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Indian economy projected to grow faster than other major emerging economies, thanks to Modi government’s PLI scheme, says World Bank report

OpIndia Staff
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Indian economy projected to grow faster than other major emerging economies, thanks to Modi government’s PLI scheme, says World Bank report

India’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth is estimated to be 8.3 percent this fiscal year and 8.7 percent in 2022-23, according to the latest Global Economic Prospects report by World Bank. The upgrade in growth prediction reflects increased private sector and infrastructure investment, as well as rewards from advancing reforms.

This estimate for 2021-22 is identical to the World Bank’s June 2021 assessment, when the country’s growth projection was lowered from 10.1 percent to 8.3% in April owing to the catastrophic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic’s second wave in the country.

According to the World Bank, the Narendra Modi government’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme is likely to assist India’s economy to grow at 8.7% in the following financial year 2022-23, outpacing emerging market rivals such as China. In the emerging market and developing economies, China, Indonesia, and Bangladesh are predicted to expand at 5.1 percent, 5.2 percent, and 6.4 percent, respectively.

The report said that the Indan economy should benefit from the resumption of contact-intensive services, and ongoing but narrowing monetary and fiscal policy support. It further said that the growth forecast for 2022 has been upgraded to reflect an improving investment outlook with private investment, particularly manufacturing, benefiting from the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme, and increases in infrastructure investment.

Forecasts for South Asian countries

“The growth outlook will also be supported by ongoing structural reforms, a better than expected financial sector recovery, and measures to resolve financial sector challenges despite ongoing risks,” the report added.

India, as a developing country, has the potential to bridge the market void created by China as it recovers from supply chain debacles and a trade war with the US.

According to World Bank forecasts, India’s GDP would grow to $10 trillion in the next 25 years, said Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (Consular, Passport and Visa, and Overseas Indian Affairs division) Sanjay Bhattacharyya recently. Bhattacharyya spoke on “Role of Diaspora Youth in Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav – Innovation and New Technologies” at the Youth Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Conference 2022.

The PLI Scheme

The Government of India had announced the Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for Large Scale Electronics Manufacturing in April 2020, following the emergence of Covid 19 pandemic in the country. It provides a production-linked incentive to encourage major investments in mobile phone manufacture and certain electronic components, such as Assembly, Testing, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP) facilities, and to increase domestic manufacturing. The Scheme intends to significantly improve the landscape of manufacturing and supply chain enhancement and position India as a global leader in the field.

In the aftermath of the Covid-19 epidemic in 2020, the government announced 13 PLI initiatives to encourage mostly major firms to increase production, strengthen supply chains, and promote exports. Over a five-year period, the overall incentives under the PLI programs, which span industries like telecom, electronics, auto parts, medicine, chemical cells, and textiles, were initially anticipated to be Rs 1.97 lakh crore.

The Global Economic Prospects report by World Bank Group

The World Bank Group’s flagship publication, Global Economic Prospects, analyses global economic changes and prospects, with a particular focus on emerging markets and developing nations. It is published twice a year, once in January and once in June.

Due to ongoing COVID-19 flare-ups, waning policy support, and remaining supply limitations, the report suggests that global recovery is expected to slow significantly. In contrast to advanced countries, production in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs) is expected to stay significantly below the pre-pandemic trend for the projected period.

“After rebounding to an estimated 5.5 percent in 2021, global growth is expected to decelerate markedly to 4.1 percent in 2022, reflecting continued COVID-19 flare-ups, diminished fiscal support, and lingering supply bottlenecks. Global growth is projected to soften further to 3.2 percent in 2023, as pent-up demand wanes and supportive macroeconomic policies continue to be unwound.” the World Bank mentioned in the report.

Muslim body in US had demanded release of Aafia Siddiqui two months before the Texas hostage crisis, had also been opposing ‘Hindutva’

OpIndia Staff
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Muslim body in US had demanded release of Aafia Siddiqui two months before the Texas hostage crisis, had also been opposing ‘Hindutva’

On January 15 (local time), four people, including a rabbi, were held hostage at a synagogue in Texas, US. The hostage-taker demanded the release of the infamous ‘lady al-Qaeda’ Aafia Siddiqui, who is currently lodged in a US prison just 15 miles from the synagogue where the incident happened. The hostage-taker was later neutralized, and the hostages were freed.

Notably, exactly two months prior to the incident, CAIR International (Council on American-Islamic Relations) had sought the release of Siddiqui and held events and rallies in her support.

Source: Twitter

CAIR identifies itself as Muslim civil rights organisation in the United States which claims to be protecting ‘civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.’

On November 15, the Texas chapter of CAIR and its coalition partners organized a program to seek the release of Aafia Siddiqui. In a Facebook post, they wrote, “Today, our Texas chapter and coalition partners held a press conference at our DC headquarters calling for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist and mother of 3 currently being unjustly held in a Texas prison.”

