs, who were vocal about high-profile cases like Bilkis Bano, Hathras, Kathua, and incidents of harassment in Manipur, now seem to choose silence over the recent rape and murder of a trainee doctor. Surprisingly, even the INDI alliance had opted for silence on this issue.

Some TMC MPs have gone so far as to express solidarity rather than push for justice despite their party being in power. This silence underscores a troubling trend in West Bengal, where the government appears to minimize the severity of rape by attributing it to shifting social norms. This pattern of downplaying critical issues and remaining silent on recent spikes in harassment and violence raises severe doubts about the government’s commitment to addressing these serious concerns. The TMC’s actions blatantly disregard the dignity of women, reducing them to mere commodities.

(With inputs from News 18)

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Foreign Media Distorting The Kolkata Rape & Murder Case To Tarnish India’s Image?

By
The Commune
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Even as the brutal rape and murder at a Kolkata hospital ignited nationwide protests, the foreign press seems busy piggybacking on this tragedy to tarnish India’s image. Their pixelated reporting deflects the blame from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-ruled West Bengal to the rest of India.

Here are some examples of how international media outlets are trying to tarnish India’s image globally as an unsafe country for women.

News Asia

Singapore’s Channel News Asia has seemingly whitewashed the reporting by stating that the horrific incident occurred in “eastern India“.

Why should other eastern states share the shame of the WB law and order mess? 

They then go on to report on the massive nationwide protests that the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for, and without context. They reproduce the IMA’s press release, which says, “It is for the authorities to provide for the safety of doctors inside hospitals and campuses,”

The IMA’s press release made vague statements about who was responsible for doctors’ safety.

Reuters

Reuters, on the other hand, made it a point to emphasise more on the “safety of women” in India by mentioning rape cases from the past.

The report seems to shift the focus to India’s broader safety record for women, instead of examining West Bengal’s record. Any reader would believe that India is the rape capital of the world after reading this report, even though it didn’t use that exact phrase.

They then reminded the reader about the “tough laws” brought in after the Nirbhaya rape case in 2012. However, they also make it a point to emphasise that these tough laws were useless in India anyway.

 

BBC

BBC, while focusing on Kolkata, very subtly inserts the point that India has been a country that has seen women stand up to rape perpetrators, seemingly pushing the idea that India is unsafe as a country.

 

Why Is This Problematic?

These reports omit key details like the involvement of West Bengal authorities, focusing only on the broader “happening in India” narrative while seemingly blaming the central government when the issue had not been handled properly by the TMC-led Mamata Banerjee government. The selective reporting appears to be influenced by deeper global agendas that aim to obscure the situation’s specifics.

The strike announced by IMA seems to come at a time when there was no other reason for protest. We have seen farmers’ protests, anti-CAA protests, and wrestlers’ protests, to name a few. But another protest is necessary to create a sense of unrest and instability. We all know what happened when the “student-led” protests boiled over in neighbouring Bangladesh. 

This rape and murder case seems to have come at the opportune moment for certain players. Even though there are protests, only time will tell if such reports will tarnish India’s image on the global stage.

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Suriya’s 2D Entertainment In Soup For Hiring 155 Russian Tourists Without Work Permit

By
The Commune
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Suriya's 2D Entertainment In Soup For Visa Violations

Suriya’s 2D Entertainment is under investigation by Nilgiris police for employing 155 Russian tourists and some Afghan students without the required work permits in a film directed by Karthik Subbaraj in Ooty.

Employment without Work Visa

According to immigration regulations, only individuals on business or work visas can take on paid employment there. Reports have confirmed that the agent who arranged the foreign nationals and the film’s executive producer have appeared before local authorities for questioning.

The film, currently being shot in Ooty, is directed by Karthik Subbaraj and works at the Nawanagar Palace in Aramby Ridge. The shoot, which has been ongoing for over 20 days, is expected to conclude in the coming days. It is claimed that 155 Russian nationals were granted tourist visas on the 27th to participate in a film shoot. They are currently filming at three well-known private hotels in Ooty.

Typically, when foreigners stay in Ooty, hotel management must notify both the local police station and the district superintendent of police (SP) office. However, the hotels involved have not provided the required details about the Russian nationals.

