On being called out for playing religious politics, Rohini Acharya said, "I am unaffected by hateful ideologies borne out of venomous society. Happy Chaitra Navratri "
The Congress leader along with his party workers barged into the JP hospital after the demise of a 35-year old patient and started verbally abusing and threatening the doctor on duty.
We know of the recent surge in COVID cases all over India, but the simultaneous surge in ‘responsible’ citizens appalled by the irresponsibility of ‘Covidiots’
A student from Arunachal Pradesh and a teacher from DAV institutions had asked the PM about how to tackle difficult subjects or topics during study hours.
Pfizer has been accused of countries in Latin America of pledging their sovereign assets, military bases and financial reserves to protect itself from any adverse fallout of the vaccine
On being called out for playing religious politics, Rohini Acharya said, "I am unaffected by hateful ideologies borne out of venomous society. Happy Chaitra Navratri "
The Congress leader along with his party workers barged into the JP hospital after the demise of a 35-year old patient and started verbally abusing and threatening the doctor on duty.
We know of the recent surge in COVID cases all over India, but the simultaneous surge in ‘responsible’ citizens appalled by the irresponsibility of ‘Covidiots’
A student from Arunachal Pradesh and a teacher from DAV institutions had asked the PM about how to tackle difficult subjects or topics during study hours.
Pfizer has been accused of countries in Latin America of pledging their sovereign assets, military bases and financial reserves to protect itself from any adverse fallout of the vaccine
Ahead of Ramzan, the daughter of scam-tainted politician Lalu Yadav has announced that she would fast for a month for the well-being of her father. Lalu Yadav has been convicted for his role in the infamous fodder scam and is now lodged at the AIIMS hospital in New Delhi over ‘poor health conditions’.
In a tweet on Monday (April 12), Rohini Acharya said, “Ramzan is starting from tomorrow. I have decided to undertake fasting for a month for the well-being of my father. I will pray for his recovery and hope that justice will be delivered to him.” She informed that she would also pray to Allah to maintain peace and harmony in the country. “At the same time, I will ask God/Allah to restore peace and harmony in this nation,” Rohini Acharya added.
कल से रमज़ान का पाक महीना शुरू हो रहा है! इस साल हमने भी फैसला किया है कि पूरे महीने अपने पापा के सेहतयाबी और सलामती के लिए रोज़े रखूंगी! पापा की हालत में सुधार हो और जल्दी न्याय मिल सके इसकी भी दुआ करूँगी!
In a desperate attempt at monkey balancing, she tweeted, “It is also the time for Chaitra Navratri. I have the requisite strength within me to celebrate both the festivals with equal devotion.” On being called out for playing religious politics, she added, “I am unaffected by hateful ideologies borne out of venomous society. Happy Chaitra Navratri “
साथ मे चैती नवरात्र भी है, मेरे अंदर इनती हिम्मत है कि मैं दोनों पावन पर्व पूरी निष्ठा के साथ पूरा कर सकती हूं! मुझे किसी ज़हरीले परवरिश की नफ़रती सोच से कोई फ़र्क़ नहीं पड़ता । आप सभी को चैती नवरात्र की भी हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं🙏 https://t.co/yW3LJ6L2IX
Fodder scam convict maintaining a luxurious lifestyle
Lalu Prasad Yadav, the RJD supremo, was jailed in multiple cases linked to the infamous fodder scam. Instead of living in jail, he had been enjoying his time in the bungalow allotted to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Director in Ranchi. He was shifted to the Bungalow from RIMS to apparently save him from Coronavirus infection. It is believed that Lalu had been running his party from the hospital for the past two years. During the Bihar elections 2020, he had managed everything from the RIMS Director’s Bungalow. Meanwhile, the Director is forced to stay at the institute’s guest-house. He is now being treated at the AIIMS hospital in Delhi.
A temple of Narsimha was attacked at Baliya in Karimganj, Assam by dacoits on Sunday. The priest was beaten up and according to some on social media, the priest’s daughter was threatened with abduction as well.
