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Who would have thunk: Capitol Hill riot shows how Alex Jones is far more reasonable than Sam Harris

K Bhattacharjee
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Who would have thunk: Capitol Hill riot shows how Alex Jones is far more reasonable than Sam Harris

There are a lot of crazy stuff happening across the world at the moment. Things that we thought we would never see are happening right in front of our eyes. The storming of Capitol Hill was only the opening act of the drama and since then, the Big Tech censorship that has been underway is the stuff of dystopian fantasies. Amidst all of this, a certain individual on the fringe has succeeded in making his mark. He is, of course, Alex Jones.

Alex Jones is, perhaps, the most banned person on the internet. The Big Tech censorship first began with the deplatforming of the InfoWars founder a few years ago. He was deplatformed from all major social media networks because he was, apparently, too much of a conspiracy theorist. His deplatforming troubled quite a few people who regarded the incident as a sign of things to come. And unfortunately, they have been proved right.

However, on the day of the Capitol Hill protests, Alex Jones was the voice of reason. There are videos going around that demonstrate he was calling for people to remain calm and not head towards the Capitol. He was emphasizing the need for law and order at a time when tempers were running high.

Alex Jones tells the crowd, “We’re not Antifa, We’re not BLM. Let’s march around to the other side.”

Alex Jones said, “We’re not antifa; we’re not BLM. You’re amazing. I love you. Let’s march around the other side, and let’s not fight the police and give the system what they want. We are peaceful, and we won this election. And as much as I love seeing the Trump flags flying over this, we need to not have the confrontation with the police. They’re gonna make that the story. I’m going to march to the other side, where we have a stage, where we can speak and occupy peacefully.”

There is another video doing the rounds of the internet where Alex Jones can be seen having a go at a QAnon follower who happened to call his show. When the caller says why he keeps interrupting him, Alex Jones says, “Because you’re lying, because you’re full of sh*t.” The famed conspiracy theorist then goes off saying that none of Q claims ever come true.

The whole episode marks an occasion where the Infowars conspiracy theorist comes across as far more sensible and reasonable than ‘peak rational atheists’ who have succumbed to the ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’. Sam Harris was celebrating the suspension of Trump’s account. Sam Harris honestly believes Donald Trump is more morally reprehensible than Osama bin Laden. It has been quite a crazy few days and things do not seem to be relaxing any time soon.

‘Your c**k is mine now’, hackers take control of Internet-enabled male chastity device, demand ransom in Bitcoin

OpIndia Staff
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‘Your c**k is mine now’, hackers take control of Internet-enabled male chastity device, demand ransom in Bitcoin

In a bizarre incident, a hacker hacked into internet-connected chastity cages of several people and is now demanding a ransom to be paid in Bitcoin to unlock them. 

According to the reports, the hacker seized control of a number of chastity cages for man, branded Cellmate and made by Chinese company Qiui, and has been threatening victims to pay him ransom in bitcoin in order to regain control of the device.

In October 2020, the details about a security flaw were revealed in the Cellmate Chastity Cage device that meant that hackers could access it remotely and lock the cage permanently. Due to the flaw, anyone could remotely lock all devices and prevent users from releasing themselves.

It is now confirmed that the hacker was able to take control of men’s devices that are often used by people in the BDSM community to prevent erections. After seizing control remotely of his chastity cage, one hacker sent a message to a victim, “Your c**k is mine now”, according to screenshots of conversations shared.

Speaking to VICE, other victims revealed their own traumatising experiences at the hands of the hacker. Another victim Robert said he was grateful that he was not wearing his chastity cage when the hacker contacted him to say that they had seized control of the device.

Hackers demand ransom in bitcoin

Reportedly, the hacker demanded 0.02 Bitcoin, which is $750 in current valuation to unlock the device. Robert checked his device and discovered that it had been locked and that he was unable to gain access to it.

Similarly, another victim called RJ said that he too was asked by the hacker to pay a ransom by claiming that they had taken control of his device. He said, “I wasn’t the owner of the cage anymore so I didn’t have full control over the cage at any given moment.”

