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Security, Respect and self reliance: CM Yogi lists steps taken by the state government to empower women in UP

OpIndia Staff
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Security, Respect and self reliance: CM Yogi lists steps taken by the state government to empower women in UP

On International Women’s Day, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, honoured women for their contribution in various fields and inaugurated various schemes at Jupiter Hall Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Gomti Nagar, Lucknow. He also announced several schemes, including the second phase of the Safe City for Women program in 12 cities, including Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Gautam Buddha Nagar and several others.

CM Yogi started his address at the event with a shloka नास्ति मातृसमा छाया नास्ति मातृसमा गति, नास्ति मातृसमं त्राणं नास्ति मातृसमा प्रपा ।। which means “There is no shade like a mother, no resort like a mother, no security like a mother, no water house like a mother.” He said that when the BJP government came into power in 2017, there were many challenges in front of the state government. Being the largest state in terms of population, there was a lot to do to ensure everyone in the state gets the benefit of the central and state-sponsored schemes.

While talking about women who shared their experiences during the event, he mentioned Ravi Ranjana Pal, who hailed from Bundelkhand. He said when he visited Jhansi in 2019, one of the major issues he noticed was water scarcity. Bundelkhand region often faces draught. The state government worked extensively to improve the water table in the region and sorted out most of the problems. He said that using the central scheme of “Har Ghar Jal”, every house in the region is now being connected to clean tapped water.

He said that the state government also introduced milk producer corporations in the region, and Ravi Ranjana Pal is associated with one such corporation in Bundelkhand. The corporation has done the business of 46 crores in the last year and earned two crores as profit. He said women empowerment is possible only if they feel secure, respected and made self-reliant.

One District One Product scheme in Lakhimpur

While talking about another woman Aarti Rana who shared her views during the event, he mentioned the One District One Product scheme. Many women like Rana are producing products associated with the Tharoon tribe. Since the BJP government came into power, the state government has improved its condition by introducing different schemes in the region. The products produced by women like Rana got recognition under the One District One Product scheme that ensured better exposure and a higher price for their products.

Different schemes for Olympic players

While talking about Olympics sportsperson Priyanka Goswami, CM Yogi ensured that everyone who will participate in the Olympics would get financial support during training and participation. Also, if someone grabs a medal, the winner will get Rs.6 crore reward.

Central and state schemes are helping women to become self-reliant

While talking about Varsha Shrivastav, who shared her experiences at the event, CM Yogi said that it is essential that central and state schemes reach every person who needs them. He said Varsha identified the schemes that could be beneficiary for her readymade garments business and applied for government support. Now, she is earning well; she also helped several other women who are earning Rs.500 to Rs.1000 daily from the garment manufacturing business.

Women security is the government’s priority.

CM Yogi said when he took charge as CM, women security was a major issue. At that time, they started an anti-Romeo squad to ensure women feel safer in the state. The state government launched Mahila Sakti Mission on Sharad Navratri, under which Women Help Desks were formed in 1535 police stations in 350 districts in the first phase. All of them are functioning properly, and the complaints are registered on priority with these desks.

To ensure women feel safer while registering complaints and crimes against women are dealt with quickly, 218 courts were established in the state that deals in crimes related to women. When BJP came into power, Women power Line 1090 helpline was available in only four regions. Now it is available everywhere in the state.

A new helpline 181 was started that is dedicatedly for complaints related to domestic abuse. CM Helpline 1076 is also there to help women in distress, and all these lines are well integrated into each other and to 112, that is the national helpline number.

CM Yogi said that when they launched the anti-Romeo squad, there was a need for women officers in the police department. The state government ensured 20% of the police personnel are women. Also, three battalions were of women PSE were formed to increase the number of women personnel in security forces.

School education for girl child

CM Yogi said that there is a problem that many believe that the girl child does not need education. He said when he visited schools after becoming CM, he noticed that they are in bad condition. He talked to a few girl students and realised that their brothers were studying in public schools, but they had to study in primary schools as their parents cannot afford their education. CM Yogi said that he also noticed that the bad condition of the schools and lack of toilets made it almost impossible for the girl students to continue education.

This was when project Kayakalp was launched. The aim was to improve the schools’ condition to a level where they can be compared to public and private schools. In the last three years, MLAs, officers and those who can afford to adopt schools came forward and adopted one school. Since the launch of the scheme, 93000 schools got adopted and improved by the state government with the help of contributions made by the supporting MLAs, officers and alumnus of these schools. 

