Thol. Thirumavalavan, the founder and Member of Parliament of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) party, is orchestrating a public gathering in Tiruchi on Republic Day, 26 January 2024, named “Vellum Sananayagam” (Democracy Will Win). This event marks the first public event of the I.N.D.I alliance.
Given this context, as reported by The Polimer News, a member of the VCK party caused disturbance at Vadapalani Hospital. The incident, which included an assault on security personnel and staff members, has generated significant concern among local residents.
The incident unfolded at Puttur Kattu Bone and Joint Centre Hospital in Vadapalani, Chennai. A man, accompanying a woman to the hospital, parked his bike, obstructing the way to the hospital. It is alleged that the security personnel on duty had advised the man not to park the bike by blocking the way and to park on the side, the enraged man entered the hospital and assaulted the on-duty guard.
Reports suggest that he not only made derogatory remarks about female employees intervening but also claimed affiliation with the VCK and made statements like, “Do you know who I am?”. He is reported to have gone to the VCK office nearby, bringing ten supporters who were preparing for the Vellum Sananayagam event. They entered the hospital, taunted and allegedly assaulted doctors and staff on duty.
Following a complaint filed by Dr. Aruna, an employee at the hospital, Vadapalani police secured CCTV footage and initiated an investigation. Additionally, the VCK party filed a complating alleging that the hospital staff had attacked them.
The CCTV footage was startling, especially considering the party’s claims of advocating for liberty, equality, and fraternity in its upcoming conference. The broad daylight assault by its members on hospital employees in the town’s central area is equally shocking.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
The passing out parade ceremony of Assam Police Commandos became a platform for Union Home Minister Amit Shah to announce a change in the Free Movement Regime (FMR) along the India-Myanmar border, stating that it will be secured akin to the Indo-Bangladesh border. This revelation comes amidst reports of escalating violence in Moreh, a town near the Myanmar border, resulting in the tragic death of a second Manipur Police commando.
"Indo-Myanmar border to be fenced to curb influx of illegal migrants, insurgents": Amit Shah in Guwahati
The deceased commando, Takhellambam Saileshwore, succumbed to injuries from an attack that took place, involving rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), leading to renewed concerns over the volatile situation. The unrest follows the recent arrest of two Kuki tribals, accused in the killing of a police officer, sparking protests and accusations against Manipur Police. Protests have been further fueled by allegations of attacks on Kuki tribes, prompting calls for central security forces to replace state personnel.
Amidst the turmoil, a poignant gesture of cross-border cooperation was witnessed as a fire engine from Myanmar rushed to help douse fires caused by the violence in Moreh. The incident highlights the significance of the Free Movement Regime (FMR), a policy in place since 1970, revived in 2016, allowing hill tribe members to cross the border with fewer checks.
The FMR originated on September 26, 1950, when the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs amended the passport rules of 1950 to allow citizens of India and Burma to move within 40 km of the border without carrying a passport or visa. Insurgent groups in India, such as the Nagas, Meitis, and Mizos, exploited this facility, crossing the border to Myanmar for arms training and returning to India to carry out terror attacks. Due to rising tensions, India introduced a permit system to cross the border in 1968, which remained in place for a long time. Following more such anti-national activities along this border, India was forced to reduce the 40 km limit to only 16 km in the year 2004. It was only in 2018 that the two nations signed an agreement to formalize the FMR, which had remained an informal agreement between the nations until then.
Since 2002, Assam Rifles, the Indian Army’s oldest paramilitary force, has been tasked with guarding the Indo-Myanmar border. The border had enjoyed “Free Movement Regime” (FMR) until now, allowing tribal people on both sides to travel up to 16 km inside each other’s territories without the need for a visa or passport.
Unfortunately, the FMR was misused by miscreants who fled to Myanmar after causing trouble in Indian states, especially Manipur. Another common complaint along the border was its support for the influx of illegal migrants, drug trafficking, and gold smuggling. Notably, Manipur had suspended the FMR in September 2022.
The tension in the region has prompted the Union government’s decision to end the FMR, causing concerns and opposition from Mizoram and Nagaland governments. The FMR initially introduced to facilitate the socio-economic ties of tribes residing across the border, has faced exploitation by insurgent groups. Attempts to address security issues have seen amendments in the FMR over the years.
India and Myanmar have a border stretching 1,643 kilometers, traversing through Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. With the potential scrapping of the Free Movement Regime (FMR), residents in the border regions will necessitate a visa for cross-border travel.
In the past three months, around 600 Myanmar soldiers reportedly sought refuge in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district after their camps were seized by Arakan Army militants, as per The Daily Guardian. Mizoram, with its 510-kilometer porous border with Myanmar, has experienced an influx of thousands of anti-Junta rebels since the military coup on February 1, 2021. Government estimates indicate that numerous refugees have settled in various parts of Mizoram post-coup.
The Manipur government contends that insurgents from Myanmar exploit the free movement regime for their activities, given that Manipur shares a 398-kilometer border with Myanmar. Arunachal Pradesh shares a 520-kilometer border with Myanmar, and Nagaland shares a 215-kilometer border with the country.
Moreover, the perspective was that the ongoing conflict in the state persisted because Kuki insurgents relocated Chin refugees to the protected and reserved forests of Manipur. They also aligned with mercenaries from Myanmar to conduct attacks on security personnel and civilians within the state. This blatantly violated the provisions outlined in the FMR.
The India-Myanmar border is poorly guarded and incidents of unauthorized border crossings persist. The recent policy shift, coupled with the volatile situation in Manipur and conflicting views among the states, underscores the complexities surrounding border security and regional stability.
