The city police have registered a FIR against the actor-director on charges of hurting religious beliefs. Chennai: Actor Vijay’s father, S.A. Chandrasekhar is in the soup for his comments hurting religious sentiments during a public function in the city recently.
The city police have registered a FIR against the actor-director on charges of hurting religious beliefs. The FIR was registered based on a complaint by VG Narayanan of Hindu Makkal Munnani — a fringe religious outfit. Police said that Chandrasekhar made a comment during the audio release function of an yet to be released movie wherein he stated that offering money to temple hundial in Tirupati amounts to bribery. The video of his speech, made on December 22 was shared widely in online platforms after which the complaint was filed, police sources said. In his complaint, Narayanan said the director had no business or right to comment on religious beliefs of a community. Virugambakkam Police have registered FIR under section 295 A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs). This is not the first time Hindu outfits had taken an opposition to Chandrasekhar. When his son, actor Vijay’s last release Mersal ran into controversy regards to comments about GST and Demonetisation in the movie, state BJP leaders condemned it. BJP National secretary H Raja went a step ahead and shared a picture of the voter ID of actor, which has his name as Joseph Vijay, intending that he is against BJP because he is a Christian. Chandrasekhar appeared in front of TV channels on behalf of his actor son to salvage the situation. The owners have decided to shut it from March 1, 2018 because of losses incurred in the last two years. Chennai’s popular Eloor library, which used to draw hundreds of visitors over the years, is going to close down after 27 years of existence, as per a report by Vinayashree J in The Times of India.
On Friday, there was a notice in front of the facility on North Boag Road in T Nagar which said that the owners have decided to shut it from March 1, 2018 because of losses incurred in the last two years. With discounts ranging from 30% to nearly 80% of the book cost, the books in the library are being sold at a dirt cheap rate. "Hardly any people are coming and we are not able to make enough from reading charges to sustain the working. It is saddening and disappointing to close it but there is no other choice. Unless people want to read, no one can run a library," Anoop Luiz, who runs the chain told ToI. Anoop runs the chain under the proprietorship of his mother Mini Luiz. The library gets its primary income from the reading charges as it charges a refundable deposit of Rs 1,000. History Established way back in 1979, the first branch of ‘Eloor Libraries’ came up on the marine drive of Ernakulam in Kerala. Later, five more branches were added viz. Trivandrum (1986), Bangalore (1988), Chennai (1994), Kolkata (1998) and Delhi (2006). P Luiz John started the library with the aim of providing books at an affordable cost, under the family name Eloor. In April 2017, the branch in Kolkata wound up while the one in Delhi shut shop in 2013 for similar reasons - decline in visitors and rising costs. "Only a mere 1,000 out of several thousand members are regularly active. Many today prefer a kindle or other online sources. Some also tell me that they used to read earlier but don't have the time to do so anymore. GST has also raised the charges for readers," Luiz added. Over the years, the library has seen a gradual decline in the number of visitors, with the change most visible in the last five years. Besides, a number of membership cancellations were also happening. Operational costs like the rental costs of Rs 80,000 a month in T Nagar exceeded the reading charges they collected, thereby making the business unviable. A change in location was also contemplated but since 75% of their readers are based in T Nagar, the owners felt this would not serve much purpose. The politics of hero worship will further depoliticize the state. Rajinikanth’s decision to enter politics was expected. His announcement that he will contest all the 234 constituencies in the next state assembly elections has made his intentions clear. But more than his own intentions, we can also understand the intentions of those who are behind him.
