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Fact check: The Wire peddles ‘Darr ka Mahol’ narrative in Srinagar amid elections, Arfa Khanum Sherwani lies about shops being shut without formal orders

OpIndia Staff
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Fact check: The Wire peddles ‘Darr ka Mahol’ narrative in Srinagar amid elections, Arfa Khanum Sherwani lies about shops being shut without formal orders

On 13th May, The Wire’s reporter Arfa Khanum Sherwani was in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, to cover the fourth phase of polling of Lok Sabha Elections. In a post on social media platform X, Arfa claimed that 99 per cent of the shops in Srinagar were closed “without any formal order to do so”.

She also claimed that people were coming out to express disapproval. However, her assertion that the shops were closed without formal orders was found to be misleading in OpIndia’s investigation.

During our research, we came across an order by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir about the General Elections to Lok Sabha, 2024 passed on 1st April 2024.

Referring to the Election Commission of India’s 16th March 2024 notification, it was mentioned that under Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, paid holidays should be observed in the regions as per the polling schedule.

For Srinagar, the order specifically mentioned the date of polling which was 13th May (Monday). Furthermore, the order stated that every person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking or any other establishment is entitled to vote.

Daily wage and casual workers were also entitled to holidays and wages on the day of polling. Furthermore, those who are residents of a constituency and registered as electoral, serving in an industrial undertaking or an establishment located outside the constituency are also entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday on the polling day.

Source: Jammu and Kashmir Government

The order clearly stated that all voters of the constituency where polling was supposed to happen were entitled to a paid holiday on the date of polling. Most of the shops and businesses where polling takes place remain closed for the day. The same happened in Srinagar.

Arfa tried to mislead people suggesting the shops were closed without an official order possibly to assert that they were forcefully closed by the administration or the security forces.

Furthermore, Arfa Khanum Sherwani talked to selective people to insinuate there was anger against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government. Speaking to her, the PDP candidate claimed there was “suffocation” in Kashmir and people were afraid to talk.

On the contrary, there were several videos available on social media that showed enthusiasm among the voters. In one of the videos shared by the Counter Disinformation Centre, voters said they came out to vote for the development of the region.

It has to be noted that though the percentage of voters was lower compared to other parts of the country, Srinagar saw the highest turnout since 1998, said the Chief Electoral officer of Jammu & Kashmir. Furthermore, no untoward incident took place amidst voting in Srinagar.

In a video by Kashmir Ahead, a voter said, “I have voted for my future. We had a bad past.”

The transformation that happened after the abrogation of Article 370 is visible in the valley. Speedy development, central schemes and sharp decline in terror activities have improved the lifestyle of common Kashmiri.

Is Bangladesh becoming new Pakistan? Hindu girl sentenced to 5 years in jail over accusation of ‘blasphemy’

OpIndia Staff
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Is Bangladesh becoming new Pakistan? Hindu girl sentenced to 5 years in jail over accusation of ‘blasphemy’

Four years after a Bangladeshi Hindu girl named Tithy Sarkar was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad and committing ‘blasphemy’ on social media, a court in Dhaka sentenced her to 5 years in prison.

The disturbing verdict was announced on Monday (13th May) by Justice AM Zulfikar Hayat of the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal under the Digital Security Act (DSA). He also sentenced Tithy Sarkar to 1 year of probation on eight conditions.

Tithy Sarkar was directed to appear before law enforcement authorities when summoned by them during her probation period.

According to Bench Assistant Jewel Miha, a probation officer would monitor the activities of the Hindu woman. The verdict against her may be re-considered if the said probation officer gave a satisfactory report.

The victim had been languishing in jail for the past 21 months. A total of 6 witnesses testified against her in court.

A former student of Jagannath University, Tithy Sarkar was booked by the police on 2nd November 2020. She was also the convenor of World Hindu Struggle Council and office secretary of the Students Protection Council of Jagannath University.

