If there was ever proof that the secular establishment sees Hindu rights as a threat, the impeachment campaign against Justice GR Swaminathan is it.

For decades, MPs who now parade as champions of “judicial integrity” have watched judges flirt with corruption, bend the law for political patrons, and sermonise against Hindu traditions. Not once did they reach for Article 124.

Yet the moment a judge insists that a Hindu ritual be allowed in accordance with tradition and court orders, 100+ INDIA bloc MPs erupt like an offended priesthood.

A Rare Judge Who Refused to Play by Their Script

Justice Swaminathan crossed the one red line India’s old ideological ecosystem will never tolerate – He refused to treat Hindu traditions as inferior or negotiable.

His Deepam order at Thirupparankundram did not create new rights. It simply restored what always existed. But to a political class used to vetoing Hindu practices through “law and order” excuses, that alone made him dangerous.

So dangerous that Parliament had to be weaponised.

So urgent that MPs who couldn’t be bothered to read half the judgments they criticise suddenly became constitutional purists.

A Judge Refuses to Bend to the DMK – and That Is His ‘Crime’?

Justice Swaminathan’s order did not disturb public order; it disturbed political order. He reminded the Tamil Nadu government that it cannot arbitrarily suppress Hindu customs, the rights of lay citizens living in the state, under the pretext of “law and order”.

In a state where the ruling party routinely inserts itself into temple administration, this was sacrilege.

The result? Over 100 MPs signed an impeachment notice. MPs who don’t know (probably) where Thirupparankundram is on the map, how it is pronounced, its significance, even.

They signed it not because the judge was corrupt.
Not because he violated procedure.
But because he refused to bow to a government, their ally’s government, that treats Hindu practices as threats.

The Caste Subtext: A Brahmin Judge Defying the Dravidian Establishment

To pretend caste has nothing to do with this would be intellectually dishonest.

The DMK ecosystem has, for years, mobilised its base by demonising Brahmins as symbols of imagined oppression. A Brahmin judge asserting judicial independence, especially in a case involving Hindu tradition, is a nightmare scenario for a party that relies on Brahmin-baiting as a political identity marker.

The attack on Justice Swaminathan fits cleanly into that long-standing ideological script. His caste makes him an easier target.
His rulings make him a necessary target.

And Tamil Nadu’s political class knows it.

And the abuses? Have you seen any other judge in Tamil Nadu being abused for their caste? When Justice Senthil Kumar was just mentioned and mildly criticised, the citizen was thrown in jail. And when abuses poured from the Dravidianist quarters against Justice GR Swaminathan, the ruling dispensation, encouraged it.

Where Was This Energy When Judges Actually Violated Public Trust?

Judges accused of bribery?
Silence.

Judges whose comments openly belittled Hindu beliefs?
Silence.

Judges whose orders gave comfort to extremist groups?
Silence.

But one judge who refuses to reduce Hindu citizens’ rights to a footnote – Impeach him immediately! Mobilise the entire alliance. Draft emotional press statements. Cry about “secularism under threat.”

It would be funny if it wasn’t so revealing.

The Real Target Is the Judiciary’s Space to Protect Hindu Rights

The impeachment attempt is meant to send a message to every judge in India:

Uphold minority claims → celebrated.

Uphold Hindu claims → impeached.

This is not about one ruling; it is about warning future benches. Judicial independence is tolerable only when it conforms to the ideological preferences of the political class.

A judge who upholds secularism is fine, he/she is the best, in fact.
A judge who upholds Hindu rights is dangerous. This is the perverse logic at play.

The I.N.D.I Bloc’s Reaction Reveals More About Them Than About Swaminathan

The great irony is that the only time these MPs invoked the Constitution’s most serious punitive mechanism was to punish a Hindu religious victory. Not for corruption. Not for misconduct. Not for ethical lapses.

For a lamp on a hill.

A Deepam that has exposed a deeper rot.

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The post A High Court Judge Gives Hindus Their Right, Defying The Dravidianist Establishment, And ‘Secular’ Parties Want Him Gone appeared first on The Commune.

On 15 October 2025, ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) nominated Osama Shahab, son of late gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin, as its candidate from the Raghunathpur constituency.

This report compiles eleven instances between 2016 and 2025 in which individuals with criminal backgrounds or family links to gangsters joined politics or filed nominations under parties affiliated with the I.N.D.I Alliance.

#1 RJD Fields Gangster’s Son in Bihar

On 15 October 2025, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) nominated Osama Shahab, the son of late gangster-turned-politician Mohammad Shahabuddin, as its candidate from the Raghunathpur constituency in Siwan, Bihar. This move, ahead of the state elections, drew accusations of the party forming a “mafia alliance.” Shahabuddin, a former RJD MP, had faced over 60 criminal cases, including murder and kidnapping, and was convicted in a 2004 acid attack and the murder of a witness. The nomination was seen as a reflection of the entrenched links between crime and politics in the state.

