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De-addiction Org Member Parks Car With DMK Flag In The Middle Of Busy Road While Intoxicated, Dozes Off For 2 Hrs

By
The Commune
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A car bearing a DMK flag in the front and the words “My community will go before yours” on its windshield was found standing in the middle of a very busy road. Upon examination, it was found that the driver was fully drunk and had fallen asleep. The car stranded in the middle of the 100-foot road in Arumbakkam caused discomfort to other people travelling on the same road during busy hours of the day.

The Maruti Suzuki car was driven by a person named Simon from Pozhichalur in the Chengalpet district. He was found wearing a thick gold chain, bracelet, and rings on his fingers. When he was woken up by passersby and police, one could see he was so drunk, he could not even stand or sit straight for a few seconds.

The car was seen to have liquor bottles, bouquets, and loud Tamil music, and the driver Simon had pushed his seat back to comfortably fall asleep. The AC was running at high speed and so also the windshield wipers operating back and forth at full speed as if it were raining heavily. The car was in such a condition for 2 hours.

It so happened that Arumbakkam police station jeep was passing by and upon noticing the car stranded in the middle of the road, they approached it. Upon being woken up, Simon spoke derogatory and abusive words and pointed fingers at the police. Unable to reason with a drunk Simon, the police took the help of passers-by and pushed it to the corner of the road.

As Simon continued to use abusive words against the police, the Traffic police was alerted. However, even after an hour the Traffic police didn’t turn up, hence the Assistant Inspector of Police at the scene, Kannan, drove Simon’s car to the KH Police Station in Arumbakkam.

Simon was slapped with a drunken driving case by the police at the station and was fined ₹10,000.

It has been reported that Simon aka Y Simon Prabhu is a member of the Tamil Nadu De-Addiction and Psychiatric Centers Welfare Association (TNDPCWA) in Vanagaram.

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The Mysterious Death Of An Orphaned Sai Baba Devotee, A Dravidianist Conspiracy To Grab Her Wealth?

By
The Commune
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A recent investigation has uncovered a plot related to the mysterious death of Kalyani, an orphaned former teacher-turned-spiritualist who established a Sai Baba temple in Pozhichalur, Chennai. Findings reveal that the motive was solely to seize her property, as she was unmarried and had no heirs. The alleged involvement of the temple manager, Karunakaran, adds a twist to the unfolding mystery.

Who Was Kalyani?

Kalyani, daughter of one Rajagopal Iyengar from Srirangam was a retired teacher residing at Nanganallur, Chennai. She did not marry and spent her retired life fully devoting herself to spiritual pursuits. After retiring, she constructed a Sai Baba temple in Prem Nagar, Pozhichalur, Chennai, due to her undying devotion to Shirdi Sai Baba. Kalyani, whose primary responsibilities included managing the Sai Baba temple and her private properties, had expressed in her will a desire to donate all her assets to the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam. However, she met a tragic end with a mysterious death in March 2022. She was found deceased in her bed, in a decomposed state after approximately 10 days. According to Maridhas, the house in which she was found dead was also burgled including money, jewels and even the water motor.

With no relatives and unmarried, Kalyani’s remains could only be cremated following the FIR procedure. This is where one one Karunakaran, claiming himself to be a manager of the temple she built, enters the scene. He filed an FIR for the death of Kalyani as it is necessary for documenting the death. According to Karunakaran’s statement in the FIR, he attempted to contact Kalyani on 13 March 2022 but received no response. It wasn’t until 25th March, when a foul odor emanated from her home, that personnel were sent to investigate and discovered her deceased in bed. According to reports, she was finally cremated on 26th March with Karunakaran facilitating the funeral. Despite the suspicious circumstances of her death, there wasn’t much of an investigation and the case was considered closed.

Kalyani who had no heirs or relatives to claim inheritance of her property, wanted all her wealth to the temple. And then suddenly, comes a man comes claiming himself to be the manager of the temple she built.

Who Is Karunakaran?

