Home Blog Page 4705

Rajdeep Sardesai gets a T-Shirt gift from his daughter, Netizens explains how his daughter called out his shoddy ‘journalism’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Rajdeep Sardesai gets a T-Shirt gift from his daughter, Netizens explains how his daughter called out his shoddy ‘journalism’

Rajdeep Sardesai, who is often hailed as the ‘Michelangelo of the Indian Journalism’, on Saturday shared an image on Twitter to narrate a personal incident. Thanking his daughter for the gift, Rajdeep Sardesai posted an image in which he was seen holding a black T-shirt that reads, “This T-Shirt is White: Indian Media”.

Tweet by Rajdeep Sardesai

Apparently, Rajdeep Sardesai, who thinks of himself as some sort of an outlier in the country’s media establishment, insinuated that the Indian media was not doing objective and honest journalism currently, but resorting to false propaganda. Rajdeep Sardesai, ignoring the fact he is one of the most important members of the same media ecosystem that has successfully destroyed journalism in the country, was mocking the other independent journalists in the country who have successfully broken the status-quo to revolutionise journalism.

With the dwindling TRP of India Today, Rajdeep Sardesai and his side-kick Rahul Kanwal have been mocking every journalist or media organisation that does not toe their line, which often slants towards leftists, Islamists and trouble-makers.

One recalls how hours after psephologist and republic TV journalist Pradeep Bhandari was manhandled and slapped by a fellow ABP journalist, Rajdeep Sardesai wasted no time in downplaying the assault and engaging in victim-blaming. Referring to the security provided to Bhandari, he ranted, “An image which perhaps defines the Tv media in ‘Banana Republic’ times.” While casting aspersions about the integrity of Pradeep Bhandari, Sardesai indirectly justified the attack as a ‘sign of lost respect’. 

He claimed, “When a ‘noise’ channel hires private security to ‘protect’ their so-called reporter from fellow journalists: it’s a sign of the channel having lost the most precious TRP: TV RESPECT POINTS of your peers!”

Rajdeep and Rahul Kanwal have repeatedly taken potshots at Arnab Goswami and Republic TV. It is therefore safe to assume that Rajdeep Sardesai’s tweet meant to refer to those journalists who don’t agree with his stands, however, given his own history of fake news peddling, the tweet backfired on Rajdeep massively.

Netizens mock Rajdeep Sardesai, says his daughter understood him better

As Rajdeep Sardesai shared that image, social media users picked up the irony in the image and mocked Rajdeep Sardesai by saying that his daughter was extremely honest about her parents. Several social media users, taking a dig at Rajdeep Sardesai, said that his daughter understood his style of journalism and has nicely defined Rajdeep’s journalism in one line.

Another user said that Rajdeep Sardesai’s daughter had a good sense of sarcasm. One social media user, for some weird reason referring to Rajdeep Sardesai by the name of the American city of ‘Dallas’, compared him with other ‘journalists’ like Ravish Kumar, Rahul Kanwal and controversial Youtuber Abhisar Sharma.

One Dhruvit Makwana asked Rajdeep Sardesai whether he was selling Pakodas instead of doing journalism after the alleged ‘journalist’ took to Twitter on Saturday to make a sly on the Indian media.

Senior ‘journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai, is arguably the country’s most notorious fake news peddler. Rajdeep Sardesai, along with his wife Sagarika Ghose, are known for not only peddling misinformation on social media but also for openly taking political sides in favour of Gandhis and Congress party despite claiming to be ‘neutral’ journalists.

Rajdeep Sardesai and his notorious history of peddling ‘fake news’

Sardesai also has a rare distinction of being held accountable by the courts for spreading fake news. In 2020, Rajdeep Sardesai had issued an unconditional apology for airing a fake news item in 2007. The former NDTV and CNN-News18 journalist was accused of spreading fake news on Sohrabuddin encounter case, and a case was filed against him at the Metropolitan Sessions Court in Hyderabad.