Tithy Sarkar filed police complaint, told police that her Facebook account was hacked

OpIndia reported in 2020 that the Hindu woman had gone missing after being accused of ‘hurting religious sentiments.’ Islamists had alleged that Sarkar made derogatory remarks against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.

Tithy Sarkar met the officials at the Pallabi police station and filed a complaint about her Facebook account being hacked. She had made it clear to the police that the alleged ‘blasphemous comments were’ made by an unidentified hacker using her Facebook handle.

The development was confirmed by Kazi Wazed Ali, the station-in-charge of the Pallabi police station. After filing the police complaint, the Hindu woman went missing and her phone remained untraceable.

 “We do not blame anyone behind my sister’s missing. We are requesting the government and the authorities concerned for my sister’s safe return,” her sister Smriti had stated at that time.

University suspended Tithy Sarkar, police claimed she faked her kidnapping

On 23rd October 2020, Tithy Sarkar was suspended by her university for 10 days following large-scale protests by student organisations. She was also given a show-cause notice about permanent suspension from Jagannath University.

The CID officials investigating the case claimed that Tithy Sakrar ‘faked’ her own abduction and went into hiding with her boyfriend-turned-husband Shiplu Mallik. She was arrested on 11th November 2020.

“After leaving her Pallabi home on October 25, Tithy contacted her boyfriend Shiplu Mallik and went to Bagerhat where they got married. They came back to Dhaka on November 9. Tithy later went to an in-law’s house in Narsingdi,” Deputy Inspector General Jamil Ahmed had said.

In May 2021, the CID filed a chargesheet against the Hindu woman and her husband Shiplu Malik. On 4th November 4, 2021, the Dhaka Cyber Tribunal ruled charges against Tithy Sakrar.

In the meantime, the police arrested another Hindu man named Niranjan Baral for allegedly spreading rumours about the disappearance of the Hindu woman.

Blasphemy in Pakistan and growing intolerance in Bangladesh

Although Bangladesh claims to be a ‘secular nation’, its blasphemy laws are often weaponised by Islamists to target religious minorities including the Hindu community.

This is reminiscent of the situation in Pakistan where mere allegations of blasphemy can trigger mob lynching and even death sentences by courts. A classic case in point was the Asia Bibi case, which led to the killing of a Pakistani legislator named Salman Taseer.

Although the Christian woman was acquitted by the court, she had to leave Pakistan to avoid religious persecution.

Unfortunately, Bangladesh is treading the dangerous path of Pakistan where the overwhelming Muslim majority gets away by encroaching upon Hindu lands and temples.

They are somehow immune against blasphemy laws, despite hurting religious sentiments and committing acts of desecration.

BJP leader and former Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi passes away at 72, was battling cancer

OpIndia Staff
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BJP leader and former Bihar Deputy CM Sushil Modi passes away at 72, was battling cancer

Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Sushil Modi, passed away at Delhi’s All-India Institute of Medical Sciences this evening. He was 72.

Sushil Modi was battling cancer and was admitted to the intensive care unit of AIIMS for the last month.

Sushil Kumar Modi had in April this year revealed that he was suffering from cancer and that he would not contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections due to his poor health.

Several leaders expressed their condolences on the passing away of Sushil Modi, a veteran BJP leader.

“Heartfelt tribute to former Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and former Rajya Sabha MP Shri Sushil Kumar Modi ji on his demise. This is an irreparable loss for Bihar BJP. Om Shanti Shanti,” Samrat Choudhary posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Born in January 1952, Sushil Modi has been associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) since his early years. His political journey commenced during his college years when he served as the general secretary of the student’s union in 1973. During the initial phase of his political career, he actively participated in the student’s movement in Bihar in 1974 and faced arrest five times during the Emergency period. He also played a significant role in mobilising school students during the Sino-Indian war of 1962.

His active involvement in Indian politics began to gain momentum in 1990 when he contested and won from the Patna Central Assembly constituency. Subsequently, he held the position of the leader of the opposition in the State Assembly from 1996 to 2004. In 2004, he secured a seat in the Lok Sabha from the Bhagalpur constituency.

