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Now, even Rajdeep Sardesai abandons opposition parties’ EVM clown car

OpIndia Staff
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Now, even Rajdeep Sardesai abandons opposition parties’ EVM clown car

Following the exit poll results, controversial journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, departing from his usual characteristics, criticised the opposition parties for raising the false bogey of ‘EVM malfunctioning and theft’ in an apparent bid to hide their failure. Rajdeep said that the complaint raised by the opposition leaders about EVMs are wrong.


While talking to a journalist on Dilli Tak channel, Rajdeep Sardesai asserted that the complaints regarding the EVMs raised by the opposition leaders are mere allegations that need to be proved. Defending the Election Commission, Rajdeep said that the organisation had already come out clean saying that those EVMs which have been caught in many places across the country were the reserved EVMs which were never used in the Elections.

Rajdeep also slammed the opposition leaders saying, “The opposition leaders should be careful in undermining an organisation just to further their politics. In Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, they won the elections and the BJP lost it, they didn’t complain about the faulty EVMs.”

However, Rajdeep also added that the Election Commission should be more transparent in their conduct and have at least 50 per cent counting of VVPATs against the Supreme Court verdict which rubbished the request of having 100 per cent VVPATs counted.

It is notable here that Rajdeep’s statement comes when several journalists have been trying to peddle lies and false narratives regarding EVMs, helping political parties further their agenda.

In another video, Rajdeep Sardesai can be seen lauding PM Modi for transforming h Varanasi and the overhaul of the Ghats and cityscape brought about after PM Modi’s election from the Varanasi constituency.


“You have to acknowledge that after PM Modi’s election, Varanasi has turned into a VVIP constituency. Roads leading to airports have become broader, there’s a complete makeover of the Ghats, they are cleaner now. There’s a Cancer Hospital built there, uninterrupted electricity has come to the city. Cleanliness campaign ran by him has struck chords with the people.”

The change in his tune comes amidst severe flak that Rajdeep has been facing from his own colleagues and people for his biased reporting. Recently, Rajdeep was left red-faced when a man asked him what had previous governments did for Kashi.

Even his colleagues, Anjana Om Kashyap and Shweta Singh took sly digs at him recently after he allegedly suggested some of his colleagues are ‘pliant’ journalists to the government. Rajdeep had also reportedly attempted to discredit India Today- exit polls that predicted an overwhelming majority to NDA government.

Remembering India’s ill-fated 1999 campaign, last time World Cup was held in England

Sandeep Singh
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Remembering India’s ill-fated 1999 campaign, last time World Cup was held in England

It has been 20 years since the Cricket World Cup was last held in England, and it was a tournament most Indians would like to forget.

India came into the world cup in indifferent form, having lost to arch-rivals Pakistan in finals of triangular tournaments in India and in Sharjah. The team still boasted of some great names in Tendulkar, Ganguly, Azharuddin, Dravid, Kumble, Srinath, and the ODI specialists Ajay Jadeja and Robin Singh. However, it was a sorry tale during the tournament as they exited after Super 6 stage with 2 points to their name.

The tournament started on a losing note against South Africa, a game where India frittered away the advantage they once had when batting first. After 40 overs, India sat pretty on 190/1 but even with wickets in hand and 2 set batsmen in, the last 10 overs only produced 63 runs and India ended up at 253/5. In response, South Africa lost their openers early but a promoted Boucher changed the momentum of the game with a quickfire cameo, and then Jacques Kallis anchored the innings with a fine 96, setting up an easy victory.

After the game, Sachin Tendulkar unfortunately lost his father, and had to return to Mumbai. In his absence, India produced their worst game of the tournament, losing to Zimbabwe by 3 runs.

Bowling first after winning the toss, India produced a terrible bowling performance contributing 51 extras to Zimbabwe’s eventual total of 252. There were wides and no balls all over the place and an average fielding performance to back it up. In the chase, India lost their 3 star players, Ganguly, Dravid and Azhar quickly, but a 99 runs partnership between S Ramesh and Jadeja looked to have put India back on the track. Then, Ramesh tried to clear mid-on, and gave a catch to Goodwin off Grant Flower bowling. A late cameo from Robin Singh kept India in control but with 9 needed off 12 balls, Olonga bowled THAT over. Robin Singh, Srinath and Prasad all fell in that over, as India ended up short by 3 runs, a loss that proved to be decisive in their exit from the World Cup later on.

