Sanatan eradication case – How hate-speakers defend themselves – if everybody could speak according to their ideology, why arrest some and leave others?
Why all coloured brigades have been anti-Hindu?: The “Black Parivar,” comprising, DK, DMK, MDMK, communist categories, Tamil separatist groups and a host of other gangs working with “Tamil, Dravidian, Tamil nationalist” banners have been targeting Hindus by all means. Thus, the “Red Parivar” (Communists of all varieties), “Green Parivar” (Islamic, Mohammedan and other Jihadi groups), Christian Parivar (of all denominations) etc., have also joined such bandwagon of heinous attacks. Why they should do that? Under the secularism, scientific temper and so many other technicalities, even in the cyber age, how it is possible to target Hindus on every pretext? The European Indological research turned Christian propaganda and Mohammedan aggression have also been iding and abetting such anti-Hindu propaganda and psychological warfare. Earlier, they used dub “Sangh Parivar,” “Kavi / Saffron brigade” to target their Hindu ideologists, but, now, their attack has been straight against the BJP, but hitting the Hindus only. Ever since, the BJP came to power at the centre and continued to rule for the second term, the anti-BJP aggression invariably started attaching Hindu religion, faith and believers at national and international forums and organizations.
Dravidian atheism has been anti-Hindu: Now, in Tamilnadu, after the coming back to power by the DMK, definitely, their anti-Hindu activities have been increasing day by day within two years. From verbal to physical their attacks have been systematic, well-planned and targeted. The anti-Hindu attitude continued through EVR, Annadurai, Karunanidhi, Stalin and now Udhyanidhi. Ironically and incidentally, they take pride in having such an anti-Hindu legacy attacking Hindus. Very often, they come out with illogical arguments like that they have been only against Parppaniyam and not against Parppans (the expressions themselves used with poisonous hatred and venomous vengeance). “Kill Brahmin first, leaving the snake, if you find both of them,” has been an axiom of their leaders. So now, Udhyanidhi has started throwing venom with his “eradication hate-speeach” and his father Stalin duly supporting.
Madras High Court opined that the police must have taken action against the hate-speech ministers: The Madras High Court has criticized the Tamil Nadu Police for failing to take action against DMK ministers Udhayanidhi Stalin and PK Sekar Babu over their comments about “eradicating Sanatana Dharma”[1]. The court noted that no individual has the right to promote divisive ideas or the abolition of any ideology[2]. Madras High Court Justice G Jayachandran noted that the police’s failure to act against the ministers amounts to dereliction of duty[3]. The judge also emphasised that the courts cannot be expected to endorse ideas that promote hostility among the people[4]. The judge also stressed that it is the responsibility of those in power to realise the potential dangers of making divisive speeches and to behave responsibly by refraining from promoting views that could divide people based on ideology, caste, and religion[5]. “This Court is of the view that a person in power should realise the danger of speech unflaring fissiparous tendencies and behave responsibly and restrain themselves from propagating views which will divide people in the name of ideology, caste and religion[6]. Instead, they may concentrate on eradicating intoxicating drinks and drugs which are injuries to health, corruption, untouchability and other social evil,” said Justice Jayachandran, while hearing a petition[7].
There was a “dereliction of duty” on the part of the police: There was a “dereliction of duty” on the part of the police as they did not act against Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin over his “inflammatory speech to eradicate Sanatana Dharma” and his cabinet colleague Sekar Babu who was also present at the event where the remarks were made on September 2, 2023 the Madras high court has observed[8]. As a consequence, a petitioner now wants permission to counter it by conducting a conference to “eradicate Dravidian ideology”, justice G Jayachandran said in an order passed on October 31, 2023[9].
Hate-speakers claims “I have only spoken my ideology”: Udhayanidhi, however, on Monday 06-11-2023 defended his Sanatana Dharma remark, which had sparked a nationwide uproar[10]. “I didn’t say anything wrong. We will face the case legally,” he told reporters when asked about the high court’s observation. “I have only spoken about my ideology.” The minister for youth welfare and chief minister MK Stalin’s son further said that his remark on Sanatana Dharma was not something that was not spoken before by leaders like BR Ambedkar and ‘Periyar’ E V Ramasamy. Earlier, the high court bench of Justice Jayachandran made the observations while dismissing a petition seeking permission to conduct a conference to “eradicate Dravidian ideology”. The petitioner, Magesh Karthikeyan, a resident of Chennai, had claimed it is the fundamental right to conduct such a meeting. As has been noted by the general public of Tamilnadu, only the atheist, Periyarist, Analytical wisdom propagators and Dravidologists could speak and write their ideology and not others. Even the victims, the Hindus cannot defend themselves against these hate-speakers, as they have been at the receiving end for all these years.
However, the speaker defends himself: Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin on Monday defended his stance on ‘Sanatana Dharma’ after the Madras High Court criticised the police for failing to take action against him and PK Sekar Babu over their comments[11]. The High Court noted that no individual has the right to promote divisive ideas or the abolition of any ideology. Udhayanidhi Stalin, who had earlier compared ‘Sanatana Dharma’ to “dengue” and “malaria”, said that he hadn’t said anything wrong, adding that he was ready to face legal consequences regarding his statement. Only the general public and Hindus should wait and see whether the hate-speakers would be punished or not.
Claims that he has not spoken more than what Ambedkar and EVR spoke: He said[12], “I haven’t said anything wrong. What I said was right and I’ll face it legally.. I will not change my statement. I have spoken my ideology. I’ve not spoken more than what Ambedkar, Periyar or Thirumavalavan had said. I can be an MLA, a Minister or a Youth Wing Secretary and tomorrow I maybe not. But being a human is more important.”It (Sanatana) is a several hundred years old issue, we shall oppose it forever.”[13] In September, Udhayanidhi Stalin called for the eradication of ‘Sanatana Dharma’, as he said, it was “against social justice and equality”. “Few things cannot be opposed, that should be abolished only. We can’t oppose dengue, mosquitoes, malaria or coronavirus. We have to eradicate this. That’s how we have to eradicate Sanatana,” he had said.”Rather than opposing Sanatana, it should be eradicated. The name Sanatana is from Sanskrit. It is against social justice and equality,” Stalin said, who is a minister for Youth Welfare and Sports Development in the ruling DMK government[14]. His remarks drew sharp criticism from the ruling BJP, with the party’s IT cell head Amit Malviya saying that Stalin’s statement was “eerily similar” to Hitler’s views about Jews[15].
[1] India Today, Sanatana Dharma row: Court pulls up cops for not acting against Udhayanidhi Stalin, Pramod Madhav, Edited By: Vadapalli Nithin Kumar, Chennai,UPDATED: Nov 6, 2023 13:41 IST.
[3] Live Law, Coexistence Of Multiple Ideologies Identity Of Country, No One Has Right To Hold Meeting To Eradicate Any Ideology: Madras High Court, Upasana Sajeev, 5 Nov 2023 1:35 PM.
[8] Hindustan Times, Madras high court slams cops’ inaction against ministers over Sanatana remark, By Divya Chandrababu, Chennai, Nov 07, 2023 07:28 AM IST.
[10] India Today, ‘Will oppose Sanatana forever’: Udhayanidhi Stalin after High Court’s criticism, Pramod Madhav, Chennai, Edited By: Aditi Sharma, UPDATED: Nov 6, 2023 16:55 IST.
[12] India TV news, Udhayanidhi Stalin reiterates his stand amid legal proceeding in Madras HC, Edited By: Raju Kumar @rajudelhi123, Chennai, Updated on: November 06, 2023 21:15 IST
[14] India Today, Udhayanidhi’s remark on ‘Sanatana Dharma’ similar to Hitler’s views on Jews: BJP, India Today News Desk, New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 5, 2023 15:49 IST
Hindu solidarity and unity exhibited in the massive rally supporting the cause for the Chennimalai hill and temple!
The Christian announcement about the change of name of Chennimalai: The Chennimalai Murugan Temple, situated in Erode district and boasting a history of over 3000 years, is in news due to a recent contentious speech by the local Christian Munnani group proposing to rename it as “Kalvaari Malai” or “Yesu Malai”[1]. This proposition has stirred controversy among the local Hindus, who have been venerating Chennimalai Murugan for generations[2]. Chennimalai is situated between Erode and Coimbatore. It is known as Siragiri and Chenniyangiri in Devanagiri, and Chennimalai in Tamil, the hill lends its name to the city at its base. The hill is also referred to as Sigaragiri, Pushpagiri, and Siragiri. Notably, the revered hymn ‘Kanda Sashti Kavacham,’ praising Lord Murugan, was first staged by Sri Bala Devaraya Swamigal at this temple. Therefore, evidently, the attempts of the Christians have been atrocious, heinous and irreligious too.
Modus operandi of the Christian encroachment: Erecting a cross, encroaching the place, regularly conducting prayers, putting up temporary shed, converting it into brick structure with doors and windows, getting electricity and regularizing encroachment by getting patta, registration etc., and thus, the illegally encroached area getting legal status, that too, as a church – have been going on. Then, the structure is converted into igger one, with houses coming up surrounding it. Slowly, then it is converted into a township. This happened at many places in Tamilnadu. The Tamilnadu Government officials of different departments – Forest, Revenue, Electricity, Police and others not only aid and abet them, but a;so help them in many ways, obviously with mutual benefits.
Brief of what happened: One John Peter has started conducting prayers reportedly at his house, but, converting into fulfledged church with all their paraphernalia with crowd gathering on Suday and creating sound and noise. Obviously that have been disturbing the neighbours, but authorities keeping quite. Besides, the Christians have started their pla by constructing a small Church on the Chennimalai and declaring that it would named after their religion. Hindu Munnani state president Kadeswara Subramaniam has sought criminal action against Christian missionaries for alleging trying to convert Chennimalai Murugan temple hillock as theirs[3]. He also led a protest in the town against the missionaries on 13-10-2023 Friday[4]. Addressing the protesters, Subramaniam alleged that Arjunan alias John Peter from Pasuvapatty had bought a piece of land at Murungathozhuvu, where the Chennimalai Murugan temple hillock is located. He had conducted prayer meetings on the land without obtaining any permission, Subramaniam alleged.
