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Reports Say DMK IT Wing Members Recruited Into DMK Govt’s Fact-Checking Unit

By
The Commune
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In a move that has raised concerns about threat to democracy and freedom of speech & expression, the DMK government in Tamil Nadu, has decided to create a Fact Checking Unit under the administrative control of Special Programme Implementation which is the portfolio of DMK scion and Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin.

The development comes after the DMK government faces the wrath of the  Opposition parties and people at large over the state of affairs in Tamil Nadu.

This FCU is going to be headed by Iyan Karthikeyan, a Dravidian Stockist YouTuber known for peddling DMK propaganda.  As the “Mission Director” of the Fact-Checking Unit, Iyan will receive a monthly salary of ₹3 lakh.

Iyan Karthikeyan getting ₹3 lakh per month of tax payer’s money comes at a time when nurses and teachers are fighting for equal pay and the state is in severe debt.

Iyan Karthikeyan was previously the Editor-in-Chief of YouTurn, a self-proclaimed “fact-checking” website that also has a YouTube channel where Iyan Karthikeyan along with his team rant for the most part under the pretext of “fact-checking”.

It has been stated that the primary job of the FCU will be to identify fake news and curb hate speech but critics argue that it is nothing but a fascist move to crackdown on critics of the DMK and its government.

Concerns were raised from different quarters about the flouting of rules in establishing this unit and the appointment process.

In a development that substantiates the above apprehension, it has come to light that many DMK IT wing members have been recruited into the so-called “fact-checking unit”.

According to a report by South First, DMK IT wing functionaries and cadres who are active on social media were being recruited for the unit.

The South First report quoting a state-level functionary of the DMK told reported that all the appointments are probably complete and that the unit was almost ready to function.

According to RB Udhayakumar, the Deputy Leader of Opposition belonging to AIADMK, credible sources have suggested that recruitment for this unit exclusively involves individuals with an affiliation to the DMK and those who are part of the DMK IT wing.

Since the unit has been accorded suo motu powers, it is but natural that this so-called “fact-checking unit” will go after DMK critics on social media.

Jayaram Venkatesan, a social activist of corruption watchdog ‘Arappor Iyakkam,’ observes that the fact-checking unit seems to serve as a government propaganda tool and an extension of the DMK IT wing, primarily designed to counter news and information critical of the DMK government. He further expressed puzzlement over the decision to place this unit under the control of Udhayanidhi rather than the information minister or the DIPR.

You can read more about the problems associated with the FCU in this article – Why The DMK Govt’s Fact-Checking Unit Is Undemocratic And How It Has Possibly Flouted Rules

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Pakistan Violently Uproots 1.7 Million Afghans, Creates A Massive Humanitarian Crisis

By
The Commune
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As Pakistan sheds tears over how the Islamic terror organization Hamas is being treated, it has started the process to deport an estimated 1.7 million Afghans who have been residing in the country without legal status for over 30 years. At the same time, the liberal and Islamic brigade in India is all quiet as a massive humanitarian crisis is being unraveled in a very sensitive territory with serious consequences.

Pakistan which is famous for being a leader of the Global Islamic Community or Ummah, has now started to uproot Afghans from its territory with violence and degradation. For these Afghan refugees, their homeland Afghanistan is alien to them as they only grew up in Pakistan and have no idea what future is in store for them as they enter into a country that is ruled by the Taliban.

For Pakistan, the Afghan refugees were nothing but a meal ticket that was the outcome of the Cold War when the erstwhile Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 resulting in millions pouring into Pakistan. The number of refugees was again very high for a country like Pakistan to handle but for a very long time, they received a lot of funds from the US and Saudi Arabia.

The fact is Pakistan still receives funds for housing these refugees which will not end. This is why it is now necessary to conduct a thorough financial reporting, auditing, and forensic accounting of how the funds were used over the years. However, the probable reason for deporting these Afghans could be because of the decrease in funding for these refugees and it is no longer viable for Pakistan to host them given their precarious economic condition.

The Afghans who have over the years set up legitimate businesses in Pakistan are now being forced to move stripping them of their livelihood, safety, and their lifetime savings overnight. What is even more challenging for these displaced refugees is to find a suitable shelter as winter sets in. 