In recent times, tensions along this border have been high. Reports have surfaced of Myanmarese army personnel crossing over to India for shelter, civilians from Myanmar seeking refuge in Mizoram and Manipur, and a Myanmar rebel group capturing an important town along the border. The BJP government, prioritizing the safety of citizens, has now addressed this border issue, ensuring that the people from the North-Eastern states can enjoy a more peaceful life.
Symbianian is a freelance writer.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
Any media outlet that creates content to fuel the North vs South divide has to be called out, shamed, and slammed. Such outlets include a news portal that claims to be practising the finest journalism in the South of India.
In an article titled ‘Why we did a TNM series on the southern echoes of the Ayodhya movement’, The News Minute’s Executive Editor Sudipto Mondal wrote why it is important to discuss how the South is better than the North, especially “emboldened saffron-clad activists to boldly walk up to our doorstep and demand our loyalty to their cause.”
What phoney poppycock are you selling to your readers, TNM?
There is no North vs. South divide, except in your imagination, which is desperate to be validated and rewarded by those who will happily watch this country disintegrate. It plays into the hands of forces that will look away when Hindus perish like “malaria-carrying pests.”
And how are you producing this article? Is it hard to write one decent piece that doesn’t contradict itself? You claim that there is a narrative that the South is less “casteist, sectarian, or patriarchal”, but follow that statement with “There is no easy way to answer these questions, not the least because social attitudes are hard to measure.” Then why are you backing this so-called narrative if you have no basis to measure or prove it?
You stated, “We are undoubtedly ahead in material terms: education, healthcare, infrastructure, industrial performance, employment and such. But it would be dishonest to attribute this imbalance to any inherent gap in intellect, ability or culture between north Indians and south Indians.”
Are you even aware of what’s happening in the country, or do you deliberately choose to keep your readers in the dark about how the northern states are performing? Uttar Pradesh has outpaced Tamil Nadu economically. It is the second-largest state in the country in terms of GDP share after Maharashtra. In education, it has the highest number of colleges in India, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Do you want to tell your readers how the Northern states, while becoming economically more robust, also spend significantly more on healthcare than some southern states? Honestly, you are quite capable of arguing that the Southern people need less money for health care owing to their fictitious superiority over the rest of India in “intellect, ability and culture”.
Your article also reflects your petty values that would much rather fuel these artificial differences than bridge differences across the country.
Before we move to the next problem, can I ask you not to publish garbage like, “Some would say we are more prosperous because we are more socially progressive?” Identify this “some”. Don’t leave your radioactively toxic ideas on the web and attribute them to nameless individuals. That’s cowardice journalism, not “finest journalism”.
Furthermore, why are you so shattered over the public support for Sri Ayodhya? Is it so unacceptable for you that a wounded civilisation is beginning to heal itself? The radicalised barbarians didn’t just attack the Hindus of Sarnath, Varanasi, Kashmir, and Ayodhya. They also brutally repressed the Hindus across Vindhyas just because they were Hindus.
Why don’t you, in the spirit of “finest journalism in south India”, report why the weak and old residents of Srirangam flocked the streets to welcome PM Modi before the Pran Prathistha ceremony? Do you want to write why this rare show of support was significant in Srirangam?
I don’t know if you are capable of taking this piece of advice. Still, I will give it to you for free – Remember that call for breaking up this country, especially the ones that changed the demography of a region by viciously persecuting Hindus, started with “Oh, but we are different than Hindus/Indians. Our ancestry is different”. This narrative precedes every single episode of Hindu genocides – whether it was in Kashmir, Bengal, Punjab, or any other border state in India.
Hindus went door-to-door in every district of the five southern states, reminding people to celebrate the temple’s inauguration in Sri Ayodhya because Sri Rama binds our civilisation together. His story is imprinted across this country and beyond, not just in North India.
Finally, I need help understanding if you people are irresponsible or vicious. For the sake of this profession, I will give you the benefit of the doubt and believe that you’re facing a “gap in intellect, ability and culture”, as you said. In that case, I suggest you reevaluate your editorial values and journalistic standards (if they exist somewhere).
Nandini is a former journalist who tracks media bias.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
During a recent press briefing, Annamalai, the President of the Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party, offered a sarcastic response to the resolutions adopted by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) 2nd Youth Wing Conference in Salem, delving into their historical context and mocking the dynasty politics associated with the DMK.
When the reporters asked about the DMK 2nd Youth Wing Conference in Salem, he replied, “In one minute I’ll say in a journalist’s style… As young sister hoisted the flag, brother happily sitting on the chair, the brother’s son praises, leaders who can be witnessed the dynasty politics have their hearts overwhelmed.. in a smooth way it has ended with mutton biriyani. This is to say in a sentence – as fas as the DMK youth wing conference is concerned, it was a total family affair – sister is hoisting flag (Kanimozhi), brother is up there (MK Stalin), brother’s son (Udhayanidhi Stalin) makes a speech, Duraimurugan’s son has next opportunity, then brother TR Baalu… Among the resolutions passed, does any one resolution have any merit?” Saying so, he explained the resolutions one by one.
Annamalai said “Education should be brought from concurrent list to state list… ok you’ve passed the resolution. Who moved it to the concurrent list in 1980? Did we add or I.N.D.I ally Congress? Congress added it. Indira Gandhi did it. After education was moved to concurrent list, how many times did DMK ally with Congress at the Centre? From 2004 to 2014 you were an ally for approximately 10 years. You did not speak about it then.
Today public health is in the state list. Modi has allocated nearly ₹19000 crores in these past 9 years. 15 medical college have come up, of these 11 medical colleges came up at the same time.”
