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Congress leaders and supporters spread fake ‘Nielsen-Dainik Bhaskar survey’ predicting INDI Alliance win in elections, the newspaper promises legal action

OpIndia Staff
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Congress leaders and supporters spread fake ‘Nielsen-Dainik Bhaskar survey’ predicting INDI Alliance win in elections, the newspaper promises legal action

On Saturday (13th April), several I.N.D.I. alliance leaders and their supporters shared a purported survey claiming that it was conducted by Nielsen along with Hindi news daily Dainik Bhaskar. They claimed that the “Nielsen-Dainik Bhaskar” survey predicts a major victory for the I.N.D.I. alliance giving it 326 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.  

The Chairperson of the Congress party’s South Indian Cell and Maharashtra Congress Committee member, Lakshmi Nair shared the so-called survey to boast about the victory for the opposition bloc. In her long post, she shared the region-wise breakdown from the said survey claiming that the saffron party will be wiped out from Delhi, and will survey major losses in states like Maharashtra, West Bengal, etc. 

As per the image shared, the first page of Dainik Bhaskar’s Bhopal edition on 13 April carried the ‘Nielsen-Dainik Bhaskar survey’ in its lead news, showing a victory for INDI Alliance. It also carried state-wise breakup of the survey results, showing the opposition bloc ahead of NDA in several states.

The Hindi report claimed that INDI Alliance is sweeping the polls in the southern states, and making significant gains in the current BJP-ruled states. The survey predicts that if votes were held today, INDI Alliance would win 326 seats, NDA would win 194 seats and 23 seats would be won by others.

However, the entire newspaper clipping is fake, and Dainik Bhaskar didn’t publish such a survey on 13 April.

When the purported survey with the masthead of Hindi news daily Dainik Bhaskar started doing rounds on social media, the newspaper came out publicly to dispel misinformation and categorically pointed out that it was a Fake Survey. The newspaper also demanded strict action against those who are spreading fake news in its name. 

At around 2 PM on 13th April, Dainik Bhaskar tweeted, “#FakeNews: This survey is fake, which has been prepared by some anti-social elements… Dainik Bhaskar does not claim any such content… Strict action should be taken against such people.” They also tagged the Election Commission of India while sharing the cutout of the Fake survey.

Later in the day, the National Editor of the Hindi Newsdaily, LP Pant announced that the newspaper would be taking action against fake news peddlers. Responding to a tweet by journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta posting the fake survey, he wrote, “Sir, Dainik Bhaskar has not conducted any such survey. A fake survey has been conducted using Bhaskar’s masthead. You should also check its authenticity before sharing it. Dainik Bhaskar will take legal action on your post.” 

Paranjoy Guha Thakurta deleted the tweet after the response by LP Pant, but most other tweets posting the fake survey remain online.

It is pertinent to note that several I.N.D.I. alliance supporters continued to peddle the fake survey even after the newspaper categorically called it out as fake news. 

The official spokesperson of Congress Telangana, Hyderabad, Asma shared the survey at around 8:16 PM, hours after the newspaper had pointed out that the said survey was fake. 

Additionally, the official Twitter Account of the Uttar Pradesh Congress Sevadal shared the fake survey at around 7:23 PM.

Similarly, Congress functionary and Cyber Security Researcher Nilesh Malode also shared the fake survey at around 8:15 PM. 

Meanwhile, in a separate development, the CSDS-Lokniti 2024 pre-poll survey has predicted a third term for the Modi government asserting that there is no contender close to the BJP as it holds a massive 12% lead over the opposition bloc.

An individual being in jail does not affect govt schemes: Delhi LG assures that power, water, bus subsidy schemes will continue despite Kejriwal’s arrest

OpIndia Staff
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An individual being in jail does not affect govt schemes: Delhi LG assures that power, water, bus subsidy schemes will continue despite Kejriwal’s arrest

Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena said that no subsidy scheme will be stopped and people should reject rumours and statements made due to vested political interests.

