Last week quite a few right-wing Twitter users in India had their account suspended or restricted as they were violating guidelines, specifically for ‘promoting or encouraging suicide or self-harm’.
Many Twitter users received emails from Twitter asking them to delete their tweets which had the phrase ‘kill me’ in them because, clearly, when someone says ‘kill me’, the person means it literally and not figuratively.
Interestingly, tweets which contained the word ‘kill’ were asked to be deleted by Twitter for ‘violation’ of general rules.
Considering some of these tweets date back to 2014, it is surprising Twitter woke up now, in 2018, to show concern to Divya and her alleged suicidal/murderous tendencies.
Twitter users suspect that these tweets are mass reported by people who searched these tweets with keywords and report them for self-harm because if this was automated, thousands of accounts would be blocked or restricted simultaneously.
It is not the first time right-wing Twitter users are targeted and their accounts suspended. Earlier, Twitter user Sonam Mahajan’s account and backup account both got suspended, following which, many right-wing Twitter users had reported attempts were being made to hack into their accounts. Prior to that also we had seen cases of right-leaning accounts getting suspended. Similarly, many accounts associated with ABVP, the students’ arm of RSS, were mass suspended, only to be reinstated after protests. Similarly, in 2016 many Twitter accounts were suspended after posting anti-AAP tweets.
From trusted sources, we have retrieved a highly confidential letter written by beleaguered Team Australia Coach Darren Lehmann, to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The text is reproduced as below:
Respected Sir
I hope you are in good health. I trust you are aware of the recent fiasco that has hit my team. Some members of the Australian cricket team have been caught on camera, first trying to tamper with the ball and then feigning ignorance. The matter has reached such a stage that some players have been suspended. As you know, I knew nothing about this entire issue.
In spite of the above, my integrity is being questioned by one and all in the media. In these tough times, I tried to find guiding figures all across the globe. My friends pointed out that the best person to guide me in this matter would be your good self. They recollected how you have been in similar situations in the past, and yet have managed to hold the media in awe of you.
You were much like the “coach” of UPA. The “selectors” were some other people, but you were quite clearly the public figurehead of managing the team. Your “team members” too were caught doing improper activities. Be it the 2G scam, or the Coal-gate scam, where the matter reached to your office and its members. Yet, in all of the above, and other cases, all your team members had to “resign” one by one, and you maintained that you had no inkling of the wrongdoing. Today, the Indian media sings paeans to your stint as “coach”.
Being in a similar position, I seek guidance from you. Please let me know how I can handle the scenario. I have thought of a few options, please let me know if they are feasible:
1. “Coalition compulsion”: I can very well argue that a cricket team is a coalition of players belonging to different provinces, and also the coach, and the selectors. The managing staff are also a part of the coalition. Due to such pressure groups, it is always difficult to reign in everyone and sometimes it is wise to just look the other way like you did.
2. “Find my A Raja”: The easiest way to deflect all blame is to find someone else to be blamed. UPA found A Raja as a suitable candidate, to blame for the entire 2G mess, absolving, the PM, PMO, and anyone else. In our case, we may have already found him: David Warner. The entire team considers him to be the root of the problem. Please advise if we can go ahead with this plan.
3. “Silence is golden”: Will it be better to just stay quiet? Your years of silence have managed to silence many critics. Today, former opponents like Sidhu, who once mocked your silence, are now paying glowing tributes to that very silence.
Sir, I am hopeful that you will apply your brilliant economist mind and give me right advice on this matter. In the meanwhile, I am also in touch with Cambridge Analytica, to help resurrect my social media image. A word of recommendation from you would go a long way.
The Congress-Cambridge Analytica saga has been a long one. Today a new development in the matter emerged supporting the claims of BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad regarding Congress – Cambridge Analytica link. Before Chris Wylie spilt the beans on the matter, some theories on a BJP link with the firm had been floating in media.
NDTV journalist Sreenivasan Jain’s had shared some screenshots on a possible link to the BJP.
Sreenivasan Jain’s tweet
Reports had suggested that both BJP and Congress had used the services of the firm that is now accused of stealing Facebook data. The data had been used by the firm to manipulate voter behaviour through many devious methods which included targeted ads and fake news.