Source: Facebook

The group’s Texas chapter has been extensively voicing its support for the convicted terrorist for a long. Every month, CAIR Texas DFW organize multiple online and offline campaigns to show support for Siddiqui and also raise funds for her legal battle against the conviction. Notably, CAIR has provided its Washington DC office for the program seeking the release of Siddiqui on November 15. The office is within walking distance of the Congress.

In a post, CAIR Texas DFW wrote, “We’ll be meeting with Congressional offices to educate them about Dr Aafia and call for her release. Special thanks to CAIR for being a pillar and letting utilize the office, which is walking distance from Congress, as our primary staging and organizing area.”

Source: Facebook

CAIR’s Hinduphobia nature and love for Rana Ayyub

Another noteworthy aspect of CAIR is its Hinduphobic nature. Just two days after demanding the release of Aafia in November, CAIR launched Hinduphobic propaganda based on a report by alleged journalist Rana Ayyub. In a press release, CAIR demanded the movie theatres not to release Sooryavanshi, a Hindi movie. In the press release, CAIR alleged the movie spreads “disgusting and dangerous” anti-Muslim propaganda inspired by the fascist Hindutva movement.”

Source: Twitter

Notably, when Rohit Shetty, producer of the movie, was asked a similar question of the movie being ‘Islamophobic’, Shetty had denied the reports. He said, “Jaikant Shikre (in Singham) was a Hindu Marathi. Then a second film came where a Hindu godman was there. Then in Simba, Durva Ranade was a Maharashtrian again. In these three, negative forces were Hindu, why isn’t that a problem?” He further added, “If there is a terrorist who is from Pakistan, what caste will he be?”

CAIR had quoted Rana Ayyub from her Washington Post report in which she had said, “The film makes a point of repeating attacks carried out by Muslims, ignoring the numerous episodes of violence carried out by Hindu radicals.” Ayyub has a long history of propagating anti-Hindu narratives using her credentials. Her book on Gujarat Riots was termed as irrelevant by the Supreme Court during the hearing. The court had said in 2019, “The Book by Rana Ayyub is of no utility. It is based upon surmises, conjectures, and suppositions and has no evidentiary value”.

CAIR also extended support for the extremely Hinduphobic ‘Dismantling Global Hindutva‘ conference.

Source: Twitter

Who is Aafia Siddiqui

Aafia Siddiqui is a 49-years-old terrorist of Pakistan origin. She is currently serving an 86-year prison sentence for attacking US Army and FBI personnel in Afghanistan. In 2008, she was detained by Afghan authorities. According to the Department of Justice, they had found a number of items in her possession, including handwritten notes that mentioned a mass-casualty attack. There was a list of various locations such as Plum Island, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, and the Brooklyn Bridge in the US, including in the items.

According to DoJ, she was being held in an unsecured manner when she grabbed a rifle from US Army personnel and fired it at the officers interviewing her. An FBI agent and a US Army officer were injured. She was convicted in 2010 and currently serving an 86-year prison sentence. Her supporters from Pakistan believe she is innocent and a victim of the American war on terror.

Apart from CAIR, the Taliban and Islamic State had sought her release in exchange for American and European hostages. One of the notable trade offers was of journalist James Foley who was captured in Syria and later beheaded in August 2014. In July 2014, ISIS offered the release of Kayla Mueller, a 22-year-old woman who was abducted in Syria, in exchange for Siddiqui.

Siddiqui did her graduation and PhD from the US in behavioural neuroscience. Reports suggest she worked as a courier for Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, who was the main accused of the 9/11 attacks. After 9/11, Siddiqui had returned to Pakistan with her first husband and children. When she tried to help Taliban terrorists near the Pakistan-Afghan border, her husband disapproved, leading to their divorce in 2002.

Pakistan has also come forward in her support. In September 2021, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, special Aide to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Interreligious Harmony and the Middle East, had sought early release of Siddiqui on the pretext of an alleged attack on her in prison. Pakistan’s ambassador to the US, Masood Khan, also had extended support for Siddiqui.

Uttarakhand Police arrest Yati Narasinghanand for making derogatory remarks against women

OpIndia Staff
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Uttarakhand Police arrest Yati Narasinghanand for making derogatory remarks against women

The Uttarakhand Police on Saturday (January 15) arrested the controversial priest of Dasna temple, Yati Narasinghanand Saraswati from his dharna site in Haridwar in connection with his alleged derogatory remarks against women politicians.

As Narasinghanand has been facing a few other cases including a much controversial Haridwar hate speech, it led people to believe that he was arrested in connection with the hate speech.    

Narasinghanand was arrested from Sarvanand Ghat in Haridwar. where he was holding a hunger strike to protest the arrest of Waseem Rizvi alias Jitendra Narayan Tyagi.

