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Karan Johar’s interesting statement to NCB: Lost my phone, here is the video from social media

OpIndia Staff
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Karan Johar’s interesting statement to NCB: Lost my phone, here is the video from social media

Karan Johar has sent his reply to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in response to the notice that was served to him in connection with the investigations underway into the Bollywood Drug Racket. In his reply, he has said that he had used his cellphone to capture the video that went viral on the internet with allegations being made that the celebrities featured in it were high on drugs.

Furthermore, Karan Johar has said that he cannot access the cellphone anymore as he has lost it. Instead, the filmmaker has sent the NCB a pendrive containing the video and said the video therein was downloaded from social media. He also insists that drugs were not consumed at the party and has denied indulging in drugs.

As per TOI, the NCB will now seek legal opinion before deciding on the future course of action. “In his interviews to the media, he had spoken about the party. However, for us to intervene and start inquiries, we need to have clarity on certain legal aspects associated with it,” an official was quoted as saying.

The NCB had issued Karan Johar a notice on the 17th of December demanding an explanation from the filmmaker on the party video that had gone viral. As per reports, the NCB had issued summons the filmmaker to check the veracity of the video under section 67(B) of the NDPS Act. Under this section, personal appearance is not needed, hence Johar can send his representative to appear before the anti-drug agency to answer the questions.

After food fiesta, massage parlours and gym langars, farmer protests in Delhi now have library, free newsletter and free tattoo stalls

OpIndia Staff
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After food fiesta, massage parlours and gym langars, farmer protests in Delhi now have library, free newsletter and free tattoo stalls

The renewed agitation against the historic farm laws has witnessed a myriad of events. Misled into believing that the Centre would end the Mandi system, the ‘organic’ protestors had hit the streets, trying to take the government to ransom. Despite causing inconvenience to the citizens of the National Capital Region (NCR), the participants of the farmer protests have been enjoying their time at the protest site with access to various luxuries like high-tech massage parlours, gym langars, and biriyani and pizza fiesta.

Library set up with books of Communist heroes

In a new development, a makeshift library has now been set up at Singhu border to provide the anti-farm law protestors with reading material such as books and newspapers. The library-turned-culture centre will also provide a platform for the agitators to discuss current topics. With about 10 people volunteering as ‘teachers’, they have plans to provide education to slum kids and help complete their pending syllabus.

The library contains several newspapers and books on Communist ‘hero’ Che Guevara, freedom fighter Bhagat Singh and other ‘revolutionaries’ in English, Hindi and Punjabi. The protestors argue that the new cultural centre will help revive the old tradition of ‘Sanji Sath’ where they can gather around and listen to the advice of elders.

A volunteer, Survinder Singh Wadwa, said that the purpose of the library is to build ‘discipline’ among the protestors and help the leadership ‘constructively.’ He added, “This place is Sanjhi Sath for discussion, for youth, there is a library for reading. We have books in several languages available for reading. One more initiative is to teach slum students. Many parents came and asked if we could teach their ward as well.”

‘Volunteers’ launch a digital newsletter to ‘educate’ farmers

Amidst the farmer protests, volunteers against the newly enacted farm laws have launched a bi-weekly newsletter by the name of ‘Trolley Times’. As per reports, the newsletters are equipped with a QR code that can be read digitally as well. The volunteers argue that the newsletters will help farmers gain access to the information about the talks held at the governmental level and other such reports.

‘Farmer protestors’ enjoy foot massage, train at gym langars

Earlier, we had reported about how Khalsa Aid India had set up massage centres at Singhu border. In an effort to attract more crowds for the already dwindling farmer protests, Khalsa Aid India had also opened stalls at these protest site to provide massages to the farmers.

The Khalsa Aid is a front organisation for the Khalistani outfit Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). In a Facebook post, they announced, “Khalsa Aid India has set up this makeshift space as a massage centre. This is for our farmer brothers and sisters who were experiencing pain. We are overwhelmed by the love and blessings that our farmers bestow on us.”

The protestors have set up ‘Gym Ka Langar’ at the Singhu border. To cater to all the sportspersons who have joined the farmer protests in solidarity and anyone who wishes to work out, Mangat Singh, former Captain of the Indian Kabaddi team, and Aman Hothy, a powerlifter have set up gyms at the protest site. The open gymnasium has been equipped with dumbbells, weight plates, a bench, a rod and two holders. The bench and holding rods were made from scratch here in Delhi, according to those people who set up the gym.