But what is even more hypocritical is the silence of the Indian liberals and Islamists who cried foul when the Modi government introduced the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019. Even people in Pakistan called this law undemocratic while they shamelessly persecuted Hindus and other minorities. 

Afghan refugees in Pakistan have been a significant humanitarian issue for several decades after the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan and Millions of Afghans fled their war-torn country and sought refuge in neighboring Pakistan. The Afghan refugee crisis has persisted for years due to ongoing conflicts, insecurity, and instability in Afghanistan.

Key points about Afghan refugees in Pakistan:

  1. Historical Context: The Afghan refugee crisis in Pakistan began with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Millions of Afghan refugees crossed the border into Pakistan, seeking safety and shelter.

  2. Refugee Camps: Pakistan established refugee camps to provide shelter, food, and basic services to Afghan refugees. These camps were often run by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and various NGOs.

  3. Repatriation Efforts: Over the years, there have been several repatriation initiatives to encourage Afghan refugees to return to their homeland. These have been supported by the UNHCR and the Pakistani government.

  4. Security Concerns: The long-standing presence of Afghan refugees in Pakistan has posed security challenges for both countries. Pakistani authorities have at times expressed concerns about militants hiding among the refugee population.

  5. Legal Status: Many Afghan refugees in Pakistan do not have legal status, and they often live in precarious conditions. In recent years, the Pakistani government has initiated efforts to regularize the status of some Afghan refugees.

  6. Education and Health: NGOs and humanitarian agencies have provided education and healthcare services to Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Despite challenges, many refugee children have had access to schools and healthcare facilities which will now end as they have to move to Afghanistan which is ruled by the Taliban that does not allow education for women.

  7. Economic Impact: Afghan refugees have also had an economic impact on Pakistan, both positive and negative. Some have contributed to the labor force, while others have faced challenges in finding employment.

  8. Recent Developments: The situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan has become more complicated with the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The instability in Afghanistan has led to renewed concerns about the security and humanitarian needs of Afghan refugees, particularly women who will have no rights under the Taliban rule.

It seems the life of Palestinians is more valuable than that of Afghans and Pakistan has no qualms when it comes to deporting Afghan refugees who stand to lose everything, including their life, under the Taliban. 

Pakistan is an Islamic state and yet its treatment of the two nationalities is hypocritical. 

It must be noted that if there had been any action by the Indian government against the Rohingya Muslims, there would have been condemnation from Pakistan, and from India, the left-liberal-Islamists cabal would be up in arms over this injustice. Also, they are quiet when it comes to Uyghur Muslims in China who are placed in concentration camps called reeducation camps. 

Therefore it seems as long as a Muslim persecutes a Muslim, all is well because critiquing the situation that is developing in the Pakistan-Afghan border will be politically incorrect.

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After Senthil Balaji, Ponmudi, Jagathrakshakan, Raids Conducted At Properties Linked To DMK Minister E V Velu

By
The Commune
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The Income Tax department has initiated raids on the properties of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) minister E V Velu, who is in charge of the Public Works, Highways, and Minor Ports, in connection with alleged tax evasion. This development follows similar raids on other senior DMK leaders, including ministers V Senthil Balaji, K Ponmudi, and MP S Jagathrakshakan. Senthil Balaji was arrested in connection with an alleged cash-for-jobs scam in the state transport department.

It is reported that Income Tax & ED officials are conducting searches at several locations across Chennai, Thiruvannamalai, Karur, and Coimbatore, encompassing residences, officials, and educational institutions associated with E V Velu.

This is not the first time Income Tax officials have conducted raids related to E V Velu. In 2021, investigations revealed discrepancies during searches at sand quarries. The current raids are in connection with alleged tax evasion related to educational institutions, sand quarries, and building construction.

The raids began at around 6:30 a.m. on 3 November 2023. The searches are ongoing at various locations and are being carried out with the assistance of personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). 