What Actually Conspired: Unauthorised Christian prayer meetings took place in the predominantly Hindu community of Chennimalai, Erode District, causing local tensions[5]. It is quite common that the Christians on Sundays gather, putting up speakers and start shouting and singing and this would continue, even, if none is there in the church, i.e, these noise and shouting would be played through music system. These meetings aimed to promote the Christian faith and attracted attendees from outside the town[6]. Offensive remarks about Hindu deities were made during these gatherings through loudspeakers, deeply offending Hindu residents[7]. Despite causing issues, the unauthorised meetings continued[8]. The law enforcing authorities did not take the conginance of these violations. On 17 September, a confrontation occurred when members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) objected to the meetings and insisted on proper permissions[9]. The disagreement escalated into a physical altercation between the BJP members and the Hindu Munnani, resulting in a police case with charges, including attempted murder[10].
25-09-2023 Christian meeting – the support of political parties: The Christians organized a meeting and demanded that action should be taken and all arrested by the police. Christian organisations and political groups like the Revolutionary Youth Front, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), and MDMK demanded action against those opposing the prayer meetings. Two individuals, Chinnaswamy and Tamilarasan, were arrested by the police, which shocked BJP and Hindu Munnani members who felt the police acted unilaterally. A Christian demonstration on 26 September 2023 raised concerns as some speakers expressed intent to transform the Chennimalai Murugan temple hill into a “Kalvari Hill”. Hindu organisations mobilized support for protests, and the issue transformed into a religious matter, distressing Muruga devotees and prompting further demonstrations and tensions in the area.
Concern and alarm over the Chistian announcement over name change and abuses: The Hindu Munnani has accused the Christian Munnani, along with certain local Christian missionaries instigated by certain political parties, of publicly giving a controversial speech saying that the sacred Hindu worship site of Chennimalai will be renamed. The Hindu Munnani has strongly condemned this act, stating that it hurt the sentiments of Hindus. They have announced plans to stage a protest on 13 October 2023. Furthermore, they alleged that the Christian Munnani is undertaking these actions with the support of certain local politicians. The 13th Friday meeting has been a grand success, as nearly 25,000 devotees participated volunterrly to register their support and strength and cause. Significantly, many women participated singing slokas and devitional songs.
The support of the Hindu Makkal Katchi: In a recently released video by Indu Makkal Katchi head Arjun Sampath, a Tamil public speaker named Manjunathan expressed strong disapproval for the proposition to rename the sacred Hindu place of worship. He emphasised that Chennimalai holds immense historical and cultural significance in the Erode district, revered by their ancestors for generations. He said that the Christian Munnani’s suggestion to rename the temple has caused distress among Hindus, who have always been supportive of other communities without animosity. This effort to rename the temple is influenced by political motives and stated firmly that such actions will not succeed. He encouraged support for the protest against Christian Munnani’s divisive proposal on 13 October 2023. It is noteworthy to mention here that an entire hill of in Tamil Nadu was encroached by Christian missionaries for years. The Vajragiri hill located about 95 km from Chennai along the Chennai-Trichy highway, atop which exists the Pasupathiswarar temple was encroached and there were allegations of local Hindus being denied access to the temple.
Similar Incidents in Tamil Nadu: Legal Proceedings and Court Rulings: The Chennimalai controversy is not an isolated incident in Tamil Nadu. There have been ongoing disputes related to religious sites, encroachments, and attempts to rename sacred places, particularly involving Hindu temples and hills. These incidents have led to longstanding tensions and demands for government intervention. In a series of contentious incidents affecting Tamil Nadu’s heritage and religious sites, allegations of land encroachments and disputes have captured the public’s attention. These ongoing disputes have caused unrest among the local communities, sparking legal battles and debates. Located approximately 95 kilometers from Chennai along the Chennai-Trichy highway, the Vajragiri hill is home to the sacred Pasupathiswarar temple. Local Hindus have alleged that they have been denied access to the temple due to encroachments on the hill. Efforts to reclaim the area from the encroachers have been ongoing for several years, drawing attention to the issue’s complexity and sensitivity.
Jesus Redeems- Lazarus case: The religious organisation, Jesus Redeems, has acquired 108 acres of land in the mountainous region of Thoranamalai, near Kadayam in the Tenkasi district. They have plans to establish a modern city with comprehensive amenities on this land. According to the Jesus Redeems website, the founder, Brother Mohan C Lazarus, claimed to have received divine guidance to acquire this mountainous area. The land was donated by a devotee, raising questions about the nature of the acquisition.
Tiruparangundram- Sikandar Dargah: In a highly contentious case, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court recently refused to halt Islamic activities, including namaz, on the Thiruparankundram hill, which is also home to the Sri Subramanya Swamy temple. This dispute has intensified as some groups seek to rename the hill as ‘Sikkandar hill,’ alleging a saint by that name passed away on the hill. The court’s decision to permit namaz activities for 30 minutes, particularly during Bakrid, has ignited tensions in the region. Thiruparankundram is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga, making this a matter of significant religious importance.
Tiruprangundram encroachment, a blot on the Muslims: Local Hindu organizations have long been opposing such encroachments and are urging the government to take action in removing the encroachers. They contend that such incidents are part of a larger pattern and are jeopardizing Tamil Nadu’s heritage and religious sites. These disputes continue to simmer and have become emblematic of the broader challenges faced by religious and heritage sites in the region. Legal proceedings and court rulings have played a role in shaping these disputes. The Madurai bench of the Madras High Court refused to stay namaz and other Islamic activities on Thiruparankundram hill, where the Sri Subramanya Swamy temple is located. This emboldened certain groups to carry out activities on the hill, leading to allegations of encroachment and opposition from Hindu outfits.
The Christian encroachment of Chennimalai illegal: The attempt to rename the Chennimalai Murugan Temple, the unauthorised Christian prayer meetings, and the ensuing tensions have created a complex and sensitive situation in Tamil Nadu. As devotees march to Chennimalai in protest and various political and religious groups become involved, the issue continues to evolve. The broader context of similar incidents in the state and legal challenges underscores the complexity of religious matters in the region, demanding attention and resolution from all stakeholders. The unfortunate, but, naked truth have been the total silence of the authorities in the encroachment. That is why the Christians have been emboldened and continue to encroach and occupy lands
[1] The Commune, “Christian Munnani” Calls For Renaming Murugan Temple Site Chennimalai As “Kalvaari/Yesu Malai”, Hindu Orgs Announce Protest, October 11, 2023
[5] The Organizer, Tamil Nadu: Religious tension mounts as Hindu devotees protest attempt to rename Chennimalai Murugan temple, T S Venkatesan Oct 11, 2023, 02:45 pm IST.
[7] Swarajya, TN: Hindu Orgs Announce Protest Against Christian Munnani Proposal To Rename Chennimalai Murugan Temple Hill As ‘Yesu/ Kalvaari Malai’, Swarajya staff, Friday, October 13, 2023 12:08 pm IST
[9] NewsBharati, Christian missionaries eye another Hindu temple! Rename Murugan Temple Site Chennimalai As “Kalvaari/Yesu Malai’?, 11-Oct-2023 17:00:10 PM.
The hate speech, anti-Hindu rant or Sanatan eradication campaign – why and how such violations have been taking place continuously in Tamilnadu? (3)
06-09-2023 FIR filed on Congress Minister, Karanataka: In Rampur, an FIR has been registered at the Civil Lines police station against Udhayanidhi and Priyank Kharge for allegedly hurting religious sentiments based on a complaint by an advocate, Ram Singh Lodhi, police said on Wednesday. Both leaders have been booked under sections 295A (insults to the religious beliefs of a class) and 153A (promoting enmity between different groups) of IPC. “A case has been registered against Udhayanidhi for his statement calling for eradication of Sanatana Dharma and against Kharge for supporting the statement,” a senior police officer said, requesting anonymity. Though other Congress spokespersons and leaders had been cautious, he came out openly to support the DMK minister.
FIR registered with different sections of IPC: In his complaint, Lodhi has alleged: “Udhayanidhi compared Sanatana Dharma with diseases like dengue and malaria, and said it should be eradicated… This remark hurt the religious feelings of Sanatanis like me and should be seen as an act of creating hatred among people.” In Madurai, police have registered a case against Paramhans Acharya, a seer from Ayodhya, for allegedly issuing death threat by putting bounty on Udhayanidhi over his remark. The cyber crime police have registered a case under various IPC sections, including 153 (provocation to cause riot), 153A (promoting enmity between different sections of people) and 506 (criminal intimidation) based on a complaint by J Devasenan, a DMK functionary. The also named an Uttar Pradesh-based journalist Piyush Rai for recording and posting on social media the seer’s video which, Devasenan alleged has “caused panic and fear among the people of Tamil Nadu and may lead to communal riots and disturb public peace.” In the purported video, released on Tuesday, the seer is heard saying: “…if required, I myself will behead MK Stalin’s son, and I will also increase the bounty of ₹10 crore if that is not enough for beheading him.”
2022-23 how the Dravidian model with Dravidian stock work to blaspheme Hindu religion: After the DMK coming to power, the Dravidian ideologists have been trying to divide the mutts based on parochial issues like caste, liturgy, Vaishnava-Siva polemics etc. They also try to exploit the inter and intra differences among the various believing systems of Hindu faith by raking up settled issues. As the mutts have been the owners of billions of rupees worth of properties and temples, the atheist and Dravidian politicians have been trying to threaten the Mutt heats with different non-issues. The “Pattina-pravesam” was opposed by the DK and the DMK gave a tacit support. Then with the scheme of “any caste person can become an archaka,” they even divided the same mutt or the believing muts of a particular denomination. With “Saivism,” they also try to makem themdeclare that they are Savites and not Hindus. However, all have to come under “Hindu” only as per the Art.25 of the Indian Constitution.
