A fortune teller in Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district was arrested on 9th April after his parrot predicted the victory of Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) candidate for Lok Sabha polls. The fortune teller, identified as Selvaraj, shot to fame after PMK candidate from Cuddalore, Thankar Bachan requested him to predict his fortune.
The fortune teller predicted that Bachan would win the polls as the parrot had selected a card which had the image of Lord Azhagumuthu Iyyanar. Bachan had sought the blessings of Lord Iyyangar at a temple nearby before encountering the fortune teller.
Shortly after, the forest ranger arrested Selvaraj for illegal possession of the parrot. The official named J Ramesh said that parrots are categorized under scheduled II species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and keeping the bird in captivity is a crime.
The forest officials said that the fortune teller would be let off with a warning and a penalty, which may extend up to Rs 10,000. The development has left netizens shocked.
Mr Sinha wrote on X, “In Tamilnadu, a parrot owner is arrested after his parrot predicted the victory of NDA candidate & defeat of INDI alliance candidate. He’s charged with some wildlife protection act. Democracy under attack anyone? Dictatorship anyone?”
In Tamilnadu, a parrot owner is arrested after his parrot predicted the victory of NDA candidate & defeat of INDI alliance candidate.. He's charged with some wildlife protection act.
Andra Pradesh BJP vice president, Vishnu Vardhan Reddy accused the DMK government of fascism. He wrote, “Height of fascism in Tamil Nadu! A parrot owner has been arrested merely because his parrot predicted the win for a PMK candidate. @arivalayam is losing ground in Tamil Nadu, and the insecurity in their camp is evident!”
Height of fascism in Tamil Nadu!
A parrot owner has been arrested merely because his parrot predicted the win for a PMK candidate.@arivalayam is losing ground in Tamil Nadu, and the insecurity in their camp is evident!#TamilNadupic.twitter.com/ChaNCi1Hrk
— Vishnu Vardhan Reddy (Modi ka Parivar) (@SVishnuReddy) April 10, 2024
Another X user named Manju wrote, “Just now @arivalayam has found out that a parrot is kept in a cage to predict fortunes…#dmk running scared of a bird ? that said #Thankarbachan will win. #pmk”
Just now @arivalayam has found out that a parrot is kept in a cage to predict fortunes… ???#dmk running scared of a bird ? that said #Thankarbachan will win. #pmk
Owner of parrot that 'predicted' poll result held | India News-Times of India https://t.co/DrCNAetPFu
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi is campaigning in Tamil Nadu and has accused the Stalin government saying it has the first copyright in corruption. The PM also accused the government of dividing people over language.
In Canada, an Indian-origin student named Tejeshwar Kalia working as a clerk at a store has been booked with charges carrying a 14-year jail term for hitting a robber with a baseball bat in self-defence. The incident took place on 5th January this year at the Circle K convenience store on King Street in Peterborough.
In a shocking turn of events, the robber identified as Jonathan Handel, a Fentanyl addict who struck Tejeshwar repeatedly got the punishment of a mere 14 months in provincial jail on Thursday (4th April), while the 22-year-old student attending Sir Sanford Fleming College, who hit the robber in self-defence, remains before the courts facing up to 14 years in a federal prison.
A video of the incident has surfaced online, revealing that the incident occurred at 2:30 a.m. on the 5th of January, with the robber entering the store with a baseball bat hidden in a blue bag. Once at the counter, the video shows him pulling the bat from the bag and repeatedly striking Kalia in the back of the head.
Subsequently, a struggle for control of the bat follows. Kalia, another unknown client in the store, and Jonathan Handel get caught up in a physical scuffle before coming outside. The two men overpower the robber, and Kalia hits him with the baseball bat. The robber falls to the ground, Tejeshwar Kalia sits down with visible emotional stress, while the other man checks on the robber.
EXCLUSIVE—This video tells a more complete story of what happened at the Circle K in Peterborough Jan. 5. It shows original baseball bat attack/robbery on Tejeshwar Kalia that Jonathan Handel plead guilty to, the struggle over the bat and Kalia’s quick response in self defence pic.twitter.com/quNQlMxXkE
Reports say that the police in a press release on 9th January said that a “man came into the store demanding money and brandishing a baseball bat. A struggle ensued and the clerk was struck with the bat before grabbing the bat away from the suspect. The suspect then fled the store. The clerk followed the suspect out of the store and struck him several times with the baseball bat on the sidewalk.”
However, CCTV footage shows that the suspect did not exit the store freely, but rather engaged in a life-or-death struggle with Kalia and a customer for control of the bat, which later moved out into the street. Contrary to the Police’s initial claims, Kalia did not follow him with the bat but instead took it away from the attacker outside the store and hit Handel twice.
The robber who attacked Tejeshwar Kalia gets 14 months jail term, Kalia gets 14 years sentence for self-defence
Notably, Jonathan Handel was sentenced on Thursday to 18 months in jail on a guilty plea to the heist, which was lowered to 14 months with time served at a 1.5-day reduction, giving him 425 days left to serve out of the original sentence of 545 days. Kalia, meanwhile, has received no relief despite being the victim rather than the perpetrator.