Chris Wylie, former director of research at Cambridge Analytica and whistleblower who exposed the Facebook scam of Cambridge Analytica has named the Congress party in a deposition before British MPs
In a disposition to UK House of Commons, Christopher Wylie, the whistleblower in Cambridge Analytica case, names Rahul Gandhi’s Congress as one of Analytica’s clients in India. Will Rahul answer what was discussed with Alexander Nix and how much data of Indians has been stolen? pic.twitter.com/s3V81GO5zd
MP’s question : [If you] focus on the world’s biggest democracy with lots and lots of elections over time, India was being a prime source of business wasn’t? You mentioned they [Cambridge Analytica] have done quite a bit of work in India. Could you just describe what you are aware of?
Chris Wylie: I believe their [Cambridge Analytica’s] client was Congress. I know that they have done all kinds of projects both regional… I don’t remember a national project, but regional… I mean India is big. One state can be as big as Britain. But they do have offices there and they do have staff there. I believe I have some documentation in India which I can also provide.
BJP leader and union minister Ravishankar Prasad have demanded an apology from the Congress president Rahul Gandhi.
Today the whistleblower #ChristopherWylie has confirmed that #CambridgeAnalytics worked with Congress. This has exposed Rahul Gandhi who was denying all along. Congress and Rahul Gandhi must now apologize: Ravi Shankar Prasad,Union Minister pic.twitter.com/ekHnUpcFVB
The Congress spokesperson has denied any connection with Cambridge Analytica in a press conference. He asked as to why an FIR has not been registered in the matter.
It is all false. why is India’s perpetually lying Law Minister throwing allegations in the media, he is in power why doesn’t he show all proof and then register an FIR. We challenge you. They fear they will be exposed if they probe: RS Surjewala,Congress #CambridgeAnalyticspic.twitter.com/gprvW4EOk7
In his visit to Mysuru on Saturday, Rahul Gandhi was felicitated with a huge garland. However, the Congress President unceremoniously refused to wear the Mysuru Peta.
Look at how #RahulGandhi refuses to wear Mysuru Peta (Mysuru Turban). Isn’t this a disrespect to Kannadigas ?
Usually politicians who visit Mysuru r honored with MysuruPeta which has a traditional significance & none say No to this even Modi & Shah were facilitated with this pic.twitter.com/ByibDdTodv
He can be seen shoving away the classical royal attire worn by the Kings of the Wodeyar dynasty. The traditional headgear was also worn by men attending the king’s Court.
The traditional headgear is deeply embedded in the culture of the state. It is often presented to honour visiting dignitaries or guests. BJP President Amit Shah had also worn the Mysuru Peta during his visit to Karnataka last year.
Source: PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has earned a reputation of wearing the traditional headgear of different communities of India during his visits, was also seen sporting the Mysuru Peta.
Mysore: BJP PM candidate Narendra Modi wearing a Mysore Peta, addresses an election rally in Credit: PTI Photo
The Congress Vice President had earlier sparked a controversy by proclaiming Tipu Sultan to be a symbol of communal harmony. Assembly election in Karnataka will be held in May this year, with polls on the 12th and results will be declared on the 15th of May.
Times Now at about 11:06 AM on Tuesday dished out a breaking news claiming that the dates of the Karnataka elections were 12th May (for polling) and 18th May (for counting). This claim was made by Times Now before the Election Commission had officially announced the dates.
The information at Times Now was purportedly picked up by BJP’s IT head Amit Malviya who at about 11:08 AM tweeted the dates from his personal twitter account. This caused a media storm after journalists without much fact check questioned as to how did the BJP gain access to the dates before they were announced by the Election Commission.
The “Breaking News” was soon proven wrong by the Election Commission itself as the actual dates of the polls are 12th May (for polling) and 15th May (for counting).
Even though Amit Malviya was being questioned left right and centre by journalists and politicians, most would have felt that Times Now would not be among those doing so as after all, it was possibly the one responsible for spreading the fake news in the first place.
The news channel though decided to surprise everyone by blatantly trying to cover this angle and while doing so also allegedly spread a fake news to try and cover its tracks:
#BJPSuperECRow: Big development, Congress questions date leak, I-T cell head deleted tweet, BJP proposes, EC disposes? BJP Leader Amit Malviya unavailable for comment | Athar Khan shares more details pic.twitter.com/RAb1agwrg7
In the above video the channel’s correspondent is seen attacking Malviya by asking him to answer whether he had any prior information regarding the dates and termed it a “very serious breach of security and sanctity of the election commission”.
