Hours after openly attending the ‘farmers’ rally held in Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh’s ancestral village in Bhatinda’s Mehraj on February 23, gangster Lakha Sidhana, who is wanted in Republic Day violence case and carries a bounty of Rs 1 lakh, released a new video on Tuesday night.
In the video, Lakha thanked the organisers of the rally in Mehraj village of Bathinda. “Today, you have demonstrated that Punjab youth don’t just talk on Facebook but are also on the road fighting for their rights. They won’t stop until they have won the battle,” Lakha Sidhana said in the video.
The gangster, who is on the run from the Delhi Police, also asked farmer leaders to hold a programme at Delhi borders in the coming days and appealed to the youth to join the protest sites in big numbers.
Extending his support to the farmer unions, Sidhana said, “I want to assure the farmer unions that we are with you. Give us a programme…the government is targeting farmers and has initiated a clampdown against them by issuing notice, releasing photographs. If we do not react now, the police and the government will continue to harass us.”
A stern response has to be given if we really intend to win this, the gangster said while urging the youth to head towards Delhi whenever a call for a protest is given.
Speaking on the allegations of Congress backing the Punjab rally, Sidhana rubbished them, stating that the gathering was not limited to a single party alone but Akali Dal and AAP also came out in support of the Mehraj rally. He alleged that the ‘farmers’ rally at Mehraj was an outcome of the emotions of the people who are fighting for their rights.
Gangster Lakha Sidhana attends ‘farmers’ rally in Punjab’s Mehraj
Gangster Lakha Sidhana, who is wanted in connection with the Delhi violence that erupted in the national capital in the wake of the tractor rally on January 26, was yesterday seen at a ‘farmers’ rally held in Bhatinda’s Mehraj, the ancestral town of Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh. Sidhana also addressed the ‘farmers’ rally at Mehraj before fleeing away on a motorbike.
Lakha Sidhana is a history-sheeter and has several cases registered against him in Punjab. He was jailed many times as well. Most recently, he has been accused of instigating violence at the Red Fort during the tractor rally on Republic Day.
President Ramnath Kovind on Wednesday inaugurated world’s largest cricket stadium in Motera. The stadium is named “Narendra Modi Stadium”. The President also carried out the Bhumi Pujan of Sardar Patel Sports Enclave at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Watch Live: President Ram Nath Kovind inaugurates the world's largest Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Cricket Stadium at Motera in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.@rashtrapatibhvnhttps://t.co/wsBDnAv7mw
— Prasar Bharati News Services पी.बी.एन.एस. (@PBNS_India) February 24, 2021
Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister of Spors Kiren Rijiju and Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel were also present. The inauguration comes ahead of the 3rd Test between India and England on Wednesday. The Narendra Modi Stadium is set to be the largest cricket stadium in the world with a capacity of 1,10,000.
The stadium was constructed in 1982 and initially had a seating capacity of 49,000. The stadium is spread across 63 acres and also has an indoor cricket academy including a dormitory for 40 athletes. It also has dressing rooms big enough to accommodate four teams. The stadium also has a state-of-the-art gymnasium and six indoors practice pitches with three outdoor practice fields, among other amenities.
A meeting of Maharashtra Congress’ parliamentary committee on Tuesday passed a resolution in support of Muslim and Maratha reservation in the state. The Congress party also took a stand that the Centre’s agricultural laws should not be enforced in the state.
The parliamentary committee meeting was chaired by Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole in the presence of the party’s state in-charge HK Patil. Senior Congress leaders such as ministers Babasaheb Thorat, Ashok Chavan, Prithviraj Chavan and Sushilkumar Shinde were present at the meeting.
State President Nana Patole said Congress is committed to the development of all communities in the state and the implementation of reservation for the Muslim community is part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government’s program for the welfare of all communities.
In addition to resolution for Muslim reservations, the party also passed resolutions demanding revocation of the farm laws passed by the Centre, creation of separate farm laws in the state, disbursement of funds for statutory boards in the state, and for the allocation of funds for OBCs, VJNT and other backward classes.
Besides, the party has zeroed in on various other programs to strengthen the organisation. The party decided to launch Sankalp Abhiyan, an outreach programme under which the state leaders will reach out to the voter base, in a bid to regain its old glory.