Speaking to Toronto Sun, Kalia said, “I saw it as me defending myself. I was afraid for my life.
During the court hearing on Thursday, in a victim impact statement read in court by a friend, Kalia stated that the baseball bat shots put him in panic mode at the time and have subsequently left him “grappling with physical and emotional stress.”
“I fell victim to a brutal robbery (in which) the assailant, wielding a baseball bat, viciously struck me three times: twice on the back of my head and once on my spine,” said Kalia who was treated in the hospital and has subsequently had two surgeries.
As a practising Hindu, Kalia said that he felt bad about his attacker Handel getting a 14-month prison term saying, “I was praying for him” adding that he only reacted to the situation on the night of the incident.
Indian international student and store clerk Tejeshwar Kalia says he still loves Peterborough despite being attacked there with a baseball bat by a fentanyl addict and later attacked by the justice system seeking to put him in prison in the upcoming self defence test case trial. pic.twitter.com/jox4Bx17gN
Meanwhile, Kalia’s counsel Jeff Ayotte on 6th April expressed confidence that when the video is shown during the jury trial, it will be clear that the police made false claims about the incident, and they will find that Tejeshwar Kalia hit the robber in an act of self-defence.
“For whatever reason, the video has been misdescribed by the Peterborough Police … but I am confident at the preliminary hearing, when the video will be shown publicly and at jury trial, 12 people are going to see this video and they are going to see what the police are telling them did not happen. We are fairly confident that a jury is going to find after seeing the video, and after hearing what Tej has to say, that he acted in self-defence, Ayotte said.
“For whatever reason, the video has been misdescribed by the Peterborough Police” — defence lawyer Jeff Ayotte, representing Indian international student Tejeshwar Kalia charged with aggravated assault in Jan. 5 incident where he used bat he was attacked with in “self defence.” pic.twitter.com/jIYlyLDnKA
GoFundMe takes down fundraiser launched to help Kalia with his expenses
To fund Kalia’s legal and other expenses, his friends launched a crowdfunding campaign on ‘GoFundMe’ highlighting the young student’s innocence and obvious injustice in the matter. The fundraiser was launched to raise $25,000 and was well received with many Canadians lending support to the Indian-origin student. In just two days, the campaign raised $12,600 from around 200 donors. However, GoFundMe soon pulled the plug on the campaign.
Fundraiser started by Tejeshwar Kalia’s friend Deepak Sharma was taken down by GoFundMe
Peterborough Police Chief defends action against Kalia
While the police action and subsequent charging Kalia for hitting the robber in self-defence with charges carrying 14-year term has triggered outrage in Canada, the Peterborough Police has defended itself.
In a public statement on 10th January, Peterborough Police Chief Stu Betts said, “I would not normally release a message of this kind, but the commentary that has taken place following our media release today… is unfair to the men and women of my Organization – they are doing great work in our community. Yes, this case is unusual, but in a world where security cameras are everywhere, do you really think we would not have seized & reviewed the footage as part of the investigation and prior to laying charges? I encourage you to stop and think about things before determining what you think has happened, or that an injustice has taken place because I’m quite confident that not one person who has made a comment about this case has seen the video or has access to the actual facts.”
Public Statement: I would not normally release a message of this kind, but the commentary that has taken place following our media release today, in relation to a store clerk also being charged following an attempted robbery (https://t.co/driE7iidYc), is unfair to the men and… https://t.co/wBeVI05vWp
— Chief Stu Betts, Peterborough Police Service (@PtboChiefBetts) January 10, 2024
The Canadian netizens, however, were not convinced by the long explanation put up by Betts with many calling the police an “embarrassment” and demanding Betts’s resignation.
A 3-year-old girl died tragically after enduring torture during what her family described as an “exorcism” within a church in California, USA, with her body later discovered on the altar. According to documents from Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Rebekah Wise, the child’s body bore numerous wounds inflicted as her mother, uncle, and grandfather allegedly seized her by the neck in an attempt to expel what they claimed was a demon.
On 24th September 2021, the dead body of Arely Naomi Proctor, the minor girl, was discovered within the premises of Iglesia Apostoles Profetas situated in downtown San Jose. After months following Arely’s death, Claudia, her brother Rene “Aaron” Hernandez Santos, and her father, Rene Trigueros Hernandez, were arrested on accusations related to the incident.
Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Rebekah Wise mentioned in the court document, “While this assault was ongoing, Arely struggled to escape from her abusers. The victim repeatedly said ‘No!’ Arely also told her mother, Claudia Hernandez, “I love you” during the vicious ordeal.” All three accused in this case have pleaded not guilty to felony assault on the girl causing her death. Judge Hanley Chew is scheduled to make a ruling on 10th May regarding whether the case can proceed to trial.
JUST IN: New court documents claim that three-year-old Arely Naomi Proctor tried escaping while her family performed an exorcism on her that killed her.
They should all face the death penalty.
