Home Blog Page 997

United States of Dravidian Republic: DMK Leader Calls For Secession Of South States From India

The DMK, which has a history of demanding a separate ‘Dravida Nadu’ since its inception, has once again resorted to stoking separatism.

In the latest instance, the State Deputy Secretary of the party’s IT wing, has called for secession of all southern states to form a separate country called ‘United States of Dravidian Republic’.

On 16 February 2023, an anonymous account on Twitter posted a picture marking the 5 southern states and tagged the Prime Minister’s handle saying that the 5 southern states should be declared as a different country.

“I request our honourable pm @narendramodi to declare these south states as different country they don’t deserve to stay in our beautiful country plz modiji !..”, the handle had written.

Responding to this, DMK IT Wing Deputy Secretary Isai said that it is time for a “United States of Dravidian Republic”.

This is not the first time that the DMK has stoked separatism after it came to power in May 2021.

On 10 July 2021, just over a month since it came to power, the DMK IT wing’s official Twitter account quoted late former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Annadurai, saying that the demand for a separate “Dravida Nadu” is still relevant.

DMK Higher Education Minister Ponmudi stirred controversy after he said that omitting the slogan “Jai Hind” is a timely change. In an interview with Thanthi TV’s Kelvikenna Bathil programme, Tamil Nadu Minister Ponmudi remarked that omitting the word “Jai Hind” in the Governor’s address to the Tamil Assembly is a timely move, and questioned what is wrong with not saying “Jai Hind.” He added that it was Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin’s decision to avoid using ‘Jai Hind.’ He said that, aside from the fact that the slogan ‘Jai Hind’ is in Hindi, the DMK have other reservations about adopting the slogan, which the minister never disclosed in the interview.

He also added that India was created only by the integration of 562 independent countries during independence and that it did not exist prior to then. The Minister went on to add that the claim that India created states for administrative convenience is incorrect, and that India was formed only by the integration of many countries.

The DMK’s separatist tweet came after numerous BJP leaders began attacking the DMK started referring the Central Government as ‘Ondriya Arasu’, which has separatist undertones which was retorted by BJP by tacitly supporting calls for carving out Kongu Naadu from Tamil Nadu.

In another instance, Vanniarasu, a leader of DMK alliance partner Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), had given a clarion call for making Tamil Nadu a separate nation from India. The VCK leader made the separatist call while addressing an event held in remembrance of Senkodi, the woman who self-immolated seeking the release of terrorists convicted of killing former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

https://twitter.com/VanniArasu_VCK/status/1564209409785741313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1564209409785741313%7Ctwgr%5E4380f7eaa3280a7788b05323439a5af3e2769f30%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthecommunemag.com%2Flets-make-tn-a-separate-nation-from-indian-union-dmk-ally-vck-leader-stokes-separatism%2F

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Is There A Nexus Between DMK & The Christian Missionary NGO That Tortured Its Inmates At Its ‘Home’?

More shocking and horrific news about the Christian Home ‘Anbu Jothi Ashramam’ and its owners B Jubin and J Maria emerges every day, with several accusing them of organ trafficking in addition to rape and murder charges.

On 13 February 2023, Tamil Nadu Police arrested the owners of Anbu Jothi Ashramam, B Jubin, and J Maria, on several charges, including rape, in a village in the Vizhuppuram district, based on a complaint filed by Salim Khan, whose father-in-law residing in the Ashram has been missing since August 2021.

Warden Muthumaari, a computer operator, Gopinath, an attendant, and driver Biju have also been booked.

With the assistance of volunteers, 142 survivors were rescued from the home. Survivors claimed that they were subjected to a range of different sufferings, including rape, torture after being chained and being left to be attacked by the monkeys they tamed. The team discovered that at least 15 of the inmates were missing and had no records, while those who remained in the home had contusions, bruises, and blood clots on their bodies and complained of torture and sexual assault.

This is not the first time Jubin and his associates have been arrested on serious charges by Tamil Nadu Police.

Abduct, Tonsure And Torture

Earlier in July 2022, The Commune had reported about 200 innocent people who were illegally abducted and held captive by different NGOs run by Christian missionaries. It was reported that these people were abducted for harvesting their organs to be sold in the illegal organ racket.

On 30 July 2022, a case was registered and six people were arrested which includes – B Jubin (Anbu Ashram, Vizhupuram); K. George (Paralogathin Pathai Trust, Chennai); V Balachandran (Meetpu Trust, Dharmapuri); C Arun (Anbu Jothi Ashram, Chennai); Symon Senthilkumar (Adaikkala Karangal, Coimbatore); Selvin (Pugalidam Trust, Chennai).