#2 Congress Tickets Don’s Son in UP

The Indian National Congress inducted Amarnani Tripathi to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Maharajganj, Uttar Pradesh on 11 March 2024. Tripathi is the son of former Samajwadi Party leader and jailed gangster Amarmani Tripathi, who was convicted in the Madhumita Shukla murder case. The senior Tripathi had faced over 36 criminal cases, including charges of murder, attempt to murder, and extortion. The Congress’s decision to field him brought the party’s candidate selection criteria under intense public and media scrutiny.

#3 SP Backs Ansari After Legal Reprieve

On 20 February 2024, the Samajwadi Party (SP) awarded its Ghazipur Lok Sabha ticket to Afzal Ansari, the brother of incarcerated gangster Mukhtar Ansari. This came after the Supreme Court temporarily suspended Afzal Ansari’s 2023 conviction under the Gangsters Act, which had disqualified him as an MP. Mukhtar Ansari, a gangster-turned-politician, had faced over 63 criminal cases, including murder and extortion. The SP’s decision to re-nominate him highlighted the complex interplay between legal processes and political candidacy.

#4 Kin of Slain Gangster Gets Congress Ticket

The Congress party fielded Neha Tiwari, a relative of slain gangster Vikas Dubey, from the Kalyanpur assembly seat in Kanpur on 2 February 2022. Dubey, who had 61 criminal cases including eight for murder, was the main accused in the 2020 Bikru encounter where eight policemen were killed. Tiwari justified her candidacy by stating her intention to pursue justice. The nomination underscored the political rehabilitation of figures associated with notorious criminals.

#5 SP Fields Accused Under Gangster Act

On 17 January 2022, the Samajwadi Party nominated Nahid Hasan as its candidate for the Kairana assembly constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Hasan, who has a criminal background, was accused under the UP Gangsters Act and faced more than 16 criminal cases. His selection brought accusations of the party leveraging strongmen for electoral gains in a region known for complex social and law-and-order dynamics.

#6 Wife of Gangster Contested on SP Ticket

Richa Dubey, the wife of gangster Vikas Dubey, contested a Zila Panchayat seat in Kanpur Nagar on a Samajwadi Party ticket on 5 September 2021. Vikas Dubey, who had 61 criminal cases, was the main accused in the Bikru massacre. Following the 2020 incident, the SP denied any ongoing affiliation with Richa Dubey, but her earlier candidacy demonstrated the political connections maintained by the gangster’s family.

#7 Jailed Gangster Contests on SP Ticket

Mohammad Muzaffar, a jailed gangster, contested the Block Pramukh election from Naini Jail in Prayagraj as a Samajwadi Party candidate on 10 July 2021. Muzaffar faced over 30 criminal cases, including charges related to cow smuggling and the Gangster Act. His ability to run for a political office from prison raised serious questions about the influence of criminal elements within the political system.

#8 Former Gangster on RJD Ticket

Ritlal Yadav, a former gangster facing over 33 criminal charges including murder and extortion, filed his nomination for the Danapur constituency on a Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) ticket on 13 October 2020. Yadav, who was released on bail just two months prior, in August 2020, participated in the Bihar Assembly elections, illustrating the direct entry of individuals with serious criminal records into the electoral fray.

#9 SP Fields Another Ansari Kin

On 11 December 2016, the Samajwadi Party announced Sigbatullah Ansari, the brother of jailed gangster-politician Mukhtar Ansari, as its candidate from the Mohammadabad assembly seat in Ghazipur for the 2017 Uttar Pradesh elections. The decision attracted significant criticism due to the Ansari family’s notorious criminal-political background, with Mukhtar facing over 63 criminal cases including murder and extortion.

#10 SP Nominates Notorious Mafia Don

The Samajwadi Party nominated mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, who was facing over 150 criminal cases including murder, kidnapping, and extortion, from the Kanpur Cantonment seat on 10 December 2016. Ahmed’s candidacy in the 2017 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections became a stark symbol of the criminalization of politics, drawing national attention and condemnation.

#11 JMM’s Gangster-Legislator Shot Dead

On 30 November 2016, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Upendra Singh, a gangster-turned-politician who had received a party ticket for elections, was shot dead inside a Jamshedpur court. Singh, who faced over six criminal cases including murder, was killed in an attack police suspected was a result of criminal rivalry.

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The post The Mafia Alliance: 11 Times I.N.D.I. Bloc Parties Fielded Gangsters And Their Families To Fight Elections appeared first on The Commune.

BJP leader and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Monday launched a sharp attack on several key leaders of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, accusing them of protecting illegal immigrants to sustain what he termed a “ghuspaithiya vote bank.”

Addressing a press conference in the capital, Thakur alleged that constituencies represented by senior opposition figures, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party leaders Akhilesh Yadav and Dimple Yadav, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, contained lakhs of “doubtful voters.”

According to Thakur, these included duplicate entries, fake addresses, forged family links, manipulated ages, and mass voter additions.