In 2005, when the BJP assumed power in Bihar, he was appointed as the leader of the Bihar BJP legislative party.

He served as Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar from 2005 to 2013 and 2017 to 2020 in the Nitish Kumar cabinet. 

Tej Pratap Yadav pushes a party worker, YSRCP MLA slapped, Congress leader assaults a voter: Political atmosphere heats up amid Phase 4 polling

OpIndia Staff
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Tej Pratap Yadav pushes a party worker, YSRCP MLA slapped, Congress leader assaults a voter: Political atmosphere heats up amid Phase 4 polling

On Monday (13th May), RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav aggressively pulled a party worker off stage at a party function, the video of which is making rounds on social media. Tej Pratap in the video is seen pushing away a party worker in a state of rage. The event is said to have occurred in Patna following Misa Bharti’s nomination. According to local reports, a struggle broke out among Tej Pratap Yadav and RJD supporters at the Shri Krishna Memorial Hall.

It is unclear what caused the RJD leader to lose his cool with the party worker. However, Tej Pratap’s sister Misa Bharti, and mother Rabdi Devi intervened to calm the situation.

The BJP took cognizance of the event and responded to the video. Shehzad Poonawalla, the BJP national spokesperson, stated the video was a foreshadowing of what would happen if the RJD won power in the state, recalling the “jungle raj” era in Bihar.

“VVIP arrogance & gundaagardi peaks Jungle raj display on the public stage as Lalu’s son Tej Pratap assaults & pushes a karyakarta on stage. Imagine if they are like this to workers on stage before elections what they will do to Janta after elections,” Poonawalla said sharing the video of the incident on X.

In another similar incident, Congress leader Nagesh Shetkar, brother of Congress Candidate from Zaheerabad (Telangana) Suresh Shetkar also assaulted a voter after a verbal spat, the video of which is making rounds on social media.

In the video, the Congress leader could be seen engaging in a heated discussion with the voter. Meanwhile the latter could be seen taking control of his vehicle as Shetkar attempted to kick the voter amid the Lok Sabha elections 2024.

Earlier, a YSRCP candidate Annabathuni Siva Kumar in Andhra’s Guntur also struck a voter when he objected to the MLA skipping the polling line. The voter then landed a resounding slap on the MLA’s cheeks, prompting an assault from the leader’s goons. The footage of the incident went viral. Andhra Pradesh cast its votes for both the Lok Sabha and the state assembly on Monday, May 13.

General elections are being held in India from 19th April to 1st June 2024 in seven phases, to elect 543 members of the Lok Sabha. The votes will be counted and the results will be declared on 4th June 2024.

‘There are two types of martyrs within the Indian Army’: Rahul Gandhi follows The Caravan’s path to incite caste divide within the Army

Amit Kelkar
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‘There are two types of martyrs within the Indian Army’: Rahul Gandhi follows The Caravan’s path to incite caste divide within the Army

Earlier today, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi escalated his caste rheotics as he made contentious remarks concerning the Indian Army. Gandhi, who was speaking at a public rally at Rae Bareli, criticised the ‘Agniveer Scheme’, and insinuated that there is a distinction between jawans belonging to the lower castes vis-a-vis those belonging to the upper castes.

“Narendra Modi has made two types of Jawans. One is the son of a poor, Dalit, Backward Class, minority community, and the other, is the son of a rich family. The son of a poor family has been given a new name: Agniveer,” Gandhi said. 

“PM Narendra Modi and his office have imposed the Agniveer scheme on the country. He wants the money that goes as pension and in the canteen facilities of Jawan to go to Adani in the form of defence contracts…” Gandhi said.

Alleging that Agniveers who lay down their lives in the line of duty won’t be accorded the status of martyrs, Gandhi added, “You will not be given the martyrdom status because you are an Agniveer and your family is poor.”