It was also decided in the parliamentary committee meeting that the party will join hands with Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies — Shiv Sena and NCP —for the local body polls subject to consultation with the local units of the party.
MVA alliance’s persistent push for Muslim reservations
Ever since Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance formed a government in Maharashtra, the alliance partners have been pressing to bring in reservations for Muslims in the state. In January 2020, a month after Uddhav Thackeray became the chief minister, several reports surfaced stating that Maha Vikas Aghadi government is preparing to introduce reservations for Muslims in the state.
Then in February 2020, Minority Affairs minister Nawab Malik said that the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government will soon bring in an ordinance to extend the contentious 5 per cent reservations for Muslims across educational institutes in the state. He had then also assured the State Legislative Council of taking ‘appropriate action’ in this regard before the beginning of the upcoming academic year and admissions process
On February 17, three girls were reportedly found unconscious in a field in Unnao district, Uttar Pradesh. While two died in the incident, the third was admitted to a hospital for treatment. On February 23, the third teenager gained consciousness and narrated the whole story of the day in front of the Executive Magistrate. She explained how the two girls had died. The Police has started a further investigation into the case.
As per reports, though the hospital in Kanpur has not released an official statement regarding the health condition of the victim, the concerned doctors have confirmed that she is now out of danger and on her way to full recovery.
The third girl was in critical condition and she was referred to Kanpur for further treatment. She was under a ventilator for some days. Unnao SP stated that the girl had gained consciousness and her statement was recorded as per legal provisions in the presence of a female magistrate Rizwana Shahid under section 164.
Superintendent of Police Anand Kulkarni said that the girl named one ‘Lambu’ and his friend as the culprits. She said that on the day of the incident, they came to the girls in the field who were collecting fodder for the cattle. Lambu and his friend had offered them some snacks which they refused. Later the accused Lambu had offered water which they all drank, and later fainted.
SP Kulkarni added that the girl had denied any kind of sexual assault. According to the Police, the accused named Lambu had mixed some poison in the water. Kulkarni said, “The girl said in her statement that she fainted after drinking water. There was no incident of molestation of sexual assault with her.” The statement given by the girl has been recorded based on which the Police will take further action. The Police have already arrested Vinay and his friends in the case.
The Unnao incident had the usual suspects peddling ‘rape’ and caste angle
After the initial news of the incident spread, a number of media portals, journalists and politicians had spread false information that the three Dali girls were raped and murdered. Some had even claimed that they were found with their hands and feet tied. However, the police had denied all those false accusations. The post-mortem on the two deceased girls had confirmed that they were no signs of sexual assault. The initial examination of the crime scene and statements from family members had also asserted that there were no signs of coercion or assault on the person of the victims or at the scene.
On February 17, three girls were reportedly found in the unconscious state of a field in Baburha village under the Asoha police station of Unnao district in Uttar Pradesh. Two of them were declared brought dead while the third one was in critical condition. The initial examination by the Police and the doctors suggested that the two girls were poisoned.
Two local boys from the girls’ neighbourhood arrested
Reports suggested that the girls had gone to the field to collect fodder for cattle. The fields are owned by the girls’ own families. The victims’ brother Vishal said that all three girls had gone to the field around 3 pm on February 16 to collect fodder. When they did not return by late evening, the families searched for them and found them lying in the field.
Police said that it was a case of a one-sided love affair. The accused was in love with the eldest girl and had proposed to her. She turned him down that made the accused very angry. So he gave her water mixed with pesticide. After drinking the poisoned water, the condition of all three worsened, and two died on the spot. The main accused’s friend who had accompanied him is reportedly a minor. The post-mortem had confirmed the presence of a poisonous substance in the stomach of the victims.
The police had stated that the arrested accused had only intended to kill one girl who he was allegedly in love with. But the other girls had also drunk the poison-laced water.
‘Farmer leader’ Rakesh Tikait has again threatened the central government demanding the repeal of the three farm laws. Speaking at farmer meetings in Churu and Sikar Rajasthan yesterday, the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader threatened to siege the Parliament if the central government does not repeal the farm laws.