School Chalo Abhiyaan

The next scheme that the state government launched to ensure girls do not miss school was School Chalo Abhiyaan. Under the scheme, the state provided shoes and dresses for the girl students. The scheme runs during April and July every year. Since its launch, 54 lakh students took benefit of the scheme. The central scheme of Beti Bachao Beti Padao is also helping in increasing the number of girl students in schools.

Schemes for financial support for education and marriage

CM Yogi said that CM Kanya Sumangla Yojana, financial support of Rs.15,000, is provided for the education. Further, under CM Samuhik Vivah Yojna, financial support of Rs.51,000 is provided to the poor girls. So far, 1.5 lakh women were benefitted from the Samuhik Vivah Yojna.

Other schemes to support women

CM Yogi said that there is Suposhan Yojna under which families get funds to ensure nutritious food. Those families that can keep cows in their homes are provided with a cow and Rs.900 so that they can get free milk for the family.

The state government has kept Rs.200 crore budget for Mahila Samarthya Yojna, under which financial support is provided to women help groups that are helping women in rural areas to get self-reliant.

Under the central government’s Svamitva Yojna, women of the family are getting properties registered in their names after getting documentation done.

The state government is also taking away charge from the quota shops if there is any complaint against them and giving it to the Women Help Groups. These groups are also taking charge of the Poshan Abhiyaan in the state.

During Covid, the state government worked with several banks to train over 69,000 women in rural areas so that they can work as Banking Correspondent Sakhi. These women provide banking services at the doorsteps in their respective villages.

The government also provided financial support to the women in the families with Jan Dhan accounts so that they can provide food during Covid.

Under Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, 2 crores 61 lakh toilets have been built in UP to ensure the safety and dignity of women.

Over 65 gas connections have been provided under a central scheme that ensured better health for women.

Women of 40 lakh families were termed beneficiary in PM Awas Yojna.

CM Yogi said that the state is planning to launch more schemes for women in the future.

‘Good’ unbelievers like Mother Teresa will go to hell because they are not Muslim, declares Islamist Zakir Naik

OpIndia Staff
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‘Good’ unbelievers like Mother Teresa will go to hell because they are not Muslim, declares Islamist Zakir Naik

On Sunday, fugitive Islamist and hate preacher Zakir Naik claimed that Christian evangelist Mother Teresa will go to Hell by virtue of being a non-Muslim.

On being asked whether ‘righteous’ and ‘good’ non-Muslims such as Mother Teresa would still go to Hell, he replied, “There are four ways of going to Jannah (paradise). By the token of time, a man is in a state of loss except those who have Faith, those who are righteous, those who do Dawah and those who exhort people to do patience and perseverance. Minimum four criterias are required to go to Jannah.”

Zakir Naik then proceeded to compare the ‘four steps to Jannah’ to the subjects that he studied in 10th Std. He emphasised that even if someone got 99 marks in 5 subjects and managed to secure 10 marks in just one subject, then, it would imply that the student has failed. While continuing with his irrational argument, Naik claimed that Jannah could only be achieved on the successful completion of all four steps.

(Video Courtesy: Youtube/Zakir Naik)

“For the sake of argument, let’s assume that Mother Teresa was righteous. In Islam, righteous includes a lot of things that I believe that Mother Teresa did not have. What about Imaan (Faith in Islam)? If she does Shirk (follow any religion other than Islam and thus prohibited)…” He said that committing ‘shirk is a crime according to Islam and Christianity. Naik, in his usual style, quoted the Book of Deuteronomy, Book of Exodus and Surah Al Ma’idah.

The hate preacher alleged that all those who consider Jesus Christ (the son of Mary) as ‘God (Allah)’, He shall make paradise ‘haram’ (prohibited) for him. “Fire (Hell) shall his dwelling place be and he shall have no help hereafter,” Zakir Naik cited the Islamic religious text. He thereby concluded that by virtue of Mother Teresa believing Jesus Christ as God and thus put Him at par with ‘Allah’. “So, according to Jesus Christ, Quran and the Bible, if anybody does Shirk, be it Mother Teresa or anyone else, they shall not enter Jannah,” he concluded.