Sachin Tendulkar returned ahead of the next game against Kenya and produced a masterful 100 in a very emotional innings as India brushed Kenya aside for an easy win. Batting first, India put on 329/2 thanks to centuries from Tendulkar and Dravid, and then restricted Kenya to 235/7 with Mohanty picking 4 wickets.

In the next group game against Sri Lanka, India produced their best performance of the 1999 World Cup. Batting first in Taunton, India rode on a 318 run 2nd wicket partnership between Ganguly and Dravid to put 373 on the board. Ganguly went on to equal the highest score by an Indian batsman in the World Cup before being dismissed for 183. In response, Sri Lanka were never in the game and were dismissed for 216 with Robin Singh picking 5 wickets.

In their final must win group game, India faced England in a game that was played over 2 days due to rain. Batting first, India scored 232 with all the batsmen getting starts but none carrying through for a big score. England in response were 74/3 when rain interrupted and took the game to a reserve day. Indian seamers, aided by conditions and a couple of dodgy Umpiring calls, made short work of England on the 2nd day, bowling them out for 169 pushing them through to the Super Six stage. However, India entered the Super Six without any points as they had lost their games to the other 2 qualified sides from the group, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

In the Super Six stage, India needed to win every game to qualify for the semi-final, similar situation to their first opponent, Australia. A resurgent Australia was too strong for India as they put on 282 on the board while batting first, once again aided by plenty of extras from the Indian bowlers, 35 in this case. Indian chase was over in the first 7 overs itself as McGrath and Fleming ran through the top order to leave India at 17/4. A 141 runs partnership between Jadeja and Robin Singh delayed the inevitable but it was too big a task after the top order collapse as India folded for 205 effectively knocking them out of the tournament.

Even though India was out of the tournament, the next match carried great significance for the team. With Kargil conflict already underway back home, the game against Pakistan carried a little more edge than usual. Batting first, India scored 227/6 with half centuries from Dravid and Azhar, and useful contribution from Tendulkar as well. Pakistan’s innings in response never really got going as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Inzamam and Moin threatened a bit of a fightback but it wasn’t enough as Pakistan was bowled out for 180, with Venkatesh Prasad picking 5 wickets.

With nothing to play for, India faced New Zealand in their last game with New Zealand needing the win to get through to the semi-final. Batting first, India ended up with 251/6 with Jadeja once again among runs with a half century. It turned out to be an easy chase for New Zealand though with Roger Twose and Matt Horne setting up the chase before Adam Parore applied the finishing touches.

Apart from the Ganguly-Dravid partnership against Sri Lanka and the win over arch-rival Pakistan, there was little joy in this tournament for India as they returned home before the knockout stages. India will be hoping to do a whole lot better this time around in the same country.

Indian Squad in 1999: Mohammad Azharuddin (C), Sourav Ganguly, Ajay Jadeja, S Ramesh, Rahul Dravid, Robin Singh, Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Nayan Mongia (wicket keeper), Sachin Tendulkar, Venkatesh Prasad, Nikhil Chopra, Debasis Mohanty, Javagal Srinath, Amay Khurasiya.

HDFC Bank promises ‘appropriate action’ against employee for exercising his constitutional right, people threaten boycott

OpIndia Staff
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HDFC Bank promises ‘appropriate action’ against employee for exercising his constitutional right, people threaten boycott

A journalist employed by the AFP news agency, Uzair Hasan Rizvi, has implored HDFC Bank to act against one of its employees for views he calls ‘Islamophobic’ and ‘Xenophobic’. He has also tagged Mumbai Police suggesting that the person he is accusing of bigotry is in need of counselling.


In the concerned post, a data scientist had suggested that in light of the partition since Hindus were not given an opportunity to express their opinion on the matter of India becoming a secular country and giving citizenship to Muslims, there ought to be a Brexit-style referendum where Hindus can register their opinion. According to him, “a bunch of elitists” forced their personal idea of India upon the Hindus of the country.

In response to Rizvi’s tweet, HDFC has stated that it has taken cognizance of the matter and will take appropriate action against the individual concerned.


HDFC’s tweet has sparked outrage among people on social media who claim that the employee was merely expressing his constitutional right of freedom of expression. People further stated that he was not threatening violence or forcing his opinion down anyone’s throat.


People have also threatened to boycott HDFC if any adverse action is taken against the employee for his opinions.


It is also notable here that the journalist who accused the concerned HDFC employee with Islamophobia has his own history of Hinduphobia. In 2017, he had shared a tweet branding the Hindu custom of ‘Ayudh Puja’ during the Vijaya Dashami celebrations in Bengal as ‘Saffron camp learning from Godse’.