He proceeded to expose the underlying motives for eliminating the post of governor and touched the issue of chancellor. He said, “The second resolution was to remove the post of governor. In 1996 what did Anbazhagan say? In the same resolution, you were saying “We don’t need governor posting; in all universities, we need Chief Minister as the Chancellor. In 1996, Anbazhagan was the minister of education, what did he speak in legislative assembly? If chief minister acts as chancellor of a university, the honour will be spoiled. So we are rejecting the resolution passed by the previous ADMK J Jayalalitha’s government. Chief Minister should not be Chancellor of a university – Anbazhagan said this in the legislative assembly in 1996. So are they saying Anbazhagan’s words are wrong? Is Udhayanidhi Stalin saying Anbazhagan is a fool? Why this resolution? You opposed this in 1996 legislative assembly.”
Subsequently, he revealed the intricacies of the political landscape surrounding the NEET issue. He further added, “They spoke about the exemption from NEET as the third resolution. When you journalists asked for the secret, Udhayanidhi Stalin took out an egg from his pocket and said that was the secret. It was confusing for us – are they calling themselves zero or are they saying that to me?
The biggest benefit from the youth wing conference at Salem is that all the dustbins are filled with signature cards against NEET. The cadre have thrown it away, you’ve covered that as well, why are they in the dustbins, because even DMK cadre’s children themselves have become doctors through NEET. Today while speaking at Thiruvudaimaruthoor I will list out the names for you. There are some DMK cadre whose children have become government doctors. They know very well that their children… leave out Jagathratchagan’s children, TR Baalu’s children leave them out. The cadre know that if their child has to become a doctor, it is possible through NEET and that is why those cards were in the dustbin.”
He then spoke about reclaiming the state’s rights. He explained, “You have been talking about this from 1967. have you spoke anything new about it? You started the party in 1949 and came to power in 1967, you kept repeating that you will retrieve state rights as it was your policy. Today retrieving the state from you people has become our policy. Today Bharatiya Janata Party’s policy is to retrieve Tamil Nadu from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, from the family, and from insolence”
Then he questioned about social justice in the party, “A few days prior to the conference, a sitting DMK MLA, his name too is Karunanidhi, in the residence of his son and daughter-in-law, a scheduled caste girl was been treated cruelly, burnt her with cooker, burnt her hands, beat her up, kicked her, tortured her. She somehow escaped and looking for justice from journalists, there was no FIR registered for 4 days. We fought for it and then you’ve registered case under SC/ST act. Why did you not arrest them? Will DMK wait till they get bail? The same thing happened with Cuddalore MP Ramesh. They killed someone bu putting them in their, did not arrest him for a month and then he got bail. What social justice are you are talking of? The Vengaivayal human excreta issue is already a year old, no arrest has taken place. If there is a party that has no right to speak about social justice, it is the DMK.”
Subsequently, he dismantled the system of family-centric politics, he said, “A single party should not rule. Udhayanidhi Stalin should understand our objective is one family should not rule. They’ve made that as resolution a single party should not rule. As far as India is considered, people are ready, the one party that will be in power is the Bharathiya Janata Party. We obtained majority in 2014, in 2019 with 303 seats, in 2024 we will cross 400 seats and obtain majority. People have decided to bring a single party to power, so that strong decisions can be taken, so that they can protect sovereignty of the country, only then foreign affairs will be strong. They can dream that a single party should not come to power but people have decided clearly.
In Robinson Park, on 17 September 1949, you started the party gathered cadres on 18 September in Robinson Park, Karunanidhi was the 28th speaker for DMK that day. He overtook 27 members totally capturing the party. Now the same family is sitting as speaker there.”
He emphasized that this strategy is outdated, likening it to stale savoury (mixture), “The Youth wing conference was a expired savoury, no one ate it. The dustbins filling up is their achievement. They filled the dustbins of Salem with NEET exemption signature cards.”
The foreign media has been spreading lies and half-truths about the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony, and BBC Tamil News channel has jumped into the fray. In a video posted on 22 January 2024, the channel had asked opinions from selected commoners in the Muslim community about the consecration ceremony. The opinion said by the people in the interview is biased against the construction of Ram Mandir, riddled with misinformation.
The video begins with a short history starting from the demolition of Babri Masjid until the construction of Ram Mandir on the site, mentioning that the ceremony happened at the time when the LS elections are closing in. The narrator then says they asked the opinion of Tamil Nadu Muslims on this issue. The list of the opinions shared by the commoners in the video is translated and given below:
A man named Sathakkathulla says, ‘We see this consecration as the right to worship of the Hindus. But at the same time, for us Muslims, we see this as a pain. Going a step ahead, the Sangh Parivar groups are saying they will destroy Kasi, Mathura and 3000 more places of worship. This creates fear in us. The international community should monitor this. We should believe that there is still democracy and justice in India and give us our right to worship.‘
Sirajuddin says, ‘In the year 2019 they gave the verdict. Even in that, they didn’t say there was Ramar temple in this place. It is also seen clearly that they destroyed the Babri Masjid and constructed the Ram Mandir there now. We can see that this betrayal is being celebrated today.‘
Mumtaj says, ‘This is injustice and betrayal against a particular community. 100% politics. Without Ramar and Babar BJP will not exist today. This is something what they have done for politics…to assume power, but I don’t see any ‘bhakthi’ towards Rama in this. No religion supports violence. On that basis, if Rama was here, he will not allow occupying the place of worship of another community. Even Hanuman will not allow this.‘
Nishana says, ‘We see this (Ram Mandir) as a building created out of the tears of Muslims. We view this as a great injustice to the Muslims. Whenever we see that building, we are reminded of the injustice done to the Muslims. We are reminded of every life killed there when we see that.‘
Abdhul Raheem says, ‘If you are celebrating the “Ram Jenma Bhumi” where a mosque was demolished, then all the Muslims all over the world we condemn this. We are not happy. Just because we are peaceful, the PM is saying we have agreed to this. But no true Muslim will agree to this.‘
Kaja Muhaideen says, ‘We are not sad about the temple or the Gods being worshipped because everybody has a different way of worshipping and faiths. But after saying that it is Babri Masjid through court and through misuse of your power you took it from us and in front of our eyes to prove your majoritarianism constructing a temple in that same place, we don’t agree to it soulfully. Whether you feel ashamed for it or not, but we do.’
