Thavathiru Kumaragurupara Swamigal of the Kaumara Madalayam has strongly condemned the speech of CPIM MP from Madurai, Su Venkatesan who recently derogated the Sengol in Parliament.
Swamigal said,“Su Venkatesan was elected by the people to represent Madurai in the Lok Sabha. In Madurai, when justice was denied, the Sengol bent and the King gave up his life is something everyone knows. In Silappadikaram, the injustice and embarrassment meted out to Kannagi and how the Sengol bent is written in the epic. In this scenario, when all the newly elected MPs are beginning a new session of Parliament, a UP MP first starts speaking about the Sengol, that it has to be removed from Parliament. It is observed that the rituals and practices of our religion are being derogated by several. It is disappointing. The one from this soil (Madurai) also speaking like this is also regrettable. History tells us that it is the same soil he (Su Venkatesan) is from where when justice was denied, the Sengol bent. Whoever speaks wherever, it is an insult to Tamils.”
During the motion of thanks to the President in the 18th Lok Sabha, Su Venkatesan critiqued the ‘Sengol,’ a royal scepter symbolizing righteousness, justice, and authority in Indian culture. He ridiculed its narrative by comparing it unfavorably with historical kings known for polygamy and opulent lifestyles in their women’s quarters. Even though, such associations had no relevance to the Sengol. He questioned the symbolism of bringing the Sengol into parliamentary proceedings, asking rhetorically about the historical oppression of women by kings who wielded it.
Venkatesan queried, “Do you know, how many hundreds of women were kept as slaves by each king who held this sengol? What are you trying to say to the women of the country by bringing and keeping the Sengol here? It is painful.”
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A few YouTube channels have raised concerns about an alleged orchestrated reduction in their viewership of their channels due to alleged interference from YouTube.
These creators claim that YouTube has been systematically restricting their reach while promoting content from certain left-leaning commentators.
The channels assert that they are facing a significant disadvantage due to what they describe as a lack of a level playing field. They believe this suppression has had tangible effects, particularly noticeable during election periods.
Rohan Dua of The New India highlighted the issue by pointing out that, on the Prime Minister’s channel, videos by left-leaning Congress-supporting commentators like Ravish Kumar are often suggested at the end of their own content. “At the end of my own interview on the PM’s channel, I get Ravish Kumar’s video as a suggested follow-up,” he said.
Another example provided was a Jalandhar speech by the Prime Minister, after which a suggested video featured Rahul Gandhi congratulating an individual from Ayodhya. This skewed recommendation system, they argue, diverts viewers from their content to opposing viewpoints.
The creators also named several content creators they believe are being unfairly promoted, including Ravish Kumar, Ulta Chashma, Abhisar Sharma, Dhruv Rathee, and Ajit Anjum. They have called for their supporters to help amplify and voice this issue, seeking to bring attention to what they perceive as biased treatment on the platform.
India’s biggest scandal is taking place on @YouTube@YouTubeIndia with alleged involvement of 24 employees whose calls, imessages & Whatsapp calls with Youtubers are under lens on algorithm alteration.
What you have done is an act of courage and a very important need for transparency.
Platforms cannot promote a particular ideology because of an employee’s personal bias.@AshwiniVaishnaw and Ministry should take note! https://t.co/PjQkWFV3Tj
— Pradeep Bhandari(प्रदीप भंडारी)🇮🇳 (@pradip103) July 3, 2024
What sorcery is this @YouTubeIndia? No one knows 4PM, DB LIVE, Abhisar Sharma etc. How are they getting more views than famous YouTubers?
YouTube India employees must be in cahoots with these ecosystem warriors to inflate their views through dubious means. Urgent probe needed. https://t.co/Eu2FMoO1zW
As these allegations gain traction, the affected creators are urging YouTube to address these concerns and ensure a fairer distribution of viewership and recommendations.
Senior DMK leader and former Rajya Sabha MP RS Bharathi has once again sparked controversy with his recent remarks, claiming that in today’s scenario, even a dog can obtain a BA degree, attributing this phenomenon to the alms of the Dravidian movement. His comments came during a protest organized by the DMK’s Students Wing at Valluvar Kottam in Tamil Nadu on 7 July 2024, opposing the NEET examination.
The demonstration, titled ‘No More NEET‘, was led by the Students Wing Secretary and Kancheepuram MLA CVMP Ezhilarasan, where RS Bharathi addressed the gathering. This protest follows the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s resolution advocating for NEET exemption, citing recent irregularities and advocating for class 12 marks as the basis for medical admissions.