The searches include properties in Tiruvannamalai, where many are concentrated around Velu’s house in Kilnachipattu village, located around 8 km from Tiruvannamalai town. At least 8 colleges are located on the same campus as his home. Among Velu’s extensive business ventures in Tiruvannamalai are ten colleges, including: 

  • Arunai Engineering College
  • Arunai Medical College
  • Kamban Engineering College
  • Jeeva Velu International School
  • Kamban College of Arts and Science for Women
  • Arunai Institute of Nursing Education and Research
  • Arunai College of Pharmacy
  • Kumaran Polytechnic College
  • Karan Arts and Science College

While Velu declared his assets as ₹23 crores in his 2021 election affidavit, DMK Files part 1 indicates that EV Velu is worth more than ₹5000 crores in assets. Arunai Engineering College is worth ₹1086.26 cr, Kamban Arts and Science College – ₹141.86 cr, Arunai Medical College – ₹4120.26 cr, and Jeeva Velu International School – ₹94 cr. It is reported that his extensive business ventures also include TV serial production and boarding schools.

Additional searches have been conducted in Karur, targeting premises related to the Minister and individuals associated with him. The raids involve multiple locations in Karur, including the house of Velu’s personal assistant, Suresh, and the house of Padma, sister of former DMK MLA Vasuki Murugesan, among others.

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Crumbling Ceilings, Unhygienic Toilets, Unclean Classrooms: The Deplorable Condition Of Govt ‘Model School’ In Chennai

By
The Commune
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The Government Higher Secondary School in Mogappair, Chennai, which should serve as a beacon of education and enlightenment, is mired in controversy as students raise alarming concerns about the deplorable conditions they endure within its premises.

The harrowing revelations by students paint a grim picture of an unhygienic and neglected government school that is supposedly a ‘model school’. The children studying have been crying out for a cleaner, safer, and more respectful learning environment, only to find their pleas largely unanswered.

One female student, bemoaned the lack of basic facilities for girls, including the absence of proper toilet facilities. “This school doesn’t have toilet facilities for girls and boys, the ceiling has cracks and water leaks through these cracks. Once during our exams, a portion of the ceiling fell down”, she lamented.

The crumbling ceilings have been a source of constant concern, especially during crucial examination periods. When the student brought these issues to the school management’s attention, she was met with indifference and a chilling response: “When everyone has no problem, why are you complaining?”. She even told the authorities that the students would file a police complaint.

The management’s silence and inaction in the face of these grievances have only exacerbated the students’ distress. The students’ attempts to address the glaring issues have been met with hostility, with management allegedly verbally attacking individuals attempting to clean the deteriorating toilets themselves. Shockingly, teachers are reported to be complicit in the mistreatment of students, coercing girls to undertake cleaning duties and resorting to verbal harassment when met with resistance, particularly targeting those whose parents are employed.

Last year’s monsoon season brought heavy water stagnation, yet the management failed to make any efforts to alleviate the situation. The students were forced to study in these substandard conditions. The school’s lax security measures have also raised concerns, as the management reportedly fails to lock the school doors during weekends, allowing outsiders to engage in unruly behavior and liquor consumption within the open classrooms.

The student said, “Last year in Oct, Nov, Dec when it rained heavily, water logging was severe here. We attended classes in this situation’ there were mosquitoes, insects, lizards everywhere and yet they did not bother. They do not lock the school in the weekends, outsiders are playing cricket here, smoke cigarettes too.”

Another student revealed the shocking state of disrepair within the classrooms, with reports of fan vandalism and an overpowering stench emanating from the unsanitary toilets, rendering them unusable even in urgent situations. The Headmaster (HM) of the school has been accused of turning a deaf ear to these grievances, further fueling the sense of neglect and disregard.

The students said, “We don’t know who comes here at night, they break the fans and everything. The gates are always open. If the cleaner/sweeper doesn’t turn up, they ask the girls from each class to do it. If we open the toilet, it is stench-ridden. Even if there is an urgency, we are unable and we do not use the toilet here. We pass urine only at home after school.”

These distressing revelations cast a dark shadow over the education system in Chennai, and raise questions about the state of schools under Chief Minister Stalin’s touted “model school” system.

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BJP TN Forms ‘Start-up Cell’, Appoints Former Intel Engineer Ananthan Ayyasamy As Convenor

By
The Commune
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In an effort to support the growing number of start-ups, the BJP Tamil Nadu President K. Annamalai announced the creation of a new ‘Start-Up Cell’ of the party aimed at being a bridge between budding entrepreneurs and the government machinery.

