India criticizes Pakistan for ‘fabricating’ Islamophobic stories at UN, condemns Ahmadiyya repression, Afghan bombings

India on Monday called out Pakistan at the United Nations for habitually “fabricating” stories of Islamophobia against the neighboring country, while questioning Islamabad’s own record on its treatment of minorities and its actions against Afghanistan during Ramadan.On the occasion of the International Day to Combat Islamophobia at the UN General Assembly, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Parvathneni Harish issued a sharp rebuke to Pakistan and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), while also urging the UN to avoid frameworks that focus only on one faith rather than tackling all forms of religious discrimination.

‘India’s Western Neighbor’ creates stories of Islamophobia

“India’s western neighbor is a classic example of creating imaginative stories of Islamophobia in its own neighbourhood,” Harish said.In a scathing attack, he said: “Wonder what one would call the brutal repression of Ahmadis in this country, or the mass withdrawal of hapless Afghans or the aerial bombing campaign in this holy month of Ramadan?”Harish was responding to Pakistan’s repeated attempts to level allegations against India in multilateral forums under the banner of Islamophobia.He also said that the OIC, which “our western neighbor has systematically attempted to arm against India”, has repeatedly made “false and baseless allegations” against the country.

India warns against weaponizing religion at UN

Harish stressed that the UN must pay attention to “the growing trend and dangers of weaponizing religious identity and instrumentalizing it to serve narrow political objectives by state and non-state actors alike.”According to news agency PTI, he cautioned that politicizing religion does not resolve grievances and instead risks legitimizing “selective, polarizing narratives” that deepen divisions.“The United Nations was conceived as an institution that transcends religion, culture and politics. Its credibility rests on universality and impartiality,” he said.He further urged “caution against frameworks that focus exclusively on one faith, without addressing the broader phenomenon of religious fear in all its manifestations.”India also underlined that the 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination based on Religion or Belief remains a balanced and enduring instrument as it protects the followers of all religions without privileging any one religion.

India highlights its Muslim population, Kashmir e-presentation

Emphasizing on India’s pluralistic character, Harish said India is home to more than 200 million Muslims, one of the largest Muslim populations in the world.He said that Muslims in India, including Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir, elect their representatives to speak for them.“The only ‘phobia’ clearly visible here is against the multicultural and peaceful co-existence that all communities in India enjoy, including the Muslim community,” he said.He said such narratives run contrary to the “fundamental ethos” of India and instead “have perpetuated communalism and terrorist mentality in this country since its inception.”

Afghanistan context adds sharp edge

Harish referred to the “aerial-bombing campaign in this holy month of Ramzan” amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.Afghanistan has alleged that an air strike on Kabul’s Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital on Monday night killed nearly 400 people and injured nearly 250, with Taliban spokesmen blaming Pakistan. However, Pakistani media outlet Samaa, citing security sources, rejected the allegation and described as “ridiculous” the claim that a drug treatment hospital was attacked.Pakistani officials said the strikes targeted Taliban-linked military infrastructure in Kabul and Nangarhar and were carried out with “no collateral damage”.

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East AIADMK Chief V.K. Sasikala Recently announced the name of its new political party- All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. The move signals a new phase in his political journey. Outlining her political plans, Sasikala said, “I will work to the best of my ability and use my 39 years of political experience to remove the DMK government.”

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His entry into the state assembly elections comes at a time when the elections are expected to see a high-stakes contest between Edappadi K Palaniswami-led All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), Chief Minister MK Stalin and the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) led by his son. Udayanidhi StalinApart from new entrants like actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK).Sasikala, once a close aide of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, has had a political journey spanning decades, marked by loyalty to the AIADMK leadership as well as controversies, legal battles and changes in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape following Jayalalithaa’s death in 2016.

From confidant to political contender: Who is VK Sasikala?

VK Sasikala is known for her long association with Jayalalitha and the AIADMK. For decades, she remained one of Jayalalitha’s closest aides and confidants, a relationship that gradually brought her to the center of Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.Born in Mannargudi in Tiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu and a high school dropout, Sasikala’s early life was very different and simple. This association strengthened over the years, with Sasikala emerging as one of the most trusted figures in Jayalalitha’s inner circle and often acting as a mediator between the AIADMK leadership and party workers.