Jubin, the main suspect, was accused of abducting old people and destitutes from Coimbatore roads and housing them in a building belonging to the ‘Blesss India Children Home’ in Attukal near Thondamuthur, which was closed in 2015 due to violations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Around 200 innocent people were rescued after being illegally abducted and held captive by various NGOs run by Christian missionaries, including Jubin’s Anbu Jothi Ashram, following the intervention of Coimbatore BJP cadres led by BJP Coimbatore district president Balaji Uthamaramasamy and a social activist named Kishore.

Modus Operandi Of Abduction

Locals in Vizhupuram claimed that Anbu Jothi Ashram, an unregistered home, used to hire a van and pick up destitute people in Vizhuppuram, luring them with three meals a day and a decent job under a safe roof.

In Coimbatore, similar method was used to abduct destitutes.  Natraj, a victim from Coimbatore, stated that four men forced him into the vehicle as he was returning from Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital. Another person who was waiting to get free lunch provided by some NGOs was forcibly taken into a vehicle, tonsured, and kept captive at the shelter. A man who had gone to pay school fees for his son was abducted when he was waiting for a bus to go to Pollachi.

A man who had come from Jharkhand to Coimbatore for work was abducted at the railway station. The NGO members burnt the PAN card, Aadhaar card, and the cash that he had. Many others who were detained claimed that the NGO took their belongings and documents, such as Aadhaar, PAN cards, and driving licences, and destroyed them.

When the people resisted, the NGO members allegedly told them that they could go to any police station they wanted and that nothing would happen. The illegal detention in Coimbatore came to light after the neighbourhood heard distressing cries from the building.

In another case, an elderly woman was abducted while sitting in a temple near her home in Kalveerampalayam, Marudamalai. The old lady’s relatives searched for and caught the vehicle, while the NGO members shaved her head, gave her only a nightie, and burned the clothes she was wearing.

The culprit Jubin was apprehended along with the vehicle used in the abduction. When confronted by the old lady’s relatives, Jubin stated, “I have obtained permission from the Superintendent of Police office to transfer destitute, mentally challenged people, and physically disabled people to Vizhuppuram.”

Christian Missionaries And Tamil Nadu Police Nexus

Prior to being arrested on 30 July 2022, Anbu Jothi Ashramam, led by Jubin and other Christian missionaries, had received support from Tamil Nadu police in the name of rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

The Coimbatore City Police Anti-Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), led by City Police Commissioner V. Balakrishnan and AHTU Inspector R. Roslin, assisted eleven Christian missionary NGOs and trusts in transferring homeless people in the name of rescue efforts.

Adaikala Karangal, Anbu Jothi Ashram, Pasi Illa Tamilaham, Meetpu Trust, Paralogathin Pathai, Karunai Ullangal, Home for Hope, Atchayam Trust, United India, St. Joseph’s Hospice, and Saranaalayam were among the Christian missionary NGOs involved in the incident in Coimbatore.

Anbu Jothi Ashram Had Associated With Chennai Police Too

Under the Karunai Payanam initiative, the Greater Chennai Police Department collaborated with various NGOs to reunite mentally ill destitute found in various parts of the state with their families through Apna Ghar, an NGO in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. So far, 466 people have been sent to Rajasthan as part of the initiative.

Other Christian missionary organisations, including Jubin’s Anbu Jothi Ashramam, were involved in the Karunai Payanam initiative, which relocated homeless people from Chennai. However, the Greater Chennai Police Department has now stated that the Anbu Jothi Ashram NGO has been blacklisted and that they had only affiliated with them only for the Karunai Payanam initiative.

According to the Times of India, Jubin was photographed with DMK Minister PK Sekhar Babu and Chennai City Police Commissioner Shankar Jiwal. They also quoted a police officer as saying, “We checked his (Jubin’s) background and he did not have any criminal record. All the NGOs had taken pictures with the commissioner as they worked for a good cause.”

How and when was Jubin released who was earlier arrested in July 2022 on the same charges of illegally detaining and torturing people?

Given Jubin’s ties to top DMK leaders and police officers, people are concerned that if a thorough, non-biased investigation will be conducted in this case against Christian Home, given the DMK government’s murky track record of supporting problematic institutions in the past.

DMK Govt And Christian Missionaries

A group of Christian missionary organisations grouped together and launched the ‘Pasiyilla Tamizhagam’ initiative, in which homeless, destitute, mentally challenged, and other state people stranded in Tamil Nadu were transferred to their home state.

Along with top police officials, DMK Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) P. Sekarbabu was seen at the inauguration function of the ‘Pasi Illa Tamizhagam’ initiative, started by the Jubin of Anbu Jothi Illam.

Following the revelation of the incident of torture, rape and sexual assault, the Greater Chennai Police Department has distanced itself from the contentious Christian Missionary, stating that the NGO has been blacklisted.

