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Hathras case: Allahabad HC turns down plea of victim’s family alleging ‘illegal confinement’, UP govt enhances security of the family as per SC order

OpIndia Staff
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Hathras case: Allahabad HC turns down plea of victim’s family alleging ‘illegal confinement’, UP govt enhances security of the family as per SC order

On Thursday, the Allahabad High Court dismissed a petition of the family members of the victim in the Hathras case, after they moved the Court claiming ‘illegal confinement’ by the district administration. The highly-politicised case pertains to the murder and alleged murder of a 19-year-old girl on September 29 due to strangulation, allegedly by ‘upper-caste men’.

A habeas corpus writ petition was filed on behalf of the victim’s family members by the national general secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Valmiki Mahapanchayat, Surendra Kumar. The family alleged that even though the district administration allowed them to meet a few people, they were unable to move at ‘free will’ and subjected to ‘illegal confinement’. When the case brought up before the Division Bench of Justice Pritinkar Diwaker and Justice Prakash Padia, the Court rejected the petition without delving into merits of the case.

Allahabad HC tells family to approach the Supreme Court to redress grievance

While the Allahabad High Court directed the Uttar Pradesh government to file an affidavit and clarify its stand, the Court observed, “Undisputedly, the apex court is in seisin with the entire case and the matter is being taken as public interest litigation by it. “The +Court noted that it will not ‘be proper’ to ‘entertain’ the case since the district administration has provided security to the petitioners as directed by the Supreme Court and Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court in a suo motu petition on October 1. The Court, however, stated, “If the petitioners have any grievance, they are at liberty to file appropriate petition/application before the apex court.”

UP government heightens security protocol for victim’s family

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has enhanced the security measures for the family members of the 19-year-old victim. Reportedly, a total of 60 security personnel and 8 CCTV cameras have been installed at their house to ensure their safety.

While speaking on the development, DIG Shalabh Mathur, deputed as a nodal officer to Hathras from Lucknow, stated that the security personnel were doing 12-hour shifts outside the house of the victim’s family and that a gazetted officer will be appointed to supervise them. He further assured that a control room will be established in case such a need arose. “With the help of CCTV cameras, the house of the victim will be monitored round-the-clock,” he emphasised.

SP (Hathras) Vineet Jaiswal said that a register is being maintained to keep a track of all visitors to the house of the victim’s family. He informed that every family member and witness have been provided with 2 security personnel, besides deployment of a fire department team, a quick response team and two local intelligence unit personnel. He stated that a metal detector has also been installed at the entrance of the main gate of the house of the victim’s family.

The UP govt enhanced the security of the family after the matter of security of the witnesses were raised by portioners in the petition filed in the case relating to the case. The apex court had asked the UP govt to file an affidavit informing about the steps taken in this regard.

The Hathras case

Congress and other political parties have been using the Hathras case to further their narrative and gain a stronghold in Uttar Pradesh on anti-upper caste sentiment.  Every political party in the opposition is trying to use the tragedy for their gain and the media is not far behind in using it for their own interests. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath has ordered a CBI inquiry into the matter with numerous facets emerging to the story. The chronology of the events in the Hathras case can be explored here.

‘I am a true soldier of Sanatana Dharma,’ Arnab Goswami asks whether Republic TV is being targeted to cover up Sonia Sena’s conspiracy against ‘Sanatan Samaj’

OpIndia Staff
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‘I am a true soldier of Sanatana Dharma,’ Arnab Goswami asks whether Republic TV is being targeted to cover up Sonia Sena’s conspiracy against ‘Sanatan Samaj’

Arnab Goswami launched a passionate attack against the Shiv Sena, the Congress party and Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh on Thursday’s edition of ‘Puchhta Hai Bharat’ on Republic Bharat. He also appealed to citizens of the country to lend him their support in his battle against the political forces arrayed against him.

During the emotional appeal, Arnab Goswami said that he works hard, fights for nationalism and against injustice but now, he was in need of their support. “This year, we exposed Shaheen Bagh and Sharjeel Imam.. when the Sadhus were brutally murdered at Palghar, when the same police allowed the Sadhus to be killed, we questioned them and we will continue questioning them,” the Republic TV Editor-in-Chief said.