During his speech, RS Bharathi underscored that even during Jayalalithaa’s tenure, Tamil Nadu resisted NEET, attributing its introduction to subsequent governments. He criticized the NEET exam, alleging irregularities and describing it as a tool designed to undermine Tamil Nadu. Bharathi credited the Dravidian movement for the widespread access to education today, contrasting the present with his own youth when attaining a BA was rare.
He further accused the Modi government of avoiding discussions on NEET in Parliament due to alleged scandals, asserting this as a triumph for the DMK. Bharathi emphasized that the Dravidian movement’s policies have enabled numerous individuals, including himself and Ezhilarasan, to pursue higher education without barriers of caste or clan.
RS Bharathi said, “I am a lawyer B.L educated. Ezhilarasan BE, BL. All these did not come from clan or gotra. If it was not for the alms of the Dravidian movement and communal GO, so many doctors and so many people with B.E degrees would not have come. When I studied BA, only one person in the town had studied BA. Then they will write the title on the name board outside the house. Now everyone in the town is studying for a degree, even a dog is getting a BA degree. Dravidian movement is responsible for this development.”
எப்போதெல்லாம், திமுக ஆட்சிக்கு, பொதுமக்களிடையே பலத்த எதிர்ப்பு வருகிறதோ, அப்போதெல்லாம், அறிவாலய வாசலிலேயே இருக்கும் திரு. ஆர்.எஸ்.பாரதியை ஏவி விடுவார்கள் போல. கள்ளக்குறிச்சியில், திமுக ஆதரவோடு நடந்த கள்ளச்சாராய விற்பனையில் 65 உயிர்கள் பலியானதை மடைமாற்ற, திரு. ஆர்.எஸ்.பாரதியைக்… pic.twitter.com/yLjpcK9Lkh
RS Bharathi’s recent statement mocking the abundance of graduates in Tamil Nadu, likening it to a feudal mindset has drawn severe criticism on social media.
Earlier, RS Bharathi maintained a similar stance that Dalits would not have been able to ascend to judicial positions in Tamil Nadu. This stance echoes his previous statements. In May 2020, Bharathi was apprehended by the Central Crime Branch of the Chennai city police following accusations of making provocative remarks during a party gathering held in February of that year. Referring to a judge, he reportedly said that many Dalits were inducted into the judiciary because of the indulgence of the DMK leadership during former chief minister M Karunanidhi’s tenure. Speaking at an event in Anbagam (the DMK youth wing headquarters), in February 2020, he said “If Tamil Nadu remains the best state, it is because of the Dravidian movement. No Harijan has become a judge of the High Court in Madhya Pradesh. After Karunanidhi became Chief Minister A Varadarajan was appointed as HC judge. Seven or eight others from the Adi Dravidar community went on to become judges after that. It is the alms (picchai) given by the Dravidian Movement”. He later issued an apology for his remarks.
In another instance, RS Bharathi made racist and derogatory comments about the people of Nagaland. Speaking at an event commemorating the 100th anniversary celebrations of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK patriarch Karunanidhi, Bharathi said, “What is the governor doing? He just wants to create problems for the ruling government. We have seen so many governors, but what this governor does is create a fuss and drag us into a fight. He refuses to sign the bills we send. I addressed a gathering about what happened to him in Nagaland; they chased him away. Don’t mistake me; I am just quoting an example. The people of Nagaland eat dog meat. If someone who eats dog meat themselves has so much self-respect that they chased away this governor, then imagine how much self-respect Tamils, who consume food with salt, would have. The day he was chased away, the people of Nagaland celebrated it like Deepavali.”
On another instance at a meeting (in an undated video), Bharathi ridiculing north Indian labourers said, “The reason why Tamil Nadu is the best state in India is because of the DMK. The people in the other states are fools, they have no brains, these north Indians, I am saying this openly.”
"North Indians are fools" DMK organizing secretary and Rajya Sabha MP R.S.Bharathi. pic.twitter.com/Kc1s7VNDI8
Actor turned politician Vijay recently made a surprising shift in his political stance during the Tamizhaga Vettri Kazhagam’s (TVK) programme, where he felicitated top-performing 10th and 12th grade students. Initially critical of the ruling DMK, Vijay’s change in position came starkly into focus on the second day of the event, held on 3 July 2024.
Previously, during the first phase on 28 June 2024, Vijay had launched into a critique of the DMK’s governance, particularly addressing issues like mis-administration and the prevailing drug culture. His speech was eagerly anticipated as it marked his party’s debut event following its launch earlier on February 2024. However, his stance underwent a swift transformation within a week’s time.