Rather than asking what Rajinikanth will do when he takes to power, it is important to ask what will happen to Tamil politics because of his entry. India is a parliamentary democracy. What does a democracy do? It makes an individual a citizen. Actors are those who financially gain by fans watching their movies and making them blockbusters. So, what happens when actors become politicians? Citizens become fans. Even in his speech, he said that his fans must start clubs all across the state. His intention, therefore, is to convert the citizens of the state into his fans. Fans are worshippers, they do not ask questions, they bow their heads in front of a leader and obey him. Fans see not a leader, but a Fuhrer in him. They voluntarily surrender before the Fuhrer without any question. The father of our Constitution, BR Ambedkar, once said, “Hero-worship is demoralizing for the devotee and dangerous to the country.” Rajini encourages hero-worship, and he and his ‘Fan club Politics’ are dangerous. It is not only religion which can drive people to hero-worship, cinema too can. Today, cinema theatres have become temples. Film stars have become gods. Rajinikanth’s politics is an expression of this phenomenon. The backdrop of his stage, the symbol he shows with his hands, are from the movie ‘Baba’, which was a flop. That’s what he is bringing to politics, and even he cannot be confident that he will be a hit in politics. Yet, why is he coming to politics? Because he is preparing the ground for communal politics. Even if there is much to criticize about Dravidian politics, it this ideology which has set Tamil Nadu apart from the rest of India. BJP knows that only by destroying Dravidian politics can their communal politics take root in the state. Their defeat in RK Nagar polls has demonstrated their need for Rajinikanth. It is certain that the field he is preparing will be fertile for communal politics. He might say ‘Spiritualism’, but that is just another word for communalism. Even the BJP does not call itself a religious party, they also call themselves spiritual. That is what Rajinikanth is parroting today. The BJP government tried to make the Bhagvat Gita India’s holy book, and today, Rajini started his political speech with a sloka from the Gita. It is very clear. His ‘spirituality’ is Hindu spirituality, there is no place for Christianity or Islam in it. He does not know or talk about the spiritualism in any other religion but Hinduism. He knows that he cannot survive in Tamil Nadu by openly espousing this, which he has learned from the setback of the BJP in the state, that is why he says ‘spiritualism’. But I am sure the Tamil people will understand this, and reject him. As a political party, the VCK does not have any objections to Rajini’s entry into politics. However, the opportunity for Dalit people to free themselves from the illusion of movies has just arrived. Instead of changing Dalits into politically conscious people, his entry will cause great damage. MGR was often portrayed as the protector of the poor on screen. What we should not forget is that in his rule, ultimately it was not the oppressed people who gained political power. Rajinikanth is viewing politics like a film project. Just like “we should release the movie and make money”, he is now saying “let’s go to war and emerge victorious”. Our leaders did not just enter politics to win. The service of the people is the priority and electoral victories and losses always take second place. But there is no mention of serving the people in Rajini’s speech. This is why I consider Rajini’s entry into politics will end up endangering Dalits. Rajinikanth is not a man for change, he is for status quo. He has no idea of social change, he only talking about political party system. He has no social or economic thinking. I believe that Rajinikanth’s politics must be aggressively countered and its success prevented. Views expressed are those of the author and not of Itz Chennai. D Ravikumar is the General Secretary of VCK, a writer and an anti-caste activist. Rajinikanth is seated on a sofa, while the now-famous 'Baba' hand symbol is framed behind him. day after actor Rajinikanth announced his entry into politics, he took to Twitter to announce the launch of a website that will register members from his registered and unregistered fan clubs as well as those willing to join his party. Although he is yet to announce name for the party and its organisational structure, he had said in his speech that the priority would be to register unregistered fan clubs. In a video address that opens with the words “Honesty, Hard Work and Progress”, Rajinikanth makes the announcement. After thanking all those who welcomed his entry into politics, he says, “In order to bring about good governance in Tamil Nadu, I have started a rajinimandram.org page for registered fan clubs, unregistered fan clubs and the people of Tamil Nadu. There you can register your name and voter ID number and become a member. Let's bring about a good change in governance in Tamil Nadu. Long live the people of Tamil Nadu. Growth to Tamil Nadu.” Rajinikanth is seated on a sofa, while the now-famous 'Baba' hand symbol is framed behind him. In his speech on December 31, Rajinikanth had said that his first priority would be to register all the unregistered fan clubs. “I have several thousand fan clubs, in village and cities all across the state. The unregistered ones are twice as many. We need to get the unregistered clubs registered, and unite them all together. This is an important task, and our first task,” he said.