Around 10 armed assailants attacked the priest of a two century old Narsimha temple in Baliya, Karimganj, Assam on Sunday which falls adjacent to the Bangladesh border. The terrorists threatened to abduct the priest's daughter. pic.twitter.com/nQ4IOksC3U
The matter was reported by The Sentinel, a local newspaper in Assam, as well. The Sentinel reported that the Narsimha temple was robbed on Sunday night. Gold ornaments, cash and other valuables were looted from the temple. The priest’s family was tied and beaten up.
The priest said that initially when noises could be heard, he guessed that it might be due to a storm. But when he heard human voices, he got up from his bed. When he attempted to get hold of one of the robbers, he was nabbed.
One of them held a machete to his neck and threatened him not to speak and everyone was then tied up. The robbers then demanded 1 lakh rupees from them. The robbers also demanded the golden idol and gold ornaments.
The priest told him that he was poor and did not have any cash with him and it was the committee which kept the cash in its possession. He said that he only receives Rs. 1200 to perform the rituals. The incident occurred at about 2am into the night.
The Police is currently investigating the matter. The place is near the India-Bangladesh border but, as per reports, the involvement of locals is suspected as well. In one report, a local said that crimes by those from across the border is rampant in the area but he suspected that locals were involved in the crime as well.
On April 12, the administration extended curfew for one more day at Chhabra, Baran district in Rajasthan after the riot. The administration imposed the curfew after communal riots erupted in the region on April 11 following a stabbing incident. As per reports, Kamal Singh Gurjar was stabbed by Fareed, Aabid and Sameer on April 10 during an argument over car parking.
Vineet Bansal, Superintendent of Police, Baran, said that the police and district administration had a meeting with representatives from both communities and urged them to maintain peace. He further added that the shopkeepers and traders affected by the violence had been asked to file Police complaints so that necessary action can be taken. So far, Police has registered over six FIRs connected to Sunday violence. He assured the representatives that those who were involved in violence and arson are being identified.
Gurjar leader Vijay Singh Bainsla visited Chhabra
One of the most prominent Gurjar leaders, BJP’s Vijay Singh Bainsla, visited Chhabra on April 12 to take stock of the situation. As per reports, initially, he was stopped from entering Chhabra by the local administration. However, he was later allowed to enter and meet the Gurjar community members at around 10:30 PM. In his statement yesterday, Bainsla said that there is peace in the region because of the curfew. “It is the responsibility of the local leaders to ensure there will be peace once curfew is lifted. I am here to take stock of the situation and talk to the members of the Gurjar community.”
कल देर रात को प्रोटोकॉल के हिसाब से पहले कवाई थाने रुक कर स्थानीय लोगों व विधायकजी श्री प्रताप सिंह सिंघवी जी से स्थिति का जायज़ा लिया तत्पश्चात करीब रात 10.30 बजे #छबड़ा में प्रवेश किया व देर रात तक कलेक्टर महोदय , SP साहब , एडिशनल साहब व अन्य अधिकारियों से विस्तृत बात हुई। pic.twitter.com/4Qk641NtIv
— Vijay Bainsla | विजय बैंसला (@VijaySBainsla) April 13, 2021
He further added that everyone wants to live in peace and harmony in the region. “We live like a family, and incidents happen among the family members. What we need to do is to ensure there are peace and harmony among all communities.”
OpIndia’s conversation with Bainsla
OpIndia reached out to Bainsla and discussed in detail to understand what exactly happened in Chhabra. Bainsla said that on April 10, Kamal Gurjar was buying fruit at an intersection when Fareed, Aabid and Sameer came on a bike and asked him to move his vehicle. When Kamal requested him to park somewhere else, the trio started arguing with him.
During the argument, one of them pulled out a knife and started attacking Kamal. Rakesh Nagar, one of the shopkeepers, ran to Kamal’s rescue with a baton. Two more men from the other community joined the trio and injured Kamal and Rakesh. As it was five against two, Kamal and Rakesh could not save themselves from the attack. More shopkeepers ran to their rescue, after which the men from a particular community ran away. Both Rakesh and Kamal were rushed to the hospital.
Bainsla further said that the next day, prominent members from both Gurjar and Muslim communities sat to discuss the situation. While they talked about peace, a Gurjar man who went to the Muslim area for some personal work was attacked with sharp weapons. He somehow managed to escape and reached the spot where the community leaders were trying to pacify the situation. On learning about the attack, the situation got heated up.
