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Puthiya Thalaimurai Distorts Annamalai’s Statement On MLA Quota Seat To Peddle Propaganda

By
The Commune
-

Lately, whenever the Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai makes a statement, it quickly gains popularity in the region. Media outlets often swarm around him to boost their viewership ratings.

However, Puthiya Thalaimurai news seems to have adopted a different tactic to gain attention by twisting Annamalai’s words to spread propaganda. Puthiya Thalaimurai recently uploaded a video on its official platform with the headline “None of us came under quota system… I came with two tin boxes…” attributing to Annamalai, aiming to maximize its audience reach.

In the Coimbatore Lok Sabha constituency, three strong contenders are vying for victory: Annamalai, the Tamil Nadu BJP leader; Ganapathi Rajkumar, a former mayor and DMK candidate; and Singai Ramachandran, the President of the AIADMK IT Wing. Annamalai, addressing reporters in Coimbatore on 25 March 2024, remarked, “In 2002, he (ADMK candidate Singai Ramachandran) didn’t know his father being an MLA got him a seat to study in the college using the quota benefit. AIADMK’s candidate father is an MLA, it’s dynasty politics, Govindaraj. He has come to politics using quota. I came to Coimbatore for the first time in 2002. I was wearing trousers, my father wearing a veshti, we brought two tin boxes from the village, took three buses and came to Coimbatore in 2002.

That was 22 years ago. My age was 17 years. I took a town bus from Gandhipuram bus stand and got down to Peelamedu with two tin boxes. I mean in 2002, my father and I stood in front of PSG Engineering College in Peelamedu with two tin boxes. Then I asked my father, will this town be kind to us? We all come from the village.. 40 houses in total. We reached Coimbatore by boarding three different buses. It is a big city. Will I be able to survive in this city? 

Because I got an opportunity to study in PSG College of Engineering. I was not privileged, I did not get a seat through MLA quota. I came to Coimbatore in 2002 with 2 tin boxes, just as you all work hard as individuals and are in this land. I studied in PSG College of Engineering for 5 years. My wife studied in the same college and was a year junior to me. She studied in PSG College and we both got married and settled in Coimbatore. You have to understand one thing, Annamalai didn’t come in quota system.. Vanathi didn’t come in through quota system, Vanathi did not come here through quota system, Modi did not come here through quota system, no one here achieved all this through quota system.”

Just as in the past, this video title quickly caught the attention of numerous netizens, especially those inclined towards the opposition. Without even watching the video, they immediately began making statements based solely on the title, claiming that the Tamil Nadu BJP chief opposes the quota system and speaks negatively about it. It was only after others provided clarification that they deleted their posts upon gaining clarity. Among those jumping the gun include Dalit activist Shalin Maria Lawrence and political commentator Sumanth Raman.

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DMK IT Wing Peddles Fake Narrative Using Old Video Of Incident Involving South Chennai BJP Candidate Tamilisai Soundararajan, Gets Busted

By
The Commune
-

The ruling party in Tamil Nadu, the DMK, lacking substantial critique against the BJP, has resorted to circulating outdated videos featuring BJP Tamil Nadu leaders, and peddling the narrative as if they were recent incidents.

On 24 March 2024, the DMK IT Wing circulated an older video dating back to September 2018, depicting an incident involving Tamilisai Soundararajan, who at that time served as the president of the Tamil Nadu BJP. The event transpired during a Vinayagar Chathurthi programme organized by the Hindu Munnani. Following the programme, while Tamilisai was addressing reporters, Kathir, an auto driver and resident of Saidapet, interjected, expressing concern about the rising fuel prices.

Before Kathir could finish his query, he was grabbed from behind by the private guards, who reportedly pulled him by his hair and forcibly removed him. The media projected Tamilisai as smiling while Kathir was allegedly getting handled roughly. In a video statement, Kathir explained that he had voiced his frustration over the escalating fuel prices, aiming to represent the grievances of fellow auto drivers. However, he claimed that BJP party members misunderstood his intentions.

In defense against accusations of mistreatment, a BJP spokesperson stated to NDTV, “Our members perceived the manner in which the man posed his question as indicative of inebriation. While he was indeed handled roughly, there was no physical beating.”