Our next call will be for a march to Parliament, and not just 4 lakh tractors but 40 lakh tractors will go there if farm laws are not taken back: BKU leader Rakesh Tikat at a farmers rally in Sikar, Rajasthan yesterday pic.twitter.com/OCQE9GxsQr
Tikait said that the ‘farmers’ would march towards Delhi with 40 lakh tractors instead of 4 lakh tractors that had participated in the tractor rally on Republic Day. He reportedly said that the government was not ready to listen to the farmers and that it had decided to rob the farmers. Tikait accused the government of conniving with businessmen. He alleged that corporates had already prepared warehouses even before the farm laws were enacted. He said that the farm laws did not provide for the minimum support price (MSP) and that corporates would store the produce bought from farmers in their warehouse and would sell them at higher prices. Tikait urged the farmers in Rajasthan to unite in protest against the farm laws by rising above caste lines. He asked the youth to participate in the agitation.
Republic Day tractor rally had led to riots in Delhi
It is pertinent to note here that the farmers’ leaders had organised a tractor rally in Delhi on Republic Day that had culminated into violence. They had assured that the rally would be a peaceful protest and would be limited to the designated routes. However, what transpired on the Republic Day was far from peaceful. Several armed protestors entered the national capital attacking the security personnel and vandalising the public property. Some protestors entered into the Red Fort and insulted the national flag and hoisted religious flags atop the Red Fort that were believed to be Khalistani flags. Hundreds of police personnel were injured during the riots. It was revealed later, that several separatist, anti-India organisations like banned Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) were behind the Republic Day riots.
An investigation has ben initiated by Delhi police into the Republic Day violence and around 38 FIRs have been lodged with over 100 accused having been arrested in relation to the violence.
Central government held several rounds of talks with ‘farmer representatives’
The central government had been proposing to solve the farmers’ issues through dialogue. Several rounds of talks have been held between the farmers’ representatives and the government since the protests started. However, the talks ended in a deadlock as the farmers’ leaders were adamant on total repeal of the laws despite the government agreeing to make specific amendments in the laws. Prior to the havoc played by the protestors during the tractor rally on the Republic Day, the protesting farmers had been blocking major routes near the national capital for months.
A day after clashes erupted between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) workers at Soram village in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan has alleged that the clashes took place following an announcement from a local mosque. Balyan had visited the village on Monday to pay homage to a local who passed away a few days ago.
10-12 family members of a Samajwadi Party candidate misbehaved with me in Bhaisnwal. 5-6 Lok Dal workers did same when I was in Soram to attend a function. After I left, a clash erupted. Announcements were made from mosque to unite against me:Union Minister Sanjeev Balyan (23.02) pic.twitter.com/cHDZFgZLdB
Speaking about the incident, Balyan said 10-12 family members of a Samajwadi Party candidate misbehaved with him in Bhaisnwal. He added that 5-6 RLD workers misbehaved with him when he was on a personal visit to Soram. “After I left, a clash erupted. Announcements were made from a mosque to unite against me”, he added.
According to reports, incident slogans were raised against Balyan when he visited farmers in Shamli, Uttar Pradesh a day before. As per police, the BJP MP was attending a condolence ceremony in Soram when an argument took place among the supporters of the BJP and the RLD. This escalated into clashes. However, the villagers intervened and drove away both the parties.
“The MP had come to a house in Soram for a prayer meet. An argument broke out among local supporters of both parties. A scuffle took place and few people received minor injuries. We are in the process of filing as both sides will be submitting a written complaint. There is no law-and-order situation presently in the village”, an official from Shahpur police station was quoted as saying.
Balyan has alleged that the clashes were pre-planned to cause disruption during his visit.
RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary blames BJP for the clashes
Following the clashes, RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary took to Twitter saying that the clashes took place between BJP workers and farmers. He blamed the BJP for the clashes.