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Following Jayalalitha’s death, the AIADMK General Council unanimously appointed Sasikala as the party’s General Secretary, placing her at the helm of the party founded by MG Ramachandran.Taking over as general secretary, Sasikala said, “Amma (Jayalalitha) is no longer with us but our party will rule here for the next 100 years.” His promotion came amid a leadership vacuum within the party and for some time established him as the central figure in the political future of the AIADMK.

However, Sasikala’s political career has also been full of controversies and legal battles. He was earlier sent to 30 days judicial custody in connection with the color TV scam and later convicted in the disproportionate assets case linked to the Jayalalithaa government of the 1990s. In February 2017, the Supreme Court upheld his conviction and sentenced him to four years in prison, bringing an abrupt end to his bid to assume the post of Chief Minister in Tamil Nadu.

He surrendered before a special court at Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru to serve his sentence.The same year, allegations also surfaced when a senior Karnataka prison official claimed that Sasikala had bribed prison officials for preferential treatment while in custody. His claim has been refuted. He was later released after four years in 2021. Meanwhile, political developments within the AIADMK continued to reshape his role in the party. Nearly nine months after he was appointed interim general secretary following Jayalalitha’s death, the AIADMK General Council passed a resolution in September 2017 removing him from the post and abolishing the post altogether.

A bond between ‘Amma’ and ‘Chinamma’

Sasikala’s political rise is closely linked to the career of Jayalalitha, who is popularly known as “Amma” (Mother) among her supporters. For decades, Sasikala remained one of Jayalalitha’s closest confidants, and earned her the nickname “Chinnamma” (little mother) among a section of party workers who considered her part of the late leader’s inner circle.Sasikala’s association with Jayalalitha began in 1982 when her husband M Natarajan, then a government public relations officer, introduced her to the AIADMK leader. What began as a personal acquaintance soon grew into a close relationship, and Sasikala gradually became a frequent presence at Jayalalithaa’s residence. By 1988, she moved to the late leader’s Poes Garden home in Chennai.

Over the years, Sasikala’s closeness to the AIADMK leader wielded considerable influence within the party. Since Jayalalitha maintained a tightly controlled political circle and remained largely inaccessible to many party officials, Sasikala often acted as an intermediary between the leadership and the cadre. Sasikala often traveled with Jayalalitha and was seen as one of the few people with direct access to the powerful chief minister.Party leaders and candidates seeking posts or election tickets often sent their requests through him, gradually cementing his reputation as a powerful figure behind the scenes within the AIADMK. His influence within the party increased during the years when the AIADMK was in power in Tamil Nadu.

Many leaders who later rose in the party are believed to have benefited from Sasikala’s support. These included O Panneerselvam, who later became the state CM and a central figure in the party’s internal power struggle following Jayalalithaa’s death.Despite wielding influence within the party structure, Sasikala rarely held formal political office during Jayalalitha’s lifetime. Jayalalitha never formally introduced Sasikala as her political successor. His role remained largely informal.However, relations between the two were not without turmoil. In 1996 and again in 2012, Jayalalitha briefly distanced herself from Sasikala, expelling her and several members of her extended family from the Poes Garden residence and accusing them of anti-party activities. When Jayalalitha was hospitalized in 2016, Sasikala stayed with her. After the Chief Minister’s death later that year, she returned to Poe’s Garden.By then, Sasikala had become a deeply embedded figure in the party’s ecosystem – a confidant who had spent more than three decades with one of Tamil Nadu’s most influential political leaders.