Tamilisai Soundararajan, known for her gentle demeanor, promptly paid a visit to the Kathir’s home bearing sweets. Expressing concern for his well-being, she clarified that she was unaware of the incident and emphasized that it had been misinterpreted. However, Soundararajan asserted that the autorickshaw driver was intoxicated at the time of the occurrence, as reported by the news agency ANI. She refuted the portrayal by the media suggesting that she was smiling during the assault, explaining that she was engaged in conversation with reporters and unaware of the situation behind her. Soundararajan further explained that her colleague intervened to remove the intoxicated Kathir for the safety of others, acknowledging that any form of mistreatment was unacceptable.

As all the incidents described above widely covered in newspapers and videos, the IT Wing of the DMK seized upon this old video and began circulating it as if it happened recently. In response, the Tamil Nadu BJP official took X platform, mocked them, highlighting the absurdity of their actions stated, “DMK in scarcity of content! What is it @arivalayam…. It seems you have dried up without content @arivalayam. You have taken an event that took place five years ago, and dusted it and brought it back, why you are rolling this much for survival @arivalayam? On that day, she @DrTamilisai4BJP went to the auto driver’s house and met him. After doing so much, you forgot to cover the bun over the head @arivalayam!”

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NTK Candidates Spark Controversy – One Takes Oath In Name Of Slain LTTE Chief Prabhakaran While Another Claims No Tamil Knowledge

By
The Commune
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The Lok Sabha election process is progressing swiftly in Tamil Nadu, with just 25 days remaining until polling day. Nominations are set to conclude on 27 March 2024. Candidates in different constituencies across the state are actively submitting their nominations. The nomination process has witnessed a mix of commotions, protests, lively interactions, and verbal disputes among candidates and their supporters.

Recently, the Naam Tamilar Katchi  (NTK) unveiled its candidates for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, causing astonishment among the public and political parties. The nomination of candidates by the party included surprising choices such as the daughter of the notorious Sandalwood brigand, Veerappan. Additionally, another candidate swear in the name of Vellupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Tamil Eelam militant organization Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Karthika, representing the Naam Tamilar Katchi, is running for the Nagapattinam Lok Sabha constituency. A graduate in Engineering from Coimbatore, Karthika assumes the role of the principal campaigner for the party. On 25 March 2024, She visited the Nagapattinam Lok Sabha election officer to formally submit her nomination papers. During the moment of her nomination swearing-in, she declared, “I promise to work hard in the name of Leader Prabhakaran.”

In a separate incident, when the NTK declined to support even a Telugu-speaking resident of Tamil Nadu as a representative, firmly standing by their endorsement of only Tamil-speaking candidates to represent the Tamil people. Their chosen candidate for Viruthunagar sought assistance from the electoral officer to read the nomination papers during the swearing-in process.

The candidate from the Virudhunagar C. Kowshik, stirred controversy by seeking assistance from the election officer because of his inability to read Tamil. Kowshik, who studied in Oman and unfamiliar with Tamil, requested the Returning Officer, Jayaseelan, to read out the entire election pledge on his behalf. This led to ridicule and mockery directed at the party which cries hoarse every single time beating their chest about Tamil pride.

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Commotion At North Chennai Nomination As DMK Minister Sekar Babu Engages In Uncivilized Clash Of Words With Rival ADMK

By
The Commune
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Despite the commencement of Lok Sabha candidate nominations on 20 March 2024, candidates opted to submit their filings on 25 March instead due to the day coincides with Panguni Uthiram, a significant auspicious day for Hindus, candidates from various political parties in Tamil Nadu are submitting their nomination papers. Notably, PK Sekar Babu of the DMK, despite controversies related to his actions against Sanathana Dharma, chose this auspicious time to file his nomination.

In North Chennai, prominent candidates like DMK’s Kalanidhi Veerasamy, AIADMK’s Rayapuram Mano, and BJP’s Pal Kanagaraj are in the fray. However, there was a dispute at a polling station in the Mint area regarding the sequence of filing nominations for the North Chennai Parliamentary Constituency.