The original case was filed in November 2007, and it was still going on. But in November last year, Rajdeep Sardesai and few others named in the case submitted an unconditional apology to an IPS officer, after which the case against them was dismissed by the court.

During the coronavirus lockdown, Rajdeep Sardesai had yet again caught peddling fake news after he had claimed a man had died due to starvation in Uttar Pradesh’s Banda. However, the DM had rejected the allegations and exposed Rajdeep’s lies by giving the list of foodgrains provided to the family in the last two months.

Veteran ‘journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai had also spread misinformation about the Statue of Unity. Rajdeep Sardesai had tried to be cheeky recently and tried to take a dig at Modi government by asking what will they do against ‘Made in China’ Statue of Unity. However, it is a known fact that the Statue of Unity in Gujarat in entirely made by Indian entities and not the Chinese.

Further, in April, Rajdeep Sardesai had also falsely claimed that the Punjab government has got only Rs 71 crore from the Modi government to fight the Chinese pandemic coronavirus. However, the state government had received Rs 247.50 crores from the centre from the Disaster Management fund to tackle the pandemic.

These are just a few instances where Rajdeep Sardesai had indulged in acts of peddling blatant misinformation. Despite all his unethical journalism, Rajdeep Sardesai seems to be audacious to point fingers at the other journalists in the country by mocking their integrity.

Lord Subrahmanya murti found desecrated in Andhra Pradesh only a few days after 400-year-old Lord Ram murti was found beheaded

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Lord Subrahmanya murti found desecrated in Andhra Pradesh only a few days after 400-year-old Lord Ram murti was found beheaded

Attacks on Hindu temples seem to have become a routine affair in the state Andhra Pradesh. Hardly a few days after a murti of Lord Ram was vandalised by some unidentified miscreants at Ramatheertham in Vizianagaram district, a Lord Subrahmanya murti in Lord Vigneshwara temple was found desecrated yesterday in Rajahmundry district. Yesterday, the priest of the Vigneshwara temple found the murti of Lord Subrahmanya desecrated with two severed limbs of the murti lying on the ground.

Few days go, a 400-yer old murti of Lord Ram was found beheaded by the temple priest in the ancient Sita Lakshmana Kodandarama temple. When the priest entered the temple on Tuesday morning, he found the doors of the temple were broken and the murti placed inside was without its head. Police were called in immediately. Several parts of the desecrated murti have been recovered from a nearby pond. A case was registered and the search for the culprits is on.

Chandrababu Naidu blames state government’s indifference for the attacks

While Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy has said that the state will take action against the perpetrators, the opposition parties are having none of it. After repeated attacks, opposition parties are now pointing fingers at the Reddy government and its indifference to Hindu places of worship being under siege in his state.

The recent incident was condemned by former CM Chandrababu Naidu. “Attacks on temples have become a daily occurrence, because of the government’s indifference. Neither the public nor the gods inside the temple are safe in the state. Matters would have come this far if stern action was taken in the first such case. The government has the responsibility to safeguard sentiments of all communities”, said Naidu.

The Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) has, in turn, pointed finger at Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) regarding the desecration of Lord Ram murti. The YSRCP General Secretary, V Vijaya Sai, alleged that the miscreants who vandalised the idol were TDP sympathisers.

Past incidents of attacks on Hindu temples in the state

Last year in February, a 50-feet tall ancient chariot of Prasanna Venkateswara Swamy temple at Bhogolu village of Bitragunta Mandal in Nellore district was set ablaze by some miscreants. A month earlier, in January, the idols of several Hindu gods and goddesses along with some flex banners in Pithapuram city in East Godavari district were vandalised. In a similar incident that happened a few months later in September, a six decades old, 40-feet high wooden ratham of Lord Narasimha was gutted in a fire.

‘Comedian’ Munawar Faruqui roughed up for insulting Hindu Gods, cafe owner says he had ‘no knowledge’ of the show: What we know so far

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Comedian’ Munawar Faruqui roughed up for insulting Hindu Gods, cafe owner says he had ‘no knowledge’ of the show: What we know so far

‘Comedian’ Munawar Faruqui, who rose to fame by insulting the Hindu victims of the Godhra riots of 2002, peddling conspiracy theories of RSS involvement in the Gujarat carnage and mocking Hindu deities, was allegedly thrashed on Friday by leaders of a rights group in Indore in Madhya Pradesh, reported Zee News.