Karunakaran, who claims to have been working as a manager of Kalyani’s temple since 2015, is a card-carrying DMK member and is linked to one ‘Comrade’ Elango aka ‘Comrade’ Elango, also known as Murali who is a member of the Dravida Iyakka Tamilar Peravai (Dravidian Movement Tamils Association) which is run by rabid Dravidianist Suba Veerapandian.

But that’s not it. For all the claims of being a ‘manager’ of a temple, Karunakaran was reportedly arrested on 22 July 2020, on charges related to possessing 5 kg of ganja.

Draividianist Conspiracy To Expropriate Victim’s Property

Investigation by Maridhas and his team has revealed stunning details of how the properties of the deceased Kalyani has been expropriated by members linked to the Dravidanist group and raises suspicions over the role of Karunakaran.

The sale deed dated 27 May 2024, was purportedly executed with the help of Ravikumar from Thoothukudi, who allegedly possessed a power of attorney from the deceased Kalyani.

The statement in the sale deed, dated 28 May 2024, indicated that Kalyani, represented by J Ravikumar, executed the power of attorney on 20 May 2024, at the SRO of Pammal.

To put it simply, J. Ravikumar has obtained power of attorney from Kalyani, a good two years after her death, to sell away her properties.

According to Maridhas, Kalyani inherited the property of her father, a portion of which she used for building the temple and the remaining was leased for rent. However, the power of attorney document allegedly executed between Ravikumar and the deceased Kalyani in May 2024 says that the property belonged to one Balasundaram which was inherited in 1982. Interestingly, the witnesses who signed in the power of attorney document came from different places – one from Kanchipuram, one from Vizhupuram and another barely an adult who is 19 years old.

Maridhas in his explainer alleges that the entire episode is an elaborate conspiracy orchestrated by Murali aka ‘Comrade’ Ilango to abduct the properties of the orphaned deceased woman. He implies that the Dravidianist gang forged the power of attorney documents to sell off one portion of her properties and attempts are being made to sell the remaining.

(With inputs from Maridhas)

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Sand Smugglers’ Brazen Attack On Tamil Nadu Tehsildar Sparks Outcry From Opposition Parties

By
The Commune
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Violence perpetrated by sand smugglers continues unchecked in Tamil Nadu, with the latest incident involving a brazen attempt to murder Deivanayaki, the tehsildar of Illuppur taluk in Pudukkottai district, and her aides a few days ago in the Varaiapatti area by ramming their car with a truck on 17 June 2024.

This incident brings to mind the tragic case of Lourdes Francis, the village administrative officer of Murappanadu, who was murdered while actively combating instances of illegal sand mining in his village. His killing sent shockwaves throughout Tamil Nadu. The perpetrators, Rama Subramanian and Marimuthu, involved in this heinous act, have since been sentenced to life imprisonment. However, the disturbing pattern seems to be repeating with the recent attempt to ram the car of another tahsildar who was trying to curb sand smuggling in her jurisdiction.

BJP president K Annamalai, AIADMK party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami have condemned the incidents.

BJP president K Annamalai in his official X account stated that, “It was shocking to hear the news of an attempt to murder by ramming vehicle of tehsildar Deivanayaki and her aides, with a truck who were trying to stop sand smuggling in Pudukkottai district’s Illuppur. Ever since the DMK came to power, the anarchy of anti-social elements has increased throughout Tamil Nadu. Mr. Lourdes Francis, the village administrative officer who opposed the sand smuggling, was killed by the sand smugglers in his office. Even after such a crime, because the DMK government failed to take strict action, the sand smugglers continue to attack the government officials in Salem and Vellore.”

“Law and order in Tamil Nadu is falling into the abyss, with the lives of government officials insecure. Weapon culture prevails throughout Tamil Nadu. Police’s hands are tied and its operations are completely paralyzed. Instead of taking action against the sand smugglers, the DMK government is trying to hide the news from the public by threatening the media. But Chief Minister Stalin is wandering in a dream world without knowing anything about these.” Annamalai stated.

“The DMK government has completely failed in maintaining law and order which is the prime duty of the government. If DMK govt doesn’t wake up, I would like to inform you that @BJP4Tamilnadu will be forced to take part in statewide protests as a responsible opposition, insisting on public safety.” Annamalai further stated.

Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami stated that under DMK rule, smuggling of sand and minerals, as well as deforestation, have become rampant. He highlighted the dangers faced by whistleblowers and enforcement officials, such as police and revenue department personnel, who risk being attacked or killed.

Palaniswami criticized the government for its inaction in apprehending the culprits responsible for the recent attempt on the tahsildar’s life. He also pointed out previous attacks by the sand mining mafia, citing the 2023 incident where Lourdes Francis, a village administrative officer in Thoothukudi district, was brutally murdered in his office. These incidents, he asserted, underscore a disturbing trend of violence targeting officials in the State.

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Was Dhruv Rathee Always ‘Secular’? Here’s A Look At His Anti-Muslim Posts From The Past

By
The Commune
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Today, popular YouTuber and fake news peddler Dhruv Rathee may seem like a messiah of sorts to the Muslims. But did you know that there was a time not so far back in the past when he used to speak against Muslims strongly? Here is a look at some of his posts on various social media platforms holding Islam responsible for terrorism and such.

Blast From The Past

Back in 2016, several terror attacks took place in Germany where Rathee has been residing. Rathee claimed the German government’s response to the recent terrorist attacks by proposing compulsory Islam lessons in schools failed to address the root cause, which he felt was the “problematic ideology found in certain interpretations of Islamic religious texts that promote intolerance, rejection of secularism, gender inequality, and undemocratic values“. 

Instead of promoting the religion itself, he felt that the focus should be on fostering critical thinking, promoting universal human values of equality and peaceful coexistence, and challenging regressive mindsets that breed extremism.

In response to an article on Muslims not being terrorists, he had written quoting a Hadees about the 72 virgins that a jihadi would get if he killed himself for the cause.

He also called out the barbarity of Bakrid. He shared a picture of Bangladesh’s streets filled with blood after rain during Bakrid.

Responding to a comment that said that Islam never teaches anyone to become a terrorist, Rathee replied, “All terrorist attacks, even in Muslim countries happened in the name of religion. The terrorists themselves claim to be followers of Islam. The only thing one can conclude from this is, “Most terror arises from religion””

Dhruv Rathee’s posts from the past highlight his modern liberal stance. Despite this, many Muslims believe Rathee advocates for them and continue to support him. It’s still puzzling why people follow him and consider his statements as factual.

(This article is based on an X thread by Desidudewithsign)

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Here Are Some ‘Vadais Suttufied’ By DMK With Just Mouth For Political Hoodwinking

By
Vallavaraayan
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DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin while speaking at the DMK Mupperum Vizha in Coimbatore said that the BJP will fry fritters with just the mouth (‘vaayala vada suduradhu’ which roughly translates to making empty promises) and that the DMK MPs will fry the BJP’s arrogance in Parliament.

His remarks came in response to the BJP taking a dig at the DMK and its ally MPs for not being able to do any constructive work in the Parliament while spending time in the canteens eating vadais.

While the Narendra Modi government has returned to power for the third time fulfilling most of the its core promises of the 2019 manifesto, the focus has now shifted to the DMK’s empty promises which remains unfulfilled.

Here are some of the ‘vadais’ fried by the DMK with just their mouth for the 2021 Assembly elections.

1. Promise No. 159 – Graduate education loans for students from schools in Tamil Nadu, who are under 30 years of age, who are unable to pay it back within a year will be repaid by the government.

It has been more than three years and no action has been taken to waive off education loans of graduate students.

2. Promise No. 181 – Part time art, music and physical education teachers will be considered for permanent employment in the Department of School Education. 

Despite teachers protesting, no action has been taken on this too.

3. Promise No. 309 – The Old Pension Scheme will be implemented again, replacing the New Pension Scheme. 

The then Tamil Nadu Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan, in 2021, informed the Assembly that due to the state’s precarious financial condition, a choice couldn’t be made regarding reinstating the old pension scheme. He expressed concerns that providing everything for free to everyone, including pensions, could lead to financial insolvency. Furthermore, he equated pensions to freebies, which infuriated teachers and government employees.

