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OpIndia, Indic Collective Trust and UpWord file intervention application in SC in Sudarshan News case, ‘Saffron terror’, fake news demonising Hindus find mention

To this effect, the applicants have moved an intervention application in the matter of Firoz Iqbal Khan v. Union of India concerning permissible free speech which the apex court is seized of in the Writ Petition as also in light of the ad-interim order dated September 15, 2020, passed in the Petition, both of which have implications on the treatment of content under the legal framework in India.

“Given the conspectus of issues which have arisen for consideration before this Hon’ble Court and the manifest implications of the outcome on free speech advocates and in particular on organizations which disseminate content for public consumption, it is humbly submitted that the Applicants have the requisite locus to be arrayed as parties to the proceedings to put forth their position on the said issues,” the application read.

A broad array of issues have been highlighted by the applicants with the respect to the issues raised, reliefs sought and the orders passed thus far in the Writ Petition. The applicants have raised pertinent questions regarding the jurisdiction of the court to directly restrain content during the pendency of an examination by the appropriate State authority on the legality of the content under applicable laws.

Another issue pointed out by the petitioner is that if the appropriate state authorities do not find anything objectionable with the content under the applicable law, can the constitutional courts assume the role of the State to restrain the broadcast and consumption of such content. Furthermore, it has raised a question if the court could stop the broadcast of such content without considering the public’s right to consume.

In addition to these, other issues spotlighted by the applicants if regarding the constitutional permissibility for the Constitutional Courts to judicially legislate a new species of impermissible speech, namely ‘Hate Speech’ and the jurisprudence on “Hate Speech” in India and in other jurisdictions. The application also questions if it would be fair and reasonable to lay down law on hate speech based on a particular instance without considering the contemporary landscape on the exercise of free speech.

OpIndia report on how Indic faiths have been falsely reported by the mainstream media organisations in India

The applicants have placed before the Hon’ble Court the contemporary exercise of free speech by vast sections of the media unless the court assumes that the case highlighted to it in the Writ Petition is a one-off instance. They have sought to place before the court a report titled ‘A Study on Contemporary Standards in Religious Reporting by Mass Media” prepared by OpIndia which captures approximately 100 instances of patently false reportage by mainstream media organizations whose reach and stature lend credibility to their content in the minds of the readers.

In each of the instances enumerated in the report with over 90 references, Indic faiths and Indic communities have been the subject of blanket stereotyping, generalisation and demonisation which have become common in the mainstream media. The report by OpIndia highlights how facts are twisted to force-fit a particular narrative against Hindus, and perpetrators of one particular community are shielded, their crimes minimised and on some occasion whitewashed at the expense of other communities. Therefore, the moral construct that constitutes hate speech cannot be applied selectively whilst talking about one community.

The report attached demonstrates instances of blatant Hinduphobia that was displayed by the media in their coverage by distorting facts, selectively quoting details, pictorial representations, fake news and opinion articles. In light of the case before the court now, the report would serve to assist the court in discerning how the standard of discourse has been set by the mass media over the years. In the report, the fake reportage related to Saffron terror, the fake cases propagated by the media of Muslims being made to chant Jai Shree Ram and being beaten up, the skewed reportage of Delhi Riots and much more find a mention.

You can read the full intervention application and the OpIndia report attached at the end here:

Delhi Riots: Some rioters had checked the ownership of vehicles through e-Vaahan portal before setting them on fire

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The Delhi Police have revealed that the rioters had first checked the e-Vaahan website before setting vehicles on fire. A recent Times of India report has revealed that the cops have been using high-end technology, advanced techniques, and scientific tools to uncover the intricacies of the complex and sensitive Delhi Anti-Hindu riots.

e-Vahan access analysis

As per the TOI report, the extensive investigations into the Delhi Riots cases have revealed that the rioters determined the names of the vehicle owners before setting the vehicles on fire. As such, the cops used the database from the e-Vaahan website to ascertain the identity of rioters who checked ownership details of vehicles, amidst violence in riot-torn areas of Delhi. “The number from which messages were sent on the rioting day were obtained from the government database,” a source conceded.

Rioters avoided calls and text messages to escape surveillance

The Delhi Police used Internet Protocol Detail Records to nab the accused who communicated via calls and chats on Whatsapp and Telegram. Using the technology, the cops could unearth the communication between two individuals through VoIP. This technology is extensively used during the investigation process in the West. The tool helped the police apprehend the rioters who were deliberately avoiding text messages and calls to escape surveillance.