As per reports, Faruqui performed at a programme conducted in Monroe Cafe near 56 Dukaan in Indore. The supporters of the Hindu Rakshak Sangathan were aghast after he made disparaging remarks about Hindu Gods and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. After the programme ended, the ‘comedian’ was allegedly roughed up and then taken to Tukoganj police station along with the organisers.

A purported video of the incident has now gone viral on social media.

While speaking about the incident, the leader of the Hindu rights group Eklavya Gond stated that Munawar Faruqui is a serial offender who had also mocked Hindu deities in the past. He emphasised how the ‘comedian’ had tried to downplay the Godhra carnage and insinuated that Amit Shah was behind it.

Eklavya added that he learnt about the comedy show in advance and therefore purchased a ticket for the programme. He said that all the crass, anti-Hindu comments made by Farqui were recorded and submitted to the police.

Police launches probe, cafe owner claims no knowledge of comedy event

The police informed that Monroe cafe owner, Muktas Jain, did not seek permission for the comedy show in advance and that underage children were also present during the show.

In his defence, Jain said that he was unaware of the comedy show. He claimed that a man by the name of Nalin had organised a ‘family show’ and sold tickets for the same. CSP BPS Parihar emphasised that an investigation has been initiated into the matter and that appropriate action will be taken.

Munawar Faruqui on 2002 Godhra Carnage, Amit Shah and Hindu Gods

During a show in April last year, Munawar Faruqui mocked the 2002 Godhra carnage where 58 Hindus returning from Ayodhya were burnt alive by a Muslim mob. In a part of the clip that had gone viral on social media, one can hear him refer to the carnage as a fictional film ‘directed’ by Amit Shah and ‘produced’ by RSS.

“I was watching The Burning Train on TV. My father came and told me not to watch such nonsense and turned off the channel. I was like, ‘why so?’ He was like this is the video of Godhra kaand. And this is a news channel. I thought it is a movie directed by Amit Shah, produced by RSS… I don’t know…,” he said. Munawar Faruqui then referred to the news about 2002 Godhra carnage as ‘cartoon’.

In a complaint filed with the police, Shivam Rawat, the founder of Pen of Dharma, he emphasised how the comments made by Faruqui hurt the sentiments of millions of Hindus including him. Rawat has stated how Faruqui had used Bollywood songs to make crass, disrespectful remarks on Hindu gods and belief system. He also pointed out how he mocked the brutal massacre of Hindus in the Godhra carnage by claiming, “Marney ke baad jaltay hai na? (Hindus get burnt anyway after death).”

Haj Committee tacitly tells Muslims to not comply with the law as logjam between Govt and Muslim clerics continue over IT returns

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Haj Committee tacitly tells Muslims to not comply with the law as logjam between Govt and Muslim clerics continue over IT returns

Since November, Muslim clerics have been demanding that the 5% GST levied on Haj pilgrimage and the mandatory filing of Income Tax return be exempt. Earlier in 2020, the Haj Committee of India had petitioned Central Government’s Ministry of Finance to exempt the Haj Pilgrims from the mandatory filing of the income tax return, however, the issue seems to be far from resolved.

According to a report in Siasat, the Chief Executive Officer of Haj Committee of India Dr Maqsood Ahmed Khan has said that the last date of filing the returns was on the 31st of December 2020, and there is “anguish” amongst Muslims since the Finance Ministry has not responded.

Interestingly, from his response to Siasat, it appears that the Muslim clerics and the Haj Committee has instructed Muslims tacitly to not file the income tax return even as the due date was 31st. Khan has said, ‘If any Haj Pilgrim submits income tax return on his own, it will be considered as his prerogative and the Haj Committee shall not guide him in this regard”.