Arely was found dead on the church altar after she fought for 20 hours as her… pic.twitter.com/UOWgSv1qfQ
The court filing mentions the details from the statements given by the accused Claudia during the interrogation. When questioned by authorities at the scene, Claudia, then 25 years old, initially reported that her daughter, Arely, had been screaming and crying the previous night. Claudia asserted to a police officer that her daughter was “possessed,” alleging that Arely appeared different.
Claudia recounted attempting to her daughter Arely vomit by inserting her fingers into the child’s mouth, but Arely bit her finger instead. Subsequently, Claudia and her brother Aaron transported Arely to the church around 7 a.m., where they claimed to have conducted a prayer ceremony. Their father, Rene, who served as the pastor of the church, joined them around 12:20 p.m. on the day of Arely’s death. Allegedly, the three relatives held Arely in a “superman” position, suspended above the floor. Claudia informed the police that despite her daughter expressing love for her, she maintained her belief that Arely was possessed by an evil spirit.
The court document mentions, “After Arely threw up, Claudia said they put her on the floor. Claudia said this is when Arely stopped breathing. Claudia said God made her understand that Arely was not coming back and was gone. This was the last time Claudia believed Arely to be alive.”
Following an examination by a medical expert, it was concluded that the girl’s cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation and smothering, leading to a series of severe injuries including brain swelling, blood in the lungs, neck injuries, and wounds within her mouth. When questioned by the police regarding her daughter’s death, Claudia confessed to believing she was responsible.
In October 2021, Claudia reached out to the police voluntarily and informed an officer that she had been engaging in daily conversations with God in the three weeks preceding Arely’s death. The court record says, “During this time, Claudia was praying for Arely, and God told her that he was going to take Arely [on 24th September]. God told Claudia this was happening because she was never meant to be a mother. Claudia did not previously tell anyone about these conversations.
Claudia was taken into custody and formally charged in January 2022 after authorities concluded that she suffocated and strangled Arely until the girl succumbed to asphyxiation. Arely’s uncle Aaron, aged 29 at the time, and grandfather Rene, aged 59 at the time, were apprehended and faced separate felony abuse charges in May 2022.
In the latest court submission, prosecutors asserted that they possess ample evidence to proceed with the trial of the three relatives in connection with Arely’s death. Claudia, Aaron, and Rene are scheduled to return to court on May 10 for the decision. All three are currently in jail.
Vidhya Rani, the daughter of one of India’s most notorious criminals, Veerappan decided to contest for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections from the Krishnagiri constituency in Tamil Nadu. The Naam Tamilar Katchi candidate said that she draws inspiration from her father and that she would want to work for the betterment of the farmers and women.
“I have been given a chance by the party to serve the people of India where I am going to speak for the people of Krishnagiri. My focus would be to work for the betterment of farmers and to empower women. I will be there for the people as their spokesperson,” Rani said while speaking to ANI on 9th April.
#WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Naam Tamilar Katchi candidate from the Krishnagiri LS seat, Vidhya Rani- daughter of Veerappan, says "I have been given a chance by the party to serve the people of India where I am going to speak for the people of Krishnagiri…My focus would be to work for… pic.twitter.com/yPR5pLUvQ9
“I want to attend to the needs of women and make them economically independent. I will be there as a spokesperson for the people and the public. When I am asked to support any of the parties, I will mostly follow the needs of the people. I will support any party that supports the wellness and growth of the people. If it is against the wellness of the people, I will be against it, be it any party,” she added.
The NTK, a Tamilian party founded in 2010 in response to the Sri Lankan Civil War (1983–2009), has yet to win a single seat in a state or Lok Sabha election. The party, which made its debut in the 2016 assembly elections, received 1.06 percent of the vote that year, rising to 6.89 percent in 2021.
Vidhya Veerappan, the 33-year-old woman who is a lawyer by profession says that she wants to work to protect the Tamil race just like her father worked to “protect” the forests. Notably, Vidhya joined the BJP in the year 2020, however, she said that she made the shift to the NKT party after watching ‘Koose Munisamy Veerappan’, a television series about her father.
She said that her admiration for Seeman, the chief of NKT went up multifold after hearing his perspective on her father in the documentary. “Seeman uncle could distinguish between the right and wrong things of my father. I see a lot of similarities between my father and Seeman. That adds strength to me. I was raised by society, not by my family. I believe contesting elections is one way of giving back to society,” she said.
As per the reports, Vidhya in her entire lifetime met her father just once when she was in the 3rd standard. “That was the first and last time I met him. We spoke for 30 minutes, and the conversation is still fresh in my mind. He held me and asked me to pursue medicine and serve the people,” she said.
The woman at present runs a school in Krishnagiri, the place where she has been living for the past 9 years.
Vidhya, who will face Congress candidate K Gopinath, C Narasimhan (BJP), and V Jayaprakash (AIADMK) in the April 19 Lok Sabha elections, said her campaign promises would include pushing for a railway station in Krishnagiri, better health facilities, and ensuring basic amenities for hilly residents.
