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Elon Musk-owned ‘X’ (Twitter) suspends over 2 lakh Indian accounts for policy violations including promoting child sexual abuse, nonconsensual nudity & terrorism

OpIndia Staff
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Elon Musk-owned ‘X’ (Twitter) suspends over 2 lakh Indian accounts for policy violations including promoting child sexual abuse, nonconsensual nudity & terrorism

The X (earlier known as Twitter) owned by Elon Musk has released its monthly compliance report, which discloses that the business has banned over 2,13,000 Indian accounts between 26th February and 25th March this year. The said accounts, as per the report, highlighted offenses promoting child sexual exploitation and nonconsensual nudity as the key reasons for the prohibitions. Some accounts were also blocked because they promoted terrorism on the platform.

According to the report, 2,12,627 accounts were banned over the stated period for spreading illegal and dangerous content. Furthermore, X removed 1,235 accounts considered to be advocating terrorism on its network in India.

“There are many measures that have been in place for a long time on our platform that relate to the mitigation of child sexual exploitation and terrorism activity. X does not tolerate any material that features or promotes child sexual exploitation. This includes media, text, illustrations, or computer-generated images,” the report noted.

X stated in its monthly report that it received 5,158 complaints from customers in India over the same time period via its grievance redressal processes. The most common complaint from India was regarding ban evasion (3,074), followed by sensitive adult content (953), hateful conduct (412), and abuse/harassment (359).

Image- NDTV

With increased concerns about the spread of dangerous content online, platforms such as X appear to be stepping up efforts to fight such activities and create a favorable climate for healthy discourse. In response to user concerns, the social media site reported receiving 5,158 grievances from Indian users within the same reporting period. The suspension is intended to showcase the platform’s efforts to handle user concerns quickly and effectively through its grievance redressal methods.

“We processed 86 grievances which were appealing account suspensions. These were all resolved and the appropriate responses were sent. We overturned 7 of these account suspensions after reviewing the specifics of the situation. The remaining reported accounts remain suspended,” the report stated.

While nearly all of the reported accounts were suspended, the platform admitted to overturning restrictions for seven accounts after analyzing specific circumstances. However, it maintained the suspension of the remaining reported accounts in accordance with its policies and procedures. Furthermore, X received 29 requests for general account inquiries within the reporting period, demonstrating the platform’s active involvement with users on a variety of concerns.

‘Need to safeguard judiciary from unwarranted pressures’: 21 judges write to CJI Chandrachud alleging efforts to undermine judiciary

OpIndia Staff
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‘Need to safeguard judiciary from unwarranted pressures’: 21 judges write to CJI Chandrachud alleging efforts to undermine judiciary

On Sunday (14th April), a group of 21 retired judges from the Supreme Court and the High Courts wrote a letter to the Chief Justice of India, expressing profound concern about what they see as escalating efforts to undermine the credibility and independence of the judiciary. In their letter, the retired judges address the “escalating attempts by certain factions to undermine the judiciary through calculated pressure, misinformation, and public disparagement,” emphasising the seriousness of the situation.

The 21 signatories include former Supreme Court Justices Deepak Verma, Krishna Murari, Dinesh Maheshwari, and M R Shah, as well as former High Court judges Permod Kohli, S M Soni, Ambadas Joshi, and S N Dhingra.

In a two-page letter titled: Need to safeguard judiciary from unwarranted pressures, the former judges stated that they had noted that “these elements, motivated by narrow political interests and personal gain, are striving to erode the public’s confidence in our judicial system. Their methods are manifold and insidious, with clear attempts to sway judicial processes by casting aspersions on the integrity of our courts and the judges. Such actions not only disrespect the sanctity of our judiciary but also pose a direct challenge to the principles of fairness and impartiality that Judges, as guardians of the law, have sworn to uphold.”

The ex-judges stated that the strategy used by these groups is “deeply troubling”, ranging from the spread of false theories meant to harm the judiciary’s reputation “to overt and covert attempts to influence judicial outcomes in their favour.”

“This behaviour, we observe, is particularly pronounced in the cases and causes of social, economic and political significance, including the cases involving certain individuals, wherein the lines between advocacy and manoeuvring are blurred to the detriment of judicial independence,” the judges added.