“You won’t get a pension, you won’t be able to avail of the canteen services. If you are martyred, the government of India won’t protect your family,” Gandhi further said. 

“However, If you are not an Agniveer, if you are a senior officer, If you are one of the four, how will it be selected you all know, right? Then you will get the status of martyr, receive medals, can avail of the services of the canteen, and the government will protect your family till their last breath,” Gandhi said. 

The Gandhi Scion claimed that there were two Indias and two types of martyrs within the Army. “There are two Indias and two types of martyrs within the Army,” Gandhi said.

The Caravan conducted a ‘caste analysis’ of 40 CRPF soldiers martyred in Pulwama terror attack

It is worth noting that Gandhi’s divisive rhetoric aligns with The Caravan’s infamous report in the wake of the Pulwama terror attack in February 2019 wherein it had conducted a ‘caste analysis’ of 40 CRPF soldiers who were martyred in a brutal attack engineered by Pak-based Jaish-e-Muhammad.

As The Caravan reduced the supreme sacrifice of our soldiers to their mere caste identity, which was done primarily to attack the Modi government, Rahul Gandhi seems to have taken their path with his dangerous rhetorics inciting caste divides with the Indian Army, and sowing divisions within an institute tasked with maintaining the country’s security and sovereignty.

Gandhi’s sinister bombast threaten to pit soldiers of one caste against another

The Indian Armed Forces take pride in being one of the few institutes across the world where any kind of discrimination finds no place and merit gets rewarded. It has selflessly served the country, be it in times of war or during natural calamities, the Armed Forces has never discriminated on any grounds against its soldiers or subjects. 

Moreover, there was a general understanding across the political spectrum to not politicise the forces and undermine the country’s national security for one’s short-term electoral gains. But Rahul Gandhi seems to have junked that approach as he claimed there are two Indias within the Army, and soldiers belonging to different castes are treated differently by the government. 

While Rahul Gandhi’s dangerous rhetorics have the potential to irreversibly damage the secular and inclusive fabric of the Indian Armed Forces, more sinisterly, it demonstrates the desperation among the Wayanad MP and the Congress party to champion the old colonial doctrine of “divide and rule” in their last-ditch attempt to wrest control from PM Modi, who appears on his way to return to power for the third time in a row in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. 

UP: Woman who claimed she got a BJP slip after voting for SP admits she had pressed the wrong button; Congress trolls and leaders had shared her fake claims

OpIndia Staff
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UP: Woman who claimed she got a BJP slip after voting for SP admits she had pressed the wrong button; Congress trolls and leaders had shared her fake claims

A video of a lady from Uttar Pradesh’s Lakhimpur Kheri claiming she voted for the Samajwadi party but got a BJP slip instead has gone viral online.

“I had voted for the cycle (Samajwadi Party) but the receipt showed Phool (BJP). Now I want that since I voted for cycle, my vote should go to cycle, not the flower,” the woman says in the viral video.

Several EVM detractors, mostly either Congress leaders or their overt supporters, quickly lapped up the claims and shared the video in their perennial pursuit to cast aspersions on the EVMs and insinuate that the elections are rigged.

National spokesperson for Congress, Supriya Shrinate, propagated the fake claims of an EVM machine malfunctioning in Lakhimpur Kheri.

Supriya Shrinate spreads video of a lady making false claims against EVM

And many other inveterate fake news peddlers, such as RJ Sayema, circulated the video on X, formerly known as Twitter, to disseminate false claims to cast doubts on EVMs. 

RJ Sayema fear-mongering over EVMs
‘Journalist’ Sachin Gupta shares video of a lady claiming she voted for SP but got BJP slip instead

However, the claims made in the video have been proven to be baseless and fake. DM Lakhimpur also issued a statement, rubbishing claims of alleged EVM fraud and confirming that the allegations of EVMs malfunctioning were baseless. 

The woman, whose video has gone viral, later clarified that there had been no case of EVM tampering as alleged on social media by Congress leaders and their supporters. In a fresh video, the lady said she had pressed the wrong button while voting due to which the vote had gone to the BJP.