While the website is called Rajini Mandram, it is uncertain if this would be the name of his party. Shortly thereafter, in a press release signed by him, the All India Rajinikanth Fans Association also announced the launch of an Android app for registering the same details. The statement too had the Baba movie symbol. It is estimated that there are around 50,000 unregistered fan clubs for Rajinikanth, large and small, function throughout the state. His official fan association had stopped registering members way back in 1996-1997. "This is a joke, Tamil Nadu requires something serious." Following actor Rajinikanth’s decision to take the political plunge, BJP MP Subramanian Swamy has lashed out at the superstar, calling him illiterate and a ‘media hype’.
Speaking to news agency ANI, Swamy said, “He has only announced that he is entering politics. He had no details or documents. He is illiterate. It is only media hype. The people of Tamil Nadu are intelligent.” He further added that he will ‘expose’ Rajini. Speaking to reporters, he said, “Rajini is an uneducated man. What will he tell us? This is a just an age-old story of another Tamil actor joining politics. I will always oppose Rajnikanth.” "This is a joke, Tamil Nadu requires something serious. The mood in Tamil Nadu is to get rid of all the film stars in politics. Rajini is entering politics at the wrong time and place. He should be worried, in fact, that all his black money trail will come into the limelight. The people of Tamil Nadu will not fall into Rajini fan clubs' song and dance. Fans club cannot become a political outfit," added Swamy. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu BJP welcomed Rajinikanth’s decision to start a political party. State president of the party Tamilisai Soundararajan praised him for his aim to eradicate corruption in Tamil Nadu through his political entry. On Sunday, dressed in a white kurta and pants, Rajinikanth walked into the Raghavendra Kalyana Mandapam in Chennai’s T Nagar to an audience of excited fans and TV cameras that were ready to finally capture the moment. As Rajini walked on stage, the fans cheered for their ‘Thalaivar’, who had announced an announcement less than a week ago. And minutes later, the question that Tamil Nadu has been asking for decades was answered in six simple words: "My entry into politics is certain." To a roaring audience, Rajinikanth said, "I will form my own political party and contest from all 234 seats in the next assembly election." He further added, "About Lok Sabha polls, I will decide then. I am not here for money or fame, you have already given that to me a thousand times over. I am not enamored by position or post. South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association said scores of fishermen who set out to the sea to fish, still remained untraced. Chennai: Expressing support to the cyclone Ockhi-affected fishermen of Kanyakumari district, the fishermen associations have appealed to their men who are “solid traditional vote bank” in the R. K. Nagar Assembly constituency to vote against the AIADMK candidate in the December 21 by-poll.
Raising several issues confronting the fishers including hundreds of deep sea fishermen who perished at sea when Ockhi lashed the Kanyakumari coast on Nov. 30, the South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association said scores of fishermen who set out to the sea to fish, still remained untraced. “Over 500 fishermen are missing and those responsible for this situation and for the loss of lives at sea, should be taught a befitting lesson in this by-poll,” the association leaders said. “The fishermen's votes, which account for about 55,000 spread across 20 villages in R. K. Nagar are the deciding factor that could tilt the scales in favour of a particular party. In the past we have voted for the AIADMK, but now owing the problems faced by our families due to cyclone Ockhi we have decided to appeal our people to ponder and vote against the AIADMK,” says South Indian Fishermen Welfare Association president K Bharathi. They were nabbed later with the help of a sniffer dog which went upto a certain spot and a drone. Chennai: Director General of Police T.K. Rajendran on Monday honoured police officers from three districts for their swift action and co-ordinated effort to nab a gang that broke into ATMs.