4. Promise No. 311 – Equal wage for teachers with Rs 8000 basic pay has been requested for several years. DMK will provide periodic pay for these 20,000 teachers. Incentives will be provided to teachers who have completed higher education during employment. 

In December 2022, the Tamil Nadu government school secondary-grade (SG) teachers went on an indefinite hunger strike demanding equal pay for equal work. Government school teacher have been on a protest multiple times over their anger and frustration that the ruling DMK government has not fulfilled its poll promises despite being in power for the past 3+ years.

5. Promise No. 221 – The existing system of bimonthly payment of electricity bills will be replaced with a monthly payment system to ease the financial burden on people. This scheme will enable a user household to save upto 6000 rupees (for <1000 units) annually. 

Let alone monthly power bills, the DMK government has given a shock treatment to the people of Tamil Nadu with exorbitant power bills. Power tariffs were hiked in September 2022. Many residents in urban areas have seen their power bills burning their pockets paying double or triple the amount they used to. More than 900,000 MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) units in Tamil Nadu participated in a strike to protest against the state’s electricity tariff hike.

6. Promise No. 503 – To reduce the financial burden on low to middle income group, cooking gas cylinders distributed to ration card holders will be subsidised by 100 rupees (for one cylinder alone).

The BJP government at the Centre which did not even make such a promise had slashed the LPG cylinder price by ₹100 on 8 March 2024. On the other hand, this has turned out to be one mega vadai suttufied by the DMK.

7. Promise No. 163 – Government will provide tablet devices to students studying higher secondary schools and colleges with 4G/5G connectivity and 10GB data connection. 

No tablet. Only vadai.

8. Promise No. 504 – DMK will reduce the petrol price by 5 rupees and diesel by 4 rupees per litre each

Just days after assuming power, the then ‘accomplished’ Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan announced that it was not possible to cut the petrol and diesel price. While the price of the petrol was slashed by ₹3, not even a whisper has been made about reducing diesel price.

9. Promise No. 75 – DMK will increase the support price from 2000 rupees (under present ADMK govt) to 2500 rupees per quintal. Similarly, for sugarcane, the support price will be increased to 4000 rupees.

In March 2024, MRK Panneerselvam assured the Tamil Nadu Assembly that the DMK’s poll promise to provide a Minimum Support Price (MSP) of ₹2,500 per quintal for paddy will be realised within the next two years. But we all know that is just another special vadai for farmers. With respect to sugarcane, reports revealed that DMK office bearers at the district level are interfering in the sugarcane procurement from farmers and siphoning off the profit from them leaving the farmers disgruntled.

10. Promise No. 152 – Old pension scheme for transport workers

Like the teachers, state government bus drivers too have went on multiple strikes demanding the DMK to fulfill its poll promise. In January 2024, transport workers went on an indefinite strike amidst Pongal rush, demanding restoration of the old pension scheme and a revised dearness allowance for pensioners. Retired employees of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation held a sit-in protest in September 2024 outside the TNSTC General Manager’s Office in Vannarpet, Madurai demonstrating against the Tamil Nadu Government’s delay in fulfilling its promises.

11. Promise No. 185 – A massive scheme to provide 10 lakh jobs each year and 50 lakh jobs for youngsters at the end of 2025-26 will be implemented from 2021. A new institution called STEP – State Board of Skill Training and Employment Promotion will be established.

A big fat vadai.

12. Promise No. 153 – Ad hoc and contract workers working in public sector entities and government agencies for more than 10 years will be considered for permanent employment. 

On 10 October 2023, the Chennai city police apprehended over 700 contract nurses participating in a demonstration outside the Directorate of Medical Services (DMS) Campus. Their protest centered on seeking job regularization. During the protest, some nurses claimed to have been forcefully removed by male police officers, and a few even experienced fainting spells. The nurses resolved to persist with their hunger strike until their demands were addressed. From nurses to teachers to transport worker, it’s the same vadai.