Wishing Merry Christmas is Haram, says Zakir Naik

In a video from April 2019 that has now gone viral on social media, Zakir Naik was seen admonishing a Muslim boy named Adel Ahmed for committing ‘sin’. Ahmed’s mistake was that he wished his Christian friends, ‘Merry Christmas’.

“To reach your goals, you cannot use wrong means brother. What is Haram to them is also Haram to you. When you are wishing Merry Christmas to them, you are agreeing that he is the son of God and that is Shirk (sin). Because they believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God. Irrespective of whether they are practising Christians or not, they celebrate the day because of His birthday,” Zakir Naik emphasised.

What is Blue Anon? A term for conspiracy theorists that was recently removed by Urban Dictionary from its platform

K Bhattacharjee
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What is Blue Anon? A term for conspiracy theorists that was recently removed by Urban Dictionary from its platform

‘Q Anon’ is a conspiracy theorist centered on Donald Trump that has gained widespread attention in recent times, especially since the storming of Capitol Hill where the involvement of ‘Q Anon’ conspiracy theorists was suspected. Since then, another term has gained popularity among the right wing in USA to describe left wing influencers who concoct Trump-centric conspiracy theories. The term is ‘Blue Anon’.

‘Blue Anon’ was used to describe a network of left-wing influencers, which includes mainstream media journalists and Democrats, who invent absolutely nonsensical conspiracy theories that bear no semblance with reality but is used by establishment democrats to keep the flock together.

The United States has a two-party political system. The colour red is associated with Republicans, the right wing and the colour blue is associated with the Democrat party, the left wing. Hence, the term ‘Blue Anon’ to denote left wing conspiracy theories.

Some of these famous, or rather infamous, conspiracy theories include the allegations against US Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, the Russian collusion hoax against Donald Trump and the Jussie Smollet hoax.

The Brett Kavanaugh conspiracy theory involved a series of rape allegations, which include accusations of gang rape against the Judge when he was nominated by former US President Donald Trump to the White House.

Most allegations were retracted later on but the most prominent among them involving Christine Blasey Ford which received its time on the floor of the US Senate. Ford could not remember any major details of the traumatic event she claimed to have suffered.

She could not recall the precise time when it occurred but said that it occurred at least three and a half decades ago. She could not recall the venue of the event either. Later, Leland Keyser, who was claimed to have been present when it allegedly happened, said that she was pressured to support Ford’s allegations against Kavanaugh. Keyser had said that she did not recall any such event in question.

The Russian collusion hoax is an even more demented conspiracy theory which peddles the delusion that Donald Trump is a Russian asset and Vladimir Putin’s puppet. Special Counsel Robert Mueller found no evidence of such collusion despite exhausting vast resources, both in terms of time and money, in investigating the allegation.

The Jussie Smollet is a fake hate crime hoax perpetuated by the actor himself. He claimed to have been attacked by Trump supporters on a cold night in a racial hate crime. But later, it became evident that he had orchestrated the whole affair himself.

The term ‘Blue Anon’ became popular enough that it found a mention in Urban Dictionary, a crowdsourced online dictionary. However, the word was removed by the platform without any explanation. The removal has been interpreted by the right-wing in US as further evidence of censorship against them.

Before the removal of the term, Blue Anon was defined in Urban Dictionary as “a loosely organized network for Democrat voters, politicians and media personalities who spread left-wing conspiracy theories.”

It stated further, “Blue Anon adherents fervently believe that right-wing extremists are going to storm Capitol Hill any day now and “remove” lawmakers from office, hence the need for the deployment of thousands of National Guard stationed at the US Capitol.”

The term, however, is not used by the American right-wing alone. It is also used by Progressives in the United States who skeptical of the Democrat Orthodoxy. Progressive journalist Aaron Mate has been using the term since at least August 2020 and as far as we are aware, it was him who invented the term.

Since then, the term has been used extensively by Progressives before the American right-wing latched on to it. Now that it has become sufficiently popular, Blue Anon has been censored by Urban Dictionary.

Days after Maharashtra govt transferred case to ATS, NIA takes over investigation in case related to bomb threat at Mukesh Ambani residence

OpIndia Staff
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Days after Maharashtra govt transferred case to ATS, NIA takes over investigation in case related to bomb threat at Mukesh Ambani residence

Hours after Maharashtra Home Department issued an order to transfer the case related to Hiren’s death to ATS, the National Investigation Agency has been called in Monday to handle the probe related to the recovery of explosives from a car parked near Mukesh Ambani’s residence in Mumbai. The central agency is in the process of re-registering the Antila bomb scare case, the agency said.