He then decided to brazen things out by claiming that a “reputable news organisation” was unfairly being blamed and indicated which news organisation it was by stating, “it is our job to get from sources whatever we can and break it first. We cannot be faulted for that” (sic).
Things though took an unexpected turn when the reporter claimed that Amit Malviya’s tweet where he predicted the dates were from “last night” that is 26th March or 12 hours before the dates were officially announced by the election commission.
While doing so, the channel flashed a screenshot of the tweet:
Amit Malviya screenshot provided by Times Now
As per the blurry screen grab, the time stamp of Malviya’s tweet can be made out to be 11:02 PM, 26th March 2018. The reporter thus asserted that the first tweet by Amit Malviya was from last night and not at 11:08 AM based on the abundantly available screenshots:
Screenshot of the tweet by Amit Malviya
So going by Times Now’s bizarre narrative, Amit Malviya tweeted his claims on 26th night and promptly deleted it. He later decided to post the exact same tweet about 12 hours later and in both cases propagated the wrong information.
Following the media controversy, Malviya has written a letter to the Election Commission where he has explicitly mentioned just one tweet posted at 11:08 AM which he claims was based on the news break by “Times Now”.
Hence there are two possible explanations regarding this mysterious affair. If Times Now is indeed right and Malviya posted a tweet on the 26th night then why has it flown under the radar, which includes him not getting attacked by the opposition politicians for the same? Also, he promptly deleted the tweet last night by sensing his mistake, then why did he commit a similar one about 12 hours later? At the onset itself, this theory sounds ridiculous and fantastical.
If Times Now isn’t right, then did it try to maliciously spread the fake news in order to try and cover up for its own blunder? Did it try and reproduce a doctored screenshot of the said tweet with a malicious timestamp?
OpIndia reached out to Amit Malviya regarding this matter and he, in turn, denied making any such tweet last night.
The question thus arises: Did TimesNow doctor a tweet (either photoshop or change the time settings on the device from which the screenshot was being taken)? And if it did, why is the entire fraternity silent? Why are the questions being directed at Malviya and not the news agency which first spread false information, and then seems to have spread another fake news to wash its hands of the initial false information?
One hopes that in light of this development, the election commission launches a detailed investigation to separate truth from fiction.
The Congress party is taking India on a sinister path where some people could be misled to believe that the election commission is the instrument of one party and not an independent body. This is a dangerous trend that can hurt democracy and the election commission if the practice becomes a trend among opposition parties.
Congress had proposed that the election commission should return to paper ballots in its plenary’s political resolution. The party is out to defame and diminish the election commission and its infrastructure for scoring political brownie points whenever it finds an opportunity.This practice of the Congress continued when BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya tweeted a false news update that was flashed on Times Now. Times Now had claimed that the elections to Karnataka would be conducted on 12th May and counting would be done on 18th May.
Who announced #KarnatakaElections2018 before Election Commission:
1) Times Now at 11:07 AM (Look Video).
2) Congress IT Cell Karnataka, Srivatsa at 11:08 AM.
3) BJP IT Cell, Amit Malviya at 11:08 AM.
And Irony is Everyone blaming BJP for it. Another Hit Job to Blame BJP for Polls pic.twitter.com/f3RJOhcTDq
However, the actual counting day was announced as 15th May by EC. The same news was tweeted by the Karnataka IT Cell in charge of Congress as well.
Congress IT cell tweet. Via @DowntownFunk_
Malviya became a punching bag for all journalists and defenders of democracy, while questions were not raised on the Congress IT member. They claimed that the EC was now subservient to BJP IT cell. This is a far-fetched comment as it appears that both Congress and BJP IT cell members had fallen for a piece of false news. The main culprit, Times Now, was spared from all blame in the episode.
The chief election commissioner when asked by media as to how this information had leaked, he said that the matter would be investigated in depth. While the unqualified criticism of smaller parties and journalists can be ignored to some extent, irresponsible comments from a pan India party like Congress should raise eyebrows. The party extended its criticism to the election commission as well. The tweet by Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala is one of the best examples of this.
He claimed that the ‘credibility of the EC was at test and an FIR should be registered against BJP IT cell head.’ Mr Surjewala should be aware that Srivatsa (Karnataka IT cell in charge) would also be a part of this FIR. If a notice is sent to Amit Shah, even Rahul Gandhi should be receiving one.
Ironically, another Congress spokesperson felt that the BJP IT cell head would get away with it and ‘BJP is messaging that is not bound by laws’. It appears that Rahul’s partymen have picked up the art of making baseless wild allegations without any prima facie evidence.