Tyagi is accused of making a hate speech at three days Dharma Sansad held in Haridwar in December, last year. Both Tyagi and Narasinghanand are among those named accused in the FIRs lodged in connection with the event.

Circle officer (Haridwar), Shekhar Chandra Suyal confirmed that Yati Narsinghanand was arrested in connection with a case pertaining to derogatory remarks against women. CO Haridwar informed that two to three cases were registered against Narsinghanand.

A third-year law student Ruchika lodged an FIR at a Haridwar police station on charges of insulting religious beliefs and making derogatory remarks about women.

Narsinghanand made some distasteful remarks against women. On August 29, last year his one such video popped up on social media platforms in which he was heard using derogatory language against women in politics, especially against those who are in BJP. In this undated video, Narsinghanand said that most of the women in politics were the rakhail (mistress) of at least one male politician. “And if not then she is relative of an influential leader,” he had said.

“Now the women you see in BJP… if she compromises with one politician, the other politician will not do their work unless she compromises with him as well. If she wants to get some work done from a third politician, she has to compromise there as well. This is politics. The country has reached this point. The women roaming in political arenas, everyone is enjoying,” he said.

In another statement, he had said that those Hindu parents having one son are demons and women who give birth to only one child are a nagin (snake).

NPR journalist deletes her racist tweet against India, here is how western media has a history of problematic behaviour

OpIndia Staff
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NPR journalist deletes her racist tweet against India, here is how western media has a history of problematic behaviour

On Saturday (January 15), the Indian correspondent of US-based, non-profit media organisation National Public Radio (NPR), Lauren Frayer, deleted her racist tweet, wherein she arbitrarily presumed that an incident of train burglary in Los Angeles was from India.

“I have deleted this tweet because it was insensitive,” wrote the NPR journalist on the micro-blogging platform after netizens called out her racist attitude towards India. In this tweet she attached a screenshot of her deleted tweet and ensured that her contentious tweet remained on the social media site.

A day earlier (January 14), Lauren Frayer had shared a ground report of a train burglary incident in Lincoln Heights in Los Angeles and claimed, “At first glance, I thought this was India.” The video, shot by photojournalist John Schreiber, showed how looted packages of UPS boxes, Amazon packages and unused Covid tests were lying around the train tracks.

Screengrab of the tweet by Lauren Frayer

As per reports, California has been witnessing a rise in smash-and-grab-thefts in recent months. Cargo theft in freight trains had turned train tracks in Los Angeles into garbage dumps. This was caused primarily due to the disposal of packaging material and scrapped cardboard by thieves after the loot.

Freight company Union Pacific acknowledged the incidents of thefts and said, “These rail crimes pose a serious safety threat to the public, our employees and local law enforcement officers. We have increased the number of Union Pacific special agents on patrol, and we have utilized and explored additional technologies to help us combat this criminal activity.”

Netizens slammed Lauren Frayer over her insensitive tweet

Despite being privy to the facts of the case, NPR journalist Lauren Frayer went ahead and suggested that the filthy tracks and incidents of train loot were reminiscent of India. The gross generalisation, with a malicious intent to portray India as a ‘litter-filled garbage dump’ to a global audience, did not go well with Indian netizens.

Twitter user (@SimiBGood) wrote, “I’ve been living in India for almost 8 years now and never ever had any parcel stolen or anything else for that matter. And I’ve seen worse looking and smelling places right in the middle of SF than anywhere around here. Let’s not even start of LA.”

Screengrab of the tweet

Another user, Venkatesh, pointed out, “I think this attitude of casting aspersions of India being underbelly impoverished untidy looking place need a change. Westerners, colonial rulers, their medias have done enough damage to us, and we are not in a position to take it any further.”

Screengrab of the tweet

“How come? These kind of narratives are welded to your brain? By whom? How?It is so difficult to imagine these things in your own country?” wrote one SB Shetty.

Screengrab of the tweet

NPR and the racist rhetorics of Western media

Lauren Frayer is not new to peddling anti-India narrative. Popular Twitter user, The Hawk Eye, had pointed out how her Covid-19 reportage was heavily biased and relied on cherry-picking to tarnish India’s global image. She was also seen creating hysteria among the public by sharing pictures of burning pyres.

“All of her articles will give glimpse of any typical left media houses. e.g. Frayer observed that Protesters that carried out 26/1 riots at Red Fort is “storm in capital” and “overshadowed traditional military parade,” wrote The Hawk Eye.

This is however not the first time that a NPR journalist had chosen to malign India. In September 2019, producer Furkan Khan took to Twitter to assert that if Indians give up Hinduism, they will be solving most of their problems ‘what with all the piss drinking and dung worshipping’.