Veerappan, who was killed by the Tamil Nadu Special Task Force (STF) in an encounter on October 18, 2004, was notorious for poaching elephants, smuggling sandalwood, kidnapping high-profile figures such as Kannada Thespian Raj Kumar and former minister Nagappa, and murdering police officers and others who crossed his path.
The bandit controlled an empire within the Sathyamangalam jungles, which stretched across the districts of Erode and Mysore in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, respectively.
26 candidates have filed papers for the Krishnagiri parliamentary constituency. The ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Congress are running together for the seat. Congress has named three-time Hosur MLA K Gopinath as their alliance candidate.
The AIADMK candidate, the BJP’s NDA candidate, and 23 independents are among those competing for positions in Krishnagiri. All 39 seats in Tamil Nadu will vote in a single phase on April 19, with votes counted on June 4.
Bulk voting of Muslims in favour of a particular political party and clergy issuing them advice to do so has historically been a usual phenomenon in the Indian elections since the pre-independence era. This year, in the general elections of 2024, it is not the same anymore. The Muslim clerics have restrained themselves from advising the community of bulk voting in favour of a particular party. 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.
No prominent Muslim organisations, 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. According to a report by the Times of India, this is because the Muslim clergy is showing their ‘political maturity’ by doing this. However, it also calls their silence ‘strategic’.
Notably, the Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid had extended support to the Congress party during the general elections of 2014. This time, no such appeal is issued by him or heads of other major Muslim outfits advising the community where it should cast its votes in the 2024 elections.
All India Majlis-e-Mushawarat is an umbrella organisation of over 50 Muslim bodies in the country. Naved Hamid – former head of this organisation – said, “Muslim organisations and their clerics are not making any vocal appeals. They know any move to give a call for en bloc voting will polarise majority voters. The clerics have chosen silence over loud statements.”
The TOI report also mentions that previously, numerous clerics faced criticism for making political statements. However, this time they are remaining silent, refraining from getting involved in contentious issues and allowing the community to make their own decisions. Head of Anjuman-I-Islam Zahir Kazi has termed it a ‘political maturity’ shown by the Muslim clergy.
Hyderabad-based activist Mazher Hussain said that gone are the days when Muslims used to vote as a vote bank. However, he noted that the community can still be ‘tactful’ regardless of the stands taken by clerics.
It is pertinent to note that although this strategic and tactful approach of not mentioning any political party is hailed as a political maturity, Muslim clerics are continuing to give the ‘message’ to the community in their appeals to participate in the festival of democracy by exercising their right to vote. In one such appeal, a Maulana was recently seen telling the Muslims that the results of this election matter a lot and that if desired results are not seen there would be a situation of genocide and people would be jailed in large numbers.
Maulana is instructing fellow Muslims for 100% voting. He says even one vote shouldn't be wasted & not even one vote should go to BJP (indirectly).
They're clear about their agenda, are we?
I hope Hindus don't enjoy holiday on voting day. I also hope similar appeals are done… pic.twitter.com/gmK8Qnx0Rt
— Mr Sinha (Modi's family) (@MrSinha_) April 7, 2024
He said that he was not mentioning any political party but he would appeal to all Muslims to vote. He said that all Muslims should vote keeping in mind that there is a rule of ‘Julm’ in this country and that they should vote to establish a better rule in the country. Even without naming the BJP or Congress, he was essentially appealing to Muslims to vote in a way that the Bharatiya Janata Party stays away from power.
Now, this ‘strategic’ silence about political parties is hailed as a ‘political maturity’ because the Muslim clergy fears that if they openly support any non-BJP party or alliance, the Hindu votes will consolidate for the BJP automatically. Thus, Muslim clerics have opted not to mention any political party but they have sent a proper message to the community about who is appeasing them.
On the other hand, the Congress party is yet to attain this ‘political maturity’. Its election manifesto has already received heavy criticism for mirroring the promises made by the Muslim League in the pre-independence era.
Islamists attacked Hindus including BJP workers were attacked in Sarisha’s Kalagachiya area in Diamond Habour, South 24 Paraganas on Monday, 8th April, during the immersion of Goddess Maa Raksha Kali idol.
Place – Kalagachiya, Sarisha, DIAMOND HARBOUR, South 24 Parganas.
The place (in)famous for Mamata's nephew and his goons' political terrorism, is experiencing massive riots. The people affected are BJP Karyakartas and Mondal president, who were celebrating with saffron… pic.twitter.com/R9yDh7qPL6
The BJP has said that its karyakartas and booth presidents were attacked fatally for playing songs of Shri Ram during the immersion. The party has accused the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) of political terrorism.
“The place (in)famous for Mamata’s nephew and his goons’ political terrorism, is experiencing massive riots,” the BJP stated in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Visuals going viral on social media show houses set ablaze with flames and heavy smoke emerging.
HINDUS UNDER ATTACK.
Place – Kalagachiya, Sarisha, DIAMOND HARBOUR, South 24 Pgns.