An altercation occurred between Minister Shekharbabu, former Minister Jayakumar, and AIADMK district secretary Rajesh. A video showing the duo synchronously calling ‘Vada Poda’ during the argument has gone viral on social media.

 

Minister Shekharbabu expressed concerns about the sequence of token distribution, alleging that despite AIADMK’s candidate being allotted token number 7, DMK submitted the second token early at 9 am. He emphasized following the Chief Minister’s instructions to avoid conflicts and ensure a peaceful election process.

PK Sekar Babu engaged in a heated exchange with the electoral officer, emphasizing that the candidate had arrived promptly at 9 AM, only to be interrupted by a representative of the AIADMK party who clarified that tokens are issued upon candidate arrival. Frustrated, Sekar Babu sharply retorted, addressing the AIADMK representative disrespectfully and emphasizing the importance of adhering to the token system. The tension escalated as Sekar Babu admonished others nearby in a similar manner, showcasing his irritation.

The confrontation intensified when the AIADMK representative questioned Sekar Babu’s demeanor, prompting a clash of words without civility. Despite the threat of legal action due to recorded evidence, Sekar Babu’s response, marked by a glaring stare, reflected his sense of entitlement as a sitting minister. Despite confirmation from the electoral officer regarding AIADMK’s early arrival, the deadlock persisted, as both major Dravidian parties, DMK and AIADMK, delayed the nomination process. In response, BJP candidates sought entry, arguing that the two parties were intentionally monopolizing the nomination process.

On the other hand, Advocate Inpadurai representing AIADMK lodged a complaint, alleging misconduct by DMK and threatening the Election Officer. He insisted that AIADMK adhered to the rules and arrived first for nominations.

BJP candidate Pal Kanagaraj criticized both DMK and AIADMK for delaying the BJP nomination process and creating chaos. He accused the Dravidian parties of disrupting the election process and called for the Election Commission’s intervention.

Former AIADMK minister T. Jayakumar clarified that Rayapuram Mano filed his nomination promptly, and they arrived at the designated time. He claimed that DMK’s entry conflicted with their allotted time.

Due to the conflict between two Dravidian parties vying for nomination, ordinary citizens were forced to close their shops to avoid potential damage from enraged party members.

Tamil Nadu and Puducherry are set to conduct parliamentary elections in a single phase on 19 April 2024. The nomination process commenced on 20 March 2024 with a deadline for filing nominations by 27 March 2024. 30 March 2024 is the last date for withdrawal of nominations, while the scrutiny of nominations is scheduled for 28 March 2024. The counting of registered votes will take place on 4 June 2024, with the results announced on the same day.

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Chaos Erupts During Nilgiris BJP Candidate L. Murugan’s Nomination, Annamalai Cools Tempers

By
The Commune
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Political

The Lok Sabha nomination process has kicked off vigorously, with candidates rushing to submit their names in their respective constituencies. The BJP had previously announced its intention to file nomination for L Murugan, former Tamil Nadu BJP president and current Minister of State, for the Nilgiris constituency and a time was allotted for that.

Accordingly, on 25 March 2024, accompanied by Tamil Nadu BJP president Annamalai, L Murugan filed his nomination papers in Ooty, joined by numerous party cadres. However, as they proceeded with the nomination process, police clashed with party volunteers outside, resulting in injuries and ensuing chaos. This action prompted protests from BJP activists, who condemned the police’s actions.

Several BJP workers reportedly sustained injuries during the police baton charge, sparking tension in the area. State President Annamalai, along with L. Murugan, joined the protest, demanding the removal of Ooty SP Sundara Vadivel.

Dinamalar reported that following the outcry, SP Sundara Vadivel apologized for the incident. In response, Annamalai, L. Murugan, and others decided to end the protest and visited the hospital to meet the injured volunteers and offer them consolation.

 

Annamalai clarified the necessity of his protest, citing the heightened anger among party members due to the police’s use of baton charges against the Nilgiris SP, “We also want to preserve the dignity of the uniform, this police department also has a dignity, we do not allow our men to shout slogans, if they speak ill of you, that dignity will be lost.
How can you do this sir, we also have to deal with it, we have sent a woman to the hospital with a broken bone, a child has been hit here, we need to cooperate a little, sir. You have put us into an unavoidable situation, and if I had said a word I would have been here in five minutes.”