The BJP cited constituency-wise figures:

• Wayanad (represented by Rahul Gandhi, earlier by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra): 93,499 doubtful voters, including 20,438 duplicates and 17,450 with fake addresses.
• Rae Bareli (Rahul Gandhi): over 2 lakh doubtful voters, including 71,977 with fake addresses.
• Diamond Harbour (Abhishek Banerjee): nearly 2.6 lakh doubtful voters, including 1.55 lakh with fake addresses.
• Kannauj (Akhilesh Yadav): 2,91,798 doubtful voters.
• Mainpuri (Dimple Yadav): 2,55,914 doubtful voters.
• Kolathur (M.K. Stalin): nearly 20,000 doubtful voters.

Thakur claimed that in Diamond Harbour, BJP workers had found instances of the same individual appearing on the electoral roll multiple times under different father’s names.

He accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of being a “propaganda king” and alleged that his party’s political survival depended on shielding illegal immigrants.

Challenging the opposition, Thakur said, “If they demand resignations from others over alleged voter fraud, they should first resign from their own seats where such massive irregularities exist.”

The allegations come amid heightened political sparring between the BJP and the I.N.D.I.A. bloc ahead of the next round of state and national elections. Opposition parties are yet to respond to the BJP’s claims.

(With inputs from Ritam)

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The post BJP Flags Voter Fraud In Wayanad, Rae Bareli, Diamond Harbour And Other Opposition Bastions appeared first on The Commune.

New Delhi, Sep 10 (IANS) As the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi’s statements in the United States sparked a political storm, one of his interactions with a student has lightened up the social media space, evoking multiple reactions from netizens.

During an event in Virginia’s Herndon, a student asked the Congress MP a question about the ‘INDI Alliance’ and asked about the vision of the diverse political grouping, given that its only focus was the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Gandhi quickly corrected the student, saying it was INDIA and not INDI. “INDI is BJP’s framing”. However, the unyielding student quickly questioned what A stands for, to which the Congress leader remained ‘clueless’ for a while and then answered Alliance.

The student further asked him whether calling it the INDIA alliance wouldn’t make it redundant. This elicited peals of laughter from the audience while the Congress scion clarified on common grounds within the INDIA bloc.

Q: You lead I.N.D.I Alliance that is seen as an alternative to NDA

Rahul Gandhi: It’s not I.N.D.I Alliance, that’s BJP framing…we are INDIA Alliance

Q: What does the last word “A” stand for ?

Rahul Gandhi: Alliance

JanNalayak @RahulGandhi international beizzati karwane gaya hai… pic.twitter.com/lYitSglVBQ

— BALA (@erbmjha) September 10, 2024

A couple of BJP spokespersons shared the video clip of Gandhi’s interaction. They mocked him over the Congress party’s fallacies and quipped on how it was getting ‘exposed’ on foreign soil. Many netizens also poked fun at his ‘oops moment’ at the US event.

An X user said, “If anybody asks, why RaGa is called Pappu, the latest proof is this. He has been fairly consistent with his absurd thoughts.” “Look how uneasy both of them got. The question came out of the syllabus,” another netizen quipped.

During the interaction, the student had asked Gandhi, “You lead the INDI alliance, often seen as an alternative to BJP. During the 2024 elections, you failed to reach a seat-sharing deal with alliance partner TMC while on the other hand, you have a Hindutva-based party like Shiv Sena. If you get a chance to run the government, how will you run the government with a divided coalition keen only on removing the Prime Minister?”

Notably, the INDIA bloc stands for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance and was formed by Congress and other Opposition parties to take on the BJP in the 2024 polls.

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The post INDI Or INDIA Alliance: Rahul Gandhi Gets Clean Bowled By Student In USA appeared first on The Commune.

The manifestoes of Kashmir’s National Conference (NC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and People’s Conference (PC) seem to be blatantly promoting separatist and divisive agendas under the guise of secularism. Far from covert, their promises to restore Article 370, reinstate government employees terminated for terror links, and repeal actions against stone-pelters seem designed to fuel a pro-Pakistan narrative in a valley.

But the NC has taken a troubling step further by attempting to erase Kashmir’s rich Hindu heritage reflected by iconic temples. Among their manifesto promises is a plan to connect the revered Shankaracharya Hill and Hari Parbat through a gondola system, but under Islamized names — Takht-i-Sulaiman and Koh-e-Maran. These hills, home to ancient Hindu temples, are not mere landmarks but hold profound historical and spiritual significance for Kashmiri Hindus.

Is this another attempt to wipe out the last remnants of Kashmir’s Hindu past, completing the Islamization that began with Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in the 1980s? As Kashmir’s ancient temples face renaming, a deep concern lingers over the fate of the region’s remaining Hindu culture, already ravaged by decades of forced exodus and violence.

Manifestoes of Kashmir’s Parties

Studying the manifestoes of Kashmir’s political parties ahead of the polls starting September 18, one wonders what more could be separatist, divisive, and communal. The only difference is that separatism and communalism are given an ideological and dignified status by these parties who make a show of secularism, but hidden inside is an agenda that reeks of mala fides.