Though the accused Jubin was arrested by Tamil Nadu police in Coimbatore in July 2022 after being caught red-handed while attempting to transfer homeless elderly people, he was released the next day and continued to engage in similar activities in other districts. This called into question the Tamil Nadu government’s credibility in handling the case without interference from Christian missionaries.

It is worth noting that Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai alleged that Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Davidson Devasirvatham has close links with Christian Missionary groups and is working with an agenda of promoting a particular religion in the southern part of the state.

In another incident in the past, DMK MLA Inigo Irudayaraj felicitated the accused Sagaya Mary, who was allegedly involved in the suicide of 17-year-old schoolgirl Lavanya, when she came out on bail. Appavu, the Speaker of the Tamil Nadu Assembly and a DMK MLA who is expected to be impartial, stated in a Christian meeting that the DMK government was formed because of Christians. The DMK’s track record of going above and beyond the law to support Christian Missionaries is well known to the public.

The Need For CBI Investigation

Given that DMK Minister Sekarbabu, Coimbatore Commissioner Balakrishnan, and Chennai City Commissioner have all been linked to the Christian NGO Anbu Jothi Illam, Tamil Nadu BJP President Annamalai has demanded that the CBI investigate the case.

In a letter addressed to Union Home Minister Amith Shah, Annamalai said, “During the investigation, fake authorisation letters from police authorising the Ashram to bury dead bodies were found along with several incriminating pieces of evidence. It has also come to light that there are links to this trafficking network in Karnataka & Rajasthan.”

He added, “The couple has run this home since 2005, and unfortunately, illegal activity run by the couple Jubin Mary & Maria has gone unnoticed all these years. In 2021, 15 inmates moved from the Ashram in Villupuram were transferred to ARK Mission of India at KRC Road Doddagubbi, Bangalore, and all these 15 inmates are missing. This is a suspected case of organ trafficking, as no genuine records are maintained for these transfers and death in many cases.”

According to Annamalai, the CBI should look into the case given that DMK leaders and the NGO Anbu Jothi Ashram were involved in moving 160 homeless people to Rajasthan and there have been numerous allegations of human organ trafficking involving more than three states.

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Adiyogi Ratham Reaches Isha After Traveling Across 500 Villages In 7 TN districts

63 Nayanmars arrived in the chariot along with Adiyogi after passing through more than 500 villages of Tamil Nadu. They were accorded a grand welcome at Isha Yoga Center yesterday (Feb. 17) with music and dance.

On the occasion of Mahashivratri, Adiyogi Ratha Yatra is conducted annually by Shiva devotees on behalf of Thenkailaya Bhakti Peravai. As part of this, devotees pulled the chariot with Adiyogi Thirumeni and a chariot with 63 Panchaloka Thirumenis of Nayanmars as part of their pilgrimage walking from Chennai to Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore.

The 63 chariots were created exclusively for the Panchaloka Thirumenis of the 63 Nayanmars. Processions carrying Nayanmars in chariots took place in a select number of towns.

The devotees covering 640 kilometers through 7 districts and more than 500 villages in 28 days reached Alandurai in Coimbatore yesterday. A large number of villagers welcomed the pilgrims with a grand music offering. After reaching the Isha Yoga Center, the devotees dripping with devotional ecstasy carried the 63 Thirumenis on separate palanquins. Isha volunteers, villagers and tribal took turns carrying the palanquins on their shoulders and walked blissfully from Adiyogi to Dhyanlinga.

Adiyogi Rath Yatra, which was also carried out in places including- Bangalore, Nagercoil, Pudukottai, Pollachi, and others, reached Isha yesterday. The pilgrims will culminate the Yatra after the trek to the sacred Velliangiri mountain. They will also join the grand Mahashivratri celebration at Isha scheduled tomorrow.

(This is an official press release from Isha Foundation. The Commune was not involved in creating this content.)

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Plea In Supreme Court Against Hate Speeches & Hate Crimes Targeting Hindus

"Let The Past Not Haunt The Future": Supreme Court To Hear Challenges To Places Of Worship Act supreme court allahabad high court panchayat recount vantara waqf amendment posh babri masjid facebook post

Just on the heels of the Supreme Court pro-actively ordering the Maharashtra government to ensure that no hate speeches are made at the “Hindu Jan Akrosh Morcha” in Mumbai last week, a Hindu organisation has moved the Supreme Court seeking action on a compilation of scores of hate speeches made by Muslim and Christian leaders against Hindus and Hinduism. It is noteworthy here that Hindu leaders are singularly targeted as hatemongers when in fact, most of the time their speeches are given as a counter to the rabid hate speeches by jihadists calling for the killing of Hindus in India or abusing Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Justice K M Joseph headed bench had reportedly directed the Maharashtra government to ensure that no hate speeches were made at the rally and to video-graph the event and take action against anyone indulging in hate speech. Interestingly, the petition was filed by a Kerala resident and not someone from Maharashtra. So, when Solicitor General Tushar Mehta pointed out that a person from Kerala is being apprehensive without knowing what is happening in Mumbai, Justice Joseph replied that anyone could file the petition.