Protestors engage in food fiesta – Biriyani, pizzas and more

On December 11, journalist’ Saba Naqvi took to social media to post a video in which it was seen how aggrieved ‘farmers’ are enjoying their time at the protest site by baking and distributing free pizzas. Saluting the spirit of these protestors, Saba Naqvi hailed the enterprising idea of these protestors to set up ‘Pizza langars’. As videos of the ‘pizza party’ at the protest site along the Haryana-Delhi went viral, netizens began to wonder whether these alleged farmers’ protests were organised to put forth their grievances against the farm laws or to enjoy their time through such parties.

As witnessed in Shaheen Bagh, it was earlier seen that Biryani was being served to ‘farmers’ camping in Ghazipur, Delhi. Netizens were quick to draw equivalences between the ongoing farmer protests at Delhi border areas and the anti-CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh, which had turned out to be a professionally organised left-wing managed anti-India event. Reacting to the video, some social media users opined that the farmers’ protest was the season 2 of Shaheen Bagh protests.

Tattoo stalls offer free tattoos at the protest site

It is not that only various organisations have set up facilities for the protestors. Even private persons have also moved to the protest site to offer their services to the protesting crowd. One Chetan Sood, who runs a tattoo studio in Ludhiana, has set up a temporary stall at Singhu border along with some of his friends. They are making free tattoos for protestors, who lined up in front the stall to get tattoos. Sood and his friends have decided to give free tattoos to protesters at the site “for three-four days”.

The tattoo makers have brought tattoo guns, inks, steriliser and control equipment for making tattoos, and are using power from generators used by shopkeepers in the area.

‘I will segregate you as second, third-class citizens when you come with grievances,’ Kerala CPI(M) leader threatens people who did not vote for him

OpIndia Staff
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‘I will segregate you as second, third-class citizens when you come with grievances,’ Kerala CPI(M) leader threatens people who did not vote for him

A Communist leader triggered a massive controversy in Kerala after he was caught threatening residents in his ward for voting against him and warned them of treating like third-class citizens.

Addressing a gathering after winning the local body polls, CPI(M) leader Krishna Kumar, who recently got elected in the Kerala local body polls from Haripad Municipality of Alappuzha District in Kerala, said that the people in his ward should be grateful to the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Communist government when they drink water from the pipelines fitted by the govt.

In a video tweeted by Venkatesh Krishnamoorthi, that has gone viral already, CPI(M) councillor Krishna Kumar was seen addressing people in his ward. Warning the people in his ward, the Communist leader was caught saying people should understand that they are walking on the road built by Communists and drinking the water given by the Communists.

Mocking Hindu gods, the CPI(M) leader said that the people must chant the name of the leader instead of the god they worship.

“Being the candidate who won as the councillor representing CPI(M) for this ward let me put certain things very straight. Every household here when you step your foot on the road understand that it is built by a Communist Krishnakumar. When you drink piped water brought to you by Communist, drink with gratitude and when you gulp every drop of water, practise to say, ‘Hare Krishnakumar, Hare Krishnakumar’ instead of ‘Hare Ram, Hare Ram’,” said the Communist councillor.

Warns people for not votings, says he will treat him like a third-class citizen

Issuing a veiled threat to Hindus and others who did not vote for the Communists in the local body elections, Krishnakumar said he was aware of those people how did not vote for him in the elections and added that he will treat them like a third class citizens when they approach him to get their work done.

“In the next five years, I will be a councillor only for a few people, not everyone. When it comes to national development, I will remind you that I am the lord who brought the development to this place. From tomorrow, when people from this ward come to me for help, I will segregate them into second class and third class citizens based on their loyalty before addressing their grievances.

In the recently held polls, the CPM-led ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) registered a significant victory against the Congress-led United Democratic Front in local body polls in the state that was held ahead of crucial Assembly polls scheduled next year. Interestingly, BJP made inroads into Kerala’s politics by winning 1182 Gram Panchayats, 37 Block Panchayats, 2 Zilla Panchayats, 320 Municipality wards and 59 Corporation wards.

