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Outrage alert: Sri Sri explains why farmers commit suicide

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Outrage alert: Sri Sri explains why farmers commit suicide

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Spiritually mature guru believes pranayam will stop farmers’ hunger pangs

By Sujit Bhar

If you are spiritual enough, you can get away with denigrating an entire agitation of poor, starving farmers; you can laugh away wanton destruction of irreparable, delicate ecosystems, and you can still be worshipped as a guru who can save the world.

Or so it seems, going by the logic that Art of Living (AoL) propagator, the immensely rich, international guru of good life, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, has given.

In a recent media interaction in Mumbai, he has come out with this bizarre logic. He reportedly told the media that “lack of ‘spirituality’ was one of the reasons that leads to farmer suicides.” And then he gave the solution as well: “I appeal to all the people who work in this field (of spirituality) to reach out to farmers,” said a media report . This is probably as bizarre as the Tamil Nadu government’s recent assertion in the Supreme Court that farmers aren’t committing suicide in state (there have been 82 recent cases recorded) because of the drought, but because of personal reasons, arising out of “natural causes”.

But, then, the state government comprises politicians and bureaucrats, who cannot be taken seriously in the best of times. So what about our so-called “spiritual” leaders? This is the same person who showed absolutely no remorse when the Yamuna floodplains were destroyed through the huge extravaganza that supposedly yielded great spirituality for the country and saved many souls.

Instead, an expert committee has reported back to the Supreme Court that the huge extravaganza had “destroyed” the Yamuna floodplains to such an extent that it will take a decade or more to return to some semblance of normalcy. And the resuscitation process will cost no less than Rs 13.29 crore.

Not only that, with the case being heard by the Supreme Court, Sri Sri  issued a comment saying if it was so wrong (the AoL extravaganza) why was it not stopped beforehand? Why was it allowed to go ahead? Expectedly, the apex court rebuked the Great Guru, and Sri Sri had been somewhat quiet about this since, till now. At the press conference in Mumbai, where he made this outrageous comment about farmers, he was asked by reporters about the AoL extravaganza that destroyed the Yamuna floodplains. His reply was a cryptic: “Truth will prevail.” What that means, only the spiritually mature Sri Sri would be able to clarify, but one guesses that science does establish truism way better than any level of spirituality can.

But wait a second. Sri Sri has his own scientists as well. About the AoL extravaganza he also reportedly said: “I have full faith in the judicial system… There is an NGO which is carrying on malicious campaign… There is some disadvantage of being popular… But we have not done anything wrong. Our panel of 15 independent scientists have established fair report and we have always been and would be extra-sensitive towards the environment.”

Basically, one summarises, we, as a country are only fooling ourselves. To be fair, these so-called godmen need to do what they do. Because, as in their own words, they have to be “popular”, whatever the consequences. And in condoning them, and even reporting every non-scientific and inhumane comment they utter, even the media has proved to be insensitive.

Taking in the bigger picture, though, how different are they from our politicians? At least, people in politics have to be elected. These so-called godmen do not have to go through that pain either. But overall, both categories function the same way as soon as they are “popular”.  And public probity, nature and actual dharma, can go rot in the woods.

This is why the Tamil Nadu government can issue such absurd statements and that is why Sri Sri believes pranayam will “remove suicidal tendencies” in the farmers. The overall thought process is of denial and indifference. There is no real thought put into finding out if the farmers actually are hungry, and how no level of “pranayam” will remove that hunger. There is no need to find out how nature is being trodden to dust under hundreds of dancing feet in a programme that has benefited none but Sri Sri and his cohorts.

When science loses its footing in society, such absurd claims of “spirituality” and “natural causes”, find a foothold. The loser in all this is society itself, blind in faiths that bind them to the spiritual poverty that our Great Guru is ostensibly trying to alleviate.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

India hits back at Shehbaz Sharif at UN, says terror will have consequences

India hit back at Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s UN speech, with New Delhi warning that terrorism will have consequences.

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India has responded to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks at the United Nations, delivering a strong message on terrorism and warning that such actions will have consequences.

The response came after Mr Sharif addressed the UN and raised issues concerning India and Pakistan. New Delhi rejected the narrative presented by the Pakistani prime minister and highlighted the issue of terrorism.

India’s message was delivered by Petal Gehlot, who represented New Delhi in the response to Pakistan.

India warns Pakistan over terrorism

India’s response focused on Pakistan’s record and its approach towards terrorism. New Delhi made clear that terrorism cannot be separated from its consequences and that those responsible cannot expect such actions to go unanswered.

