Media reports of Indian Army carrying out ‘pinpoint strikes’ on terror launchpads located inside the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have emerged today. The reports claim that strikes were carried out in response to Pakistan’s efforts to push the maximum number of terrorists into this side of the Line of Control (LOC) before harsh winters. However, the Indian army has denied the reports, saying that it is fake.
The reports had claimed that intelligence-based strikes are being carried out on the terror launchpads to neutralise the terrorists and the collateral damage in these strikes has been negligible. Quoting military sources the reports claimed that this was in retaliation to the targeting of innocent villagers living along the LOC by Pakistan to show them that not following Pakistan’s diktats would prove lethal for them.
#Breaking | India carrying out ‘pinpoint strikes’ on terror launch pads inside PoK: Govt Sources. Heavy damage inflicted on terror camps.
Pakistan had violated the ceasefire along the LOC on November 13 in which five Indian security personnel including one BSF Sub-Inspector and five Army jawans lost their lives. In retaliation, the Indian Army attacked Pakistani locations with anti-tank guided missiles and artillery guns killing at eight Pakistani soldiers and leaving several injured.
No firing across the LOC: Indian Army
Contrary to the claims made by several media reports about the Indian Army striking terror launchpads inside the PoK, the Indian Army has issued a statement denying any firing along the LOC.
Reports of Indian Army's action in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) across the Line of Control are fake: Indian Army Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Paramjit Singh (file photo) pic.twitter.com/uHlULDWydh
Indian Army Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen Paramjit Singh clarified that the reports of Indian Army’s action in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) across the Line of Control are fake.
The hearing of the bail petition of the Republic Meda Network’s Assistant Vice President Ghanshyam Singh, who is in judicial custody after arrested by Mumbai police, was adjourned today until November 24. According to Republic TV, the adjournment came after the Maharashtra government sought the time of 5 more days to respond to Singh’s bail plea. Singh was arrested by Mumbai police on November 10 from his residence and was remanded to police custody.
After being arrested by the crime branch of the Mumbai police, Singh was presented in the Qila court with his head covered with a black cloth. He was awarded 3-day police custody by the court. He was arrested in relation to the TRP scam for allegedly paying money to another accused in the scam to manipulate the TRPs of Republic TV and Republic Bharat. Interestingly, the name of Republic TV was not mentioned in the FIR filed in relation to the TRP scam and in fact, India Today was named in it.
Republic TV has alleged that it was being framed in the TRP manipulation scam. Their claim was corroborated by a statement issued by Hansa Research, the complainant in the case. Hansa Research claimed that their employees were being coerced by the Mumbai police to give false statements against Republic TV in the TRP manipulation scam.
MHRC issued summon to Mumbai Police Commissioner
The Maharashtra Human Rights Commission (MHRC) had issued summons to Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh on November 18 regarding the arrest of Republic TV AVP Ghanshyam Singh. The MHRC asked Param Bir Singh to appear before it on November 27. The summons were issued on the complaint filed by Advocate Aditya Mishra. In his complaint Mishra had termed the arrest of Singh as arbitrary for the reason that the FIR filed in the TRP scam did not mention the name of Republic TV. He had requested the MHRC to issue a notice to the Mumbai Police Commissioner to submit a detailed report in the interest of justice.
A week after BJP leader Kirit Somaiya made a shocking disclosure stating that Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s family had a land transaction with late Anvay Naik’s family, he has released further documents to the public on Thursday seeking clarifications from the Maharashtra Chief Minister over the alleged irregularities with his family and Naik’s family. It is pertinent to note that Republic TV Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami was arrested in the alleged suicide case of Anvay Naik. Anvay Naik had mentioned Arnab Goswami’s name in his suicide note two years ago, and Goswami was arrested after the Maharashtra govt had reopened the case which was earlier closed by police.
On Thursday, former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya released a series of documents questioning Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aaditya Thackeray over irregularities in land dealing between the two families.
Releasing documents last week, Somaiya had alleged that the said land records of Murud Raigad on the Maharashtra Government Website of Land Records suggested that Uddhav Thackeray’s wife had a land transaction with late Anvay Naik’s family. Seeking further clarification on the land deals, Kirit Somaiya asked Maharashtra Chief Minister to enlighten public on the various transaction of his real estate land dealings.
“We also release details and land records 7/12 of Smt. Rashmi Uddhav Thackeray, transactions with Anvay Naik’s family, we requested S. Uddhav Thackeray to give some details about,” he added releasing documents pertaining to land deals with Anvay Naik family and Ravindra Waikar family.