The BJP also had highest number of seats in 25 Gram Panchayats and two Municipalities – Palakkad, Pandalam and emerged as the main opposition in Thiruvananthapuram”

‘Are you a spokesman of those pushing false narrative’: Watch as Hardeep Puri gives Rajdeep Sardesai a quick lesson in journalism

Jhankar Mohta
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‘Are you a spokesman of those pushing false narrative’: Watch as Hardeep Puri gives Rajdeep Sardesai a quick lesson in journalism

Once again the senior ‘journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai was seen receiving a lesson or two in journalism after he questioned Union Minister Hardeep Puri on the current impasse between the central government and the ‘farmers’ of Punjab and Haryana over the new farm laws, during the Prime Time show on India Today on Friday.

“Rajdeep are you an objective anchor or are you a spokesman of people who are trying to push a false narrative”, lambasted the Union civil aviation minister, as India Today journalist Rajdeep Sardesai tried to put words in his mouth questioning him on why the Modi government had failed to give assurance to the agitating farmers.

In a snippet of the India Today interview shared by @NagpurkaRajini on Twitter, Hardeep Puri reminded the journalist, how he had tried to pull off a similar stunt with him when he questioned him on civil aviation earlier. “Let me caution you, this is not journalism. Then too, I had to push the fact in front of you, you are doing precisely that”, said the irked Union Minister, explaining how the opposition has been spreading canards over the recent farm laws and instigating protests.

When asked by Rajdeep as to why Modi government could not give assurance to farmers earlier and waited for the farmers to hit the streets, Hardeep Puri, without mincing his words, stated that the central government has always been willing to give assurance but it is the opposition who has been playing politics over the issue.

Whether it took PM Narendra Modi to give a statement or Union agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar to give a written assurance, the Central government has never shied away from addressing the concerns of the protesting farmers, said Puri, reiterating the Centre’s stand that if they have any concerns about the farm laws, it will sit across the table and resolve those.

Puri reminded Sardesai how the opposition had created a ruckus in the Upper House when the Farm Bills were passed. He reminisced how slogan-shouting opposition members including those of Congress, TMC, DMK and CPM, tore papers, tried to heckle the presiding officer who was protected by House marshals.

I advise you to behave like an objective anchor: Hardeep Puri to Rajdeep Sardesai

Saying so, Hardeep Puri gave a piece of advice to the senior ‘journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai. He asked him to try and isolate people who speak with a forked tongue and advised him to try and behave like an objective anchor to maintain credibility.

It is pertinent to note here, that ever since the Modi government has brought in the new Farm Bills, the opposition parties and the leftist media has been using it to reboot their plummetting careers. By pointing out non-existent flaws in the Farm Bills, the opposition parties have been spreading canards and instigating ignorant farmers who have ever since been demanding the repeal of laws. 

The farmer unions had boycotted the 6th round of talks with the government demanding the repeal of laws. The central government had agreed to make amendments in the farm laws considering the concerns of the farmers. However, the farmer representatives have said that they will accept nothing short of repeal of the laws.

What are the farm laws? 

One of the biggest factors plaguing the growth of agriculture sector in the country is the inability of the farmer to find a market and to get a fair price to his produce. To address the issue, the erstwhile governments of different states enacted the Agricultural Produce Market Regulation Acts (APMC Acts), which authorised them to set up and regulate marketing practices in wholesale markets. 

The objective of these markets was to ensure that farmers get a fair price for their produce. However, with each passing year, the APMCs turned out to be inefficient with increasing cartelisation of middlemen, ban on private players to enter the trade, increasing corruption etc. 

The Modi government recently introduced three bills to promote much easier trade for the farm produce and to provide a competitive market for the producers outside the existing APMC system. The three laws were: 

  1. The Farming Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, 2020: This law aims at creating additional trading opportunities outside the APMC market yards to help farmers get remunerative prices due to additional competition
  2. The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020: This law relates a framework for contract farming through an agreement between a farmer and a buyer prior to the production or rearing of any farm produce. 
  3. The Essential Commodities (Amendment) Bill, 2020: This law aims to regulate the supply of certain food items only under extraordinary circumstances.

It is pertinent to mention that the farm laws are set of three laws that allow farmers to sell their products outside APMC act (most states make it compulsory for the farmers to sell at APMC mandis). It also allows farmers to directly have a contract with corporate houses.

That farm laws don’t do away with APMC, and if someone is not willing to trust markets outside the current system, they are free to stick to the ongoing system. It doesn’t do away with MSPs either. However, the prevalent narrative that seems to be motivated by political concerns falsely claims that APMCs and MSP are being done away with. 