Abdul Hakkeem says, ‘They are building a temple quickly and opening it. Only a particular group of people take part in it. The majority of the people are being ignored. Dalits, Islamists and the downtrodden are entirely ignored. Even the president has been ignored. As a commoner, I am asking, what happened to the mosque there? Why can’t you build a mosque there and open it along with the temple? We would have gone there happily. We could have participated in the consecration ceremony together. We expected a festival like that.‘
Benazir says, ‘I feel that the majority of the Hindus have been fooled. Because I see this (Ram Mandir) was constructed on lies. Because even if Rama came back and said I was not born here, “that crowd” will not believe that, is my instinct. This place of worship was created to make communal clashes and destroy the peace in the nation. Today everyone has some worship and nobody critics about the worship of the other person. The problem here is the demolition of the Babri Masjid mosque and the repeated lie that a temple was destroyed, and the mosque was built on it. Because of this (lie) the generations until now have been affected. The generations after this will also be affected is our concern.‘
While the majority of the Muslims in the nation has no animosity about the consecration festival, some media houses have been deliberately trying to flare up communal tensions by cherry-picking the sentiments of a handful of people and amplifying as the voice of the majority. However, due to the sensibilities of the Indian community, such efforts have been thwarted successfully.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
Renowned tech magnate Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, recently voiced his discontent with the existing structure of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), criticizing its longstanding inflexibility and advocating for a much-needed reform.
Musk’s comments have reignited discussions on the persistent desire for a permanent seat in the UNSC, a recognition he believes should be granted based on substantial contributions to its principles. Notably, India has served as a non-permanent member eight times.
This happened on 21 January 2024 during a debate initiated by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, “How can we accept that Africa still lacks a single Permanent Member in the Security Council? Institutions must reflect today’s world, not that of 80 years ago. September’s Summit of the Future will be an opportunity to consider global governance reforms & rebuild trust”.
In the thread Venture capitalist Michael Eisenberg suggested “And what about India? Better yet is to dismantle the UN and build something new with real leadership“.
Elon Musk added, “At some point, there needs to be a revision of the UN bodies. The problem is that those with excess power don’t want to give it up. It is absurd that India, despite being the most populous country on Earth, lacks a permanent seat on the Security Council. In my opinion, Africa collectively should also have a permanent seat.”
At some point, there needs to be a revision of the UN bodies.
Problem is that those with excess power don’t want to give it up.
India not having a permanent seat on the Security Council, despite being the most populous country on Earth, is absurd.
This echoes the sentiments previously expressed by UN General Assembly President Csaba Korosi, who deemed the UNSC in its current form “paralyzed and dysfunctional,” underscoring the urgency for reform in the world body’s highest decision-making panel.
It is noteworthy that, aside from China, the other Permanent Five (P5) countries have lent their support to India’s bid for a permanent seat in the UNSC on multiple occasions. President Joe Biden, in particular, has consistently advocated for India’s permanent representation, emphasizing this stance during a G20 meeting in India in September 2023. The UK has also reiterated its backing for India’s permanent role within the UN body.
Musk’s statement aligns with the broader critique asserting that the current composition of the UNSC does not accurately mirror the geopolitical realities of the 21st century. While Musk’s remarks may not directly shape UN policies, they contribute a prominent voice to the ongoing discourse on the imperative need for reform within UN structures. His statements have garnered attention and have added weight-age to stimulate further dialogue among the international community.
Challenges In Restructuring The United Nations:
The General Assembly faces significant internal divisions, with five negotiating groups among the 193 member countries often neutralizing one another. historically permanent members lacked enthusiasm for UN system reform, they now acknowledge its necessity, particularly concerning changes in the Security Council. Established in 1945 by the UN Charter, the UNSC consists of 15 members, including P5 and 10 non-permanent members serving two-year terms.
The effectiveness of the UNSC is hindered by its lack of representation, notably the absence of Africa with its 54 countries. Current global issues, complex and interconnected, suffer from a lack of geopolitical and geo-economic representation, excluding significant voices in the highest security council like India.
A critical issue revolves around the misuse of veto power, often criticized as a “self-chosen club of the privileged.” The special veto power, allows any of the five permanent members to block resolutions or decisions, hindering the Council’s ability to act in the current global security environment.
Geopolitical rivalries among the P5, including the United States, Russia, and China, further impede effective UNSC mechanisms to address global issues. Current examples, such as the Taiwan issue and the Russia-Ukraine war, underscore how internal rivalries hinder the Council’s ability to respond effectively.
A threat to state sovereignty arises from the UNSC’s role as the principal organ of international peacekeeping and conflict resolution. Unlike the General Assembly, UNSC decisions are binding on all member countries, potentially encroaching on a state’s sovereignty through actions like imposing sanctions.