“Today, BJP Tamil Nadu is taking a progressive step by launching a Start-up Cell to foster innovation and serve as a vital communication bridge for aspiring entrepreneurs. This initiative underscores the party’s commitment to promoting economic growth and creating opportunities for the talented and innovative minds in the state, ultimately contributing to our State’s development and prosperity.“, the BJP state president announced on Thursday (2 November 2023).

Ananthan Ayyasamy, a BJP leader from Tenkasi, who was the State Vice President of Tamil Nadu BJP Other States & Overseas Tamil Development Cell (OOSTD Cell) has been appointed as the Convenor of the cell.

Ananthan Ayyasamy was a former engineer with Intel and had rose to the position of Director of Engineering. His LinkedIn bio states that he has two decades of experience semiconductor industry.

Ananthan spearheads an initiative known as Startup Tenkasi which recently introduced an ambitious, multi-phased Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning Skill Building Program in the form of workshops, collaborating with various engineering colleges and Arts & Science institutions in Tenkasi District. The Startup Tenkasi initiative is being touted as an effort to make Tenkasi the Estonia of India.

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Thiruppanandhal Kasi Madam’s Wall Destroyed; Tamil Desiya Munnetra Kazhagam Takes Responsibility

By
The Commune
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On 30 October 2023, an unfortunate incident occured in Thiruppanandal, located in the Thanjavur district, at the Kasi Thirumadam, which was founded by Kumaragurubar. A group of individuals, arriving in two separate groups, completely demolished the 400-foot perimeter wall surrounding the Poikai pond within the Math premises. In response to this incident, Selvaraj, the manager of Tiruppanandal Kashi Thirumadam, filed a formal complaint with the police.

At around 2:00 a.m. on the morning of 30 October 2023, Vridhakiri, an individual employed at the Math, heard unusual noises coming from the area. When he went to investigate, he discovered more than ten people, including Mohammad Bilal, who serves as the secretary of the state media wing of the Tamil National Development Association, attempting to escape on motorcycles. The police are actively searching for those responsible for this act.

Preliminary estimates indicate that nearly 2 lakhs of rupees worth of damage was inflicted upon this sacred monument, steeped in religious significance.

It’s worth noting that on the eastern side of this pond, there is a middle school, and some years ago, an accident took place when students mistakenly entered the pond. To ensure the safety of the public and the students, a perimeter wall was constructed around the pool. The sacred pond, spread across an expansive one-acre area, had been enclosed by a protective barrier to ensure its sanctity and safety.

At the forefront of the investigation is the question of who could be behind this heinous act, the local police promised timely action.

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Tamil Nadu Horror: Six Arrested For Assaulting, Stripping, And Urinating On Scheduled Caste Youths

By
The Commune
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Feature Image Courtesy: Puthiyathalaimurai

Six individuals have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the assault, humiliation, and public humiliation of two Scheduled Caste youths from the district, according to police reports on Thursday (2 November 2020). Several political parties have decried the heinous acts committed against the SC youths and have called for concrete measures to prevent such crimes in the future. The six suspects, identified as M Ponmani, S Nallamuthu, R Ayiram, B Ramar, M Siva, and Lakshmanan, all aged between 21 and 25, were reportedly under the influence of alcohol when they confronted the youths and demanded that they disclose their caste identity.

According to VCK State Youth Secretary Sangathamizhan, the two victims – Manojkumar and Mariyappan reportedly belong to the Devendrakula Vellalar caste. The perpetrators of the heinous act allegedly belong to the Maravar community.

Upon revealing their Scheduled Caste identity, the gang of six physically assaulted, stripped, and subjected them to public humiliation. The victims, two Dalit youths, were returning home after a bath in the Thamirabarani River when the brutal incident occurred, as reported by Thachanallur police. The police have filed charges against the six accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and also under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

According to the victims, currently receiving medical treatment at the Tirunelveli Medical College hospital, the assailants also robbed them of two mobile phones, silver jewelry, and extorted ₹5,000 from them. “They appeared to be under the influence of ganja (cannabis). They approached us and inquired about our caste and place of origin while we were preparing to ride our motorcycle after bathing in the river on Monday. As soon as we responded, they began attacking us with sticks and knives,” recounted the victims. To secure their release, one of the victims had to arrange for ₹5,000 to be digitally transferred to the assailants. Once the money was deposited, the perpetrators took the victim’s motorcycle to withdraw funds from a nearby ATM. However, two of them fled upon spotting patrolling police, and the victims seized the opportunity to escape.