When caught on the wrong foot, Furkan first defended herself by chalking up her tweet to ‘sarcasm’ and also said that ‘trolls’ were missing the context. Concerned social media users wrote to NPR asking whether the media house endorsed such behaviour. In response, NPR replied to them stating that she has resigned from NPR.

Calling Hindus ‘cow piss drinkers’ or ‘dung worshippers’ is a common insult used by Islamists to deride Hinduism. In the video released by the Jaish-e-Muhammad terror outfit following the attack on the CRPF convoy that killed 40 CRPF personnel, expressing his unmitigated hatred for Hindus, Dar had justified their killings by calling them ‘infidels’ and ‘cow piss drinkers‘.

Similarly, NYTimes has also had a history of racist reportage against India.

For instance, anti-India media New York Times has always been dismissive about the leaps India is taking in the global economy. One recalls the racist cartoon by NYT after the country’s ambitious space program and had even apologised for it.

Screengrab of the racist cartoon published by New York Times

After Indian Armed Forces carried out the surgical strike on terror camps based in Pakistan in aftermath of Pulwama terror attack, NYTimes peddled anti-India narrative. In an article titled, “After India Loses Dogfight to Pakistan, Questions Arise About Its ‘Vintage’ Military”, the writer Maria Abi-Habib has carefully omitted some facts and indulged in pushing a false narrative that projects Indian Armed Forces in a poor light. Interestingly, Congress leader MP Gaurav Gogoi has also played his part in pushing a narrative that portrays India’s Armed forces as ‘vintage’. Maria Abi-Habib has also deliberately ignored that Pakistani Armed Forces flip-flop over its statements regarding the number of Indian pilots that they had captured. The New York Times reporter has shown no eagerness to state facts in her reportage rather she has just cherry-picked the facts which suited her bias against the Indian armed forces.

After that, in one article, NYT claimed that as the 2019 general elections were closing in, Modi’s popularity was on a low and the “rejuvenated opposition was landing punch after punch with corruption allegations. But one bombing in Kashmir, and weeks of military brinkmanship with Pakistan afterward, appears to have interrupted Mr. Modi’s slump.” The alleged newspaper was forced to change its newspaper after outrage on social media. And right after the 2019 General Elections when PM Modi was elected again with a thumping majority, NYTimes referred to PM Modi as ‘one of the most divisive leaders India has produced in decades’.

Texas: Hostages in synagogue rescued safely, hostage taker, who demanded to free ‘lady al-Qaida’ Aafia Siddiqui of Pakistan origin, dead

OpIndia Staff
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Texas: Hostages in synagogue rescued safely, hostage taker, who demanded to free ‘lady al-Qaida’ Aafia Siddiqui of Pakistan origin, dead

A rabbi and several worshippers were held hostage by a man at Congregation Beth Israel synagogue in Colleyville, Texas. Reports suggested he had demanded to release Aafia Siddiqui from the federal prison. The FBI negotiators were called to control the situation. The Police were informed about the situation at around 10:41 AM (local time). As reported by local media Star Telegram, the hostage taker is now dead.

49-year-old Siddiqui, also known as lady al-Qaida, is currently lodged in a prison FMC Carswell in Fort Worth, Texas, for an attempted assassination of US officers in Afghanistan. She was convicted in 2010. The prison where Siddiqui is being held is only 15 miles away from the synagogue.

Jen Psaki, Spokesperson, White House, said, “The President has been briefed about the developing hostage situation in the Dallas area. He will continue to receive updates from his senior team as the situation develops. Senior members of the national security team are also in touch with federal law enforcement leadership.”

Naftali Bennett, Prime Minister, Israel, said he was closely monitoring the situation. He said, “I am closely monitoring the hostage situation taking place in Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas. We pray for the safety of the hostages and rescuers.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has confirmed that all hostages are rescued and free.

“Prayers answered. All hostages are out alive and safe,” he tweeted.

Initial audio captured during morning Shabbat service

The initial audio of the incident was captured during the morning Shabbat service that was being live-streamed by the synagogue on Facebook. In the audio, the man was heard shouting angrily. At the time of the incident, there were at least four hostages, including the rabbi at the time of the incident.

One hostage released

At around 5 PM (local time), one male hostage was released. The FBI crisis negotiators were still communicating with the hostage-taker. The released hostage was reportedly unharmed.

Katie Chaumont, an FBI spokesperson, said the nearby residents around the synagogue had been evacuated. There was no information from the FBI if the man was armed or not.

The arrest of Aafia Siddiqui

In 2008, Aafia Siddiqui, who hails from Pakistan, was detained by Afghan authorities. According to the Department of Justice, they had found a number of items in her possession, including handwritten notes that mentioned a mass-casualty attack. There was a list of various locations such as Plum Island, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, and the Brooklyn Bridge in the US, including in the items.