These Kashmir-centric parties have not made any effort to be covert about their intentions but have overtly made their manifestations this time. The manifestoes of these parties seek restoration of Article 370, pre-1953 status when J&K had a Prime Minister, India-Pakistan talks, reinstating those in government jobs terminated for terror links, repealing action against stone pelters, etc.

The manifestoes of these parties promise everything that can come in the category of support to separatism or inclination towards the Pakistan agenda.

NC Renaming Hindu Temples In Kashmir

The Jammu & Kashmir National Conference, headed by Farooq Abdullah, one of the patrons of the INDIA bloc, has gone a step further. NC promises to change the names of some iconic places in Kashmir where ancient Hindu temples are located.

On the 21st page of the 42-page NC Manifesto titled ‘Dignity, Identity and Development’ under the heading ‘Comprehensive Expansion of Srinagar and Jammu cities’ NC has made a slew of promises to tackle pressing urban issues like congestion and environmental sustainability and says that a more proactive strategy is essential.

So far so good, nothing wrong about these promises.

But one among the nine-point promises is something that has triggered concerns among the minorities, the Hindus in particular. The sixth point says: “We will assess the feasibility of connecting Takht-i-Sulaiman (Shankaracharya Hill) with Koh-e-Maran (Hari Parbat Fort) through a gondola system, enhancing connectivity and promoting tourism in the area.”

There seems to be nothing wrong with this as connecting two hills could be good for tourism. But the alarming thing is the changing of names of the two hills which are known by the names of the Kashmiri Hindu temples located atop.

The ancient temples have a history and story of thousands of years. And, they have always been known as Shankaracharya Hill and Hari Parbat.

Hari Parbat

The Hari Parbat hill is considered sacred by the Kashmiri Pandits due to the presence of the temple of Goddess Jagadamba Sharika Bhagwati. She resides here in the form of Suyambu ‘Sri-Chakra’, self-engraved on the Holy Shila (a vertical rock smeared in Sindoor) and is known as ‘Chakeshwari’.

There is an ancient story associated with this temple: Kashyapa Rishi had drained off the water from Satisar, but a lake remained in a part of Kashmir where a demon by the name of Jalodbhava had taken shelter. He unleashed a reign of terror on the inhabitants. Desperate people prayed to Goddess Durga for help until the day Mother heard their prayers.

According to the ancient history of Kashmir, the Rajatarangni, Mother Durga took the form of a bird (Maina). She carried a pebble in her beak and dropped it over the lake. The pebble grew in size and transformed into a hill, thereby crushing the evil. The hill thus got the name of Hari Parbat or Sharika Parvat, and with this Kashmir came into being.

Shankaracharya Hill

The Shankaracharya Hill is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the temple atop is among the oldest in Kashmir.

The temple was built in 200 BC by the Mauryan Prince Jaluka. Since then, several rulers like Lalitaditya, Gopaditya, and various Sikh rulers have reconstructed the temple after it was attacked by the invaders several times.

The temple got its name from the visit of the 8th-century philosopher and saint Adi Shankaracharya. The Shankaracharya Hill and the temple have references by Kalhana, a 12th-century scholar, who called it ‘Gopadri’ or ‘Gopa Hill’.

Kalhana’s Rajatarangini is an epic poem in Sanskrit running into nearly 8,000 verses composed in 1148‑50 in Kashmir. With this recorded history, then, why should the Abdullah family’s NC change the names?

Is it a deliberate attempt by NC to change the Hindu names of temples to Muslim ones as part of the complete Islamisation of Kashmir, which began in 1988 with the advent of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism?

And Farooq Abdullah was the Chief Minister then. He let terrorism and separatist feelings flourish. The major targets of terrorism were the Hindus and the Army.

Attempts To Cleanse Hindu History Of Kashmir

From over seven lakh Hindus in 1990, the community has only a few thousand left in the valley with a majority of them being government employees living in protected areas.

A whole community, which is the original native of the land and has a rich heritage of over 5,000 years, was uprooted, thrown in the hot plains of the country, and forced to live in tattered tents and camps.

Once the Kashmiri Pandits were forced out, the next on the agenda of the terror backers and their supporting political ecosystem has been to usurp the properties, encroach abandoned lands, houses, and temples. And the last step seems to be changing the Hindu names.

The Abdullah’s NC has officially begun that task with the two great and highly revered temples for Hindus — Hari Parbat and Shankaracharya Hill.

This story is based on an IANS wire feed. Only the headlines have been changed.

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The post Congress Ally NC Renames Iconic Temples Of Kashmir Into Islamic Names appeared first on The Commune.

If the Congress had coined the term ‘Saffron Terror’ back in the day, its I.N.D.I. ally VCK now, has come up with the term ‘Sanatana Terrorists’ to refer to their ideological and political opponents.