The Indian side also pushed back against the claims and allegations made by Mr Sharif during his UN speech.

The exchange comes amid continuing tensions between India and Pakistan, with terrorism remaining a major point of disagreement between the two countries.

Shehbaz Sharif’s UN remarks

In his address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke about India-Pakistan relations and raised several issues concerning New Delhi.

India subsequently exercised its right of reply to respond to Pakistan’s statements at the United Nations.

New Delhi’s response underlined its position that terrorism remains a serious issue in the relationship and that there would be consequences for terrorist actions.

The latest exchange at the UN adds to the continuing diplomatic confrontation between the two neighbouring countries.

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India News

Veeramani POCSO case: Vijay questions Stalin over earlier probe

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay has questioned MK Stalin over the handling of the Veeramani POCSO case, while Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected anyone.

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Actor Vijay

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) president C Joseph Vijay has questioned DMK president MK Stalin over the handling of the POCSO case involving Gem Granites founder R Veeramani. The political exchange follows renewed investigation into allegations involving minor girls.

Vijay’s remarks came as the ruling TVK stepped up its questions about how the case was handled during the previous DMK government. The party’s IT wing has alleged that the earlier investigation was weakened and questioned why a final report was filed.

The allegations have been rejected by the DMK. Stalin has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to protect anyone in the case and has called the allegations false and defamatory.

What did Vijay say about the Veeramani case?

Vijay questioned Stalin over the handling of the case and demanded an explanation from the former chief minister.

The TVK has specifically questioned why action was not taken against Veeramani during the previous administration and why the earlier investigation resulted in a closure report.

The party has also raised questions about the role of officials involved in the earlier investigation. These are political allegations made by the TVK and have not been established as facts.

What is the Veeramani POCSO case?

The case concerns allegations of sexual abuse of minors involving R Veeramani, the founder of Gem Granites.

The case came under renewed scrutiny after a special POCSO court rejected an earlier closure report and ordered further investigation. The expanded probe has subsequently identified additional alleged survivors who were minors at the time of the alleged offences, according to current reporting.

The investigation is also examining the circumstances surrounding the earlier probe and whether there were any lapses in how the case was handled.

What has MK Stalin said?

Stalin has rejected allegations that the previous DMK government protected Veeramani.

He has said that no order was issued by the DMK government to shield anyone in the case. Stalin has also said that everyone responsible for the alleged offences, including anyone who aided or attempted to protect the accused, should face the law.

The DMK president has further said that the focus should remain on securing justice for the affected girls rather than making political allegations.

Why has the case become a political issue?

The Veeramani case has become the subject of a political dispute between the ruling TVK and the DMK over the handling of the earlier investigation.

The TVK is questioning the previous government’s handling of the case, while the DMK has denied that it intervened to protect the accused.

At this stage, claims about political interference or deliberate weakening of the earlier investigation should be treated as allegations unless established by the ongoing investigation or judicial proceedings.

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India News

Women wrestlers challenge Brij Bhushan’s acquittal in sexual harassment case

Four women wrestlers have challenged the acquittal of former WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and co-accused Vinod Tomar in a sexual harassment case.

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Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh

Four women wrestlers have approached a Delhi court challenging the acquittal of former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief and BJP leader Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a sexual harassment case.

The wrestlers have also challenged the acquittal of co-accused Vinod Tomar. The matter is scheduled to be heard by a Special Judge at the Rouse Avenue Courts.

The appeal challenges the order passed by an Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate on August 3, 2026, when Brij Bhushan and Tomar were acquitted in the case.

Wrestlers challenge court’s reasoning

In their appeal, the wrestlers have argued that the acquittal order is legally unsustainable and that the evidence was not assessed appropriately.

They have also alleged that the order relied on assumptions about how victims of sexual assault and harassment were expected to behave instead of assessing the evidence and circumstances of the complainants.

The challenge seeks judicial scrutiny of the findings that resulted in the acquittal of Brij Bhushan and Tomar.

Brij Bhushan was acquitted in August

The Rouse Avenue court acquitted Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh on August 3 in the sexual harassment case involving women wrestlers. The court’s decision followed consideration of the evidence and statements presented during the proceedings.

The case had emerged after several women wrestlers accused the former WFI chief of sexual harassment. The allegations had led to a major protest by wrestlers in 2023.

The latest appeal means the acquittal is now being challenged before a higher court.

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