13. Promise No. 405 – In selective places like Thiruthani, Sholingar, Thiruneermalai, Trichy Malaikottai, Tiruchenkodu, winch lines for cable cars will be laid to carry people to hill temples. 

Nothing done on this front. But they’ve concentrated their efforts to eradicate Sanatana Dharma aka Hinduism.

14. Promise No. 331 – Kalaignar Canteens will be started in 500 locations in the first phase to provide food at a subsidised cost for poor, underprivileged people across the state. 

Forget opening new ones, the existing Amma Canteens have been dying a slow death. The canteens that once flourished are now faced with declining income projections, budget inconsistencies, and difficulties in managing expenditures, particularly in terms of compensating the staff, despite the Corporation’s claim of possessing a surplus of ₹315 crore in its capital account

15. Promise No. 89 – Conservation of lakes and ponds Scheme at 10,000 crore budget, under the direct supervision of Chief Minister

Vadai.

16. Promise No. 90 – Build Check Dams at a cost 2000 crore rupees

Same Vadai.

17. Promise No. 116 – 2 lakh new houses for fishermen.

Even karuvaadu (dried fish) can turn into a fish, but this promise will remain a vadai.

So, before accusing the BJP of frying fritters with the mouth, Stalin should revisit the DMK’s 2021 manifesto atleast before the 2026 elections and see if some of these vadais can be refried again for 2026.

Vallavaraayan is a political writer.

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Woman Constable In Kancheepuram Attacked In Broad Daylight, EPS Slams DMK Govt Over Crumbling Law & Order

By
The Commune
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A 31-year-old female constable in uniform was assaulted with a sickle, allegedly by her husband, during daylight hours on 17 June 2024 afternoon in Kancheepuram town. The constable, identified as M Dillirani, suffered injuries to her left shoulder and fell to the ground bleeding. Startled bystanders rushed her to Kancheepuram Government Hospital, while her assailant fled on a two-wheeler.

According to the police, Dillirani, stationed at Vishnu Kanchi police station, was returning home from duty when her estranged husband, Meghanathan (35), intercepted her, initiating an argument before attacking her with the sickle.

A police spokesperson noted that the constable is now in recovery. A senior official indicated that the incident stemmed from a domestic dispute. “The couple had been estranged for six months, living separately. Meghanathan is currently sought by authorities; his whereabouts are unknown as his phone is switched off. He is suspected to be hiding at a relative’s residence,” the official stated. The Sivakanchi police have filed a case and are conducting further investigations.

 

Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), Leader of Opposition and AIADMK General Secretary, strongly condemned the attack. He emphasized the need for a thorough police inquiry despite initial reports suggesting a personal dispute between the victim and her husband. Palaniswami remarked, “A woman constable of Vishnu Kanchi Police Station in Kanchipuram district, Dilli Rani, was hacked to death with a sickle while still in uniform in broad daylight. Even if there are reports that the husband killed her due to personal enmity, the police should investigate the real reason and immediately arrest those involved and take strict legal action. Whatever the reason, a policewoman in uniform being attacked with a machete in broad daylight is the new height of law and order disorder. Mr.@mkstalin who claims to have the police under his control should feel shame for this!”

“I urge the Chief Minister of the ‘vidiya’ (never dawning) DMK government, who claims that he is maintaining law and order, to at least come out of that mystical world and take steps to maintain law and order. @CMOTamilnadu.” Palaniswami added.

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TTV Dhinakaran Slams MK Stalin As Parandur Airport Protestors Seek Refuge In Andhra Pradesh

By
The Commune
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Frustration is mounting among villagers of Parandur and nearby areas as they threaten to relocate to Andhra Pradesh due to the lack of response from authorities regarding their prolonged protest against the acquisition of their lands for Chennai’s second airport.

The Tamil Nadu government issued the notification for acquisition of land for the Parandur airport soon after the results of the Lok Sabha polls were declared. Their opposition has taken many forms, including sit-ins, protest marches, hunger strikes, the hoisting of black flags, and election boycotts. Each night, villagers assemble in Eganapuram for a silent protest, a steadfast demonstration of their resistance for nearly two years.