Kirit Somaiya said, instead of responding to the allegations, Shiv Sena leaders are abusing him, adding how various leaders threatened him for exposing land dealings between the late Anvay Naik and the Thackerays.
Citing election affidavits of Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Uddhav Thackeray, the BJP leader asked why Rashmi Uddhav Thackeray has two properties at Village Vaijnath, Taluka Karjat, District Raigad with same survey number as mentioned in the affidavit.
Land Records of Rashmi Thackeray’s dealings with Anvay Naik.
“We would like to request CM Uddhav Thackeray to clarify about the same landholding serial numbers, survey numbers given in point 2A and in point 2B. Whether two different land parcels with the same survey number available/bought? Is Smt Thackeray have some other land holding, the details of that couldn’t be made available to people of Maharashtra in Point number B of the affidavit,” the former BJP MP asked Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray in connection with irregularities in the land dealings.
Kirit Somaiya seeks clarification from Minister Aaditya Uddhav Thackeray regarding alleged violation of office of profit norm
Releasing documents regarding Sena-Prince Aaditya Thackeray’s business dealings, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya posed tough questions to the Shiv Sena leader asking him to clarify regarding his investments in real estate business.
According to the election affidavit, Aaditya Thackeray had been owner, designated partner of M/s Hibiscus Food LLP and Uddhav Thackeray’s wife Rashmi Uddhav Thackeray was also the designated partner in Hibiscus Food LLP.
As per the records of Ministry of Corporate Affairs, obtained by as on 17 November 2020, it is stated that Aaditya Thackeray became a designated partner in Hibiscus Food LLP in 2015 and also stated that he had resigned from this company on 31 March 2020. Similarly, he became a designated partner in Eliora Solar LLP on 26 April 2016 and he resigned from this company on 31 March 2020.
The BJP leader said he liked to know from Chief Minister Shri Uddhav Thackeray about the business, the role of Aaditya Uddhav Thackeray in these ventures. The accusations against the Sena prince is that despite him being appointed as a Minister on 28th November 2019, he had been running the business of Hibiscus Food LLP and Eliora Solar LLP simultaneously till 31 March 2020.
“The People of Maharashtra would like to enlighten themselves from Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray the details, the meaning, the role, the legal provisions of the above,” the former BJP MP asked.
It may be noted that as per the law of holding an office of profit, MPs and MLAs are barred from holding any office of profit, or holding any role that makes any kind of compensation for that role. Therefore, If Aditya Thackeray indeed remained designated partner of the two companies till 31st March, this means he was holding offices of profit while being the MLA, and a minister, in the Maharashtra govt.
In Uttar Pradesh, a Muslim woman was allegedly given triple talaq by her husband over phone for not giving birth to a male child. The woman was reportedly earlier beaten up by her husband and expelled from the house. She has been living at her parental home.
According to reports, the woman has filed a complaint on the Chief Minister’s portal. She has two daughters and wants to live with her husband.
Assaulted by in-laws for giving birth to daughters
As per reports, victim Hasibunnisa from Vishnupura of Guaribazar police station area was married to Fariyad Ahmed of Vardpur village of Siddharthnagar about a decade ago. During her decade-long marriage with Ahmed, she gave birth to two daughters. The woman has alleged that her in-laws used to harass her for not giving birth to a son. Her husband used to beat her too. In June this year, her husband again assaulted her and expelled her from his house.
After being expelled by her husband, she took her daughters along with her and went to her maternal house and started living there hoping that her husband would come to take her back. However, to her shock, her husband had allegedly called her to pronounce triple talaq. Aggrieved by her husband’s act she went to SP office to file a complaint. Inspector-in-charge Ashwini Rai said that her complaint had been received and the matter was being investigated.
Incidents of triple talaq have been emerging despite the government enacting a law to criminalise it after the Supreme Court declared the practice unconstitutional.
Man gave triple talaq to wife after she got a vaginal infection
Earlier this month in Gujarat, a man allegedly gave triple talaq to his wife after she was diagnosed with a vaginal infection. The woman was pregnant and had developed a vaginal infection as she could not maintain proper hygiene due to pressure of household chores despite medical advice. The victim had complained that not only had her husband ignored her worsening health and dumped her at her parents’ house, he had also been asking her family to bear the expenses of his new marriage to another woman.