In September 2022, India took steps toward UNSC reform by convening a meeting of the G4 and L69 groups in New York during the UN General Assembly, highlighting the ongoing efforts to address these reform challenges.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
Today marks the second remembrance day of R. Nagaswamy who passed away in 2022. He was a doyen of South Indian archaeology, epigraphy, and history who passed away on this day in 2022. He was the first person to undertake the archaeological research under the sea at ‘Poompuhar’ in Tamil Nadu, an ancient city lost to the sea. Not only that, but he has also had taken part in activities to preserve ancient inscriptions from the Chola and Chera periods.
However, he will be fondly remembered for the key role he played in bringing back the Chola era bronze Nataraja idol that was stolen from India and sold to a Canadian collector. The lawsuit began in 1986 in a special court in London and ended in 1990 during which the testimony given by R. Nagaswamy in the court was the key to swaying the judgement in favour of India to retain the idol. The judge Ian Kennedy described R. Nagaswamy as an unequalled expert in his subject and an acknowledged expert on Chola bronze sculptures.
The Padma Bhushan award-winning archaeologist rubbed the wrong side of the Dravidian stockists in 2019 when he said that Thirukkural had Vedic roots. This went against the dravidian stock ideology of ‘independent Tamil culture’ which supports their idea of separatism. Hence, the statement was not well received and R. Nagaswamy was on the receiving end of a coordinated attack. DMK Chief MK Stalin demanded the removal of the scholar from a committee of the Central Institute of Classical Tamil (CICT) for being ‘anti-Tamil’ and ‘distorting Tamil culture and history according to his whim’. He also went on to say that R. Nagaswamy has belittled Thiruvalluvar by claiming that the Thirukkural had its roots in the Vedas. However, R. Nagaswamy was unperturbed by these comments and replied to the DMK Chief in a statement as follows: “It is amusing that Stalin says I have belittled Thirukkural by asserting it was rooted in vedic tradition. This is not just my view, but the views of great scholars before me for the past 1,000 years. Parimelazhagar and other traditional commentators and western scholars … have said in no equivocal terms that Thirukkural has roots in the Vedas.” He further said, “I don’t think Stalin is even aware of 300 years of Tamil historical studies, thereby exposing himself and his ignorance of Tamil language among world Tamil scholars. I suggest he revise his appeal to the Government of India to save himself the embarrassment.”
His passing away was a great loss to Tamil Nadu and PM Modi expressed his condolences in English and Tamil posts on X. DMK MP Kanimozhi posted a condolence message as well, riddled with errors, and re-posted it with corrections.
We are indebted to doyens like R. Nagaswamy who have saved history from malicious distortions and presented it to the current generation as it is.
Symbianian is a freelance writer and a political buff.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
What does Rajinikanth's presence in Ayodhya mean after decades of Anti-Ram propaganda?
Actor Rajinikanth is one of the lucky few who could attend the Pran Prathishta ceremony in Ayodhya today. However, it wasn’t long ago when he advised his Hindu audiences about giving up their claim for Ram Janmabhoomi.
Just after the demolition of the Babri structure in 1992, Rajnikanth had a cameo in a film he produced called Valli (1993). Although the film was about a woman cheated on by her lover, the actor made it a point to insert agitprop messages discouraging the Hindus from pursuing the cause for Sri Rama’s birthplace.
Check out one of the scenes from the film in which he advises village folks to forgo their claim on Rama’s birthplace.
Translation – “What is the point of constructing Ram temple or mosque in Ayodhya? First, build the Ram temple and mosque in your heart. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Hindu, Christian, or Muslim; the day you think of yourselves as Indian first (and Hindu later) is the day this country will start to improve.”
So, the message is – Hindus practising their faith will impede the progress of this nation.
Did the Suryavanshi Thakurs of Ayodhya, who vowed that they would not wear a turban, neither use leather footwear, nor shield their heads with an umbrella till they liberated Bhagwan Ram’s home (even after fighting 76 battles – from Babur to the British) didn’t have Ram in their heart?
Rajinikanth’s suggestion to relegate their struggle to “inner religion and patriotism” is dismissive and insensitive.
For lame monkey-balancing, he also inserts the words “mosque” and “Muslims” in the dialogue. This trick conveniently covers the fact that the movement was for constructing a temple, not a mosque.
His messaging reeks of the same propaganda that the Left Liberals, Dravidianists and radical Abrahamics have been peddling against Hindus for decades – Give up your cause for the greater good. Your religion is only in your head, anyway.
This film, also produced by him, had a theatrical release when the watershed Ram Janmabhoomi movement led by Hindu outfits and the BJP was at its zenith and had culminated in the demolition of the Babri Masjid.
Here is a clip from one such film where Rajinikanth says that Ravana is a better gentleman than Rama.
“You’ve misunderstood Ravana. Not just you. Everybody (pointing at the camera towards the audience) has misunderstood Ravana. Ravana is a big man. I worship him. I am his disciple. Rekha, if Ravana wanted to dishonour Sita, neither he would’ve kept Sita in Ashoka Vanam nor he would’ve waited for her to have a change of heart. In my view, more than Rama, who separated from Sita, Ravana, who waited for his desired woman, is the true lover, fan and gentleman.”
And this messaging wasn’t limited to his earlier films alone. The actor’s recent films, too, promote unhealthy attitudes.
Rajinikanth calling Rama an “upper-caste” God in Kaala (2018)
Not too long ago, Rajinikanth starred in ‘Kaala’, a 2018 film about a community leader in Mumbai’s Dharavi and how he takes on a corrupt politician from the ‘Navbharat Nationalist Party’ or NNP.
The film has the same overused plot that Marxist-driven Bollywood films have been peddling for several decades. It is the story of a “leader of the masses” who will protect his poor community from greedy capitalist businessmen-politician nexus that wants to usurp their lands. The poor are Ambedkarites and Muslims, whereas the rich are practising Hindus who read the Ramayana.