According to DoJ, she was being held in an unsecured manner when she grabbed a rifle from a US Army personnel and fired it at the officers interviewing her. An FBI agent and a US Army officer were injured. She was convicted in 2010 and currently serving an 86-year prison sentence. Her supporters from Pakistan believe she is innocent and a victim of the American war on terror.

On different occasions, the Taliban and Islamic State had sought her release in exchange for American and European hostages. One of the notable trade offers was of journalist James Foley who was captured in Syria and later beheaded in August 2014. In July 2014, ISIS offered the release of Kayla Mueller, a 22-year-old woman who was abducted in Syria, in exchange of Siddiqui.

Siddiqui did her graduation and PhD from the US in behavioural neuroscience. Reports suggest she worked as a courier for Khalid Sheikh Muhammad, who was the main accused of the 9/11 attacks. After 9/11, Siddiqui had returned to Pakistan with her first husband and children. When she tried to help Taliban terrorists near the Pakistan-Afghan border, her husband disapproved, leading to their divorce in 2002.

Pakistan has also come forward in her support. In September 2021, Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, special Aide to Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Interreligious Harmony and the Middle East, had sought early release of Siddiqui on the pretext of an alleged attack on her in prison. Pakistan’s ambassador to the US, Masood Khan had also extended support for Siddiqui.

Election Commission issues notice to Samajwadi Party for violating COVID guidelines by holding public gathering at party office

OpIndia Staff
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Election Commission issues notice to Samajwadi Party for violating COVID guidelines by holding public gathering at party office

The Election Commission of India has issued a notice to Samajwadi Party on Saturday 15th January 2022 for breaking the COVID-19 guidelines in Uttar Pradesh. On Friday 14th January 2022, Samajwadi Party had organized a virtual rally in the party office at Lucknow’s Vikramaditya Marg. However, there was a gathering of more than 2500 party workers in the so-called virtual rally. The Election Commission has given the SP 24 hours to respond, failing which it can take action.

The election commission had earlier on January 8 announced a ban on physical rallies in light of the surge in Covid-19 cases in parts of the country. Initially, this ban was scheduled to be imposed till 15th January. On Saturday, this ban was extended till January 22.

The notice

The notice sent to the SP General Secretary said that prima-facie, the Samajwadi Party has violated the lawful directions of the Commission to ban physical rallies. The EC said that after media reports of violation of Covid guidelines of the Commission in a public gathering in the office compound of Samajwadi Party, a report was sought from the Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh. The report by the Chief Electoral Officer stated that the guidelines were violated by the party by organising the event.

It further said, “Now, therefore, the Commission, after considering the available material and extant instructions in the matter, has decided to provide you an opportunity to explain your stand regarding the said violations. Your explanation shall reach the Commission within 24 hours of receipt of this Notice, failing which the Commission shall take appropriate decision in the matter without further reference to you.”

The EC notice added that an FIR has already been filed against SP in this regard at the Gautampalli Police Station.

Earlier on Friday, the Lucknow Police had registered an FIR against the leaders and workers of the Samajwadi Party who attended the rally. The Lucknow Police Commissioner had registered an FIR against around 2500 SP leaders under sections 188, 269, 270, and 341 of the IPC along with section 54 of the Disaster Management Act and section 03 of the Epidemic Diseases Act.

‘Leaders can’t talk unless there is a crowd in front of them’, says Akhilesh Yadav

Meanwhile, Akhilesh Yadav has come up with a very strange explanation regarding this matter. A video has appeared in which he is heard saying that he did not know the definition of the virtual rally.

He said, “We were informed by our party workers that there will be a virtual rally. Now, we were unaware of the definition of the virtual rally. So, I felt that there will be a few people in front of us and all the things will be recorded by the camera and sent to our supporters virtually. Those who wanted to come came there straightaway. We did not invite anyone. Because leaders can’t talk unless there is a mic and a crowd in front of them.”

Devdutt Pattnaik admits he believed in using rape as revenge, offers an insincere apology for his misogynistic tweets

OpIndia Staff
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Devdutt Pattnaik admits he believed in using rape as revenge, offers an insincere apology for his misogynistic tweets

Author Devdutt Pattnaik on Saturday, January 15, took to social media platforms to tender an apology over derogatory and misogynistic tweets posted by him in the past. However, in doing so, he admitted to using rape as a tool to exact revenge.

The apology, which appeared insincere and meant to deflect criticism, came days after outrage swept the internet after he was invited by the Government of India as a speaker for a two-day event National Youth Festival that was organised on January 12 and 13. Many social media users asked the Centre to drop his event citing his old tweets that were vile and accusing in nature, following which his session had gone unavailable.

Seemingly responding to this controversy, Devdutt took to Twitter and apologised for his obnoxious old tweets, which appeared hollow after he shared a convoluted post on Facebook where he provided an explanation into what motivated him into posting misogynistic and abusive tweets.