Afterward, he reassured the agitated party members and urged them to regain composure, emphasizing the need for calmness stated, “Whatever we talk about the police now it will attach a stigma to it, doesn’t it? There is no alternative to that. That’s why when you all come, we said don’t raise any slogans against the police, if our party doesn’t respect the police, no other party will respect the police, the incident is very wrong.

That’s what I said to the SP-Sir, Sir, the crowd is very large, if you have something to say to them, just phone me a word and we will come from inside and say it ourselves. We come at the appointed time, we go to the appointed place, we file the nomination form at the given time, but you have lathi-charged like this. As a police department is a brother, it is wrong to talk to them on the road like this, so don’t stay here for long. And when they come down, we come down three times because of our dignity, as far as the Bharatiya Janata Party is concerned, it is a party that always gives respect to the police department and always gives dignity.”

Today, the police found themselves under pressure and responded accordingly. In order to prevent any altercation between the two party cadres, they have handled the situation without leniency. It’s important to clarify that their actions were not deliberate, and SP has apologized for any unintended consequences. As enforcers of the law, it is his responsibility to maintain order. Therefore, we urge everyone to respect the authority of the police, and we will peacefully depart from the protest with dignity.

The Nilgiris region is experiencing political heat as the electoral competition intensifies. The contest in the Nilgiris constituency is particularly fierce, with notable candidates vying for victory. Union Minister of State, L Murugan, has entered the race, adding significant weight to the contest. Additionally, Lokesh Tamil Selvan, the son of former Speaker Dhanapal, is representing the AIADMK in the constituency. Meanwhile, A Raja, the incumbent Member of Parliament, who is also a former Union Minister and DMK’s deputy general secretary.

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Congress Spokie Supriya Shrinate Makes Scandalous Sexist Comments On Actress And BJP MP Candidate Kangana Ranaut

By
The Commune
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Popular Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut has been included in the latest list of candidates announced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Ranaut, known for her vocal support of the BJP, is set to contest from Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, her hometown.

Expressing her gratitude towards the party for nominating her as their Lok Sabha candidate from Mandi, the 37-year-old actress took to social media platform X to share her appreciation. She emphasized her unwavering support for the BJP, stating, “My beloved Bharat and Bhartiya Janta’s own party, Bharatiya Janta party (BJP) has always had my unconditional support, today the national leadership of BJP has announced me as their Lok Sabha candidate from my birth place Himachal Pradesh, Mandi (constituency) I abide by the high command’s decision on contesting Lok Sabha polls,”

It’s noteworthy that Kangana Ranaut hails from a political background, as her great-grandfather, Sarju Singh Ranaut, served as a Congress MLA.

Following this, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate posted a derogatory and sexist post on her Instagram handle about Kangana Ranaut. 

In the now-deleted post, Shrinate shared a picture of Ranaut with the caption (translated from Hindi), “What is the current rate in Mandi, someone please tell.”

This is not the first time that the two women have sparred with each other. 

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla condemned the comments and wrote, “This is beyond disgusting. The comments by @SupriyaShrinate on @KanganaTeam are despicable! Should be immediately sacked.. Will @priyankagandhi speak up? Will Kharge ji sack her! Where is the “Hathras” lobby now? First they justified Sandeshkhali, then Lal Singh getting a ticket from Congress and now this”

Back in 2021, Kangana Ranaut described India’s Independence in 1947 as “bheek” or alms. Congress spokesperson, Supriya Shrinate, condemned Ranaut’s comments, emphasizing the sacrifices made by freedom fighters. She criticized the government’s silence and called for action against Ranaut. Shrinate stressed that Ranaut’s disrespect towards India’s independence should not be tolerated, especially from someone honored with the Padma Shri. She urged both an apology from Ranaut and action from the government. 

However, this time Shrinate took it to a new low by sharing a picture of Ranaut with an even more disgusting caption. 