Hindus were playing devotional songs of Prabhu ShreeRAM while on their way to immerse MAA RAKSHA KALI Moorti (Puja was on Saturday Night). Suddenly a few JIHADIS attacked them and many Hindus… pic.twitter.com/4o3R512eL4
— Devdutta Maji (Modi Ji Ka Pariwar). (@MajiDevDutta) April 8, 2024
BJP leader Devdutta Maji, President of Singha Bahini, shared the details of the incident alleging that more than 100 jihadis were sent by TMC block president SK Shamim on motorbikes.
“It is evident that this was a pre-planned attack,” Maji wrote in a post on X. He stated that an army of jihadis was also sent by SK Jahangir Khan from Falta towards Sarisha.
In-charge of BJP’s IT department, Amit Malviya took to X likening that incident to the 2019 violence against Hindus in the village of Bagakhali under Bishnupur block of Diamond Harbour after local mosques called for the attacks.
Bengal is up in flames again. This is redux of 2019, when Hindus were forced to flee their homes in village Bagakhali, under Bishnupur block of Diamond Harbour, after local Mosques called for violent attacks against them.
— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) April 9, 2024
He wrote, “It is now playing out again, just before elections, to ensure Mamata Banerjee’s nephew can win the election. The TMC drama in Delhi is to give cover to this dangerous operation, being executed with clinical precision.”
“No less than Mamata Banerjee herself has warned of violence, in the run-up to Ram Navami on 17th April, just like last year. The Calcutta High Court subsequently handed over the matter to the NIA and several rioters, aligned to the TMC, have been arrested since,” Malviya wrote.
The BJP leader demanded that the Election Commission of India take note and ensure additional central forces deployment during Ram Navami.
However, the West Bengal police have denied the charges that the Hindu procession was attacked. They have claimed that the incident pertains to a clash between two groups over the exchange of filthy language.
Wilful misinformation is being spread from certain quarters in social media about an incident last night in Sarisha area under Diamond Harbour PS. The fact of the matter is, two groups clashed with each other over exchange of filthy language. (1/3)
“Wilful misinformation is being spread from certain quarters in social media about an incident last night in Sarisha area under Diamond Harbour PS. The fact of the matter is, two groups clashed with each other over exchange of filthy language,” the police wrote on X.
They added, “Prompt Police intervention under the direct supervision of senior officers diffused the tension. Three persons have been arrested. No religious procession was vandalised as claimed by certain quarters.”
Those trying to deliberately ignite communal passions will be sternly dealt with as per law. Presently, the situation is peaceful and under control, the police stated.
Notably, action has been initiated by the police against BJP workers, who are the alleged victims of the attack. Maji shared details of the FIR filed against the 12 BJP workers of which he said two have been arrested.
“F.I.R No. 156/2024 Diamond Harbour P.S U/S 143/147/153A/295A/435/436/307/34 IPC and 9MPO Act. Name in FIR 12 Persons,” Maji shared on X.
Plz watch the Video, I am not in the condition to write in details.
I am now in Diamond Harbour.
F.I.R No. 156/2024 Diamond Harbour P.S U/S 143/147/153A/295A/435/436/307/34 IPC and 9MPO Act Name in FIR 12 Persons Arrested 2 persons
— Devdutta Maji (Modi Ji Ka Pariwar). (@MajiDevDutta) April 9, 2024
Among those booked by the West Bengal police are Rajesh Halder, Sraban Ghosh, Uttam Bag, Aninda Halder, Nitai Mondal, Krishna Sardar, Buddhadeb Bag, Kartik, Ayan Dutta, Somnath Halder, Sourav Halder, Rajkumar Sardar.
Countering the West Bengal police’s narrative on X, Maji said that the Hindus who have been booked are Hindutva activists and BJP booth workers.
He said that one of the BJP workers booked named Uttam Bag was targeted in 2021 too wherein his saree showroom and motorbike showroom was attacked, sarees were stolen and cash was stolen too.
“He is not involved. The police reached his residence at 2 am and raided their house for about an hour, traumatised the family, and scared their neighbours too. They created so much chaos,” Maji said adding that Uttam Bag was arrested.
Maji shared images from 2021 showing the damaged condition of Uttam Bag’s showroom. He also shared a CCTV video of the recent raids by the police in the house of Uttam Bag where the police can be seen entering and surrounding his house.
Another BJP worker’s house was raided too. This worker is the father of a 1.5-year-old baby who suffers from an illness. The father had gone to buy milk and pampers for the child when he was picked up by the police.
Maji has alleged that the two arrested BJP workers are being beaten brutally by the police. “The situation is very serious. On one hand, there are atrocities committed by the jihadis and on the other hand, there’s the tyranny of Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee’s police. The entire village is scared and Hindu youth are leaving,” he said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, TMC President has fielded her nephew Abhishek Banerjee from the Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency.
On 9th April, it came to light that Congress has decided not to field a candidate in Hyderabad for the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024. The Gandhi family party will support All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi who is 4-times MP in Lok Sabha.
Notably, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Kompella Madhavi Latha from Hyderabad against Owaisi. Congress’s decision to support Owaisi has come as a surprise for many as the party has always considered him as BJP’s B-team. Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi have targeted BJP and Owaisi on several occasions.