He continued, “We fought for Suishant Singh Rajput and we will fight for him. They lied on Hathras, and we exposed them completely. Therefore, come forward and say strongly with me, “Sarfaroshi ki tamanna ab hamare dil me hai, dekhna hai zor kitna baazuey kaatil me hai.” Arnab Goswami went so far as to say that he wished to know how high could vultures fly wearing wings of lies.

He also vowed to stand by the truth. Arnab Goswami also said that Republic TV was being targeted for its coverage of the investigation into the death of Sushant Singh Rajput and its coverage of Palghar lynchings, Hathras case and other such instances. He challenged his opponents, “Rok sako toh roklo (Stop us if you can).”

Arnab Goswami proudly declared, “Harna maine sikha nahi, rukhna mujhe aata nahi (Defeat I have not learnt and to stop I don’t know how).” At another point, he called out the Hinduphobia of those targeting him. He said, “Sonia Sena, agar aapko Sanatan Dharma se nafrat hai, toh main haan Sanatan Dharma ka sachcha sipahi hoon (If you hate Sanatan Dharma, I am a true soldier of Sanatan Dharma).”

He concluded his opening monologue with the question, “By targeting Republic TV, is the Sonia Sena trying to hide its conspiracy against Sanatan Samaj?” Arnab Goswami appears to have become quite conscious about the cultural aspect of the political divide, as we had elaborated in an earlier report. He appears to attribute the reasons for the sustained attacks against him not just on purely political factors but also cultural.

For those unaware, on Thursday, Mumbai police made some sensational claims against some TV channels saying that they were manipulating TRP ratings. In a press conference, Mumbai Police commissioner Param Bir Singh had accused three TV channels, including Republic TV, of being involved in manipulating viewership data of BARC by paying those households where Bar-o-meters, the devices that track TV viewership, are installed.

But later, it was revealed that the FIR filed in the TRP scam case mentioned India Today and not Republic TV. The situation has escalated into a ruckus since then with it becoming fairly obvious that Arnab Goswami and Republic TV are the subject of a vicious witch-hunt.

One Mohd Khalil files PIL in Delhi High Court seeking to prevent Republic TV from broadcasting news relating to any criminal investigation

OpIndia Staff
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One Mohd Khalil files PIL in Delhi High Court seeking to prevent Republic TV from broadcasting news relating to any criminal investigation

As if the relentless attack by Maharashtra govt and Mumbai police on Arnab Goswami was not enough, now a PIL has been filed seeking to prevent his news channel Republic TV from reporting on any criminal investigation. A person named Mohd Khalil has filed a Public Interest Litigation before Delhi High Court seeking directions against Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami and his media company to prevent publication or broadcast of any information or news relating to any criminal investigation, reported by Bar and Bench. The PIL was listed for hearing before a Division Bench of Justices DN Patel and Prateek Jalan. The court asked the petitioner to prepare a draft of the rules that he has proposed to be implemented.

The PIL requests the court to give directions to the Central government to frame rules, regulations or guidelines to govern reporting or broadcasting of any news related to any criminal investigation by any media outlet. In his petition, Khalil has claimed that Arnab Goswami and his media company have been reporting distorted and misleading facts related to the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput through their broadcasts and publications.

In the petition filed through Advocate Randhir Kumar Lal, it has been alleged that the prejudicial reporting of Republic TV has resulted in the infringement of the right to fair trail of actress Rhea Chakraborty who is the prime accused in the Sushant Singh Rajput case. It is further alleged that the channel has tried to increase its TRPs and viewership at the cost of Chakraborty’s right to fair trial. “The entire charade is nothing but an exercise to increase the TRPs and viewership at the cost of an accused’s right to fair trial”, the petition reads.

Alleging that the broadcast is capable of interfering with and obstructing the administration of justice, Khalil has prayed that contempt proceedings should be initiated against Goswami and his media company.