Founder of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Thol. Thirumvalavan, referred to the subscribers of Hindutva ideology as ‘Sanatana Terrorists’ while presenting the so-called ‘VCK Awards 2024’ in Chennai.

Thirumavalavan presented the annual ‘Ambedkar Sudar’ award to actor Prakash Raj. Additionally, various individuals such as Y. Subbarayulu, S.N. Sikkandar, advocate Arulmozhi, R. Mutharasan, Raj Gowthaman, and Ezra Sargunam received awards named ‘Semmozhi Gnayiru’, ‘Quaid-E-Millath Pirai’, ‘Periyar Oli’, ‘Marx Maamani’, ‘Ayotheethasar Adhavan’, and ‘Kamarajar Kathir’ respectively.

Speaking at the event, Thirumavalavan said “Sanatana terrorists will take any position. They will take any decision. Those belonging to the ML movement (referring to Communis Party of India – Marxist Leninist Liberation) carry weapons, hide in forests and live a life of clandestine. Sanatana terrorists are living within our house and roaming around with weapons. They’ve created a convenience where Sanatana terrorists can come to your house and kill you. A Marxist-Leninist person has to keep changing his name to remain absconding. He’ll be hiding in forests. For him to ‘finish a job’, things are not conducive. But Sanatana terrorists bear weapons and roam on stage in India. That’s important.”

Referring to the killings of Gauri Lankesh, Kalburgi, Narendra Dhabolkar, Govind Pansare and, Thirumavalavan further he said that the establishment is staging such atrocities in the land.

“They’re not running and hiding anywhere, and don’t live a life of clandestine. Like how Maoists hide in Andhra forests, they don’t hide. They’re on stage, with Ministers. They roam around with weapons. In such kind of a situation, people like Prakash Raj should be protected has been my concern. Even if he says that there’s no need of any award, I wanted to shake his hand, wish him and encourage him. I wanted to tell him to be careful, that’s why I took this initiative.“, Thirumavalavan said.

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The post “Sanatana Terrorists Are Moving Freely With Weapons, On Stage, With Ministers”: I.N.D.I. Ally VCK Thirumavalavan Says appeared first on The Commune.

Indian elections have never been boring but I believe post 2014 with the advent of Narendra Damordas Modi they have been a roller coaster ride filled with sudden twists, masterstrokes, emotions and strategies. No wonder the TV news channels have something or the other to debate every single day and keep viewers pinned to their couches. It is super interesting to watch the narratives being built as narrative setting is equally important to win elections even though you might have worked hard with sincerity in the last 5 years for the public. In this article, I will take you through the narratives and counter narratives that parties tried out in this Lok Sabha election of 2024 and who got the upper hand.

As always from 2014, Narendra Modi has been the first to set the electoral narrative for the elections. His announcement in parliament of Abki Baar 400 Paar set the ball rolling. All hell broke loose in the opposition camp. They went to the town challenging this and everyone started talking about whether NDA will cross 400 this time or not forgetting the fact for a few months that Modi needed only 272 seats to win and form the government. This was Modi’s two-pronged strategy to energize his cadres and shake them out of complacency but at the same time demoralize the opposition cadres and force them to believe that they have lost the battle before it began. The first narrative was set. It took some time for the opposition to sit back and stop themselves from running after this narrative.

The opposition, the INDI alliance, especially the big brother in that, the Congress party, who by now had a bit of experience with the Modi and were once bitten twice shy now thought of setting their own narrative. Their earlier narrative of democracy in danger, Modi will change the constitution if elected to power again and all institutions are being compromised, BJP washing machine etc. did not stick with public. They came up with their manifesto around early April in which they talked about caste census, socio-economic survey, reservation in contracts etc.

A couple of days later, Rahul Gandhi in a rally talked about wealth redistribution. The first phase of polling happened on 19 April 2024. A few days later, suddenly, Narendra Modi started speaking about the dangerous intent of the Congress party to take the wealth from some people (using the term Mangalsutra to make it more colloquial) and give it to Muslims and illegal immigrants. I thought Congress set the narrative this time and Narendra Modi, a very experienced politician that he is, understood the same quickly and put out his counter-narrative with his bold statement albeit it looked a bit reactive.

During that moment the opposition seemed to have a bit of the upper hand with the narrative. Every TV channel started debating about the wealth redistribution angle and its pros and cons, good or evil and some sympathisers of the Congress started talking about how Modi’s statement was anti-muslim and didn’t sound nice coming from the Prime Minister of the country etc. Rahul Gandhi had to say in a speech later that they didn’t intend to take immediate action. This along with Sam Pitroda’s subsequent remarks about Inheritance Tax and the looks of Indians pushed the Congress party to the backseat and Narendra Modi came quickly back to batting on the front foot in this narrative game and started giving interviews to every big TV channel which left the opposition camp just talking about the usual godi media rant and resorting to usual Modi abuse through their ecosystem. To me, the simple short term strategy that was playing with the wealth redistribution narrative was Congress wanted to split the Hindu votes and weaken Modi whereas Modi wanted to stop that and further consolidate them. We will come to know only on 4 June 2024 who succeeded in their strategy. Mani Shankar Aiyer’s video talking about Pakistan having an atom bomb and saying India should behave well with them did nothing but pushed the Congress further into back foot. After a few more phases of election behind us, we can observe that the shrill of the wealth redistribution and caste census narrative has died down although Rahul Gandhi still mentions it in his speeches but in a guarded generic way.