Furthermore, the letter stressed that selective praise of judicial decisions when they align with one’s views, and vehemently criticising those that do not, “undermines the very essence of judicial review and the rule of law.”

The signatories of the letter added, “The judiciary, led by the Supreme Court, to fortify against such pressures and ensure that the sanctity and autonomy of our legal system are preserved. It is imperative that the judiciary remains a pillar of democracy, immune to the whims and fancies of transient political interests”.

They further extended solidarity with the judiciary and assured support in any way required to uphold the judiciary’s dignity, integrity and impartiality.

“We stand in solidarity with the judiciary and are prepared to support in any manner necessary to uphold the dignity, integrity, and impartiality of our judiciary… We anticipate your resolute guidance and leadership in these challenging times, safeguarding the judiciary as a pillar of justice and equity, the letter reads.

600 lawyers wrote a letter to CJI highlighting pressure on the judiciary from vested interest groups ahead of the Lok Sabha elections

As reported last month,  600 prominent lawyers, including Harish Salve, Manan Kumar Mishra, Adish Agarwala, Chetan Mittal, Pinky Anand, Hitesh Jain, Ujjwala Pawar, Uday Holla, Swaroopama Chaturvedi and others wrote a letter to CJI Chandrachud on 28th March expressing their concerns over attempts to undermine the integrity of the Judiciary in the country.

In the letter, they expressed their deepest concerns over the vested interest group attempting to pressure the Judiciary, influence the judiciary process and defame the courts based on stale political agendas and frivolous logic.

The letter further pointed out that the false narrative of a supposed “better past” and “golden period of the courts” is being created to show a “contrast” of what has been happening in the present. The letter read, “Their antics are vitiating the atmosphere of trust and harmony, which characterises the functioning of the Judiciary. Their pressure tactics are most obvious in political cases, particularly those involving political figures accused of corruption. These tactics are damaging to our courts and threaten our democratic fabric.”

“DMK born out of hatred for Sanatan Dharma, but why is Congress so compelled to support them?”: PM Modi takes on INDI Alliance in ANI interview

OpIndia Staff
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“DMK born out of hatred for Sanatan Dharma, but why is Congress so compelled to support them?”: PM Modi takes on INDI Alliance in ANI interview

DMK was perhaps born out of their hatred for Sanatan Dharma but the Congress should be asked what was its compulsion that you are supporting people who spew venom against Sanatan, PM Modi said in his latest interview with news agency Asian News International (ANI), which will be aired at 5:30 PM today (15th April).

The Prime Minister responded to questions on various issues ranging from the Opposition’s politics around Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha to Elon Musk’s upcoming visit to India. Speaking about DMK’s anti-Hindu politics, PM Modi bit two birds with one stone saying that while DMK is known for its hatred for Sanatan Dharma, why was Congress supporting such a party.

“People’s anger against the DMK is getting diverted towards the BJP in a positive way,” he said adding that there is massive anger amongst the people against the DMK government in Tamil Nadu.

On Pran Pratishtha, Prime Minister Modi said that the issue of Ram Mandir was a political weapon for the Opposition. “Now that Ram Mandir is built, the issue is gone from their hands,” he told ANI in the teaser shared by the agency on X, formerly Twitter.

Elaborating on his vision for 2047, PM Modi said that his vision is to boost both, speed and scale of development. “There is an opportunity before the nation to choose between the Congress government’s model of 5-6 decades of work and BJP government’s model of merely 10 years,” he said.

On Electoral Bonds, PM Modi responded to the allegations saying that it is due to the electoral bonds brought about by the BJP that now money trail is available as to which company donated, how and to whom. “Everyone (Opposition) will regret once they introspect with honesty,” he said.

Speaking on Elon Musk’s visit to India, PM Modi said that it is one thing that he appreciates Modi but primarily, he is a fan of Bharat.

The full interview is scheduled to be aired at 5:30 PM on 15th April, Monday.