Since the broadcast is capable of interfering with and obstructing the administration of justice, the Petitioner has also prayed that contempt proceedings be initiated against Arnab Goswami and his media company.

The next hearing of the matter is scheduled for November 27. The Centre is being represented by Standing Counsel Ajay Digpaul.

Uttar Pradesh: Youth brutally assaulted over a land dispute, accused urinated on his face, cut-off his ‘Janeu’

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: Youth brutally assaulted over a land dispute, accused urinated on his face, cut-off his ‘Janeu’

In a shocking incident, a youth was brutally assaulted by four people in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoria on Monday. The accused not only cut-off the sacred thread (Janeu) of theb youth but also forced him to drink urine. The four accused were arrested in Sakarpar area under Sadar Kotwali police station limit in neighbouring Deoria district, police said on Monday.

According to the reports, on Monday Deoria police arrested four men for beating a man, urination on him and also cutting-off his sacred thread over a land dispute in Sakarpar area in Deoria district.

The incident surfaced after the victim posted a video on Twitter narrating the entire incident. The victim identified as Anish Chand Dwivedi had also filed a complaint at the Sadar Kotwali.

In the video, Anish had said that some people of the Sakarpar area had surrounded him and beat him up after taking him at gun-point. The victim also said that one of the accused urinated in his mouth and cut-off his janeu (sacred thread).

“One Anish Chand Dwivedi of Pansrahi area under Sadar Kotwali police station limits having a land dispute with his neighbour Satish Yadav posted on the Twitter on Sunday night that he was going on a motorcycle when some people of Sakarpar area surrounded him and started beating him at gunpoint,” Deoria Superintendent of Police Shishya Pal said.

“In the police complaint lodged later, Dwivedi said the accused had beaten him up and one among them urinated on his body”, the SP added. He also said that the Janeu was broken by the assailants when they held the victim’s collar.

According to the police, the victim had a land dispute with his neighbour Satish Yadav. The police have now arrested all the four accused and a case is being registered under the relevant sections.

Rahul Gandhi exposes his ignorance by mocking PM Modi on the use of wind turbines to convert moisture into drinking water

OpIndia Staff
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Rahul Gandhi exposes his ignorance by mocking PM Modi on the use of wind turbines to convert moisture into drinking water

Continuing his efforts to discredit PM Modi, former Congress president Rahul Gandhi today shared a snippet of the Prime Minister’s interaction with the CEO of a wind turbine company, claiming that PM does not understand science. Responding to the PM’s suggestion to conducting research on extracting water and oxygen from air using windmills used to generate power, the Congress scion tweeted, “the real danger to India isn’t that the PM doesn’t understand but that people around him lack the guts to tell him that”.

While Rahul Gandhi wanted to mock PM Modi by implying that his suggestions are not scientific, actually he ended up exposing himself, because one suggestion made by the PM is already proven, while the other one is being studied by researchers.

PM Modi on Tuesday had a discussion with the CEO of a turbine company Vestas, Henrik Anderson, where he spoke about a range of issues related to the wind energy and India’s efforts to harness renewable energy in order to build a cleaner future for the coming generations.

In the video clip shared by Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi can be seen talking about the increasingly diversified role of turbines in solving fundamental problems of drinking water and breathing oxygen.

PM Modi suggests turbines be used for converting wind moisture into drinking water

“In places where moisture is more, turbines could be used to such that moisture and provide clean, drinking water. This would be particularly useful in coastal regions of India which are usually plagued with the issue of not having drinking water. The use of turbines to suck moisture and provide drinking water can largely solve the problems of villages facing the acute shortage of drinking water,” PM Modi said.

Furthermore, PM Modi suggested that the possibility of oxygen being separated from the air through turbines. “Research is going on in this area and it will be challenging to achieve the feat but if done, the oxygen market can be captured. If achieved, we can achieve 3-in-1 energy with this method. We will be able to generate power, procure water and capture oxygen from it,” PM Modi said.

Then PM Modi goes on to ask Anderson if his scientists will be able to something in this direction. To this, Anderson responds that he is fascinated by PM Modi’s suggestions, passion and interest in the matter. He also asked PM Modi to visit Denmark to be an “idea generator” for researchers for India and Denmark.