The probe into Mansukh Hiren‘s death case, however, still remains with the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). 

Prior to this development, the ATS was entrusted with the responsibility to probe the death case of Mansukh Hiren as well as the investigation into the case related to the gelatins found outside Mukesh Ambani’s residence, which is connected to Mansukh Hiren, as he was the owner of explosive-laden SUV which was recovered in the proximity of industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s residence in Carmichael road in Mumbai in the last week of February.

On Friday the Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh had announced that the investigation of both the cases including the Antilia case and the death of Hiren had been transferred to ATS.

Mansukh Hiren was murdered: Vinod, Hiren’s elder son

Hiren who was an important link to the ‘Antilia’ bomb episode went missing on Thursday. His body was later recovered from Retibunder Creek in Thane on Friday morning.

Initially, it was believed to be a case of accidental death by suicide at Mumbra police station in Thane, but later it was revealed that handkerchiefs were found stuffed in Hiren’s mouth.

While talking to Indian Express, Vinod, Hiren’s elder son, said it was murder. “He knew swimming well, and he would not end his life by jumping into a creek,” Vinod said. 

The doctors who conducted post-mortem at Chhatrapati Shivaji hospital in Kalwa reserved the opinion on the cause of death. They reported that there were no external injuries on the body.

How Hiren got linked to Antila bomb scare case

On February 26, police found an abandoned car outside Mukesh Ambani’s residence in which they found gelatin sticks. The police found several fake number plates in the car, one of which was similar to the car used by a security officer at Ambani’s house. Based on the chassis number, police reached out to Mansukh Hiren, who owned the car. In his statement, Hiren told police that on February 17, he had to leave the car on the road as it faced a technical snag, and he was getting late for a meeting. When he returned the next day to pick up his car, it was missing from the spot. He had registered a complaint at Vikhroli police station. 

Former CM Devendra Fadnavis had stated in the assembly that the owner of the Scorpio car, which was used to plant gelatin sticks and a threat letter outside Mukesh Ambani’s residence in Mumbai, was in touch with a mobile phone number that is registered in the name of Mumbai Police officer and ‘encounter specialist’ Sachin Vaze.

Will he join politics or won’t he?: ‘It is all about opportunities’, said Sourav Ganguly in his interview with Republic Bangla

OpIndia Staff
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Will he join politics or won’t he?: ‘It is all about opportunities’, said Sourav Ganguly in his interview with Republic Bangla

On Monday, former Indian captain and incumbent BCCI President Sourav Ganguly hinted at his plans of joining politics, ahead of the upcoming West Bengal State Legislative elections, or the lack of it. In the run-up to the West Bengal Assembly elections, there has been massive speculation about whether legendary cricketer Sourav Ganguly would join the BJP or not. In his interview with Arnab Goswami on Republic Bangla, Sourav was asked pointed questions about his speculated entry into politics.

While speaking exclusively to Republic Bangla, Ganguly said, “I am just 48. You never know where life takes you. It’s all about opportunities”, the cricket maestro said. He added that life is all about gradual opportunities and hinted that he will make the decision (to join politics) when such an opportunity arises.

When informed by Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami that opportunities would come his way if he just asked for it, the cricketing legend replied, “I need to like the work and see how it influences my life. The thought process has changed since I now have children, family. You need to evaluate how it affects their lives too. How much does it take away from your family/friend time? It (politics) has a total impact on your life.”

(Video Courtesy: Youtube/Republic World)

On being further prodded about his general opinion about politics, Ganguly emphasised, “I don’t think much about politics. I am happy with my life. I do what pleases me. I respect people and expect the same from them… I firmly believe in this policy. I firmly believe that if I belittle someone, I will belittle myself as well. It’s a shadow of your character. I believe in all these values “

Politics is not bad, reiterates Sourav Ganguly

Arnab Goswami then said that several people think of politics as the ‘ultimate profession’, irrespective of their profession. The former Indian captain replied, “Politics is not bad. We had (have) the greatest of leaders in the country who influence the population. So why should politics be bad? Good people should be in politics because it decides your life.” He added that if someone from a different profession joins politics, then, he/she should be happy and content about the decision.