Girraj Gurjar, one of the prominent local Gurjar leader, immediately called Bainsla and informed him about the situation. “I called the collector on the conference call and updated him about the situation. It was decided to disperse the meeting between the two communities immediately.” However, before they could disperse the people gathered there, stone pelting started from both sides leading to the stampede.
While Bainsla was travelling to Chhabra, he released a video requesting everyone to maintain peace.
#छबड़ा के लिए अभी सवाई माधोपुर पार किया है, देर शाम तक छबड़ा पहुंच रहा हूँ।
आप सब से आपील है के शांति बनाये रखें, कर्फ्यू का 100℅ पालन करें। जो आरोपी हैं उन्हें @PoliceRajasthan जल्द गिरफ़्तार करेगी ,इसका मुझे विश्वास है। आपसे आपील है सौहार्द बनाये रखें। @RajCMO – विजय बैंसला- pic.twitter.com/0KCNLwcgUK
— Vijay Bainsla | विजय बैंसला (@VijaySBainsla) April 12, 2021
Over 79 shops burnt down
Bainsla said that over 79 shops and showrooms belonging to the Hindu community were burnt down during the riots. “Some of the shops had products worth 2-3 crores were burnt to ashes. The rioters from the Muslim community were roaming around with naked swords, and the Police were unable to stop them,” he added. We had also reported yesterday that there were several incidents of stone pelting on the police force as by the Muslim mob as well.
Bainsla alleged that Police used maximum tear gas on the Hindus while only one tear gas shell was fired on the minority rioters. “They also attacked police officers,” he added.
The case against Girraj Gurjar is unsubstantial
Girraj Gurjar, who runs a coaching centre at Chhabra, has been named by the Police as one of the main accused. Bainsla said that Girraj was one of the frontrunners in maintaining peace after the riots. He led the delegation that submitted a memorandum at the Police station over the stabbing incident and requested Police to arrest the accused.
Police picked his father and brother for interrogation on Sunday evening. When Bainsla called the Police station and questioned their action, the Police officers allegedly asked him to send Girraj for paperwork so that his father, who was recovering from a brain haemorrhage, and brother could be released. Later, due to his intervention, Girraj’s father and brother were released by the Police.
‘I was stopped from entering Chhabra after the Chhabra, Rajasthan riot’
Bainsla said that he was stopped from entering Chhabra on the pretext that his presence could re-instigate the riots. “I called up the senior administration at Jaipur, after which I was permitted to meet the community at Chhabra.” He added that BJP MP Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria was also stopped from entering Chhabra. He was held at Kota itself and could not travel ahead.
प्रशाशन संग जिन बिंदुओ पर सहमति बनी :- 1.प्रशासन को 2 दिन का समय दिया है चाकू मारने वाले अपराधियों को गिरफ्तार करने के लिए 2.जो लोग छबड़ा में हिंसा में लिप्त हैं उनपर कार्यवाही हो 3.जो निर्दोष हैं उनपर कोई कार्यवाही न हो, शांतिपूर्वक ज्ञापन देने वालो पर कोई अप्रिय कार्यवाही न हो।
— Vijay Bainsla | विजय बैंसला (@VijaySBainsla) April 13, 2021
He added, “At around 10:30 PM, I entered the area where curfew was imposed. I met the collector and senior police officers. During the meeting, I urged them to arrest the two absconding youth, who were involved in the stabbing incident, at the earliest. I also urged them to take strict action against those who were involved in the riots while making sure that no innocent is named in the FIRs.” Bainsla said that the main aim of his visit was to ensure peace and tranquillity in the region.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has recently dismissed a woman’s plea seeking action against “Prince Harry Middleton, son of Prince Charles Middleton, resident of the United Kingdom” for not marrying her, after allegedly promising to marry.
The petitioner is a lawyer named Palwinder Kaur, who had appeared for the case herself.
The petitioner also requested to issue an arrest warrant against Prince Harry at the earliest to ensure no further delay in the marriage, as reported by Live Law.
Punjab and Haryana High Court has heard a plea seeking legal action against Prince Harry for not fulfilling an alleged promise to marry the Petitioner. The plea also sought for arrest warrants to be issued so that no further delay would occur in the marriage. #PrinceHarrypic.twitter.com/RycadP4iUj
‘Prince Harry Middleton’ promised marriage via email
Interestingly, the woman also produced some emails exchanged with one so-called “Prince Harry Middleton”, in which the person sending the email had stated that he promises to marry her soon.