“I am smiling at your passion and excitement about harnessing the wind energy. You should come to Denmark. You will be an idea generator for researchers in India and Denmark. I can’t express how pleased I am with your ideas,” Anderson said.

Technology breakthrough already achieved in converting wind moisture into drinking water

However, much like Rahul Gandhi’s disconnect with the Indian public, he is also disconnected with the Scientific developments that are happening across the globe. Science has already progressed to levels where turbines can be used to suck moisture from the air and convert it into potable water. This concept was tested in Abu Dhabi in 2018 wherein a wind turbine was used to condense water from the air and pump it into storage tanks for filtration and purification. Through this technological breakthrough, 1000 litres of clean water was produced in arid deserts of Abu Dhabi.

PM Modi’s other idea about capturing oxygen from wind, was more of an exploratory suggestion thrown at the Vestas CEO, asking him if his scientists can achieve such an innovation. However, the US govt owned National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), through its “Wind to Hydrogen Project” has already achieved the feat of chemically separating Hydrogen and Oxygen molecules of water (H2O) through a wind turbine.

Commercially Hydrogen is more important product, as it is a fuel, and Oxygen occurs as a byproduct in this process. The fact is that researches have been able to use wind-generated power to split water into Hydrogen and Oxygen molecules, and therefore, the suggestion made by PM Modi was not far from reality.

Ministry of Earth Sciences also confirmed that the suggestions made by the PM have a scientific basis. Perhaps as a response to the remark by Rahul Gandhi, the ministry tweeted from its official Twitter handle that the PM’s ideas on using the Wind Turbines in generating water from moisture in air for coastal areas and separating oxygen from air are technically feasible. They also informed that for larger societal benefit, this challenge will be taken up by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) and the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

While the CEO of Vestas, Henrik Anderson, was visibly impressed with the innovative ideas and thoughts of PM Modi, the former Congress President Rahul Gandhi discarded the ideas stating that the PM Modi doesn’t understand what he is saying. With the research and technological advancement demonstrating that PM Modi’s suggestions were very much possible, and implementable, Gandhi’s snide remarks for PM Modi only serves to underscore his own ignorance.

Maharashtra: HAL employee arrested for sending information about Indian fighter planes to Pakistan’s ISI, sent to police custody

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: HAL employee arrested for sending information about Indian fighter planes to Pakistan’s ISI, sent to police custody

On Friday, the Maharashtra police informed that the Nashik unit of the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has nabbed an employee of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on charges of espionage.

The accused was found to be leaking sensitive military information about Indian fighter jets and their manufacturing process at HAL to Pakistan’s Intelligence Agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He has also been accused of passing information about the HAL airbase and the restricted areas within the manufacturing unit at Ozar near Nashik.

While speaking on the development, a police official confirmed, “The Nashik unit of the state Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) received reliable intelligence about the man, who was in constant touch with ISI.”

HAL employee sent to 10 days in police custody

During the interrogation, the accused HAL employee revealed that he was in touch with ISI handlers and passed classified information to them. He has been booked under Sections 3, 4 and 5 of the Official Secrets Act of 1923 and remanded to 10 days in judicial custody on Friday by a court.

The Nashik ATS has recovered 2 memory cards, 5 sim cards and 3 mobiles, and has sent them for forensic analysis. Reportedly, the operation was conducted by DIG Jayant Naiknavre, SP Ravindrasingh Pardeshi, DCP Vinaykumar Rathod and led by Additional Director General of Police Deven Bharti.

Journalist arrested by Delhi police for espionage

Earlier, Rajeev Sharma, a freelance journalist, was arrested by Delhi Police on September 14 for sharing crucial information about India’s border strategy and Army deployment to the Chinese intelligence agencies. The Delhi police informed that Sharma was also in touch with some Chinese intelligence officer and had received Rs 40 lakhs in the last 18 months as he was being given $1,000 for passing on each sensitive information. The police official revealed that Chinese intelligence had tasked the journalist for conducting espionage activities in lieu of large amounts of money and luxury holidays.