This would essentially mean that the Haj Committee will not guide Muslims if they choose to file their tax return as per the law, thereby tacitly exalting them to defy the law to their own detriment.

According to Siasat, Dr Khan said, “Haj Committee of India had brought the issue to the notice of Minister of Minority Affairs Abbas Naqvi who wrote to the Finance Ministry to look into the matter. We are sure the Haj pilgrims, as before, shall be exempted from submitting income tax return”.

It is pertinent to note that according to the new Finance bill (amended), all those who undertake journey outside the country and incur expenditure above Rs.2 lakhs must compulsorily file an income tax return.  

The demand to exempt Haj pilgrims from filing tax returns was raised in November, TMC MP had written to Finance Minister

It was back in November 2020 that Muslim clerics and the Haj Committee had raised the demand that pilgrims to Haj should be exempt from filing their returns and paying any sort of tax on the pilgrimage, including the 5% GST. In November, the demands were made at a meeting of the Hajj department of the Islamic Centre of India.

In November, Head of Islamic Centre of India, Maulana Khalid Rashid Firangi Mahali said that while all pilgrimages should be exempt from taxation and the requirement of filing returns, Haj Pilgrims should get financial considerations from the government of India.

Of course, the tax demand was not all and further demands were also made in November. It was demanded that first, that the pilgrimages should be transported in every possible way and second, GST and all types of taxes should be removed for the pilgrimage of Haj. The Islamic Centre also demanded that the condition of filling the income tax return for the Hajis should be abolished.

At the time, several politicians had raised a ruckus over the issue. Samajwadi Party (SP) had supported the demands of the Muslim clerics and so had Trinamool Congress (TMC).

In November itself, TMC MP had written to the Finance Minister to remove the mandatory requirement of filing IT return for Haj Pilgrims.

“The government of India has imposed a mandatory ITR filing for the intended Haj pilgrims. This decision may be the reformation of the taxation system. On the other hand, this mandatory provision is full of difficulties for the Haj pilgrims,” Sajda Ahmed had said.

The letter had further said, “You may be aware that some poor people living under the low-income line also perform Haj… I request you to pull back the mandatory condition of filing ITR for Haj pilgrims and think about pausing GST for Haj services”.

It is rather interesting to note that while the opposition parties have supported specials favours to Haj Pilgrims, now, the clerics have declared that if Muslims end up complying with the law of the land, they will not receive any help from the Haj Committee in the process.

How the Modi govt plans to roll out Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in India, immunise 30 crore people within July

OpIndia Staff
-
0
How the Modi govt plans to roll out Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in India, immunise 30 crore people within July

After India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) approved the emergence use of Covishield (developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca) vaccine on Friday, plans are underway by the Modi government to roll-out the immunisation programme.

As per reports, while the subject expert committee (SEC) of the drug regulator recommended the emergency-use authorisation (EUA) of the vaccine, it stated that two full doses of the vaccine must be administered to an individual with a gap of 4-6 weeks. Moreover, the individual will be provided information about the vaccine in the form of a factsheet, prior to inoculation. SEC also recommended that the manufacturing company will have to submit reports of ‘adverse incidents’ every 15 days.

Reportedly, the Modi government is planning to immunise 30 crore people, classified under the priority population, within the month of July. As such, a dry run has been scheduled today in at least three ‘session sites’ in every state capital and districts with poor logistical support.

The objective of the government, behind this exercise, is to assess the on-field situation of the vaccination process. At the same time, a total of 96000 vaccinators have been trained to execute the inoculation programme. The government has directed all states to be ready with the list of health workers, who would be vaccinated first.

Covishield vaccine awaiting DCGI approval

It must be pointed out that the Covishield vaccine is yet to receive the final approval for marketing from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). It falls under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and regulates pharmaceuticals, medical devices.

A source informed, “DCGI approval will take another day or two”. The approval is on the cards and the first shots are expected to be given in 7-10 days.” Moreover, DCGI will also be responsible for approving the labels, to be printed on the vaccine vials. Once the labels are printed and stuck to the vials, they will be dispatched to roll out the vaccination programme.