“Electricity, water and bus ride subsidies will continue in Delhi. An individual being in jail (Arvind Kejriwal) as per due process of law does not affect government schemes,” he said.

He further stated that the schemes part of the budget approved by the centre and L-G does not belong to an individual or a political party.

Taking a dig at Aam Admi Party (AAP), he said, “Members of a particular political party and its Ministers making patently false and deliberately misleading statements to create confusion.”

“Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has taken serious note of false and deliberately misleading statements issued by not only Members of a particular political party but also Ministers sworn to the constitutional oath of office, wherein it is being propagated that the scheme and subsidies about ‘free’ electricity, water and bus rides for women will be stopped, since the Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal is in jail under judicial custody,” stated a press release from L-G.

“The purported imaginary stoppage of these schemes in future is being attributed to the Central Government and the Lt. Governor. Saxena has assured the people of Delhi that none of the subsidy schemes benefitting the poor will be discontinued and appealed to them to not pay heed to the statements and rumours being spread by political vested interests. The people should reject any attempts at misleading them,” the LG has appealed.

LG VK Saxena has underlined that these schemes are paid from the consolidated fund of NCT of Delhi and not from the account of any individual or political party. These schemes are funded by the people of Delhi themselves, who contribute to NCTD’s consolidated fund by way of taxes.

“The Lt. Governor has emphasised that the aforementioned subsidy schemes are those of the government and not driven by or dependent on any individual holding any position and therefore, because of any individual being in jail, the question of a scheme getting affected does not arise. These schemes have budgetary allocation in the budget document, which is in turn approved by the Govt. of India, as per constitutional and statutory provisions,” he added.

LG Saxena has reiterated the earlier position taken by the Civil Administration in the City, that an individual being in jail under judicial custody, as per due process of law, does not affect any scheme, especially those that have been duly approved by the Govt. of India and the Lt. Governor himself, before being introduced in, and subsequently passed by the Delhi Legislative Assembly.

This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Teesri Baar Modi Sarkar?: CSDS-Lokniti 2024 pre-poll survey suggests no near contender to BJP, holds 12% lead over I.N.D.I. Alliance

OpIndia Staff
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Teesri Baar Modi Sarkar?: CSDS-Lokniti 2024 pre-poll survey suggests no near contender to BJP, holds 12% lead over I.N.D.I. Alliance

The voting for the Lok Sabha election is scheduled to begin on 19th April and the result will be pronounced on 4th June. Meanwhile, multiple surveys have been carried out to gauge the potential direction of public sentiment at the moment. As with all such surveys, the Lokniti-Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) also forecasted a resounding majority for the Bharatiya Janta Party in its study intended to assess the mood of the country.

The BJP is projected to have a commanding 12% point lead over the opposition I.N.D.I. Alliance with almost three weeks to go before voting even started. Out of ten voters, 4 declared they will cast their ballots for the BJP. In terms of vote share, the BJP is also improving over its 2019 result. It is anticipated that Congress would also make small progress, but not sufficient to challenge the current administration. The BJP emerged as a dominant force and even increased its vote share after two terms in power.

The survey noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was selected by over half of the participants as their top candidate for the position while less than three out of ten responders brought up the name of Rahul Gandhi. There were twenty-one points separating the two national leaders. According to one-fourth of the respondents, the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya is the Modi government’s most admired achievement. Thirty per cent of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) supporters liked him because he built the Ram Mandir, ten per cent because he offered job possibilities and another ten per cent because he boosted India’s standing globally. It also pointed towards the “consolation of Hindus.”

The main factor for the BJP’s triumph in 2014 was its outstanding performance in the north and west of the country. In 2019, the BJP achieved significant gains in many eastern regions, particularly West Bengal and Assam while maintaining and even slightly exceeding its previous performance. The majority of the south was excluded from this, with the exception of Karnataka, where the party did well in 2019.