‘Surreal experience to witness a miracle in air’: Captain of Indigo flight in which a baby boy was delivered pens down a heartfelt note

OpIndia Staff
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‘Surreal experience to witness a miracle in air’: Captain of Indigo flight in which a baby boy was delivered pens down a heartfelt note

“A miracle in the skies”, captain Sanjay Mishra ex-IAF pilot who was the captain of the Delhi-bound Indigo flight in which a woman delivered a baby boy on Wednesday, recounts the experience. “Don’t think there was a single soul on board who didn’t have goosebumps on him or her at this moment”, the captain in a heartfelt note, pens down the two-hour-long intense rigmarole.

At around 7.40 pm, the baby boy was delivered prematurely on flight 6E 122. The mother and the baby were wheeled down to applause from the Indigo aircraft on Wednesday.

The baby was delivered by a senior gynaecologist who was on-board the flight.

Image source: MumbaiMirror

Captain Sanjay Mishra revealed that the flight crew mulled the idea of making an emergency landing in Hyderabad. “It started with the lead informing me that the lady on seat 1C, is an expectant mother feeling a little restless…and that she had not eaten anything since morning. She was comforted and was given fluids and something to eat. A while later her anxiety and restlessness increased. She also started complaining of stomach pain. As the situation was developing, I asked the lead to page for a doctor,” Mishra said. 

The pilot said that by sheer luck, there were two accomplished doctors on-board the flight. “One of them, Dr Nagaraj, is a plastic surgeon who works in King Fahd hospital in Riyadh and the other Dr Sailaja a gynaecologist and an obstetrics surgeon, heading the fetal medicine department in Cloud Nine Hospital. We were near Jaipur, cruising at FL 390,” he said.

Captain Sanjay Mishra said that it was when the flight was north of Bhopal, that the flight crew came to know that the pregnant woman was bleeding. “A little later, north of Bhopal, came to know that she has started bleeding followed by the shattering news that she has suffered an abortion. Forward galley and the Lav (lavatory) were swiftly and efficiently converted into a makeshift ward/ labour room taking all precautions by an excellent team of cabin crew who rose to the requirements of the occasion. They were very brilliantly supported by several captains and crew travelling ACM and Dead Head. I was waiting for one final update from the doctors to decide on my next course of action,” he said.

Image source: MumbaiMirror

He didn’t have to wait long. “As I was mulling over this disheartening piece of news, heard and noticed sudden increase in the activity levels in the cabin… screaming.. shouting.. clapping and a faint cry of what sounded like a new born…It was a baby boy!!” he said.

“From a feeling of deep sadness…it turned to a feeling of intense joy…never witnessed fortunes turning so swiftly and so miraculously!! Don’t think there was a single soul on board who didn’t have goose bumps on him or her at this moment,” he added.

Despite the moment of celebration, Capt Sanjay Mishra said that he was still on guard in case he needed to land the flight unexpectedly. “Although the doctors confirmed to me that the mother and child are doing well…things could again worsen any moment!! Nagpur was 500m in TS…Indore had a closure…HYD was the best option to divert in case of any new contingency,” he said.

He said that he was hoping to ensure that the mother and the baby landed in Bengaluru. “At the bottom of my heart, I was hoping and praying that the youngster holds on for another hour and a bit…he did well…much better that expected at his ripe old age of 5mins!,” he said.

The pilot landed the flight as planned in Bengaluru amid a slew of congratulatory messages. “Post landing Birth on Board form was filled…don’t think it has ever been filled in a domestic flight in India ever…and it is most appropriately titled *FFS 007,” he said.

Image credit: The News Minute

The pilot said that the flight crew did not have clarity over how far the woman was into her pregnancy. Sources said that her pregnancy was not over 32 weeks. The baby was delivered by Dr. Sailaja Vallabhaneni, a doctor practising at Cloud Nine Hospital. 