An official also emphasised, “Preparations are in full swing. As soon as DCGI approves the EVA, the government will place a formal contract or supply order with the manufacturer along with details of supply schedule and locations.”

Who gets the vaccine first?

Earlier, the Modi government decided to provide Coronavirus vaccine shots to the healthcare workers on priority, including doctors, paramedics, nurses and hospital staff. After the healthcare workers, the frontline workers would be next in the line. Following that, people above the age of 50 years and those with co-morbidities but below the age of 50 will be inoculated. Once the priority population is vaccinated, the other categories will be included in the programme.

Manufacture and Pricing of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine

It must be pointed out that the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, Serum Institute of India (SII), has been entrusted with the responsibility to manufacture the vaccine in India. Reportedly, SII has stockpiled over 5 crore doses of Covishield vaccine and can begin transporting the vaccines from cold storage to the Indian States, starting this Saturday.

Moreover, SII CEO Adar Poonawalla had reportedly informed India Today that Covishield vaccine (2 doses) will cost $6 (₹440) per individual if purchased from government stores. However, the vaccine will be priced higher (₹700-₹800) if bought from private markets. Each dose of the vaccine, as targeted by WHO and most international aid organisations, is to cost around 3 dollars.

Read why Kerala Church has declared an interfaith marriage between a Catholic woman and a Muslim man invalid

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Read why Kerala Church has declared an interfaith marriage between a Catholic woman and a Muslim man invalid

A three-member inquiry committee constituted by the Syro Malabar Church has declared that an interfaith marriage solemnised by the church between a Catholic woman and a Muslim man in Kerala as invalid, reports Times of India.

According to the reports, the committee has ruled that they found violations in the marriage and concluded that the marriage is ‘invalid’ as it did not follow canon law. The committee also said that there were serious lapses by two senior priests, who have now been censured.

The interfaith marriage between the Catholic woman from Irinjalakkuda in Thrissur district and a Kochi-based Muslim man had taken place on 9th November. However, Archbishop Mar George Alencherry had ordered a probe after a section raised questions about the clergy “encouraging” mixed marriages.

“The commission collected details from the priests and bishops of Irinjalakkuda and Ernakulam-Angamaly archdiocese and submitted a report to the major archbishop. It stated that the marriage did not follow Canon law and was hence invalid”, a senior Syro Malabar Church priest has been quoted as saying.

The Canon Law of the Catholic Church is a set of laws and legal principles developed by the hierarchical authorities of the Catholic Church to regulate the external organization of the Church and government. It defines the set of rules and activities of the Catholics towards the mission of the Church.

Syro-Malabar church sets rules to inter-faith marriages: Has to follow Canon Law

Earlier, the Syro-Malabar church had courted controversy after they had taken upon themselves to set rules to ensure that interfaith marriages in the Christian community are held in adherence to strict canon laws. The church had said that a set of protocols will be prepared and sent to Bishops to make sure that the marriage of people between two faiths is solemnised in the Catholic way. 

The Syro Malabar Church, which is one of the 22 Eastern (Oriental) Catholic Churches in full communion with Rome, had directed its bishops to hold interfaith marriages in adherence to strict canon laws.

The church had also asked the bishops to treat inter-faith marriages as “disparity of cult marriages” but conduct them in the proper Catholic way. According to the guidelines issued by the Syro-Malabar church, the church will not mix wedding ceremonies with practices of other communities and religion for such interfaith marriages.

Non-Christians will have to express willingness to be part of the Christian ceremonies for such marriages, as per canon laws.

The controversy had erupted after a Catholic woman married a Muslim man at Kadavanthra St Joseph Church in Kochi in the presence of a Bishop. The couple’s photograph with Vaniyakizhakkel was published in a newspaper that had irked the faithful section of the Catholics in Kerala.

It is also important to note that the dangerous phenomenon of ‘Love Jihad’ – the desperate act of Muslims to trap and convert non-Muslim men/women into their religion, was first raised by Christian clergy in Kerala after a large number of Christian girls were lured by Muslim men. 

