Wed Jul 16 07:50:38 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Puducherry is experiencing rising political tensions ahead of the 2026 Assembly election. The opposition is criticizing the ruling BJP and its ally, the AINRC, due to two main issues: the controversial appointment of A. John Kumar, a BJP legislator facing allegations of temple land grabbing, to the Cabinet, and the removal of the sole Dalit minister, A. K. Sai J. Saravanan Kumar. These actions have drawn criticism from opposition parties, Hindu organizations, and civil society groups, who accuse the BJP of hypocrisy and insensitivity to Dalit representation. Protests and political statements are escalating, indicating a potentially volatile political climate in the Union Territory.

**News Article:**

**Puducherry Politics Heat Up Over Land Grab Allegations and Dalit Representation**

**PUDUCHERRY, July 16, 2025** – Political tensions are escalating in Puducherry as the Union Territory gears up for the 2026 Assembly election. The opposition is mounting a strong challenge against the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its ally, the All India N. R. Congress (AINRC), led by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy.

The controversy centers around the appointment of BJP legislator A. John Kumar to the Cabinet. Mr. Kumar is currently under scrutiny for alleged involvement in a temple land grabbing case dating back to 2023, where he and his family are accused of usurping prime property belonging to the Kamatchi Amman Temple. The case, investigated by the CB-CID and drawing the attention of the Enforcement Directorate, has sparked outrage, with opposition parties accusing the BJP of hypocrisy for promoting a Hindutva image while allegedly harboring individuals involved in temple land violations.

Adding fuel to the fire is the removal of A. K. Sai J. Saravanan Kumar, the sole Dalit representative in the Cabinet. His replacement with Mr. Kumar has been widely condemned as a blow to social representation.

The Congress, Communist parties, and even the Hindu Munnani have voiced strong opposition. Youth Congress workers have appealed to President Droupadi Murmu to intervene, while Hindu Munnani activists staged protests ahead of Mr. Kumar’s swearing-in ceremony.

“The Hindutva ideology stated by the BJP is fake,” declared former Chief Minister and Congress veteran V. Narayanasamy, hinting at plans to further expose the BJP’s actions.

The BJP faces the challenge of convincing its supporters that Mr. Kumar is innocent and that his appointment is aimed at strengthening ties with the Christian community in the region. However, the growing wave of criticism and planned agitations suggest that these issues will continue to dominate the political landscape in Puducherry leading up to the 2026 elections.

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