He also dismissed popular outcry over the decision of a non-political public personality to join politics. “I don’t take my decisions immediately, without any forethought,” the cricketing legend said. While Ganguly tried to deflect the topic to his erstwhile profession of cricket, Arnab Goswami asked, “Will you announce any breaking news (about joining politics).” Ganguly replied, “Let time tell. You don’t know. Let’s see where time takes us.”

Sourav Ganguly and the rumours about joining the BJP

Sourav Ganguly is known to share a very cordial relationship with Jay Shah, son of Home Minister Amit Shah. Dona Ganguly, the cricketer’s wife who happens to be a well-known classical dancer, was seen performing at BJP Mahila Morcha’s Durga Puja in Kolkata. Due to the political nature of the BCCI appointment, and the cordial relationship between Ganguly and senior leaders of the party, there are speculations that the popular former cricketer may BJP ahead of the 2021 Assembly Elections in West Bengal.

Trinamool Congress, on the other hand, has ‘advised’ the Dada of Indian cricket to not join politics. However, it remains to be seen whether the rumours have any material in them this time around or it is just another of the numerous occasions in the past when speculations were rife that the Prince of Kolkata would join the BJP.

‘Women belong in the Kitchen,’ declares Burger King on Women’s Day, hits back at KFC for criticising campaign for gender equality

OpIndia Staff
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‘Women belong in the Kitchen,’ declares Burger King on Women’s Day, hits back at KFC for criticising campaign for gender equality

Burger King generated quite the controversy on International Women’s Day after declaring that “Women belong in the kitchen.” They were criticised heavily for the comment but the American fast food chain said that it was part of their campaign for gender equality.

Following the tweet, KFC Gaming responded with a meme that said that Burger King should delete the tweet immediately. However, the latter fired back saying, “Why would we delete a tweet that’s drawing attention to a huge lack of female representation in our industry, we thought you’d be on board with this as well? We’ve launched a scholarship to help give more of our female employees the chance to pursue a culinary career.”

Burger King vs KFC
Burger King vs KFC

The tweet was part of a campaign to change the gender ratio among chefs in the industry. Burger King said that only 20% of chefs are women. It said, “We’re on a mission to change the gender ratio in the restaurant industry by empowering female employees with the opportunity to pursue a culinary career.”

Burger King PR campaign on Women’s Day

Feminists and women’s rights organizations have been working hard in recent times to change the stereotype that ‘women belong in the kitchen’. Despite the seemingly good intentions, it appears that the PR Manager of the fast food chain made the controversial comment on Twitter on purpose to generate a controversy which would attracted attention towards the brand.

It does appear to have succeeded on that front. However, it remains to be seen whether it eventually suffers as a consequence of the considerable social media backlash.

Despite getting a ticket for Habibpur assembly constituency, senior TMC leader Sarala Murmu ditches party to join BJP, gets 14 others

OpIndia Staff
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Despite getting a ticket for Habibpur assembly constituency, senior TMC leader Sarala Murmu ditches party to join BJP, gets 14 others

Mamata Banerjee’s worries are mounting as the exodus of TMC leaders continues ahead of the Assembly elections. In yet another jolt to the party supremo, who is eyeing at her third consecutive term, senior TMC leader Sarala Murmu has also reportedly ditched Mamata Banerjee to join BJP. Murmu’s jump to BJP has come after she was offered a TMC ticket for the Habibpur seat in the Malda district.

TMC rushes to issue statement saying Sarala Murmu had to be replaced due to ill health

Left deeply embarrassed with this latest development, the Trinamool Congress, in order to salve its conscience, rushed to issue a statement Monday, saying that Sarala Murmu had to be replaced due to her ill health. The TMC replaced Murmu with Pradeep Bakshey as a candidate for the Habibpur seat.

The statement issued by TMC

With this, Sarala Murmu has become the first party member to jump ship despite making it to the candidate list in West Bengal this election season.

Reports have it the Sarala Murmu and the others took a train from Malda on Sunday night and reached Kolkata on Monday morning to join the BJP. All these members are said to be close to BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, whose resignation from TMC in December last year had triggered a mass-exodus of party leaders in TMC.

Since yesterday it was being speculated that Sarala Murmu will bring in at least 14 other TMC members along with her to join the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Sarala Murmu has not been available for comments.

As per reports, the main reason for the senior party leader to quit was the seat distribution. She was believed to be miffed that she did not get the seat (Old Malda) she wanted and instead was asked to contest from Habibpur by the party’s key decision-makers.