Union Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan condemned the incident targeting the DMK government for its “pseudo social justice”.

In a social media post, the BJP Minister said “I strongly condemn the injustice of the perverts who assaulted 2 marginalized (scheduled caste) youths who went to bathe in the river bed in Manimoortheeswaram area of ​​Tirunelveli district on the 30th of October and assaulted them on the basis of their caste, stripped them naked and urinated on them. This government should register a case against such criminals under SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act and give them severe punishment. How many more atrocities are we going to see in the pseudo Dravidian model regime? It has been more than 300 days in Pudukottai and we don’t know who mixed human waste in water. In Nanguneri of the same Tirunelveli district, a school student’s house was invaded and a caste-based happened. If the fake Dravidian model government, which pretends to be a social justice regime, had taken action in the brutality of Vengaivayal incident, would such an event have happened?”

Condemning this “heinous act,” AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami asserted that the incident highlights the growing prevalence of caste-based atrocities since the DMK came to power. He demanded that law enforcement take stringent action against those involved and urged the government to provide appropriate compensation to the affected SC youths.

CPI state secretary R Mutharasan expressed strong condemnation for the attack on the SC youth, emphasizing that such human rights violations are unacceptable in a civilized society. He called for concrete, politically determined, and socially concerned actions to prevent such incidents from recurring and urged a thorough investigation and just punishment for the wrongdoers.

Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S Ramadoss called for strict action against the culprits, while TNCC legislature party leader K Selvaperunthagai similarly condemned the incident.

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Democrats Have Become Apologists For Islamist Jihadists, Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard Says

By
The Commune
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Former Hindu Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard has said that the Democrats have become apologists for Islamist jihadists during an interview with Fox News Sean Hannity. In the interview, Hannity first started by saying that the Democrats are allowing undocumented immigrants into the country without any checking and that the Chinese are buying huge tracts of farmland near important military installations in the United States and criticized President Joe Biden and the Democratic elite within the party.

Then he asked the former democratic party politician if she agreed with what is happening and why she left to which Gabbard answered that her former party had become an apologist for Islamist jihadists and that she joined the Army after 9/11 to serve and protect her country. She went on to say that her three deployments in Iraq and in Africa gave her an insight into how dangerous Islamist jihadists are to national security.

Gabbard went on to accuse the Democrats of opening the border for anyone to get in and that Iran which allegedly gave logistical support for Hamas to carry out the 7/10 terror attack in Israel has now sleeper cells in the US adding that these Jihadi terrorists may have brought nuclear material into the country. She went on to say that if that happens, it will be far worse than the 9/11 terror attacks.

According to the former Democratic Congresswoman from Hawaii, the elites within the Democratic party do not care about security and how dangerous it is for the likes of Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan who calls Hamas freedom fighters. Also, she called Erdoğan a member of the Muslim Brotherhood and a supporter of ISIS and Al Qaeda and how he should have been kicked out.

In her interview with Laura Ingraham Tulsi Gabbard said, “Islamist jihadists, both Sunni and Shiite, openly call for wiping out all Jews from the face of the earth—yet Cori Bush, the Squad, and others support or act as apologists for such jihadists and say that Israel is guilty of human rights abuses and genocide. This is one of the main reasons I left the Democratic Party—because it is led by and rife with apologists for Islamist jihadists“.

Meanwhile, woke leftists and democratic leaders such as Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for a ceasefire while Hamas shamelessly use hospitals and schools as terror headquarters and use innocent Palestinians as human shields. 

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Muslim Landlord In Sindh Pakistan Demolish And Burn Houses Of Hindu Kachhi Community

By
The Commune
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As Hamas apologists in India cry buckets of tears for Palaistians, there is stone-cold silence when it comes to the plight of minority Hindus in Pakistan. 

In Sindh, Pakistan, a Hindu Kachhi community has been subjected to severe hardships and violence due to the actions of a Muslim landlord. The report from South Asian Digest reveals that the landlord’s conduct extended far beyond mere prejudice, involving the demolition of houses and even a temple, as well as the deliberate destruction of an entire Hindu village where families had resided for over four decades.