The attempt to have employees sacked for expressing their opinions and branding any general observation as ‘Islamophobia’ is not new. Last year, a celebrated Indian chef Atul Kochhar was hounded by such so-called ‘secular liberals’ after he tried to highlight that Hindus have suffered under Muslim invaders in India, a plain historical fact.

Recently, a doctor in the UK was accused of Islamophobia and is on the verge of losing his job after his simple act of asking a woman to lift her veil so he could hear her talk regarding her daughter’s illness was termed as ‘discrimination’.

The series of events will also bring into focus the debate on whether private companies ought to regulate the freedom of expression of its employees beyond the regulations imposed by the Constitution of India.

Breaking: Attempted break-in carried out at IAF Rafale project management team in Paris suburb

OpIndia Staff
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Breaking: Attempted break-in carried out at IAF Rafale project management team in Paris suburb

As per reports, a break-in attempt was made in the Indian Air Force’s Rafale Project Management Team in a Paris suburb on Sunday night.


As per reports, an Indian team headed by a Group Captain rank officer is in France to oversee the 36 Rafale aircraft production as well as training of Indian personnel there. The Defence Ministry has been briefed about the incident by the Indian Air Force.

Businessman’s ex-driver kidnaps his son, a class one student for ransom, shoots himself after retaliation by UP Police

OpIndia Staff
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Businessman’s ex-driver kidnaps his son, a class one student for ransom, shoots himself after retaliation by UP Police

In an unexpected turn of events, an ex-driver of Abhishek Singh, a businessman in Prayagraj, who kidnapped the contractor’s son for a ransom of Rs 3 crore shot himself when countered by the Uttar Pradesh Police.

The incident occurred when the Uttar Pradesh police corned the kidnapper, Sanjay Yadav, in Suriyawan area in Bhadohi district, Prayagraj, after putting his mobile phone on surveillance. The UP police tracked the kidnapper’s location and reached the spot where the kidnapper fled with the child in a red car. Realising that he has been cornered the abductor open fired at the police. This invited retaliation from the police force. Intimidated by the retaliation the accused shot himself.

The police rushed him to the nearest hospital where he was declared dead. The child, Ranvir Singh, was rescued safely and handed over to his family. Ranvir Singh is a student of class one studying in St. Joseph’s College.

The ex-driver, Sanjay Yadav, resident of Katak Jhansi kidnapped Ranvir, around 6 pm from the gymnastics hall of Boys High School and College located in the Civil Lines area of Prayagraj where the child went for extra classes.

Ranvir’s father, Abhishek Singh had dismissed Sanjay Yadav from his job a few months ago. Yadav reached the gymnastics hall of Boys High School and College and told Ranvir’s instructor that it was Ranvir’s birthday next week and he needs to take him for shopping.

Since the teacher recognised Yadav he did not smell anything fishy and he let the child go.

Yadav took Ranvir away and later called Abhishek Singh to inform that his son has been kidnapped and would be released for a ransom of Rs 3 crores.

Abhishek immediately informed the UP Police who were quick to respond. Several officers including SP city Brajesh Shrivastav reached Singh’s house. In an exemplary display of alertness, the Uttar Pradesh police put the abductors’ phone on surveillance and successfully traced the kidnapper’s location and rescued the child.

In another unique encounter by the Uttar Pradesh police, the personnel had shouted ‘thain thain’ as an attempt to echo the sound of a gunshot to intimidate criminals during an encounter in Sambhal after his revolver got jammed. However, it was later reported that in the same encounter a criminal was arrested after being shot at in the leg.

AAP’s Sanjay Singh wants Arnab Goswami to either go to a mental asylum, be jailed or drowned

Nirwa Mehta
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AAP’s Sanjay Singh wants Arnab Goswami to either go to a mental asylum, be jailed or drowned

One of the biggest takeaways of 2019 Lok Sabha elections is that Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders have lowered the bar of decency in the political discourse to such an extent that only another AAP leader can only lower it further. With 2019 Lok Sabha election results less than 24 hours away, seems like AAP leaders are the biggest casualties in losing their senses.

From AAP chief floating conspiracy theory that PM Modi wants him assassinated to their social media teammate sharing dubious links of shady websites to allege ‘switchover’ of EVMs, AAP has set such standards that nothing seems outlandish anymore.