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Khalistani Extremist Pannun Alleges Khalistani Groups Funded AAP With $16 Million Dollars Between 2014 & 2022

By
The Commune
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Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a Indian origin Khalistani extremist, has alleged that Khalistani groups provided financial backing to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the tune of approximately $16 Million (₹133.54 crore) between 2014 and 2022. Pannun made these claims in a widely circulated video on social media, where he also alleged that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had purportedly offered assistance in securing the release of Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar in exchange for funds. Bhullar is convicted in the 1993 Delhi bomb blast case, which resulted in nine deaths and 31 injuries.

Pannun asserted that “Arvind Kejriwal and his cohorts, identifying themselves as upright Indian Hindus, have proven to be more perilous than those lacking integrity. Back in 2014, when Kejriwal held no official position, he visited the US and assured pro-Khalistani factions of promptly releasing Professor Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar within five hours of assuming power. At that juncture, Pannun cautioned against placing trust in him. Now, nine years into his tenure, the warning stands validated.”

Previously in February 2022 just prior to the Punjab elections, a contentious letter purportedly originating from the controversial pro-Khalistan group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) caused a stir on social media platforms. The letter, widely circulated, suggested that SFJ was endorsing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for the assembly elections. Written in Punjabi, the letter’s essence was an announcement of SFJ’s decision to back AAP in the Punjab polls. It stated that the 2022 elections held great significance for both Punjab and SFJ, expressing hope that AAP’s potential victory in Punjab would provide a renewed opportunity to advance their objectives. Signed by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the Executive Director of Sikhs For Justice, the letter urged support for AAP to bolster SFJ’s influence.

(Image Credit: IndiaToday)

Notably, Pannun, known for his affiliation with Sikhs For Justice, has previously issued threats against India, including a pledge to disrupt the functioning of the Parliament. However, such threats have fortunately not materialized.

The United States has accused India of involvement in a plot to assassinate the separatist leader. India’s internal investigation, however, has pointed fingers at certain ‘rogue agents’ as the perpetrators of this alleged plot.

In the midst of these controversies, Arvind Kejriwal remains in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate following his arrest in the Delhi excise policy scandal. Despite his plea for protection from arrest being denied by the Delhi High Court, AAP has decided that Kejriwal will continue to serve as the Chief Minister even during his custody. The party has also initiated the “Mai Bhi Kejriwal” campaign as it navigates its strategy for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, with its convenor unable to actively participate in campaigning.

Sources within the Enforcement Directorate have claimed that the phone allegedly used by Kejriwal during the excise policy scandal has gone missing. Additionally, it’s been reported that the agency has explicitly stated in its orders that Kejriwal will not be provided with a computer or paper while in jail.

Opposition leaders have criticized Kejriwal’s arrest, with some suggesting that it was orchestrated to divert attention from the electoral bonds data released by the Election Commission of India on March 21. The data, furnished by the State Bank of India following a directive from the Supreme Court, reveals the BJP as the primary beneficiary of the scheme, which initially faced criticism for its lack of transparency.

(with inputs from Deccan Herald)

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Vocalist Duo Ranjani Gayatri Give Polite But Stinging Response To N. Murali’s Letter

By
The Commune
-

The internet was abuzz with the row over the Sangita Kalanidhi Award being given to Carnatic vocalist with leftist leanings TM Krishna. At the centre of the storm was the vocalist duo Ranjani Gayatri. 

To jog our readers’ memory – after the awards were announced, Ranjani Gayatri wrote a letter to the Music Academy intimating to them of withdrawal from the programme later this year. They also shared the same on their social media handles. 

They accused TM Krishna of causing irreparable harm to the Carnatic music world. “He has caused immense damage to the Carnatic music world, wilfully and happily stomped over the sentiments of this community, and insulted most respected icons like Tyagaraja and MS Subbulakshmi. His actions have tried to spread a sense of shame in being a Carnatic musician and has been exhibited through his consistent denigration of spirituality in music.“, the Carnatic sisters said in their statement.