Delhi Liquor Policy scam: SC grants no relief to Kejriwal on petition against arrest and remand, Rouse Avenue court extends judicial custody till 23rd April

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi Liquor Policy scam: SC grants no relief to Kejriwal on petition against arrest and remand, Rouse Avenue court extends judicial custody till 23rd April

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal will continue to remain in jail. Notably, the Supreme Court on Monday (15th April) refused to grant him relief in connection with his petition challenging the ED arrest and remand in the Delhi Liquor Policy scam case. In a separate legal development in this case, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court extended his judicial custody till 23rd April. 

Kejriwal has approached the Supreme Court to challenge the Delhi High Court order that had upheld his arrest in the case. On Monday, a bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta issued notice to the ED on his plea and asked the probing agency to file its reply by 24th April. The matter would be now heard in the week commencing 29th April. 

The bench directed, “Issue notice. Returnable on April 24. Notice is accepted by the respondent who are presented in court on caveat. Reply to be filed on or before April 24 and rejoinder on or before April 27.” 

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Kejriwal had sought an early date in this matter. He lamented, “I want to show some facts, to shock the conscience of the court. There are some selective leaks.” 

Linking Kejriwal’s arrest with the upcoming election, Singhvi claimed, “I am asking for an extremely short date, possibly this Friday, for a reason. This is a very unusual matter. Not because he is a Chief Minister. There are two documents, FIR and ECIR and eight chargesheets, between the CBI and the ED. This petitioner is not named. Point number 2- the story starts from September 2022. He is arrested on March 21, 2024. Between that time, there are 16 statements, 10 by one person, Sarath Reddy and six by others. All 15 statements do not state the above. One statement becomes positive….the object of arrest, post the model code of conduct, is to disable me from campaigning.” 

Appearing for the ED, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta objected to this argument.

Meanwhile, the bench declined Singhvi’s request for an earlier hearing date stating that it has given the shortest possible date. Additionally, Justice Khanna asked Singhvi to “reserve the arguments” for the next date.

The development so far

On 9th April, the Delhi High Court came down hard on Delhi CM Kejriwal in connection with a plea challenging his arrest by the ED in the Delhi Liquor Policy scam. Making grave observations against the involvement of CM Kejriwal, the Delhi HC said the evidence shows he conspired and was actively involved in the use and proceeds of the crime.

Upholding his arrest by ED, the High Court had said that the ED was left with “little option” after he skipped repeated summons and refused to join the investigation.

The court ruled, “The evidence gathered by the ED indicates that Mr Arvind Kejriwal conspired and played an active role in the utilization and concealment of proceeds of crime. The ED’s case also suggests his involvement both in a personal capacity and as the convenor of AAP.”

The Delhi HC also dismissed the defendant’s aspersions over the statements of the approver considered in the case. The court noted, “The law of approver is over 100 years old and not one year old. it cannot be suggested that it was enacted to implicate the present petitioner (Kejriwal), says Delhi HC it reads out the verdict.”

“The investigating agency in criminal jurisprudence cannot be instructed to conduct an investigation based on the convenience of an individual. The investigation will proceed according to its own course,” the court said in the plea filed by Kejriwal.

The court said it won’t lay down different categories of laws, one for common citizens and another for granting special privileges to a Chief Minister. 

Kejriwal is currently in judicial custody till 23rd April following Delhi Court’s extension of his remand. He was produced virtually before Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Courts on the expiry of his judicial custody.

The Court said it is extending custody till April 23 when judicial custody of the co-accused (BRS leader K Kavitha) is also ending.

Meanwhile, Kejriwal was arrested by the ED on 21st March in connection with a money laundering probe relating to alleged irregularities in the now-cancelled Delhi excise policy 2021-22.

Tesla signs deal with Tata Electronics to make semiconductor chips for its global operations: Report

OpIndia Staff
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Tesla signs deal with Tata Electronics to make semiconductor chips for its global operations: Report

EV giant Tesla has signed a strategic deal with Tata Electronics to procure semiconductor chips for its global operations, as reported by The Economic Times. As per the report citing official sources aware of the development, the deal was signed quietly a few months ago. However, both Tesla and Tata Electronics have not commented on these developments. Consequently, specific details regarding the deal, such as its value and terms, remain undisclosed. 