SEBI imposes penalty worth crores on Reliance Industries Limited, Mukesh Ambani and two other entities for ‘manipulative trading’: Details

OpIndia Staff
-
0
SEBI imposes penalty worth crores on Reliance Industries Limited, Mukesh Ambani and two other entities for ‘manipulative trading’: Details

The Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) imposed penalty to the tune of Rs 75 crore on several entities including Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and its Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani for alleged manipulative trading. Passing an order on January 1, the SEBI levied fines worth Rs 25 crore on RIL, Rs 15 crore on Mukesh Ambani, Rs 20 crore on Navi Mumbai SVZ Pvt Ltd and Rs 10 core on SEZ Ltd for manipulating trading in the shares of erstwhile Reliance Petroleum Ltd in November 2007.

The matter related to the sale and purchase of RPL shares in the cash and the futures segments in November 2007 after RIL decided to sell a 4.1 % stake in RPL in March 2007. RPL was merged in RIL in 2009. In a 95-page order, SEBI’s Adjudicating Officer BJ Dilip said, “I find it appropriate to consider the direction in the nature of debarment and the disgorgement that has already been passed against RIL as a relevant factor while deciding the quantum of penalty”. The order further read, “In the instant case, the general investors were not aware that the entity behind the above F&O segment transactions was RIL. The execution of the aforesaid fraudulent trades affected the price of the RPL securities in both cash and F&O segments and harmed the interests of other investors”.

The market regulator noted that any manipulation in the volume or price of securities impacts the investor confidence in the market when investors find themselves at the receiving end of market manipulators. It added that the execution of manipulative trades affects the price discovery system itself and has an adverse effect on the fairness, integrity and transparency of the stock market.

SEBI said that Mukesh Ambani was responsible for the manipulative activities of RIL. “Noticee-2, being the Managing Director of RIL, was responsible for the manipulative activities of RIL. I am of the view that listed companies should exhibit the highest standards of professionalism, transparency and good practices of corporate governance, which inspires confidence of the investors dealing in the capital markets. Any attempt to deviate from such standards will not only erode the confidence of the investors but also affect the integrity of the markets”, it said.

Penalty on Reliance Industries Limited by SEBI: Details of the case

In 2007, RIL sold 4.1% per cent of its shares in the RPL. In order to prevent a fall in the share price of the RPL, the equity was sold first in the futures market and later in the spot market. According to SEBI, the company was aware that there would be a sale of shares in the spot market and therefore, its sales in the futures market before that amounted to insider trading.

Last year in November, the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) had dismissed a plea filed by RIL that challenged a Rs 447 crore disgorgement order passed by the SEBI. In an order dated March 24, 2017, the Whole Times Member (WTM) of SEBI directed RIL to disgorge an amount of Rs 447.27 crore along with interest calculated at the rate of 12% annually from November 29, 2007, till the date of payment. RIL was prohibited from dealing in equity derivatives in the F&O segment of stock exchanges, directly or indirectly, for a year from the date of the said order.

‘Army brat’ comedian insults the Indian army to gain browny points, ends up offending Kashmiri separatists too: Details

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Army brat’ comedian insults the Indian army to gain browny points, ends up offending Kashmiri separatists too: Details

A video of self-proclaimed comedian Agrima Joshua Kaur ‘Khan’ was at the receiving end of outrage recently after she offended Kashmiri separatists as videos of her stand-up routine in Srinagar went viral.

A video of one of Agrima Joshua’s recent show, organised at Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir has gone viral on the internet. In her show, Joshua made certain statements about Kashmiris and their ‘struggle’ which has not gone down well with the separatists. Ironically, these “jokes” that she cracked were mainly directed against the Indian Army to gain browny points of the crowd in Srinagar, however, she has evidently ended up offending Kashmiri separatists (perhaps her target audience), more than anyone else.

Zahir, a Kashmiri separatist, took to social media to post these video of Agrima Joshua’s ‘comedy’ and slammed her turning their story of ‘struggle’ into comedy material. Agrima Joshua, who in fact used her ‘comedy’ show to put out vile and hateful comments against the country and its armed forces, however, failed to impress the separatist community as well.