Bihar Education Minister Mewa Lal Chaudhary has submitted his resignation just 3 days after he was appointed as the minister in the newly formed Nitish Kumar govt. The resignation came following allegations of corruption relating to the appointments during his tenure as the Vice-Chancellor of Bihar Agricultural University.
Bihar minister Mewa Lal Chaudhary resigns as he was facing graft allegations in appointments as VC of Bihar Agricultural University: Officials
After Mewa Lal Chaudhary was inducted into the ministry, opposition parties in the state had slammed the decision and had demanded that he should be removed for the post due to allegations of corruption against him. Mewalal Choudhary is allegedly facing corruption charges in the recruitment of assistant professors and scientists at Bihar Agricultural University.
Corruption convict Lalu Prasad Yadav had taken a dig at the Nitish Kumar for inducting someone accused in recruitment scam.
तेजस्वी जहाँ पहली कैबिनेट में पहली कलम से 10 लाख नौकरियाँ देने को प्रतिबद्ध था वहीं नीतीश ने पहली कैबिनेट में नियुक्ति घोटाला करने वाले मेवालाल को मंत्री बना अपनी प्राथमिकता बता दिया।
विडंबना देखिए जो भाजपाई कल तक मेवालाल को खोज रहे थे आज मेवा मिलने पर मौन धारण किए हैं। https://t.co/armjAXpwR4
Leader of opposition Tejashwi Yadav also slammed the govt for making Mewa Lal Chaudhary the education minister, who is facing several charges of corruption.
मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार द्वारा हत्या और भ्रष्टाचार के अनेक मामलों में IPC की 409, 420, 467, 468, 471 और 120B धारा के तहत आरोपी मेवालाल चौधरी को शिक्षा मंत्री बनाने से बिहारवासियों को क्या शिक्षा मिलती है? pic.twitter.com/j9QuIScjWu
Opposition leaders also pointed out how BJP leader had demanded arrest of Chaudhary a few years ago.
Denying the accusations levelled against him, Chaudhary said that an accusation was only proved on the filing of charge sheet or after the order of a court but none was there against him. He was suspended in 2017 from the Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) after an FIR was registered against him over alleged irregularities in appointments during his term as the Vice-Chancellor of Bihar Agricultural University.
Chaudhary’s struggle with the national anthem
Along with corruption charges, Chaudhary had also to face embarrassment for struggling to recite the national anthem after he was inducted in the Bihar ministry. A video of Mewa Lal Chaudhary has been doing rounds on social media in which he can be seen singing the national anthem incorrectly. In the video, Chaudhary is standing next to the national flag and singing the national anthem fumbling at times. He even added few random words to the national anthem and then ended it abruptly.
भ्रष्टाचार के अनेक मामलों के आरोपी बिहार के शिक्षा मंत्री मेवालाल चौधरी को राष्ट्रगान भी नहीं आता।
The video was shared on Twitter yesterday by the official handle of Tejashwi Yadav-led Rashtriya Janta Dal (RJD). The RJD mocked Chaudhary for not knowing the national anthem and lashed out at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar asking, “Do you have any shame left, Nitish Kumar Ji? Where is your conscience?”
What happens when the extremely popular Prime Minister of the largest democracy praises two young authors and shares the link to the book’s website? Well, it crashes the server! This is what has happened today with authors Harsh Madhusudan and Rajeev Mantri.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet that he has been reading their book “A New Idea of India” and urged people to read it too. He wrote, “Over the past few days, I have been reading, ‘A New Idea of India: Individual Rights in a Civilisational State’ by two bright minds @harshmadhusudan and @RMantri. Their work makes rich contributions to intellectual discourse. I hope you read it too…”
Over the past few days, I have been reading, ‘A New Idea of India: Individual Rights in a Civilisational State’ by two bright minds @harshmadhusudan and @RMantri. Their work makes rich contributions to intellectual discourse. I hope you read it too… https://t.co/fcAiPr4mM4
Within minutes of the PM sharing his tweet, the book’s website mentioned in the tweet was bombarded with unexpected traffic, and it crashed. Mantri informed in a tweet that he is working with the hosting service providers to fix the server. He wrote, “The book website linked to by the Prime Minister has gone down due to the surge in traffic, we are working with the hosting provider to fix it! Please bear with us.”