The development is seen as a part of Tesla’s strategy to diversify its supply chain and establish a significant presence in India. The US-based EV giant has been eyeing India for a long time as the country is known as the world’s fastest-growing major car market. 

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Tesla has been diversifying its options for sourcing components beyond China, particularly for critical electronic, electrical, and mechanical parts. While the company typically keeps its suppliers secretive, it manufactures certain components like electric motors, battery packs, and chargers in-house, while relying on global suppliers for sub-assemblies and other parts.

In recent weeks, Tesla has reportedly accelerated its efforts to establish an Electronic Vehicle (EV) manufacturing plant in India with an estimated investment of around $2-$3 billion. 

On 3rd April, OpIndia reported that billionaire Elon Musk-led Tesla Inc. has started its search to identify sites for building its proposed $2 billion to $3 billion Electric car plant in India. The company is focusing on states like Maharashtra and Gujarat because the coastal states can assist it in facilitating exports. Later, reports emerged that Tesla is in talks with Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance for its proposed EV plant in India, particularly in Maharashtra. 

Consequently, Musk confirmed reports that he will be coming to India later this month to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will meet with PM Modi on April 21 and 22. It is expected that he will make major announcements including the launch of the Starlink service in the country and plans to invest between $2 billion to $3 billion for the EV plant. 

A big win for Tata Electronics

Meanwhile, a semiconductor deal with Tesla holds great significance for Tata Electronics, which is leading the Tata group’s foray into semiconductor manufacturing. The deal puts Tata Electronics in the spotlight as a dependable supplier for major global clients eyeing a crucial part of their semiconductor setup in India. 

Moreover, Tata Electronics has expanded its team by recruiting 50-60 highly skilled expatriates in recent months. These individuals bring with them extensive expertise in semiconductor technology, strategic planning, and design, which will enhance the company’s business operations. As per ET report, Randhir Thakur, chief executive and managing director of Tata Electronics has been instrumental in roping in some top talent. He was named CEO in April 2023 and is an Intel Foundry Services veteran.

Tata Electronics has established semiconductor manufacturing facilities in Hosur (Tamil Nadu), Dholera (Gujarat), and Assam, with ambitious expansion plans aimed at creating a comprehensive and interconnected supply system across the country.

Officials stated that it has invested $14 billion to date in the business. 

Top officials close to the development said Tata Electronics has made significant investments in indigenous technology development for all these platforms and has put together a team with 1,000+ years of global domain experience to drive this project.

Congress decides to not use IUML and INC flags during Rahul Gandhi’s Wayanad roadshow: INC’s dangerous duplicity and affair with Muslim extremists

Siddhi Somani
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Congress decides to not use IUML and INC flags during Rahul Gandhi’s Wayanad roadshow: INC’s dangerous duplicity and affair with Muslim extremists

Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party campaigned in the Wayanad constituency of Kerala on 15th April. While Congress leader Rahul Gandhi reached the constituency and led a rally, the party had decided to use no flags during the campaign. “No party flags will be used for Rahul Gandhi’s election campaign in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency,” KPCC acting chief MM Hassan was quoted as saying on 13th April.

Hassan, who is also the chairperson of the United Democratic Front (UDF), stated that no flags of the Congress or its allies will be used during Gandhi’s poll campaign. However, he declined to justify the party’s decision not to use the flags but only the Congress party symbol.

Reportedly, the Congress Party’s choice not to use its or ally Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) flags during Rahul Gandhi’s roadshow in Wayanad earlier this month enabled the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] to take political potshots at the party.

While the CPI(M) stated that the flags were not used because the Congress was afraid of the BJP, the BJP had said that Gandhi was ashamed of the IUML and asked him to withdraw his support. The Congress then responded by claiming that the CPI(M) and the BJP have become great friends and that it does not require any training on how to conduct an electoral campaign.

Congress ‘disrespected’ IUML flag at UDF program

The Indian National Congress party has been maintaining a ‘secular’ image when it comes to politics, especially in the state of Kerala. Ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, it is refraining from showcasing its alliance or support to the minority community. The party has also been ‘disrespecting’ or disowning the Muslim League’s alliance in a bid to maintain its ‘secular’ image amid elections.