DGP T. K. Rajendran along with ADGP (law and order) Vijayakumar honoured officials of Coimbatore, Salem and Namakkal district officials and presented them commendation certificates. The DGP also rewarded a private security guard of a toll plaza in Namakkal district, Akbar Ali who aided the cops and police sniffer dog, Podhigai which played a crucial role in the investigation. At least three ATMs were robbed in coimbatore on December 9 and cash worth Rs.30 lakh was stolen. Special teams formed by Coimbatore police indulged in a chase and used drone cams to pin down the suspects. Two cars with Haryana state registration numbers were involved in the offence, as also a truck. Further enquiries revealed that the vehicles moved on towards Salem on December 14 following which police stations and highway patrol were alerted. One of the cars was secured along with two suspects in Namakkal district. However three persons in the other car escaped. They were nabbed later with the help of a sniffer dog which went upto a certain spot and a drone. Welding accessories used by them to cut the ATM machines were also seized. Police said that the arrested persons were invovled in ATM burglary cases in Madurai, Tiruppur and Vellore and also in similar offences in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Karnataka. The man realised his mistake only after reaching home in suburban Palavakkam when members of his family questioned him about his car. Chennai: In a bizarre incident, a man mistook an ambulance parked near his Audi and took it home.
Police suspect that the man, in his thirties, might have mistaken the ambulance for his high-end vehicle under the influence of alcohol. Narrating the strange sequence of events, the police said a businessman visited the hospital early on Sunday to drop his friend who had sustained some injuries. The keys of the Maruti Omni ambulance were left in the vehicle and the businessman drove it away thinking it was his car. He realised his mistake only after reaching home in suburban Palavakkam, about 15 km away when members of his family questioned him about his car, police said. The man immediately asked his driver to take the ambulance back to the hospital. Meanwhile, hospital personnel alerted the police about the missing ambulance. Even as the local patrol team arrived, the businessman's driver drove in with the missing ambulance. He apologised to the hospital authorities and police on his owner's behalf and explained that the incident was a case of "mistaken identity." The hospital authorities decided to settle the issue and not to lodge a police complaint. The year saw cinema veterans Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan hinting at entering public life. Chennai: 2017 was politically tumultuous for Tamil Nadu keeping the ruling AIADMK busy in putting its house in order as it faced storm after storm post-Jayalalithaa and the year also saw cinema veterans Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan hinting at entering public life.
'Resort politics' came to dominate the headlines even as a new dispensation under Chief Minister K Palanisamy took over following a rebellion by his predecessor O Panneerselvam against V K Sasikala in February. In winds of change, TTV Dhinakaran, who was initially appointed AIADMK deputy chief by his aunt Sasikala, was now struggling to stay afloat with dwindling legislators' support and the challenge of a unified AIADMK. Sensing the vacuum, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan dropped adequate hints of a political plunge, keeping alive a tradition of cinema stars graduating to politics. Former chief ministers -- the late C N Annadurai, M G Ramachandran (MGR) and Jayalalithaa -- besides other actors like S S Rajendran, Sarath Kumar and D Napolean have forayed into politics for successful careers. According to Rajinikant, the "system is rotten" as he asked his fans to "prepare for a war". Haasan, in particular, went ballistic against the ruling AIADMK on corruption, throwing regular barbs against the government, with the ministers criticising him. A self-declared rationalist, he courted controversy when he hit out at what he called Hindu extremism. Ailing DMK chief M Karunanidhi, now in his 90s, too is not a novice to Tamil Nadu filmdom, having been a successful script-writer. The demise of Jayalalithaa in December last year found its echo during the entire 2017, with the state government constituting a one-man commission to inquire into the circumstances and situation leading to her hospitalisation in September 22 and death on December 5, 2016. The internal churning in the ruling AIADMK dominated the headlines, starting in February. What seemed to have been a smooth ascension to power for Sasikala came a cropper with Panneerselvam throwing a spanner in the works. Having elected the AIADMK chief last December, the decks were cleared for elevation of Jayalalithaa's close confidante as chief minister, when Sasikala was elected AIADMK's Legislature Party leader on February 5. However, the then chief minister Panneerselvam had misgivings. Jayalalithaa's 'Man Friday' and now deputy chief minister