About 15 minutes into the movie, Kaala’s wife, Selvi, screams at her son for being a “vegetarian” who won’t eat everything she can cook. She tells him to be more like his father, who eats beef lovingly.
One of Kaala and Selvi’s sons is called Lenin, and his neighbours call this boy a revolutionary leader. That’s correct – Kaala is happy to name his son after a traitor who used starvation, execution, and torture to kill more than eight million Russians.
Hindu festivals have been demonized shamelessly in this film. A young boy named Bhim is killed by the political leader Haridev Abhyankar’s henchmen on the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi. In return, Kaala kills Hari’s sidekick ‘Vishnu’ on the day of Ganapathi Visarjan.
In another problematic scene, Hari (played by Nana Patekar) listens to a recitation of Ramayana while his workers kill Dalits and Muslims in Kaala’s slum. So, Hindu festivals make Hindus more demonic?
What makes this scene worse is that it includes an unusual narration of Ramayana’s Yuddha Kaandam, which makes Raavanan look like an inspirational figure (while drawing parallels with Kaala). This narration serves as a backdrop to Kaala’s men fighting the mean, fair-skinned Hindutva politician’s goons.
Doesn’t this portrayal sound eerily similar to a party’s repeated messaging that Rama is an “upper-caste” God worshipped only by North Indians and Raavanan is the real hero for the Dravidian stock?
Notably, every villain in the film, including the main antagonist Hari, is a practising Hindu who proudly sports a ’tilakam’ on the forehead or wears the Rudraksham. It is hard not to notice a picture or idol of Sri Rama around villains.
Hari frequently talks about Krishna and Rama while justifying his evil deeds. But Kaala threatens him, “If stealing my land is your God’s Dharma, then I won’t spare your God either.”
Now, imagine if the villain were from any other religion. Would Kaala have used a similar language and tone? Furthermore, if this Kaala’s attitude towards Dharma, is he even capable of understanding what the Pran-Prathistha meant to millions of Hindus?
Audiences are already calling out similar scenes in Bollywood films for portraying Hinduism as the religion of criminals and barbarians. It is not okay to show that listening to Ramayana and celebrating Dharmic festivals makes Hindus demonic, criminal, and anti-Dalits. The truth is it is the conversion mafia that commonly uses such narratives to mislead susceptible minds.
We didn’t miss noticing that Kaala is intelligent enough not to promote offensive messages against Muslims. He does namaaz with them, has the best friendships, and even has a Muslim ex-fiance. It goes without saying that in this film, the good guys belong to just one faith, and all the bad guys are from another religion that worships Rama.
Kaala even swears by ‘Khuda’ while threatening the NPP leader. So, it is okay for true Tamil lovers to learn Urdu and Islam, but it is not acceptable for them to watch Hindi shows, practice vegetarianism, and worship Rama.
And guess what? This film was produced by Wunderbar Studios, the production house of his son-in-law Dhanush, who also attended the Ram Mandir consecration.
Petta (2019)
In 2018, Rajinikanth and Sun Pictures again collaborated for Petta, directed by Karthik Subbaraj, a known symsympathizer LTTE and naxals like Daniel Gandhi. Petta, too, took potshots at Hindutva, showing anyone with a tilak on a forehead as a religious bigot. On the other hand, Rajini helped Anwar get married to Anu.
Both Kaala and Petta came at a time when Tamil Nadu anti-Modi and anti-Hindutva sentiments were being brewed, thanks to the toiling efforts of the DMK and allies that used every opportunity to portray Modi as anti-Tamil. Tamil people have been the biggest beneficiaries of the Centre’s efforts.
And it looks like Rajinikanth isn’t going to stop there.
Upcoming Woke Projects
Just a month after the furore over the crowd in Ahmedabad chanting Jai Sri Ram as Muhammad Rizwan during the India-Pakistan World Cup match, a trailer of Rajinikanth’s upcoming movie was released on 12 November 2023.
Rajinikanth plays Moideen Bhai, the good Muslim, while another villain (Adithya Menon) is portrayed with a nice red tilak.
A dialogue uttered by Moideen Bhai, looking to the side where saffron-shawl-clad Senthil stands, says, “What have you guys done? You’ve mixed politics with religion! You’ve injected venom in the kids playing!”
Will there be a scene showing Muslim players performing namaz on the ground like the Pakistani players? We’ll know the answer soon, but we can safely presume it given that Udhayanidhi Stalin’s Red Giants are releasing the film.
On 2 March 2023, Lyca Productions announced Rajinikanth’s next film, Vettaiyan, directed by TJ Gnanavel of ‘Jai Bhim’ fame.
The makers of the Jai Bhim movie found themselves facing heat after they were caught red-handed peddling false propaganda and trying to create a rift between different communities. In the film, which revolves around the custodial death of a tribal man, the sub-inspector who is responsible for the death of members from the Irular community is shown as a person belonging to the Vanniyar community with their sacred motif ‘Agni’ being situated in the frame. While the film-makers chose to retain the name of former Justice K. Chandru for Suriya’s character, they deliberately distorted facts, showing the inspector as a Hindu Vanniyar when the sub-inspector was a Dalit Christian.