Earlier, last year also the Congress party had disrespected the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and its flag at a United Democratic Front (UDF) program in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. The IUML flag was thrown by a Congress leader who asked the IUML workers to hoist it in Pakistan.

The United Democratic Front (UDF) is the Indian National Congress-led alliance of several political parties in the Indian state of Kerala.

On the other hand, the Muslim community people also seem to keep shut when it comes to openly supporting the Congress ahead of the elections, citing similar reasons. On 10th April, it was reported how the Muslim clerics chose strategic silence on suggesting voting preferences to the community to avoid the polarisation of Hindu votes.

Muslims refraining from ‘openly supporting’ Congress now

Muslims voting in large numbers for a particular political group, with clergy advising them to do so, has been a common occurrence in Indian elections prior to the independence. However, this time the Muslim clerics have restrained themselves from advising the community of bulk voting in favor of a particular party. No prominent Muslim organizations, such as the Islamic seminary Darul Uloom Deoband or the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, have issued directives to community members regarding which party or alliance to support in elections.

This strategic move stems from an inherent anticipation that if they appeal to Muslims to rally behind a particular party, it would ultimately polarise the votes of the majority Hindu community. In the year 2014, Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid extended support to the Congress party, however, this year no such appeal is being made.

This ‘strategic’ silence on political parties is regarded as ‘political maturity’ because Muslim clergy fear that if they openly back any non-BJP party or alliance, Hindu votes automatically shift to the BJP. Thus, Muslim clerics have chosen not to mention any political party, but they have delivered a clear message to the community about who pleases them.

Congress’ harmonious relations with the Muslim League

It is important to note that the Congress party has had very harmonious relations with the IUML. The duo had been openly supporting each other and standing by each other in several elections. The party has been pleasing the community to please the minority vote bank in Wayanad.

In June last year, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the IUML a ‘secular’ party on the global platform when in fact it is an Islamic extremist outfit. Gandhi was questioned at the National Press Club in Washington about his party’s coalition with the ‘Indian Union of Muslim League’ in Kerala. He responded to this by saying that the ‘Muslim League’ was a completely secular party and that there was nothing non-secular about them. 

IUML which is an off-shoot of Jinnah’s Muslim League’s ‘secular’ character was then massively questioned by the BJP. The BJP leaders slammed Gandhi for favoring the off-shoot of the party that was primarily responsible for the partition of the country. The BJP leaders then maintained that it was the Congress leader’s compulsion to remain acceptable in Wayanad which made him call the Muslim League a “secular party”.

Reportedly, in December 2023, the IUML and the Congress party had a verbal fight ahead of the Ram Mandir inauguration event that happened in January 2024. The IUML wanted the Congress party to take a ‘hard line’ approach favouring Muslims in exchange for their support in elections.

Muslim outfit Samastha, closely associated with IUML slammed the Congress party for its ‘non-commital’ stand on attending the Pran Pratishtha ceremony in Ayodhya. “The Congress stand that the party can attend the ceremony is only meant to prevent depletion of Hindu votes in North India. It is the soft Hindutva approach of the Congress that has taken the party,” the outfit said threatening Congress that if it remains non-committed, BJP would win Lok Sabha in 2024. The Muslim outfit also said that Congress failed to explicitly state that they will not attend the Pran Pratishtha like CPI(M) and because of this they would alienate their Muslim vote bank in Kerala.

It demanded the Congress to openly oppose the Ram Mandir event if it wanted the Muslim vote bank in Kerala stable. Later, close to the event, Congress openly stated that the party would not attend the Ram Mandir event as it was a ‘RSS-BJP’ event.

Give and take of political support

The Congress received “unconditional support” from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) for the recently happened Telangana assembly elections. IUML national general secretary PK Kunhalikutty had written to the Wayanad MP and asserted that the party would work closely with Congress to build a new government against the governing “fascists.”

The Congress and the IUML also allied to contest in the Kerala general elections of 2019. There were thousands of Muslim League flags flying during Rahul Gandhi’s roadshow in Wayanad. Their inclusion in the Nehru-Gandhi Parivar roadshow took on additional significance because it was reported that the Congress party had strictly instructed its ally not to deploy the flags for fear that it would damage their chances of winning elections in North India. Rahul Gandhi was allegedly at Wayanad then with radical Muslims, per the CPI(M).