The book website linked to by the Prime Minister has gone down due to the surge in traffic, we are working with the hosting provider to fix it! Please bear with us ? https://t.co/rYo0PvX9Y2
A New Idea of India: Individual Rights in a Civilisational State
The book by authors Harsh Madhusudan and Rajiv Mantri is a representation of individual rights and identities from a civilisational point of view in a ‘New India’ that is gradually breaking free of the shackles of Nehruvian socialism and asserting its ancient identity with a modern global attitude for growth.
“In 1991, India started a gradual withdrawal from this path, but it is only in 2019, with Narendra Modi’s second successive win in the general elections, that this philosophy (of Nehruvian socialism that resulted in corruption and stagnation) is finally being replaced by a worldview that acknowledges India as an ancient civilisation, even if a young republic, and that sees citizens as equal for developmental and other purposes. A New Idea of India constructs and expounds on a new framework beyond the rough and tumble of partisan politics,” the book’s introduction says.
The book has been receiving wide acclamations and praise from several prominent intellectual minds of modern India. The book is available in both hardcover and Kindle formats on Amazon for a price of Rs 602 and Rs 499 respectively.
Even as the Maharashtra govt cases flake for targeting people for their social media comments criticising the state govt, such actions by the Uddhav Thackeray government continues. In the latest incident, one Facebook user has been slapped with a defamation case of Rs 10 lakh for comparing the Maharashtra CM with Dhritarashtra, and also for referring to the govt as penguin govt.
The latest victim is Balakrishna Deekonda, a resident of Kamathipura in Mumbai, who has landed on trouble for his Facebook posts criticising the Maharashtra govt. The chief minister and the state government has sent him a statutory notice accusing him of defaming, degrading the reputation of the CM and his govt. The notice has been sent by one Shreedhar R Sadula, a Shiv Sena worker, who is a Gat Pramukh in Motilal Nehru Nagar, Antop Hill area in Mumbai.
The notice sent through Mumbai based advocate Prakash U Sutar quotes several posts by Deekonda, saying that they are defamatory and degrading statements for the CM and the govt. The notice attaches copies of the ‘offending’ posts by Deekonda. In one such post, he had said on 25th August, “Anyway Penguin govt is for few more days”, while sharing a survey report published on Mumbai Mirror saying that 64% respondents are not happy with Uddhav Thackeray, and 70% wanted to end the lockdown.
The two Facebook posts for which Balakrishna Deekonda is facing action
In another post on 18 April, Balakrishna Deekonda had shared an opinion article by The Print titled “Uddhav Thackeray has failed to handle Covid crisis. Bring in Army to save Mumbai”. While sharing link to the article, he had written, “200+.. Dritharashtra?”
The notice states that Deekonda had willingly defamed and degraded the chief minister and the state govt in the eyes of public with ulterior motive, and for that he must apologise in one local newspaper, one national newspaper and on the Social Media platform where he had posted the comments.
Along with apology, the Maharashtra CM is also seeking damages of Rs 10 lakh from Deekonda, which is to be deposited with Tata Memorial Hospital. If the same is not done, civil and criminal proceedings will be initiated against him, the notice said.
The notice reiterates that as he has degraded the reputation of Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and the state govt, he must seek apology and pay the damages, otherwise he will have to face consequences.
Following the legal notice sent to Deekonda, Wadala TT Police Station issued a notice to him, asking to appear before the police. The notice asks him to contact the police station on phone as soon as he receives it, and to appear before them withing 3 days of receiving the notice.
Several other persons are facing actions by Maharashtra govt for their comments criticising the govt. Some of them include Sameet Thakkar, who was arrested three times for the same comments, Sunaina Holey, arrested twice for her tweets, advocate Vibhor Anand, who was arrested from Delhi, and several others.
It may be noted that in May this year, Maharashtra state govt had issued prohibitory orders, making criticism of the govt a crime. After that, Shiv Sena had formed a team to track down social media posts criticising the govt, and to take legal action on them.
In a shocking incident, the BJP office in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district was set ablaze allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers on Wednesday night.
According to the reports, the BJP office in Babanpur area of Mohanpur Gram Panchayat was burnt down last night. The BJP workers alleged that TMC is behind the incident and it is using cheap tricks as they are scared of the BJP.
“TMC wants us to fear but we’re united & won’t stand down. TMC is using cheap tricks as they’re scared,” said a BJP worker.
North 24 Parganas: BJP office in Babanpur area of Mohanpur Gram Panchayat set ablaze last night. BJP workers allege TMC is behind the incident.