UK-based security research group Pen Test Partners had informed that there was a vulnerability in the device that could allow it to be taken over by hackers. The chastity cage can be logged in by a trusted partner remotely over Bluetooth using a mobile app, however, it is not password protected, making vulnerable to hacking.

The researchers with Pen Test Partners had said at the time that if the men who were targeted by hackers had been wearing the device at the time, they could have found themselves in something of a tight spot. According to researchers, the device is locked with a metal ring underneath the user’s penis. If hacked, then it would have to be removed using a heavy-duty bolt cutter.

After Facebook and Twitter, YouTube suspends US President Donald Trump’s account

OpIndia Staff
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After Facebook and Twitter, YouTube suspends US President Donald Trump’s account

Days after social media platforms arbitrarily banned President of United States Donald Trump from its platform, YouTube has become the latest social network to suspend President Trump.

According to the reports, Google imposed a suspension on President Donald Trump’s account from YouTube, the world’s largest video platform and issued the White House a warning on YouTube.

Taking to Twitter, the Google-owned company claimed that POTUS Trump uploaded content that allegedly violated its policies, giving it an automatic one-strike that leads to a minimum seven-day suspension from uploading new content. It said it is also disabling the comments section on the account.

Interestingly, the company did not specify which videos violated its policies but said that it was “content” that included comments Trump made at a press conference Tuesday morning. YouTube said it violated policies that prohibit content for inciting violence. Google has now prevented Trump from uploading new videos or live-streaming material for a minimum of seven days and has said it may extend the period.

Under YouTube’s three-strike system, a channel will be suspended for one week after the first strike, two after the second and terminated after the third strike within 90 days. The temporary suspension means Trump’s account and existing videos will remain accessible, however, he will not be able to upload new content.

“After review, and in light of concerns about the ongoing potential for violence, we removed new content uploaded to Donald J. Trump’s channel for violating our policies,” the company said in a statement on social media Wednesday evening.

It continued, “Given the ongoing concerns about violence, we will also be indefinitely disabling comments on President Trump’s channel, as we’ve done to other channels where there are safety concerns found in the comments section.”

Donald J. Trump’s YouTube account has 2.77 million subscribers and it typically posts several videos a day from himself and other videos of independent media network in the country.

Radical left groups threatens YouTube to boycott Trump

The move to suspend Donald Trump’s account from YouTube after radical left groups had threatened to organise an ads boycott against YouTube.

Some self-proclaimed ‘civil-rights’ groups had threatened to organise an advertiser boycott against Alphabet’s YouTube if it does not remove President Donald Trump’s channel. Jim Steyer, one of the organisers of the “Stop Hate for Profit” campaign which led over 1,000 advertisers to boycott Facebook in July, said the groups are demanding YouTube take down Trump’s verified YouTube channel, which has 2.76 million subscribers.

YouTube is the last major tech company that has suspended President Trump from its platforms. Earlier, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat have all blocked Trump after fellow citizens stormed the US Capitol last week to protest against the rigged elections in the US, leading to five deaths.

Govt of India approves largest-ever indigenous defence deal for 83 LCA Tejas Mk1A fighter jets worth Rs 48,000 crore

OpIndia Staff
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Govt of India approves largest-ever indigenous defence deal for 83 LCA Tejas Mk1A fighter jets worth Rs 48,000 crore

Ending a long wait, the govt today approved the purchase of the Mk1A version of the indigenously developed Tejas fighter aircraft has for Indian Air Force. The Cabinet Committee of Security chaired by PM Narendra Modi has approved a defence procurement deal worth Rs 48,000 crore for the LCA Tejas Mk1A aircraft. According to the decision, 83 planes will be purchased from HAL under the biggest ever indigenous defence deal.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh revealed the decision on Twitter, saying that “this deal will be a game changer for self reliance in the Indian defence manufacturing.” He said that the LCA-Tejas is going to be the backbone of the IAF fighter fleet in years to come. The minister said that LCA-Tejas incorporates a large number of new technologies many of which were never attempted in India. At present, the indigenous content of LCA-Tejas is 50% in Mk1A variant, and it will be enhanced to 60%.

Rajnath Singh informed that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has already set-up second line manufacturing facilities at its Nasik and Bengaluru Divisions to manufacture the light combat aircraft. He said that HAL will steer LCA-Mk1A production for timely deliveries to the IAF.