Indian Union Muslim League – The offshoot of Jinnah’s party

The All India Muslim League (AIML) founded by Pakistani ideologue and founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah is the parent organisation of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) which claimed to have emerged upon Indian independence in 1948. The Muslim League in Pakistan and the Indian Union Muslim League in India succeeded the All India Muslim League. IUML states that secularism and communal harmony are its two guiding principles on its website, yet it has frequently pursued goals that counter these statements.

Pakistan successfully prompted the British Empire to divide British India in 1947, despite the Muslim League’s vigorous advocacy for the creation of a distinct nation-state with a majority of Muslims. The goal to preserve the spirit of the All-India Muslim League led to the founding of IUML in December 1947.

M. Muhammad Ismail was a strong advocate for Pakistan’s creation and actively participated in the country’s partition process. He served as the founder and first President of the Indian Union Muslim League following the league’s separation from Jinnah’s Muslim League. Importantly, he contended that the IUML was a secular group, however, it had backed the Constituent Assembly’s decision to uphold Sharia law for Indian Muslims upon India’s independence.

He launched the first Muslim political party in the newly formed state of India and even negotiated with Congress to “recognize the League as the sole representative of Muslims.” This is comparable to the policies of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who had consistently maintained that he and his party, the AIML, were the only delegates of Muslims in undivided India.

Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru teamed up with the IUML in Kerala after independence.  Jinnah had proposed a coalition government with the Muslim League in 1937, however, it was refused by the Congress. Political Islamists like the IUML were further pushed to turn to greater communal politics under the pretext of defending the rights of Muslims in the nation by the opportunistic policies of Congress.

UML was allegedly founded on his guidance immediately before Jinnah departed the nation after the split of the country. He had infamously declared, “There must be a Muslim league in Hindustan.” The AIML had also noted that Pakistan’s might affected India’s ability to defend its minorities and had pledged that it “would do all to protect them.”

Big, fat Indian election: Largest family with 350 members in Assam to cast vote in 18th Lok Sabha election

ANI
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Big, fat Indian election: Largest family with 350 members in Assam to cast vote in 18th Lok Sabha election

With nearly 350 voters, the family of the late Ron Bahadur Thapa of Phuloguri Nepali Paam in Assam’s Sonitpur district is one of the largest that to exercise their franchise in Assam during the opening phase of polling for the Lok Sabha, on April 19.

The district falls within the ambit of the Rangapara assembly constituency and the Sonitpur parliamentary segment.

All memebrs of this family will cast their votes in the Sonitpur Lok Sabha constituency on April 19.

Ron Bahadur Thapa is survived by 12 sons and 9 daughters. He had five wives.

With a family of nearly 1200 members in total, nearly 350 members are to exercise their voting rights in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls.

Ron Bahadur is also survived by more than 150 grandchildren.

There are nearly 300 families from the same ancestor living in the Phuloguri Nepali Paam area in the Sonitpur parliamentary constituency.

Til Bahadur Thapa, village headman of Nepali Paam village and son of the late Ron Bahadur, told ANI that there are around 350 people in their entire family who are eligible to cast their votes.

“My father came here along with my grandfather in 1964 and settled down in the state. My father had five wives and we have 12 brothers and 9 sisters. He had 56 grandchildren by his sons. I don’t know the grandchildren from the daughter’s side. In this election, there are nearly 350 members of the Thapa family in Nepali Paam who are eligible to cast their votes. If we count all children, then the total members of our family will be more than 1,200,” Til Bahadur Thapa told ANI.

He, however, lamented that the family hasn’t yet been able to avail the benefits of the welfare schemes of the state and the central governments.

“Our children received higher education but did not get any government jobs. A few members of our family went to Bengaluru and found private jobs. Some are working as daily wage labourers. I have been working as a village pradhan since 1989. I have 8 sons and 3 daughters,” Til Bahadur said.

He added that his father raised 12 sons and 9 daughters.