Speaking to Time Now, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee’s General Secretary Mohammed Feroz Khan claimed the majority of the seats in Telangana would be won by Congress. “Talking about Hyderabad city, there are Secunderabad and Hyderabad Lok Sabha (seats). My constituency is in Secunderabad and not in Hyderabad. Hyderabad Owaisi will win because there is a compromise between AIMIM and the Congress Party. So there is an understanding. Asaduddin will inevitably win Hyderabad.
Reacting to the reports of Congress supporting Asaduddin Owaisi, BJP’s candidate from Hyderabad Kompella Madhavi Latha wrote on X, “Congress was in alliance with AIMIM but claims that it’s Bjp B Team, CPI is part of INDI Alliance in Bengal but not in Kerala, AAP has alliance in Delhi but not in Punjab. The problem with congress is that its not clear what to do. Congress Mukt Bharat = Progress Yukt Bharat.”
Congress was in alliance with AIMIM but claims that it’s Bjp B Team, CPI is part of INDI Alliance in Bengal but not in Kerala, AAP has alliance in Delhi but not in Punjab.
The problem with congress is that its not clear what to do?
— Kompella Madhavi Latha (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Kompella_MLatha) April 9, 2024
Congress repeatedly targetted Asaduddin Owaisi in the past
Though Congress is supporting Owaisi in the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections, the party leaders have repeatedly claimed BJP and Owaisi have some sort of alliance. In November 2023, while campaigning for Telangana Assembly Elections, Gandhi said, “There are two friends of Modi, Owaisi and KCR!”.
In December 2018, Gandhi had said, “TRS is the BJP’s “B” team & KCR operates as Mr Modi’s, Telangana Rubber Stamp. Owaisi’s, AIMIM is the BJP’s “C” team, whose role is to split the anti BJP/ KCR vote. Great people of Telangana, Modi, KCR & Owaisi are one. They speak in twisted tongues. Do not be fooled by them!”
Source: X
Lok Sabha Elections 2024
The polling for Lok Sabha Elections 2024 will take place in seven phases starting from 19th April. Polling in Telangana will take place in the fourth phase on 13th May 2024. The last phase of the General Elections will take place on 1st June 2024 and the results will be announced on 4th June 2024.
A California-based man, Stewart Lucas Murrey, has filed a lawsuit against more than 50 women for $2.6 million alleging that they called him a ‘bad date’. Murrey alleges that the women shared negative stories about him on a viral Facebook page, “Are We Dating The Same Guy”. According to him, their reviews were false and defamatory.
(Image Source – New York Post)
However, the women sued by Lucas Murrey accused him of using legal action to intimidate them. They demanded that the courts should ‘slap him down’. As per a New York Post report, the women are invoking California laws meant to deter junk lawsuits, called anti-SLAPP laws. The acronym stands for “strategic lawsuit against public participation.”
Incidentally, on Monday (8th April), a judge in the Los Angeles civil court ruled that one of the women, Vanessa Valdez, did nothing wrong by sharing her opinion of Murrey with the popular online group, NYP reported.
The judge said that based on the evidence, the court did not see any possibility of Murrey prevailing against the defendants on any claim he made. According to a FOX 11 LA report, after finding no evidence of conspiracy, the judge granted an anti-SLAPP motion to prevent the abuse of the legal system to silence the women.
(Woman say that he wants to intimidate them and wants courts to ‘slapp him down’, Image Source – FOX 11/ NYP)
Kelly Gibbons is one of the women who received a lawsuit from Lucas Murrey. Gibbons said the first time she saw the man in real life was when he came to her house to drop off the lawsuit.
Speaking with the Times of London, she said, “My heart started pounding, as I thought: This man knows where I live. It was pretty eerie. He was filming with his cell phone, walking in. I don’t know who wouldn’t get creeped out by that.”
According to reports, Gibbons wrote the initial post about Murrey in the Los Angeles chapter of “Are We Dating The Same Guy?” after connecting with him on a dating app. They exchanged texts for a few weeks but Gibbons decided that she did not want to meet him in person. It is being said that the interaction went so badly that she wanted to warn other women about his rude behavior. She noted, “I wouldn’t want my friend going out with someone like that.”
Notably, the viral Facebook page, “Are We Dating The Same Guy” is a private page. It originated in New York City in 2022. It is part of a wider network of groups where women share experiences of their dating encounters in pages dedicated to their respective cities.
Currently, the Los Angeles chapter has approximately 53,000 members. When Gibbons made her post, the group consisted of only around 10,000 women. Nonetheless, several women rallied with Gibbons to share their negative experiences with Murrey. While some shared screenshots of conversations from dating apps and recounted their in-person encounters others chose to express their sentiments through comments.
Nine of the women who shared their experiences regarding Murrey are named in the lawsuit, while the others are collectively referred to as “Does 1-50.” The lawsuit alleges that these women, many of whom were unacquainted with each other, conspired to damage the plaintiff’s reputation and discriminated against him based on his inability to access the women-only Facebook page.