They also allege that due to these laws, big corporations would have the upper hand in a deal with farmers, however, that again is a lie. In fact, The Farmers (Empowerment and Protection) Agreement on Price Assurance and Farm Services Bill, 2020 ensures that a contract is agreed upon and gives the farmer the power to even cancel contracts.

After volunteer slaps Rs 5 cr suit against Serum Institute for adverse effects of Coronavirus vaccine, Poonawalla seeks protection from Govt

OpIndia Staff
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After volunteer slaps Rs 5 cr suit against Serum Institute for adverse effects of Coronavirus vaccine, Poonawalla seeks protection from Govt

Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Serum Institute of India (SII), has said that the Government of India must protect Covid vaccine makers against lawsuits claiming adverse effects or reactions to the vaccine shots. He said that the Government must protect vaccine makers from liability. Poonawalla made the comments on Friday during a virtual panel discussion at Carnegie India’s Global Technology Summit.

“We need to have the government indemnify manufacturers, especially vaccine manufacturers, against all lawsuits. In fact, COVAX and other countries have already started talking about that,” said Adar Poonawalla. “This is especially important only during a pandemic to indemnify vaccine manufacturers against lawsuits for severe adverse effects or any other frivolous claims which may come about because that adds to the fear (about vaccines),” he added.

“The government can act: the US, for example, has in fact invoked a law, to say that during a pandemic — and this is especially important only during a pandemic — to indemnify vaccine manufacturers against lawsuits for severe adverse effects or any other frivolous claims which may come about. Because, that adds to the fear and also will bankrupt vaccine manufacturers or distract them if they have to just all day just fight lawsuits and explain to the media what is happening,” he stated.

According to Poonawalla, when “frivolous” claims are blown out of proportion, it affects the confidence of the general public as well and not just ‘anti-vaxxers’. Poonawalla’s comments comes days after a volunteer had sued SII seeking Rs. 5 crore in compensation, claiming that Covidshield had caused adverse neurological effects. The CEO of SII, however, rejected these claims. He said that their reputation was being “unfairly maligned” and has sent the volunteer a legal notice of its own.

Delhi HC to hear Shashi Tharoor’s plea seeking contempt action against Arnab Goswami over show on Sunanda Pushkar death case

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi HC to hear Shashi Tharoor’s plea seeking contempt action against Arnab Goswami over show on Sunanda Pushkar death case

The Delhi High Court on Thursday said that next week it will hear the petition filed by senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor seeking contempt action against Republic TV Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami for broadcasting a show in relation to the Sunanda Pushkar death probe.

Justice Mukta said the application moved by Shashi Tharoor to restrain Goswami from airing any show on the matter which would allegedly defame him, is slated to be heard on December 21. An advocate representing the journalist said an application has filed on his behalf seeking dismissal of the petition filed by the Congress leader.

Shashi Tharoor, through his advocates—Kapil Sibal, Vikas Pahwa and Gaurav Gupta—contended in the court that despite its restraining order which was issued on September 10, the journalist broadcasted a show on October 6 that was allegedly defamatory and objectionable.

The application filed by advocates on behalf of Tharoor stated that the show was in violation of the undertakings given to the court by Goswami that he will restraint from airing a show on the matter.

Delhi HC had asked Arnab Goswami to show restraint in shows pertaining to Sunanda Pushkar death probe

Earlier in September 2020, the court had questioned the journalist of running a parallel investigation and trial in the death of Shashi Tharoor’s wife, Sunanda Pushkar, and instructed him to be bound by his undertaking given in 2017 on showing restraint and bringing down the rhetoric while covering the matter.

Tharoor had filed a suit against Goswami and his channel seeking compensation and damages for making purportedly defamatory comments besmirching him during their reportage of Sunanda Pushkar’s death.

In the application, Tharoor has sought an interim injunction restraining Goswami from levelling defamatory allegations against him with respect to the ongoing trial.

Three years back, in December 2017, the High Court had said that Goswami and his channel had the right to air their stories and no curbs can be placed on them, but it has be tempered and balanced.

‘We were committed to ensuring such brazen lies and fake news are called out’: Read full statement by Vivek Doval after Jairam Ramesh apologised

OpIndia Staff
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‘We were committed to ensuring such brazen lies and fake news are called out’: Read full statement by Vivek Doval after Jairam Ramesh apologised

After Congress leader Jairam Ramesh issued an unconditional apology to him for falsely accusing him of money laundering, Vivek Doval said that he felt vindicated after the closure of defamation case he had filed against the Congress leader.