“I had an infant baby with me during the time of voting because of which I pressed the wrong button and I have no problems with the EVMs,” the woman said in a video. 

Who is Bibhav Kumar? PA of Arvind Kejriwal under spotlight over alleged assault on Swati Maliwal

OpIndia Staff
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Who is Bibhav Kumar? PA of Arvind Kejriwal under spotlight over alleged assault on Swati Maliwal

Swati Maliwal, Rajya Sabha MP for the Aam Aadmi Party, has accused Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s close aide, Bibhav Kumar of assaulting her in the CM’s residence. Maliwal had gone to the CM’s residence seeking a meeting with Arvind Kejriwal. She requested the Delhi Police to investigate the matter. 

“One PCR call at 9:34 am was received at PS Civil Lines from a lady saying she (Swati Maliwal) had been assaulted at CM House. After some time, MP Madam came to PS Civil Lines, however, she left stating she would give a complaint later,” the police said.

The woman and CM Kejriwal’s close aide who was his former PA also had a verbal spat before the claimed assault. After this, the woman called the PCR (police control room) twice and reported the incident.

The police investigating the matter stated that one call by Maliwal was made at 9:30 am and another call was made at 10 am. The Police team immediately arrived at the spot after the calls and brought her to the station.

According to protocol, Delhi Police cannot enter the Chief Minister’s house without prior permission. However, Maliwal said that she would file the complaint later. “MP Madam came to PS Civil Lines, but she left stating she would file a complaint later,” the police said.

As per the police diary accessed by India Today, in the initial interaction, the caller stated that they were at the Chief Minister’s residence, where the Chief Minister was fighting with his aide, Bibhav Kumar.

Police added that after receiving the second call, they amended the diary entry. The note describes the caller as a woman and adds that she “was at the Chief Minister’s House, where he instructed his aide Bibhav Kumar to beat her up brutally”.

Who is Bibhav Kumar?

Bibhav Kumar was once the personal assistant to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He was fired from his job last month after being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in a case involving hindering government operations.

Former video journalist Bibhav Kumar first came across AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal in the early 2000s while employed as a video editor for a magazine founded by members of India Against Corruption, which later became the AAP.

He has been with Kejriwal ever since, assisting him with his daily chores and developing into one of the most dependable members of the Delhi Chief Minister’s inner circle. According to the reports, Kumar also served as the chief minister’s sounding board. In addition, while working as a PA, he ensured Kejriwal took his pills on time and followed his diet because he has diabetes.

Kejriwal experienced a bad toothache while travelling to Punjab during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Kumar was the one who made sure the AAP chief ate right immediately so he could take his medication on time. Kumar has earned the nickname “Kejriwal’s Man Friday” due to the vital role he plays in Kejriwal’s life regarding food and medication.

He recently made headlines after the Delhi Vigilance Department fired him from his position as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s secretary, citing his “illegal appointment.” Kumar later filed an OA with the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), disputing the termination order. However, the CAT refused to postpone the termination order, claiming that such relief would be premature.

The termination decision, issued by Special Secretary Vigilance YVVJ Rajshekhar, referenced a 2007 case against Bibhav Kumar in which he was accused of hindering government operations. According to the ruling, Bibhav Kumar faces serious accusations, including assault or criminal force to deter a public officer from performing his duties.

Also in February of this year, he appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi excise policy matter. The investigation agency questioned him about charges that he had, among other things, destroyed and concealed evidence in the case.

Kumar made headlines again last year, in August, when the Public Works Department (PWD) was instructed by the Vigilance Department to reverse Kumar’s allocation of a Type VI home.

Maliwal and her association with the wrongdoings

Maliwal was the previous head of the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW), a women’s rights organization in the national capital. She made headlines earlier this month when she criticized Delhi Lt Governor VK Saxena for terminating DCW’s contractual staff.

The AAP leader observed that only eight of the commission’s 90 employees were permanent, and he questioned how the organization would function if the majority of its personnel were terminated.