A Lucknow-based NGO named, “Hindu Front for Justice” headed by Ranjana Agnihotri inspired by the Supreme Court’s enthusiastic preemptive stance to put an end to ‘hate speech’ in the country, has moved a petition for similar directions to protect Hindus from routine hate speeches made by rabid jihadi Islamists and evangelist Christian missionaries.

Advocate Vishnu Jain, filing the plea for the petitioner listed out the horrifying Sar Tan Se Juda (beheading calls) processions taken out by Muslims brazenly to terrorize Hindu community at various places in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

The plea also provided evidence of recent hate speeches made by Bihar education minister Chandrashekhar Yadav against Ramcharit Manas. The plea further listed the virulent hate speeches inciting violence against Hindus delivered in the last two years by Peerzada Taha Siddiqui of Furfura Sharif, Hooghly, West Bengal; Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan; Asaduddin Owaisi; Maulana Ilyas Sharafuddin; Ajmer Dargah khadims Syed Aaadil Chisti and Syed Sarwar Chisti; AAP MLA Amanutallah Khan; and Waris Pathan.

The petition also provided evidence of hate speeches by Christian evangelist pastor George Ponnaiah; preacher Mohan C Lazarus and Bishop Ezra Sargunum of Tamil Nadu. The petition also provided details about the mocking of Hindu Gods and Goddesses under the garb of comedy by stand-up comedians like Mnawar Faruqui, Alexander Babu, Aadar Malik, Surleen Kaur and Sanjay Rajoura.

Notably, the Supreme Court had questioned the Delhi police recently for the delay in action and investigation into the FIRs lodged against those who had delivered alleged ‘hate speeches’ at a Dharam Sansad organized in Delhi in December 2021 and ordered it to complete the probe and file chargesheet expeditiously. Pertinently, the Delhi Police had earlier in the Delhi ‘Dharam Sansad’ case filed an Affidavit stating that there was no actionable evidence in the content of the speeches and proceedings at the event. On the insistence of the Supreme Court, the Delhi Police strangely changed its stance and filed an FIR five months later on the incident in May 2022. Suresh Chavhanke, the Chief Editor of Sudarshan News and one of the accused in the case, has stated in his defence that he only took a vow for Hindu Rashtra in the name of Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj and there was no call for violence made against any religious community nor were any weapons brandished in the event.

Coming back to the plea filed by the Hindu NGO, in addition to the hate speeches it also listed 17 instances of hate crimes against Hindus, including the barbaric beheading of Kanhaiyalal, an innocent tailor in Rajasthan for merely forwarding a post supporting Nupur Sharma’s alleged statement on Mohammed and Ayesha’s marriage. Pertinently in the Nupur Sharma case, while Nupur Sharma is forced to go into hiding and shun public life due to the incessant violent beheading and gang-rape threats, given to her not only from Islamist jihadists in India but from the world over, Tasleem Rahmani who originally abused the Shivlinga found in Gyanvapi mosque and provoked Nupur Sharma to make the alleged statements on Mohammad is happily roaming free and continuing to spew venom in several national TV channel debates.

The Hinduphobic left-liberal media and leftist intellectuals that habitually hop to the Supreme Court at the drop of a hat and outrage on so-called ‘intolerant Hindus’, brush under the carpet this incessant provocative hatemongering against Hindus. The petition, therefore, requested the Supreme Court to direct the concerned governments to take strong action against the unabated hate speeches against Hindus in the country.

This petition filed by Ranjana Agnihotri through Advocate Vishnu Jain listing the hundreds of hate speeches and blood-curdling hate crimes committed against Hindus by Muslims and Christians puts the communal realities prevailing in India today in perspective and busts the fake biased narrative of Muslims being targeted in India by “intolerant” Hindus post 2014.

It is hoped that Justice KM Joseph headed bench would show the same seriousness in demanding action against the slew of hate crimes and hate speeches constantly made by Muslim and Christian leaders targeting Hindus in the same zealous spirit it has taken up one-sided complaints against purported ‘hate speeches’ made by Hindu leaders. It is also hoped that the hate speeches and Sar Tan Se Juda processions to petrify Hindus are not dismissed by the Supreme Court as mere “dissent as a safety valve of democracy”.

(This article was originally published in Bharat Voice and has been republished here with permission.)

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Day 3 Of Yaksha Festival: A Stupendous Odissi Performance By Padma Shri Madhavi Mudgal & Troupe

It was a cosmic culmination to the three-day Yaksha Art festival as Padma Shri Madhavi Mudgal & her troupe carried the audience to a divine realm with their Odissi performance. 