Of the total 83 aircraft, 73 will be fighters and the rest 10 are trainers. HAL is to deliver them by 2026.

Tejas Mk1A is an advanced version of Tejas Mk1 (Final Operational Clearance), which has already been inducted into the IAF with an order for 16 planes. These Mk1(FOC) are upgraded from their previous version Mk1(IOC).

Mk1A has several improvements over the Mk1 version, which includes improved maintainability, active electronically scanned array radar which replaces the mechanically-steered radar, air-to-air refuelling, long-range beyond visual range missiles, advanced electronic warfare to jam enemy radars and missiles etc. The Mark A1 version of the jet will have a total of 43 improvements over the initial version.

The Tejas Mk1A aircraft will replace the aging planes currently operated by Indian Air Force, which include Mig-21 and Jaguar planes.

Today’s CCS approval paves the way for signing a contract with HAL for delivery of the planes.

COVID vaccine truck stopped by TMC leader Siddiqullah Chowdhury. Watch as he violently hurls stick at those trying to make way for vaccine

OpIndia Staff
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COVID vaccine truck stopped by TMC leader Siddiqullah Chowdhury. Watch as he violently hurls stick at those trying to make way for vaccine

A truck carrying coronavirus vaccine from Kolkata to Bankura in West Bengal was stuck in traffic jam because of protests led by TMC leader and Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s President Siddiqullah Chowdhury against farm laws. As reported by NewsX, Chowdhury and his followers were blocking National Highway No 2 due to which the truck got stuck in traffic and had to take a 25 km detour.

National General Secretary, BJP, Kailash Vijayvargiya shared a video in a tweet in which Chowdhury was seen holding a stick and running after those who were against the farmer protests. Vijayvargiya said, “West Bengal Minister Siddiqullah Chowdhury protested against the agriculture laws in East Burdwan Galsi. When people protested against the roadblocks created by Chowdhury and his followers, the minister started hitting people with a wood stick.”

Minister further asked if the incident should be considered political hypocrisy.

As per reports, when people came to clear the roadblock, Siddiqullah and his followers fought with them. As can be seen Chowdhury is hurling that stick at the ones who wanted to clear the roadblocks to let the vaccine pass.

Coronavirus vaccine was dispatched from Serum Institute of India’s Pune facility on Tuesday, January 12 for different parts of India so that the vaccination process can begin from January 16. The vaccine needs to be stored at specific temperature so that its efficacy is not lost.

Farmer protests

A large group of farmers is lodged on Delhi border protesting against the recently enacted Agriculture laws. The next round of discussion between unions and Government is scheduled for January 15. Amidst the ongoing protests, the Supreme Court has stayed the implementation of the laws till further notice and formed a 4-member committee to file a report on the laws.

The Government has said on multiple occasions that it is open for discussion, but the farmer unions have stubbornly asked to repeal the laws. The Government had told the Supreme Court that organizations like Sikhs For Justice are taking advantage of the protests to provoke people against India. The Government will also submit an affidavit with documents to prove the claim that people with vested interest have infiltrated the protests.

Mumbai: Anwar Ali Shaikh arrested for ‘dropping’ his wife Poonam Chavan from a moving train, booked for murder

OpIndia Staff
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Mumbai: Anwar Ali Shaikh arrested for ‘dropping’ his wife Poonam Chavan from a moving train, booked for murder

The Mumbai Police on Monday arrested one Anwar Ali Shaikh on the charges of murdering his wife, Poonam Chavan. Shaikh is accused of allegedly letting go of his 37-year-old wife while she was pivoting around the support poles at the entrance to the railway coach, resulting in her death. Shaikh was arrested based on a fellow commuter’s testimony.

According to the police, as quoted by the Times of India, the duo had tied knots just a month ago and the motive of the murder is not clear yet. Shaikh and Chavan reportedly lived in a chawl in Mankhurd with Poonam’s three-year-old daughter from a previous marriage. Shaikh had no permanent employment and would sparingly work as a driver. The police also added that the couple begged for a living during the lockdown.