“On ground amidst all the frenzy, I could sense a genuine sense of happiness and joy amongst all present, KIAL staff, Aster Clinic staff…in all the gloom surrounding us, people were looking for a reason to celebrate and they got one..!! There were banners, chocolates, gifts…and the brave mother was given a rousing reception!,” the pilot added. 

In a statement to PTI, IndiGo said: “We confirm that a baby boy was delivered prematurely on flight 6E 122 from Delhi to Bengaluru. There are no further details available.”

Though there is no official confirmation from the airlines yet, sources said that IndiGo may offer free tickets to the baby boy for life.

Watch: West Bengal police pull off the turban of an on-duty Sikh security official while assaulting him

OpIndia Staff
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Watch: West Bengal police pull off the turban of an on-duty Sikh security official while assaulting him

In an incident that could spell trouble for the Mamata Banerjee government, a West Bengal police officer was caught on camera pulling down the turban of an on-duty Sikh security official while dragging, assaulting him. Balwinder Singh, the security guard of BJP leader Priyangu Pandey was attacked when the West Bengal Police on Thursday mercilessly beat up people on the streets of Kolkata and unleashed large-scale lathi-charge and violence against BJYM and BJP workers for protesting against the political murders in the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal.

Condemning the disgraceful conduct by the West Bengal police, Akali Dal leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that disgracing a Sikh’s Dastar (headgear) is an insult of the entire Sikh community and their religion. Sharing the video of the incident, the Akali Dal leader demanded strict action against the police officer.

Sikh security official’s turban ripped off in pull public view

According to reports, Balwinder Singh was arrested from the Howrah Maidan by the WB police, as the on-duty Sikh security official was carrying a loaded gun. Speaking to the media from inside a police vehicle, BJP leader Priyangu Pandey said that Balwinder Singh, an ex-army officer, held a proper licence for the gun he carried.

The WB police had argued that Singh’s licence was valid only in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir as it was issued there. However, the BJP leader asserted that Balwinder Singh’s arms licence has a stamp of an all India permit and can be used anywhere across the country.

The BJP leader said that after working in Assam and Guwahati, Balwinder Singh had joined him in Kolkata. Pandey said that despite having an all India Arms licence, the way WB police snatched the gun from Singh’s hand, the way they assaulted the ex-army officer was disgraceful. In strong words, the BJP leader condemned the way WB police insulted the entire Sikh community by knocking off a Sikh’s pagdi (turban), which he said is the greatest insult a Sikh can be subjected to.

Balwinder Singh speaking to the media also confirmed that his arms licence had been issued from Rajouri but had an all India permit. He said that he was just standing in one corner when the police officer suddenly attacked him. He was dragged and his turban was ripped off in full public view.

The BJP leader has demanded that stringent action should be taken against the West Bengal police who displayed their high-handedness and resorted to such barbarism against BJP karyakarta’s who were peacefully holding the ‘Nabanno Chalo’ rally.

BJYM national president Tejasvi Surya to move a breach of privilege motion against the West Bengal police officials

Earlier in the day, BJYM national president Tejasvi Surya had accused the WB police of working as mere puppets and said that he would be moving a breach of privilege motion against the West Bengal police officials after they allegedly manhandled the BJP leaders who had gone to the Jorasanko police station to file an FIR against police for the unprovoked attack during a march to the state headquarters Nabanna yesterday. “Police station have become TMC party offices in Mamata’s Bengal. Police have two choices: Either file FIR in accordance with law or Remove uniform and hold TMC party flag”, he Tweeted.

WB police unleash brutality on BJYM and BJP workers, TMC goons join in 

The West Bengal Police on Thursday mercilessly beat up people on the streets of Kolkata and unleashed large-scale lathi-charge and violence against BJYM and BJP workers for protesting against the political murders in the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal. Disturbing visuals had emerged from the ‘Nabanno Chalo’ rally organised by the BJYM at Kolkata as BJP karyakartas on Thursday.

West Bengal Police in the behest of the Mamata Banerjee government came down heavily on the BJP karyakartas by raining lathis and using tear gas at them. Trinamool party workers too joined the violence against the BJP workers. The goons allegedly associated with the TMC attempted to disrupt the peaceful rally and attacked the BJP workers. Crude bombs were hurled and the protesting karyakartas were subjected to ‘chemical liquid attacks’ as well.