However, the national party is expected to pick up ground in the southern stronghold owing to the bipolarity that has plateaued in Kerala, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi’s defeat in Telangana’s most recent assembly elections and the BJP’s partnership with the Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh. According to the pre-poll, the regional gap might still exist, albeit less strongly. The NDA appeared to have substantial support in the north and west.

The Northeast and East showed strong support for the opposition bloc as well. The problem it faces is in the south, where support for the opposition and the NDA appeared to be evenly divided. The intended vote in favour of the BJP was rising in both the south and the east which is likely to reduce regional political variation. The BJP would significantly benefit from this.

However, alongside region, the nature of the electoral contest may also shape the possible configuration of the choices of the voters. When the BJP and Congress engaged in direct combat, the former appeared to be in the lead which fell to half in contests between the NDA and the I.N.D.I. Alliance. Support for each side seems to be divided into three parts in multi-cornered support.

In comparison to Rahul Gandhi’s assurances, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Modi Ki Guarantee” has grown in popularity with people. More than 50% of the participants conveyed contentment with the BJP’s governance over the past ten years, reflecting a positive outlook for extending the Modi administration’s tenure. All of this indicates that the BJP does not have a strong and credible opponent.

AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi announces party’s support to AIADMK, says it has promised to never ally with BJP and oppose CAA, NPR, NRC

OpIndia Staff
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AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi announces party’s support to AIADMK, says it has promised to never ally with BJP and oppose CAA, NPR, NRC

On Saturday (13th April), All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Chief Asaduddin Owaisi announced that his party will support the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) in the coming Lok Sabha elections and state Assembly elections later.

Taking to X, Owaisi claimed that the Dravidian party has committed that it will never ally with the BJP in the future and has also assured that it will oppose the CAA, NRC, and NPR. 

The AIMIM Chief wrote, “AIADMK has refused to ally with BJP and has committed to never allying with it in the future. It has also assured that it will oppose CAA, NPR & NRC. Therefore, AIMIM extends its support to AIADMK in the coming Lok Sabha elections.” 

He added that their alliance with the Dravidian party will also continue for the Assembly elections which will be held in 2026. On their part, the AIADMK has retweeted his post from its official X account, in a bid to confirm the reports of their alliance with the AIMIM.

It is pertinent to note that the relationship between the AIADMK and the BJP suffered a nosedive with the Dravidian party alleging BJP state Chief K Annamalai of making controversial remarks against the party’s former stalwarts. It also alleged that the BJP leadership in the state had been insulting them.

Later, the AIADMK exited the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in September last year. For several years, the Dravidian party had been facing a leadership crisis between the EPS and OPS factions. Currently, EPS is leading the remaining AIADMK. 

Following its split from NDA, AIADMK was up against the BJP to woo as many smaller regional players to their fold going into the Lok Sabha elections. However, the BJP courted predominant players in the form of alliance with Ramadoss-led Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) and Tamil Maanila Congress among others. The BJP has exuberated confidence regarding a surge in vote share and securing decent seats in these polls to fulfill NDA’s dream of ‘Abki bar, 400 par’.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu has 39 Lok Sabha seats and it will go for elections in a single phase on 19th April in a seemingly tripolar fight between BJP-led NDA, DMK-Congress, and AIADMK-AIMIM alliances. 

Iran-Israel tensions: Vehicle blows up near Iranian embassy in Damascus, Iran seizes Israeli-linked ship with 17 Indians near Strait of Hormuz

OpIndia Staff
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Iran-Israel tensions: Vehicle blows up near Iranian embassy in Damascus, Iran seizes Israeli-linked ship with 17 Indians near Strait of Hormuz

Syrian state media reported that an explosive device detonated in a car in an upscale neighbourhood of Damascus, quoting a police source on 13th April. Damascus occasionally experiences similar instances including bombings that target civilian or military vehicles. The blast’s intended target and perpetrator continue to be unknown, however, suspected Israeli planes were allegedly behind it. The incident unfolded amid rising tensions in the capital of Syria as a result of Iran’s threat to retaliate for an attack on a structure inside the Iranian embassy complex in Damascus.