They also slammed TM Krishna’s glorification of anti-Hindu ideologue EV Ramasamy Naicker (hailed as ‘Periyar’ by his followers) saying,

“It is dangerous to overlook Mr TM Krishna’s glorification of a figure like EVR aka Periyar who

1. Openly proposed a genocide of ‘brahmins’

2. Repeatedly called/abused every woman of this community with vile profanity

3. Relentlessly worked to normalize filthy language in social discourse”

Several other artistes followed in Ranjani Gayatri’s steps and withdrew from the concert. Artists like Chitravina Ravikiran and the family of Palghar Mani Iyer announced that they were returning their Sangita Kalanidhi awards to the Academy. 

Subsequent to this, the President of the Madras Music Academy N Murali wrote an intimidating letter to the sisters stating that the letter was “replete with unwarranted and slanderous assertions and insinuations verging on defamation, and its vicious tone against a respected senior fellow-musician.” 

Replying to the letter shared by N Murali, the vocalist sisters wrote, 

“Dear Mr Murali,

We thank you for the courtesy of providing a response to our letter dated 20 March 2024. We’d like to clarify that our letter to you was only a notification of our withdrawal without any request for your decisions or actions. We did not post the letter on social media, but merely informed our fans on the same subject. Now we realise, this didn’t help you manage the optics and we are sorry about it.

Did we question your prerogative to award anyone? No

Did we exercise our prerogative to withdraw? Yes

Did we refuse to be implicit apologists for genocide mongers and filthy discourse? Yes

With your verbose answer to questions we never raised, you are trying to build a convenient narrative and cast aspersions on us. Your statements to the press in this regard are immoral and dishonest.

We were a bit surprised as to why your response reads like a release on behalf of the awardee, erasing the distinction between him and the Music Academy. But it became obvious when Mr. N. Ram, media hegemon, joined as an undeclared spokesperson, with his campaign branding us “bigoted, casteist coterie”.

We immensely respect this hallowed institution and it will be the happiest day for us and for millions of people to see star performers emerge from underprivileged communities and dominate this stage. We want to see the day when the TTK auditorium is filled up with a diverse inclusive crowd from all communities and religious minorities. 

This transformation should begin at the top. Kindly start with the entrenched Executive Committee consisting of only Brahmins and royalty you have been heading for 2 decades. Unlike serious hardwork and the long journey it takes for artists to excel, this transformation is achievable instantly with a simple resolution and a bunch of resignations.

Please consider leading by example, lest the world calls it mere lip service and start branding you as a “bigoted, casteist coterie”.”

Director of Kasturi & Sons Ltd, Former Chairperson of The Hindu Group, and the former Editor of The Hindu, Malini Parthasarathy also came out in support of the vocalist sisters. On her official X handle, Malini wrote, 

“This transformation should begin at the top. Kindly start with the entrenched Executive Committee consisting of only Brahmins and royalty you have been heading for 2 decades. Unlike serious hardwork and the long journey it takes for artists to excel, this transformation is achievable instantly with a simple resolution and a bunch of resignations”

Excellent points made by @ranjanigayatri. to the Music Academy President. Must be heeded!”

It is noteworthy that The Hindu’s N Ram (whose brother is the President of the Music Academy), wrote a scathing post on his social media handle to the sisters. He said, “Commend the firm and fitting response from The Music Academy and its President to the bigoted, casteist objections by a small coterie of set-up Carnatic musicians who can’t stomach the choice of an eminent, widely acclaimed, erudite, and articulate musician for the highest accolade in Carnatic music. If T. M. Krishna doesn’t deserve the Sangita Kalanidhi honour, then who does? And what explains Ranjani-Gayatri’s wild and scurrilous attack — charged with venom and demonstrable falsehoods — on Periyar Ramasamy (1879-1973), the father of the Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu and a champion of women’s equality and rights? Who put them up to this?”

Earlier, TN BJP president K Annamalai and ADMK’s spokesperson voiced out their support for the vocalist sisters and all those who decided to boycott the conference. 