However, the LG office retaliated against Maliwal, claiming she was using “mudslinging” to “cover up her own wrongdoing”. Notably, Maliwal was not on the AAP’s list of 40-star campaigners that the party presented to the Election Commission in April.

According to a report, on April 26, she campaigned alongside Delhi Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel for the party’s Lok Sabha candidate from East Delhi, Kuldeep Kumar. The campaign included a door-to-door padayatra in the Vivek Vihar portion of the Shahdara assembly constituency.

“My family lives in the USA and I was there due to an emergency. Now, I am back and shall be campaigning for AAP. I shall be interacting with women and girls in general and shall appeal to them to come out and exercise their right to vote,” Maliwal was quoted as saying.

Anna Hazare, who was used to by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to catapult him into political arena, says that “Don’t vote for those facing ED investigation”

OpIndia Staff
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Anna Hazare, who was used to by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to catapult him into political arena, says that “Don’t vote for those facing ED investigation”

On Monday (13th May), social activist and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal’s political mentor Anna Hazare slammed the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and said that people should not vote for those leaders who face the Enforcement Directorate’s investigation in scam cases. Anna Hazare also advised the voters to vote for candidates who have a clean record.

“Today is a festival of democracy. Everyone should partake in polling and vote for candidates who are honest and have integrity, Vote for those candidates who have clean images and don’t have ED after them. I condemn Arvind Kejriwal for his name emerging in the Delhi Liquor Scam. He did corruption because he was drowned in the addiction to liquor. Such people should not be voted again to power,” Anna Hazare said.

Notably, this is not the first time that Anna Hazare has attacked Arvind Kejriwal. In March this year, Hazare had criticised Kejriwal after the latter’s arrest in the Delhi Liquor Scam case. Hazare said: “I am very upset that Arvind Kejriwal, who used to work with me, raise his voice against liquor, is now making liquor policies. Kejriwal’s arrest is because of his own deeds.”

Arvind Kejriwal joined the Anna movement in 2011 to protest the then-Congress government’s alleged corruption. He went on to take a u-turn from his claim to never joining politics, formed his political party in 2012, and became Chief Minister of Delhi.

Anna Hazare urged voters to elect candidates with clean records, advising against choosing politicians under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He openly criticized Delhi Chief Minister, targeting Arvind Kejriwal for his involvement in the Delhi liquor scam case. Hazare accused Kejriwal of committing corruption due to alcohol influence and emphasised that such individuals should not be re-elected

Gesture of goodwill: Maldives thanks India for $50 Million budgetary support

OpIndia Staff
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Gesture of goodwill: Maldives thanks India for $50 Million budgetary support

On Monday, May 13, Maldives’ government thanked the Indian government for providing budgetary support worth $50 million. The support was extended in the form of a rollover of a $50 million treasury bill for one more year which was done through the State Bank of India’s branch in the Maldivian capital of Male. The financial support from India came after the visit of Maldivian Foreign Minister to India.

In a press release, the Maldivian government said, “The Government of India has provided a budget support of USD 50 million to the Maldives today. The support was in the form of a rollover of USD 50 million Treasury Bill, for an additional year, through the State Bank of India, Male.”

The Maldivian government revealed that the decision to rollover the treasury bill was made after a request by Maldives’ foreign minister Moosa Zameer to his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar when the former visited New Delhi last week. Interestingly, during his visit, Moosa Zameer said that the insults against Indian PM Modi will never be repeated in Maldives.

The Maldivian government revealed that the decision to rollover the treasury bill was made after a request by foreign minister Moosa Zameer to his counterpart S Jaishankar when the former visited New Delhi last week.

“I thank EAM Dr S Jaishankar and the Government of India for extending vital budgetary support to Maldives with the rollover of $50 million Treasury Bill. This is a true gesture of goodwill which signifies the longstanding friendship between Maldives and India,” Maldivian foreign minister Moosa Zameer said.