Slamming Joshua for her morbid jokes on Kashmiris, Zahir called out the ‘comedian’ for being insensitive and ‘dumb’.

In another video, Agrima was also caught making fun of Indian Army, who according to her, randomly “pick up Kashmiris boys”. Agrima in this video not only belittles Indian Army but also makes dangerous allegations against the security personnel claiming that the Indian Army abducts Kashmiri men.

While this joke was presumably made to impress separatists and ‘liberals’ who love to deride India and the Indian army, Agrima seems to have missed the mark.

The social media user also targeted the alleged comedian after she revealed that her father was in the Army. He said that the “occupation of Indian forces” was not funny for him and her father was “one of the perpetrators”. He also asked the ‘comedian’ to ‘Just f**k off already’ and called her an ‘Army brat’.

Following Agrima’s vile act, the organisers of her show – ‘Jajeer Talkies’ took to social media to apologise for statements made by Agrima Joshua during the event.

The organisers said that they have erred and could have handled the event better and claimed that they did not have intentions to hurt the sentiments of the audience. However, it is not clear whether the apology was directed towards Indians (for her anti-India, anti-Army statements) or pro-Pakistan Kashmiri separatists, who also found her ‘jokes’ as derogatory.

“So yes, we admit that we could’ve handled what happened better and that we failed you and we once again reiterate our unequivocal apology to those people. Secondly, we as fans of comedy understand that some jokes may not have an intention to hurt the sentiments of the audience, but it may be taken that way, and to inform people that there was no intention of doing so, is a responsibility shared by the comic and people associated with it,” the statement said.

The statement continued, “We apologize for not carrying out our responsibility properly. We also request people not to attack the venue or its owner and label them as something unsavoury or nefarious. Winterfell Cafe and its owner have always been gracious to provide a platform for the artists of Kashmir to perform and we will always remain thankful for that”.

It is rather evident that Agrima’s attempt was to use her statements against the Indian Army and India itself to gain browny points with the ‘liberal’ and separatist audience of Kashmir. However, she seems to have underestimated the devotion that Islamists tend to demand. While trying to earn browny points from the separatists, she ended up offending them, who have now lashed out against her. What makes this entire saga even worse is that Agrima is the daughter of an Army officer.

It is not the first that Agrima Joshua Khan ‘Kaur’ has been receiving end of the criticism for not only making ‘unfunny’ shows but also for spewing hateful and abusive content on social media.

Abusive and derogative rants of Agrima Joshua and an apology to Shiv Sena

In October, ‘stand-up comedian’ Agrima Joshua was caught passing sexual slurs targeting another fellow woman, Shefali Vaidya. Responding to a conversation on Twitter, Joshua shared a picture of Shefali Vaidya on the thread asking a social media user if he was the reason behind Ms Vaidya’s “glow”. The sexual undertone of the comment was incredibly hard to miss.

Earlier, she had found herself in trouble after a short video clip of her performance went viral on social media where she could be seen making disparaging comments against the Shivaji Memorial.

It is also pertinent to note here that Agrima Joshua, whose video insulting the Shivaji Memorial to be built in the Arabian Sea had sparked massive outrage, had pulled out her victim card, lamenting that she had been subjected to relentless abuse, filth, rape threats etc. for her video on Shivaji Maharaj memorial. Later, she had to apologise to the Maha Vikas Aghadi government for making such disparaging comments against Shivaji.

Nepal: Former Deputy PM demands all-party conference to reinstate Monarchy and declare the country a Hindu Rashtra

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Nepal: Former Deputy PM demands all-party conference to reinstate Monarchy and declare the country a Hindu Rashtra

Former Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal, Kamal Thapa, has demanded an all party meeting to reinstate the Constitutional Monarchy in the country and declare Nepal a Hindu Rashtra once again. He said that there will be protests if the demands are not met.