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DMK Functionaries Found Distributing Cash During Udhayanidhi Campaign Trail In Theni, Breaches MCC

By
The Commune
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The DMK’s campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is underway, led by its scion and Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports Development, Udhayanidhi Stalin. On 24 March 2024, he embarked on a campaign trail in Theni, the sole constituency lost by the DMK in the previous election out of the 40 seats in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Addressing gatherings across Theni Lok Sabha constituency, including Usilampatti, Andipatti, and Theni, in support of DMK candidate Thanga Tamizhselvan, Udhayanidhi Stalin expressed confidence in a sweeping victory for the DMK and its allies. He rallied supporters, stressing the aim of securing a resounding 40 out of 40 seats this time around. He stated “Our mission is to oust anti-DMK forces such as the BJP and the AIADMK from this region, as they have consistently misled the people,” and appealed to the electorate for their assurance, emphasizing that the DMK’s victory margin in Theni should surpass all others in Tamil Nadu.

Later he highlighted the achievements of the DMK government over the past three years, Udhayanidhi enumerated various schemes benefiting economically disadvantaged sections like the CM’s Breakfast Scheme etc. Assuring voters of the DMK’s commitment, Udhayanidhi promised to scrap NEET in Tamil Nadu if the I.N.D.I alliance formed the central government. Furthermore, Udhayanidhi pledged the State government’s initiatives, including the construction of a reservoir across the Kuttukudi river in Bodinayakkanur, strengthening the Baby dam and Mullaperiyar dam, and supporting grape farmers with processing plants. He also announced plans for a railway line from Dindigul to Sabarimala and highlighted completed projects, such as modernizing infrastructure in government hospitals and implementing integrated drinking water schemes in Theni, Bodi, and Periakulam over the past three years.

However, his campaign had indicated that there was a natural influx of people drawn to Udhaynidhi Stalin and keen to engage with DMK policies. Yet, a recent viral video circulating on the internet paints a different picture. During the campaign in Theni, there were reports of money being distributed, specifically ₹200 as a token for those participating in the campaign. Not only does this breach the model code of conduct, but it also reflects a lack of genuine interest from the local populace in the campaign activities in the Theni area.

In the video, an elderly man wearing a white shirt and traditional veshti is depicted wearing the distinctive red and black scarf of the DMK, while distributing currency to a group of three to four women surrounding him. Another scene in the video shows a gathering of people, where a man in a white shirt and black pants is seen managing a token system, exchanging currency notes one by one after verifying a ₹200 rupee token. Women and men who receive the money are observed checking and storing it in their purses or bags. This video has rapidly gained traction in the media, with criticism directed towards the ruling party DMK.

(With inputs from Puthiya Thalaimurai)

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The Srirangam Massacre – History That Remained Hidden Over The Centuries

By
TS Krishnan
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 The Panguni Uthiram festival has been celebrated across all temples in Tamil Nadu since ancient times. This usually marks the celestial wedding of God and Goddess in most of the temples. The ‘Bhooloka Vaikuntam’, Srirangam, is no exception to this. For thousands of years, Panguni Thirunal has been one of the important Utsavams celebrated in the temple, in which the day of Uthiram (Uthirapalguni Nakshatra) marks the ‘Serthi’ of Arangan and Thayar. However, this festival also brings back some dark memories of a catastrophe that happened in the early 14th century. 

 After the internal rivalry that plagued the Pandyan country during 1300, Tamilagam was invaded three times by Delhi Sultanate forces. First by Malik Kafur in 1311 in which he returned with a lot of wealth from there. The second was a few years later by Khusrau Khan, which didn’t have a major impact. The third one came in 1323. That was the one that has made a lasting impact on the culture and heritage of Tamil Nadu. 

During the reign of Ghyasuddin Tughlaq, his son Ulugh Khan (who later ascended the Delhi throne as Muhammed Bin Tughlaq) came with an army towards Deccan. His aim was not only to loot the wealth but also to subdue these kingdoms and make them serve under the Delhi Sultanate. He met with success in Warangal, and the Hoysalas, who were ruling the Dwarasamudras, also gave up. Veera Vallala III had to agree to peace with Ulugh Khan and let him pass through the kingdom towards Mabar (Madurai). Even after the raid by Malik Kafur, the Madurai Pandya Kingdom still had a lot of wealth, and that was the target of Ulugh Khan. He passed through the Servarayan Hills and reached Kannanur Koppam, which is now known as Samayapuram. Kannanur served as the second capital of Hoysalas during those days. 