“TMC wants us to fear but we’re united & won’t stand down. TMC is using cheap tricks as they’re scared,” says a BJP worker. #WestBengalpic.twitter.com/MBw3RRC9c0
Ahead of the 2021 West Bengal elections, incidents of political violence have been rising in the state with a series of political killings and attacks on BJP workers. The attack on BJP office comes amidst the BJP’s efforts to increase its foothold in West Bengal ahead of next year’s assembly elections.
“Pishi’s miscreants set fire to the BJP party office in Noapara Gramin Mandal. In a desperate attempt to retain power TMC is pursuing political violence-murder(s) of BJP leaders and workers, burning of party offices and other forms of terror. TMC will be uprooted soon”. The official Twitter handle of BJP in Bengal has tweeted.
BJP worker beaten to death in West Bengal
Just yesterday, a BJP worker was beaten to death in the Tufanganj area. The BJP has alleged TMC’s role in the killing as well.
A BJP worker in Bengal’s Cooch Behar was beaten to death in a clash between members of two community clubs over continuing Kali Puja celebrations. The deceased, Kalachand Karmokar, was a polling booth level secretary of the BJP. The party has alleged that Karmokar was killed by goons shielded by the ruling dispensation Trinamool Congress.
Political violence against BJP continues in West Bengal
On July 13, 2020, BJP MLA Debendra Nath Roy from Bengal’s North Dinajpur district was found hanging near his house in a closed tea shop in the village of Rajiganj. State BJP president Dilip Ghosh had claimed that he was murdered for political reasons and had demanded a high-level inquiry into the matter.
In another incident in June, a BJP worker was found hanging from a tree near his house in Bengal’s East Midnapore district. The BJP leaders had alleged that he was killed by the TMC workers after he had refused to join them. The deceased Purnachandra Das was a booth president of BJP in the Ramnagar area of the East Midnapore district.
Recently, a BJP worker named Rabin Paul was lynched to death in the Pathar Ghata village in Kalna in West Bengal. During the incident, he was first beaten mercilessly by the TMC supporters and then taken to another place in the village where Paul was allegedly thrashed by the TMC Deputy Chief.
On September 13, the body of a BJP worker named Ganesh Roy was found hanging on a tree in Goghat in Hoogly district of the State. Roy was well-known in the area as an active BJP worker. His son has alleged that Roy was murdered by the party workers of the Trinamool Congress. He claimed that they hung his body on the tree after killing him.
Later on October 5, BJP’s former councillor Manish Shukla was gunned down in Titagarh in North 24-Parganas. Manish Shukla was hit by several bullets fired by the attackers who were wearing helmets. A few days later, the West Bengal police had arrested a ‘TMC activist’ for harbouring killers of BJP leader Manish Shukla and had recovered bikes, carbines and pistols.
‘Writer’ Ravinder Singh on Thursday was caught using the language of the terrorists as he made the ‘gaumutra’ jibe while mocking coronavirus vaccines.
Ravinder Singh’s ‘GauMutra’ jibe
Responding to The Wire employee Rohini Singh’s tweet on coronavirus vaccines, Ravinder Singh said why would we (Indians) need vaccines when we have Gaumutra (cow urine) as cure. Singh was expressing concern whether state governments in India have reserved their share of vaccines when countries around the world are doing so. Ravinder Singh has written 9 book.
Hinduphobic Gaumutra jibe is language of terrorists
‘Gaumutra’ jibe is often used by Islamist terrorists before attacking Indians, especially Hindus. Last year, a Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Muhammad terrorist in a suicide attack had killed as many as 40 CRPF soldiers in Pulwama, Kashmir. Following the attack, a video was released in which he could be heard saying he wanted to punish and kill the ‘cow urine drinkers’ in the name of Allah. The terrorist identified as Adil Ahmed Dar alias Waqas was seen admitting that he had joined the Jaish-e-Mohammad a year ago. In the video, he had referred to Indians as “Gae ka Peshab Peene Wale” (People who drink cow urine).
Coronavirus vaccine in India
For coronavirus, it is the central government that will procure vaccines because of limited supply and the state government will then procure it from centre as health is a state subject. Whether the vaccine will be provided to people for free or at a cost will be decided by respective state governments. Usually, state governments have the authority to procure vaccines directly from manufacturing companies but it may not be possible for Chinese coronavirus due to limited capacity.
Purchase agreements are being drawn up for India to reserve vaccines are they are getting ready. As per a tweet by the BJP, India has reserved over 1.5 billion vaccines, higher than any other country or organisation.