Panneerselvam made a sensational claim two days later that he was forced to make way for Sasikala's elevation. He sat on meditation at the memorial of Jayalalithaa in Marina beach, sowing the first seeds of a revolt against Sasikala. Panneerselvam's rebellion virtually set the cat among the pigeons, as an otherwise tight knit and disciplined AIADMK saw the first split in its ranks, decades after the death of its founder, MGR, in 1987. The party was then divided between Jayalalithaa and V N Janaki, MGR's widow, before the former united it and brought it under the 'two leaves' symbol. With an imminent trust vote staring at her party, Sasikala lodged her MLAs at a resort at nearby Koovathur for days together in February, earning the label 'resort politics'. Sasikala herself made repeated trips to keep the morale of her legislators high. In the meantime, she also met then governor Ch Vidysagar Rao and staked claim to form the government. However, the Supreme Court, which had reserved judgement in the Rs 66.66 crore disproportionate assets cases in which Jayalalithaa was the main accused, convicted Sasikala, dashing her hopes of leading the state. The apex court awarded her a four-year jail term, which she is currently serving in Bengaluru. As a parting shot, Sasikala brought back her relatives Dhinakaran and S Venkatesh into AIADMK, making Dhinakaran her deputy and in-charge of affairs. The two were among Sasikala's relatives who were expelled by Jayalalithaa in 2011. Then Sasikala loyalist Palanisamy was elected Legislature Party leader, becoming the second chief minister of the state in less than two months after Panneerselvam, who took over following the demise of Jayalalithaa in December 2016. Meanwhile, the two camps led by Panneerselvam and the chief minister continued to face-off, even as the ruling faction fielded Dhinakaran in the April 12 bypoll to RK Nagar, earlier held by Jayalalithaa, which was later cancelled. The Election Commission rescinded the poll following complaints of money power. However, things soon took an unexpected turn when Palanisamy revolted against Dhinakaran, with a section of the state cabinet announcing sidelining the former MP. Panneerselvam and Palanisamy merged their respective factions after many rounds of talks in August, a move that further agitated the Dhinakaran camp. The very next day, 19 MLAs supporting the beleaguered leader revolted against the chief minister, later prompting their disqualification as legislators by Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker P Dhanapal. One MLA later switched over to the ruling camp. The patch-up between Panneerselvam and Palanisamy saw the former becoming deputy chief minister in the government. Later, a general council of the unified AIADMK sacked Sasikala as interim general secretary and annulled all appointments made by her, effectively targeting Dhinakaran. The camp got a shot in its arm when the Election Commission awarded the 'two leaves' symbol to it. Now, Dhinakaran is fighting the December 21 bypoll to RK Nagar as an independent. This is the first time the state is set to throw open an integrated web portal for multiple local bodies. CHENNAI: Residents of city corporations and municipalities across the state will be registering birth of newborns and departed ‘beloveds’ in a single web module, which would provide birth and death certificates at free of cost. This is the first time the state is set to throw open an integrated web portal for multiple local bodies.
According to an official, the integrated web portal has been developed under the central government’s civil registration system (CRS). The Directorate of Public Health (DPH) has decided to roll out the new facility before the end of this month, as the training sessions for the birth and death registrars of various local bodies are completed, the official added. “The common portal, gccapp.chennaicorporation.gov.in, has been developed based on the module that is being used by Chennai corporation to provide birth and death certificates to its residents. Though, few city corporations have their own web portals, all of them, including Chennai corporation portal will be integrated into the new website,” a birth and death registrar explained. However, the new service would not be extended to rural local bodies like village panchayats, panchayat unions and district panchayats. “Technicality issues prevent extending the service to rural areas. But the service will be extended gradually to these parts,” the official added. On the other hand, the Chennai corporation sanitary inspectors complain that one-time passwords (OTP), mandated for logging-in to the web portal, could not be received at times. But the corporation officials attributed the issue to poor mobile phone coverage. It is to be noted that the OTP system was brought into effect following an embezzlement involving properties worth Rs 100 crore at Anna Nagar. The property was grabbed by rigging death certificates of the original legal heirs. However, sanitary inspectors were accused of the connivance and the case is under police investigation. |
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