Initially, the villagers received support from opposition parties, but they now feel abandoned, left to advocate for their cause alone. Meanwhile, authorities remain focused on completing the airport by 2028, pressing ahead with land acquisition. Originally planned to cover 4,870 acres across 13 villages, the project has expanded to 5,746 acres in 20 villages, worsening the villagers’ plight.

Desperate and with no viable alternatives, Parandur residents announced on Saturday their plan to move to Andhra Pradesh. “It is better to move out of Tamil Nadu rather than live as a slave here in our own land,” the villagers declared, expressing their deep sense of betrayal and desperation.

The villagers’ sustained and varied protests aim to highlight their grievances and stop the airport project, but their efforts seem to have been ignored, with little intervention from political leaders or government assurances to address their concerns.

The authorities’ determination to complete the airport by 2028 has intensified the land acquisition process, causing more distress among the affected communities. Expanding the project from 4,870 acres in 13 villages to 5,746 acres in 20 villages underscores the government’s commitment to the project, despite local opposition.

Amidst the turmoil, Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam chief TTV Dhinakaran came down heavy on the DMK government for ignoring the plight of the protestors.

In a strongly-worded statement, Dhinakaran said “The Tamil Nadu government’s plan to implement the new airport project in Paranthur, which threatens to destroy agricultural lands, water bodies, and residences, thereby completely disrupting the livelihoods of farmers and civilians, has caused an unprecedented crisis. For the first time in independent India, citizens are fleeing their own state, effectively becoming refugees due to the actions of their government.”

He urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to immediately engage with the people and farmers of Paranthur who have decided to leave Tamil Nadu and called for the withdrawal of the notification for land acquisition for the Paranthur Airport.

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TN Guv RN Ravi Launches Book On Forgotten Freedom Fighter & Father Of Printing Industry Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty

By
The Commune
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On 17 June 2024, on the day of remembrance of freedom fighter Vanchinathan, a book honouring the legacy of Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty, titled “The First Native Voice of Madras: Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty” written by B Jagannath was held at TN Rajaratnam Kalai Arangam – Muthamizh Peravai in Adayar, Chennai. The book was released by the Hon’ble Governor of Tamil Nadu, RN Ravi, and the guest of honour at the event was S Vaidyanathan, Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court.

Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty contributed significantly to the Indian freedom struggle and the socio-political landscape of Madras (now Chennai). The book launch event was marked by insightful speeches and discussions highlighting Chetty’s pivotal role in various movements and his lasting impact on the community.

B. Jagannath, the author of the book is also a practicing advocate at the Madras High Court. He revealed that the sources for the book included documents and books from the British Library, Imperial Library, and the Connemara Library. The Centre for South Indian Studies has published the book in Tamil, English, and Telugu, ensuring its widespread accessibility.

Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court, S. Vaidyanathan, commended the author, who is a lawyer by profession, for his dedication in bringing to light the story of this hidden hero, who was the first Indian to establish and run a newspaper.

Governor R.N. Ravi emphasized the importance of shedding light on the overlooked and forgotten heroes of India’s freedom struggle, whose rich contributions have often been obscured. During an event in the city on Monday, he launched the book commending the author for unearthing the story of this remarkable figure.

According to Governor Ravi, Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty deserves recognition for his pioneering efforts in raising awareness about the “evangelization of natives through English education.” He accomplished this through the publication of ‘The Madras Crescent,’ a groundbreaking initiative at the time.

Governor Ravi emphasized the near blackout of the history of the freedom movement in the current university curriculum. The Governor praised the book on Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty for its rich content and evidence, describing it as a highly condensed work with the potential to inspire multiple detailed studies on the atrocities committed by the British on Indians. He also highlighted the British government’s systematic attempt to dismantle the extensive native education system known as ‘Vidhyadaan’.

Governor R.N. Ravi shed light on the traditional Indian education system and its deliberate dismantling by the British. He stated, “The profession of teaching, which was considered a virtue, was no longer a business. Brahmins were mostly teachers. It was these Brahmins who were economically backward and taught education. This system of education was systematically destroyed by the British.”