(Lucas Murrey, Image Source – NYP)
Meanwhile, the women whom Murrey has accused of ruining his dating life and damaging his reputation, are hoping that the recent court ruling will set a precedent and prevent him from further using the legal system against them.
However, Murrey is not the first man to have filed lawsuits against women who have shared their negative reviews on the page. Earlier in January, Nikko D’Ambrosio (32) filed a lawsuit against 27 women in Chicago after they described him in their posts as “very clingy” and a ghoster.
Ensuring the territorial sovereignty and safety of the most populous country in the world requires not only soldiers but also a significant arsenal of state-of-the-art defence hardware and software. However, after its Independence, India was forced to rely on other countries such as Russia, France, Israel, and the United States to meet the requirements of its armed forces and had negligible defence exports.
The country had to import everything from rifles to fighter jets, increasing concerns about India’s dependence on foreign countries. Over the years, India became the world’s largest arms importer. During the Congress era, Defence Minister AK Antony had admitted that the government did not have the money to buy weapons. In March 2013, a CAG report revealed that the country did not even have ammunition to fight the war for 10 days.
Post-2014, the defence sector has seen a drastic transformation and is witnessing a quantum jump. Now, the Indian defence sector is manufacturing hardware not only for the utilisation of the Indian armed forces but for exporting to other nations as well. Conspicuously, the country’s defence exports have increased manifold. Several prominent weapons manufacturing giants have started to manufacture defence equipment in India. Additionally, new Indian players have started to make their mark in the defence manufacturing sector. Pending defence projects have started to gain momentum and armed forces have gained renewed confidence in Made in India products. Overall, the Modi government has been committed to promoting indigenous defence manufacturing.
Exports increased by over 20 times compared to the UPA era
During the ten years of the Modi government, India’s defence exports have increased by more than 20 times. This upsurge is attributed to the production of high-quality defence products within the country. Notably, nations like Armenia, Bangladesh, and the Philippines are making multi-crore defence deals with India to import defence hardware including Brahmo’s missile deals from India. Examining the data reveals that during the UPA government’s tenure (2004-14), India exported defence products worth a total of Rs 4312 crores.
Registering a growth of more than 1900%, the defence exports amounted to Rs 88,319 crore in the ten years of the Modi government (2014-2024).
In the fiscal year 2023-24 alone, the country’s defence exports stood at a historic high of Rs 21,083 crores, up from Rs 15,920 crores in 2022-23. This represents a significant increase of 32.5% within just one year. What’s noteworthy is that 60% of these defence exports were from government defence manufacturing institutions, totalling more than Rs 12,000 crores.
(Image Coutersy – @AdithyaKM_/X)
India has exported heavy defence hardware to Armenia, including air defence systems, ATAGS (artillery guns), Pinaka rocket systems, and Swathi radars. Likewise, India has also exported BrahMos missiles to the Philippines. Bangladesh has been continuously purchasing defence products from India. During the ten years of the Modi government, India has come out of the shadows from merely being a defence importer to making huge strides in export as well as manufacturing defence hardware through Atmanirbhar defence and Make in India initiatives.
Self-reliance and roping foreign weapon giants to Make in India
While Indian defence manufacturers have progressed significantly over the past 10 years, foreign companies are also coming to India for manufacturing. Notably, Israel’s IWI is collaborating with the PLR company to manufacture rifles in the country, a Korean company is partnering with L&T to manufacture Howitzer guns. Likewise, Airbus is manufacturing C-295 aircraft for the Indian Air Force in Vadodara, Gujarat. Additionally, the Israeli company Elbit Systems and Aerospace in collaboration with Adani gave the Indian Navy its first ‘Made In India’ long-endurance drone, the Drishti 10 Starliner UAV.
To promote self-reliance, the Defence Ministry has initiated the issuance of multiple ‘import embargo’ or negative arms import lists. As of May last year, the Modi government had announced a list of 928 military items, that will come under a phased import ban between December 2023 and December 2029. The ‘import embargo’ list means that the listed defence hardware will not be imported (barring extreme scenarios) and they must only be purchased from Indian manufacturers. So far, MoD has issued five such lists and it covers items used in fighter planes, trainer aircraft, warships, and different types of ammunition.
New startups are getting opportunities, soldiers designing weaponry
In India, the landscape of defence manufacturing is evolving, embracing not just established government entities but also burgeoning startups. The central government launched the IDEX scheme in 2018. Under this scheme, budding defence startups are provided with a grant of ₹50 crores for designated projects. This has not only diversified the industry but has also galvanized the involvement of young innovators in defence technology. Recently, under IDEX, the Ministry of Defence concluded a deal worth ₹200 crores, entrusting two companies with the task of manufacturing drones.
The military is witnessing a surge in innovative designs originating from within its ranks. Evidently, Indian Army officer Pratap Bansod has spearheaded the development of ASMI, a state-of-the-art machine pistol. The Indian Army has committed to purchasing 550 ASMI pistols. Notably, ASMI not only boasts indigenous production but also offers a cost-effective alternative to foreign-made counterparts.