In his Facebook post, Devdutt quoted the Old Testament that called for an eye for an eye and said he was inspired by the said ideology that endorsed using rape as an instrument to exact revenge. Pattnaik ascribed quotes to a well-known ideologue accusing him of using rape as a political tool and declaring himself as a fan of that ideologue, but we are not naming the ideologue because Devdutt is known for lousy research work and often ends up spreading misinformation and lies.

In fact, in the same Facebook post, Devdutt even goes on to claim that there are some who believe that the ideologue had been misquoted and that he had not endorsed the use of rape as a tool to seek vengeance. However, he selectively shares some pictures of a book written by the ideologue and deceitfully takes them out of context to project his wrongdoing on him. He claims that he was inspired by that ideologue and the aforementioned ideology that advocated using rape as revenge when he made those derogatory and misogynistic tweets.

This lengthy and disingenuous explanation came days after social media websites were awash with outrage over his invitation to the Youth Festival organised by the Indian Government. Pattnaik was scheduled to speak on the first day of the event. However, a raft of social media users vehemently protested against his participation, drawing attention to his past tweets that were derogatory and vulgar in nature.

Devdutt Pattnaik suffers a meltdown after his Youth Festival session goes unavailable following outrage by netizens his vile, abusive old tweets

Netizens demanded his removal from the panel owning to his routinely abusive and obnoxious behaviour displayed on social media. Netizens tagged Anurag Thakur, Union Minister, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports, demanding him to take cognisance of the outrage and asking him how a person like Devdutt, who hurls sexist, misogynist and sexual abuses frequently on social media, could be invited to address the youth of the country in the festival.

Author and columnist Shefali Vaidya tagged Minister Thakur and said, “The problem with Devdutt Pattnaik is not just that he is a mediocre person who completely distorts our scriptures without even basic knowledge of Sanskrit. He is absolute filth who loves abusing people’s mothers. To hail this man as a ‘great mind’ is truly sickening!”

Radharamn Das, Vice President and Spokesperson ISCKON Kolkata, said, “How can Department of Sports MYAS [and] Anurag Thakur invite this abusive mental person to inspire youths at ‘National Youth Festival’ event? If these kinds of people are inspiring our youths, then only Bhagawan can save this country & civilization. Very shameful.”

Following social media backlash over the invitation extended to author Devdutt Pattnaik to speak at the government-organised National Youth Festival, the event where he was scheduled to attend had gone missing and unavailable. Kanchan Gupta, the Senior Adviser to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, subsequently issued a tweet stating that there were technical difficulties because of which Pattnaik’s session cannot be streamed. This triggered a meltdown for the author, after which he launched into a deranged rant against Hindus who opposed and expressed their outrage over his invitation to the said event.

Marathi actor Kiran Mane who abuses PM Modi and other BJP leaders removed from a TV show, NCP accuses the channel of cultural terrorism

OpIndia Staff
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Marathi actor Kiran Mane who abuses PM Modi and other BJP leaders removed from a TV show, NCP accuses the channel of cultural terrorism

Marathi TV actor Kiran Mane was expelled by TV channel Star Pravah this week as the actor had shared abusive posts and comments about Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders including Devendra Fadnavis on social media. The actor was doing so in the name of taking a stand against the power centres. After the actor was expelled by Star Pravah, several leaders from NCP have started to accuse the channel of imposing cultural terrorism. As the actor met with NCP president Sharad Pawar on Saturday, he has expressed a hope that Pawar will do something in this regard.

Kiran Mane plays the role of Vilas Patil in the popular Star Pravah serial ‘Mulgi Jhali Ho’. For a long time, Kiran Mane has been sharing posts on social media that actually are abusive towards Modi and BJP leaders. He has said that he was expelled citing no reasons except keeping a political opinion. But under the garb of freedom of speech and expression whatever he has shared is no different than abusing someone.

His version of the story

Kiran Mane became popular from his role of Mama that he had played for a TV serial ‘Majhya Navaryachi Bayko’ on the Zee Marathi channel three years ago. He has come a long way to achieve the spot where he is today, but as he gained popularity, he started expressing his political opinions on various issues. But he does not call himself holding a political opinion. Rather he calls it a progressive thought.

Putting his version of the incident, he has said “The series tops the TRP. It really has a very nice TRP. Vilas Patil’s character that I play has also become very popular among the people. But after the shooting ended yesterday, I got a call from the production house. It is a Hindi production house. Sujhana Ghai is the producer. I got a call from Production Head Rajat Nair. You have been replaced. The actor playing the role of Vilas Patil is replacing him. He hung up the phone, saying that some people are angry with you.”

He further added, “After this call, I called the channel. Satish Rajwade is the head of the channel. He did not pick up the phone. Then I called a friend of mine from the channel. I asked him if he could explain the reason. My friend answered me saying a woman complained that you post politically”. Pleading not guilty he further said, “I am taking an ideological role rather than a political one. I am not writing about a particular political party. I am a progressive thinker.”