“This is primarily the reason why she has decided to quit the TMC and is planning to join the BJP. Apart from Murmu, 14 others, including Gour Chandra Mondal (Malda Zila Parishad president) and Amlan Bhaduri (TMC co-ordinator), are also planning to join the BJP,” a local TMC leader said, requesting anonymity.

According to reports, Sarala Murmu is not the only TMC leader who has been disgruntled with the party over ticket distribution.

Upset with seat denial, TMC MLA’s supporters burn down his own office

We reported how hours after Trinamool Congress (TMC) released the list of candidates contesting the upcoming State Legislative polls in West Bengal, the supporters of former party MLA Arabul Islam burnt down his own party office as he was denied a ticket from his Bhangar constituency in South 24 Pargana. Arabul Islam had represented the constituency in 2006.

As per reports, the incident took place on Friday in Bhangar in South 24 Parganas after the TMC leader’s name did not feature in the list of candidates contesting the elections. While the party has denied ticket to incumbent MLA Abdur Razzak Molla, it has decided to field Rezaul Karim from the Bhangar seat. The supporters of Arabul Islam not only vandalised their own party office but also set it on fire. In a video that has now gone viral on social media, they were seen gathered around a bonfire that was initiated by setting the vacant party office ablaze.

‘Two Pakistani ministers were locked up in a container for 4 hours to pressurise them to vote in favour of Imran Khan’: Maryam Nawaz

OpIndia Staff
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‘Two Pakistani ministers were locked up in a container for 4 hours to pressurise them to vote in favour of Imran Khan’: Maryam Nawaz

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Sunday launched a scathing attack at incumbent Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan alleging that the government had used the help of intelligence agencies to secure support for his vote of confidence.

Accusing the prime minister of using illicit means to secure his government from a collapse, the opposition leader claimed that the authorities locked up 2 Members of the National Assembly (MNAs), who resisted voting for the prime minister, in a container for 4 hours, until they buckled under pressure.

While addressing a press conference, the daughter of PMN-N supremo and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif said that some government representatives were “in touch” with her party and alleged that the secret service agents had made the MLAs disappear on the instructions of the PM ahead of Saturday’s trust vote.

“Their members are in touch with us,” the PML-N leader added.

Launching a scathing attack against Imran Khan, Maryam Nawaz said that Imran Khan used drone cameras to keep a vigil on his ministers a night before the National Assembly session. “The members who voted against you in the election of Yousuf Raza Gillani, what happened that they changed their decision in just two days?” she said, adding that the lawmakers didn’t change their decision on their own but were instead forced into doing so.

Maryam opined the vote of confidence to Imran Khan had “no legal, political and moral value”.

On March 6 (Saturday) PM Imran Khan won the confidence of the National Assembly. As per reports, Imran Khan’s government received 178 votes in an assembly of 342 members. The Pakistani Prime Minister needed a total of 172 votes to save his government.

China’s two-pronged approach to change global perception while whitewashing its atrocities on Uyghur Muslims

OpIndia Staff
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China’s two-pronged approach to change global perception while whitewashing its atrocities on Uyghur Muslims

French Professor Christian Mestre, Honorary Dean of the Strasbourg Law Faculty and Ethics Officer of the Strasbourg EuroMetropolis, stepped down from his post on February 26, 2021. An investigative report published in French paper LePoint he was also a teacher at Chongqing University and used his influence in academia in the service of China.

In September 2019, China’s state media Global Times had reported that Mestre had visited Northern China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, not as a tourist but to ‘participate’ in the International Seminar on Counter-terrorism, De-radicalization and Human Rights Protection with experts from other countries. Global Times reported that Mestre had there claimed that he wished France and other European countries would adopt similar ‘counter-terrorism and de-radicalization’ methods adopted by China.

Downplaying the atrocities carried out by Chinese government on Uyghur Muslims, Global Times quoted Mestre as saying that ‘these people are not in jail, but being put through compulsory training’. He claimed that there is no such ‘model’ in France and that France should learn from these ‘schools’.

The LePoint report shows how China gives credibility to its own image amongst the world as well as its own people. The report does not cast aspersions on the University of Strasbourg as being influenced by Beijing but how Beijing does it sneakily through certain professors or leaders.