BJP writes to the TN Governor requesting permission to proceed legally: Just after DMK Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin came out with a statement hitting out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Sanatan Dharma row, the BJP leaders approached Tamil Nadu governor T N Ravi seeking action against the minister[1]. State BJP chief K Annamalai took to social media platform X to report about the meeting[2]. He said the senior leaders of the party met T N governor R N Ravi to submit memorandums against the DMK Minister. They sought the Governor’s intervention in filing cases in line with the Supreme Court’s guidelines against Udhayanidhi Stalin for his alleged “hate speech” at the Sanatana Eradication conference. The leaders have also asked for the dismissal of Minister P K Sekar Babu for attending the conference, where Udhayanidhi made the remark, which they allege was “a violation of his oath to office.” This comes a day after an FIR has been registered against Amit Malviya, in charge of BJP’s IT department, for “distorting Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare Minister Udhaynidhi Stalin’s remark on Sanatan Dharma.” According to local police, a case was registered against Malviya on Wednesday under IPC sections for deliberately misrepresenting Udhayanidhi’s remark to cause disharmony and create enmity among different sections of people. Malviya had posted on X that the DMK leader had called for “genocide” of 80 per cent population who follow Sanatan Dharma. The FIR was registered following a complaint, they said and did not elaborate.
07-09-2023 – A Raja too blasphemed through his hate speech: An application has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking registration of an FIR against Tamil Nadu Minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin for his recent statements made against ‘Sanatana Dharma’[3]. The plea also seeks contempt action against the Delhi Police and Chennai Police for not complying with the Supreme Court’s direction to register suo motu FIR in hate speech cases[4]. The plea seeks for registration of an FIR against Stalin for the act of ‘outraging religious feelings, insult of the followers of Hindu religion and instigating enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion’[5]. It is contended that the statements amount to offences punishable under Sections 153A, 153B, 295A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code[6]. The plea has also sought for registration of an FIR against A Raja, MP from Tamil Nadu and former Cabinet Minister, for his remarks against Sanatana Dharma[7]. Raja on Thursday (07.09.2023) compared Sanatana Dharma to diseases such as HIV and leprosy[8]. This Raja has been notorious for making such hate speech continuously, but no action has been taken. Many videos have been available as evidence for his speech.
How A. Raja MP could make hate speech continuoysly?: As these Dravidian ideologists continue to blaspheme, but the local police takes no action, because, they cannot take action against their own ministers, this type of hate speech has been continuing without check. The plea has been filed by Advocate Vineet Jindal, who said that, being a Hindu and a follower of Sanatana dharma, his religious sentiments have been hurt by the statements made by Udhayanidhi Stalin. The applicant alleges that Udhayanidhi Stalin calling for eradication of Sanatana Dharma and comparing Sanatana tp mosquitoes, dengue, corona, and malaria amounts to hate speech[9]. The applications have been filed by Jindal in the case of Shaheen Abdullah v. Union of India which seeks action against hate speeches[10]. Jindal has filed one application to get himself impleaded as a party in the case and another application seeking directions for FIR against the DMK leaders. The TN CM, Stalin happens to be the Minister for Police, Law and order etc., and instead of controlling the situation, he has issued a statement supporting Udhyanidhi’s speech. This is how such hatredness has been promoted, nurtured and encouraged in the state for the last 70 years.
The DK and DMK have been anti-caste and anti-religion, as some try to interpret: The general narratives of the Dravidian ideology by non-Tamilians woukd be of this stereo-typed nature without going into the details. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Tamil Nadu’s ruling party, has its roots in the Self-Respect Movement begun by EV Ramaswamy ‘Periyar’[11]. The early 20th-century movement championed opposition to caste and religion and positioned itself as a rationalist movement against social evils[12]. But, most of their attacks had been against Hindu religion only. Through the years, these ideals have influenced the state’s politics, including the parties DMK and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which emerged out of the movement. Periyar, the founder of the Self-Respect Movement (1925), was strongly anti-caste and anti-religion in his outlook, but they have been in reality anti-Hindu and castesist. He advocated major social reforms related to caste and gender, and opposed the domination of Hindi, emphasising the distinct cultural identity of the Tamil nation. Here, it has to be identified with the Tamil separatism.
[1] The week, TN BJP leaders meet Governor Ravi against Udayanidhi Stalin as police file case against Amit Malviya, Updated: September 07, 2023 13:30 IST.
[3] LiveLaw, Plea In Supreme Court Seeks FIR Against DMK Leaders Udhayanidhi Stalin and A Raja For Remarks Against ‘Sanatana Dharma‘, Sheryl Sebastian 7 Sept 2023 7:13 PM.
[5] ZeeNews, Sanatan Dharma Remark Row: Plea Seeking FIR Against Udhayanidhi Stalin Filed In Supreme Court, Last Updated: Sep 07, 2023, 10:33 PM IST|Source: IANS
[11] Indian Express, Row over Sanatan Dharma: The history of DMK’s anti-religion, anti-caste origins, Written by Rishika Singh, New Delhi | First published on: 04-09-2023 at 15:54 IST; Updated: September 6, 2023 16:39 IST.
The hate speech, anti-Hindu rant or Sanatan eradication campaign – why and how such violations have been taking place continuously in Tamilnadu? (2)
Congress divided in opposing and supporting Sanatan and DMK: While Venugopal harped on freedom of expression Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s son and Karnataka MLA Priyank Kharge supported Stalin’s claims. Kharge said any religion that does not give equal rights is not a religion and “is as good as a disease”. “Any religion that does not promote equality, any religion that doesn’t ensure that you have the dignity of being a human being is not a religion, according to me. So it is as good as a disease,” Priyank Kharge said. Congress leader and former Union minister Karan Singh, however, termed the DMK leader’s statement as “preposterous” and “most unfortunate”. He has been a very matured and respectable leader and his response in this context has to be noted. “Thiru Udhayanidhi’s preposterous statement that Sanatan Dharma should be eradicated is most unfortunate. Crores of people in this country follow, to a lesser or greater extent the tenets of Sanatan Dharma. “Besides, the greatest Sanatan Dharma temples in the world are in Tamil Nadu – in Thanjavur, in Srirangam, in Thiruvannamalai, in Chidambaram, in Madurai, in Suchindram, in Rameshwaram and many more,” Singh said in a statement. “It is shocking that a responsible politician should make this kind of a totally unacceptable statement. I have the highest regard for the magnificent Tamil culture but I take strong objection to the statement made by Thiru Udhayanidhi,” he said.
Udhyanidhi has been adamant to repeat to say what he has said: Udhayanidhi is unrelenting, because, it is evident that the party has decided to support him. “Sanatanam enslaved women and it was Dravidianism which broke those shackles[1]……. I am ready to present the extensive writings of Periyar and Ambedkar, who conducted in-depth research on Sanatana Dharma and its negative impact on society in any forum….Day before Saturday I spoke at a function about it (Sanatana Dharma). Whatever I said, I’ll repeat the same thing again and again…I included all the religions and not just Hindus…I spoke condemning the caste differences that’s all…”, the DMK leader was quoted by ANI as saying in Thoothukudi[2]. Stalin has also issued a statement supporting his speech and clarifying the position. Arguing that merely opposing an ideology doesn’t mean seeking the killing of those subscribing to it, the DMK leader sought to know[3] whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi means he wants to kill Congressmen when he proclaims that he wants India to be “Congress-mufth.” Udhayanidhi also accused the BJP of “twisting” his statement and spreading lies that he called for “genocide of Hindus”, saying he only batted for an equitable society where people from all walks of life enjoy equal rights[4]. It is evident that he has been exposing himself by giving more such explanation, as he has not understood the words properly. The word “ozhippu = destruction, elimination” is different from “muft = free, making free of”
Non-Congress leaders have also been divided: Amit Malviya hit out at him on social media. He alleged that Udayanidhi was calling for genocide of 80% population of Bharat. Home Minister Amit Shah said Udayanidhi had insulted the country’s “culture, history and Sanatana Dharma,” and in Delhi an advocate filed a complaint with the police commissioner, saying that the comments presented a clear case of hate speech. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee warned against making remarks which could hurt the sentiments of other people. “Every religion has separate sentiments. India is about ‘Unity in Diversity’ which is our origin. We should not be involved in any matter which might hurt a section of people”, she told news agency PTI. The left media (like The Wire etc) continues to support such propaganda[5]. “The controversy also reveals that at this moment, when the dominant political project of our times is concerned with crafting an idea of Hinduism as a monolith and as a sanatana dharma, the significance of the ideas of towering figures like Periyar and Ambedkar is increasing”[6].
Without caste and casteism, there is no electoral battle in Tamilnadu: In any case, the Indians other the Tamilnadu state, generally know the anti-Hindu stance of the Dravidian parties and therefore, they do not believe or rely upon the political parties like DK, DMK etc. Moreover, their “anti-Hindi,” anti-north attitudes have been noticeable and hurting them for the last 75 years and more. Perhaps, the only state in India that has been thriving with separatist ideology has been Tamilndu and its Dravidian ideologists. As for as the Tamilndu is concerned, the DMK and the AIADMK have been ruling alternativesly, as without them, there has not been any alternative choice for voting. Therefore, there is no question of “Hindu vote bank” in Tamilnadu and casteism only fetches votes. Thus, even the promoters of caste, casteism and caste differences have been the Dravidian politicians, ideologists and other supporting groups. From the 1950-70s onwards how casteism controlled the Dravidian polity, politics and votebank has been an open secret. Without politics, there is no electoral battle in Tamilnadu and however, they only very often cry that caste should be abolished and so on.