What did the producers say?

However, the producers of the show have denied that he has been removed for his political views and social media posts, and said he was removed for professional, reasons. Reacting to the issue of expelling Kiran Mane from the series, the producer of the series Sujana Ghai said, “Kiran Mane was removed from the series not for his political stance but for professional reasons. Kiran Mane’s political ideology has nothing to do with removing her from the series. Kiran Mane was replaced in the series for professional reasons. Kiran Mane knew what these professional reasons were. Mane had been informed about it many times. Despite telling him many times, the reasons were not settled. So we made this decision.”

Venom he actually spewed on social media

Kiran Mane who claims to be a progressive thinker has actually abused Prime Minister Modi, Devendra Fadnavis, and other BJP leaders time and again through his Facebook posts and comments for whatever ideological differences he claims to have. Netizens are sharing the screenshots of his wall where he has written many such posts and comments. People have also shared screenshots of message boxes where he is abusing even to those who took objections to the language he had used.

Recent such post of him was after the PM’s security breach incident that happened on 5th January 2022 in Punjab. Kiran Mane had written on his Facebook post that “Even if there are one or two viewers in the theatre, we fearless artists don’t cancel the show. We act as if it is a houseful auditorium. Only after rocking the show do we come back home.” By saying so he was actually trying to imply that PM’s security breach was no serious issue; rather it was like a staged drama.

Old Posts from his walls

As Kiran Mane’s expulsion occurred, the actor’s wall became research material for netizens and what came out was proof of the venom he has been spitting against PM Modi and BJP leaders. In a year-old post, he is seen replying to someone in the comment section where he had said that “Idiot Fadnavis should understand that abiding by the rules of social distancing has no practical meaning in a country where followers of a supreme idiot danced on roads with plates in their hands just because their master asked them to, where this same ‘haramkhor’ Fadnavis asked people to come to streets and balconies with a lamp in their hands for the Diya Event called upon by the supreme lier. When people were dying, these third-class Bhakt people were celebrating Diwali. This ‘nalayak’ Fadnavis is a public representative. How can this ‘haramkhor’ Fadnavis expect people to do so? Has he gone mad? Or he is a beggar?”

In a chat screenshot, Kiran Mane was also seen calling PM Narendra Modi ch*tiya.

In an attempt to answer the people digging his wall he has said on a news channel that he was not even informed or consulted before his expulsion by the channel and if this can happen with him, it can happen with anyone else.

NCP leaders support Kiran Mane

Meanwhile, many NCP leaders from the state are supporting Kiran Mane. The list ranges from Jitendra Awhad to Dhananjay Munde. Jitendra Awhad has taken this to Twitter and tweeted that Kiran Mane who plays the role of Vilas Patil in the show Mulgi Jhali Ho of Star Pravah has been suddenly expelled because he has asked tough questions about the policies laid down by the central government and because he writes on social media in the same line which follows the thoughts of social reformists like Mahatma Phule, Shahu Maharaj, and Babasaheb Ambedkar.”

Dhananjay Munde has also tweeted about this incident. He has written that “An actor like Kiran Mane expresses himself about political topics as he has got freedom of speech. But Star Pravah has removed him due to political pressures and trolling. This is a sign of falling prey to cultural terrorism.”

Seeking justice from Sharad Pawar

The actor himself has met with NCP president Sharad Pawar and has hoped that he will do something in this regard. While talking about his brief meet with Sharad Pawar, Kiran Mane has said that “We have one and the only leader who is very sensitive, thoughtful, prudent and knows the cultural field, he is Sharad Pawar. Secondly, I don’t see anyone. He can listen to everything with a neutral view. So I took my side to him. My side is, what I am saying now, what I have learned from the man of the channel, the political role, and so on. So I talked to him about it. I showed him all the documents related to my political role. I showed him all the previous threats that I received and posts. From my point of view, I explained to him.”

He further said that “An actor who works wholeheartedly, works without any hassle, to remove him suddenly … without giving a reason, to remove him without giving a chance to put his side is cultural terrorism.”

On being asked about what did Sharad Pawar said on the whole incident, Kiran Mane said that “People who respond immediately are very shallow. Saheb is not one of them. He quietly listens to everything. His questions are very sharp. Only a real person can sit in front of this gentleman, a fake person cannot sit. He asks two or three sharp questions that show where the person is. So he asked me questions, and I answered them honestly. Saheb will think a little. He may try to understand the other side as well and then let’s see what he decides.”

Many Marathi artists like Anita Kelkar and Sameer Vidvans were also seen expressing concern about Kiran Mane through their social media posts.