Shri. Girish Krishnamurthy – Managing Director of Tata Medical & Diagnostics Limited, Shri Sadashiv Rao – Independent Director of YES Bank, and Shri SV Balasubramaniam – Founder & Chairman of Bannari Amman Group, inaugurated the final day of Yaksha by lighting the Kuthuvilakku, a traditional oil lamp.

A performance that lasted for over an hour, was a package of intense expressions, supple moves, and a beautiful story weaved around Shiva-Parvati against the backdrop of the beautiful Suryakund Mandapam lit with hundreds of oil lamps. Madhavi Mudgal and her troupe with their Odissi performance made sure that the pre-lude to Mahashivratri was nothing less than the enchanting ‘Night of Shiva’ on February 18th. The score for the Odissi choreography was composed by Padma Shri Madhup Mudgal who is also the brother of Madhavi Mudgal. The performance was live-streamed online.

Madhavi Mudgal is the daughter of Padma Shri Vinay Chandra Maudgalya, an Indian classical musician and the founder of Gandharva Mahavidyalaya –  an institution that promotes Hindustani music and classical dance forms. The Odissi exponent has been dancing since the age of 4 and has also bagged several awards including the fourth highest civilian honour Padma Shri, the Sangeet Natak Academy Award, and Grande Medaille de la Ville by Govt. of France.

Named after celestial beings in Indian mythology, Yaksha provides a platform for great artists to perform and connoisseurs to appreciate these ancient arts performed by masters. India’s various art forms are not only a reflection of diverse cultures but also a source of spiritual inspiration for thousands of years. Yaksha thus is an endeavor to preserve and promote the uniqueness, purity, and diversity of the country’s performing arts.

Hundreds of people from across Tamil Nadu and across the globe witnessed the enthralling performance as the traditional festival of art and culture came to a close, the audience is now all set to experience the Mahashivratri spectacle on February 18th. The nightlong festival includes Satsang and Guided Meditation by Sadhguru combined with breathtaking performances from artists across India.

(This is an official press release from Isha Foundation. The Commune was not involved in creating this content.)

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

I-T Dept Carries Out Survey Operations In Delhi & Mumbai

A survey action under section 133A of the Income- tax Act, 1961(the Act) was carried out at the business premises of group entities of a prominent international Media Company at Delhi and Mumbai. The group is engaged in the business of development of content in English, Hindi and various other Indian languages; advertisement sales and market support services, etc.

The survey revealed that despite substantial consumption of content in various Indian languages (apart from English), the income/profits shown by various group entities is not commensurate with the scale of operations in India. During the course of the survey, the Department gathered several evidences pertaining to the operation of the organization which indicate that tax has not been paid on certain remittances which have not been disclosed as income in India by the foreign entities of the group.

The survey operations also revealed that services of seconded employees have been utilised for which reimbursement has been made by the Indian entity to the foreign entity concerned. Such remittance was also liable to be subject to withholding tax which has not been done. Further, the survey has also thrown up several discrepancies and inconsistencies with regard to Transfer Pricing documentation. Such discrepancies relate to level of relevant Function, Asset and Risk (FAR) analysis, incorrect use of comparables which are applicable to determine the correct Arms Length Price (ALP) and inadequate revenue apportionment, among others.

The survey operation has resulted in unearthing of crucial evidences by way of statement of employees, digital evidences and documents which will be further examined in due course. It is pertinent to state that statements of only those employees were recorded whose role was crucial including those connected to, primarily, finance, content development and other production related functions. Even though the Department exercised due care to record statements of only key personnel, it was observed that dilatory tactics were employed including in the context of producing documents/agreements sought. Despite such stance of the group, the survey operation was conducted in a manner so as to facilitate continued regular media/channel activity.

(With inputs from PIB)

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

G20 Model Meeting Concludes ; Youth Delegates Adopt Mission LiFE

India’s G20 Secretariat along with the United Nations India Country Office organised a day-long “Model G20 Meeting” at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday, 17th February 2023.

The meeting, the first official Model G20 event was a simulation exercise of a G20 meeting where school students essayed the roles of delegates of G20, Guest countries and international organisations.

The meeting saw participation of a total of 8 schools from Delhi/NCR, viz. British School, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sector 8 R.K Puram, Lycee Francais International de Delhi, Modern School Barakhamba Road, Pathways World School Gurugram, Russian Embassy School, Ryan International School Vasant Kunj and Springdales School Dhaula Kuan.

In total, over 60 high school students, representing 12 nationalities including 10 G20 countries participated in the meeting.

During the meeting, the students deliberated on the theme “Youth for LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)”. They discussed and exchanged views on the role of global youth in making LiFE initiative a mass movement for Climate Action.