Sarki Bahadur Thapa, another son of the late Ron Bahadur, told ANI that there are around 1200 members in the family.

“We have a big family of which there are around 350 members, who are eligible to cast their votes,” Sarki Bahadur Thapa said.

According to the family members, Ron Bahadur died in 1997, leaving behind his big, fat family.

Sarki Bahadur Thapa, now 64, has three wives and 12 children.

There are in excess of 16.25 lakh voters in the Sonitpur Lok Sabha seat, which is made up of 9 assembly segments.

Elections to the 14 Lok Sabha constituencies in Assam will take place in three phases–on April 19, April 26 and May 7. (ANI)

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

‘Congress using deep fake to target BJP’: MP Dinesh Lal Yadav to file FIR against IYC president BV Srinivas for video on Modi and Yogi

OpIndia Staff
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‘Congress using deep fake to target BJP’: MP Dinesh Lal Yadav to file FIR against IYC president BV Srinivas for video on Modi and Yogi

BJP’s IT cell chief Amit Malviya has informed that the Congress party is using deep fake imagery to maliciously target the BJP. Reacting to an X post by Youth Congress chief Srinivas BV, Malviya wrote that Congress is using deep fakes to mislead people, create unrest, and sow divisions in society.

Calling BV Srinivas a ‘habitual offender’, Malviya informed further that BJP’s Azamgarh MP Dinesh Lal Yadav ‘Nirhua’ will be filing an FIR against Srinivas for sharing a deep fake video to malign his image. Malviya added that a complaint is also being filed against Srinivas with the Election Commission of India.

Malviya added that the party has all the screenshots, with time stamps and video recordings for a legal case against BV Srinivas.

Azamgarh MP Dinesh Lal Yadav posted, “Promoting fake videos has become a trend for Congress leaders. Anyone seeing this video can understand that the words and lip movements do not match, AI has been used to clone sound. What exactly do they want to prove?”

In the video that BV Srinivas shared, the alleged deep fake face of Dinesh Lal Yadav is seen saying, “Modi ji doesn’t have a single child. Yogi ji have no children either. They have not added anything to increase unemployment. Who is increasing unemployment in this country? The people who do not listen to the government when the government asks to produce only 2 children, add 8 more mouths to feed. They are the ones increasing the burden of unemployment in this country. When the government proposes regulations for population control, they are the people who refuse to follow. The same people then claim that unemployment is increasing. When an unemployed person produces 8 more children, obviously unemployment will increase.”

BV Srinivas responds, says he used video from a YouTube channel

Responding to Dinesh Lal Yadav, BV Sinivas shared another video of a screen recording, to say that the said video of Yadav was taken from a YouTube channel Soul Up Hindi. He also threw the derogatory ‘Gobar’ jibe at Yadav, saying the Azamgarh MP should ‘stop eating Gobar and consume milk and fresh fruits to enhance his memory’.

Srinivas added that he is ready to face the FIR and would love to provide the links and sources for the video at any police station.

Bestselling author Amish Tripathi explains why he will be voting for the Narendra Modi government in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections

OpIndia Staff
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Bestselling author Amish Tripathi explains why he will be voting for the Narendra Modi government in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections

As election campaigning peaks for the first phase of voting, Amish Tripathi, the author of several bestselling Hindu culture-centric books, has broken his ‘self-imposed’ political silence and extended support to the Modi government.

Notably, on Monday (15th April), the acclaimed author took to his official X account to share his insights, explaining why he will be voting to elect the Modi government in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. 

Admitting that he had refrained from commenting on political developments so far, Amish Tripathi categorically noted that he supports Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government. 

In an article-format tweet, the headline states in bold, “Why I will be voting for Prime Minister Modi & his government.” 

Tripathi added, “As a rule, I have not spoken on politics in the past. I’d like to break this self-imposed rule this time. I support Prime Minister Modi and his national government. I think it’s crucial to vote for our Prime Minister, through his candidates, in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.” 

In brief, he listed several of the major achievements of the Modi government in various domains that guided this decision. 