Behind bars: Sasikala’s jail saga

In September 2014, a special court sentenced Sasikala and her co-accused to four years in jail along with a fine of Rs 10 crore after finding them guilty of amassing assets disproportionate to known sources of income during their close relationship with Jayalalithaa.After the conviction was upheld by the Supreme Court in February 2017, Sasikala surrendered before the special court at Parappana Agrahara Central Jail in Bengaluru on February 14, 2017. AIADMK aide, her sister-in-law J Ilavarasi and Jayalalitha’s foster son VN Sudhakaran were immediately taken into custody. Before surrendering she paid homage at Jayalalithaa’s memorial and visited MG Ramachandran’s residence. During her four-year jail term, allegations of preferential treatment emerged, with police officer D Roopa claiming that Sasikala had bribed jail officials for special facilities, including a private kitchen.

Despite these claims, his prison sentence prevented him from contesting elections, halting his immediate ambitions to become Chief Minister.After serving her sentence, Sasikala was finally released in January 2021. His formal release took place at Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru, where he was undergoing treatment for Covid-19. Following protocol, she remained in the hospital for some time before re-entering the political arena. A crowd of supporters gathered outside the hospital, raising slogans and distributing sweets to celebrate his return.

Sasikala’s political equation with AIADMK

Soon after Jayalalitha’s death, the AIADMK General Council unanimously appointed Sasikala as the party’s interim general secretary, marking the first time that she formally assumed a leadership role within the organization. At that time, O Panneerselvam, a long-time Jayalalitha loyalist, was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.However, within a few weeks tensions began to surface. In February 2017, Panneerselvam launched an attack against Sasikala, claiming that she was forced to resign as Chief Minister and accusing her camp of attempting to consolidate control over both the party and the government.

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Amidst the increasing power struggle, AIADMK chose Sasikala as its leader and she staked claim to form the government. However, his bid to become Chief Minister failed when the Supreme Court upheld his conviction and forced him to surrender and serve his jail sentence. Before being jailed, Sasikala appointed Edappadi K Palaniswami as the AIADMK legislature party leader, paving the way for her to take over as chief minister.This deepened the divisions within the party. While Palaniswami emerged as the head of the government, Panneerselvam continued his rebellion, eventually leading to talks that resulted in the merger of factions within the AIADMK in 2017.

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As part of the restructuring, the party briefly abolished the post of General Secretary in 2017 which was later revived in 2022.Speaking at Jayalalithaa’s memorial in Chennai, Panneerselvam claimed that he was pressured to step down from the post of CM. He said, “I am placing these facts before you to make things clear to the public. I will continue to fight. If the people, the MLAs want, I will withdraw my resignation.” In the years that followed, relations between Sasikala and the AIADMK leadership remained tense. Both Palaniswami and Panneerselvam had publicly distanced themselves from him and said that the party would work independently of his influence.

Why is Sasikala forming a new party now?

After years of being sidelined from the AIADMK, Sasikala looks to be paving an independent political path as Tamil Nadu approaches the next assembly elections. Furthermore, the abolition of the general secretary post and consolidation of the leadership effectively closed the doors to Sasikala’s return to the party’s organizational structure.

Against this backdrop, the new organization represents an attempt to re-establish its political presence in a state where the legacy of Jayalalithaa and the AIADMK still holds electoral significance. Outlining her plans for the future, Sasikala said that her political experience will guide her next steps in Tamil Nadu politics.The party’s new flag consisted of black, white and red horizontal stripes bearing the photographs of Dravidian icons CN Annadurai, MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalitha.The party’s symbol depicts ‘Thenthoppu’ (coconut grove), indicating “unity” and that the party will function like a “joint family”.Sasikala also launched a scathing attack on Palaniswami for allegedly betraying her after appointing him as the Chief Minister in 2017. Launching the party, she said, “I remained silent for so many years in the hope of unity, but the present circumstances have forced me to take this decision. To remain inactive now would be a betrayal of the party workers and the people of Tamil Nadu.”

Sasikala’s next political test!

For decades, Sasikala worked behind the scenes as she remained closely associated with Jayalalitha and the political legacy of the AIADMK. However, today she appears ready to take the next step by expanding her political sphere.There is going to be a massive face-off between all the competing parties in Tamil Nadu on 23rd April. With the launch of Sasikala’s new political party, she is once again coming into the limelight, this time as the face of her political movement.