AAP Rajya Sabha MP and senior leader Sanjay Singh today took to Twitter to share a video clip of Republic TV Editor Arnab Goswami where Arnab is mocking how the Opposition parties are riding on the ‘EVMs are hacked’ bogey.


In it, Arnab mocks AAP leaders as well and says how AAP may not even get 100 seats in Delhi.

AAP leader Sanjay Singh then responded to the tweet by saying that Arnab should be sent to a mental asylum in Agra.


To that, an RJD MP quipped that Agra asylum is running at full capacity. Sanjay Singh then responded by saying how he should then be sent off to Andaman, which is famous for its now-defunct cellular jail or be drowned in the Indian Ocean.


Sanjay Singh is often caught making derogatory comments, including against the judiciary. Recently, in a big setback to AAP, the Supreme Court has refused to give a hearing to the plea of AAP Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh after the top court found that the earlier statements made by Sanjay Singh against judiciary were derogatory.

Sanjay Singh had questioned the neutrality of the Supreme Court after its split verdict on power-sharing in Delhi. Criticising the Supreme court judgment, Singh had tweeted in Hindi, “Does the Supreme Court not pronounce verdicts against the interests of Modiji? The central government lied in the court on corruption in Rafale (deal), but SC was silent. Did the SC give a verdict on CBI or was it a joke? Played with the emotion of crores of people of Delhi. Is this the Supreme Court or local court of Tehsil?” In a separate tweet he had asked whether the SC has lost its dignity.

Madhya Pradesh: Congress govt to reopen 12-year old murder case against Sadhvi Pragya in which she was earlier acquitted

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh: Congress govt to reopen 12-year old murder case against Sadhvi Pragya in which she was earlier acquitted

After the Exit Polls predicted a victory for Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur from Bhopal, the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh has announced that it is planning to reopen a 12-year old murder case against the BJP Lok Sabha candidate.

State Law Minister, P C Sharma, on Tuesday, said that the government will seek a legal opinion of reopening the murder case of ex-RSS pracharak Sunil Joshi in which Pragya Singh was acquitted. “We will seek a legal opinion on that report and then take a decision about moving a higher court,” he said.

According to Sharma, the district collector then took the decision to shut the case by himself without consulting the law department for a legal opinion on the matter. “The district collector should have sent the report to the law department instead of deciding that there was no need to move a higher court,” he said.

The BJP, for its part, has dubbed the move as political vendetta. “It looks like the MP government is going to take this decision because Pragya Thakur contested the election as BJP candidate against Congress’ Digvijaya Singh. This is politics of revenge,” state BJP spokesman, Rajnish Agrawal, said.

Sadhvi Pragya has found herself in a hub of controversy after her nomination from Bhopal where she is up against Congress stalwart Digvijay Singh. Recently, her Godse remark earned her a strong condemnation from the Prime Minister himself.

She is currently out on bail in the Malegaon blast case. The BJP has consistently maintained that her candidature is a mark of protest against the Congress’ Hindu Terror initiative.

Congress leader Udit Raj accuses Supreme Court of ‘rigging the polls’

OpIndia Staff
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Congress leader Udit Raj accuses Supreme Court of ‘rigging the polls’

Congress leader Udit Raj accused the Supreme Court of rigging the Lok Sabha elections in a tweet posted on Monday.

Udit Raj tweet accusing Supreme Court

He had tweeted in Hindi, “Why doesn’t the Supreme Court want to count all VVPAT slips? Are they also involved in the rigging? Due to the poll process government work is slowed down for 3 months, what difference does it make if it takes 2-3 days to count?”

He questioned whether the Supreme Court was involved in the alleged rigging of the elections following its decision yesterday where the court dismissed a petition seeking 100% matching of the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) with the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes on 23rd May and termed it nonsense.

Udit Raj has also been previously caught spreading fake news after joining the Congress party. He has been angry with the BJP ever since he was denied a ticket by the party for the Lok Sabha Elections.

Ever since the Exit Polls for the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections were released, the Opposition parties have initiated a concerted effort to discredit the EVMs used in these elections. The Congress President, the Deputy CM of Delhi from the Aam Aadmi Party, numerous other senior politicians from other Opposition parties and even some journalists have been peddling fake news and bizarre allegations against EVMs.

On Monday, AAP’s social media team member Savita Anand had peddled a fake ‘news telecast’ made by a dubious ‘Tricolour News Network’.

Yesterday, several journalists had tried to peddle the baseless claims and videos being circulated on social media. The ECI had debunked the claims of EVM replacement or safety issues by issuing clarifications, reinforced by support from representatives of candidates at each location concerned, removing all doubts and aspersions.