262 signed a petition to SC to take suo moto action: In a letter to the Chief Justice of India, DY Chandrachud, more than 260 eminent citizens, including former judges and officials, urged him to take note of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Udhayanidhi Stalin’s ‘Sanatan Dharma’ remark[7]. Former Delhi HC judge S N Dhingra who is one of the signatories of the letter said that not only did Stalin make a hate speech but he refused to apologise for his remarks[8]. The letter by 262 people said the undersigned are deeply concerned over the remarks made by Stalin and that these remarks undeniably amount to “hate speech” against a large population of India and strike at the very core of the Constitution of India which envisages Bharat as a secular nation[9]. The letter said that action needs to be taken in order to preserve the secular character of the country[10]. Any delay on the part of the administration in taking action on “very serious issues” will invite the court’s contempt, it said[11]. The letter said the state government has refused to take action and allegedly acted in contempt of the Court’s orders and “gravely undermined or rather made a mockery of the rule of law”. “We urge the Supreme Court to take the suo moto notice of contempt, ensuring accountability for the inaction of the State Government of Tamil Nadu, and take decisive steps to prevent the inducement of hate speech, preserving public order and peace and we request you to take immediate appropriate actions. “We sincerely hope for the thoughtful consideration of our plea and implore immediate measures to ensure justice and rule of law to prevail,” it said[12].
FIRs have been filed for hate speech: Multiple cases have been registered in various parts of the country in connection with Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin’s controversial remark on Sanatana Dharma and reactions against it[13]. An FIR has been registered against Udhayanidi and Priyank Kharge — Karnataka minister and Congress leader who backed the Tamil Nadu minister’s remark — at Rampur in Uttar Pradesh, while cases were also registered against BJP IT department in-charge Amit Malviya for distorting the DMK leader’s remark and against an Ayodhya-based seer for putting a bounty on Udhayanidhi[14]. On September 2, Udhayanidhi, son of Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin, alleged that Sanatana Dharma is “against social justice and equality” and it should hence be “eradicated”, triggering nationwide uproar. Days later, Malviya posted on X (formerly twitter) that the DMK leader had called for “genocide” of 80% population who follow Sanatana Dharma. An FIR has been registered against him at Tiruchirappalli for deliberately misrepresenting Udhayanidhi’s remark to “cause disharmony” and “create enmity among different sections of people” under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), police said on Wednesday, 06-09-2023.
[1] Hindustan Times, ‘Will repeat the same thing again & again’: Udhayanidhi on his ‘Sanatana’ remark, By HT News Desk | Written by Aryan Prakash, Sep 04, 2023 08:14 PM IST.
[7] Outlook, Sanatan Dharma Remark: Over 260 Eminent Citizens Write To CJI DY Chandrachud To Take Taken Against Udhayanidhi Stalin, Outlook Web Deskdown, UPDATED: 05 SEP 2023 3:08 PM.
[9] Bench and Bar, These judges have signed statement urging CJI to act against Udhayanidhi Stalin for remarks on Sanatan Dharma, Debayan Roy, Published on: 05 Sep 2023, 2:50 pm.
[11] The Hindu, 262 citizens write to CJI to take suo motu contempt against T.N. for failing to act against Udhayanidhi ‘hate speech’, THE HINDU BUREAU September 05, 2023 02:03 pm | Updated 02:03 pm IST – NEW DELHI,
The hate speech, anti-Hindu rant or Sanatan eradication campaign – why and how such violations have been taking place continuously in Tamilnadu? (1)
02-09-2023 – Sanatana Eradication conference held: A Sanatanam (Sanatana Dharma) Abolition / Eradication Conclave [hereinafter mentioned as SEC] was held in Chennai on 02-09-2023 with the known group of ideologists, who have been against Hindu religion, as proven by their past speeches and writings. The so-called Progressive Writers Association, Dravidar Kazhagam, Viduthalai Siruthaikal, Vaikundar group, CPI, CPI(M), and other splinter groups joined together and organized the one-day conclave. Here, two DMK ministers, ironically, including the Minister for Hindu Religious Endowment participated sitting with other rabble-rousers of the day. These groups have been notorious for their misinterpreting the past, concocting events and carrying on propaganda with such tactics. It has been a noticeable trend that whenever, DMK comes to power, these groups would be emboldened to gather together and organize such meetings, seminars, workshops and demonstrations at different places of Tamilnadu. Whenever, they raise the pitch of separatism, they get some publicity and then disappear. Therefore, it is evident that the ruling DMK and DK give support to these groups. Just in July 2023, the same groups participated in the “World Tamil Conference,” and spoke in the same tone and tenor at Kula Lumpur, Malaysia, but the local minister condemned the speeches, particularly that of Thirumavalavan. Yet, they have tried to repeat here for the reasons known to them[1].
Udhyanidhi’s discourse on the eradication of Sanatana Dharma: Invited as a special speaker, Tamil Nadu Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs and son of Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, Udayanidhi Stalin said that Sanatana Dharma is like mosquitoes, dengue and malaria, and “it has to be eradicated”[2]. The Tamilnadu audience knows very well that he has not been any orator of the Dravidian nature, not-so-good speaker or competent to speak about such political ideologies. Yet, as he has been made a minister, the other ministers and DMK functionaries have started expressing their sycophancy right inside the TN Assembly and also outside. Thus, perhaps, he has been emboldened to talk about anything and get away. He was speaking at organised by the Tamil Nadu Progressive Writers Forum. Udayanidhi in his speech said[3]: “I thank the organisers for giving me the opportunity to speak at this conference to eradicate Sanatana Dharma. I congratulate the organisers for calling the conference as ‘eradication of Santana Dharma’ instead of ‘opposing Sanatana Dharma’….. “[4] There are certain things which we have to eradicate and we cannot merely oppose. Mosquitoes, dengue, corona and malaria are things which we cannot oppose, we have to eradicate them. Sanatanam is also like this. Eradication and not opposing Sanatanam has to be our first task,” he added[5].
Sanatanam – he gave his explanation, condemned and recommended for eradication: The Sports Minister who is also the state secretary of DMK youth wing said that Sanatana Dharma was opposed to both equality and social justice[6]. He further added[7]: “What is the meaning of Sanatanam? Eternal or something that cannot be changed, something that cannot be questioned and that is the meaning of Sanatanam.” The young leader, who is also a movie actor and producer[8], said that “Sanatanam used to divide people by caste and segregate them. He said[9]: “However, our Kalaignar (Karunanidhi) brought every community into one village and gave it the name Samathuvapuram (equality village).” Thus, he himself expounded the concept of Sanatanam, condemned and recommended for eradication. As their speeches have been clearly against Hindu religion, Hindus and faith, no explanation is required for the listeners what is targeted and attacked. The way of Drvidian ideologists talk against the Hindu religion, blaspheming etc., are also been well-known. As none of them has been prosecuted, as they themselves ruling and all the persons of various departments have been loyal to them, all FIRs and proceedings are kept in cold storage or forgotten forever.
Blasphemical propaganda converted into political campaign: Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu unit of the BJP is to campaign extensively against the statement of Stalin against the Sanatana Dharma[10]. “Udhayanidhi Stalin, who is a part of the INDIA bloc, was calling for genocide of the majority population in the country that believes in Sanatana Dharma. The BJP leader said that this would amount to “genocide of 80 per cent of the population”. In a post on X, the BJP state president said[11], “The only resolve of the Gopalapuram family is to accumulate wealth beyond state’s GDP. Thiru Udhayanidhi Stalin, you and your father, or his or your ideologue have a bought out idea from Christian missionaries and the idea of those missionaries was to cultivate dimwits like you to parrot their malicious ideology.” Of late, because of the elections coming nearer, the BJP cadres and associated groups have been diluting their ideology. Thus, here also, instead of dealing the blasphemy issue directly and legally, the BJP has already diverted the issue. Under the guise of “Hindutwa,” they have been doing antics and they are not all match for the Dravidian political tactics.
Understanding the stand, the DMK has become adamant: The BJP is also planning to make this a major campaign across the country over Udhayanidhi’s statement. In fact, they have started already. The BJP has already asked questions as to whether the INDIA front agreed upon this in their meeting in Mumbai. ‘Won’t be cowed down,’ Udhayanidhi. Udhayanidhi Stalin has defended himself on his comments on Sanatana Dharma, and said he won’t be cowed down by saffron threats and was ready to face any legal challenge. The DMK leader posted on X: “Bring it on, I am ready to face any legal challenge . We will not be cowed down by such usual saffron threats. We the followers of Periyar, Anna and Kalaignar, would fight forever to uphold social justice and establish an egalitarian society under the able guidance of our honourable CM.” Thus, compounding rhetoric would lose its legality. Then, as the Defense Minister himself suggested to apologize, once that is done, the entire chapter would be closed and against the Dravidian groups start another anti-Hindu propaganda. During the last two years, many cases have been filed against such anti-Hindu rants, but, nothing happened. The rabble-rousers have come out on bail and indulging in the same campaign.
04-09-2023 – Congress has been in a dilemma for this anti-Hindu rants: The anti-Modi, BJP opposing parties have just been coming together with their inherent contradictions. Thus, Congress has been uncomfortable with the speech of DMK, as it cannot win elections with such anti-Hindu stance in north India. While Tamil Nadu Congress leader Nana Patole had distanced the party from Udhayanidhi Stalin’s remarks saying that the Congress party respects all religions and does not want to make any comments that could hurt anyone’s sentiments, the principal opposition party on Monday 04-09-2023 stressed that others also have the freedom to express their views[12]. AICC general secretary K C Venugopal said while the Congress’ stand is clear, every other political party has the freedom to express its own view[13]. “Actually, our view is very clear – ‘Sarvadharma Sambhav’ (equal respect to all religions) is the Congress ideology. But, you have to understand that every political party has its own freedom to tell their views,” he said. “We are respecting everybody’s beliefs,” the Congress leader said.
[1] Even for this issue, the Malaysian Hindu Associations have condemned the speech of Udhayanidhi and gave their protest letter to the Indian High Commission office.
[2] The Tribune, ‘Sanatana Dharma like dengue and malaria, needs to be eradicated’: MK Stalin’s son rakes controversy- BJP to campaign extensively, Udhayanidhi says ‘won’t be cowed down‘, Updated At: Sep 03, 2023 03:32 PM (IST).
[4] Deccan Herald, Sanatana Dharma should be eradicated: M K Stalin son’s statement stokes controversy, ETB Sivapriyan, DHNS, Published 03 September 2023, 10:25 IST; Last Updated 03 September 2023, 10:25 IST.