Tourists Sent Back

The filming was paused last week after actor Suriya sustained an injury. Subsequently, 42 of the 155 Russians returned to Russia.

Currently, 113 Russians remain in Ooty. The Nilgiris District Special Division Police have issued notices to the involved hotels, demanding explanations for the lack of proper reporting of the Russian nationals to the district SP office. This scrutiny arises from foreign nationals not being permitted to enter on tourist visas and participate in film shoots. Following police requests for the film crew to appear for questioning over the past few days, a team met with police officials on 14 August 2024 and reportedly explained.

A crew member, speaking anonymously to TOI stated, “We hired the foreign nationals through a well-regarded agent who has previously arranged for foreigners in other films. Many of these foreigners have previously worked in movies and have been residing in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The agent was unaware of the strict enforcement of these rules, as they had not been strictly applied before.” 

The film, tentatively titled “Suriya 44”, is a joint production of Karthik Subbaraj’s Stone Bench Creations and actor Suriya’s 2D Entertainment.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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“We Smuggled Drugs Under My Brother’s Direction,” Drug Lord Jaffer Sadiq’s Brother Mohammed Saleem Confesses To ED

By
The Commune
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Jaffer Sadiq Brother Mohammed Saleem Confesses To ED

Mohammed Saleem, brother of former DMK member and drug lord Jaffer Sadiq, admitted to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that they engaged in drug smuggling under Sadiq’s direction. This admission follows Saleem’s arrest by the ED on 13 August 2024 regarding the high-profile drug smuggling and money laundering case.

Sadiq, previously associated with the DMK, is imprisoned in Puzhal Jail over charges related to drug trafficking and illegal money transfers. Mohammed Saleem, who was a member of the VCK, was taken into custody by the ED and is undergoing a seven-day interrogation concerning drug smuggling and money laundering operations.

Interrogation

During his interrogation, Saleem revealed that their primary operation involved smuggling ‘pseudoephedrine,’ a substance similar to health mix powder, to foreign markets. He explained that “Our primary operation was to smuggle ‘pseudoephedrine,’ a substance similar to health mix powder, to foreign countries. In 2015, we expanded our activities, and my brother Jaffer Sadiq joined the DMK to shield us from potential arrests. He also helped me join the VCK party. We took photographs with political leaders and sent them to drug cartels abroad to showcase our influence. This strategy boosted their confidence in us, allowing us to smuggle drugs to Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, and other countries, all under my brother Jaffer Sadiq’s direction. Additionally, we were involved in illegal money transfers.”

The ED’s investigation revealed that Saleem and Sadiq played a crucial role in exporting and concealing pseudoephedrine among other narcotics. Saleem, involved in various companies and entities, used these platforms to launder illicit proceeds. He had accumulated over ₹8 crore in illegal cash deposits across several accounts.

Saleem employed money laundering tactics such as using financial intermediaries and fictitious loans to obscure the origins of this cash. Additionally, he channelled drug trafficking proceeds into real estate investments and purchased luxury items, including a Jaguar. His amassed wealth, in sharp contrast to his declared income, highlights the extent of his involvement in the criminal network.

The VCK supporter appeared before a local court on 13 August 2024, where Principal Sessions Judge S Alli remanded him to judicial custody until 27 August 2024. The ED has also requested 15 days of custody for Saleem. The judge has ordered a notice regarding the agency’s request and scheduled a further hearing for the next day.

Who Is Jaffer Sadiq?

Jaffer Sadiq, a producer of five Tamil films, was the leader of a cartel responsible for shipping Pseudoephedrine from India to Australia and New Zealand, as per the sources.

Sadiq was their Deputy Organiser for DMK’s Chennai West NRI Wing. He was permanently expelled from the party on 25 February 2024 for his involvement in the drug cartel.

The case came to light after authorities from New Zealand and Australia alerted Indian agencies about substantial pseudoephedrine smuggling, disguised as desiccated coconut powder, found in their countries. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was probing the possibility of drug money to fund films. Additional information from the US Drug Enforcement Administration pointed to Delhi as the source of the consignment.

A combined operation from the NCB and the Special Cell of Delhi Police busted up the drug network. It resulted in the seizure of at least 50 kg of Pseudoephedrine in Delhi. They arrested four persons from Tamil Nadu in a Delhi warehouse.