(Indian Army officer Pratap Bansod with ASMI machine pistol, Image Courtesy – Financial Express)
After being stalled for years, several projects now enhancing the country’s defence
In the Modi government, defence projects stalled for decades have also gained momentum. Projects that were initiated in the 1980s saw progress under the Modi government. The prime example of this is India’s indigenous combat aircraft, LCA Tejas. Tejas was sanctioned in the 1980s, with its maiden successful flight occurring during the Vajpayee government in 2001. Subsequently, the project continued to progress at a sluggish pace.
The project gained steam under the Modi government. In 2015, Tejas was inducted into the Air Force for the first time. Currently, the Indian Air Force has about 40 Tejas Mk1 aircraft, while it has placed an order for approximately 83 more Tejas Mk1 (improved versions Tejas Mark-1A) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Recently, the Indian Air Force has also inducted formidable combat helicopters, which were also long overdue. Additionally, the army has ordered the production of 550 Arjun Mark-1 tanks.
The country now possesses an indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, primarily built under the Modi government. Prime Minister Modi dedicated it to the nation in August 2022. This carrier, with a displacement of 45,000 tons, has been under construction for a long time.
Furthermore, the Modi government has strengthened the military by finalising several long-pending defence deals. The biggest example of this is the procurement of 36 Rafale jets for the Air Force. The Air Force was in need of new generation fighter aircraft for a long time, and the Modi government purchased these aircraft by signing a government-to-government deal with France. Additionally, the Modi government has acquired helicopters like Chinook and Apache to enhance the Air Force’s capabilities. For the Indian army, the Modi government has procured rifles from the SIG Sauer company.
New projects under the pipeline
The Indian armed forces are undergoing modernisation with state-of-the-art technology, and efforts are actively underway in this direction. Recently, the Modi government has approved the development of fifth-generation fighter jets. The first flight of these jets is expected to take place by 2030. Additionally, efforts are underway to acquire new submarines for the navy. A new lightweight tank is being developed for the army, primarily aimed at countering China. Work is also progressing on several other missiles, many of which have undergone successful testing.
Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna have filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court and tendered an unconditional apology in regard to misleading advertisements by Patanjali Ayurveda and said that they undertake to always uphold the majesty of law and justice.
In an affidavit filed before the top court, Baba Ramdev said, “I seek pardon for the aforesaid breach of the statement. I undertake to always uphold the majesty of Law and majesty of Justice.”
Baba Ramdev informed the top court that he sincerely regrets the lapse and he wished to assure that the same will not be repeated in future.
He also undertook and ensured that the statement shall be complied with in letter and spirit and no such similar advertisements shall be issued. Baba Ramdev further tendered an unconditional and unqualified apology for the press conference held on November 22, 2023.
Acharya Balkrishna said that he undertakes to ensure that such offending advertisements shall not be issued in the future and he will be more vigilant ahead.
In the last hearing, the Supreme Court asked Yog guru Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna to file fresh affidavits within a week in a matter pertaining to misleading advertisements by the Patanjali Ayurveda.
A bench of justices, Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah, listed the matter for further hearing on April 10 and directed Ramdev and Balkrishna to appear before it.
Earlier, Yog Guru Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishnan tendered unconditional apology before the Supreme Court for violating the apex court’s order for misleading advertisements of Patanjali’s medicinal products.
However, the court took strong exception on the apology tendered by both of them and said that they have violated the undertakings given to the top court so that they are taking it seriously.
In the earlier hearing, the Supreme Court asked Patanjali Ayurved Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna and Yog Guru Ramdev to appear before it on the next date of hearing for not responding to the show cause notice in contempt proceedings against him over misleading advertisements of Patanjali Ayurved contempt notice.
The court had noted that the ayurvedic company has not responded to its earlier show cause notice in contempt proceedings against him over misleading advertisements. The court had taken strong exception to Patanjali Ayurveda for not responding to the show cause notice.
Earlier in an affidavit, Patanjali Ayurved Managing Director Acharya Balkrishna has an unqualified apology in Supreme Court over alleged misleading advertisements.
The top court had observed that the ayurvedic company has prima facie violated the top court’s order dated November 2023 where it cautioned against misleading advertisements about its medicines.
The court had also restrained the Ayurvedic Company (Patanjali Ayurved) from advertising or branding of their products specified as treating disease under the drugs norms and also cautioned it from making any statements against any system of medicine in the media.
The court was dealing with an Indian Medical Association plea seeking to frame guidelines for prohibiting false and misleading advertisements in relation to allopathy and modern medicine.
IMA, a registered Society, has more than 3,30,000 medical doctors as its members all over the country.
The petition also raised the issue that the campaign of misguidance, misinformation and disparagement against the modern system of medicine.
IMA, in his plea, had sought to pass an order directing the Centre and others to immediately take strict and prompt action, in accordance with law, for the violation of the provisions of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945 and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 by the repeated acts of omission and commission of Respondent Patanjali Ayurved Ltd. including by publishing advertisements all over the country making illegal and prohibited claims.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