[8] Siasat, Udayanidhi Stalin’s ‘Sanathana Dharma is like dengue’ remark creates stir, Indo-Asian News Service Follow on Twitter| Posted by Sameer Khan | Updated: 3rd September 2023 9:33 am IST.
The 11th World Tamil Conference started and ended with controversies in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia with lesser Academics!
International Association of Tamil Research (IATR) infected with politics and controversies: The World Tamil Conference has been politicized from the beginning itself, as it is sponsored by the Tamilnadu State government. However, of late, the Dravidian protagonists get divided for several reasons. While the DK-DMK dichotomy had love-hate relationships initially, they get adjusted with ideological orientation. Then came the DMK-AIADMK divide that worked explicitly with levels of Tamil chauvinism, Dravidian separatism and racial bigotry. Nobura Karashima was the President of the International Association of Tamil Research (IATR) from 1989 to 2010. He organized the 8th World Tamil Conference in 1995 at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. However, he and IATR boycotted the 9th World Tamil Conference in 2009 due to political interference. Noboru Karashima was president of the International Association for Tamil Research (IATR), which holds the World Tamil Conference (WTC). In 2010, Karashima refused to give consent to the then DMK Government to hold the WTC forcing the latter to have a jamboree as the ‘World Classical Tamil Conference’. He resigned from the post of president in 2010 because of the same reason.
Sharjah to Singapore to Malaysia to Chennai – the venue of the 11th conference: Coming to the 11th World Tamil Conference, with commercialization, many groups started informing that they were conducting the “World Tamil Conference,” inviting papers and even demanding amounts as processing fees of the papers[1]. Particularly during 2021, 2022 and 2023, such groups exploited many virtually cheating them[2]. The 11th World Tamil Research Conference was affected much, because of the individual aggrandizements, political interference and linguistic bigotry[3]. I have posted a blog about it how the venue was changed from Sharjah to Singapore to Malaysia to Chennai[4]. But, again, the claim has been made that the just concluded “11th International Conference Seminar” at Chennai has nothing to do with the IATR.
Saravanan-Sivakumar wrangle: The preliminary meeting of the organising committee for the 11th World Tamil Research Conference here, which started on 21-07-2023, nearly ended in blows when MIC deputy president M Saravanan was initially not given a slot to speak at the event. The two-hour joint Pakatan Harapan-MIC meeting, which was chaired by human resources minister V Sivakumar, with Saravanan as his co-chair, at first decided that only the minister would address the international conference followed by the keynote speech of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. However, a source said this was questioned by one of Saravanan’s supporters who asked why Saravanan, who he said was a better-known leader and also co-chairman, was not being given the same treatment as Sivakumar[5].
Is it political rivalry or an academic fight?: “A peeved Saravanan thumped the table and said he would not beg the committee for an opportunity to speak. “He then asked what would happen if people gathered to protest against the decision not to allow him to speak. “Sparks flew when former MIC leader Ohms Thiagarajan, who is with PKR now, said Saravanan’s words could be interpreted as being tantamount to rowdyism[6]. “Saravanan’s supporters rushed up to him, but the situation was defused by others who stopped them in the nick of time,” the source said.
Finally settled down for the conduct of the conference: Following the incident, the source said Sivakumar declared that both leaders would address the 600 delegates at the three-day event, which also sees foreign participation. When contacted, Saravanan said his supporters reacted when the meeting was told that he would not be allowed to speak although he had been appointed co-chairman by Anwar. “I’m not a deputy chairman but a co-chairman, appointed by the prime minister. “I should be treated fairly. Don’t make me an underdog just because I’m not a minister (anymore). “This is a world Tamil conference. Everyone knows where I stand globally when you talk about Tamil language and literature,” he said. A video clip of the incident is making the rounds.
Tamil vs Telugu controversy: Another news informed that the appointment of Human Resources Minister Sivakumar Varatharaju Naidu – a Telugu by birth – as its chairman baffled[7]. V. Sivakumar as he is often referred to is not known to Tamil scholars and academicians worldwide. Furthermore, he is not a deeply learned Tamil literature scholar nor passionately interested in Tamil. He is not even familiar with local Tamil writers and poets. Jointly organised by the International Association of Tamil Research (IATR), Universiti Malaya, OMS Foundation and the Malaysian government, the conference is poised to be a gathering of Tamil scholars and researchers from across the globe. MIC played a vital role in organising those international Tamil conferences. Now it is indeed a big honour for Malaysia that the fourth instalment of the international Tamil conference is coming back to Kuala Lumpur during Anwar’s tenure as PM. Therefore, the PM must get it right for the Tamils by appointing a Tamil – not a Telugu – as a chairman for an International Tamil conference[8].
Velmurugan
Thirumavalavan
The Tamilnadu politicians talked politics with divisive ideology: With all the starting problems, it was started on 21st July 2023 at the University campus. Many Tamilnadu politicians had been invited and their heads, representatives and members attended. However, most of them could be easily identified as rabble risers, as they used to talk on controversial, contentious and divisive issues. Of course, some of them have been known for such speeches. Incidentally, the same thing happened with certain speakers. First, Velmurugan started speaking about linguism, linguistic nationality and linguistic exclusivism tantamount to separatism. In Tamailnadu, it is well-known that the moment DMK came to power, they started using different terminology like Union, Dravidian stock, Dravidian model, “I do not know Hindi” and so on. They straight away carried on attacking the Hindu belief system on one or the other pretext in the name of “Sanatanam.” Their discourses and narratives have always been about this subject, whatever the stage might be.
Marimuthu speaks..
With Thirumavalavan, anti-Hindu rants appeared: Then came, Thirumavalavan and his speech slowly turned towards Hinduism, Sanatana belief etc., and started attacking as usual. Starting with nation, country, linguistic nationality etc., he interpreted that religions like Islam and Christianity have been philosophies and their mosques and churches institutions. They follow equality without any differentiation, whereas, the Hindu religion propagates inequality and the Hindus believe Sanatanam. Thus, the caste system cannot be changed and all cannot be equal. Most of the audience was not satisfied with his interpretation and even his way of talking, as it does not suit with the topic and theme of the conference. In fact, some dozen delegates opposed by shouting expressing their concern. Of course, the organizers came in between and tried to calm them. The Minister also requested to proceed with the deliberations, as they were about conclude on that day. Anyway, Thirumavalavan left the venue and reportedly to Singapore to attend another function. Then, Veeramani came with his lengthy talk. He was given half an hour. Of course, he was also delving into the similar issues and claimed that Periyar said so.
audience..
About research papers and paper presentation: About 500 papers were reportedly received for presentation and the topics covered mostly the Tamil literature. Siddha, Siddha medicine, Children’s literature, women’s issues, Saivism, Vaishnavism, and related topics were covered by the papers presented. Generally, most of the papers had been of “rehashed” types and 20-25 papers had been good and excellent. Most of the papers had been of generalized nature giving details that were known to everybody. The local Malaysian Tamil writers and novelists were honoured. Most of the speakers talked like “stage-speech,” as usual, as most of Tamil people do giving flavour to the words, without any subject matter.
Dravidian politicians….
Academic, study-related, research papers missing: The details about the academic sessions, list of research papers, titles, etc., were not known. The presented papers were not academic, study-related, research essays, with few exceptions. People who went to the conference also posted photos on social media saying “I went to the conference,” but it was not like “I read articles, asked questions, and I answered them”, but it was like “I went on a tour”. A website named Bernam has published some videos about the proceedings. Only the readings of some of them are reported (Saivism, Vaishnavism, Siddha Medicine, Pillaith Tamil, Tholseelai etc.). Some of the articles were good. Otherwise, most of the other research articles were in the same style and rehashing type.
PM ..
23-07-2023 (Sunday) – the PM inaugurated the Conference officially: Speaking when officiating the 11th International Tamil Research Conference at Universiti Malaya (UM), Anwar said the current condition requires a minimum of 15 students for a Tamil language class to be held. Anwar also announced an RM2 million allocation each for the conference, Universiti Malaya’s Department of Indian Studies and another RM2 million for the Education Ministry to relook into the conditions for Tamil education in secondary schools. These allocations, he said, were in honour of the 11th International Tamil Research Conference. Referring to Saravanan and Sivakumar working together as co-chairman of the conference, Anwar said he salutes the Indian community and leaders for taking the lead in building a new ‘Perpaduan Malaysia’, adding that this was also a message to Malay and Chinese leaders that the national vision must surpass all other differences and interests[9]. Jointly organised by the International Association of Tamil Research (IATR), Universiti Malaya and the OMS Foundation, the conference gathered more than 3,000 Tamil scholars and researchers from over 50 countries. Also present were co-chairman of the conference V. Sivakumar, who is also the Human Resource Minister and MIC deputy president Datuk Seri M. Saravanan[10].
Future conferences should be free of politics and politicians: Conference organizers have struggled and done everything satisfactorily in a short span of time. It would have been better had it proceeded academically with Tamil, Tamil research and research ethics. But due to the political mix, the organizers of the conference, the politicians within them, the politicians who were welcomed, everyone has stirred up problems at every level. While speaking, the Prime Minister pointed out that it is good that all the different parties have come together on the stage for the conference. From the beginning to the end, there were political upheavals, problems, scuffles etc. However, the conference ended with everything under control. Henceforth, if politics, politicians, parties etc. are not given importance at the next conferences, then all would be good.
[1] Vedaprakash, 11th World Tamil Conference changed to 11th International Conference Seminar on Tamil Studies held at Chennai from 7th to 9th July, 2023 (1), June 10, 2023.
[3] Vedaprakash, 11th World Tamil Conference changed to 11th International Conference Seminar on Tamil Studies held at Chennai from 7th to 9th July, 2023 (1), June 10, 2023.