In a reply to the Court’s query on whether the petitioner has travelled to the United Kingdom, it was revealed that the woman was in touch with the alleged “Prince Harry” only through social media and had even sent messages to “Prince Charles” that his son is engaged to her.
After hearing the petitioner in person, The Court dismissed the petition as nothing, but a daydreamer’s fantasy about marrying Prince Harry.
Justice Arvind Singh Sangwan dismissed the petition and observed, “It is well-known fact that fake IDs are created on various social media sites like Facebook, Twitter etc. and authenticity of such conversation cannot be relied upon by this Court. There is every possibility that so-called Prince Harry may be sitting in a cyber cafe of a village in Punjab, looking for greener pastures for himself”.
It is notable here that there is no “Prince Harry Middleton”. Middleton is the maiden surname of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, and the wife of Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is married to Meghan Markle.
The management committee of Gyanvapi structure in Varanasi, the Anjuman Intezamia Masjid Committee, has filed an urgent application before the Allahabad High Court on Monday seeking a stay on April 8 judgment of a local court in Varanasi, allowing an archaeological survey of the entire complex by the Archaeological Survey of India. The petition contends that the order was passed ‘illegally and without jurisdiction.
The plea filed by senior advocates Farman Ahmad Naqvi and Syed Ahmad Faizan claims that the lower court overlooked the entire written submissions and applicability of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 and Order 7 Rule 11D of the Civil Procedure Code.
Representing Anjuman Intezamia, counsel Farman Ahmad Naqvi said, “We have filed the petition and requested the court to hear us on an urgent basis as our petition is serious in nature.”
The petition also points out that the Allahabad High Court had already reserved its judgment in this matter, but the Varanasi court has been hearing the contentions of the opposite party.
“It seems that the learned civil judge concerned is more interested to skirt all judicial disciplines and ethics as well as procedures of law and to establish himself as above the judicial hierarchy as defined under the Civil Procedure Code and had assumed himself as the sole authority to decide upon the entire issue without looking into the legal impediment and bar,” the petition says.
Meanwhile, the Sunni Waqf Board is in the process to file an appeal against the Varanasi court order on Tuesday. UP Sunni Central Waqf Board chairman Zufar Farooqui said, “We support Anjuman Intezamia. The Sunni Board will also move the Allahabad High Court against the Varanasi civil court order on Tuesday.”
Varanasi district court gives its nod for ASI survey of the Gyanvapi structure
Earlier this month, the Varanasi district court allowed the ASI to conduct an archaeological survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex. The mosque itself has been erected over the original Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
A local lawyer, VS Rastogi had filed a suit in the district court demanding that the land on which the Gyanvapi Mosque stands be restored to Hindus since the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1664 had pulled down a portion of the 2000-year-old Kashi Vishwanath Temple to build the Gyanvapi Mosque there.
Gyanvapi Mosque was built by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb after destroying the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The remnants of the ancient Hindu temple can be seen on the walls of the Gyanvapi mosque now. The temple was an earlier restoration of the original Kashi Vishwanath temple, which was destroyed and rebuilt several times in history. The current Kashi Vishwanath was built on a site adjacent to the Mosque in 1780.
On Monday (April 12), an independent Kerala MLA named PC George has said that India must declare itself as a ‘Hindu Rashtra (Hindu nation)’ to protect it from turning into an Islamic nation by 2030. He made the remarks during a function organised by a tribal welfare NGO named HRDS India at Thodupuzha in Idukki in Kerala.
As per reports, PC George opined that Islamists are planning to turn India into an Islamic country. Furthermore, he informed that the sinister plan was delayed due to demonetisation that was implemented in 2016. He said that Muslims are also encroaching upon Christian majority countries and turning them Islamic. The MLA from the Poonjar constituency added that India must declare itself as a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ to protect it from Islamic takeover by 2030.
Citing the example of France, he emphasised, “Countries like America are also falling in this line, but things are changing now. Muslims infiltrated France, and now they are converting it into (a) Muslim nation. Though it was a nation of the Christian community, Muslims are encroaching, it won’t be much late. Can we let this nation (go) to any particular community? This needs to be discussed. Somebody has to speak up.”