Officials said the cartel operators dispatched 45 shipments with roughly 3,500 kg of pseudoephedrine over the past three years. They cost over ₹2,000 crore in the international market.

On 9 March 2024, NCB announced they arrested Sadiq, the mastermind behind the drug trafficking.

(With inputs from Dinamalar)

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Please Be Careful, Act With Caution: Stalin Reportedly Warns Ministers Before US Trip

By
The Commune
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Act With Caution": Stalin Warns Ministers

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin reportedly warned his ministers to act with caution while speaking in public as Central agencies were closely monitoring the state. He instructed them during a cabinet meeting before his upcoming visit to the United States on August 27, supposedly to secure investments for the state.

MK Stalin is visiting the US, allegedly to “attract investments” for Tamil Nadu, even as critics have raised concerns about the outcomes of his previous foreign trips.

According to a report by Dinamalar citing sources from the secretariat, the CM reportedly stated, “I am heading to America under unavoidable circumstances. But solid preparations have been made. This time, Tamil Nadu will certainly draw significant industrial investments. Contrary to the opposition claims, business leaders in the U.S. realise that Tamil Nadu provides a conducive environment for business growth.”

He emphasized the strategic importance of this investment push and how the party will benefit politically once it is successful. He advised ministers to remain patient meanwhile.

Chief Minister Stalin also urged the ministers to ensure they performed their duties efficiently in his absence. “Even though I won’t be physically present, my attention will remain focused on Tamil Nadu. I will receive updates constantly and will know about any missteps. I expect each of you to act cautiously.”

The Chief Minister further warned that the central government closely monitored the state’s activities, mainly using its intelligence agencies. He cautioned ministers against taking rash steps that could provoke adverse action from the central authorities. He told them that such actions could harm the DMK, the state government, and the party’s future.

Stalin reassured the ministers that they could contact him anytime if they had doubts or required clarification. In discussions on potential deputy CM, he acknowledged that some senior ministers privately approached him with suggestions.

However, Stalin clarified that his son Udhayanidhi has not yet expressed any interest in assuming the role.

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TMC Goes The Dravidian Model Way As Kolkata Police Intimidate Netizens Speaking Out On RG Kar Medical College Rape And Murder Case

By
The Commune
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TMC Goes The Dravidian Model Way As Kolkata Police Intimidate Netizens

The TMC government in West Bengal appears to be taking a page out of the DMK’s playbook by cracking down on dissent online. Similar to the Dravidian party’s tactics in Tamil Nadu, the West Bengal government uses their policemen to intimidate netizens who have spoken out against the horrific rape and murder of a medical student in Kolkata.

People living in Tamil Nadu know how TN police intimidate netizens for making critical comments about the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government or posting memes that espouse the same criticism. Read here for more on the cases filed in TN and elsewhere.

TMC-ruled West Bengal seems to be following the Dravidian Model of using their police force to intimidate its criticizing netizens in the wake of a horrific crime committed in the city. Kolkata Police was found intimidating netizens for speaking out on the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case.

Instances

A netizen named Debayan Sen claimed to reveal a cover-up involving a horrific incident at RG Kar Medical College in West Bengal, linked to a larger illegal organ trafficking, medicine smuggling, and sex and drug racket allegedly supported by political figures from the Trinamool Congress (TMC). Debayan alleged that the victim discovered the illegality involving some hospital staff, an intern, and hospital authorities, including the principal. After the victim allegedly threatened to expose the operation, she was harassed for two months, leading to her eventual death, which was initially labelled as a suicide by the hospital principal.

Sen also alleged that the proceeds from these illegal activities were linked to TMC leaders, implicating high-level involvement. Sanjoy Roy is described as a scapegoat, with the real culprits allegedly being Arshean Alam, Shahbaz Khan, Golam Azam, and Subhadip Sinha Mahapatra, the son of TMC leader Soumen Mahapatra, who is reportedly now in hiding. Sen also accused the principal, police, and state government of orchestrating a cover-up, attempting to destroy evidence, and dismissing the case as a suicide.