सोरम गाँव में बीजेपी नेताओं और किसानों के बीच संघर्ष, कई लोग घायल! किसान के पक्ष में बात नहीं होती तो कम से कम, व्यवहार तो अच्छा रखो। किसान की इज़्ज़त तो करो! इब कानूनों के फायदे बताने जा रहे सरकार के नुमाइंदों की गुंडागर्दी बर्दाश्त करेंगे गाँववाले?#मुजफ्फरनगरpic.twitter.com/X21oP7iTgP
Balyan alleged that the clashes were pre-planned to create tension
Taking a dig at the BJP regarding the farm laws, Chaudhary advised the party to behave properly with farmers. Responding to Chaudhary’ tweet, Balyan said that the clashes were pre-planned. He questioned the timing of Jayant Chaudhary’s tweet. “I was visiting a house in Soram since a person had died thirteen days ago. It was a personal visit…As I was sitting, some RLD workers came and tried to disturb the atmosphere by clashing with locals. They were eventually driven away. Even Jayant Chaudhary’s tweet had a timing. It’s just an effort to make sure the atmosphere is tense”, said Balyan.
Balyan, the Minister of State of Animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries, alleged that the people involved in the clashes were not farmers but RLD workers. “It was a re-planned clash, otherwise, how can you explain videos of the incident going out on social media instantly or tweet coming from an RLD leader instantly”, Balyan added.
A number of Mahapanchayats have been held by opposition parties in Western Uttar Pradesh amid the ongoing ‘farmers’ protest against the three farm laws. Last week, senior leadership of the BJP had held a meeting with the leaders from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana asking them to reach out to people in their constituencies to counter the narrative against the three farm laws.
One would need to have an IQ lower than that of a jellyfish to lie and say the exact same thing one was fact-checked and ridiculed for just a week back. Or one needs to be just a brazen, sinister politician who knows he can get away with it. Case in point: Rahul Gandhi.
On February 17, 2021, just days before Congress government in Puducherry collapsed, Rahul Gandhi had promised to give the fishermen their own ‘ministry’ in Delhi. Considering Rahul Gandhi’s history of gaffes, one would just dismiss it as his lack of knowledge about how things run in India. You see, the ‘ministry of fisheries’ which he promised to the ‘sea farmers’ was already established in 2019 and Giriraj Singh currently holds the portfolio.
Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s seeming gaffe, Singh had taken a jibe at him in Italian that perhaps Rahul Gandhi was referring to Italian politics. Rahul Gandhi’s mother and Congress President Sonia Gandhi hails from Italy.
However, it was not just something Rahul Gandhi was unaware of. You see, before he promised a ministry which already exists, Rahul Gandhi had put up a question in the Lok Sabha regarding the same. As per the Lok Sabha records, Gandhi had questioned the Ministry about Fisheries Infrastructure and Aquaculture Development Fund on February 2, 2021.
But how many ‘neutral’ fact-checkers and media houses call out this lie by Rahul Gandhi?
NDTV report on Rahul Gandhi lie
Rahul Gandhi ‘calls for’ instead of lies. And no, NDTV India’s Ravish Kumar chose to remain silent.
Ravish Kumar reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s lies (sarcasm)
Here is how News18 reported.
News18 on Rahul Gandhi gaffe
While News18 did mention that Rahul Gandhi promised something that already existed, it made it about BJP mocking him over his lies. Not actually calling out his lies.
Speaking of media houses and their selective ‘fact-checking’, AltNews chose not to fact-check Rahul Gandhi on his obvious lies.
AltNews and its selective fact-checking
“Fact-checkers” and their complicated relationship with facts. This just goes on to show how ‘speaking truth to the power’ thing is just a facade.
And while we’re on propagandists and their ‘speaking truth to the power’ joke, here are the ringleaders.
The Wire speaking truth to the power
Hmm. Not a peep on Rahul Gandhi’s blunders.
If anyone wants to see what ‘Godi media’ looks like, come here. See how the glorious ‘independent media’ which is ‘not afraid of speaking truth to the power’ is nestled calmly in the lap of Yuvraj Rahul Gandhi.
But you know what this ‘Godi media’ enables? It enables powerful people like Rahul Gandhi to continue to lie to the vulnerable section of the society.
Today, while addressing a gathering in Kollam, Kerala, Rahul Gandhi repeated the exact same thing he did in Puducherry.