Vivek Doval, an investment banker and also the son of country’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, issued a statement after the conclusion of the criminal defamation he had filed against Congress leader Jairam Ramesh. On Saturday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh issued an unconditional apology to Vivek Doval for falsely accusing him of money laundering based on an article published by a far-left propaganda website Caravan. Interestingly, Jairam Ramesh said that since it was general elections, he thought it would be a good time to make these insinuations against Vivek Doval.

Apology letter by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh to Vivek Doval, accessed by OpIndia
Apology letter accessed by OpIndia

“Today I feel vindicated. Based on our legal actions, wise sense prevailed on Mr Ramesh and he has tendered an unconditional apology to the Court and to us for his actions. His admission that his assertions were in the context of impending elections makes the political motive obvious. He has accepted his mistake and I am grateful that in his letter he has promised to remove his statements from the official website of the Indian National Congress,” said Vivek Doval in his statement released after he accepting apologies from Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.

Doval, in his statement, said that the case was filed after Ramesh had made several unfounded and defamatory accusations against him and his family. These baseless statements were done to defame them for narrow political reasons and create a sense of suspicion against his legitimate professional activity, he added.

Decided to pursue case to expose acts of peddling lies and fake news: Vivek Doval

Vivek Doval also added that he decided to pursue the matter in the court of law and filed criminal defamation against the Congress leader to not only clear the name from the allegation but also show that such acts of peddling brazen lies and fake news in public life are exposed.

“We were committed to not only clear our name but also ensure that such acts of peddling brazen lies and fake news in public life are called out by law-abiding citizens,” Vivek Doval added in his statement that is accessed by OpIndia.

The full statement by Vivek Doval read:

“Shri Jairam Ramesh had conducted a Press Conference on January 17, 2019, where he had made several unfounded and defamatory accusations against me and my family. These baseless statements were done to defame us for narrow political reasons and create a sense of suspicion against my legitimate professional activity.

We decided to pursue the matter in the court of law and filed criminal defamation against Mr Jairam Ramesh. The matter is sub judice. We were committed to not only clear our name but also ensure that such acts of peddling brazen lies and fake news in public life are called out by law-abiding citizens.

Today I feel vindicated. Based on our legal actions, wise sense prevailed on Mr Ramesh and he has tendered an unconditional apology to the Court and to us for his actions. His admission that his assertions were in the context of impending elections makes the political motive obvious. He has accepted his mistake and I am grateful that in his letter he has promised to remove his statements from the official website of the Indian National Congress.

Given his stature in public life, we have accepted the apology and have decided not to legally pursue the matter further. We are confident that our moral victory today will send a signal that nobody however high and mighty can stand against the power of truth and righteousness. I once again as a proud Indian proclaim `Satyamev Jayate’.

I would like to thank, with all my heart, my excellent legal team of Mr DP Singh, Sonam Gupta and Divansh Arya. I remain eternally grateful to you Sir, you guided and believed in me when I felt helpless and vulnerable“.

Accepting the apology given Jairam Ramesh’s stature in public life

The letter also stated that Vivek Doval has decided to accept the apology tendered by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh due to the latter’s stature in public life. He confirmed accepting the apology and added that they have decided not to legally pursue the matter further. The apology came after Vivek Doval had filed a defamation case against Congress leader Jairam Ramesh and Caravan Magazine.

He continued, “We are confident that our moral victory today will send a signal that nobody however high and mighty can stand against the power of truth and righteousness. I once again as a proud Indian proclaim ‘Satyamev Jayate’.” He also thanked his legal team for guiding and believing in him.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh’s false allegations against Vivek Doval based on a hit job by Caravan, had invited defamation case

In January 2019, the far-left ‘news’ website Caravan Magazine had published an article targetting Ajit Doval’s son Vivek Doval. The article insinuated wrongdoing on the part of Vivek saying that he heads a hedge fund in Cayman islands even though his father, the NSA, talks about cracking down on tax havens.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had picked up the article to make up false allegations against Vivek Doval. Addressing a press conference, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had alleged money laundering through his company.

Following the hit job, Vivek Doval had moved Patiala House Court and filed a criminal defamation case against the author of the article Kushal Shroff, the Editor of Caravan Magazine and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh who did a press conference based on the Caravan article.