There were quite a few other narratives that were tried by the different parties. Suddenly Amit Shah spoke about this election being a direct fight between Modi and Rahul Gandhi. The opposition didn’t want to hear anyone projecting one face especially of Rahul Gandhi which they knew would create unwanted confusion in their alliance. They carefully remained silent and this faded away after a few phases too. From nowhere, Yogendra Yadav, put his psephologist hat again and came on TV channels and confidently said that BJP will not cross 272 on its own but given his minimum estimates it showed that NDA will cross the halfway mark which means still Modi will anyways come to power again. This narrative of the opposition ecosystem shows that they are happy to see Narendra Modi going down on the seats whether they come to power or not albeit Congress supporters like Sanjay Jha in his untiring rants with his 2 mins. videos on X  keeps mentioning that Modi will not come to power. Social media influencers on both sides have been trying hard to put out their narratives and counter-narratives. Prashant Kishor’s series of interviews on TV channels saying BJP will equal or do a bit better than their 2019 tally has come as a nullifying counter to the opposition narrative attempt which led their miffed ecosystem go after him forgetting that he was the one who led several of their allies to victory in their assembly elections.

Some time back, Rahul Gandhi suddenly talked about being a good chess player but other than getting a surprise sarcastic comment from the chess legend, Gary Kasparov, no serious narrative was set around this. In the series of TV channel interviews that Narendra Modi is giving now which some say is an act of nervousness and some say confidently leading from the front but not taking any chances, the recent program with India TV’s renowned journalist, Rajat Sharma, of Aap Ki Aadalat fame became quite a big hit. Rahul Gandhi is not giving such long interviews for known reasons but is continuing with his rallies and giving intermittent bytes but the Congress ecosystem is left picking up the statements of Narendra Modi and reacting to it sarcastically which doesn’t set too much of a narrative again to win elections. Other than Arvind Kejriwal trying to do some drama around his arrest in Delhi, I don’t see too much of a narrative setting happening there. The timing of the Swati Maliwal case has also dented his strategy a bit too.

With only the last phase of elections left on 1 June 2024 big game changing narratives are not coming through any more other than some “up in the air” statements like Akhilesh Yadav and Mamata Banerjee vouching that they will win all the seats in their respective states and everyone giving their own convenient predictions about the possible winner. Things are heading to a grinding pause slowly after a super ride of narratives, drama, masala and punch dialogues.

Based on all the above, Narendra Modi still seems to have an upper-hand on the narrative in this election too although it seemed he had to do more of a heavy lifting this time compared to 2014 and 2019. Winning elections for a third time is not going be that easy but the man is visibly out there, active, doing multiple rallies a day and also giving long interviews enthusiastically, present in every moment and leading from the front with the same passion. Let us wait for June 4^th to know who emerges as the winner from all this dust, noise and hangama.

Ananth Mahadevan is a political commentator based in Bengaluru.

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The post The Great Indian Election: Narratives, Drama, Dialogues And Goof Ups appeared first on The Commune.

In an interview to Times Now, Congress leader and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy came down on DMK scion Udhayanidhi Stalin for his “eradicate Santana Dharma” remarks.

“The remarks made by your alliance partner DMK on Sanatana Dharma, do you think it is right?”, asks Navika Kumar to which Revanth replies “It is absolutely wrong. Who says it is right? It is his mindset.”

When asked who from the Congress has condemned Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks, he further goes on to say “I’m Telangana Congress President. I’m the Chief Minister of the state. It is necessary to punish people like him.”

#PublicManchWithRevanthReddy

Udhayanidhi's statement is wrong. Udhayanidhi Stalin must be punished for his statement…: Telangana CM @revanth_anumula on Udhayanidhi Stalin's anti-Sanatan remarks.

Watch #PublicManch with @NavikaKumar at 10 PM. pic.twitter.com/fMCddnjJeP

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) April 20, 2024

Back in September 2023, Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is also a Minister in his father MK Stalin’s cabinet stoked controversy by calling for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism) just like how dengu, malaria, corona and mosquitoes are to be eradicated.

Participating in a conference titled “Eradicate Sanatana Conference”, DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin said “Mosquitoes, dengue, flu, malaria, corona – we should not oppose these things. They’ve to be eradicated completely. Same is the case with Santanam (Hinduism). Our first work should be to abolish/eradicate Sanatanam instead of opposing it. So, my appreciations to you all for giving an apt title to the meeting.”