#WATCH | Just like farmers farm the land, you farm the sea. Farmers have a Ministry in Delhi, you don't… First thing I'd do is have a Ministry dedicated to fishermen of India so that your issues can be defended & protected: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Kerala's Kollam pic.twitter.com/RYcLCbDiQx
He again promised a ‘ministry of fisheries’ for ‘sea farmers’.
You see, since Rahul Gandhi knows that the media and other propagandists masquerading as ‘fact-checkers’ will not fact-check his lies, he is emboldened to continue to brazen it out.
Now, while they don’t deserve the benefit of doubt, one may argue that Rahul Gandhi meant to give a separate Ministries of Fisheries as it is currently clubbed with Animal Husbandry and Dairying. It would still be a ridiculous proposition since many other such ministries are clubbed with related subjects. Like, Rahul Gandhi promises ‘women empowerment’ but never promises ‘Ministry of Women’ because ‘Ministry of Women and Child Development’ already exists and the two are related and to some extent interdependent.
You see, not all election campaigning is done by the politicians. Some media houses and ‘fact-checkers’ continue to do them by selective reportage and ‘fact-checking’.
During the run-up to the 2019 elections, Rahul Gandhi went to town painting how the Rafale aircraft deal for Indian Air Force was a ‘scam’ to benefit the ‘Adani-Ambani’. Of course, after the ‘Rafale scam’ rhetoric did not work and Congress faced a humiliating defeat in 2019 elections, Rahul Gandhi has maintained radio silence on the alleged scam.
Remember how the mainstream media and ‘fact-checkers’ never corrected him for his mismatched figure about ‘scam’ or even the incoherent allegations which could easily be fact-checked. Remember how then Congress IT cell head Divya Spandana and other propagandists like Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan resorted to relying on a soft-porn website run by a so-called Bollywood publicist to claim Rafale was scam?
The ‘secular-liberal’ media provided Rahul Gandhi a platform to invent allegations on Rafale out of places where the Sun does not shine so he could appeal to the electorate with his lies. The media served as the propaganda wing of the Congress party and it used its massive resources to effectively campaign against the ruling government. N Ram of The Hindu, at one point, was competing with Rahul Gandhi in spreading lies about the deal. The newspaper not only cropped a ‘dissent note‘ about the deal but also digitally manipulated it. His conduct was perfectly understandable considering the fact that he and P Chidambaram go way back. Oh and don’t forget the epic meltdown of Ravish Kumar as first Rafale jet touched down in India.
Not only Rafale. Rahul Gandhi has time and again lied about ‘loan waiver’ and ‘loan write-off’. He has used the terms interchangeably to claim that the Central government has ‘waived off’ loans of ‘big corporates’ and not of ‘poor farmers’. But you know what? These NPAs are bad loans which are ‘written off’ not ‘waived’. When loans are ‘written off’, they stop appearing as an asset for the bank which had extended the loan but the banks continue to try and recover the debt, usually by initiating process of selling off collateral properties mortgaged by the corporates to take the loans.
Rahul Gandhi lies, uses the terms interchangeably to mislead the vulnerable strata of society and his friends in media happily oblige by ‘reporting’ but not fact-checking.
A day after Senior Journalist Chiru Bhat had released a video exposing the derogatory scenes targeting the Brahmin community in the newly released Kannada movie ‘Pogaru’, he has been reportedly receiving threat calls from the alleged fans of the lead actor Dhruv Sarja, warning him about consequences for speaking against the movie.
On Tuesday, Chiru Bhat, a prominent journalist in Karnataka known for speaking extensively on cultural nationalism and issues concerning Hindus, had released a video pointing out the derogatory scenes against Brahmins in the recently released movie ‘Pogaru’, starring Dhruv Sarja. In the video that has gone viral now on the internet, Chiru Bhat had clearly explained how the Brahmin community has been vilified and shown in a poor light by the filmmakers.
Taking a strong objection against the vile depiction of the community, Chiru Bhat had also questioned the growing trend of propagating anti-Hindu narrative through movies in the name of creative liberty. Narrating the scenes in the movie ‘Pogaru’, Bhat had highlighted the crass comments made against Brahmins by the lead actors in the movie.