Tehseen Poonawallah, on the other hand, claimed that the Congress didn’t have an IT Cell head at all in order to isolate his party from possible criticism. This claim is ridiculous because the man has appeared in media reports as a ‘convenor’ of Karnataka IT cell. While he may not be the ‘head’ of Karnataka IT cell, he surely belongs to the top line of Congress social media team in Karnataka.
Meanwhile, the Congress IT cell guy washed off his hands from the matter by merely saying that he tweeted the news flashed by Times Now. The same luxury is somehow not accorded to Amit Malviya of the BJP IT cell.
The leader of Congress in Lok Sabha continues to hurl baseless allegations on BJP and the Election commission even as several media reports have highlighted that both BJP and Congress IT cell guys had fallen for the Times Now news flash on election dates for Karnataka.
Amit Malviya tweeted Karnataka elections dates at 11 am. It means BJP is dictating polling dates to Election Commission. I expect EC to work according to the Constitution and law, and not let information leak. Such a thing has never happened before: Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress. pic.twitter.com/2lnbbcEgDE
Amit Malviya and the BJP have submitted a letter explaining the reason for the controversial tweet and allegations flying around as a result of it. The onus is now on the EC to investigate the matter in an impartial manner and ascertain as to how Times Now accessed the information.
The Congress had questioned the independence of EC even during the Gujarat polls. It seems that the declining electoral fortunes of the Congress have led to the strategy of shooting the messenger instead of fixing their party. Cooking up conspiracy theories must be left to media and the so-called ‘national party’ which gave us ‘independence and democracy’ must show some maturity while making comments.
Trinamool Congress leader and North Bengal Development minister in Mamata Banerjee’s cabinet, Rabindranath Ghosh has reportedly stated that he will fight with the state BJP president Dilip Ghosh and cause him harm.
If he is not willing to play with sticks, I am ready for wrestling too! Maximum of 3 minutes is required to defeat him. If he is ready for boxing, then I will also break his nose, eyes and face: West Bengal Minister Rabindranath Ghosh on BJP’s Dilip Ghosh pic.twitter.com/9RcmaYfeBm
According to reports, the TMC leader and North Bengal Development Minister stated that he is ready to fight the state BJP chief “if he is really strong and not showing off.” He added that he saw Dilip Ghosh “brandishing a stick and doing all sorts of drama”. Rabindranath Ghosh stated that he could fight Dilip Ghosh with one hand.
He added that within two and half minutes he will break Dilip Ghosh’s wrist and within three minutes he will break his back. Rabindranath Ghosh’s boasting of martial arts expertise did not stop at that. He also added that he will break Dilip Ghosh’s face, eyes and nose if the later is ready to box with him.
He said, “I am criticising his act and challenging him to have (a) man-to-man fight and see who (the) real fighter is.”
This was not the first time the TMC minister was seen threatening someone. In an earlier incident, he was caught on camera hurling abuses at a bank official in the Cooch Behar district of WB.
The TMC minister’s threat comes after an FIR was lodged against Dilip Ghosh after Ram Navmi processions in West Bengal. Dilip Ghosh participated in the festive Shobha yatras which see people taking out processions with the traditional weapons, garlands and artists dressed as mythological characters.
Violent clashes have erupted in West Bengal after several incidents of stone pelting and vandalism targetting the Ram Navami celebrations were reported in the state. After Burdwan, the violence has now spread to Raniganj and the state government, instead of maintaining law and order, is busy blaming the BJP for carrying out public processions for the festival.
Earlier, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee stated that strict actions will be taken against people who carried open swords during the processions.
The recent rape and murder at Batadrava in Nagaon district of Assam where a student of class 5 was gang-raped by individuals and then burnt alive have rocked the state with people demanding the death penalty for the accused. The prime accused Zakir Hussain has been nabbed by the Police after two minors who stood guard outside the house were arrested on the evening of the crime itself.
Nagaon district police superintendent Shankar Raimedhi said, “The victim has named all the three accused in her dying declaration and this piece of evidence is very strong. Police are taking all measures to ensure that they get the highest quantum of punishment in the court of law.”
The rape rocked the state assembly as well leading to a walkout by the Congress. After Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asked the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary to make public the names of the accused, Patowary obliged by making public the names of accused involved in the recent rape cases in Batadrawa, Mourajhar, Jagiroad, Tamulpur and Juria. All of the accused are said to belong to the minority community. The AIUDF took offence at the ‘singling out’ of the accused belonging to the minority community.