As per the TOI report, on Monday, the couple, along with the daughter, was travelling in a Panvel-bound local. Around 3:20 PM, as the train was passing between Chembur and Govandi, the woman started whirling around the support pole.

Shaikh let go of his wife as she precariously whirled around the pole: An eyewitness account

Sangeeta Bhalerao, a fellow co-passenger in the train was worried about what was going on. “Bhalerao was going back to her home. She told us Chavan was joined by her husband. It was undoubtedly dangerous as the train was moving. At one point, Chavan leaned out of the train and her husband clasped her hand in a tight grip. But he suddenly let go of her, and she landed on the tracks. When the train stopped at the Govandi station, Bhalerao hustled to find an on-duty policeman and narrated the incident,” said a police officer. Police arrested Shaikh and brought him to the Wadala GRP post.

Chavan’s body was later found on the tracks. The police officer said there are no CCTV cameras on the track between Chembur and Govandi and they will have to rely on the eyewitness account. He further added that the police are trying to track down Chavan’s relatives to investigate if her husband had been harassing her. The child has been handed over to Chavan’s stepmother.

“UP Police is teaching them lessons”, Cops nab eve-teasers Shahbaz and Md Wasik after journalist posts their video on Twitter

OpIndia Staff
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“UP Police is teaching them lessons”, Cops nab eve-teasers Shahbaz and Md Wasik after journalist posts their video on Twitter

The Uttar Pradesh police nabbed two persons named Shahbaz and Mohammad Wasik after they received a complaint from a journalist accusing the two of stalking and eve-teasing. On January 10, Charul Sharma, a news anchor with Sahara Samay new channel, had tagged Meerut police in a tweet complaining about the culprits. Sharma had also posted a picture of the culprits.

She also posted a short video in which the two culprits can be seen sitting on a two-wheeler without a number plate. She had tweeted that the two had been stalking and eve-teasing her on her way from Hapur Adda till Nai Sarak.

Responding to her tweet, Meerut police tweeted that the matter had been brought to the notice of the concerned official.

Acting swiftly on the complaint, the UP police was able to trace and catch the culprits. Shalabh Mani Tripathi, the media advisor of Uttar Pradesh government, took to Twitter to inform that the culprits have been caught by the police.

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Tripathi informed that the culprits were nabbed by the police within hours of receiving complaint against them and that the necessary action was being taken against them.

UP police called the incident a perfect blend of vigilant citizen & digital Policing, which brought a happy ending. They said that after Charul Sharma had made video of the crime and informed police about the same through social media, instructions were given to Meerut Police for immediate action. Accordingly, the Police launched a manhunt leading to arrest of stalkers.

The journalist appreciated the Meerut police for the swift and prompt action.

She noted that catching the culprits with only their photos was not an easy job.

Terrorist organization Sikhs For Justice announces 1.8 crore Rs for hoisting Khalistani flag on Republic Day at India Gate

OpIndia Staff
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Terrorist organization Sikhs For Justice announces 1.8 crore Rs for hoisting Khalistani flag on Republic Day at India Gate

Terrorist organization Sikhs For Justice’s chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannu has announced a reward of USD 2.5 lakh for any Sikh organization or Sikh Youth who would hoist the Khalistani flag on India Gate on the Republic Day. In a letter issued by SFJ, Pannu “gave a call to the Punjab farmers protesting on Singh border to raise Khalistani flag at India Gate on January 26 and receive a reward of USD 2.5 lakh.”

Pannu often releases provocative videos on his YouTube channel to provoke Sikhs in Punjab against India.

Letter issued by SFJ announcing 2.5 lakh USD for Sikh organization or individual for hoisting Khalistani flag on India Gate

The venomous video of SFJ

On January 11, SFJ released an incriminating video on its YouTube channel to provoke Sikh individuals living in India especially those who agree with the Khalistani movement. Pannu in the video asked the Sikh Youth to hoist Khalistani flag on India Gate and remove Indian flag India Gate as well as from every corner in Delhi. He said, “On January 26, Sikhs should roam in Delhi on their tractors and remove every tricolour. The Indian flag is the symbol of suppression that Sikhs have faced in India. Every Indian flag must be removed and crushed.”