[7] Focus – Malaysia, Tamils disappointed as Sivakumar, a Telugu, is appointed International Tamil Conference chairman, By Contributor – Tamil Vaanan, 13/07/2023
The World Tamil Justice Court – From Weapon manufacturing to plotting to attack infrastructures – Is it Tamil or Dravidian way? (1)
Within a short period, how such things could have happened?: It is surprising and shocking to note that within a short period (August to October), many disruptive forces have suddenly shown their tendencies openly or affecting the normal routines of other common people in different parts of Tamilnadu, when, most of the people have just come out of the pandemic conditions and reeling under monsoon rains. Incidentally, the overall prices of essential commodities and taxes have also been affecting them. Thus, these violent and even extremist activities have made the people to think of the ugly past. Of course, the media itself has already pointed out that 1998 should not be repeated. Unfortunately, much politics and politicization of the incidents have made a dangerous position to tread.
The Dravidastan turned “Dravidanadu” ideologies worked and working even today: Since the Justice Party turned Dravidar Kazhagam, the so-called “Dravidian” ideologists had / have been propagating, demanding and fighting for “Dravidastan” or “Dravidanadu,” i.e, a separate “state” out of India since early 20th century[1]. Even after independence, the DK-DMK protagonists had been equivocal in their separatist demands registering them through their speeches, writings and other media[2]. Though, C.N.Annadurai reportedly had thrown the idea of “Dravidanadu” to the dustbin to fight elections and rule, the DK outfits did not abandon the demand. With the rise of LTTE, the extreme Communists fringe groups and Naxalite-type extremists have started various Tamil separatist groups under various banners were fighting for a separate state / nation comprising Tamilnadu, Sri Lanka and parts of Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra[3]. The Christian groups under the guise of “Liberation Theology” have also joined[4]. The Tamilnadu Liberation Army formed, had carried out terror attacks at many places in Tamilnadu. Of course, the Islamic groups have been also fighting in different ways under the banners of Al-Umma, Popular Front of India etc. The investigation agencies have found contacts among these organizations. The Rajiv Gandhi assassination plot exposed the international ramifications, connections and operations. After the killing of Veerappan, Prabhakaran and the ban of LTTE, it is believed that such separate groups have disappeared or subdued their activities. However, they appear to be active, as could be noted from the postings of Social media last 5 to 10 years[5].
DMK and Dravidian model give a fillip to the separatist forces: As most of them (the Dravidian protagonists) have been operating from Canada, France, SEA countries etc., they could not be brought under the Indian law. However, with the DMK coming to power, the “Dravidian” demand has reappeared with vigour and aggression[6]. Significantly, the elected CM himself started proclaiming that he belongs to the “Dravidian stock” and wants to follow the “Dravidian model” of government, administration, law, justice etc., in Tamilnadu. In fact, he has been hobnobbing with such politicians, who have been promoting regionalism and opposing strong centres. Day in and day out the Dravidian model ideologists, propagandists and speakers have been working vigorously on these lines in every media. Of course, the DMK ministers and politicians, particularly, the “Maran” Brothers have been owning and controlling the powerful SUN-group of networks that has been faithfully working for their cause. The 90% of media, as they have been under the mercy of the Dravidian polity, in one way or the other, the media people have also been partial, biased and prejudiced reporting, news coverage and reporting. All these have definitely been encouraging the separatist elements and thus, the sudden surge in such groups can be noted.
Crimes are on the rise after the corona period: While recovering from the coronavirus, there has been a need to restore law and order as extremism, terrorism, murder, robbery and violence have been rampant during the last one and a half year regime. Though, Tamil culture reportedly resects chastity, venerates womanhood and praises Mother-Goddess, the sexual crimes of all sorts have been increasing like anything. The TN cinema depicts vulgar dialogue, double-meaning porn songs, and degraded similar variety of dances – all with extreme violence and debasing family values. The TV-serials have scant regard for such values. Online sex, violence and related crimes have also been increasing. However, law and order do not seem to have been restored. For example, a few months ago it was reported in the press that 2,500 rowdies were caught in the name of “Operation Minnal Rowdi Vettai” by the police department across Tamil Nadu. The new-ganja-drug culture has been alarming and threatening the youth and the unemployed. In Tamil Nadu, the daily average of one or two murders has gradually changed to an average of eight to ten murders per day. And many murders are taking place due to family affairs, i.e. extramarital affairs and other inexplicable relationships. Drug addiction has also led to suicides. In that case, the culture of bomb culture creates panic and insecurity among the common people.
A team of officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) today conducted raids at a house at Kelambakkam on the outskirts of the city. The raids which commenced in the morning are continuing. The raids were a follow-up action to the searches conducted at 22 places across Tamil Nadu, including at the Tiruchy special camp, on July 20, 2022. NIA sources said the house of a conduit of the Sri Lankan drug lords lodged in the camp was being searched after gathering information about him during the earlier search operation. NIA had conducted search operations on July 20 at 22 premises, including the special camp in Tiruchy, where foreign nationals with criminal backgrounds have been lodged, along with eight premises in Chennai and interrogated as many as 14 Sri Lankans for their suspected links with offenders involved in smuggling drugs and heavy arms. During the earlier search, NIA team seized over 60 mobile phones and more than 50 SIM cards along with a laptop and other digital devices. A release from NIA said on July 20 NIA conducted searches at 22 premises of accused and suspects in Chennai, Tiruppur, Chengalpattu and Tiruchy districts in Tamil Nadu in the case of illegal activities of Sri Lankan drug mafia being operated by C Gunashekharan alias Guna and Pushparajah alias Pookutti Kanna in association with Haji Salim, drug and arms supplier based in Pakistan.
August 2022 – the terror-related arrests made in Tamilnadu by NIA: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on August 5, 2022 conducted a search operation in Tamil Nadu in connection with the illegal drugs and arms trade in India and Sri Lanka case, reports Times Now[7]. The counter-terror agency carried out raids at the residence of one suspect in Chengalpattu District in the case pertaining to the activities of a Sri Lankan drug mafia[8]. NIA said that the mafia is controlled by Gunashekharan and Pushparajah Khann who in association with Haji Salim[9], a drug and arms supplier based in Pakistan, has been operating in India and Sri Lanka in illegal drugs and arms trade for the revival of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in India and Sri Lanka[10]. The NIA registered the case suo-motu on 8 July 2022. The case was registered suo moto by NIA on July 8, 2022 under secs 120-B of IPC, secs 18, 20, 38, 39 and 40 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, besides under sec 8(c) read with secs 21(c), 23(c), 24, 27A, 28 and 29 of NDPS Act. The agency said that it had seized digital devices and incriminating documents during the search[11].
The Tamil-Kerala-LTTE nexus: NIA had registered a fresh case based on information collected during the probe into the case of the seizure of 300 kg heroin, five AK-47 rifles and 1,000 live 9 mm ammunition from a Lankan boat off the coast of Vizhinjam harbour near Thiruvananthapuram in 2021, sources said[12]. Fourteen inmates, including Danuka Roshan, Gunasekaran, Pookutti Kannan, Vikramasingam, Katta Gamini, Suranga Pradeep, Roopan, Mohammed Riyaz, Kennedy and Uma Raman were allegedly in touch with Pakistani smugglers to ferry drugs to India and Lanka. The gang was operating with Haji Salim and were operating in India and Lanka for the revival of LTTE,” NIA had said[13]. The gang was not only operating in India and Sri Lanka in illegal drugs and arms trade for the revival of LTTE, but had been functioning as a crime syndicate[14]. The special camp houses over 140 foreign inmates, including over 100 people from Sri Lanka[15]. Generally, common readers of newspapers or TV news-watchers may not know these happenings.
[1] K. V. Ramakrishna Rao, The Historic Meeting of Ambedkar, Jinnah and Periyar, in “Proceeding volume of the Twenty first Annual session”, of South Indian History Congress-2001, School of Historical Studies, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, January 2002, pp.128-136.
[2] Murasoli Maran, Why we want this Dravidanadu of happiness?,
[3] Parties like PMK was conducting “Self-etermination” conferences,under the influence of Communism, but, later abandoned completely.
[4] Their own documents and of course, TN court documents vouchsafe the happenings occurred at Meensurutti Indian Bank attack etc.
[5] There have been certain groups and individuals coming and going under the guise of Tamil scholars, exprts and researchers, participating in different private and even TN Government functions, but, aiding and abetting such separatist ideology. They come out with a hypothesis or theory to counter every pan-Indian, Indian, North-Indian historical fact with pro-Tamil or Dravidian claim twisting and misinterpreting certain words, and usual verbose.
[6] It is ironical that even though, the racial hypotheses and theries have been declared as myth and unscientific, these Dravidian protagonist continue use, abuse and exploit the separatist tendencies.
[7] Times Now, Tamil Nadu: NIA conducts raids in case related to drugs, arms trafficking to Sri Lanka, TN National Desk, Updated Aug 6, 2022 | 07:13 AM IST
[9] Salim’s name first surfaced during investigations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in July this year when the agency said that Salim, along with Sri Lankan drug mafia C Gunashekharan alias Guna and Pushparajah alias Pookutti Kanna, were pushing illegal drugs and arms into India using the sea route for the revival of LTTE.
[10] MSN.com, Tamil Nadu: NIA conducts raids in case related to drugs, arms trafficking to Sri Lanka, TN National Desk-Ties Now Digital, Updated Aug 6, 2022
[14] Economic Times, Pakistan-based drug lord under scanner for ‘trying to revive LTTE in Lanka’, By Rahul Tripathi , ET BureauLast Updated: Oct 12, 2022, 12:10 AM IST.
Dismissal of Christian activist case by the Supreme Court – How thoroughly it was misconceived to get it dismissed? At the same time, do the Hindutwavadis worry about it or not?
Dismissal of Christian activist case reported in news: The stuff that appears in the print and electronic media has been used to write this narrative and they have been acknowledged in the footnotes as usual. The narrative as appeared has been taken faithfully and comments are added separately. The Supreme Court has dismissed the Petition filed by Dr. M. Deivanayagam, a Christian activist from Tamil Nadu seeking abolition of the practice of Manu Laws and principles of Varashrama[1] on September 2nd 2022. The Bench of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli termed the petition as ‘thoroughly misconceived'[2]. The journals dealing with Supre Court cases, cryptly reported about this case in a characteristic way. They may not be knowing much about the petitioner, though he has been mentioned as “a Christian activist” adding that he is “from Tamil Nadu.” Anyway, this man gets exposed for his frivolous attempts of filing petitions on his own apprehensive and imaginary grounds with vested “Christian interests.”