On 3 July 2024, Vijay resonated himself (TVK) with the DMK, expressing opposition to the NEET medical examination, advocating for education to be under state list, and adopting the DMK-coined term “Union” to refer to the central government. This abrupt shift has raised questions about Vijay’s political consistency and his willingness to challenge the ruling DMK, akin the paths taken by actors like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, who initially sought to establish their own parties but eventually aligned themselves with the DMK, particularly Kamal for a mere Rajya Sabha seat. Rajini on the other hand has allied himself along the business front by signing movies with DMK-family owned production house.
Vijay’s TVK party is now perceived akin to part-time politician Kamal Haasan’s Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), seen as a strategic toolkit to counter the influence of BJP, particularly under the leadership of K Annamalai, a retired IPS officer, in the upcoming Tamil Nadu legislative assembly elections in 2026. If MNM sought to divide the anti-DMK votes in 2021, Vijay may do the same in 2026 if he contests.
Immediately commencing his speech TVK chief Vijay said, “Actually, I thought I should not talk about anything today, but it didn’t seem right if I didn’t talk about an important issue. You would have guessed what it will be, Yes NEET! It’s about NEET. If you look at this NEET, it is a fact that the students in our Tamil Nadu, especially the rural areas, where the poor, the backward, the most backward and the lower class, are all affected. What I see as three problems with NEET is… first thing is this NEET is against the state rights, this is something you all know, education was in the state list before 1975. It was only after that that the Union Government added it to the concurrent list, and as far as I know, that was the first problem. Secondly, I see one country, one syllabus, one examination as being against the purpose of education in general. The syllabus should be tailored to each state. I am not asking this only for the sake of state rights. If you look at it, my view is that different opinions, different views, perspectives should be given importance. Diversity is a strength not a weakness.”
Then showing his acumen actor Vijay asked, “After you’ve studied in the state language, studied in the state syllabus, how can you take the exam in the NCERT syllabus?”
Then quoting the NEET paper leak scam Vijay stated, “People have lost faith completely in NEET examination. We understood by the news that the nation doesn’t need NEET. What is the solution for NEET? Exemption from NEET is the only solution. I wholeheartedly welcome resolution against NEET passed in the State Assembly. I request the Union Government to respect the emotions of the people of Tamil Nadu. People should solve the issue. What is the permanent solution for this? Education should be brought under the State List from Concurrent list.”
Actor Vijay subsequently urged that if no immediate solution was viable, the constitution should be amended to establish a separate special Concurrent List, incorporating health and education.
As previously noted, Vijay’s appearance at this event following the launch of his party in February 2024 was eagerly anticipated, especially regarding his remarks on politics. Initially critical of the ruling DMK, Vijay has changed his position starkly on the second day of the event, within a week’s time. Even this time he was seen without any Hindu mark on him. This speech of TVK chief Vijay, particularly focused on the NEET exam, a longstanding political agenda in Tamil Nadu by the DMK consistently sought exemption from the exam mandated by the Supreme Court.
How He Criticized The DMK In His Maiden Speech After Political Entry
In contrast to the DMK’s approach of stoking students’ emotions with promises like NEET bans and shortcuts, Vijay opted to advise students to explore diverse career options.
Despite the DMK ruling for three years, Vijay hinted at a necessity for strong leadership, pointing out a perceived political vacuum in Tamil Nadu, expressing the state failed in severe administration failure like past ones.
Expressing a desire for capable leadership, Vijay indirectly referenced political corruption which is again targeted at the ruling DMK, noting that three ministers face corruption charges and one former minister has been jailed for a year.
He also criticized dynasty politics, suggesting that future politicians should be judged on their education and merit rather than familial ties, emphasizing the importance of making informed choices in elections.
Regarding propagandist media, he brought attention to how a few media houses report the same news differently. This must definitely be read as to how Dravidianist journalists and media outlets such as Sun News, a mouthpiece for the DMK report half-truths and peddle propaganda. Following the Lok Sabha election results, Sun News targeted Vijay in a manner that undermined his political stature, reducing him to a mere figure known for posting congratulatory messages on social media rather than being recognized as a serious political leader.
Initially reluctant to directly blame the ruling DMK, Vijay later criticized the prevalent drug culture in Tamil Nadu, referencing seizures of methamphetamine, ganja, and drug pills since the arrest of former DMK figure Jaffer Sadiq and the tragic hooch incidents in 2023 that claimed 22 lives initially and now 63.
Yet Another Cine-Actor Emerges As Vote-Cutter
A few actors in Kollywood suffer from what is known as the MGR complex. Every Tom, Dick and Harry having acted in a few films thinks that they’re the messiah of Tamil Nadu and they will sit on the CM chair some day. The only actor who managed to make dent was the hardworking and uncompromising Vijayakanth, who gave nightmares to both Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi when they were around.