75-year-old Hasnuram Ambedkari to contest his 94th election in UP, says ‘want to lose as the winning politicians forget the masses’

OpIndia Staff
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75-year-old Hasnuram Ambedkari to contest his 94th election in UP, says ‘want to lose as the winning politicians forget the masses’

While most people who contest elections hope to win, 74-year-old Hasnuram Ambedkari, who is contesting the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections, has different plans. He is contesting this election intending to get defeated for the record 94th time. It is noteworthy that this person has contested 93 different elections so far. He has lost all these elections. He wants to set a record of losing elections 100 times.

Hasnuram Ambedkari is a resident of Nagla Dulha in Kheragad tehsil of Agra district in Uttar Pradesh. 75-year-old Hasnuram Ambedkari has contested 93 different elections and is happy after each defeat. Uttar Pradesh assembly elections have already occupied almost all space of the political discussions in India. With ECI declaring the dates and political parties releasing their candidate lists, the upcoming election is set on.

Since when and why did he start contesting elections for defeat

Thirty-eight years ago, in 1984, Bahujan Samaj Party had promised to give an election ticket to Hasnuram Ambedkari. BSP at that time was a newly formed party and Hasnuram had earlier been a member of BAMSEF. BSP did not keep its promise and denied a ticket to Hasnuram Ambedkari. He was hurt by this. He has been contesting elections since then. He has contested for local bodies, panchayats, assembly as well as parliamentary elections. Hasnuram Ambedkari was earlier working in the revenue department. But he quit his job to contest in elections. Even after leaving the job, he did not get a ticket from the party. He then started contesting all the elections. His range covers all the elections from panchayat to parliament.

Ambedkari says, he is a committed follower of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and believes in constitution

Hasnuram Ambedkari, born to Harigyan Singh on 15th August 1947, is an Ambedkarite. He says that he believes in the constitution of India and the right provided by the constitution to contest elections in our democratic country. He said that if people like a candidate more, they vote for him in big numbers and he represents the people in the house. He added that “If people vote me, I will represent them. But if they don’t vote for me, I will stay where I am. This is democracy. And I pray that I should lose the elections, for the ones who win forget the masses who have voted for them.”

On being asked about why he chose to contest the elections, he said that “When I asked for a ticket, the party leaders asked who will vote me? They said that forget your neighbors, not even your wife is going to vote for you. After that, I thought that one must learn to digest the defeats and since then I am contesting the elections only to lose.”

In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Hasnuram Ambedkari contested from Fatehpur Sikri and secured 4200 votes. Ambedkari informed that he has contested elections for gram pradhan, state assembly, gram panchayat, MLC, and Lok Sabha, and once went to the extent of contesting for the post of President of India, but was rejected. Ambedkari said he meets people personally to appeal to them to vote for him and even sends postcards to those living in distant areas. This year he is filing his forms from two constituencies, Agra rural and Kheragarh. This way the total surges to 95. He has said that he will fight his 100th election even though he loses them all. If he manages to do so, it will be a record of its own kind.

ED seizes assets worth Rs 48 lakhs from journalist Rajeev Sharma in Chinese espionage case

OpIndia Staff
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ED seizes assets worth Rs 48 lakhs from journalist Rajeev Sharma in Chinese espionage case

On Saturday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets worth Rs 48.21 lakh of freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma, who also worked with The Quint, in connection with a case under the Official Secrets Act.

According to the reports, a money-laundering investigation has been initiated against Rajeev Sharma. His Delhi’s Pitampura- based residential property has been seized by the authorities and his assets have been booked under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

The Enforcement Directorate had arrested freelance journalist Rajeev Sharma in July 2021 for supplying confidential and sensitive information to Chinese intelligence officers in exchange for remuneration.

The Delhi Police also has filed an FIR against Sharma and charged him under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the Official Secrets Act, 1923. The initial probe revealed that Sharma had supplied confidential and sensitive information to the Chinese intelligence officers, in exchange for remuneration, thereby compromising the security and national interests of the country.

The further investigation by the ED pointed out that Sharma was being provided money by a Mahipalpur-based shell company that was run by Chinese nationals, Zhang Cheng aka Suraj, Zhang Lixia aka Usha and Qing Shi, along with a Nepalese national named Sher Singh alias Raj Bohara.

Reports mention that the said Chinese company was acting as a conduit for the Chinese intelligence agencies to provide remuneration to Rajeev Sharma. The remuneration was being paid in cash through carriers as well as through cash deposits. Rajeev Sharma also received money using the bank account of his friend in order to conceal his involvement in criminal activities, the agency said.

The freelance journalist had earlier worked with United News of India, The Tribune, Free Press Journal, Saakaal and others as a journalist. As a journalist, Rajeev Sharma was covering defence and foreign affairs for around two decades. He had written several columns for the Chinese newspaper Global Times, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China for the last several years. He had also written columns with left-wing publications such as The Quint, DailyO etc.

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