So to answer Rohini Singh’s question, yes, government seems adequately prepared with the constraints it faces.
Further, it is not clear whether Rohini meant to ask state governments whether they have reserved vaccines from central government or from pharmaceutical companies. Since latter can be ruled out safely, one is left wondering what will the central government do sitting on heaps of coronavirus vaccines if it does not distribute them to states.
Moreover, Indian pharmaceutical industry in itself is quite capable of producing coronavirus vaccines for the entire world. In September this year, India-based world’s largest vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute to manufacture antigen for coronavirus vaccine which will increase their global manufacturing capacity to over 2 billion doses annually. PM Modi, too, has been consistently assuring citizens of procurement of adequate vaccines for the citizens of India.
Hence, while the world may seem gloomy because of the pandemic that originated in India, the ray of hope is that some of the brilliant minds are working to bringing and end to this nightmare.
A Joint Committee of Parliament for Data Protection on Thursday grilled micro-blogging site Twitter asking why it has failed to take any action against supposed ‘comedian’ Kunal Kamra for making vile comments against country’s judiciary and the Chief Justice of India.
According to the reports, Twitter was questioned by the parliamentary panel for inaction against Kunal Kamra and asked why has not Twitter removed Kunal Kamra’s offensive tweets targeting the Supreme Court.
A joint committee of Parliament for Data Protection asks Twitter why it has not taken action against the tweets by comedian Kunal Kamra (in file pic) about the Chief Justice of India pic.twitter.com/2JOdKAOAzr
The social media giant’s policy head Mahima Kaul was summoned before the Joint Committee on the Personal Data Protection Bill headed by the BJP MP Meenakshi Lekhi.
Speaking to Media, Lekhi said that Twitter said the post cannot be removed unless the court issues such orders. She further says, “We’ve asked for an answer in 7 days. Since there are no laws in India regarding these, we have to talk to the top executives of such service providers”.
We've asked for an answer in 7 days. Since there are no laws in India regarding these, we have to talk to the top executives of such service providers: Meenakshi Lekhi, BJP MP https://t.co/lWRHUE4UKK
The self-proclaimed comedian Kunal Kamra, known for his abusive behaviour on social media platforms, faces contempt cases over his vile tweets attacking the Supreme Court after it had granted bail to Republic TV chief Arnab Goswami in a 2018 suicide case.
The infamous comedian lost his cool when the Supreme Court of India granted interim bail to Arnab Goswami on 11th November. Kamra published a series of Tweets where he described the Supreme Court of India as ‘Supreme Joke of India’. As per the law, his tweets are subject to contempt proceedings.
Following that, several complaints were filed against him and a Mumbai-based lawyer Rizwan Siddiquee had also sought Attorney General KK Venugopal’s permission to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Kunal Kamra. Last week, Attorney General KK Venugopal had also granted his consent to initiate contempt of court proceedings against far-left troll masquerading as a ‘stand-up comedian’ Kunal Kamra.
Not just pulled up for Kunal Kamra tweet, but Twitter had apologised to Parliamentary panel over misrepresentation of Indian map too
The questioning of Twitter over its alleged bias and inaction against left-wing Twitter handles comes even as Twitter is facing serious trouble in the country for distortion of Indian map by geo-tagging Ladakh as a part of China.
In October, while doing a Twitter Live session, security expert Nitin A Gokhale had noticed that his location was geo-tagged as ‘Jammu & Kashmir, the People’s Republic of China’. He was standing at Leh’s Hall of Fame, a war memorial for fallen soldiers in the Union Territory of Ladakh at that time. Taking cognizance of the issue, the Indian government issued a notice to Twitter on October 22 warning them to rectify the wrong geo-tagging.
In October, the Joint Committee of Parliament on Data Protection Bill had sent a notice to Twitter for showing Ladakh as part of China. It mentioned in the notice that the act amounted to treason and had sought an explanation in the form of an affidavit.
Twitter India’s representatives had met Lekhi and begged apology. However, their request was denied as the act was a criminal offence that “questioned the sovereignty of the country”.
Twitter has officially apologized for the geo-tagging mistake committed by the social media giant by showing Ladakh as part of China. The Parliamentary panel’s chairperson and BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi said that the committee had received a written apology from Twitter and the company has promised to rectify the geo-tagging issue by November 30.
The deposition from Twitter has come in the form of an affidavit signed by Twitter Inc’s Chief Privacy Officer, Damien Karein.