Apart from him, there have been actors like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and currently Vijay, who intermittently align themselves with the DMK, seemingly as a strategic move to bolster the party during critical junctures. This holds true when examining the sequence of their announcements and their strategies to divide votes, specifically targeting opposition parties.
For instance, Rajinikanth, portrayed as a devout Hindu, was clearly aligned with the DMK as evidenced by his initial foray into politics in 1996, a pivotal period. This was after the death of M.G.R. in 1987, when Jayalalithaa declared herself his political successor. After overcoming opposition from M.G.R.’s widow, V.N. Janaki Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa emerged as the sole leader of the AIADMK. In 1991, she became Tamil Nadu’s youngest chief minister, known for consolidating state power among a select group of bureaucrats. Her cabinet ministers, frequently shuffled, held mostly ceremonial roles. Notably, her administration introduced the successful cradle-baby scheme, enabling anonymous adoption of newborns. Despite an official salary of just one rupee per month, Jayalalithaa displayed opulent wealth publicly. However, in the 1996 elections, the AIADMK suffered a near-total defeat, with Jayalalithaa herself losing her seat. The incoming Karunanidhi government pursued multiple corruption cases against her, leading to a period of imprisonment.
How could a leader, who had earned the trust of the people and demonstrated administrative prowess, suffer such a downfall? The answer lies partly in the influence of the so-called spiritual politician, Rajinikanth. In 1996, Rajinikanth threw his support behind G.K. Moopanar’s Congress faction, which was aligned with the DMK. Leveraging Rajinikanth’s immense popularity, they campaigned against Jayalalitha. Rajinikanth notably remarked at the time, “If Jayalalithaa is re-elected, not even god can save Tamil Nadu.”
After a long period following the death of Chief Minister Jayalalitha on 5 December 2016, in December 2017, Rajinikanth, ending years of speculation, held fan meetings and declared his entry into politics. He announced his intention to contest the 2021 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections, capitalizing on a political void created by Jayalalitha’s demise and Karunanidhi’s illness. At this time, the DMK, out of power for nearly a decade, was striving to regain control in the 2021 elections.
Shortly thereafter, Kamal Haasan launched a new party, Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), on 21 February 2018, in Madurai. Kamal, a rival both on screen and in real life for Rajinikanth, initially positioned himself as independent from the DMK. However, during the recent Lok Sabha elections, with no imminent threat like Rajinikanth to the DMK, Kamal Haasan aligned himself with them, securing a Rajya Sabha seat. Neither Rajini nor Kamal showed the courage needed as they prioritized their interests in the film industry over taking a strong stance in politics, hence acted as a pawn in politics.
It has become evident that any actor who emerges as an opposition to the DMK ends up being perceived as a tool for the DMK. Vijay’s party, TVK, is also viewed similarly now, as his past actions resonate with DMK ideology.
Looking back at how Vijay exposed his alignment with the Dravidian ideology, it is noteworthy that on the auspicious occasion of Tamizh Puthandu (Tamil New Year) on 14 April 2024, amidst the festive spirit engulfing Tamil Nadu, Vijay stirred controversy by refraining from extending wishes to the people for the Tamil New Year. Instead, Vijay took to social media to share greetings for Ambedkar Jayanti, which coincidentally falls on the same day. This is the same strategy employed by the DMK on the auspicious occasion of Hindu celebrations and festivals such as Vinayagar Chaturthi, Saraswathi Pooja, and other festive occasions.
As expected, aligning with the stance of Dravidian parties, Vijay (very ignorantly) expressed opposition to the notification of CAA. His press release read, “Any law like the Indian Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA) is not acceptable in an environment where all the people of the country are living in social harmony. The rulers should give an assurance that they will not implement this law in Tamil Nadu.”
Currently, opposing the NEET, he once again proving allegiance to the DMK.
In the previous instance at least actor Vijay managed to navigate the political landscape effectively, balancing between various parties as the 2026 legislative assembly elections loomed large. However, his speech on NEET and usage of “Ondriya Arasu” to undermine the authority of the Union government is nothing but playing to the gallery of Dravidianists.
This development is disheartening because when a politician aims to become the chief minister but lacks the courage to challenge the ruling party, progress can stagnate indefinitely. In Tamil Nadu’s political memory, only legends like MGR and Vijayakanth who opposed DMK vehemently are remembered. Those who have now been coopted by the DMK, are now playing second fiddle to the first family in their own capacity.
Satheesh is a freelance writer.