OpIndia had also accessed pictures of the WB government’s excesses on the BJP and BJYM karyakartas. As per sources OpIndia spoke to, 450 karyakartas of the BJP had been arrested and over a thousand were injured during the crackdown on the ‘Nabanno Chalo’ protest by the BJYM.

After this report, India Today may allege that Republic TV pays YouTube Rs 500-700 to boost its viewership: Read details

OpIndia Staff
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After this report, India Today may allege that Republic TV pays YouTube Rs 500-700 to boost its viewership: Read details

Recently, the channel was at the centre of a furore when the Mumbai Police Commissioner yesterday asserted that Republic TV paid households Rs 400 to Rs 500 as a part of its efforts to manipulate TRP in its favour. Mumbai Police Commissioner Prambir Singh had alleged in his press conference yesterday that some people were visiting households on behalf of the news channel and were paying them money every month. He added that Republic TV, along with other vernacular news outlets, was under the scanner for manipulating TRP ratings.

Soon after Mumbai Police Commissioner’s allegations, India Today lost its mental balance falling over itself to accuse Republic TV of indulging in manipulating viewership data. It was later revealed that complaint filed by BARC had actually named India Today TV for the crime, not Republic TV.

India Today trotted out the same allegations as levelled by Mumbai Police Commissioner, alleging Republic TV of bribing households to watch their channel. However, a cursory glance at the YouTube channels of the two news channels—Republic TV and India Today—clears out the confusion swirling around the TRP manipulation.

YouTube views of Republic TV outnumbers India Today by several thousand

At an instance during the Republic TV’s program from 12 PM to 1 PM today, about 4,300 people were watching the live feed of the news channel on YouTube. The Republic TV was running a program exposing the nexus behind smearing its name for covering uncomfortable incidents and asking protruding questions of the state government on Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, Lynching of Hindu Sadhus in Palghar and the Hathras incident.

Live TV feed of Republic TV on YouTube

Comparing this to India’s Today live feed on YouTube during the same time period, a paltry 597 people were watching it live. Of course, the viewership fluctuates during the show, but the vast difference between the number of people of watching Republic TV live on YouTube and those watching India Today live is a reliable barometer of the popularity of the channel, at least on the online video-sharing platform.

Live TV feed of India Today on YouTube

Perhaps, it will be interestingly to see if India Today will allege that Republic TV pays Rs 400-500 to even those who watch them on YouTube and other digital platforms.

If this is not enough, one can take a brief look at the views other Republic TV videos get on YouTube as compared to videos uploaded by India Today. Most of the recent videos uploaded by India Today has views in hundreds, with some of them racking up a few thousand views.

YouTube videos uploaded by the official account of India Today

On the other hand, Republic TV uploaded videos on YouTube has an average of 20,000-30,000 views on each video, with the highest views of 195,000 on a video in which Arnab Goswami called out India Today’s treachery by exposing the FIR which had India Today’s name as a suspect in manipulating the TRP and not of Republic TV.

YouTube videos uploaded on official account of Republic TV

Republic TV under attack for its relentless pursuit to cover uncomfortable stories

Ever since Republic TV arrived on the Indian media landscape, it has been under relentless attack by its detractors for its loud brand of journalism and unceasing pursuit to cover uncomfortable stories. The channel has also been criticised because it is founded by Arnab Goswami, a journalist who has consistently called out the Lutyens’ Media and other politicians for their excessive deference to the Gandhi family.

A few weeks ago, a legal attack was unleashed against the channel when Arnab Goswami called out Sonia Gandhi with her maiden name for her silence on the lynching of Hindu Sadhus in Palghar. Hundreds of FIRs were filed against the channel and Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami was put through the wringer by the Mumbai Police for several hours for simply calling Sonia Gandhi as “Antonio Maino” on his primetime show.