As per the information which is available, not only houses have been demolished rendering the Hindus in the area homeless, but the Muslim landlord also demolished the temple. After that, he set fire to the entire Hindu village where families had lived for over four decades.

The landlord’s deplorable actions did not end with arson and demolitions; there are also reports of him and his associates forcibly seizing motorbikes from the villagers, exacerbating the difficulties faced by this already marginalized community.

A video capturing the aftermath of the village’s devastation serves as a grim testament to the extent of suffering endured by this community. It underscores the increasing violence faced by religious and ethnic minorities in Pakistan, emphasizing the urgent need for safeguarding and justice for vulnerable communities.

Though Mohammad Ali Jinnah wanted a secular Pakistan, in reality, he saw the Hindus and Sikhs who could not leave during the partition as hostages to ensure Muslims in India were treated fairly. This is not an uncommon incident that has taken place in Pakistan and the plight of the Hindu Kachhi community, which has been grappling with constant persecution and discrimination in Pakistan since the partition.

This incident brings attention to the challenges faced by the Hindu Kachhi community, which has been enduring ongoing persecution and bias in Pakistan since the partition. This community is particularly vulnerable due to their often impoverished and landless status, leaving them at the mercy of influential individuals, like the Islamist landlord responsible for this recent tragedy.

(With inputs from HinduPost)

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Construction Activity To Build Shops Close To Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple Raises Concerns

By
The Commune
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In an official document released by the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department, a significant development has been disclosed concerning the Arulmigu Arunachaleswarar Temple located in Tiruvannamalai District in Tamil Nadu. The HR&CE department has issued an administrative permission order for the construction of shops on a section of land owned by the temple in front of the East Gopuram. This decision has garnered attention and raises questions regarding its implications for the heritage and sanctity of the temple.

The order, dated 14 September 2023, references various government notifications and correspondences, shedding light on the background and context of this decision. It is noteworthy that the Minister for Hindu Religious Endowments Department, Sekar Babu, announced in the Legislative Assembly on 19 April 2023 during discussions on the grant demand for the fiscal year 2023-2024. This announcement pertained to “Notification No:223,” which outlined plans for constructing shops at an estimated cost of ₹5.99 crores in the area in front of the Rajagopuram, a part of the land owned by the Arunachaleswarar Temple.

The documents further highlight the status of the temple as an “Ancient Temple” listed under Section 46(II) of the Act and its current management by the Temple Associate Commissioner or Acting Officer. The request for administrative permission for the construction of shops and the associated cost calculations were made by the Department of Charitable Appraisal Engineers and funded by the Public Works Department. This entire endeavour was presented as a “Deposit Work.”

Of particular importance, the Charity Commissioner had solicited the government’s attention to this matter. After thorough consideration, the GO reads that the government accepted the proposal, thereby granting administrative permission to the Commissioner of Hindu Religious Charitable Institutions. This permission allows for the execution of the deposit work through the Public Works Department, involving an estimated sum of ₹6.40,00,000/- (Six Crore and Forty Lacs only). This funding is to be drawn from the temple’s resources and allocated to establish the shops in front of the Rajagopuram, within the precincts of the Arunachaleswarar Temple.

The GO concludes with the official directive issued by the Governor, as conveyed by Manivasan, the Principal Secretary to the Government. The communication indicates the relevant recipients of this order and expresses the government’s commitment to implementing this initiative, subject to the specified financial allocation and permissions.

This decision has sparked considerable discussion and debate, reflecting the intersection of heritage preservation, cultural significance, and economic development.

Temple activist TR Ramesh posted on his X handle that UNESCO had previously raised concerns regarding substantial structural violations at the Sri Arunachaleswarar Temple in Tiruvannamalai, bringing the matter before the Madras High Court. These violations, attributed to the Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, have included the construction of a modern office and two “guest houses” within the confines of this ancient temple, which has drawn criticism for its impact on the temple’s historical and cultural significance. He criticized the HR&CE department’s decision to develop a commercial complex near the temple.

Hindu activist Shefali Vaidya also raised questions about the need for shops to be built close to the temple and that such activity could cause harm to the structure.

The HR&CE department has many a time stepped beyond its limits when it came to generating revenue without taking into consideration the antiquity of a temple or has left temples in the state in an appalling state of neglect.

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