Screenshot from SFJ’s video

Pannu further added that whoever hoists Khalistani flag on India gate will be rewarded with USD 2.5 lakh. If the Indian government arrests the person under Indian Law, his organization says it will help the person(s) move out of India and settle down in the UK. He said that Sikhs have taken over Delhi as the Indian government has enacted three black laws.

Pannu further added that Sikhs have to come out for the armed revolution if the Indian government does not allow peaceful protest.

Center to file affidavit in Supreme Court about Khalistanis in farmers protests

On January 12, the central government had told the Supreme Court that they have credible input from the Intelligence Bureau that there is the presence of Khalistani supporters in the farmers’ protest. Attorney General of India (AG) KK Venugopal had raised the issue in the Supreme Court during the hearing on petitions regarding Agriculture laws.

CJI had asked the government to formally submit the documents supporting their claim. The centre replied that the government would compile the information from the Union Home Ministry and submit an affidavit on Wednesday.

There is a petition filed by the Delhi police pending in Supreme Court to restrict the farmers from holding tractor rally in Delhi on January 26. In its petition, the police said that there would be a law and order problem if such rally is permitted. The letter issued by SFJ is believed to be a part of the affidavit that the centre is going to submit in the Supreme Court.

Tehelka promoter and TMC leader KD Singh arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in Alchemist Group money laundering case

OpIndia Staff
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Tehelka promoter and TMC leader KD Singh arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in Alchemist Group money laundering case

Tehelka promoter and former TMC Rajya Sabha MP KD Singh was on Wednesday arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case.

Singh’s arrest is related to Enforcement Directorate probe that was launched in September 2016 against him and a company (Ms Alchemist Infra Realty Limited) linked to him. A criminal case was filed against him under the PMLA, on the basis of a charge sheet lodged against the company, its directors and others by the market watchdog SEBI.

In a statement released by the ED in January 2019, the agency had stated that its probe revealed that the proceeds of the crime generated by Alchemist Infra Realty Ltd were routed through a web of shell companies.

The investigation also found that the funds sought by the firms from various investors were never used for the purpose for which they were mobilised and the same were transferred to the bank accounts of other companies which were nothing but shell companies. The siphoned off funds were later used to buy properties at various locations in India, the ED said.

Alchemist Group involved in running ponzi chit fund scheme without seeking approval from SEBI

The ED has also alleged that the company had launched an illegal collective investment scheme and mobilised funds of about Rs 1,916 crores from the public in the years preceding 2015. The firm had allegedly launched the scheme without seeking approval from the SEBI and thereby led to cheating of unsuspecting investors.

In 2015, the firm had informed the SEBI that it had refunded Rs 1,077 crores after the market watchdog probe and sought more time to return the rest of the amount. However, SEBI turned down its request and later filed a charge sheet in the case in March 2016.

KD Singh’s connection with beleaguered Tehelka magazine

It is noteworthy to mention that KD Singh was also associated with Tehelka magazine, whose editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal is mired in a sexual assault case. The case had come to fore in 2013 when one of the staffers of the organisations had levelled allegations of rape against Tejpal.

Soon after the allegations surfaced against Tarun Tejpal, Kanwar Deep Singh tried to distance himself with the organisation, stating that he had nothing to do with the firm and was just a promoter. At the time of the incident, Tehelka was owned by Anant Media Pvt Ltd., a subsidiary of the KDS Corporation, a company controlled by KD Singh.

However, according to details available, about 65.75% of the Anant Media Pvt Ltd was owned by Royal Building and Infrastructure Ltd, a company owned by KDS Corporation, which in turn was controlled by the then Trinamool Congress’s Rajya Sabha MP and industrialist KD Singh. KDS Corporation owned 85% in the Royal Building and Infrastructure Ltd.

A year after the sexual assault allegations were levelled against Tarun Tejpal, KD Singh, in an interview with the Quartz in December 2014 said that he owned 70-80 per cent of the shares and reposed his faith in the magazine, stating that the firm can make a comeback and do the stories that it was known to pursue.

“I think it was a wise decision to stay by the magazine and believe that the magazine could get back on track and do the kind of hard-hitting stories that we have always done,” Singh had then said.