Writ petition filed in 2020 and decided on 02-09-2022: In 2020, the writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution of India by Dr. M. Deivanayagam sought the following directions from the Apex Court[3]:
1. Abolition of the practice of principles of Laws of Manu / Principles of Varashrama as the same leads to discrimination and diversifying the people of India on the basis of Religion, Language, Caste, Sect and etc.
2. Thus, to form a committee to investigate and identify the practice of law of Manu which are prevalent in various forms across India and declare them as unconstitutional.
Further, M.Deivanayagam had filed a Public Interest Litigation before Madras High Court in 2017 to remove atheistic inscriptions below the statues of Thanthai Periyar in Tamil Nadu. Further, the High Court had in 2019 dismissed the same holding that the followers of Thanthai Periyar, in exercise of the rights under Article 19 of the Constitution of India and the same has a right to disagree with the existence of God[4].
“The petition is thoroughly misconceived. The petition shall stand dismissed”: “The petition is thoroughly misconceived. The petition shall stand dismissed”, the Bench said in its order[5]. The Court quoted the prayers of Deivanayagam in its order while dismissing the petition[6]. Deivanayagam appeared in person n 02-09-2022 and argued his petition of the year 2020[7]. Thus, definitely, he must have been trained or advised on how to depose, what to talk and how to respond to the judges in the court. However, who are the legal advisers, how he filed petitions in the Supre Court etc., are not known. That he appeared in person proves that he has the logistics to come over here either by flight or train with all preparations. Moreover, a few months back, it was informed that he was bedridden and not talking with others and so on. However, he released his book with Tirumavalavan. Deivanayagam had filed the petition, invoking the jurisdiction under Article 32 of the Constitution, seeking abolition of the practice of principles of Laws of Manu / Principles of Varashrama on the ground that it led to discrimination and diversification of the people of India on the basis of religion, caste, language, sect etc[8]. The Petitioner also sought directions to the Union of India to form a Committee to investigate and identify the practice of law of Manu which, according to him are prevalent in various forms across India and sought to declare them as unconstitutional[9].
Can Christian activist file a petition against Periyar and hobnob with periyarists?: In 2019, the Madras High Court had dismissed Deivanayagam’s petition seeking the removal of the atheistic inscriptions below the statues of Thanthai Periyar in Tamil Nadu[10]. Incidentally, here, the Periyar had to be defended, as he was unwittingly fighting against Periyarism, analytical wisdom, self-respect and other “Dravidian virtues” reportedly or supposed to be followed by all faithful “Dravidian stock” working and living according to the principles of “Dravidian model.” Here, the moot question arises as to, “Can Christian activist file petition against Periyar and hobnob with periyarists?.” Ironically, he has been moving with such Periyarists and they have been significantly working with each other. More details can be read from here[11].
2017 petition heard and decided in 2019: That the petition W.P. No.28021/2017 was heard two years later and the judges to deliver judgment on 04-09-2019 has been intriguing. None reacted to the judgment or protested to remove any paragraphs from the judgment arguing that they offend their belief or so. Perhaps, most of them are not interested at all. The duo Rajiv Malhothra and Aravinda Neelakantan made much fuss about their favourite duo Deivanayagam and Devakala also keeping quite! Though from 2014 onward, many Hindutwa advocates, lawyers and legal experts have been out, it appears that they do not bother such cases. Of course, they might write in their own websites and journals, read by a hundred or two hundred, applaud and enjoy time otherwise.
“Hindu Religion is the Offshoot of St. Thomas Dravidian Christianity”: Deivanayagam has authored a book titled “Hindu Religion is the Offshoot of St. Thomas Dravidian Christianity” and has made controversial remarks in the past, including that Thiruvalluvar is a baptized Christian of the Church created by St.Thomas. Though, it is mentioned at the tail-end, the learned reporters have not elaborated or got into the facts and details of his bogus attempts with his wonderful and fantastic research on such unhistorical stories and myths. None of these legal forums with all their backing and support have not attempted to take up this issue. The fraudulent research of Acharya Paul, Arulappa connecting Deivanayagam and others has also been linked to a case that was argued in the Madras High Court.
November 2021- Deivanayagam released his book with Thirumavalavan: Viduthalai Chirutaigal Katchi founder and Lok Sabha MP Chidambaram, Thol Thirumavalavan, attended a book-releasing function recently in November 2021 at Chennai. Thirumavalavan spoke, quoting from Deivanayagam’s book. He said he has been researching for several decades, and he concluded that “Thiruvalluvar was a Christian and was baptised, received communion”. He said, “Saivam and Vaisnavism were created by Dravidians, Tamilians. Deivanayagam has written an explanatory note to Thirukural at a new angle”. In that, he said Thiruvalluvar was Christian. Thirumavalavan said Deivanayagam, in his book, claimed that the Kabaleeswar temple was razed to grounds in 1566 by Portuguese forces to build a church which is now called Santhome church. “I fear if the sana tana forces (Sangh Parivar) know this, they will try to pull it down “.
The judgment and its beneficiaries and of course the affected: It is not known as to where the Hindutwa lawyers, advocates and others have gone. Though, they have great lawyers and advocates, forums and legal wings, it is not known whether they are following these cases or not. Thus, in the 2019 case, it is very clear that K. Veeramany and Deivanayagam played dubious play and mischief, just to get publicity through the petition, because, whether it is head or tail, they are the winners and the opponents or the gullible attacked [who always do not know that they are attacked] and the Judges cleverly delivered the judgment giving much publicity to EVR with the English translation that occupies 60% of their judgments. Definitely, both have been the most benefited with the dismissed petition and the judgment. Here, in the 2022 case, now the latter gets the dubious status of appearing in the Supreme Court and fought his case as a great crusader. Gullible Hindus would continue to suffer, but the politicized and political Hindutwavadis enjoy…..
[3] The Daily Guardian, SUPREME COURT: REJECTS PLEA SEEKING ABOLITION OF VARNASHRAMA PRINCIPLES & LAW OF MANU; “MISCONCEIVED., Published 2:28 am IST on September 8, 2022By TDG Network
[7] Indian Law Information, Supreme Court rejected a petition seeking abolition of the practice of Varnashrama principles of Laws of Manu, By Tushar Gulati -September 7, 2022.
Reservation to the converted Dalits / SCs and the communalization of Secular polity in India (1)
Politicization caste, race and hierarchical systems among the religions: The Muslims generally have not been for caste-based quota, but, religion-based quota. However, they have been also manipulating data and information with their vested interests. The Mandal Commission Report and Supreme Court judgement exposed the “Mohammedan type of caste system” existing in Islam, in spite of the tall claims made by them about equity, equality and brotherhood. After the Ranganath Mishra report, they have been emboldened enough to claim both the caste-based quota and religion-based quota. They have been enjoying BC status already. Thus, with the SC and ST, they may dominate the political affairs. As for as the Christians are concerned, they have a perennial problem of race related discrimination coupled with their theological counterparts. However, they have been carrying out propaganda that Christianity has been utopian and egalitarian, but, Islam is not and Hindu religion never. In short, the heirarchial system of caste-type discrimination operating among the Christians and Muslims has been more rigid than the Hindu caste-system.
The Supreme Court asked the stand of the government on the issue of extension of SC quota to the converted: The Supreme Court, on 30-08-2022 Tuesday, asked Centre to provide its current stand on the issue of extending the benefit of reservation available to the Schedule led Caste community to Dalits who have converted to other faiths[1]. The petition in which the order has been passed was filed almost 18 years back[2]. A Bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, A.S. Oka and Vikram Nath directed, after taking up a bunch of petitions that asked for the delinking of caste reservation from the religion. However, the learned Judges must be knowing the existing precedence of law and the earlier judgements on the issue. The Presidential Order, 1950 has been very specific in this regard and context. The petitioners led by NGO Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL) had filed the plea for an extension of quota benefits to Dalit Christians in 2004 and the case was last heard in February 2015. In between the court was informed that the government had set up the Ranganath Misra commission to examine the issue.
The Central government appoints a Commission accordingly: The Centre has appointed a three-member Commission to examine the sensitive issue of extending Scheduled Caste (SC) status to all those who have historically suffered discrimination and untouchability, regardless of the religion they now profess[3]. It is a task fraught with difficulty for the panel headed by former Chief Justice of India, K. G. Balakrishnan, as it will have to grapple with both social realities and ideological objections while addressing the core question[4]. The notification said certain groups raised the question of revisiting the existing definition of Scheduled Caste according to the status of people who belonged to religions beyond those permitted by presidential orders[5]. It also said that some groups belonging to the category had objected to the inclusion of new groups. “Given the importance, sensitivity and potential impact, any change in definition in this regard should be on the basis of a detailed and definitive study and extensive consultation with stakeholders,” the notification added.
The Notification asks to verify and report the following points: The document gave the panel a fourfold term of reference[6].
The first is to examine the matter of according SC status to people who claim to have historically been Dalit but converted to faiths other than the ones mentioned in presidential orders.
The second is to examine the implications of any such possible move on existing SC groups.
third is to examine the changes SC people go through on converting to other religions in terms of customs, traditions, social, and other status discrimination and deprivation.
The fourth is to examine any related question, with the consent of the central government..
Who are Hindu SC as per the Presidential Order and Article 25?: India constitutionally mandates 15% reservation for SCs in government jobs and educational institutions. Paragraph (3) of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950 says, “…no person who professes a religion different from Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism shall be deemed to be a member of a scheduled caste.” But activists argue that Dalit people within the folds of Islam or Christianity experience caste-based discrimination on account of their birth status, and, therefore, they should be eligible for SC status.” So, now, it is to be noted carefully, how the Commission, Court and the petitioners could come over this legality. Caste connotes something connected with the Hindu religion and therefore, the such caste-related quota is applicable only to Hindus. As the Article 25 of the Constitution specifically include “Jain, Buddhist and Sikhs” under the purview of Hindus, they are also eligible for reservation. In other words, such conversion is taking place within Hindus and among the Hindus.