Admittedly, we can’t expect every actor to control the script of his film. Sometimes, actors in their early stages have no choice but to accept whatever scripts come their way. However, Rajinikanth is not an ordinary or struggling actor. He is widely popular, and his fans take his messages seriously. He is in a position to choose scripts and even make directors modify the script to convey the message he wants. But he didn’t. He CHOSE TO DO Kaala. He CHOSE to demonize Ram Bhakts. The well-paid actor CHOSE TO DO Petta, which attempted to show Bajrang Dal in a poor light. Even with a successful filmography, he has CHOSEN TO DO Lal Salaam. He has CHOSEN TO DO a film with another Letist-Dravidianist propagandist. Giving him the benefit of the doubt would be akin to making a fool of ourselves.
Rajinikanth may be a spiritual, god-fearing person who today speaks of justice being done after 500 years when discussing the consecration of Ram Mandir.
But his real life and reel life cannot be seen in isolation.
Jayasri Viswanathan is a journalist and columnist who observes how media and popular culture engage with Hindu society. She has written criticism of propaganda movies for Gems of Bollywood.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
During a recent press meeting, the chief of the Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (TNBJP) Annamalai said, “We witnessed the Pran Prathishta ceremony of Ram Lalla, marking a historic event that has been waited for 500 years with unwavering perseverance. The desire to establish a place for Ram Lala in Ayodhya has finally been fulfilled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. It is truly overwhelming to be part of this moment, and we feel blessed to have witnessed it. Simultaneously, it’s essential to acknowledge the sacrifices made by many for this cause.”
He also highlighted,“One remarkable example is an elderly woman who chose not to speak until the temple was constructed. Additionally, the Suryavanshi community took a solemn vow not to wear footwear and turbans until this significant moment. The intricately crafted Ram Lalla in Ayodhya was created by Arun Yogiraj from Mysore, Karnataka.”
Annamalai shared insights into Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visits to Srirangam, emphasizing the connection between Ayodhya, Rama, and the Ramanathaswamy Temple. Annamalai also highlighted Modi’s deep respect for the cultural ties between Tamil Nadu and Lord Rama of Ayodhya, mentioning that Modi listened to Kamba Ramayanam in Srirangam with utmost reverence, reflecting on its significance. “In this way, Narendra Modi has strengthened the bond between Tamil culture and the legacy of Lord Rama in Ayodhya,” he added.
Annamalai stated, “The construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has been a longstanding goal of the BJP, and we have successfully achieved it through legal and peaceful means. Today, the installation of Ram Lalla took place, and I had the privilege of attending the Pran Prathishta ceremony at Gopalapuram Venugopalaswamy Temple, feeling truly blessed.”
Annamalai said, “It is crucial to highlight today’s events, especially considering the obstacles faced by the people of Tamil Nadu, who had to engage in a legal battle in both the Chennai High Court and the Supreme Court to obtain permission to witness the Pran Prathishta ceremony, owing to opposition from the DMK. The legal fight was spearheaded by the BJP, and we emerged victorious. Consequently, people across Tamil Nadu were able to watch the live screening of the ceremony, accompanied by Ram Bhajans.”
Annamalai elaborated on the petition filed by the TN BJP in response to a press question, stating, “The petition, filed by Vinoj Selvam of the BJP, mentioned oral instructions given to HR&CE of Tamil Nadu to halt live screening. Another point in the petition highlighted that the Tamil Nadu Police did not permit live screening, and written orders were attached to the petition. The judges scrutinized the documents and questioned the Tamil Nadu government, to which they responded, “We did not halt live screening; no such instructions were given.” Our lawyers argued that certain written instructions to the police cited the presence of Muslims and Christians in society as reasons for denial. The judges condemned this stance, insisting on full permission. Furthermore, they expressed the court’s intention to examine the written instructions provided by the government. The Madras High Court also questioned the government, asking, “Why should they seek permission to screen in private places?” Annamalai said, “It appears that the Tamil Nadu government acted in a dictatorial manner to prevent the live screening of the ceremony.”
When asked about Rahul Gandhi, Annamalai remarked that Rahul Gandhi is like Amar, Akbar, and Antony, shifting between these personas during election times. He highlighted a recent video where Rahul Gandhi expresses frustration towards those shouting “Jai Shri Ram” and “Modi, Modi.” Annamalai advised Rahul Gandhi not to get upset about such expressions.
Furthermore, Annamalai clarified that there is no political motive behind attending the Pran Prathishta screening at Gopalapuram Temple; rather, he was invited with love by the temple trustees. He emphasized that the developments of the day was another example of the ineffectiveness of the HR&CE department in Tamil Nadu. “TNBJP is also against collecting money for darshan and VIP darshan” and Annamalai stated that when the BJP comes to power in Tamil Nadu in 2026 with people support, they plan to abolish the HR&CE department.
In response to Stalin’s jibes against Modi at the Salem Youth Wing conference, Annamalai predicted that the 2024 elections would mark the beginning of the downfall of the DMK. He noted that during 2014, the DMK only secured a 20% vote bank when Karunanidhi was still active, and now, with Karunanidhi gone, he believes Stalin lacks his father’s talent. Annamalai also confidently stated that the 2024 elections will be the beginning of the downfall of the DMK. Annamalai also refuted the false claims of DMK MP Kanimozhi regarding the Ram Temple Pran Prathishta invitation, stating that the invitation was indeed extended to the President, and she had written to Modi expressing her intention to visit the temple.
Addressing the claims of MP Dayanidhi Maran that the use of cellphones is due to Karunanidhi, Annamalai humorously remarked that a conference was organized just to propagate lies, and if one were to count them, it would sum up to 500 lies. Finally, Annamalai confidently stated,” In the 2024 election, the PM would secure power for the third time with over 400 seats, including a significant victory in Tamil Nadu.”