‘Identify the trouble mongers from now onwards’, EC begins preparations for 2021 assembly polls in West Bengal

OpIndia Staff
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‘Identify the trouble mongers from now onwards’, EC begins preparations for 2021 assembly polls in West Bengal

With the high voltage 2021 West Bengal Assembly polls nearing, the Election Commission (EC) is determined to conduct a free and fair election in the state. This is why the commission has already started taking stock of the poll preparedness in the politically volatile West Bengal.

A team of the poll panel led by deputy election commissioner Sudeep Jain is on a two-day observation tour in Kolkata. Jain is scheduled to meet senior IAS and IPS officers including the district magistrates, superintendents of police and police commissioners in various districts of south and north Bengal to gauge the current situation on the ground in the state. Moreover, Jain also met Chief Secretary Alapan Bandopadhyay to seek cooperation from the state government.

Prepared to declare all booths in West Bengal ‘sensitive’: Deputy Election Commissioner

Jain has said that the Election Commission is determined to conduct the 2021 Assembly polls in West Bengal in a free and fair manner and is prepared to declare all booths in the state ‘sensitive’ if the law and order situation so warrant. 

A senior EC official also stated that the Commission has asked all the DMs and SPs to send daily report to the EC and identify the trouble makers from now onwards so that arrangements could be made to put all of them behind bars once election notification is issued. He also confirmed that the election body is keeping a close watch on the law and order situation in the state and is willing to take all possible steps so that voters can exercise their franchise.

Jain who is in the state for the next two-days is also likely to coordinate with health officials to find out about the Covid-19 safety measures that need to be put in place during the poll process.

Home Minister Amit Shah is also in West Bengal on December 19 and 20 to check the party’s preparedness before the 2021 polls. According to state BJP sources, the Union home minister’s visit is of immense political significance with Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar criticising the “worsening” law and order situation in the state. Several TMC leaders are expected to join BJP in Amit Shah’s presence, including former minister Suvendu Adhikari who left TMC recently.

West Bengal BJP writes to EC

According to reports, recently, a delegation of West Bengal BJP leaders led by Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta wrote to Election Commission to conduct impartial polls and requested an early deployment of Central Police Forces (CPF) in the state. This came in the aftermath of the mob attack on the convoy of BJP chief JP Nadda when he was on his way to attend a party programme at Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency on December 10.

Mob attack on JP Nadda’s convoy

Videos had surfaced where protestors carrying Trinamool Congress flags are seen throwing stones and bricks at JP Nadda and Kailash Vijayvargiya’s car, while the state police stood like mute spectators.

The attack on the BJP chief in full public view had drawn widespread criticism for the WB ruling dispensation. Hours after the attack, the State BJP chief Dilip Ghosh issued a stern warning to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) party. Guv Jagdeep Dhankar had also written to the Union Home Ministry raising serious concerns on the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The Union Home Secretary has written, not once but twice, to the Bengal government asking the state’s Chief Secretary and police chief to meet MHA but Mamata Banerjee has continued to stay defiant.

TMC mass exodus

Amidst all this, the mass exodus which TMC has faced in the last few days, is definitely a cause of concern for the party chief Mamata Banerjee, especially when she is eyeing at her third consecutive term. Trinamool Congress (TMC) stalwart and once Mamata’s close aide, Suvendu Adhikari’s resignation has had a domino effect in the party as 5 more leaders ditched Mamata Banerjee. The political sphere is rife with rumours that the exodus of these TMC senior leaders are ascribed to Mamata Banerjee’s affinity towards election strategist Prashant Kishore and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee.

However, according to recent reports, TMC MLA Jitendra Tiwari has returned to the party within 24 hours of resignation.

‘Secular’ media drops ‘Om Namah Shivay’ while reporting actor Dhanush’s statement on his new Netflix Hollywood movie

OpIndia Staff
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‘Secular’ media drops ‘Om Namah Shivay’ while reporting actor Dhanush’s statement on his new Netflix Hollywood movie

On Friday, popular South Indian actor Dhanush took to social media to announce that he has joined the cast of upcoming Hollywood movie ‘The Gray Man’. Sharing the good news with his fans, Dhanush expressed his excitement on working in the film and thanked his fans for the love and support. The Netflix movie for which Dhanush thanked his fans is directed by Russo Brothers, also stars Chris Evans, Ryan Gosling and Wagner Moura in lead roles.