The video that was released on YouTube became an instant hit, inviting much anger against the filmmakers. Interestingly, not just members belonging to the Brahmin community but others too joined to protests against the filmmaker for objectionable depiction.
In the movie, the lead actress belongs to the Brahmin community. The scenes included one where the protagonist rushes into her house and fights with her relatives. The hero is seen making lewd comments against the Brahmin community and throwing derogatory insults. In of the scenes, the movie’s protagonist is seen keeping his foot on a priest’s shoulder.
The scenes had created a massive controversy in the state, leading to protests by the Brahmin community against the filmmakers for the slanderous depiction of the community. The community members had given a deadline to the makers to edit the scenes until Wednesday.
Fans of the lead actor threatens Chiru Bhat
As the protests gathered momentum in the state following the viral video of Chiru Bhat, the journalist is now being threatened by the so-called fans of the lead actor Dhruv Sarja, who are now abusing and issuing threats to him.
OpIndia has accessed some of those call records in which one individual Shekhar, who claims to be a fan of Dhruv Sarja, was caught abusing Chiru Bhat. In the audio, Shekhar warned Bhat of consequences for releasing a video that criticised the ‘Pogaru’ filmmakers. The journalist has released the audio clip on Twitter, saying he has been receiving continuous threat calls asking him to give live location so that they can come and “do what needs to be done”.
Attaching Youtube link of call record of a person who’s threatening me. Even now he’s calling me again and again and threatening me to give live location so that they can come and “do what needs to be done”. Just listen the way how he talks.@BlrCityPolicehttps://t.co/sSAPnWGW0Whttps://t.co/v6j0FGmQcQ
Chiru Bhat also shared images of abusive screenshots posted on various social media platforms targeting him. Some of the images shared on Facebook had even threatening texts like, “We’ll come and perform your final rights”.
Photoshopping my image like I am dead and adding texts like “We’ll come and perform your final rights” etc. If a journalist like me is facing this just for opposite a anti brahmin, anti hindu movie, imagine how many Brahmins are silenced.@BlrCityPolice@CPBlr@DCPSouthBCPpic.twitter.com/fTwUoEt8ti
Bhat also said that a WhatsApp group has also been specifically created for this purpose, where fans are openly discussing killing him. He has also received voice notes allegedly by Dhruv Sarja’s fans saying, “I tried calling him, he has switched off. Guess he’s in Udupi, I’ll kill & bury him in Malpe beach”.
This time it is serious. A WhatsApp group has been created, by name “Dhruva Boys Karnataka” where fans are openly discussing about killing me by sending voice notes saying “I tried calling him, he has switched off. Guess he’s in Udupi, I’ll kill & bury him in Malpe beach” pic.twitter.com/tFqpppACfa
The journalist, tagging the Bengaluru police, expressed his worry saying that if a journalist like him is facing this just for opposing the hateful anti-Brahmin narratives in the movie, it can be imagined
Pejavara seer condemns the hate against Brahmins depicted in the movie
Shri Vishvaprasanna Teertha Sripada Swamiji, the holy seer of Pejavara Mutt, Udupi, has condemned the deliberate insult to the Brahmin community in the recently released Kannada movie ‘Pogaru’.
The Pejavara seer has also spoken to the authorities of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, expressing his disapproval and called for the removal of the controversial scenes from the film. The holy seer also stressed that in order to achieve a peaceful society one must not insult or share hate against communities.
Facing the heat, the filmmakers have now agreed to delete certain scenes from the movie. The decision was taken after a meeting with the Karnataka Brahmin Development Board and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce.
The BJP has continued its impressive electoral victories with the recently held municipal corporations in six cities in Gujarat. The saffron party has secured a clear majority in Surat, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Jamnagar, Rajkot and Bhavnagar municipal corporation elections.
A total of 576 seats—72 seats in Rajkot, 192 seats in Ahmedabad, 52 in Bhavnagar, 64 in Jamnagar, 76 in Vadodara and 120 in Surat went to the polls in the elections that were held on February 21. As per the latest figures, BJP has won over 483 seats while the Congress party managed to rack up only 44 seats. The Aam Aadmi Party made impressive inroads by winning 27 seats.