“Initially, it was our agenda. But now, the general public has taken it as well,” Kamal Thapa said at a rally on Friday. “Whether people want it reinstated or not, they are talking about it so all parties must meet to discuss this issue.” Kamal Thapa is further reported to have said that he and and his party men are ready to kill and be killed to restore Nepal’s status as a Hindu Rashtra.

Kamal Thapa also said that if political parties do not recognize the seriousness of the dissolution of the parliament, then the country is headed for a period of darkness. “Recently, we’ve had high-ranking officials from India and China come to Nepal to try and solve problems within the ruling party,” he said. “We cannot let others dictate what we want to do.”

Pro-Monarchy protests in Nepal

Demonstrations have been underway in Nepal since early December calling for the restoration of the Monarchy and Hindu Rashtra. Slogans such as “monarchy must return to save the country” and “country above party” were raised. Slogans such as “King, please come back and save the country,” were also raised.

The protests have support from the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party, royalist groups and pro-monarchy citizens. The Ministry of Home Affairs in Nepal had issued directives to 77 districts to quell the protests, through force if needed.

West Bengal: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s brother Soumendu Adhikari quits TMC and joins BJP with 14 TMC councillors

OpIndia Staff
-
0
West Bengal: BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s brother Soumendu Adhikari quits TMC and joins BJP with 14 TMC councillors

In yet another big jolt to the Mamata Banerjee led Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari’s brother Soumendu Adhikari formally joined BJP on Friday. He was accompanied by 14 other TMC councillors of the 20-member Contai Municipality. Soumendu Adhikari was chairman of the Municipality but he was removed from the post after Suvendu Adhikari had joined BJP in presence of Amit Shah.

Interestingly just a few days ago, TMC MP and Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee had taunted Suvendu for failing to shift his father and brothers from TMC to BJP. 

Miffed by the exit of Suvendu Adhikari, Mamata Banerjee led government in West Bengal had recently removed his brother Soumendu Adhikari from the post of Chairperson of Contai Municipality and replaced him with Siddhartha Maity. The decision was taken by Urban Development & Municipal Affairs ministry led by Firhad Hakim, who is a close aide of CM Mamata Banerjee.

Enraged by the development, Suvendu Adhikari had asserted that Mamata Banerjee-led TMC will disintegrate soon. He had confirmed yesterday that Soumendu Adhikari along with a few councillors and 5,000 TMC workers will switch over to the saffron party.

The induction of Suvendu and Soumendu Adhikari in BJP is definitely a cause of worry for Mamata Banerjee led govt in West Bengal, especially before the 2021 Assembly elections, considering the Adhikari family hold a significant amount of influence over the people of their respective bastions.

Soumendu Adhikari files petition in Calcutta HC challenging his removal

Meanwhile, Soumendu Adhikari, the brother of BJP leader Suvendhu Adhikari, on Thursday, filed a petition before the Calcutta High Court challenging his removal from the post of administrator of Contai Municipality in Purba Medinipur district. According to the reports, Soumendu Adhikari in his petition has said that he was illegally removed by the West Bengal government’s Municipal Affairs Department from the post of administrator of the civic body.

Suvendu Adhikari quits TMC, joins BJP

On December 17, Suvendu Adhikari formally quit the Trinamool Congress and joined BJP in presence of Home Minister Amit Shah. Addressing his followers, Suvendhu Adhikari had written a letter blaming Mamata Banerjee for sidelining the party leaders and alleged that Mamata has betrayed the party ideals.

Suvendu Adhikari’s father and Kanthi MP Sisir Kumar Adhikari, his brother and Tamluk MP Dibyendu Adhikari are still leaders of TMC. It is not known whether they will also move to BJP. Last month, Mamata Banerjee had asked Sisir Adhikari to get rid of party leaders who are allegedly engaged in anti-party activities. Banerjee had asked Sisir Adhikari to work with TMC state president Subrata Bakshi and ensure that rebels are replaced with loyal party leaders in places like Nandigram, Haldia, Contai, Nandankumar and Ramnagar.

1...4,7044,7054,706...7,646Page 4,705 of 7,646