1985-2022 – Vested interests rake up the issue fully knowing the legal status of the issue: The government itself has described it as a seminal and historically complex sociological and constitutional question. This is not the first time that the issue has come up before the Supreme Court — the panel’s appointment comes in the wake of the Court asking the Centre to clarify its position on the issue — or has been examined by a commission headed by a former Chief Justice. In 1985, the Supreme Court agreed that historical discrimination may continue even after members of the SCs convert to other religions, but did not decide in favour of such converts being given SC status as it felt there was not enough material outlining their condition after conversion. It is to be welcomed that the Balakrishnan Commission has been asked specifically to examine the changes that Dalits go through after conversion in terms of their social status and the discrimination they may face, along with the implications of according them SC status.
The National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities politicized the issue: The National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities, headed by retired Chief Justice Ranganath Mishra, also examined this issue. In its 2007 report, the panel made a categorical recommendation in favour of giving SC status to Dalits belonging to all religions. It found the caste system to be “an all-pervading social phenomenon in India shared by almost all Indian communities”. It stressed the constitutional need to eliminate the religion-based discrimination underlying the present policy of limiting SC status to those professing Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. While the tenets of religion may not allow discrimination, the ground reality was different, it said. The main counter-views are well-known: discrimination and deprivation being the consequences of the caste-based Hindu social order, SC status should not be extended to those who have converted to Christianity and Islam; and the benefits involved may be seen as an incentive to mass conversion. Another objection is that the share of the reservation pie available to Dalits among Hindus may shrink if new sections are included. There is no ‘creamy layer’ concept for SC reservation, and expanding its scope may be to the disadvantage of the current beneficiaries. The Commission will have to come up with a definitive study of these complex issues.
What the present Commission can do?: By setting up a panel headed by former Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan and giving it two years to examine the demand to extend Scheduled Caste status to all Dalit converts, the Centre appears to have sought a judicial pause on the highly controversial issue. The law under the lens is paragraph three of the Constitution (Scheduled Castes) Order, 1950, which keeps converts out of the ambit of reservation. It was amended twice to open windows for converted Sikhs and Buddhists to get in, but the door remained shut for all others, including Dalit Christians and Muslims. With the existing law of this land and established law and also the legal precedence based on the previous judgments on the issue, can the commission go beyond? Can all these be over-ruled or whether this commission has such over-riding legal powers?
[1] LiveLaw, SC Reservation For Converted Dalits : Supreme Court Asks Centre To Explain Its Stand Within 3 Weeks, Sohini Chowdhury 31 Aug 2022 10:32 AM.
Why the Church interferes with the Lavanya suicide case with its political influence at every stage? (2)
The Christian version of the events: Sister Sahaya Mary, the 62-year-old hostel warden, was arrested under the Juvenile Act apart from charges of abetting suicide[1]. The place is near the Poondi Madha shrine that comes under the diocese of Kumbakonam. Jesuit Father Arockiasamy Santhanam, the spokesperson for the National Lawyers Forum of Religious and Priests, says the First Information Report does not mention conversion[2]. “It is the cook up story by the Hindutva elements,” he told Matters India on January 21. Father Kudanthai Gnani, the editor of Namvazhvu, a Church weekly, says the girl, who died January 19, was a twelfth grader in Sacred Heart of Jesus Higher Secondary School in Kumbakonam diocese[3]. The century-old school is situated in Michaelpatti near Thirukattuppalli in the Thanjavur district. The girl had been staying in St. Michael’s Hostel from the eighth grade. The hostel is attached to the school and managed by the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, or the Pondicherry Blues, for the poor and the abandoned girls[4]. “We are very happy to inform you that Sister Sagaya Mary was granted bail and Sister Prisca Rachel anticipatory bail,” says a message from Father Singarayar of Madurai Jesuit province[5]. Some human rights groups on January 28 staged a protest meeting in Trichy in solidarity with the nuns. Hundreds of priests and nuns along with people of other faiths participated[6].
The bias of political parties, social activists and the media: The BJP on Thursday, January 27, formed a committee to visit Thanjavur to inquire into the death of 17-year-old Lavanya, the student who died by suicide on January 19. The BJP has alleged that the student’s death was after “harassment and coercion to get converted by the school management.” However, the claims that Lavanya was being pressured to convert to Christianity is still being probed by the police. In a statement, the BJP said that the party’s national president JP Nadda has constituted a four-member committee to visit the place of the incident and submit its report to him at the earliest. BJP MP Sandhya Ray and party leaders Vijayashanti, Chitra Wagh, and Geetha Vivekananda are on the committee. 29-01-2022, BJP State president Annamalai visited the home of Lavanya, consoled the family and granted Rs.10 lakhs. The BJP, Hindu Munnani and other Hindu groups demonstrated against the Christian interference and their conversion activities. They also pointed out how the other Political parties, Women organizations, social activists, actors and others have been keeping quiet in this case, while they used to raise voices for other cases. Thus, a clear bias can be noted in this case and therefore, that the BJP or the other Hindu parties taking advantage is not accidental, but, the anti-Hindu attitude of others. The print and electronic media have also been biased against Lavanya issue, thus, supporting the Christian missionaries.
The events leding to CBI enquiry etc[7]: The events taken place after the death of the girl proves that the case has been politicized by the DMK and the Church has already started interfering with the processes involved. The general public or readers are not able to know what happened before 09-01-2022 and such events led to the consumption of pesticide by Lavanya to kill herself. As she had been at the hostel, definitely, the circumstances prevailed there must have prompted her to do so. These pre-suicide events, perhaps, the Church want to suppress.
09-01-2022 (Sunday): Lavanya consumed pesticide / poison and started vomiting. Noticing this – vomiting, the nuns took her to a local doctor, but, it did not subsidise.
13-02-2022 (Thursday): Lavanya’s parents were informed about her health condition and asked to take her home for treatment.
14-01-2022 (Friday): The parents reached the hostel and they took Lavanya to Tanjore.
15-01-2022 (Saturday): The parents admitted her in the Tanjore Govt Hospital. As she became serious, the doctors informed the police about the condition.
16.01.2022 (Sunday): At around 09.30 a.m., a trainee S.I recorded the statement of the child. Crime No.40 of 2022 was registered for the offences under Sections 305 and 511 of I.P.C. and Sections 75 and 82(1) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015.
On the same day, from 04.25 p.m to 04.50 p.m, the Judicial Magistrate No.I, Thanjavur recorded her statement after obtaining a medical opinion from the duty doctor about her fitness.
17-01-2022 (Monday): Muthuvel took a video of Lavanya.
18-01-2022 (Tuesday): Sahaya Mary mentioned.
19-01-2022 (Wednesday): Lavanya died.
20-01-2022 (Thursday): Sahaya Mary was arrested.
21-01-2022 (Friday): The Madras Court ordered to submit all the evidences available with the police, when case come up on 24-01-2022.
22-01-2022 (Saturday): Post-mortem done, the parents refused to take the body.
Muruganandam gave a petition to the Tanjore police superintendent Rawali Priya complaining that his daughter committed suicide, as the nuns forced her to do hard work and also to get converted to Christianity.
A video was recorded by Muthuvel of Lavanya telling that she was harassed and ill-treated by the nuns.
23-01-2022 (Sunday): Muruganandam filed a petition in the High Court, Madurai that the investigation should be done by CBI.
Antony Pappusay, Bishop issued a statement that the suicide of the girl should not be given any religious interpretation. Incidentally, the same bishop supported DMK for the elections.
24-01-2022 (Monday): The case came up in the High Court, Madurai and the judge ordered to hand over the body to the parents for conducting last rites.
25.01.2022 (Tuesday): Muthuvel appeared before the Investigation Officer and handed over the original mobile phone.
27-01-2022 (Thursday): The police filed evidences before the High Court, as per the court order dated 24-01-2022.
BJP appointed four women committee to look into the Lavanya suicide case.
A four member committee was formed to conduct an enquiry about the suicide of Lavanya.
28.01.2022 (Friday): K. Balakrishnan, the CPM leader alleged that BJP was circulating fabricated video on Lavanya suicide and conversion. Here, in what way, he is interested in this case is not known, but, supporting the Church is revealed.
29.01.2022 (Saturday): The police conducted an enquiry with the grandmother, grandfather and uncle.
Permission was denied to K. Balakrishnan, the CPM leader who wanted to visit the hostel at Michaelpatti. Perhaps, he tried to project himself as active as BJP that was also sending a group to verify the facts. However, knowing that he could create more trouble, he was denied permission.
31-01-2022 (Monday): Justice G.R. Swaminathan delivered his judgment with clearcut instructions.
The Tamilnadu Govt decided to file an appeal in the Supreme Court immediately.
01-02-2022 (Tuesday): On 1st February 2022 a plea in the Supreme Court was filed by Advocate Ashwini Upadhyay who had sought an investigation into the root cause of the death of 17-year-old Lavanya. He further sought a declaration that fraudulent religious conversion and religious conversion by intimidation, threatening, deceivingly luring through gifts and monetary benefits offends Articles 14, 21, 25 of the Constitution.
03-02-2022 (Thursday): On Thursday, the Tamil Nadu government through the Director General of Police moved the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court (Madurai Bench) order directing a CBI probe into the death of a 17-year-old student amid allegations of conversion.
The Immaculate Heart of Mary Society filed an appeal in the Supreme Court
12-02-2022(Saturday): Sahaya Mary was released on bail. The DMK MLA had gone there to receive her with “Ponnadai,” as if she achieved something by going to jail and getting released on bail.
14-02-2022 (Tuesday): The Supreme Court reused to intervene the order passed by the Madras High Court and ordered CBI to proceed with the investigation.
[7] Note – few discrepancies are found in the dates as per the court documents and the newspapers report, e.g, the date of arrest is mentioned as 18-01-2022 and also as 20-01-2022. Or there could be confusion between Rachael Mary and Sahaya Mary, as both have been named in the FIR and arrest warrants issued.
Issues concerning Indian society 