After the attack on 1st April, Tehran’s embassy in Damascus lost its consular annex and seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including two to three senior commanders were killed. Syria’s official SANA news agency cited a Damascus police command source and stated, “The explosion heard a short while ago in the Mazzeh area resulted from an explosive device detonating in a car in al-Huda square.”

It also stated that no injuries had occurred. The incident transpired in the Mazzeh area which is home to Iran’s foreign missions and embassies. Both Damascus and Tehran accuse Israel of orchestrating the consular raid. The strike happened against the backdrop of the continuing conflict between Israel and Hamas which started with the terrorist group’s unprecedented attack on Israel on 7th October.

Meanwhile, a cargo ship with ties to Israel was apprehended by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on 13th April near the Strait of Hormuz, according to the state-run Iranian news agency IRNA. The development transpired days after Tehran threatened to outlaw marine activity in the region. According to IRNA, the Portuguese-flagged MSC Aries was boarded by a Revolutionary Guards helicopter and brought into Iranian territorial seas. A vessel was reportedly boarded and confiscated by “regional authorities” in the Hormuz Strait which separates Iran and the United Arab Emirates per earlier reports by shipping security agencies.

Zodiac Maritime’s affiliate Gortal Shipping has leased the Aries to multinational shipping company MSC, which is in charge of all vessel operations, per a statement from Zodiac Maritime. Eyal Ofer, an Israeli businessman, owns a portion of Zodiac. As Israel and its ally the United States have been fighting Iranian-aligned forces in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen regularly since the beginning of Israel’s assault in Gaza in October, there has been an increase in regional tensions. A video showed the attack earlier reported by the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations.

As per reports, 17 Indians are on board the ship seized by Iranian forces. India is already in touch with the Iranian authorities to ensure security, welfare and the early release of the Indians, govt of India sources said. “We are aware that a cargo ship ‘MSC Aries’ has been taken control by Iran. We have learnt that there are 17 Indian nationals onboard,” said a govt source.

“We are in touch with the Iranian authorities through diplomatic channels, both in Tehran and in Delhi, to ensure security, welfare and early release of Indian nationals,” the source further added.

Iran has vowed to fight back after the 1st April attack in Damascus. On 12th April, US President Joe Biden stated that he anticipated Iran attacking Israel “sooner, rather than later” and he cautioned Tehran against pushing further. “Iran will bear consequences for choosing to escalate this situation any further,” announced Israel’s military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. The remark came in response to reports of the seizure of MSC Aries.

The Revolutionary Guards’ naval chief, Alireza Tangsiri, declared on 9th April that the strait of Hormuz might be closed if required. He claimed that Iran perceived Israel’s establishment of diplomatic ties with the United Arab Emirates through the “Abraham Accords” in 2020 which were mediated by the United States as a threat. The Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen has been attacking ships in the Red Sea for months, ostensibly to avenge Israel’s campaign in Gaza by targeting Israeli-affiliated vessels, thereby disrupting international trade.

According to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this week, Israel “must be punished and it shall be”calling the move equivalent to an attack on Iranian territory. The Pentagon has declared that Israel was to blame, although Tel Aviv has not acknowledged it. “It has been a week that the Zionists are in complete panic and are on alert. They don’t know what Iran wants to do, so they and their supporters are terrified,” voiced Yahya Rahim Safavi, senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He added, “This psychological, media and political war is more terrifying for them than the war itself because they are waiting for an attack every night and many of them have fled and gone to shelters.”

As retaliation for the attacks on shipping, the United States and the United Kingdom launched operations against Houthi targets. The Joint Maritime Information Center, which is overseen by a naval alliance led by the West, advised ships that plan to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most vital energy corridors in the world, to proceed with caution and avoid stopping. Iran did not immediately disclose that it had seized any vessels, and state media did not report on the incident either. However, in the midst of continued tensions with the West over its rapidly progressing nuclear program, Iran has engaged in a series of ship seizures and attacks on vessels since 2019.

The Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf’s tiny opening through which a fifth of the world’s oil travels, is close to the Gulf of Oman. Fujairah is a major port in the area for ships to pick up supplies, trade out crew or take on new oil cargo. It is located on the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates. Many explosions and hijackings have occurred in the waters off Fujairah since 2019. The US Navy accused Iran of attacking ships with limpet mines and causing damage to tankers.

CPI-based retail inflation eases to a 10-month low, stands at 4.85% for March 2024, Industrial output at a 4-month high

OpIndia Staff
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CPI-based retail inflation eases to a 10-month low, stands at 4.85% for March 2024, Industrial output at a 4-month high

In a development that signals positive momentum for the Indian economy, India’s retail inflation witnessed a notable easing. It has come down to a 10-month low of 4.85% on an annual basis in March 2024, according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation on 12th April. The Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based retail inflation is the lowest since May 2023. In February this year, it was 5.09% and the same was 5.66% in March last year.

With this, the Modi-led NDA government has improved its inflation track record against the UPA era which was marred with high inflation fluctuating in double digits in several months. The White paper released by the Finance Ministry in February this year highlighted how NDA faired better on the parameter of inflation. 

As per official data, the CAGR of inflation between FY04 – FY14 during the Congress-led UPA era stood at 8.2%. However, the NDA government has brought this down to 5.0% between FY14 – FY23. 

In further signs of buoyancy towards the end of the fiscal year (FY) 2023-24, the industrial output rose to a four-month high. As per official data, factory output measured in terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) grew 5.7% in February, up from 4.14% in January and 4.3% in December. 

The latest data shows a more stable pricing environment, potentially offering relief to households in their daily expenses. The decline in food inflation also played a role in moderating overall inflation and it has come down to 8.52%, down from 8.66% in February. Additionally, the food and beverages inflation stood at 7.68 per cent in March, lower than 7.76 per cent in February.

Likewise, urban inflation decreased to 4.14% in March from 4.78 per cent in February, rural inflation has increased to 5.45% compared to 4.34% in February. This disparity may reflect variations in consumption patterns and supply chain dynamics across different regions.

Meanwhile, fuel and light inflation fell further from -0.77% in February to -3.24% in March. Housing inflation has dropped to 2.77% from 2.88%. Core inflation, which excludes volatile components such as food and fuel, remained steady at 3.5 per cent. 

It is pertinent to note that the moderation in retail inflation comes amid other positive economic indicators. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for March showed robust growth. This uptick in industrial activity suggests underlying strength in the economy, potentially contributing to a more balanced inflation outlook. Overall, the moderation in retail inflation, particularly in food prices, coupled with strong industrial growth, paints a favourable picture of the economy’s resilience amidst ongoing global uncertainties.

The latest inflation data comes a week after the RBI’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) on 5th April announced the decision to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 6.5% for the seventh consecutive time. 

In a further relief, the RBI Governor had said that the retail inflation projections for FY25 have been reduced to 4.5% from earlier 4.7%.

(With Inputs from ANI)

‘What is the need to go to Ram Mandir?’: Patliputra RJD candidate and Lalu Yadav’s daughter Misa Bharti claims only capitalists were invited to Pran Pratishtha

OpIndia Staff
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‘What is the need to go to Ram Mandir?’: Patliputra RJD candidate and Lalu Yadav’s daughter Misa Bharti claims only capitalists were invited to Pran Pratishtha

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Lalu Prasad Yadav has nominated his eldest daughter, Misa Bharti, as the party’s candidate for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Pataliputra, Bihar. She is set to face off against the BJP’s Ram Kripal Yadav, who has previously defeated her in both the 2014 and 2019 elections. Ram Kripal Yadav, a former Deputy Mayor of Patna Municipal Corporation, has also served as a three-time MP from the Patna Lok Sabha constituency. However, during the election campaign, Misa Bharti stirred controversy with her remarks on the recently constructed Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Misa Bharti said, “What is the need to go to Ram Mandir? We have the Harihar Baba temple in Sonepur, where my entire family has sought blessings after worship. As the elections are underway, I’ll also be visiting temples, including the Ram Mandir, which is in our country only. Lord Ram is a deity for all of us, not just Modi ji.”