Assam has recently witnessed a spate of attacks on women by members of the minority community. Recently, in Lakhimpur, a woman alleged that a person named Nurul Haque had attempted to outrage her modesty before she managed to escape. In another incident, a woman was raped in front of her husband. The accused Nazrul Islam alias Mazat Ali (prime accused), Sultan Ali, Momtaz Ali, Ikramul Haque, Farzul Haque, Majidul Ahmad, Habibur Rahman and Nazirul Haque were nabbed by Nagaon Police within 24 hours of the incident. In Hailkandi district, along with the Assam-Mizoram border, a 14-year-old tribal girl was brutally raped and murdered on March 14. The accused has been identified as Jashimuddin Borbhuiya.
Hojai BJP MLA Shiladitya Dev and Khumtai Legislator Mrinal Saikia have alleged that illegal Bangladeshi immigrants are involved in a majority of crimes against women. They demanded that concrete steps be taken against “illegal Bangladeshi migrants who are involved in majority rape and murder cases”. Shiladitya Dev admitted that he was wrong when he claimed that 80% of the rapes are committed by Bangladeshi Muslims before adding that the figure was closer to 95% for rape, murder, extortion, kidnapping and other crimes.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9a8DMG1loM]
The recent spate of rapes by members of the minority community could lead to a further deterioration of communal harmony in the state which has witnessed a tectonic demographic shift due to illegal immigration from Bangladesh.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who is on a 3-day visit to the national capital to meet leaders of opposition parties to form an anti-BJP alliance for upcoming 2019 elections, may or may not meet Congress President Rahul Gandhi. She is also expected to meet UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi later, who hosted all opposition ‘fabulous dinner‘ which was skipped by Mamata.
Mamata arrived in Delhi on Monday night and is expected to meet NCP chief Sharad Pawar over dinner hosted by latter to explore forging an anti-BJP alliance. Sharad Pawar had denied any plans on hosting dinner for Mamata.
There is no meeting, there is no dinner: NCP Chief Sharad Pawar on question whether there will be a dinner meeting with West Bengal chief Minister Mamata Banerjee #Delhipic.twitter.com/Sz6bQfTOJ7
While Mamata sought an appointment with Sonia Gandhi at the last moment, it is still unclear whether or not meeting Congress President Rahul Gandhi is on the cards. Mamata has maintained her meeting with Sonia Gandhi is more personal since the latter is unwell. However, she has not shown any interest in meeting Sonia’s son Rahul, who aspires to be the Prime Minister of India one day, just like his father, grandmother and great-grandfather. However, some media reports say that she will be meeting Rahul Gandhi and even her Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal. Mamata has also reportedly said that she will not meet Rahul Gandhi unless he approaches and invites her.
Even as Mamata Banerjee aspires to take on a bigger role in opposition as the crucial elections come up, it is believed that Congress is strongly advising her against forming a separate front keeping Congress aside as it may just end up helping BJP by splitting votes.
The union water resources minister Nitin Gadkari has said that India would utilise the water from 3 rivers that belong to India as per the Indus water treaty and divert the water for use in Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana. While speaking at the Agri Leadership Summit-2018 in Rohtak, the minister said that three dams would be built to use unutilised water flowing to Pakistan.
Under the Indus water treaty, Pakistan can utilise water from Indus, Chenab and Jhelum. India is allowed to utilise waters from Satluj, Ravi and Beas.
Under the Indus Treaty,water from 3 rivers being given to Pakistan&water from 3 rivers coming to us. Water from our rivers was going into Pak, we are making detailed project reports to stop that from happening&water will be given to Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi&Haryana: Nitin Gadkari pic.twitter.com/5CULHZeqCh
The earlier UPA government hadstalled the Tulbul water project which is in the path of river Jhelum. Pakistan had mentioned that it was a precondition to resume talks with India. The move by UPA was perceived as Pakistan appeasement.
The PM had assured the people in a rally at Bathinda that the waters of Sutlej, Beas and Ravi which rightfully belong to India would be utilised better by India for the welfare of its farmers. “There is no reason that we cannot use our rights (over our waters) and let our farmers suffer“, the PM had said. The announcement of Nitin Gadkari seems to be in line with that of the PM’s previous statement.