The idea of LiFE was introduced by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow. The idea promotes an environmentally conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilisation’ instead of ‘mindless and wasteful consumption’.

The LiFE Movement aims to utilise the power of collective action and nudge individuals across the world to undertake simple climate-friendly actions in their daily lives. The LiFE movement, additionally, also seeks to leverage the strength of Youth and social networks to influence social norms surrounding climate. LiFE plans to create and nurture a global network of individuals, namely ‘Pro-Planet People’ (P3), who will have a shared commitment to adopt and promote environmentally friendly lifestyles. Through the P3 community, LiFE seeks to create an ecosystem that will reinforce and enable environmentally friendly behaviours to be self-sustainable.

The theme for the Model G20 event – “Youth for LiFE” was identified keeping in mind the critical role which the global youth, being the agents of change, could play in Climate Action through the LiFE initiative.

The meeting was jointly inaugurated by India’s G20 Sherpa Shri Amitabh Kant and United Nations India Resident Coordinator Mr. Shombi Sharp. Addressing the students, Shri Kant stressed on the leading role that the youth could play in Climate Action through Mission LiFE. He welcomed the initiative of international students coming together for a “Model G20 Meeting” and deliberating on critical issues such as combating climate change and the role of youth therein. Reflecting on the importance of multilateralism, Mr. Sharp said that the only way to solve common problems is through common solutions – overcoming differences and coming together. He added that India was uniquely positioned to bring other countries across divides together during its G20 Presidency.

The participating students, following intense rounds of negotiations throughout the day, concluded the meeting by adopting an outcome document titled, “Guiding Principles for Youth-led Mission LiFE”. The outcome document was handed over to the Chair of the G20’s Youth Engagement Group (Youth 20 or Y20) for consideration at their official Y20 meeting.

The “Model G20 Meeting” introduced the school students to the process of negotiations in a typical G20 meeting process. Certificates and medals were presented to the Best Speakers, the Best Delegation, and the Best Consensus Builders. The activity was organized by the G20 Secretariat as part of the Secretariat’s Jan Bhagidhari outreach.

(With inputs from PIB)

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

 

Why Hyderabad Should Be Renamed As Bhagyanagar (or) Bhagnagar

What’s in a name? Restoration of lost pride, reclaimed honour, the healing of old wounds, a correction of historical accounts and much more! Indeed, whether we consciously recognize it or not, our identities and an acknowledgement of our past are irrevocably tied to names- our own names and the names of our nation, our states, rivers, mountains, cities, towns and villages.

A Nijam Today online telecast caught the attention of curious viewers. The presenter talks about the renaming of several cities across India, notably the ones renamed in Uttar Pradesh, associated with Hinduism, the native religion and way of life on the Indian subcontinent for a long time before the Islamic invasions of India. Old historic towns and cities in Uttar Pradesh, going back to the origins of Indian civilization, history, culture and religion going all the way back to the priceless universal philosophical wisdom of the Vedas, Puranas and the great Indian Epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Islamic names were forced upon generations of native Indians – why should the vast majority of Indian citizens put up with a consistent remembrance of cruel, inhuman Islamic invasions, forced conversions and several attempts at completely erasing the ancient, native Indian traditions, customs, distinctly Hindu heritage and way of life?

Under BJP rule, there was some long overdue atonement/ a sort of setting-right of wrongs and painful, unjust historical events. Faizabad was renamed Ayodhya, Allahabad was renamed Prayagraj Etc. Is It time to seriously consider renaming Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana? Present-day Hyderabad was once a proud and strongly Telugu “Bhagyanagar”.

A BJP meeting with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mr. Yogi Adityanath in attendance, was the right setting for the powerful thought for all great ideas start with a small thought! At the meeting, the strong, straight forward, no-nonsense man of many talents, Mr. Adithyanath challenged the audience to studying the history of Hyderabad and why a renaming of Hyderabad shouldn’t be considered.

No sooner than this was mentioned, India’s prejudiced anti-Hindu “seculars” including the Hyderabad based Muslim political outfit, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen party (AIMIM) went on a rant. The AIMIM’s leader, Asaduddin Owaisi roared in shock and anger, challenged the name-change proposition and retorted that nobody could change the name of Hyderabad city to any pre Islamic, Hindu name!

It is now a strongly planted idea among the BJP cadre of the Telugu states, looking deeper into Hyderabad’s history before the city’s Islamic invasions and import of Muslim culture. At a large, well attended July 2022 BJP cadre meeting, PM Narendra Modi referred to Hyderabad with one of its pre-Islamic names, Bhagyanagar. Telangana is due to have its state elections before the end of this year. Put the two together. Will the thought set in motion, a popular public consensus resulting in a possible change to the city’s name, before the end of this decade?