Did Sonia Gandhi bring Raebareli seat from Italy: Home Minister Amit Shah asks how is Raebareli the seat of Rahul Gandhi’s mother, stresses that voters decide the seat

OpIndia Staff
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Did Sonia Gandhi bring Raebareli seat from Italy: Home Minister Amit Shah asks how is Raebareli the seat of Rahul Gandhi’s mother, stresses that voters decide the seat

On Sunday, 12th May, Home Minister Amit Shah discussed various critical issues and reaffirmed the Bharatiya Janata party’s commitment to India’s integrity and progress. The detailed yet candid interview covered a vast variety of topics from the abrogation of Article 370, the fake video of HM Shah, the role of electoral bonds, Ram Mandir, and more. During the interview, Amit Shah pointed out that the Gandhi family has instilled a habit of saying that Raebareli is Rahul Gandhi’s mother’s seat. He said, “How is it her seat? Did she bring it from Italy?

Abrogation of Article 370 is a step towards unity

During the interview, Home Minister Shah addressed the controversy revolving around the abrogation of Article 370. He described it as an overdue and essential step for national unity. He criticised the opposition for labeling it as polarisation and argued that the provision was initially intended as temporary. He also asserted that Article 370 was used by anti-India actors to spread terrorism within the country. HM Shah underscored that BJP had always been transparent about its stance on Article 370 and its removal was a fulfillment of the party’s long-standing promise to the nation.

Ram Mandir construction is beyond politics, said Amit Shah

Home Minister Shah also questioned the opposition’s absence at the Pran Pratishtha ceremony of the Bhavya Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. He pointed out that the temple is being built after a long struggle of over 500 years. He emphasised the fact that the temple’s construction is being managed by a trust and not the BJP and challenged the accusations of politicisation and polarisation using the construction. He expressed disappointment in how the opposition polarised the historically and culturally significant event.

Amit Shah talked about electoral integrity and transparency

Addressing the concerns about the electoral bonds, Amit Shah said that after the Supreme Court’s judgment on electoral bonds, the unaccounted cash influx in elections would have increased. He countered the allegations of “extortion” via electoral bonds by placing the fact that the opposition parties in the INDI Alliance received Rs 6600 crores while BJP received 6000 crores. He questioned if they were also extorting money from the companies.

Amit Shah challenged Rahul Gandhi

Shah reiterated his challenge to Rahul Gandhi with five critical questions regarding his stances on several issues including Muslim personal law, triple talaq, support for surgical strike, absence from the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha ceremony and abrogation of Article 370. He expressed scepticism about receiving direct answers from the Congress leader suggesting a lack of clarity and conviction in the Congress party’s policies.

Critique of opposition’s electoral practices

The Home Minister also critiqued the electoral practices of the opposition, particularly targeting the Gandhi family for their alleged entitlement to certain electoral seats like Raebareili. He said that it is the public that decides who would win a seat, not the party. He called for greater transparency in electoral candidacies, criticising Rahul Gandhi for his dual candidacies in Waynad and Raebareili, which were disclosed only post-polling in Waynad.

Amit Shah’s views on demographic changes and national concern

HM Shah talked about the recent economic report that indicated a significant demographic shift within India. The report stated that the Hindu population has decreased while there is a notable increase in the Muslim population. He questioned why such changes should not be openly discussed and criticised the opposition for using it to create fear among the public. He said there should be a dialogue as demographic change is a serious issue.

Kejriwal’s legal troubles

Regarding Arvind Kejriwal’s legal issues, Amit Shah clarified that the Delhi Chief Minister had not received bail but only interim relief to campaign. He criticised Kejriwal as he entered politics after swearing he would never enter politics, and then built a luxury bungalow despite promising not to take a government bungalow and more.

Assurance of PM Modi’s leadership

Towards the end, HM Shah responded to speculations raised by Kejriwal that PM Modi would retire next year and said he would not only remain Prime Minister till 2029 but also lead the party after 2029.

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