Delhi Police recovers 945 video clips, identifies 2655 people

As per the TOI report, the Delhi police conducted fund-flow analysis via a software that helped in establishing transaction patterns of the accused in funding and organizing riots. Moreover, the cops also used facial recognition software to analyse CCTV footage and identify as many as 2,655 people. It proved useful in the murder case of one Shahbaz, a resident of Karawal Nagar. An investigator revealed, “We also used software for facial reconstruction of burnt bodies by superimposing skulls on the photograph of victims.”

A police officer informed that they obtained a total of 945 video clips through CCTV, smartphones, media houses, and other sources. “The photographs extracted from them were matched with multiple databases, including the Delhi Police criminal dossiers and other databases maintained by the government, he added”

Mobile forensics helped the Delhi police recover voice recording and incriminating evidence through the cloning of smartphones.

Use of geolocation analysis by Delhi Police

The Delhi Police conducted geolocation analysis and used Google Maps on smartphones to ascertain the location and movement of the accused at the time of violence in riot-affected Northeast Delhi. This technology proved useful in apprehending the murderers of Rahul Solanki. Speaking on the development, Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava clarified, “The cases are sub-judice, so details can’t be shared. But I do agree that our investigation to a large extent is based on scientific tools and methods.”

They rigged the elections and destroyed the country by giving power to an incapable man: Former Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif on Imran Khan and army

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On Sunday, the erstwhile Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif addressed the people of Pakistan from London during a multi-party video conference. Sharif, who had been languishing in the jail and had been out of the country for medical treatment, lambasted the Pakistani army establishment for destroying democracy, dismissing elected governments, installing incapable puppets, and so on.

Democracy not allowed to run in Pakistan, concedes Nawaz Sharif

At the very onset, Nawaz Sharif said, “Pakistan has been devoid of a parliamentary system of democracy, even though this is enshrined in our Constitution. But when it is decided (by an external force) as to who should win or lose, it betrays the public mandate…Sadly, Pakistan has become a laboratory for such deceitful experiments. Even if a government is formed democratically, then, it is weakened internally and then dismissed. All of this is done with forethought as to how their actions will lead to trust-deficit amongst people in the country’s institutions.”

Courts paved the way for military dictators, claims former PM

In another sensational claim, Nawaz Sharif said, “I am saddened to say that the Pakistani courts upheld martial law every time and legitimised the usurping of power by military dictators. The courts gave them the opportunity to mess with the law. None of them were prosecuted. But those leaders who follow the law are now languishing in jails… It is not surprising in Pakistan that a military dictator is let off despite committing heavy crimes… Until when should we tolerate this?” He emphasised how dictators remained in power for several years while elected governments could not complete five years in office.

Sharif on rigged 2018 elections

Citing erstwhile Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Nawaz Sharif said that there is a ‘state’ within a ‘state’ in Pakistan. Speaking on the rigged elections, Sharif said, “Can I ask why the Results Transmission System (RTS) was closed for hours during election, why polling agents were thrown out during counting? Why was dhandli done, on whose directives and why? The secretary Election Commission should answer and all those responsible will have to answer.”

Our struggle is not against Imran Khan, says Nawaz Sharif

Towards the end of his hour-long speech, Nawaz Sharif concluded, “Our struggle is not against Imran Khan. I had said this even before the election. I am saying it again now. Our struggle is against those who brought him to the throne of the Prime Minister.” Hinting at the Pakistani army establishment, he said, “They have rigged the elections and destroyed the country by providing power to an incapable man.”

“This country is beloved to us. The government has not only targeted opposition leaders but also the judiciary now. If the situation does not change, then, it will cause irreparable damage to the country… The army establishment should shy away from interfering with the affairs of the government, as stated by the Constitutiton and Qaid-e-Azam (Mohammed Ali Jinnah). “

Nawaz Sharif recounts being jailed at the behest of the army establishment

Narrating his ordeal, Nawaz Sharif stated, “The Establishment should not arrest a sitting Prime Minister at gun-point…I am pained everytime I remember this. It feels bad when I realise that we have made the country a joke in our eyes and that of the world.” He also called for co-operation and unity amongst the Opposition to put up a rigid fight against the current political and military dispensation.

Eight Rajya Sabha MPs suspended for unruly behaviour, viral video clips show AAP’s Sanjay Singh hitting a Marshal on duty

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On 21st September, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, the chairman of Rajya Sabha, suspended eight Rajya Sabha MPs for one week for unruly behaviour with the chair. Derek O Brien, Sanjay Singh, Raju Satav, KK Ragesh, Ripun Bora, Dola Sen, Syed Nazir Hussain, and Elamaran Karim will not be allowed in the house for the next seven days.

Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said it was a bad day for Rajya Sabha yesterday. The members came to the well of the House. Deputy Chairman was physically threatened. VP Naidu called the incident unfortunate and condemnable. He urged MPs to do some introspection.

No-confidence motion rejected

Rajya Sabha Chairman Naidu refused to accept the no-confidence motion against Deputy Chairman and said that a no-confidence motion is not admissible under the rules.

Opposition MPs again created ruckus

After Rajya Sabha Chairman Naidu suspended the MPs for creating ruckus and asked them to leave the house, the opposition MPs again disturbed the house. They created ruckus leading to adjournment of the house till 10 AM.

Aam Aadmi Party MP Sanjay Singh seen hitting Marshal on duty

Video clips of AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh assaulting a Marshal on duty had gone viral yesterday. The Marshal was trying to stop him from charging at the deputy chairman and creating a ruckus. Singh also climbed on the table and raised a slogan against the Farmer’s bill passed later in the upper house.

Apart from Sanjay Singh, Derek O Brien was also seen causing menace in the upper house. In a video, he was seen tearing up the rule book in front of the Deputy Chairman. The suspended members allegedly physically threatened the Deputy Chairman.

Opposition MPs had physically charged at the vice chairman. They had broken the mic and tried to damage the audio system of the house in their attempts to stop farm reform bills.

In 3 years, Yogi govt has provided more jobs than SP and BSP did in their 5-year tenures: UP CMO

With the maximum number of hiring in the police department, the Uttar Pradesh state government under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath has provided over 3.6 lakh government since BJP came in power. In a meeting on 18th September, CM Yogi Adityanath instructed all departments to start pending recruitments in three months and complete the process in six months.

The police department had the maximum recruits

Since March 2017, when the Yogi government came in power, the UP Police department has seen maximum recruitments standing at 1,37,253. As per the stats provided by CMO UP, 54,706 recruitments were done in the Basic Education Department and 14,000 in the Secondary Education Department. 28,622 recruitments were done under National Health Mission.

Apart from these, 26,103 recruitments were done under Public Service Commission, 16,708 under Subordinate Services Selection Commission, 1112 under Medical Education Department, 700 under Urban Development Department, 614 under Finance Department, 365 under the Technical Education/Vocational Education Department, and 6446 recruits have been made under Department of Energy making it a total of 300,526 recruitments.

Recruitments under process

 As per the government stats, 69000 recruitments in the Basic Education Department are under process along with 16,629 in the Police Department and 853 in the Department of Energy, totaling to 86,482.

Complete recruitment process in six months, orders CM Yogi

During the virtual meeting on 18th September with all Department heads, CM Yogi Adityanath asked them to fill all vacancies in the next six months. The recruitment process must start within three months, as per the CM’s order. All departments have been asked to provide details of vacant posts to the Chief Minister’s Office within a week.

SP, BSP governments, were far behind

During their tenure, the Samajwadi government managed to provide jobs to only 2.05 lakh people during 2012-2017. On the other hand, the Bahujan Samaj Party provided only 91,000 jobs during their 5-year tenure from 2007-2012, as per reports.

Ayodhya: Masjid may be built without domes and minarets, may resemble Kaaba

During the verdict in the Ram Janmabhoomi case, the Supreme Court had directed for a mosque to be built in Ayodhya at an alternate site on a 5-acre land. In accordance with the apex court order, the Uttar Pradesh government had allotted a 5-acre plot in Dhannipur village in Ayodhya to the Muslim parties to buil a mosque.

Mosque may be square-shaped, claims IICF spokesperson

Speaking about the mosque construction, spokesperson of Indo-Islamic Cultural Foundation (IICF) Athar Hussain informed that the mosque will be constructed in Dhannipur village. He stated that the new mosque will be of the same size as the disputed structure that was once standing at the Ram Janmabhoomi site and will measure about 15,000 square feet. As per a Times of India report, Hussain added, “The shape of the mosque may be completely different from that of other mosques. It may be square-shaped like the Kaaba Sharif in Mecca.” The IICF was constituted by the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Waqf Board for the mosque construction.

Mosque not to be named after Babur

The IICF spokesperson further stated that it was quite possible that the mosque might be devoid of minarets and domes like the Kaaba in Mecca. He informed that the architect, designing the structure of the mosque, had been given a ‘free-hand’ in this matter. Citing personal preference, Hussain said, “The mosque will not be named Babri Masjid. It will not be named after any king or emperor. My personal opinion is that it should be called the Dhannipur Masjid.”

Hussain stated that donations for the mosque on a designated online portal had not yet begun, as the portal is yet to be completed. Besides, a museum, hospital, and a research centre will also be built within the masjid complex.