UP Chief Minister, Adityanath’s comments and Prime Minister Modi’s reference to “Bhagyanagar” has led to a surge of interest in the history of the city among ordinary citizens while predictably, India’s Left-Secular, Communist, Minority parties are making every attempt to deny the very existence of a once vibrant ‘Bhagyanagar’. Will the Seculars succeed in distorting or negating historical facts of Hyderabad region’s ancient Hindu and Buddhist heritage?

Nijam Today’s team presented its Telugu viewers with a well researched analysis of the city’s history. Natives of the Telugu states and those that speak Telugu are familiar with Hyderabad being referred to as ‘Bhagyanagaram’. It is the Telugu term for Hyderabad often used in Telugu literature, poems, songs and various media platforms including Telugu films. A popular song from the 1972 film, the Akkineni Nageshwara Rao starrer ‘Vichatrabandham’ makes an often repeated reference to Bhagyanagaram as the ‘rajadhani’ or state capital while mentioning the Moosi river that runs through present-day Hyderabad. The lyrics were penned by the knowledgeable and well renowned freedom fighter, social reformer and writer-lyricist, Archarya Aathreya garu- no leader or political party had questioned it at the time, as it was a common reference to the city in the Telugu language. Yet when leaders of the BJP recently referred to the city’s previous, pre-Islamic name, Indian “seculars” and political parties made a huge deal of it, with a few claiming that ‘Bhagyanagar/Bhagnagar’ never existed.

The evidence of Bhagyanagar/Bhagnagar before the name change to Hyderabad:

1) Between 1608 and 1611, William Finch, an English businessman of the East India Company, learning about the history of the region including the Golkonda Fort, mentions Bhagyanagar in his memoir titled “Yearly Travels in India”. He clearly refers to it as a main city of the Golkonda region.

2) A Muslim historian, Dr Ghulam Yazdani in his 1944 book ‘The Antiquities of Bidar’, talks of the exploits of Mirza Ali Barid who usurped the throne of the then Bidar province but later fled to the city of Bhagnagar (Islamized version of Bhagyanagar) in 1601, seeking refuge.

3) The periodic news magazine titled “Islamic Culture” commissioned and patronized by the Nizams in power of the Hyderabad region, in its 1934 edition, mentions written communication exchanged between Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and Adil Shahi Sultan. The letters refer to the city of Bhagnagar. The English translation of the letters by Professor Rai Bahadur Surya Kumar confirm this to be a fact.

4) In another verifiable instance of written communication, letters from Golconda written by Mir Jhumla, the then wazir or minister/ advisor of the Deccan region, seeking assistance from the Mughal fanatic, Aurangazeb, mention the city of Bhagnagar – the verifiable source of this information dated between 1656 -1668, lies in the book of a French physician of the time, Francois Berlin titled “Travels in the Mughal Empire”.

5) The monthly periodical “Islamic Culture” published under the patronage of Hyderabad’s Nizams, refer to Bhagnagar, several times as they reference the city’s chequered past while talking about old, written communications between various muslim factions vying for the crown of the “Bhagnagar” region. In one of its 1943 periodicals, the Islamic magazine published a letter from a Mohammed Zahir Baig to a Yusuf Zulaikha, dated 1069 AH (Hijri, Islamic calendar) from the city of Bhagnagar. In the currently used Gregorian Calendar, the year 1069 AH denotes the year 1656 ACE.

6) In 1881, Thomas William Beale, a British civil servant published his book “The Oriental Biographical Dictionary” – a mughal historian named Kaifi Khan, refers clearly to Bhagnagar city and cites a popular, oft-repeated story from various sources, that Hyderabad was named after a queen of the Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. According to this widely accepted story, the lady was a Hindu ‘nautch’ (dance) girl, Bhagyawati or Bhagamathi, that the Sultan fell in love with. An area within the current city of Hyderabad was named Bhagnagar after her. Her given Islamic name was Haider Mahal. The city was named Haiderabad (Hyderabad) in her honour after her death but the local people continued to call it by its previous name of Bhagyanagar or Bhagnagar. This story is widely accepted among the local people of the region to this day.

7) In 1617 ACE, Tariq Sultan Mohammed Qutub Shahi’s book mentions that Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah (the sultan that married the Hindu Bhagyawati/Bhagamathi) shifted his capital from the hitherto Golconda Fort/ City area to Bhagnagar.

8) At the December 1951 inaugural session of the 14th Indian Political Science Conference held at the Osmania University Arts College, Nawab Ali Yawar Jung Bahadur, the then Vice Chancellor of the university greeted his audience with a history of the city by narrating the story of Mohamed Quli Qutub Shah in the 16th century (1589 ACE) and his love for his Hindu wife, Bhagyawati /Bhagamathi, after whom he first named his new (shifted from Golkonda) capital city – Bhagnagar.