Notably, Hariharnath Temple is located in Sonepur. Misa Bharti has earlier talked about sending Prime Minister Narendra Modi to jail. Misa Bharti repeated the same old anti-Modi rhetoric in her speech. She said that the four Shankaracharyas were not invited to the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony, and all the capitalists were invited there.

It is pertinent to note that the Shankaracharyas of Sringeri and Kanchi Math praised the Ram Mandir consecration ceremony. Many poor common people, especially karsevaks, also attended the program. In her speech, Misa Bharti also promised to build a trauma centre, Gandhi Ashram and library in Pataliputra constituency.

Notably, on the occasion of Ram Navami, ‘Surya Tilak’ of Ramlala is also to be performed on Wednesday (17th April 2024). For this, experts from IIT Roorkee have prepared the technology. In the Patliputra Lok Sabha constituency, Lalu Yadav faced a defeat at the hands of his former colleague Ranjan Yadav in 2009. However, in the subsequent election, Ranjan Yadav fell to third place. It’s worth noting that both times Ranjan Yadav contested the elections from the JDU.

Patanjali Issue is a reflection on the ethics of our medical fraternity

Ratan Sharda
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Patanjali Issue is a reflection on the ethics of our medical fraternity

April 10, 2024, will be remembered as a day when Supreme Court judges used harsh violent words that have never been spoken in the annals of the judiciary, not even against terrorists and serial killers. Patanjali faces strict penalties because of unrealistic and untested claims it made about its medicines, based on a complaint by IMA – a voluntary body of doctors that has no statutory standing. Some people are confused between IMA and MCI (the statutory body of doctors).

First my disclaimer – I used to be impressed with the success of Baba Ramdev in his quest to popularise yoga and create awareness among the common people. Suddenly you found millions of people doing some yoga or the other on the ground, at home and most of them benefitted. I was very happy to see his success in selling Ayurvedic formulations and other popular Ayurvedic medicines, helping common citizens take advantage of 5000 year old healing system. His foray into FMCG with aggressive pricing saw him beat MNCs at their own game. This success made him a target of envy. Pharma and FMCG lobby began their sly campaigns against him but no wrong was found by competent authorities in his manufacturing facilities.  

However, I was unhappy when Baba Ramdev went into avoidable consumer products, perhaps, led down the garden path by her selfish ‘chelas’. Entering the arena of textiles, garments, unhealthy bakery products etc went against his proclaimed goal. I was dismayed and disillusioned when he took over a sick soya unit. Ayurveda rejects any kind of processed food but he promoted soya products only for profits. Biggest problem was his mouth. He could not control his speech and paid a price. If Baba spoke less and let his products do the talk, he could have been more effective.

He has excellent clinical trial facilities and laboratories too. However, overselling ‘Coronil’ became an albatross around his neck. IMA latched on to this chance. At that time many other pharma companies were selling products for ‘immunity’ and so on with tall claims. I know of many people who got cured with Coronil, saving lot of money. Isn’t it a fact that millions of Indians survived Covid with the help of age-old recipes of different kinds of ‘kaadhas’ and other immunity-boosting substances.

I know of lakhs of RSS workers and other good Samaritans who served the society fearlessly during those months, following ayurveda practices of pranayama, gargling, jal-neti, and consuming ‘kaadha’. Very few succumbed to Covid and much lesser numbers died of Covid. Imagine if we Bharatiyas did not have the benefit of traditional remedies,  could the allopathy community have managed this disaster with limited resources?