New Delhi: Film Star Rajinikanth On Tuesday he expressed his “gratitude to everyone” who condemned the TVK leader’s “outrageous comments”, claiming that the actor had not joined politics as the ruling party. DMK The family “threatened” him when he tried to enter politics.Thanking the film fraternity, his friends and fans, the actor said, “Time does not speak, but waits and answers.” “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who condemned his condemnable comments and voiced their support for me: Leader of Opposition Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, Edappadi Palaniswami; Tamil Nadu BJP President Nainar Nagendran; Union Minister L. Murugan; Tamil Nadu minister Raghupathy; Thoal. Thirumavalavan; SP Velumani; My friend Annamalai; Arjunamurthy; Anbumani Ramdas; GK Vasan. John Pandian; Pugazhendhi; And many other political leaders from different parties,” Rajinikanth posted on X. He further added: “I extend my heartfelt thanks to Ameer, G. Dhananjayan and my friends from the film fraternity; Nakkiran Gopal, Rangraj Pandey (Chanakya) and members of the media and, above all, my fans – whom I respect as gods – for sustaining and uplifting me. Time does not speak, but it waits and answers.”

What was the comment?

TVK functionary Aadhav Arjun had alleged that the DMK family had threatened actor Rajinikanth when he tried to enter politics. Arjun said he was not criticizing Rajinikanth, but added that Vijay had the courage to withstand such pressure.TVK on Thursday organized protests at district headquarters across Tamil Nadu and accused the state government of failing to maintain law and order. A protest was organized in Chennai, which was attended by TVK functionaries N Anand, Aadhav Arjun and Arun Raj.Speaking at the protest, Arjun said that after MGR, Rajinikanth was one of the most popular actors who intended to enter politics. He said that Rajinikanth wants to enter Tamil Nadu politics and change the system. “However, the DMK family issued several threats to Rajinikanth and prevented him from entering politics. Look what happened now… In the end, he starred in a movie produced by Red Giant,” he said.Arjun said that there has been no criticism of Rajinikanth personally. However, he said that Vijay had the mental strength to enter politics despite such threats. “Even when Vijay was personally criticized, he did not sit silent at home out of fear.”

The comment is being criticized from all sides

Arjun’s comment drew criticism from many quarters, especially from Rajinikanth’s fans. S Ravi, one of his fan club members in Sholingur, said, “Rajinikanth is not a person who is afraid of dangers – everyone knows this. At a time when coronavirus was spreading severely, he stayed away from politics considering the risk of infection from public gatherings and to avoid the loss of lives due to the virus.” He said, “Not every person who gathers crowds can become a leader.”AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagenthran on Monday condemned TVK general secretary Aadhav Arjun’s remarks that actor Rajinikanth abandoned his plans to launch a political party due to DMK threat. BJP has demanded an apology from Aadhav Arjun.“Superstar Rajinikanth is highly respected across the spectrum for his abilities and talent. An attack on such a personality by a TVK party functionary is unacceptable,” EPS said in an ex-post. “It is your right to enter and stay out of politics.He (Rajinikanth) gave valid reasons for staying out. Respect that choice; It is political impudence to politicize this,” EPS said. EPS said the actor earned MGR’s love and J Jayalalitha’s respect. The statement comes four days after Aadhav’s comments in which he had said that unlike Rajinikanth, Vijay bore the pressure and started a party.In a post on He said, “It is unacceptable for Mr. Aadhav Arjun to publicly speak ill of such an eminent personality.”Nagenthran recalled that Rajinikanth had received honors including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. He said that the actor also has the respect of national leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Nagenthran urged TVK president Vijay to intervene. “The leader of that party should condemn such comments and advise him not to indulge in such actions,” he said. Last week, Aadhav Arjun had alleged that actor Rajinikanth faced pressure from the DMK when he attempted to enter politics and suggested that such threats discouraged him from pursuing a political career.He said that unlike Rajinikanth, TVK president Vijay showed the resolve to withstand such pressure. The comment drew reactions from political leaders and a section of Rajinikanth’s supporters. His fan clubs in Madurai announced that they will contest against Aadhav in the 2026 elections to defeat Aadhav and show Rajini’s strength.