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#MeToo accused lyricist Vairamuthu is back in the news, this time exposing his Dravidianist ideology on social media platform X. On 2 July 2024, a stampede occurred at a religious congregation in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh. The death toll reached 121, with 28 injured, as reported on 3 July 2024. The incident occurred during a Satsang/prayer meeting led by spiritual guru Narayan Sakar Hari, which drew over one lakh attendees, primarily women.
Since this gathering was related to the Hindu community, sexual harassment accused Vairamuthu had to comment. He made a long post on his social media handle on X. In the post, he stated that he was offering condolences to the dead as well as the rituals – hinting at Hindu customs. He further wrote that this stampede occurred at a gathering to touch the feet of the spiritual guru (mockingly). He further stated that there was no difference between alcohol intoxication and religious intoxication, and they were merely synonyms. he further mocked stating that a country that does not progress in education, economy, and rational thinking, will continue to see incidents like Hathras.
However, Vairamuthu never spoke a word about any instances involving Muslims or Islam. When Haj pilgrims died of a heat wave earlier this year, he did not post anything about the issue. Instead, he posted something randomly about some gun he was wielding.
நான் ஏந்தியிருக்கும் எஸ்.ஐ.ஜி 550 துப்பாக்கி ஏ.கே 47ஐக் கடைந்தெடுத்தது மற்றும் கடந்தது
எடை குறைந்த இயக்க எளிதான துல்லியத் துப்பாக்கி இது
சுவிட்சர்லாந்து பள்ளிக் கல்வியில் இது வீரப் பயிற்சிக்கு வினைப்படுகிறது; ராணுவ சேவைக்கு விதையிடுகிறது
For Dravidianists, mocking Hindu rituals and spiritual gurus is a favourite pastime.
Vairamuthu had even questioned the birth of Lord Rama. In the video, speaking in an unknown and undated function, Vairamuthu says he wrote a poem about Ram Mandir in which he asks whether Ram is a human or an Avatar (of God). He further said,“Avatar means to descend from above, one who is not tainted by pregnancy. He does not need tools like indriyam (sense organs) orpregnancy, and he descends directly from above. So, if (Lord Rama) is an Avatar, then he was never born, and why does he need a birthplace? Or, if he was born to Dasharatha and Kaushalya, then he is a human. If he is a human, then why does he need a temple? Nobody has answered these two questions. As a secular person, a person who respects all religions, and as a humanist, I have said this and there has been no answer to this opinion.”
He then proceeds to heap praises on fellow poet Kavikko S. Abdul Rahman, who was also the ex-chairman of the Waqf board in Tamil Nadu and quotes a poem of his in which he questioned which religion asks humans to kill fellow humans in the name of God. Vairamuthu then goes on to say,‘forget that he is a Muslim, forget Hinduism and Christianity, all that he (Abdul Rahman) asks is to awaken the humanism inside the humans’. He then goes on to say as age increases, his wisdom has also increased, and he wishes to live until he is 110 years old not to enjoy but to understand the people and the world. He then addedthat80 years is not the beginning of old age but the fruition of youth.
.@rajnathsingh .@DefenceMinIndia Sir get someone who can translate this speech about Lord Rama by Vairamuthu, this is not only just Hindu bashing this speech was made in a function felicitating Kaviko Abdul Rahman hope you understand his intentions 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/AFVcgz5nQZ
In 2021, he penned a song that romanticizes pedophilia. The song was about a school-going girl in love with a grey-haired old ‘poet’ and was filmed with actor Anika Surendran, who was 16 years old at that time.
In 2018, Vairamuthu had called the only female Azhwar, Andal, as a ‘dasi’(prostitute) who served at the Srirangam Ranganathaswamy Temple.“Andal herself is a Devadasi who lived and died in the Sri Rangam Temple”, Vairamuthu had said quoting a book by one Subhash Chandra Malik.
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It has come to light that a Jamaat organisation banished a resident Jamaal Mohammed from the village. Given this, Jamaal who was running an auto/cab business alleges that he lost his livelihood.
Subsequently, he reached the Thiruvarur District Collector’s office along with his 8-year-old son and attempted to immolate himself and the child.
Belonging to Thiruvidaivasal, a complaint was filed against Jamaal for parking his cars on the road by a fellow Muslim. Owing to this, the Jamaat took action to banish/outcast Jamaal. They issued notices stating that if anyone boarded Jamaal’s auto, they’d have to pay a fine of Rs 1000. These notices were distributed to the homes in the village.