Amish Tripathi highlighted, “Dramatic reduction in poverty, emphatic strengthening of the national finances and fisc, vast improvements in infrastructure (I see it in Mumbai, the city I live in, and also Varanasi, the city my family hails from), rising GDP growth rates, investments in science & tech, incentives for start-ups & small-business loans (something I hear about from my readers, who are largely the youth), vastly improved welfare delivery (which has reduced leakages that were common in the past). All good things.” 

Amish Tripathi, however, noted that the main reason behind his decision is that the country needs a Chanakyan leadership for our nation and our civilisation, especially at a time when the Global order and peace of the post-1945 era are in shambles and wars loom large in multiple theatres. 

He pointed out that ongoing crises, including the prolonged effect of the COVID pandemic, wars, debt crisis, piracy on the high seas, terrorist organisations like Houthis getting hold of high-tech weapons, and climate crisis among other challenges are time bombs waiting to blow up on the face of the planet. And the world is unprepared to handle most of them. When a Global Order crumbles, there is usually a time of chaos, tumult, and often, war, Amish Tripathi added. 

After highlighting the ongoing challenges in tumultuous times, Tripathi stressed that India needs top-of-the-line and exceptional leadership similar to the one the US had during the World Wars which proved very advantageous for the US in decades to come.

Tripathi added, “At this critical stage in world history, we Indians need leadership that has intense motivation, competencies that are top-of-the-line, ability to work hard, capability to carry the masses along. And skills to engage with the world with firm clarity; with kindness when possible, but with steely resolve when necessary.”  

He further stated, “There are many who love and admire Prime Minister Modi. Some do not. To those who don’t, my appeal, at this critical juncture in world history is this: we need a strong government with a clear majority, which can engage with the world in a robust manner and ensure that India emerges at the top at the end of this period of tumult. If India is strong, all of us Indians at least have a chance of being strong.” 

Amish Tripathi asserted that the strength of every Indian lies in the success and strength of the country at the national and International level. The renowned author stated, “If India weakens (like it did in the late 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s), it is guaranteed that we will all weaken. Remember, because we have a strong government, we can negotiate resolutely with more powerful countries and do things which are in our national interest (like buying oil from Russia, which has kept our inflation in check).” 

Concluding his post, he urged voters, “We need Chanakyan leadership at this critical time for our nation, our civilisation. We need Prime Minister Modi to continue. I will be voting for the NDA candidate in my constituency. I hope you will too.” 

‘Misleading, malicious, and ill-motivated’: MHA rubbishes ‘journalist’ Sushant Singh over media reports on Chinese incursion threat list

OpIndia Staff
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‘Misleading, malicious, and ill-motivated’: MHA rubbishes ‘journalist’ Sushant Singh over media reports on Chinese incursion threat list

The Ministry of Home Affairs called out the fake news propagated by ‘journalist’ Sushant Singh over his tweet where he cited a media report claiming that the ITBP has sent a report to the MHA, alerting it over 19 places on the Line of Actual Control that could witness transgression by the Chinese army during summers.

“This post by @SushantSin is MISLEADING, MALICIOUS and ILL-MOTIVATED on the sensitive issue of National Security. ITBP has not submitted any such internal report to MHA,” the official X handle of the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs tweeted.

The media report, which was published yesterday (April 14, 2024), cited sources within the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to claim that an internal report has pinpointed 19 “sensitive” locations along the China frontier, spanning from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh, that are at risk of incursions by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army this summer. An ITBP official was quoted as saying, “The report, compiled with insights from the force’s intelligence division, has prompted us to dispatch extra reinforcements to these high-altitude sensitive spots to strengthen our positions.”

“According to intelligence reports, these areas are expected to experience incursions by the PLA as the snow begins to melt in the summer,” he explained. Since May 2020, the Indian and Chinese armies have been embroiled in a border standoff in eastern Ladakh. Reports suggest that the PLA has reportedly shifted the unmarked Line of Actual Control (LAC) and has allegedly occupied close to 1,000 square kilometres of territory claimed by India.

The Indian and Chinese armies have been in a standoff along the eastern Ladakh border since May 2020, during which the PLA is alleged to have modified the unmarked Line of Actual Control (LAC) and reportedly occupied nearly 1,000 square kilometres of territory claimed by India.

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