The actor also posted a tweet, saying, “Elated to announce that I will be joining the team of Netflix’s ‘The Gray Man’ starring Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, directed by The Russo Brothers (‘Avengers’, ‘Captain America: Winter Soldier’). Looking forward to being a part of this wonderful action packed experience. My sincere thanks to my dearest fans from all over the world for all the love and support you have been showing me throughout these years. Love you all. Spread Love. OM NAMASHIVAYA.”

Interestingly, the actor ended his tweet by greeting Lord Shiva, saying ‘Om Nama Shivaya’.

However, the ‘liberal-secular’ media establishment in the country, perhaps did not like Dhanush openly expressing his religious sentiment on Twitter as he announced his new project. The media establishment, indulging in its usual act of chicanery, displayed its Hinduphobia by dropping ‘Om Nama Shivaya’ while reporting Dhanush’s statement.

In their effort to ‘secularise’ remarks made by Dhanush, the ‘liberal-secular’ media ecosystem displayed their Hinduphobic sentiments by axing words from Dhanush’s tweets to limit the influence of actor’s unapologetic and open display of his religion.

Here are the snippets of media reports that edited out Dhanush’s expression of Hindu identity to ‘secularise’ their coverage.

The Indian Express, the epitome of ‘liberal-secular’ media establishment, deliberalely ignored to add ‘Om Nama Shivaya’ in its report even as they posted the original tweet put out by Dhanush.

Not just Indian Express, even ABP News, Deccan Herald, News18 resorted to ‘secularise’ Dhanush tweets by simply axing the religious slogan of ‘Om Nama Shivaya’

ABP News report

Deccan Herald indulged in a similar act. The report by DH was based on a PTI report and it left out ‘Om Namah Shivay’, which Dhanush had included in his statement announcing his new Hollywood Netflix movie.

Report by Deccan Herald.

Even News18 was not far behind in the race of pushing ‘Hinduphobic’ content.

Image Source: Swati Goel Sharma

The dishonesty of ‘liberal-secular’ in reporting facts is glaringly exposed in this incident. The media, which has a habit of absolving crimes committed by minority communities and giving them a ‘Hindu spin’, have now found a new way to tone down the open proclamation of one’s Hindu identity.

Indian cricket team posts lowest ever innings total in its Test history: Here is what happened and why

OpIndia Staff
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Indian cricket team posts lowest ever innings total in its Test history: Here is what happened and why

With India cricket team outclassing Australia in the 1st innings of the much-anticipated Day-Night Test match in Adelaide, it came as a rude shock to cricket fans when the Indian batting lineup crumbled down like a deck of cards on Saturday morning.

India had posted a decent total of 244 runs in the first innings and quickly ripped through the mighty Australian batting lineup. India, looked at a comfortable position by the end of the 2nd day, to dominate its arch-rival with a lead of 53 runs. But, in a bizarre turn of events, India struggled to make any impact and bundled up in just 21.2 overs with the lowest ever innings total of 36.

Scorecard of Indian cricket team (Photo Credits: Espn Cricinfo)

While Indian batting has improved drastically in overseas conditions, on Saturday, the team broke its earlier record, dating back to 1974, when it had scored a paltry 42 runs at Lords’ Cricket ground against England. With 6 runs short of its earlier lowest innings total, the performance of Indian cricket team has taken the fans by disbelief.

Lowest innings totals of Indian cricket team (Photo Credits: Espn Cricinfo)

What went wrong?

Indian 2nd innings was marred by the failure of the opening batsman, Prithvi Shaw. While night watchman Jasprit Bumrah and opener Mayank Agarwal managed to keep their wickets on the 2nd day, the scenario changed completely at the start of the 3rd day.

With the Australian pace bowlers taking the advantage of the morning session, coupled with a slight swing of the ball, the Indian batting lineup nicked to either the wicketkeeper or the slips. The likes of Pujara, Kohli, Rahane and Vihari were out for 0,4,0 and 8 runs respectively.

Scoreboard of Indian cricket team (Photo Credits: Espn Cricinfo)

The Australian bowling lineup quickly got rid of the lower-order batsman. With Mohammed Shami retired hurt following an injury, it meant that the Indian team were dismissed for the lowest ever total of 36. With a paltry total of 89 runs, India’s defeat in the first test match against Australia is thus inevitable.

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