The notice read, “PC Jamal from Palakudi is running an auto rental service against the Indian Penal Code and putting the public at risk. He allows his autos to be driven by people who do not have a proper auto-driving license. So many dangerous incidents have happened. Even after reprimanding him many times, the management does not know that he is making the same mistake again and again. Also on 25.06.2024, the management called him and reprimanded him. We have taken action against him, he has pressured more than ten people and insulted the officials in the administration.
P.C. Autos belonging to Jamal should not be used by any Jamaat public. In case they do, they will be charged Rs. 1000/- as a fine.
You should not directly or indirectly support the above-mentioned person PC Jamaal. If they fail, the administration will take strict action against them.”
The family insists that the car was parked on the road because they were unloading some luggage from it after returning from the hospital. The complainant questioned Jamaal, “Is this your father’s road? Why have you parked here?”. Saying so, the complainant broke the windows and damaged the car.
Ashabeevi, Jamaal’s wife, talking to reporters stated, “Outside 5 mosques, as if we are murderers, they have posted notices warning people from taking our auto. They have also instructed people to stop interacting with our family members. They have insulted us. We have not eaten anything for the past 3 days. We have to pay fees and vehicle dues, we have no money to even buy milk. Will the Athikadai Jamaat answer our situation? We condemn this. They call themselves an organization but all that they do is conduct kangaroo courts.”
She further alleged, “Every single time, they ask my husband to fall at everyone’s feet and ask for an apology. If you want leniency, ask for an apology by falling at our feet. Only then will we allow you to drive your auto.”
She added, “We cannot forgo our self-respect and ask for an apology in this manner. So we have come here to find a solution to this through the government.”
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A political confrontation has erupted on social media between Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and Tamil Nadu BJP State President K. Annamalai over the long-standing Katchatheevu island dispute and the plight of Tamil Nadu fishermen.
Hon’ble @DrSJaishankar, The DMK Government has always staunchly opposed the ceding of Katchatheevu and has fought tirelessly to protect the rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen.
Despite the BJP-led government being in power for the third consecutive term, no meaningful steps have been… pic.twitter.com/Z5ql0JMrjM
In a tweet directed at External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, CM MK Stalin reiterated the DMK government’s opposition to the ceding of Katchatheevu and criticized the BJP-led central government for its inaction. Stalin’s tweet read:
“Hon’ble @DrSJaishankar, the DMK Government has always staunchly opposed the ceding of Katchatheevu and has fought tirelessly to protect the rights of Tamil Nadu fishermen. Despite the BJP-led government being in power for the third consecutive term, no meaningful steps have been taken to retrieve the island except for using the issue as an election-time rhetoric. Meanwhile, our fishermen continue to be arrested, with 25 more apprehended on 01.07.2024. The need of the hour is to ease the problems faced by the fishermen of Tamil Nadu and to find a lasting solution to this festering problem.”
The minutes of the meeting between the foreign secretary of Govt of India & the former CM of TN, Thiru Karunanidhi avl, revealed that he was fully aware of the ceding of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka and was inclined towards accepting the suggested solution.
In response, Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Annamalai accused MK Stalin of spreading misinformation and highlighted a historical meeting involving Stalin’s father and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi. Annamalai tweeted:
“The minutes of the meeting between the foreign secretary of Govt of India & the former CM of TN, Thiru Karunanidhi, revealed that he was fully aware of the ceding of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka and was inclined towards accepting the suggested solution. Yet, his son & the CM of TN, Thiru @mkstalin, is lying through his teeth to the people of TN that DMK was staunchly opposed to the ceding of Katchatheevu. Having put the lives and livelihood of our fishermen at risk for decades, DMK refuses to apologise to the people but seeks recourse for their mistakes. TN CM Thiru @mkstalin must know that the constructive steps taken by our Hon PM Thiru @narendramodi had only ensured that the lives of our fishermen are not at risk on the high seas, unlike the times of the UPA when there was no guarantee of their return.”
Annamalai has shared an excerpt from a document to support his statements. The document states, “The Foreign Secretary mentioned that the purpose was to keep the Tamil Nadu government fully informed of the developments in the talks with Sri Lanka and to benefit from the views and suggestions of the Tamil Nadu authorities.” Additionally, the document refutes CM MK Stalin’s claims, noting, “The Chief Minister indicated that he was inclined to accept the suggested solution.”
The Katchatheevu island, a small, uninhabited piece of land located between India and Sri Lanka, has been a contentious issue for decades, impacting the livelihoods of fishermen from Tamil Nadu. The island was ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974 under an agreement between the two countries. Since then, there have been repeated calls from Tamil Nadu’s political leaders for its retrieval, citing the adverse effects on local fishermen who often face arrests and harassment by the Sri Lankan Navy.