In Rajkot, the BJP registered a landslide victory, winning 68 of the 72 seats, with Congress winning only 4 seats. In Jamnagar, BJP retained power by winning 50 out of 64 seats of the Jamnagar Municipal Corporation while Congress bagged just 11 seats. The BSP has won the remaining three seats. Back in 2015, BJP had won 38 seats and Congress 24 seats.
As per the results announced so far, BJP has won 159 out of 192 seats in Ahmedabad, 44 out of 52 seats in Bhavnagar, 68 out of 72 seats in Vadodara, and 93 out of 120 seats in Surat. Congress won 14 seats in Ahmedabad, 4 in Rajkot, 11 in Jamnagar, 8 in Bhavnagar, and 7 in Vadodara. The grand old party drew a zero in the Surat Municipal Corporation elections while the new entrant AAP secured 8 seats.
Home Minister Amit Shah stated that Congress has lost deposits in many seats and has come third or fourth in many seats. The voters in Gujarat have sent a clear message to the Congress. He added that the BJP’s win in over 85% seats is a clear victory of its functioning and principles.
#WATCH | Congress has lost deposits on so many seats & come 3rd & 4th on many others. By giving only 44 seats, people have sent a message to Congress leaders to do self-introspection. BJP’s win on over 85% seats is a victory of BJP govts’ functioning & its principles:HM Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/Qcp8wqBqqG
According to the State Election Commission(SEC), an average 46.1 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the elections to six municipal corporations in Gujarat. Ahmedabad recorded the lowest turnout of 42.51 per cent while Jamnagar saw the highest turnout of 53.38 per cent, followed by 50.72 per cent in Rajkot, 49.46 per cent in Bhavnagar, 47.84 per cent in Vadodara and 47.14 per cent in Surat.
The municipal corporation elections are seen as a test for Chief Minister Vijay Rupani as the results may set the tone for the state Assembly polls due next year. Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani thanked voters for their trust in BJP after the party’s victory in civic polls “We will work hard to prove the voters’ trust in us. Anti-incumbency doesn’t apply to Gujarat,” he said.
Shri Vishvaprasanna Teertha Sripada Swamiji, the holy seer of Pejavara Mutt, Udupi, has condemned the deliberate insult to the Brahmin community in the recently released Kannada movie ‘Pogaru’.
The Kannada film ‘Pogaru’, starring Dhruv Sarja, has created a massive controversy in the state after Brahmin organisations vehemently protested against the slanderous depiction of the community. The community members had submitted a request to the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) asking the filmmakers to remove the objectionable scene. ‘
Reportedly, the Pejavara seer has also spoken to the authorities of the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce, expressing his disapproval and called for the removal of the controversial scenes from the film. The holy seer also stressed that in order to achieve a peaceful society one must not mock or instigate communities.
“Scornful abusive remarks are made against Brahmins in several scenes of the film, hurting the sentiments of Brahmins. This is unacceptable. The practice of insulting any community is uncalled for. The film industry should come out of the illusion that they will entertain in this manner. The makers should remove the scenes in which Brahmins are shown in poor light immediately,” he said.
Movie insults Brahmin community, features derogatory scenes
In the movie, the lead actress belongs to the Brahmin community. The scenes included one where the protagonist rushes into her house and fights with her relatives. The hero is seen making lewd comments against the Brahmin community and throwing derogatory comments. In of the scenes, the protagonist of the movie is seen keeping his foot on a priest’s shoulder.
Following the release of the movie, the community members had objected to several scenes and dialogues, saying the makers had hurt the sentiments of Brahmins. The community members had given a deadline to the makers to edit the scenes until Wednesday.
Meanwhile, facing the heat, the filmmakers have now agreed to delete certain scenes from the movie. The decision was taken after a meeting with the Karnataka Brahmin Development Board and the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce.
“Twelve scenes have come to our notice that the community members have raised objections to. We have spoken to both parties and have arrived at a solution. The scenes will be cut at 9 am tomorrow,” said Jayaraj, president, Kannada film chamber of commerce.
The director Nanda Kishore has also apologised for hurting the sentiments and also added that they had clarified ahead of the film’s release that “the characters or dialogues are not aimed at a particular community of people.”