No system is infallible

Surely Ayurveda practitioners make mistakes, Ramdev also made mistakes. Why are allopathy practitioners not questioned even now after so much is known now? Vicks 500 was banned. AstraZeneca faces a case for serious problems post Covid vaccine. J&J paid 48 million USD for its cancer-causing talcum powder. Was it stopped immediately in India?

I fell sick with Covid19 in first wave and I was in ICU for 8 days. I was saved by Remsidivir, God’s own gift to mankind at that time. But, by the time of phase 2, it became an outcast!

Allopathy practitioners’ and pharma companies’ antipathy for traditional systems

A pharmacology scientist in USA once asked me, “How come Allopathy born just two centuries back is mainstream and Ayurveda that is around for 5000 years is Alternative medicine?” It is obvious that allopathy practitioners have strong reservations and animosity for traditional medicines that are around for thousands of years and kept people healthy. I will not get into details; but request you to read Dharampal’s book on “Science and Technology in India in 18th Century”. Why did not IMA kind of organisations ever research or presented the wonderful medical achievements of our ancestors and never put up statues of rishis like Sushrut or Charak while western world acknowledged their contribution to medicine? You find a statue of Sushrut in Australia but not in IMA or MCI premises!

To help you find an answer, I will quote Dr Jayalal (the then Chairman of IMA) here, courtesy of Firstpost –

“The most common system is modern medicine based on scientific evidence. The government of India, because of their cultural value and traditional belief in the Hindutva, believes in a system called Ayurveda,” he said in a  recent interview with Christianity Today.

“For the last three or four years, they have tried to replace modern medicine with this. Now, you will have to study this alongside Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, homoeopathy, yoga, and naturopathy […]They want to make it one nation, one system of medicine. Next, they will want to make it one religion. This is also based on the Sanskrit language, which is always traditionally based on the Hindu principles. This is an indirect way for the government to introduce the language of Sanskrit and language of Hindutva into the minds of the people,” he said in the interview. […] “I am able to see, even amid persecution, even amid difficulties, even amid the control by the government, even among the restrictions we face in openly proclaiming the message, by various means and ways, Christianity is growing.”

Was it this hate for ‘Hindu’ medicine that made him move the courts against Patanjali, because we don’t remember him or IMA rushing to courts against other manufacturers? He is not a lone voice. I have heard many doctors oppose government’s efforts to create an integrated view of health industry for affordable healthcare – not just curative but preventive too. Allopathy begins with ‘cure’, Ayurveda starts with prevention. As inheritors of our great scientific knowledge, we need to get over this blind pro-western bias.

Selective Ethics 

IMA’s grouse against Patanjali shows that it cares for people and is like a watchdog of medical ethics. Does it fulfil this duty? Around last year a young man Revant Himatsingka was sent a strong legal notice from the topmost legal firm of India for calling out their client’s health drink by highlighting its contents as appearing on its wrapper. IMA never came out to support the poor man. It was NCPCR that filed a complaint against the company as it was a matter of children’s health. After some months, the MNC quietly reduced the sugar content by about 15%.

Fair & Lovely cream was forced to change its name to Glowing & Lovely; not because IMA intervened, but because USA agencies raised a ruckus over racist bias in its advertisements. I can go on and on. Health drinks containing dangerous levels of caffeine and sugar, soft drinks advertising adventurous life but containing carcinogenic contents, OTC tablets claiming great efficacy against cold and cough, proteins and other nutraceuticals claiming healthy body, toothpaste giving pearly white teeth within a few brush strokes. The list is endless.

I do not recall any forceful intervention from IMA. Is it because IMA gets sponsorships from the FMCG and Pharma industries? Is it because they charge fees for endorsing FMCG products to raise funds, incidentally, without disclosing to the consumers that they are not an authorised government agency but a private association?