Governor Ravi highlighted the inclusive nature of education in the Madras province, saying, “Since 1823, education has been taught in Madras province without caste, religion and gender discrimination.” He added, “Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Sanskrit, and other educational institutions have functioned separately and as per their convenience. In the 1820s, the education system of our society was free for students.”

Interestingly, Governor Ravi pointed out that “Shudras were more educated than Brahmins in mother tongue education,” emphasizing the widespread access to education across social strata.

Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty’s Legacy

Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty’s systematic efforts to preserve and promote the identity of the native population were a focal point of the event. He started the Madras Crescent Printing Press, a significant institution in printing and publication history and Chetty can be called the Father of Printing in India.

Chetty’s intervention against the inclusion of the Bible in school curricula by British Christian missionaries was a crucial moment. His actions led to a debate in the House of Commons, ultimately stopping the initiative. This event highlighted his role as a voice of the natives, advocating for their rights in a democratic and non-violent manner through the Madras Native Association and its publication arm, Madras Crescent.

The book reveals that Chetty was instrumental in the first organized political movement in Madras. His petitioning led to the establishment of the Royal Enquiry Commission for Torture, resulting in significant changes that favoured native Indians.

Governor Ravi highlighted historical insights from the book, including the survey ordered by Munroe on educational institutions. The findings revealed that education was community-managed, with tax-free community land sustaining the system. However, Munroe’s policies taxed the majority of this land, disrupting the educational structure. The Governor underscored the 19th century as a period of maximum oppression, forced conversions, and slave trade orchestrated by the British.

The Governor concluded by stressing the need for extensive research to uncover the truth about India’s history under British rule. He called for the integrity of the nation and the identity of the Tamil people to be upheld through diligent scholarship and awareness.

The event served as a poignant reminder of Gazulu Lakshminarasu Chetty’s enduring legacy and the importance of preserving historical truth for future generations.

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The Forgotten Legacy Of GS Lakshmana Iyer: A Tireless Crusader Who Outshone EV Ramasamy In Uplifting Dalits In Tamil Nadu

By
The Commune
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Another unsung hero in Tamil Nadu’s history is GS Lakshmana Iyer, whose omission was deliberate due to his divergence from Dravidian ideology. Despite his significant achievements in advancing Dalit rights, surpassing even EV Ramasamy Naicker, his Brahmin background led to the suppression of his entire legacy, despite his lifelong contributions to society through philanthropy.

GS Lakshmana Iyer was born on 22 February 1919 in Gobichettypalayam, Erode district, Tamil Nadu, to T. Srinivasa Iyer and Swarnammal. His father, Srinivasa Iyer, a staunch freedom fighter and member of the Indian National Congress, actively participated in the Simon Commission boycott of 1928 and later served as a member of the Madras State Legislative Assembly in 1937. Following his father’s footsteps, Lakshmana Iyer began his involvement in the freedom movement at a young age, speaking about it at just ten years of age.

Despite belonging to a wealthy landlord family, he dedicated himself to promoting Khadi by working in a Khadi shop. He faced several arrests for his activism: first in the Trivandrum conspiracy case in 1938, then for individual Civil Disobedience in 1941, and later for participating in the Quit India movement in 1942, which resulted in a cumulative imprisonment of two years. His wife, Lakshmi Ammal, also actively participated alongside him in Satyagraha. Both were sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment and fined ₹3000. Lakshmi Ammal was released after several weeks on the grounds of being under eighteen years old at the time of her arrest.

Furthermore, Lakshmana Iyer is widely acknowledged for his extensive efforts to uplift the poor and oppressed, generously donating most of his wealth to these causes. He distributed land valued at hundreds of crores in today’s currency to build homes for marginalized communities. Under his leadership, Gobichettipalayam became the first city in India to outlaw the manual scavenging system. His life and contributions have been extensively documented, including in Subi Thalapathi’s book “The Last Vestige of Gandhianism” and the documentary “Oyaa Maari” directed by advocate S. Balamurugan, which chronicles Lakshmana Iyer’s dedication to improving the lives of the underprivileged.