Lag in mosque construction due to pandemic

A few days back, Sunni Waqf Board had said that there had been some delay in the construction of the Mosque amid the Coronavirus pandemic. Farooqui said that he has no hope that All India Muslim Personal Law Board and other leading Muslim organizations will provide any support, financial or otherwise, for the construction of the mosque.

‘Feminists’ and ‘liberals’ will #BelieveHer until one of their own is accused of sexual assault

At the height of #MeToo movement, when allegations of sexual abuse were levelled against the men in the media and entertainment industry, including a BJP minister, the crusaders of women’s rights held the men guilty and believed the women who had put up the allegations. This even when most of the women had no proof. And rightly so. Many times, mostly men are in such position of power that sexual abuse takes place and women are quite often the victims.

So people across political ideologies believed ‘her’. The women who were levelling the allegations. There were some who defended the accused, but most women showed solidarity with the victims. Those who were defending the accused were shamed by the ‘feminists’ into ‘believing her’.

Except now when the film industry’s blue-eyed boy, Anurag Kashyap is accused of sexual assault, it has suddenly made out to be ‘vendetta’ and a ‘propaganda’ by the BJP because Kashyap hates PM Modi. As if of all the haters PM Modi has, and he has way too many as can be seen, he has time and energy to concentrate on only this one fellow. There are people who take themselves too seriously and then there are Anurag Kashyaps who think PM Modi’s world revolves around him.

And then there has been a concentrated effort by his allies to vilify the victim. Under normal circumstances, law must take its course but for Kashyap, he became the ‘biggest’ feminist and the actress who had levelled allegations against him became a ‘small time actress‘. And hence, how can a ‘feminist’ sexually assault someone? Well, they very well can and Left will always side with one of their own.

Months after the brutal rape and murder case in Kathua, a JNU student had alleged that the lawyer who had shot to prominence for defending the victim had sexually assaulted her. The student had alleged that all the while when the lawyer was forcing himself on her, he was saying that he will do ‘Nikaah’ with her. She had said she did not speak up about the abuse due to apprehensions that such shocking revelations about a ‘hero’ could jeopardise the Kathua child rape-and-murder case. So you see, she stayed quiet for the ‘greater good’. Here one can see even the victim of sexual abuse siding with her abuser.

In the current case, the same women, who were at the forefront of #BelieveHer, meaning that no matter how mighty and powerful the accused is, believe the woman if she says she has been sexually abused, are now questioning the victim.

Some even have the way Payal Ghosh decided to come out with her allegations.

Suddenly whatever Ghosh has said has become ‘baseless’ about the other women. The Asian Age Editor, Suparna Sharma, even has a rulebook on how a victim must list out her abuse.

If on odd days Sharma dishes out instructions on how to narrate your sexual assault incident, on even days, she would be telling women how their pain is their own and don’t let anyone dictate you how you should feel about it.

Another Indian Express journalist also went on similar tirade. Telling a woman how to make revelations regarding her trauma.

And they would even question the ‘timing’ Because why did she choose to accuse Kashyap of sexual assault when Rahu and Ketu are in transit? Couldn’t she wait till Shani was in retrograde?

They will support the ‘movement’ but there will always be a ‘but’.

How is Ghosh’s allegations ‘misuse of power’ of calling out sexual abuse when there is no investigation? Or it becomes ‘misuse of power’ only when your friend is accused of assault? Or it becomes a ‘weapon’?

How does one wrong make the other wrong right? And then there are personal guarantors. Like this filmmaker who decided that since he knows Kashyap from more than two decades, how can he be a sexual abuser.

Such kind of defence always comes with a disclaimer that ‘I am all for believing the women’, except the one who accuses my friend. He explained how the sexual abuse accusations are because Kashyap was targeting PM Modi.

Speaking of people targeting PM Modi and being accused of sexual harassment, remember Tarun Tejpal? Tehelka founder? How Tejpal went hammer and tongs after then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi after the Godhra carnage and the riots that followed? You know it was a journalist who accused Tejpal of molesting her? And while most believed her, you know who didn’t?

Anurag Kashyap came out in defence of Tarun Tejpal

Anurag Kashyap.

Woman alleges gang-rape at a five-star hotel in Connaught Place in Delhi, one arrested

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A woman in Delhi has alleged that she was gang-raped by six people at a five-star hotel in Connaught Place in Delhi. The woman, who works as a guide cum ticket booking agent, said that she was called there on the pretext of offering loan at a subsidised rate. The woman filed a case regarding the incident of rape that happened on 18th September.

Delhi Police have arrested one person involved in the crime so far. The hotel where the crime took place is located near India Gate in Delhi, a high-security zone. The woman lodged a complaint with the police on Saturday after the incident on Friday.