Ironically, the “Eradicate Sanatana Conference” was also attended by Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) Minister PK Sekar Babu.

Udhayanidhi’s comments had triggered a national outrage putting the I.N.D.I alliance in a fix. Many members of the Opposition alliance including the TMC, AAP and other parties distanced themselves from Udhayanidhi’s remarks. However, Congress ‘President’ Mallikarjun Kharge’s son and Karnataka Congress Minister Priyank Kharge gave tacit approval to Udhayanidhi’s “eradicate Sanatana Dharma” remarks.

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The post “Udhayanidhi Stalin Should Be Punished”: Telangana Congress CM Revanth On DMK Scion’s “Eradicate Sanatana Dharma” Remarks appeared first on The Commune.

The Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK), an ally of the DMK, gained notoriety recently due to a casteist video circulating online that advocated violence against Dalits by the party’s candidate Suriamoorthy.

Soon after the video went viral, there was widespread public and online outcry calling for the withdrawal of KMDK Suriamoorthy’s candidacy. In response to the backlash, both KMDK and DMK decided to retract Suriamoorthy’s candidacy.

On Friday, KMDK announced Madheswaran as the new candidate for the Namakkal constituency. However, the background of the newly selected KMDK candidate, Madheswaran, appears to be even more problematic.

A Facebook page named “Kongu Kavundargal” which predominantly posts news about KMDK party and Gounder caste has posted information about the arrest of KMDK Madheshwaran in the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act or more commonly PCR Act.

A Facebook post, dated June 11, 2016, alleges that Madheshwaran from the KMDK party engaged in a dispute with local police recently. Subsequently, when he attempted to file a complaint at the district SP office, local police allegedly dissuaded him from doing so. The post further claims that shortly after, Madheswaran was arrested on false PCR charges. According to the post, Madheswaran was remanded and transferred to Salem Jail in connection with the PCR case.

The Gounder caste page seized this opportunity to rally Gounders against other castes, labeling the case as fabricated and garnering sympathy for Madheswaran. They questioned whether such a situation was acceptable for a district secretary of the KMDK party, urging people to consider the plight of the common folk in the Kongu region. Additionally, the post urged unity against the PCR or SC/ST case.

On 15 June 2016, another post appeared on the Facebook page, announcing the release of KMDK’s Madheswaran on bail. The post called upon all Kongu people (Gounders) to gather near the Salem bypass to accord Madheswaran, who was arrested under the SC/ST Atrocities Act, a warm welcome. Notably, the call to assemble was made by none other than the ousted KMDK candidate, Suriamoorthy.
It’s evident that Suriamoorthy, Madheswaran, or any other member of the party show no distinction in their treatment of Dalits.

In a video from a Gounder conference taken before the 2019 Parliament elections, Madheswaran can be heard saying, “We have gathered 75% of our caste members. Our aim should be to solidify our caste’s vote even more, reaching 100%, and demonstrate our strength in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections (2019).”

“Has one casteist of KMDK been replaced by another KMDK casteist? Is this the Dravidian Model of social justice?” ask people.

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The post DMK Ally KMDK To Replace Suriamoorthy Known For Casteist Speeches With PCR-Accused? appeared first on The Commune.

The Kongunadu Makkal Desiya Katchi (KMDK) announced S. Suriamoorthi as its candidate for the Namakkal Parliamentary Constituency on 18 March 2024, nominated by the DMK as part of the I.N.D.I. Alliance. Suriamoorthi will contest under the DMK’s ‘rising sun’ symbol. A 51-year-old native of Sivagiri in Kodumudi block, he currently resides in Namakkal. Engaged in farming and construction activities, he previously contested unsuccessfully in Assembly elections in Modakkurichi in 2001, in Vellakoil in 2006, and as the party candidate in Modakkurichi in 2016. Suriamoorthi joined KMDK in 2007 and has served as its youth wing secretary for the past seven years. 

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President welcomed his candidature saying “Mr. Suriyamurthy, who has been announced as the candidate of the Namakkal parliamentary constituency of the Kongu Makkal Desiya Katchim (KMDK), which is a member of the I.N.D.I.A alliance met at Satyamurti Bhavan and exchanged pleasantries.”

இந்தியா கூட்டணி கட்சியில் அங்கம் வகிக்கும் கொங்கு மக்கள் தேசிய கட்சியின் நாமக்கல் நாடாளுமன்ற தொகுதியின் வேட்பாளராக அறிவிக்கப்பட்டுள்ள திரு.சூரியமூர்த்தி அவர்களும், கொங்கு மக்கள் தேசிய கட்சியின் பொதுச்செயலாளர் திரு கொங்கு ஈஸ்வரன் அவர்களும் இன்று (19.03.2024) சத்தியமூர்த்தி பவனில்… pic.twitter.com/Lk8d1XJYNT

— Selvaperunthagai K (@SPK_TNCC) March 19, 2024

As soon as this announcement was made, an old video featuring a casteist speech by Surya Moorthi, leader of DMK ally Kongu Nadu Makkal Desiya Katchi, went viral on social media.