As per reports, experts believe that China has, through the years, tried to influence certain intellectuals in civil societies. French writer Maxime Vivas has been one such French intellectual used by China to further its propaganda. Vivas has published a book Ouïghours, pour en finir avec les fake news (Uygurs, to put an end to the fake news) wherein he has dismissed the genocide allegations on China.

In an interview published by Global Times, he claimed that he based his book on the two weeks he spent twice in 2016 and 2018. He claimed that during his 2 two-week long visits to Xinjiang, he saw mosques, theatres, museums and that the Chinese government is ‘preventing deadly terrorist attacks’ by following these strict measures. He also claimed that the reports on concentration camps, extermination camps and genocide of Uyghur Muslims in China are ‘hyped’ by Western media. He also refuted media reports on forced labour camps in Xinjiang.

Recently, China banned the British public broadcaster BBC over ‘fake news’ for reporting on the atrocities carried out by Chinese government on Uyghurs.

Experts say that the goal to have such people trying to influence perception is to convince the Chinese population abroad that there is support for the communist regime. This will help in creating networks which are favourable to the Chinese interest.

Another report suggests that China has undertaken the ‘warrior wolf diplomacy’ under which the Chinese diplomats defend China’s national interest in confrontational ways. During the Chinese coronavirus pandemic, Chinese diplomats took this confrontational approach to respond to any criticism coming their way.

China’s spokesperson for Foreign Ministry Lijian Zhao last year had hit out on those criticising Chinese export as toxic and asked them not to wear China-made masks and protective gear while treating Chinese coronavirus. Here, it is important to note that multiple countries eventually did not use the poor quality and reused masks China had sent as diplomatic move. Further, even in the vaccine, many countries are wary of using the Chinese vaccines because of lack of data available for the same.

In fact, he had even claimed that it was the US Army that brought the Chinese virus to China.

Similar tactics also seem to be used by China for whitewashing the atrocities on Uyghur Muslims. China has claimed that those scholars who are calling out China’s atrocities against Uyghur Muslims are ‘spies’ working for the US intel agency. Chinese government officials have taken to social media to call reports on Uyghur Muslims as ‘fake news’.

The Chinese have been denying the atrocities on Uyghur Muslims the way they have been denying its responsibility of the Coronavirus pandemic. With the combined power of influencing intellectuals and prominent people and getting into confrontational mode, China is trying to influence the global perception and whitewashing its atrocities.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi fumes after UP CM Yogi Adityanath calls Secularism the biggest threat to Indian tradition

OpIndia Staff
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AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi fumes after UP CM Yogi Adityanath calls Secularism the biggest threat to Indian tradition

Days after Yogi Adityanath termed secularism as the biggest threat facing the country’s traditions, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi raved against the Uttar Pradesh chief minister.

Fuming over Yogi’s remarks, Owaisi said that the Uttar Pradesh chief minister has disrespected the constitutional post he holds with his statements against secularism.

“Secularism is enshrined in Articles 14, 19, 22, 25 of India’s Constitution. India is a secular country because our founding fathers envisioned it this way. If secularism is threatening our traditions, then Yogi ji should complain it to PM Modi,” he said.

Owaisi further ranted, “China is on our land. The prices of petrol and diesel are skyrocketing. Farmers are agitating, there is rising employment in the country, is secularism responsible for this?”

“The post you are sitting on has no religion. The Chief Minister of a state is speaking against secularism and the Bharatiya Janata Party is maintaining a stoic silence. It reveals what the Sangh Parivar truly believes in. They are allergic to secularism,” Owaisi fulminated.

Secularism biggest threat to India’s prosperous traditions: Yogi Adityanath

Earlier on Saturday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said secularism was the biggest threat to India’s traditions as it precluded the indigenous culture from getting its due recognition on the global stage. He also claimed that people who were spreading false propaganda about the country for a paltry amount of money will not succeed in their efforts.

Yogi was speaking at the launch of the first edition of Global Encyclopedia of the Ramayana on Saturday, when he termed secularism as the biggest threat to develop India’s prosperous traditions.

“People who are misguiding the public for their own benefit and betraying the country will not be spared. People who are creating false propaganda about India for money will face the heat,” Yogi thundered.

Asserting that it is impossible to refute historical facts, Yogi highlighted how existence of Lord Rama was questioned by some perverse individuals. The CM also exhorted the people to not let go of the harmonious spirit of the nation by getting involved in petty communal disputes.

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