Lakshmana Iyer liberated Dalits burdened by debt, providing them with comfortable homes in clean, spacious streets. He also tirelessly campaigned for underprivileged students, establishing hostels with free meals and accommodation, which Mahatma Gandhi had ordered. Known as Raman Viduthi for boys and T.S. Rama Sarojinidevi Vidudhi for girls, these hostels began in a rented building in 1935. Regardless of circumstances, Lakshmana Iyer ensured students received their meals, often sacrificing personal items like his ring to fulfil their needs. Many students who benefited from these hostels have since achieved remarkable success.

Unlike EV Ramasamy Naicker, who merely advocated for Dalit rights, Lakshmana Iyer lived his principles. He bridged the gap between Dalits and himself by inviting them into his home in the agraharam near the Sivan temple. Despite social customs dictating that Dalits stand outside while Iyer’s relatives gathered inside, Lakshmana Iyer challenged this norm. He invited a Dalit inside and instructed him to fetch water from a well traditionally used by Iyer households. Despite initial hesitation, the Dalit followed his directive, poured the water for Iyer to drink, and declared neither the water nor the Dalit was considered impure. This act led to Lakshmana Iyer’s ostracization from his community by other members.

Similar to Vaidyanatha Iyer’s efforts for Dalit temple entry in Madurai, Lakshmana Iyer and his associate Sri Kannapa, also Brahmins, orchestrated a temple entry movement at the Siva temple in Gobichettypalayam on the same day. Despite facing attacks from caste Hindus and Brahmins throwing stones, they successfully achieved their objective. Such a man who generously donated 635 acres of land, including the sites of present government offices and schools, is being erased from history simply because of his Brahmin heritage—a tragic reality in Tamil Nadu. Efforts to commemorate him, such as erecting a statue at the bus stand, are consistently thwarted by the administration, citing trivial reasons like an actual incident in Iyer’s life, interactions with EV Ramasamy Naicker, where Naicker shared refreshments in Iyer’s home but later criticized the Brahmin community on the next street. This pattern reflects how society has benefited from his contributions yet neglected his legacy.

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TN HR&CE Dept Allegedly Declares Holiday For Bakrid Festival

By
The Commune
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It has come to people’s attention that the Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Department has allegedly declared a holiday on 17 June 2024, coinciding with the Muslim festival Eid al-Adha (Bakrid), also known as the Feast of Sacrifice.

It is noteworthy that according to the TN HRCE Act of 1959, there are no provisions empowering secular officials of the HR&CE Department to organize or supervise festivals in Hindu Temples. Even appointed Executive Officers are authorized solely to only manage temple properties. They have administrative powers limited to temple assets and no authority over religious functions, rituals, or festivals. Netizens criticized the government’s decision to grant leave for the celebration of another religion’s festival by the department as unfounded and inappropriate under the existing legal framework.

Temple activist TR Ramesh expressed his disapproval, stating, “The offices of the @tnhrcedept which illegally controls thousands of Hindu Religious Institutions in Tamil Nadu – which has placed 100s of its servants as Executive Officers in Hindu Temples – without any legally valid orders of appointments – ever issued are closed today due to Bakra EID also known Qurban Eid Just for your information. You cannot find more secular administrators of Temples elsewhere.“

 

While the official website of the HR&CE department lacks circulars or orders in English beyond 2022 and in Tamil beyond 2023, it is difficult to definitively verify or refute the claim made by temple activists that TNHR&CE has declared a holiday for executives working within temple administration on Bakrid. It was pointed out that under the HRCE Act of 1959, Section 8 delineates the classes of authorities including the Commissioner, Additional Commissioner, Joint Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, and Assistant Commissioners, with no mention of Executive Officers. Moreover, Section 10 of the Act specifies that all officers appointed under its purview must be followers of the Hindu religion and shall vacate their office upon ceasing to profess that faith. This highlights the Act’s explicitly non-secular nature as it mandates officials to be Hindu practitioners.

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The Commune is a news and views portal focusing on social and political issues of the southern part of India with a focus on Tamil Nadu.
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