Nationwide celebrations in Pakistan after PM Imran Khan emerges victorious in a Twitter poll

OpIndia Staff
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Nationwide celebrations in Pakistan after PM Imran Khan emerges victorious in a Twitter poll

On Wednesday, the entire country of Pakistan went into a jubilatory mood after Pakistan Prime Minister and former captain Imran Khan emerged victorious in a Twitter poll conducted by International Cricket Council (ICC) to decide the greatest player as captain.

The ICC had carried out a poll on micro-blogging site Twitter on Tuesday to decide who is the best cricketer as a captain. The ICC poll included three legendary players and a Pakistani cricketer. The three legends included in the poll were Indian cricket team skipper Virat Kohli, South Africa captain AB de Villiers, Australia women’s cricket team skipper Meg Lanning. Pakistan’s former captain and current Prime Minister Imran Khan was also included in the poll by the ICC.

Even though Indian skipper Virat Kohli was way ahead in the polls till the last stages, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who during his days played some cricket, emerged at the top of the poll after patriotic Pakistanis jumped in by the thousands to vote for Imran Khan to save him from another international humiliation.

Amusingly, following the victory of Pakistan PM Imran Khan in a Twitter poll, Pakistanis are now rejoicing over the victory and nationwide celebrations have begun to cheer for their beloved PM Imran Khan.

Interestingly, the victory of Imran Khan in a Twitter poll has now taken a political turn after Imran Khan’s political party ‘Tehreek-e-Insaf’ took to Twitter to depict as some sort of political win for the Prime Minister Khan and claimed that, “Once a leader, always a leader”.

The victory celebrations did not stop there. Zartaj Gul Wazir, Minister of State for Climate Change, did not miss the opportunity to celebrate PM Imran Khan’s victory in the Twitter poll. She said Imran Khan was the greatest cricketer and skipper to emerge from the sub continent.

Several high-profile Pakistanis too descended on Twitter to make merry of Imran Khan ‘majestic’ achievement of winning a Twitter poll carried out by the ICC.

Not just Pakistani establishment, even the media in Pakistan cheered up for Pakistan PM Imran Khan’s victory in a Twitter poll.

It is pertinent to note that Pakistan media had earlier run a campaign to influence the Twitter poll so that former Pakistan cricketer Imran Khan, who is now the Prime Minister of the country, did not lose in the poll against Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli. TV channels in Pakistan were reportedly urging people to vote for their PM.

Indian Muslims, opposition party members join Pakistani bots to secure win for Imran Khan

Earlier in the day, former Pakistan captain Imran Khan won a Twitter poll ran by ICC to decide who was the best player as a captain. After over 5,00,000 votes cast, the poll went towards a nail-biting finish between Virat Kohli and Imran Khan. In the end, with the massive backing by the Pakistani state and its media’s nationwide campaign, surprisingly just for a Twitter poll, former Pakistan captain took a slender leader to emerge victorious in the ICC poll. 

In the poll, Virat Kohli had 46.2 per cent of the vote while Imran Khan received 47.3 percent of the total 5,36,346 votes. Meanwhile, AB de Villiers received only seven percent of the vote while Australian women’s team captain Meg Lanning unfortunately received only one percent.

As Imran Khan trailed in the initial stages, the Pakistani establishment got triggered and resorted to cheap tricks of employing massive state-sponsored social media groups to influence the poll. Soon, votes started to pour in favour of former Pakistan captain Imran Khan. Pakistani bots and social media users, who perhaps have no idea how voting in real life feels like, enthusiastically voted on a Twitter poll like never before.

It seemed like the  Inter-Services Public Relations, the propaganda arm of the Pakistan Armed forces, did not want their Prime Minister to humiliatingly lose to Indian yet again and arranged for some votes on Twitter to make sure that he wins the Twitter poll at least.

Shockingly, not just Pakistani Twitter accounts and bots managed by the Inter-Services Public Relations, several Indians also voted in favour of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Twitter poll. The ‘Team Baan’, which indulges in mass rigging of Twitter polls with the help of bots and often resort to posting abusive rants on social media against Hindus and BJP supporters, unsurprisingly campaigned on behalf of Imran Khan and voted for Pakistan Prime Minister Khan in the Twitter poll ran by the ICC.

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