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In another attempt to suppress the voice of Hindus and nationalists on social media, the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee’s (TPCC) new chief of media cell, Sama Ram Mohan Reddy, has filed a case against social media influencer Raushan Sinha a.k.a Mr.Sinha for posting an allegedly manipulated image which claimed that Rahul Gandhi, the Congress scion, made derogatory remarks about Hindus.
In response to the post, a FIR was filed on 2 July 2024 behalf of the congress contesting the statements were fake and misleading with the Hyderabad police under sections 352 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), 353(2) (Promoting enmity), 353(1)(c) (Circulating false information), and 336(4) (Forgery of electronic record) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
In an official statement on his X account, Sama Ram Mohan Reddy stated, “My team has registered an FIR against @MrSinha_ working on the BJP payroll. He circulated fake news misquoting our leader @RahulGandhi Ji after his speech in the Loksabha and appealed to people to share it widely to tarnish his image. Telangana Police will visit him soon!”
A complaint made by Venkat Naik read, “@Mr Sinha created a post regarding fake post. Yesterday i.e., on 01-07-2024 in the parliament session the Leader of Opposition Sri. Rahul Gandhi said that “The BJP people are not real Hindus, and these BJP people are Violent” but this account holder modified that speech and created a fabricated post. According to that fabricated post Sri. Rahul Gandhi said “those who are Hindus, are violent’. Sri. Rahul Gandhi never gave wrong statements against the Hindus of this Nation but this BUP social media intentionally provocating Hindus for the sake of their political gain. This post is being circulated in Twitter, creating misappropriation in the social media and violating law and order and peace. The post Url is: https://x.com/MrSinha_/status/1807734098351280220?s=19.”
“I am enclosing the content that is being posted and circulated and going on in circulation for the perusal of your good office and requesting your good self to enquire into the matter and to stop circulating the same directing the concerned to block those accounts which were used for circulation of fake news. I am also requesting your good self to find out the root cause of this conspiracy and charge the culprits for their illegal acts committed by conspiring together by spreading the false news by registering a case and enquire into the matter at the earliest in the interest of Justice,” it further read.
My team has registered an FIR against @MrSinha_ working on the BJP payroll.
He circulated fake news misquoting our leader @RahulGandhi Ji after his speech in the Loksabha and appealed to people to share it widely to tarnish his image.
— Sama Ram Mohan Reddy (@RamMohanINC) July 2, 2024
On 1 July 2024, Rahul Gandhi, the Congress scion and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, made his inaugural speech sharply criticizing the BJP, stating, “Those who call themselves Hindus talk violence, hatred, untruth 24 hours.”
In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood up, emphasizing, “This is a very serious issue. Calling the entire Hindu society violent is a serious matter (poore Hindu samaj ko hinsak kehna yeh gambhir vishay hai).” Union Home Minister Amit Shah subsequently demanded an apology from the Congress leader for his remarks.
After objections from the treasury benches, Gandhi clarified by stating, “The BJP and the RSS are not the entire Hindu society… Aap Hindu ho hi nahi (You are not Hindus.)”
Therefore, the recent move to silence Mr. Sinha’s social media presence is viewed as another publicity stunt by Sama Ram Mohan Reddy, the newly appointed chief of TPCC’s media cell. This action comes only months after his appointment.
Previously, in April 2024, Mr. Sinha faced harassment from the Tamil Nadu police. They accused him of spreading false information about the death of a woman named Gomathi, allegedly at the hands of DMK goons in Pakkirimaniyam village, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu. The incident reportedly occurred because she had purportedly voted for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the state elections. Despite widespread coverage by reputable Tamil news outlets, Mr. Sinha was singled out by the Tamil Nadu police.
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In a move that has sparked widespread debate, the Kerala Police have filed a case against Pratheesh Vishwanath, a Hindu activist in Kerala and founder of the Hindu Seva Kendram. The case arises from Vishwanath’s vocal opposition to the opportunity given to Hamas leaders to speak in Kerala.
The Kerala Police have filed a case against me for opposing the opportunity given to Hamas leaders to speak in Kerala. It is perplexing and alarming that the police would target someone for merely criticizing a group widely recognized as a terrorist organization. Does this imply… pic.twitter.com/n37Q0M3j4y
— Pratheesh Viswanath (@pratheesh_Hind) July 2, 2024
In October 2023, Khaled Mashal, former Hamas chief, addressed an online rally in Malappuram, Kerala, organized by the Solidarity Youth Movement in support of Palestine. His speech, calling for global support for Palestinian fighters and criticizing Zionist actions, sparked controversy. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president K. Surendran demanded legal action against the organizers, criticizing the Kerala State government for inaction and accusing them of glorifying Hamas, recognized as a terrorist organization by many countries.