Amidst the EVM hacking propaganda spined by various opposition parties, the Election Commission Tuesday set up a 24-hour control room at the Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi, to monitor complaints relating to EVMs.

Relax, DD’s iconic Satyam Shivam Sundaram logo is not being changed, yet

OpIndia Staff
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Relax, DD’s iconic Satyam Shivam Sundaram logo is not being changed, yet

Recently Prasar Bharti, the statutory autonomous body that manages All India Radio and Doordarshan, India’s public service broadcasters, had tweeted saying that it had selected the top 5 logos from the Doordarshan logo contest.


The tweet stated that over 10,000 entries were received for the said contest. Media reports stated that the public broadcaster is about to change its iconic logo for Doordarshan, that had been familiar for countless Indians over the years. DD’s logo and music are often cited among the most nostalgic childhood memories by many.

Reports have stated that the 5 shortlisted logos will earn prize money of Rs 1 lakh each for their creators and as a new government takes charge, DD will probably be seen with a brand new logo.

Following the news, many Twitter users also expressed their concerns. Some were concerned over the new designs and the lack of the Sanskrit text “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” that had been a part of the DD logo since its inception.


It is notable here that the original DD logo was designed by Debashish Bhattacharya, a former student of the National Institute of Design. The logo represented the human eye with the concept of the Chinese philosophical symbol of ‘Yin and Yang’.

Over the years, though the colour scheme and background has been modified to fit modern tastes, the basic design had remained the same. Different variations of the same logo have been used for different channels under DD.

Following the reactions on Twitter, Shashi Shekhar, the CEO of Prasar Bharti clarified that the shortlisted logos are the winners of a contest in 2017 and there is no immediate plan to change the iconic DD logo. He further added that a variant of one of the shortlisted designs was used recently for the new look of DD India, Doordarshan’s English News channel.


DD’s logo, its introductory music and the Sanskrit words “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” have been a part of childhood for many Indians who cherish them as fond memories. Though the onset of private channels has flooded the TV viewing experience for Indians, DD always maintains a special place. Even if DD decides to revamp its logo, people perhaps would love to see a more stylish version of the same logo that they identify with so much.

Amidst the EVM row, Election Commission sets up 24-hour control room to monitor complaints relating to EVMs

OpIndia Staff
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Amidst the EVM row, Election Commission sets up 24-hour control room to monitor complaints relating to EVMs

Amidst the EVM hacking propaganda spined by various opposition parties, the Election Commission Tuesday set up a 24-hour control room at the Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi, to monitor complaints relating to EVMs.

“The complaints related to storage issues at strongrooms, security of strongrooms, permissions to candidates to post their agents at strongrooms, CCTV monitoring, movement of any EVMs, and any complaints during counting related to EVMs can be informed at control room, number is 011-23052123 (with 5 hunting lines),” the EC said.

Ever since the Exit Polls for the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections were released, the Opposition parties have initiated a concerted effort to discredit the EVMs used in these elections. The Congress President, the Deputy CM of Delhi from the Aam Aadmi Party, numerous other senior politicians from other Opposition parties and even some journalists have been peddling fake news and bizarre allegations against EVMs.

In the latest bid, 21 opposition parties met the officials of the Election Commission of India (EC) on Tuesday to submit a memorandum duly signed by their party representatives claiming that EVM guidelines were flouted during the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections.

Under such circumstances, the EC has issued clarifications saying that it would like to “emphatically and unambiguously” clarify that all such reports and allegations are “absolutely false and factually incorrect.”

”The visuals aired on TV and social media do not pertain to any EVMs used during the polls”, it furthered.

The EC had also stated that post-polls all EVMs and VVPATs are brought under security cover to designated strongrooms, which are sealed with double locks in the presence of candidates and observers of the commission. The entire process of storage and sealing of the strongroom is video recorded.

“Continuous CCTV camera coverage is done till completion of counting. Each strongroom is guarded with round-the-clock security by Central Armed Police Forces”, it said.

To add insult to injury, former President Pranab Mukherjee has hailed the EC for conducting the 2019 Lok Sabha elections ‘perfectly.’

What is more appalling is that despite the Supreme Court dismissing the petition to seek 100% matching of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) slips with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) during the counting of votes on May 23, the opposition parties are in no mood to relent from cooking up unnecessary controversies.

However, all the speculations and bickering will soon be put to rest after the curtains to the election results are drawn on May 23.

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