#Breaking | Veteran Kerala MLA PC George calls for ‘Hindu Rashtra’; says ‘Hindu Rashtra will guarantee safety’.
PC George, the founder of Kerala Janapaksham (Secular) and a seven-time MLA, pointed out, “Let’s consider the nations around the globe. There are capitalist countries, poor nations and Third World countries like India. All countries give prominence to some religion. In the case of Arabian countries, they are not just Islamic but also believe that whatever is not Islamic is inappropriate.”
George stated that the both the left and the UDF are conspiring with terrorists to convert India into a Hindu Rashtra.
George is the independent MLA from Kerala’s Poonjar constituency.
PC George speaks out on Love Jihad
While speaking on the menace of Love Jihad, PC George highlighted, “How far will this go? SC has said there is no love jihad. I know love jihad is real, I will say there is ‘love jihad. When I’m saying where we are headed, don’t misunderstand. There is only one solution to put an end to this. Respected Bharath must be declared a Hindu Rashtra”
In Madhya Pradesh, the Habibganj (Bhopal) police on Monday registered a case against Congress MLA PC Sharma and former corporator Guddu Chauhan, after they were seen heckling and humiliating a government doctor on duty. The entire episode was caught on camera which had gone viral on social media in no time.
As per an Indian Express report, JP Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer Yogendra Shrivastav who was heckled by the Congress leaders had filed a written complaint at the Habibganj police station on the day of the incident. The officials after going through CCTV footage and speaking to the eyewitnesses filed an FIR against the Congress leaders under IPC sections 353 (assault of public servant on duty) and 189 (threat of injury to public servant).
Senior doctor Yogendra Shrivastava had immediately tendered his resignation after being humiliated by the politicians despite making all possible attempts to save and serve the Covid-19 patients.
What led to the incident
The Congress leader along with his party workers had barged into the JP hospital after the demise of a 35-year old patient identified as Takhatsingh Sakhya of Kolar colony.
As per reports, Takhatsingh Sakhya was brought to the hospital in a critical condition with an SPO2 level below 30%. The patient could not be admitted due to the shortage of ICU beds but was immediately provided primary treatment. The relatives of the patient were apprised of his condition and were also informed about a shortage of beds in the facility.
However, the patient could not be saved and died in the emergency room of the hospital. His family alleged that Takhatsingh’s death was caused by negligence on the part of the hospital authorities and sought PC Sharma’s intervention.
Aftermath of the incident
Taking cognizance of the matter, Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted condemning the shameful act caught in the video. He said in a tweet, “Today, the way some people treated the doctors and the staff …is very shameful. No person has any right to mistreat our doctors.”
आज भोपाल के जेपी अस्पताल में जिस प्रकार कुछ लोगों ने डॉक्टर्स और वहाँ मौजूद स्टाफ के साथ अभद्र व्यवहार किया, हंगामा खड़ा किया, वह बेहद शर्मनाक है। किसी भी व्यक्ति को हमारे डॉक्टर्स के साथ दुर्व्यवहार करने का कोई अधिकार नहीं है।
— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) April 10, 2021
In another video shared by a social media user, senior doctor Yongendra Shrivastav was seen narrating the incident and informing that he no longer wishes to serve after being threatened and humiliated by the politicians. Fearing the repercussions, the doctor said that tomorrow the doctors and the staff can be attacked physically for incidences that are not in their control.
Congress MLA PC Sharma justifies his action
In a statement given to New Indian Express, Congress MLA PC Sharma said, “A supporter of mine spoke loudly to the doctor following which I apologized to him. A patient of my constituency died this afternoon. In such circumstances won’t a sensitive person get angry? A poor patient is being asked to go to a private hospital, nobody is talking about this.”
“The doctor did not talk to me in the morning when the family of the critical patient was trying to get him to talk to me over the phone. Instead, the doctor told them to take the patient to a private hospital,” he alleged.
Amidst the rising cases of Coronavirus-related deaths in the state of Maharashtra, it has now come to light that the bodies of the deceased are being wrapped in garbage bags. On Monday (April 12), Maharashtra BJP leader Kirit Somaiya shared harrowing visuals of corpses that were being taken for cremation from the Saket Global Hospital in Thane.