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
Peddling narratives is a familiar practice for The News Minute (TNM) and their ilk. This time, it not only opened Pandora’s box of the famous preamble but also highlighted Malayalam film stars in the industry who shared images of the preamble of the constitution. This happened on 22 January 2024 the day when the nation was preoccupied with celebrating Pran Prathishta and sharing images of the child Ram across the internet.
TNM declared that this action serves as a recall on the day when the Bharatiya Janata Party appears to have delivered on one of its prominent Hindutva pledges, juxtaposed against the foundational principles of secularism, socialism, and democracy embedded in the Constitution.
The edited version of the Preamble of the Constitution proclaims:
“WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:
JUSTICE, social, economic and political;
LIBERTY of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship;
EQUALITY of status and of opportunity and to promote among them all;
FRATERNITY assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation;
IN OUR CONSTITUENT ASSEMBLY this twenty-sixth day of November, 1949 do HEREBY ADOPT, ENACT AND GIVE TO OURSELVES THIS CONSTITUTION.”
The Constituent Assembly extensively deliberated on the Preamble of the Constitution on 17 October 1949. The discussions revolved around crucial topics such as the name of India and the potential inclusion of elements like God, Gandhi, and the Union of Indian Socialistic Republics. Despite numerous proposed amendments by members, these suggestions were either withdrawn or rejected. Ultimately, the Constituent Assembly decided to adopt the Preamble in the form presented to the Drafting Committee. It’s important to note that the concepts of Socialist, Secular, Unity and Integrity of the Nation were introduced during the dark days of the emergency era of Indira Gandhi through the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976.
In a discussion during the Constituent Assembly, Prof. K. T. Shah proposed an amendment to include the term “socialist” in the Preamble of the Constitution. He expressed that socialism, as implied by the amendment, aimed at ensuring equal justice, equal opportunity, and contributions from every individual to their maximum capacity, with an assurance of meeting everyone’s needs for a decent civilized existence. He emphasized that this could be achieved without resorting to violent revolutions. Prof. Shah argued that socialism, as the only just order, would eliminate class privileges and restore natural rights. He saw no objection to describing the Union as a “Socialist Union of States.”
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar opposed the amendment, asserting that the Constitution is a mechanism for regulating state organs, not for prescribing a particular social organization. He argued against fixing a specific social form in the Constitution, as it would impede the people’s liberty to decide their societal structure based on changing circumstances. Ambedkar also pointed out that socialist principles were already incorporated in the directive principles of state policy outlined in the Constitution. He considered Prof. Shah’s amendment superfluous.
When discussing the concept of secularism, the understanding varies across different regions. In the United States, secularism entails the coexistence of the state and the church within the same human society without direct involvement with each other. In Europe, secularism has evolved as the rejection of all things religious, particularly in the realm of political functioning. Conversely, in India, secularism takes on a different meaning, emphasizing equal respect for all religions. In the Indian context, a ‘secular state’ safeguards all religions impartially and does not endorse any specific religion as the state’s official religion.
The question arises: Is India genuinely secular? If we examine the fundamental tenets of secularism as understood in the West, it implies that the state should not be intertwined with religion, and there should be no discrimination among citizens based on their religion or mode of worship, ensuring equality before the law for everyone. However, in India, this strict interpretation of secularism is challenged by the existence of distinct sets of laws for different communities. For example, the Muslim community has the Waqf Board overseeing their religious properties, while Hindu temples are administered by the respective state governments. Additionally, concessions granted to specific communities based on religion seem to contradict the theory of secularism, potentially fostering increased majority communalism despite Article 44 urging the state to establish a uniform civil code.
In the ceremony for the inauguration of the Ram Temple in India today, the government was not involved in any financial matters such as investment or collection, aligning with secular principles. The event encouraged participation from all members, irrespective of their religious beliefs, caste, gender, or political affiliations.
Is it inappropriate for the Prime Minister or President of India to participate in a temple ceremony? Does such participation convey an endorsement of only Hindu Dharma?
Representing the diverse spirit of the new India, people from various walks of life, including Christian community and Sikhs like Harbhajan Singh, actively participated in the ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremony, highlighting the nation’s collective commitment to humanity. Dr. Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief Imam of the All India Imam Organization, emphasized the overarching importance of humanity and the nation, stating, “For us, the nation is first.”
The primary contributors to the Ram Temple were individuals from across the country who generously donated to the temple organization. Therefore, it is unfounded to use the preamble as a basis for criticizing the temple’s inauguration.
In reaction to the festivities, the actions taken by the political coalition I.N.D.I, such as the revocation of the Sanadhana and the refusal of invitations, emphasizing minority appeasement, are currently perceived as a political strategy against the Hindu community. The utilization of celebrities in these tactics is considered inexpensive and has ultimately resulted in negative consequences for the coalition.
Contrary to the accusations circulated, valuable lessons are being imparted to pseudo-secular leftists through their thought-provoking posts.
A netizen shared Dr. Subramanian Swamy’s narration of how the terms “Socialist” and “Secular” were included in the constitution.
The two words 'Secularism' and 'Socialism' were added by the Indira Gandhi govt.
People quoting the Preamble today should watch this.
Another video was posted showcasing Non-Resident Indians (NRI) expressing pride in their Hindu identity.
One of the best videos I watched today💗 Our Preamble 🚩 🇮🇳. We are Hindu.. Of course we have been cheated in the name of secularism. We are proud, Unapologetic Hindus. Say जय श्री राम, If you believe in true secularism and not selectively one 🙏🚩 https://t.co/eSQwQWxMArpic.twitter.com/Iskv2GUaHy
— 😇आत्मदर्शी ✨मोदी का परिवार (@dha_kar_mika181) January 22, 2024
Satheesh is a freelance writer.
Subscribe to our channels on Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.