He also stated that during the peaceful protest on 14 August 2024, TMC-hired goons allegedly infiltrated the crowd, vandalized the college to destroy evidence, and were allegedly aided by police. Tear gas was used against the peaceful protesters, and an internet blackout was imposed to allegedly suppress information about the incident.

https://twitter.com/DebayanSen_/status/1823878847718187015

Following this, Debayan received a notice u/s 168 BNSS from the Cyber Police of Kolkata for reporting on the Kolkata horror.

Another netizen with the handle “purpleready” recounted the troubling experience when police officers visited her parents’ home to intimidate her over a social media post she made about a student from Burdwan University. The police, acting on instructions from the Kolkata police, searched for her, causing distress to her family.

When they arrived, her brother contacted her, and the police questioned her about the post, asking if she had verified its credibility. She admitted to sharing the post based on initial reports and editing it after verification. The police requested that she delete the post and warned her against sharing unverified information in the future, threatening potential harm to her career. The incident left her family, particularly her mother and brother, deeply upset and ashamed, especially since the neighbours were aware of the police inquiry. She later deleted the post as requested by the police.

https://twitter.com/epicnephrin_e/status/1824318388887277922

WB Police Intimidate Shefali Vaidya

In an X post, Temple activist and influencer Shefali Vaidya posed questions about the TMC government’s lack of action in ensuring speedy justice, for which the Kolkata Police have threatened to take down the post.

She shared on X an image card which alleged that the sons of two TMC ministers were the suspects in the rape and murder case. She asked if the information was true while questioning if the police under the Mamata government were hurriedly trying to portray the incident as a suicide by destroying evidence.

“You are hereby directed to delete the above-mentioned post and also refrain from making such acts failing which you will be liable for strict penal action under the relevant provision of law.“, the notice by Kolkata Police read.

Following this, Shefali Vaidya took to her social media, fearing threats of harassment and attempts to muzzle her voice.

“So I got this threatening letter from Kolkata Police for merely asking a few questions and for exercising my right of free speech. This is a clear case of @mamataofficial administration silencing the voice of private citizens using the power of Kolkata Police.”, she said.

Shefali pointed out that she was just a private citizen disgusted by the incident, not a politician.

“As a woman and mother, I fear for my safety. We all know what the Kolkata Police can do, and we all know what happens to women who dare to speak against @mamataofficial in West Bengal. They are either subjected to violence or intimidation like the #SandeshkhaliHorror victims or forced to leave the state like @UnSubtleDesi [OpIndia Editor Nupur Sharma].“, Shefali said.

“I am just an ordinary citizen trying to do the right thing. I am not a member of any political party, nor do I have an organisation to back me up. And I don’t have the wherewithal or the energy to fight the intimidation tactics of a state administration where the police act like the collection agents of a regime. So yes, I will delete the post as Kolkata Police asked me to do as advised by my lawyer. I am doing so not because I think I was wrong in asking questions, but after what happened to #moumitadebnath, I fear for my safety and my life. You won Kolkata Police in silencing the voice of a common citizen. Congratulations. Huge achievement. Now, if only you guys showed the same zeal in protecting the women of West Bengal, #moumitadebnath would STILL BE ALIVE!” she said.

Shefali Vaidya also pointed out that she had said nothing wrong apart from what other institutions have asked, which is available in the public domain.

After making a (now deleted) post on X on the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case, a netizen with the handle “Lady Khabri” also received a notice from Kolkata Police.

Another netizen with the handle name “Janu” posted a video detailing the horrific incident.

https://twitter.com/real_janhavi/status/1823704244014473373

As expected, Kolkata Cyber Police issued a notice against her.

A netizen named Sunanda Roy also faced the same after her video on the details of the rape and murder case was shared widely.

TN Police seems to have found a buddy to intimidate and censor netizens’ voices critical of the ruling government or speaking the truth.

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“Ram & Vam Vandalized RG Kar Medical College”, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Accuses Left & BJP Of Collusion To Create Unrest

By
The Commune
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Mamata Banerjee Accuses Left & BJP for unrest afater doctor's rape-muder

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Left and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of collaborating to create unrest in the state following the brutal rape and murder of a young doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata.

“Left and Ram want to create unrest in Bengal, and they both have come together to do this,” Banerjee stated, referring to the unrest and vandalism caused by a mob at the hospital on 14 August 2024.