The woman informed in her complaint filed with the police that she was in dire need of money, and the accused persons had promised her of giving loan at very low rate. She was lured to come to the hotel room for the attractive loan, where she was assaulted and gang raped.

According to police sources, the woman has named six persons, including a woman. The room was booked by two businessmen. One Manoj Sharma, identified as the main accused, has been arrested. He is a resident of Sheikh Sarai in Malviya Nagar in Delhi.

On the basis of the victim, a case has been registered under sections 376D, 323, 34 of the IPC at the Connaught Place police station.

‘Meaningless to play such a petty trick’, Chinese state media Global Times defends Rajeev Sharma, the journalist caught spying for China

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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. Following that, two more persons were arrested in connection with the case, Chinese agent Qing Shi and her Nepali Associate Sher Singh. He is also reported to have written for the Global Times which is the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of China for many years.

Now, Global Times has come out in his defence. Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Chinese state media, wrote, “I think It’s very inappropriate for the Indian side to publicly link Global Times to this case and to create a sensation to attract attention. They have obviously failed to show due respect to a Chinese media outlet. And it is particularly improper for the Indian government to do so.”

Hu Xijin comes out in defence of Rajeev Sharma

Claiming that the linking Rajeev Sharma with Global Times would create a ‘negative association’ against the state media, Hu Xijin said, “Global Times has published many reports and opinion articles on China-India border tensions. I know some Indians have been unhappy with us. They can criticize us openly or argue with us, but it’s meaningless to play such a petty trick.” He also insinuated that Sharma’s links to Global Times is being ‘hyped up’ because of the ongoing tensions between India and China.

Certain Indian journalists have also come out in his support. NDTV ‘Journalist’ Arvind Gunasekar argued that the arrested of Rajeev Sharma was against press freedom.

Arvind Gunasekar defends Rajeev Sharma

Gargi Rawat, news anchor at NDTV, said that Rajeeb Sharma was arrested under the ‘draconian’ Official Secrets Act.

Gargi Rawat on Rajeev Sharma’s arrest

Special Cell DCP Sanjeev Kumar Yadav, at a press conference on Saturday, said that Rajeev Sharma was contacted by Chinese Intelligence agents in 2016 for carrying out spying for them. He also added that Sharma was 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.

The police have recovered classified documents from him, the DCP added. The information conveyed were related to Army movements, Defence acquisitions, Dalai Lama, foreign policy etc. As per the interrogation by the police, Rajeev Sharma had disclosed that he had provided information on issues like India-Bhutan-China trijunction including Doklam, Galwan Valley, Indian-Myanmar military co-operation, India-China boundary issues and other related matters.

Watch: Maldives Foreign Minister speaks in Hindi to thank India for $250 million package during Coronavirus pandemic

On Sunday, Maldives Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid thanked India for the financial aid provided to the island nation to fight the Coronavirus pandemic. Expressing his gratitude for India, he spoke in Hindi. Shahid stated, “The whole world is faced with a never-seen-before crisis. We are up against an enemy that we can’t see. We cannot ignore the dangers posed by the enemy.”

Referring to the inconvenience caused due to the spread of the Chinese virus, he emphasised, “This virus has stopped air services in the world. It has forced all countries to make some tough decisions. The pandemic has forced us to shut our homes and our borders. However, our friends have proved, like every time, that the pandemic has not been successful in making them close their hearts. Even in such distressing times, India has proved to be our great friend.”

Besides sharing the video snippet of his speech in Hindi, Abdulla Shahid also expressed happiness over the $250 million financial assistance received from India on September 20. He tweeted, “Grateful to receive the USD 250 million financial assistance from India to the Maldives today. The financial assistance provided through subscription in GoM Domestic Treasury Bonds by SBI will support the financing of the revenue gap, and meet the government’s immediate financing needs.”

The Foreign Minister of Maldives further informed that the $250 million package is the largest financial package, announced by any bilateral partner during the pandemic. He further added, “With the $1.4 billion financial package announced in Dec 2018 &the cash grants for community projects, this is by far the largest single donor assistance the Maldives has received.”

India airlifts stranded Maldives nationals

In early February, a special Air India flight evacuated 323 Indian citizens and 7 Maldives citizens from the Wuhan province in China. Foreign Minister of Maldives, Abdulla Shahid expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar for rescuing Maldivians from Coronavirus hit Wuhan province of China. The seven Maldives citizens were kept in Delhi for the quarantine period before being sent back to their country. President of Maldives, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih also took to Twitter to thank India for helping evacuate Maldivians stuck in Wuhan.