In the said video, it could be seen that the dead bodies were carried in stretchers and placed in the hearse. One of the corpses had a black garbage bag taped over it while the face was wrapped in a polythene bag. A total of 3 other bodies of Coronavirus patients were found wrapped in white plastic that was clearly not the prescribed body bags. The corpses were placed side-by-side in the vehicle and ferried to the crematorium. The vehicle, bearing the registration number MH04 KF2932, is registered in Thane.
“Now Thackeray Sarkar using Plastic/Kachara Bags to Pack #COVID Dead body,” Kirit Somaiya tweeted. He questioned the government over the manner in which the dead bodies were being disposed. The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many activists and residents questioning the apathy of the Maha Vikas Aghadi government towards the deceased individuals.
Now Thackeray Sarkar using Plastic/Kachara Bags to Pack #COVID Deadbody
While speaking about the matter, an official informed TOI, “There could possibly be a shortage of body bags as the volume of deaths has risen in the last few days, forcing the staff to use bedsheets to wrap the bodies.” Reportedly, the Saket Global Covid hospital in Thane had been facing a shortage of body bags. Meanwhile, the Thane Municipal Corporation has dismissed the allegations. Additional commissioner at Thane Municipal Corporation, Ganesh Deshmukh, claimed that no bedsheets were used to wrap the dead bodies.
8 Coronavirus dead bodies burnt on a single pyre in Maharashtra
Earlier on Wednesday (April 7), a civic official informed that the corpses of 8 Coronavirus patients were burnt on a single pyre due to a lack of space in a makeshift crematorium in the Beed district of Maharashtra. Reportedly, residents in Ambajogai town had opposed cremating Covid-19 infected bodies in the crematorium. As such, the civic authorities had to take the corpses to a new space on Mandwa road. The area is about 2km away from the town.
Chief Officer at Ambajogai Municipal Council said, “We had to set up one large pyre and cremate eight bodies on Tuesday. It was a big pyre and the bodies were kept at a certain distance from each other.” He had also unveiled plans to make the temporary crematorium waterproof before the onset of the monsoon season. It must be mentioned that Maharashtra is witnessing a tremendous spike in Coronavirus cases and fatalities. The state has 5,66,278 active cases and has witnessed 58,245 fatalities as of April 13.
Another deliberate attempt to spread fear and violence amidst polling in West Bengal was thwarted successfully by the security agencies. As reported by ANI, 14 crude bombs were recovered from the poll-bound Shamsherganj area in Murshidabad district on Monday.
The bombs were then disposed of by the Bomb Disposal Squad.
West Bengal: 14 crude bombs were recovered in Shamsherganj area of Murshidabad district yesterday. Later, the bombs were disposed of by the Bomb Disposal Squad. pic.twitter.com/Jxh9N525KP
Murshidabad district is set to go for polling in the fifth phase of assembly elections on April 17.
Illegal arms manufacturing unit busted in Bharatpur
Vigilance across West Bengal has been intensified after multiple such raids led to the recovery of bombs and illegal arms since polling began in the state. In another such incident, the police had recovered bombs, bomb-making equipment, gunpowder and bullets from an illegal arms manufacturing unit in the Madral Joychanditala area of Bhatpara in North 24 Parganas district on Saturday.
The voting in the Bhatpara constituency in North 24 Parganas will be held on April 22 along with Nadia Part II, East Bardhaman Part II and Uttar Dinajpur.
Fatal violence in fourth phase of polling
Violence triggered at the polling station in Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar after an 18-year old was shot dead allegedly by TMC goons.
The situation went downhill from there with the locals attacking the CISF personnel in an attempt to snatch their weapons which led to the death of four youths in retaliatory fire by the CISF.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah blamed Mamata Banerjee’s instigating speech for the flaring violence in the state.
EC bans Mamata Banerjee for 24 hours
In an order passed by the Election Commission, West Bengal’s incumbent CM Mamata Banerjee has been banned from campaigning for 24 hours after her statement was found to be a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
“West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has in violation of provisions of Model Code of Conduct… made insinuating and provocative remarks laden with a serious potential of a breakdown of law and order and thereby adversely affecting the election process,” the EC said in a statement.