The area surrounding Golkonda and modern-day Hyderabad has a history of settlement dating back to the Iron Age, around 500 BCE. Since ancient and medieval times, the areas surrounding Hyderabad were consistently ruled by Hindu and Buddhist kings and queens right up to the 15th century when various Islamic conquests, resulted in the permanent establishment of Muslim rulers belonging to different dynasties. In anciebt times, this area was a part of the vast and powerful Mauryan empire ruled by King Ashoka, the Great. Subsequently, the area was ruled by the Satavahanas, the Ishvaku, the Chalukyas, the Kakatiyas and the Musunuri Nayaks before finally falling to various muslim forces from the 14th/15th century onwards.

Since ancient times and through the middle ages, the City of Golconda with its impressive Fort built by the Hindu Kakatiya dynasty and reinforced by Rani Rudramma Devi, was the capital of the region. It was only fairly recently in history that the later Islamic conquerors moved the capital from Golkonda City/ Fort to Bhagyanagar (present-day Hyderabad).

There is plenty of evidence of the current territory of the capital region, through the medieval ages right up to modern times, that Bhagyanagar/Bhagnagar was the name in use for present-day Hyderabad. ‘Bhagya’nagar (bhagya = auspicious in Sanskrit and other Indic languages) refers to a “city of good fortune” while ‘Bhag’nagar, the Muslim/ Urdu influenced, colloquial version of the name, refers to a “city of gardens”. Regardless of the debate between the two versions of Hyderabad’s previous name, Bhagyanagar or Bhagnagar, there appears to be substantial historical evidence that the area has a past, with a name not tied to its current name of Hyderabad. Hence, it’s fair game and a reasonable question – why can’t the city’s name be changed if its citizens so wish?

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

MHA Releases Updated List Of Terror Orgs, Khalistan Tiger Force And JKGF Added

In furtherance to India’s Zero Tolerance policy towards terrorism, the Central Government amended the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in August 2019 to include the provision of designating an individual as terrorist.
Prior to this amendment, only organizations could be designated as terrorist organization.By invoking the said amended provision, the Central Government had designated 53 individuals as terrorists. Reinforcing the commitment of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to strengthen national security and combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, the Ministry of Home Affairs under the guidance of Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah today declared one more individual and two organization as ‘Terrorist’/‘Terrorist Organization’.
One more individual -Harwinder Singh Sandhu@Rinda declared as terrorist today. He has been associated with terrorist organization Babbar Khalsa International (BKI) and is presently based in Lahore, Pakistan under the patronage of cross border agencies and has been found involved in various terrorist activities particularly in Punjab.
With this declaration, now there are 54 designated terrorists in the IVth Schedule of UAPA.

The Central Government today also declared following two organization as terrorist organizations under the provisions of the UAPA:

  1. Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF): It is a militant outfit and it aims reviving terrorism in Punjab and challenges the territorial integrity, unity, national security and sovereignty of India and promotes various acts of terrorism, including targeted killings in Punjab.
  1. Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force (JKGF): It has been found involved in infiltration bids, narcotics and weapon smuggling and carrying out terror attacks in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It draws its cadres from various terrorist organisations, such as Lashker-E-Taiba, Jaish-E-Mohammed, Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen, Harkat-ul—Jehad-E-Islami etc.

With declaration of these two organisations as terrorist organization, there are now total 44 designated terrorist organizations under the Ist Schedule of the Act.
(With inputs from PIB)

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.

Qatar Lifts Ban On Frozen Seafood From India

Qatar lifted its temporary ban on the import of frozen seafood from India, paving the way for enhanced export and improved bilateral relations with the West Asian country.

The ban was imposed in November last year, just ahead of the FIFA World Cup following alleged detection of Vibrio cholera from a few consignments from India. The Qatari authorities had informed India that the ban was temporary and owing to lack of sufficient testing laboratories in their country in the run-up to the football event.

The Department of Commerce under the Government of India along with embassy of India in Qatar had since been making constant efforts to resolve the issue. A rally of discussions with Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health had been taken, leading to the February 16 notification lifting the ban on frozen seafood. However, restrictions continue on the export of chilled seafood.

“This week is proving to be very good for the seafood exporters in India, considering a similar lift in the suspension by China. We hope that the restrictions by Qatar on the chilled seafood will also be cleared soon after a reassessment of the situation,” said MPEDA Chairman Shri D.V. Swami, who is in the city in connection with the February 15-17 India International Seafood Show.

Earlier this week, on February 14, Beijing lifted suspension of 99 Indian seafood-processing exporters after acknowledging India’s assurance over source control. MPEDA along with other agencies had played a crucial role in getting lifted Beijing’s suspension of a total of 110 units since December 2020.

(With inputs from PIB)

Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.