The Chief Minister alleged that those responsible for the vandalism were not college students.

“The people who vandalized RG Kar Hospital yesterday are not connected to the student movement… they are BJP people,” Banerjee asserted, pointing to videos showing individuals holding national flags and others with red and white flags associated with the communist Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI).

The incident at the hospital involved a mob entering the campus and damaging the protest site, vehicles, and public property. Security officials had to intervene to disperse the crowd.

Banerjee, also the chief of the ruling Trinamool Congress, commended the police for their restraint during a recent incident at RG Kar Hospital, where officers, including a Deputy Commissioner and two Officer-in-Charges, were attacked.

She noted that the officers were found unconscious with injuries and were promptly hospitalized. She said, “Yesterday, police were attacked; among them was one Deputy Commissioner (DC) who was there for security purposes, and two Officer-in-charges (OCs). For one hour, they couldn’t be found, and when they were found, they were unconscious and were seen blood oozing out from their heads. I informed the police at 3 am and had them taken to Apollo Hospital… I would like to congratulate them on not losing patience; they did not hurt anyone.”

Banerjee also remarked that the investigation into the case is now under the jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and anyone with relevant information should direct it to them.

Addressing the RK Kar rape and murder case, Banerjee called for the death penalty for the accused, stressing that such severe punishment is necessary to serve as a deterrent while also cautioning against punishing the innocent.

The case has sparked nationwide protests, particularly within the medical community, following the discovery of a post-graduate trainee doctor’s body in RG Kar Medical College on 9 August 2024. The victim’s family has alleged rape and murder.

(With inputs from OpIndia)

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Hindu Munnani Alleges Terror Plot Against Leader, Criticizes TN Govt & Police Response

By
The Commune
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"Is Tamil Nadu Turning Into A Taliban State?" Hindu Munnani Slams DMK govt

J.A. Kishore Kumar, the State General Secretary of Hindu Munnani, issued a press release on 16 August 2024, cautioning the Tamil Nadu government to address a purported terror conspiracy against Hindu Munnani chief Kadeswara Subramaniam. Kumar warned that if the state fails to tackle the rise of Islamic terrorism effectively, it could face serious repercussions.

The press release detailed an incident involving a letter received by the Bharatiya Janata Party office in Palani, Dindigul District. The letter alleged that terrorist training was being conducted in the Palani area by Syed Ali Farooq of the SDPI, who was reportedly training ten members of the banned PFI. The letter also claimed that there were plans to assassinate Kadeswara Subramaniam.

Hindu Munnani asserted that the letter confirmed this terror plot against Subramaniam. However, they criticized the police for allegedly mishandling the investigation. They claimed that the authorities had downplayed the letter’s significance, suggesting it was merely a revenge-driven falsehood, and had failed to investigate the individuals named in the letter.

The group condemned the police for covering up the incident and accused them of enabling the growth of Islamic terrorism through their inaction. They pointed out that Tamil Nadu has witnessed a significant number of terrorist activities, highlighting a pattern of police negligence that emboldens extremists.

DMK-led Tamil Nadu government was also criticized for not recognizing how Islamic fundamentalist threats are impacting industrial development in the state. Hindu Munnani emphasized the need for proper investigation and expressed concern that failure to address the issue could lead to a resurgence of terrorism.

In response, the Hindu Munnani has contacted Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging the Central Bureau of Investigation to take over the case. They have called for increased intelligence monitoring of the SDPI and associated individuals to prevent the spread of Islamic terrorism in Tamil Nadu.

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TNM Gives A Perfect 5/5 For Pa. Ranjith’s Thangalaan Despite Film’s Lukewarm Response, Netizens Question TNM’s Credibility And Neutrality

By
The Commune
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TNM Gives A Perfect 5/5 For Pa. Ranjith's Thangalaan

Tamil film director Pa Ranjith’s film Thangalaan, starring Vikram, was released on 15 August 2024. The film, released amid heightened expectations, was a damp squib for movie watchers. However, Dravidianist and leftist mouthpiece TNM gave it a perfect 5/5 for the movie in their review.

What Is The Film About?