In a public gathering, Suriyamoorthi, a casteist person from the Gounder community who is now announced as a candidate for Namakkal by DMK alliance partner stated, “There’s talk going around that Gounders (land-owning influential backward caste in TN) are talking excessively. If those of you (Dalits), begging from ten households, can speak so freely, just think: we’re providing for ten families and have accumulated wealth to sustain ten generations. So, imagine the volume of discourse we can engage in. If you believe that marrying a Gounder girl will lead to wealth, we will eliminate you and your mother while you’re still in the womb. The youth of Kongunadu Munnetra Kazhagam have been actively engaged in this matter. Let me caution the Police Intelligence present here. Do not assume that Gounders are intimidated by police proceedings.”

He said, “In every village, there are approximately 10 to 15 unmarried Gounder men aged between 30 to 40. Given this scenario among Gounder men, we will not stand idly by when men from other castes take Gounder women on their bikes under the guise of love. We have assembled around 1500 young individuals from approximately 15 districts surrounding Namakkal. If anyone from other castes attempts to touch our caste women, we will eliminate them in their wombs. If any men of other caste love Gounder caste women, initially we will try to warn them. if they do not heed to it, we will finally kill them both.”

He further added, “A similar incident occurred in the vicinity of Kanchikovil. A woman from our caste fell in love with a man from another caste. Despite our warnings to the girl, she remained steadfast in her affection. However, when I threatened to take the drastic step of ending her lover’s life, she chose to abandon her love and wedded another individual from the Gounder caste. I wish to reiterate here: our youth, under the leadership of Kongu Eswaran, are prepared to confront any legal consequences. During my 21-day incarceration, I interacted with Gounder inmates. Upon pledging to secure their release, they vowed to eliminate anyone who interfered with Gounders. Police may think that we are doing terrorism. Yes, we are doing it.”

He went on to say, “You may provide free rations, clothing, and other necessities to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community. However, if you enact any legislation favoring them, I will be compelled to resort to vigilantism. If you receive all the subsidies based on your caste, why does it offend you when we refer to you by your caste name? A beggar can only be called a beggar and not a Zamindar.”

He also proclaimed that if any male or female from the Gounder community was facing an issue, one must not hesitate to take a violent step. He added, “If the police think I am promoting terrorism, yes we are. Try to stop it.”

This video has been circulating widely on social media, garnering attention not only from political circles but also from non-political individuals such as social activists, writers, and others. They are urging the DMK to withdraw the candidacy of this individual, citing casteist remarks. Many have raised doubts about his ability to represent constituents of other castes if elected as a Member of Parliament.

ஆணவப்படுகொலை செய்வேன் என்று வெளிப்படையாக பேசி தாயோடு சேர்த்து குழந்தையையும் கருவறுப்போம் என்று ஜாதி வெறியுடன் பேசிய ஜாதி வெறியர் ஒருவரை வேட்பாளராக போடுகிறது கெ.ம.தே.க

சமூக நீதி பேசும் ஜாதி ஒழிப்பு பேசி விட்டு இந்தியா கூட்டனியிலிருந்து இது போன்ற ஜாதி வெறியர்களை ஒரு வேட்பாளராக… pic.twitter.com/vmCDy6pxDX

— கபிலன் (@_kabilans) March 18, 2024

Respected @kharge ji…I belive you can understand Tamil .Still I will translate this for you . This person from the Gounder caste belonging to an honour killing enabling party is publicly threatening to kill Dalit women,their foetus. He also says he would kill his own women if… pic.twitter.com/FfbuRafDoR

— Shalin Maria Lawrence (@TheBluePen25) March 19, 2024

An old video of now Kongunaadu Makkal Desiya Katchi's LS candidate from Namakkal – Suryamurthy

Openly boasting with pride about honour killing

DMK, which is for 'social justice', is okay with HIM contesting in their symbol? Or will Mr Eswaran withdraw his candidature? pic.twitter.com/5LfPxhkI0i

— Dharani Balasubramaniam (@dharannniii) March 19, 2024

சாதி மறுப்பு திருமணம் செய்வோரை கொலை செய்வோம்

– சூரிய மூர்த்தி, திமுக கூட்டணி வேட்பாளர் pic.twitter.com/zROaQTrEBo

— பிரபா (@prapaarr) March 19, 2024

Despite the I.N.D.I. ally DMK fielding a man who has publicly abused and threatened Dalits, news outlets like The News Minute, The Wire and other leftist media outlets who portray themselves as the champions of the oppressed have looked the other way by not even reporting on his candidature.

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The post DMK Ally KMDK’s Suriamoorthi Given MP Seat Under ‘Rising Sun’ Symbol, Had Called Dalits “Beggars” And Threatened To Kill Those Doing Inter-Caste Marriages, Leftist-Dravidianist Media Silent appeared first on The Commune.