At the same time, Srirangam was busy with the Panguni Uthiram festival. On the evening of the seventh day, after Azhagiya Manavala Perumal, the Utsava Murthy, had completed the procession, the news of the Sultanate forces reaching Samayapuram reached the temple authorities. They discussed whether to go ahead with the next day’s event, in which the Perumal is taken to the Varaha temple near the Kaveri River. It was known as ‘Pandriazhvan Medu’ during that time. Given the proximity of the place to Samayapuram, few objected to this. But there are valid counterarguments. One, the region had seen many battles since the Sangam days between Tamil kings, which didn’t have any impact on temple affairs. Second, they knew that Ulugh Khan was on the way to Madurai, and why would he come to a temple event? Convincing themselves, the temple authorities decided to go ahead with the event on the 8th day of the Panguni festival. 

 They were grossly mistaken. Knowing about the Srirangam temple and the kind of wealth it had, Ulugh Khan decided to attack the temple. His first target was the devotees who were assembled at the Varaha Swami temple. There were thousands of them, including men, women, and children, who came from faraway places to witness the festival. The Sultan’s army mercilessly pounced on them. Without even knowing why they were being attacked, they couldn’t even defend themselves. Kovil Ozhugu, which details the history of Srirangam temple, mentions that about 12,000 devotees were massacred. This was mentioned as ‘Panniraayiravar Mudithiruththiya Pandriyazhvan Metu Kalagam’, a battle that removed the heads of 12000 devotees. 

 The news quickly reached the temple where the Azhagiya Manavala Perumal was all set to leave for the Kaveri River. Realizing the danger, two of the Acharyas, Pillai Lokacharyar and Swami Vedanta Desikan, decided to safeguard the Perumal. As Pillai Lokacharyar was old, it was decided that he would leave for the south of Tamilagam along with the Utsava Murthy in a Palanquin with a few of the temple treasures. Vedanta Desikar left for north Tamil Nadu with all important texts. When Ulugh Khan’s army attacked the temple, they heard that the Azhagiya Manavala Perumal had been taken to safety. One of the divisions of the army was set out to chase them. The rest of the army sacked the temple and killed whoever was there to defend it. 

 Pillai Lokacharya took the Perumal through the jungles safely, avoiding the chasing army. Due to exhaustion, he attained Paramapatham at a place called Jothishkudi near Madurai Anaimalai. His disciples took the Perumal through Tirunelveli and Aralvazmozhi to Kerala. After some years, Perumal went to Melkotte in Karnataka and then to Tirupathi. 

 Meanwhile, Ulugh Khan captured Madurai and installed Jalaluddin Ahsan Khan as governor of Madurai. However, after Ulugh Khan left for Delhi, Ahsan Khan declared independence and made Madurai a separate sultanate. This sultanate created havoc in Tamilagam, and for 48 years it plunged into darkness. Many temples were destroyed, and poojas were stopped. Fortunately, Kumara Kampala of Vijayanagar came with an army in the 1360s and destroyed the sultanate. 

 Gopanna Raya, who was a general of Kampanna, heard about the happenings at Srirangam Temple and decided to bring back Azhagiya Manavala Perumal. He went to Tirupathi, took Perumal with him to Ginjee, performed poojas, and then took the swami to Srirangam. At that time, no one could vouch whether the Vigraha was the same one that was taken away during the raid of Ulugh Khan. Luckily, there was a washerman who lived through this time and he was brought in to verify the vigraha. Unfortunately, he was blind, but just by the smell of the dress, he could confirm that it was indeed ‘Namperumal’—our God. Gopanna installed the Vigraham in the temple and restored all the rituals and pooja. This event was inscribed in the Srirangam temple. 

Nowadays, Srirangam residents started lighting Moksha Deepa in memory of the innocent devotees who gave their lives during the festival. A fitting tribute indeed. 

TS Krishnan is a Tamil scholar and author.

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