To register her protest against the order, Mamata Banerjee has decided to sit on a dharna from 12 noon today.
To protest against the undemocratic and unconstitutional decision of the Election Commission of India, I will sit on dharna tomorrow at Gandhi Murti, Kolkata from 12 noon.
As India is afflicted by the resurgent wave of the coronavirus outbreak, with the indigenous-made vaccines running low on stocks, several individuals have used this adversity to urge the government to do away with the rules governing the approval of the emergency use of vaccines in India and allow Pfizer to sell its COVID-19 vaccines in India without conducting any bridge trials in the country.
With the daily coronavirus caseloads touching a new high, thanks to the inexorable spread of the infection in states like Maharashtra, the clamour for allowing Pfizer to sell its COVID-19 vaccine in the country has only grown stronger. Incidentally, the left-leaning and the self-proclaimed journalists are at the forefront of this campaign, pressurising the central government to waive off obligations that a vaccine manufacturing company has to fulfil before permitting them to sell their vaccines.
Earlier in February, the central government’s expert panel had rejected drugmaker Pfizer’s application seeking an emergency nod for its Covid-19 vaccine after the company insisted on a waiver of a clinical trial in India. The company wanted to sell its vaccine in India but was not inclined to hold the trials, which would have granted them the protection of being held responsible for any untoward side-effects caused among the recipients of its vaccine.
Latin countries accuse Pfizer of asking them to pledge sovereign assets, military bases to cushion against any adverse fallout of its vaccine
Apparently, India was not the only country where Pfizer wanted to ram its way through the vaccine market without being held accountable for any possible adverse outcomes. Latin countries had accused Pfizer of ‘high-level bullying’ during COVID-19 vaccine negotiations, alleging that the Pharma behemoth had demanded additional indemnity against civil lawsuits citizens might file in relation to Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine.
“Pfizer reportedly asked governments in Argentina and Brazil to put up sovereign assets, including military bases and federal bank reserves, as collateral for potential future legal costs,” a report published on Pharmaceutical Technology said.
Besides demanding safeguard from civil lawsuits, officials from Latin countries who were part of the negotiation revealed that the company also wanted protection against cases brought forth due to its own negligence, fraud or malice.
Indian left-liberals, foot soldiers of Pfizer’s PR campaign?
Despite the unreasonable demands made by Pfizer of the countries across the world, several motivated individuals want the Indian government to cave into the demands of the pharmaceutical giant and allow its vaccines to be sold in the country. This makes one wonder if the left-leaning liberals are unaware of Pfizer’s bullying tactics elsewhere in the world or are simply acting as foot-soldiers in the company’s PR campaign to railroad the Indian government into approving its vaccine.
A bridging trial is a supplementary trial performed in a new region or country to get more clinical data on efficacy, safety and dose regimen. But, the left-leaning liberals and journalists are now passionately arguing against holding clinical trials in the country and advocating its usage without trial. Ironically, these are the same set of folks who had demanded the Indian government to revoke the emergency use approval granted to indigenously made vaccines in January 2021. They had then argued that the clinical trials were not conducted and therefore vaccines should not be approved.
However, now they have changed their tune, asking for approval to the Pfizer vaccine even when the company has been accused by other countries of making unreasonable demands to protect itself from any repercussions resulting from the administration of its vaccines.
The left journalists have, more often than not, championed a cause that is detrimental to the country. Earlier in January 2021, when India needed rapid vaccination to avoid the resurgent wave of coronavirus outbreak, the left-leaning liberals had indulged in raising aspersions on the efficacy of the Made in India vaccines, thereby engendering doubts in the minds of people regarding the vaccines. The scepticism caused by their utterances delivered a significant blow to India’s vaccination drive and the country could have scaled its immunisation campaign much more quickly if the liberals had not raised questions on the vaccines made in India.
Now, a few months later, the left-leaning liberals have no qualms with a foreign company wanting to sell its vaccine without conducting trials here. In fact, they are passionately exhorting the government to forgo clinical trials for the foreign pharmaceutical company that is reported to have asked countries to pledge their sovereign assets, military bases and financial reserves to protect itself from any adverse fallout. This duplicity betrays where the loyalty of the Indian left-liberal journalists lies, and it is clearly not with India.