More recently, Republic TV was at loggerheads with the Maharashtra government, over the arbitrarily arrested by the Mumbai Police for carrying out an investigative assignment in Raigad, a district neighbouring Mumbai. Journalist Anuj Kumar, along with video journalist Yashpaljit Singh and Ola cab driver Pradeep Dilip Dhanavade were illegally taken into police custody by the Maharashtra police in September 2020, following which Arnab Goswami launched a scathing attack against the Maharashtra government, including Chief Minister Udhhav Thackeray, had demanded their release.

Hansa research confirms filing of FIR that names India Today in TRP scam: Read full details

OpIndia Staff
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Hansa research confirms filing of FIR that names India Today in TRP scam: Read full details

Hansa Research Group Private Limited, The company that manages the Bar-O-meters of BARC, has confirmed that they had filed a complaint with the Mumbai police alleging malpractices oh TV viewership records. The company released its first statement after the issue snowballed into a major controversy when the Mumbai police commissioner said that Republic TV was named in the FIR, while actually, the FIR had named India Today severe times and Republic TV was not named at all.

As reported by Republic TC, the statement issued by Praveen Nijhara, CEO, Hansa Research Group said that as a result of an investigation conducted by the Hansa Research and the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) into the matter of TRP manipulation, an FIR was filed by the former against an ex-employee of theirs who was engaged in some kind of wrongdoing. The statement further said that Hansa Research has been vigilant in informing BARC and other law enforcement agencies about such issues and that they would continue to cooperate with BARC and other authorities.

The statement reads, “This is with reference to the media reports regarding TRP ratings manipulated. Hansa Research and BARC conducted an investigation into the matter over the last few weeks, the conclusion of which resulted in Hansa Research filing an FIR against an ex-employee who was engaged in some wrongdoing. Hansa Research has always been vigilant about these issues and has been proactive in informing BARC and the law enforcement agencies as and when called upon to do so”.

Background

The company installs and maintains the Bar-O-Meter of BARC. The Bar-O-Meter or the BARC meter measures viewership of channels through digital set-top boxes by tracking audio tracks embedded in al the channels. As revealed by Hansa Research’s Relationship Manager, Vishal Bhandari, who has been arrested by the Mumbai police, India Today and other channels had instigated him and had also offered money to panel homes where Bar-O-Meter is installed.

Nitin Deokar, the Deputy Manager of Hansa Research who had filed an FIR against Bhandari explained that some people try to increase the ratings by making panel homes watch certain channels in exchange for money. Deokar said that Bhandari was approached by a person named Vinay in November 2019, who had asked Bhandari to approach five homes and ask them to watch India Today for two hours every day.

Bhandari had confessed to the BARC Vigilance team that Vinay paid him Rs 5000 as commission got distributing Rs 1000 among five panel homes. His claim was confirmed by an audit inquiry conducted by BARC that five households were paid money to watch India Today everyday for a minimum period of 2 hours from November 2019 to May 2020.

Arnab Goswami’s Statement

In response to the allegations leveled by the Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh against Republic TV in the fake TRP Scam, the Editor-in-Chief of Republic TV Arnab Goswami has issued a statement. In his statement, Goswami said that the Mumbai Police Commissioner stands exposed as the FIR mentions the name of India Today multiple times. Also, the main witness in the case has named India Today on record. He questioned how the Commissioner closed the investigation against India Today within 16 hours of filing the FIR and went on to hold a press conference against Republic TV. Goswami asked him to quit in the interest of morality.

Goswami’s statement can be read here:

“The Mumbai Police Commissioner has been completely and totally exposed. A copy of the FIR in the TRP case mentions India Today as the channel to be investigated. In fact, India Today has been mentioned multiple times in the FIR. There is not a single mention of Republic TV. Now, the main witness in the case has also gone on record and named India Today as the English channel for which financial compensation was allegedly provided to gain viewership. The complaint against India Today was made on October 6. Param Bir Singh closes the investigation against India Today within 16 hours and does a press conference against Republic TV. Now, that the FIR is out and the critical witness is on record, and the Mumbai Police Commissioner has been caught red-handed. He must, in the interest of morality, quit”.

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