Shocking News From KERALA !!!
Leader of the dreaded terrórist group Hamas, Khaled Mashal, addressed the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami in Malappuram DIST Kerala…No wonder when Both the ruling communists and opposition including Congress party are openly opposing the Isreal… pic.twitter.com/vwG9ESpxrn
Hamas terroŕist Khaled Mashal, who recently addressed a rally in Kerala, meets Pakistani radical leader Maulana Fazal-ur- Rehman( deisel) in Qatar & draws an equivalence between Kashmir and Gaza…!!!
But for all the Hamas sympathizers in Kerala he is a freedom fighter and his… pic.twitter.com/SSM9hdfJ6U
The rally also featured slogans against Hindutva and Zionism (Uproot Bulldozer Hindutva Apartheid).
Several including Jamaat-e-Islami members and journalists, spoke at the event.
FIR
The First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Station states that the “offence” occurred on 30 October 2023, between 00:00 hrs and 17:00 hrs. The complaint was officially recorded in the police station’s general diary at 17:00 hrs the same day.
The FIR, numbered 0424/2023, was filed by P. P. Karunakaran from the Cyber Crime Police Station in Thiruvananthapuram City. The charges against Pratheesh are based on his criticism of the platform provided to Hamas leaders, a group recognized as a terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States and the European Union. Vishwanath’s statements were seen as potentially inciting communal unrest, prompting the police to take preventive action.
Critics argue whether expressing dissent against a group like Hamas now a punishable offense in Kerala. It is also argued that the police action against Vishwanath sets a dangerous precedent for freedom of speech. They contend that criticizing a terrorist organization should not be equated with incitement to violence or communal unrest.
The police’s justification for the case—that Vishwanath’s comments might lead to communal riots—has led to further speculation. If expressing opposition to Hamas could incite such unrest, does this imply the presence of Hamas sympathizers or operatives in Kerala? This possibility is alarming and warrants a thorough investigation to ensure the security and peace of the region.
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Tamil Nadu BJP State President K. Annamalai has issued a strong rebuttal to recent comments made by Madurai MP Su Venkatesan regarding the Sengol, a scepter symbolizing Hindu Tamil culture, which was placed in the new parliament building by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a symbol of righteousness and justice.
Su Venkatesan, who is also the State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), had sparked controversy by mocking the Sengol during his speech in the 18th Lok Sabha’s motion of thanks to the President. The MP from Madurai, a seat renowned for its historical and cultural significance, including being the abode of Goddess Meenakshi, questioned the relevance of the Sengol in modern parliamentary proceedings.
During his speech, Venkatesan ridiculed the symbolic narrative of the Sengol by comparing it unfavorably with historical kings known for their polygamous practices and opulent lifestyles. He questioned the symbolism of bringing the Sengol into the parliament, suggesting it was inappropriate due to historical associations of oppression.
“Do you know how many hundreds of women were kept as slaves by each king who held this Sengol? What are you trying to say to the women of the country by bringing and keeping the Sengol here? It is painful,” Venkatesan queried, adding that the gesture undermines the progress of women’s rights.
In a press conference held recently, Annamalai responded to Venkatesan’s remarks by showcasing a photograph of Venkatesan and Minister Palanivel Thiagarajan (PTR) handing over the Sengol to a woman mayor. Pointing to the photograph, Annamalai remarked, “In this picture, Su Venkatesan has handed over the Sengol to a woman mayor. Does this signify that he is enslaving this woman mayor? Tamil Nadu politicians are trying to find new logic and speak on it.”
Annamalai highlighted what he termed as political hypocrisy, noting that Venkatesan attended the event and handed the Sengol to a DMK mayor, yet criticized its placement in the parliament by PM Modi. “BJP is trying to call out such political hypocrisy,” Annamalai stated.
He further elaborated on the cultural and historical significance of the Sengol, referencing Thiruvalluvar, the revered Tamil poet and philosopher, who dedicated an entire chapter to the concept of Sengol in his seminal work, the Tirukkural. Annamalai reminded that the land has built statues for Thiruvalluvar, with initiatives led by leaders like Karunanidhi and first proposed by Eknath Ranade.
“Does Su Venkatesan’s stand signify that Thiruvalluvar is wrong?” Annamalai questioned. He expressed admiration for Venkatesan’s literary work but criticized him for aligning with the DMK’s stance, which Annamalai suggested was politically motivated due to electoral support in Madurai. “The people of Tamil Nadu are watching everything. They know who is doing progressive politics in Tamil Nadu,” Annamalai concluded.