Thangalaan is a historical drama set in the 1800s during British rule in the Kolar region known for its gold deposits. The story revolves around Clement, a British officer eager to exploit the ancient gold mines of Tipu Sultan in Kolar, Karnataka. To achieve this, he seeks labour from a tribal village in Veppur, North Arcot, known for its mining skills. He promises to share the wealth with them, aiming to lift them out of poverty. Thangalaan, a tribal leader played by Vikram, agrees to the offer, driven by a desire for self-respect and a better life for his people, who have long been oppressed.

However, the tribals fear Aarathi, a mystical guardian believed to protect the gold. Thangalaan has encountered Aarathi’s fierce power before but believes things will be different this time. The group, led by Thangalaan and accompanied by Clement, embarks on a journey to Kolar to seek gold, facing challenges along the way. The film explores whether they find the gold, if the legend of Aarathi is true, and whether Clement genuinely helps the tribals improve their lives.

What Went Wrong With The Film?

The film was loaded with expectations since it was a Vikram-Pa.Ranjith combination. However, the film fell flat on its face, with a few positives as its saving grace. 

Vikram delivers a powerful and transformative performance, creating a memorable presence despite potential shortcomings in the screenplay or editing.

The film attempts a daring and experimental form, similar to Pa. Ranjith’s previous works. It focuses on visuals and minimal backstory to establish the film’s world.

Certain scenes, such as Thangalaan’s transformation when aligning with Clement, are visually impactful and symbolic.

Let’s take a look at the negatives:

The film’s structure, which seems to mimic a hallucination, creates a disjointed and chaotic narrative that confuses the audience.

Despite dealing with heavy themes like oppression and betrayal, the film failed to evoke a strong emotional response, feeling generic and surface-level. Apart from Thangalaan, other characters, including those played by Parvathy Thiruvothu and Malavika Mohanan, are underdeveloped, and their actions sometimes lack sense. The film lacks sufficient setup and character moments, making it difficult to feel emotionally invested when something bad happens to a family member.

Several key arcs, such as Pasupathy’s journey, Thangalaan’s relationship with his people, and Hari’s dynamic with his wife, are underdeveloped and have no clear beginning, middle, or end.

The big action set pieces where VFX makes an entry involving panthers and snakes do not work effectively, diminishing their intended impact. Despite the big budget, the visuals, score, and action set pieces fail to deliver the expected cinematic impact. The film’s cinematography fails to delve into the characters’ psyches, with an overreliance on wide shots and a lack of memorable frames. The direction lacks strong staging of set-piece moments, and the editing feels rushed, leading to a frustrating viewing experience.

The geography and positioning of characters in many sequences are unclear, leading to confusion about what is happening in certain scenes.

Some crucial dialogues are difficult to understand due to a problematic sound mix, which affects the plot’s overall understanding.

The film’s screenplay lacks coherence and depth, leading to a less emotionally impactful narrative. Overall, the film attempts an ambitious blend of adventure and drama but struggles to bring its various elements together satisfactorily.

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TNM’s Hypocrisy

Despite these flaws, the News Minute, a Dravidianist-Leftist mouthpiece, rated the film 5/5. Pa. Ranjith’s films often receive such ratings from TNM, regardless of their merits or flaws.

The same TNM reviewed Maharaja and gave it a 3.5/5. The film reflected a male perspective, which is unsurprising given its male creator. Portals like TNM remain silent about similar issues in their preferred directors’ works. Take Attakathi, for example. Such inconsistent criticism lacks substance and seems aimed merely at sounding contrarian.

Pa Ranjith’s ‘Natchathiram Nagargirathu’ was also given high ratings even when unpalatable to his followers. It seems one cannot criticise Pa Ranjith without getting cancelled.

The film seems to present a skewed historical perspective, portraying British colonizers in an overly positive light, almost like saints. In a scene, the Britisher makes a kind statement in English. But a Brahmin interpreter deliberately mistranslates it to “serve his interests”. Thus, the film successfully portrays the Brahmin as the primary antagonist.

However, this portrayal overlooks significant historical realities, such as the Criminal Tribes Act by the British. This Act criminalized large segments of lower-caste populations. However, the reviewer conveniently omitted it and didn’t raise a question on the inaccuracy.

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