SC has opened up a larger issue of ethics of profiteering of pharmaceutical and FMCG manufacturers. Should only Patanjali be made an example in this game of overselling and outrageous advertisements by many companies that are virtually a fraud on customers – some ably supported with endorsements from organisations like IMA? This profiteering by companies by fooling the gullible customer must stop.

I think, with this case, the Supreme Court has done a yeoman service to the common citizen, its harsh unparliamentary language notwithstanding. But it is not enough to ‘rip apart’ Patanjali and government officers who kept their eyes and ears blissfully shut. I think, I speak for everyone when I appeal to the courts to set up a committee under its supervision or direct the Ministry of Health to set up a watchdog committee that keeps an eagle-like watch on Pharma, Ayurveda and FMCG companies’ exploitation of consumer ignorance.

Andhra Pradesh: Farooq kills mentally challenged Hindu man for insurance money, buries victim with the help of his family

OpIndia Staff
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Andhra Pradesh: Farooq kills mentally challenged Hindu man for insurance money, buries victim with the help of his family

A food grains trader, identified as Farooq Basha, has murdered a mentally challenged Hindu man to claim insurance money of ₹50 lakhs. The incident took place on 1st April this year in Pamulapadu mandal in the Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh.

As per a report by Deccan Chronicle, Basha had not been paying the debt of ₹1 crore that he owed to local farmers. He therefore decided to fake his death and claim insurance money.

The accused lured a mentally challenged Hindu man, identified as Setty Prathap, to his food grains warehouse in Pamulapadu mandal. After locking the victim inside the warehouse, Basha set it ablaze.

Prathap, a resident of Chelimella village, was killed in the fire. Interestingly, Basha’s family aided in engineering the murder plot and presenting it as a ‘fire mishap.’

Soon after killing the victim, Basha’s family dialled the Pamulapadu police and claimed that a fire accident had taken place in the warehouse. The police reached the spot and recovered the body of a man.

The family identified it as the dead body of Farooq Basha and the police handed over the body to them after conducting the panchnama. Basha’s family then buried the body of the mentally challenged Hindu man Setty Prathap.

Three days after the incident (4th April), the police received a complaint from a woman named Swaroopa, the victim’s wife. She informed the police that Prathap had been missing since 1st April.

The cops showed her the clothes recovered from the warehouse of Farooq Basha. Following confirmation from Swaroopa that it belonged to her missing husband, the police registered a case against Basha and his family.

According to the Deccan Chronicle, Bahsa had been hiding in Hyderabad after orchestrating the murder of the mentally challenged Hindu man to evade paying debt to the farmers and wrongfully obtaining insurance money of ₹50 lakhs.

A manhunt has been launched to arrest the perpetrator. Sub-Inspector Ashok told the newspaper, “We will reveal the full details soon.”

Pakistani Army storms into Police station on Eid, thrashes and humiliates Police personnel, makes them kneel amidst dramatic scenes in Punjab province

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistani Army storms into Police station on Eid, thrashes and humiliates Police personnel, makes them kneel amidst dramatic scenes in Punjab province

In a major internal crisis in Pakistan, its army and Police department recently had a violent clash in Punjab province’s Bahawalnagar during the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations. Several videos of the clash have surfaced on social media in which Army personnel can be seen storming a police station. The Pakistan Army personnel then went on to brutally assault cops, humiliate them, and make them kneel as the injured cops were seen bleeding. As per Pakistan media reports, the drama unfolded on the day when the Islamic nation was marking Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.

In a sarcastic jibe, Foreign affairs expert, Sushant Sareen described it as “another successful conquest of the Pakistan Army.”

Following the violent clash, the Pakistan Army and Punjab police announced a joint investigation, after a string of videos of the clash went viral. As per Pakistan outlets, the clash erupted after local police recovered an illegal weapon from the relative of a soldier and detained him.

Meanwhile, both the Pakistan security institutions, Army and Police, downplayed the clashes. While the Punjab Police said fake propaganda was being spread on social media, the Army called it a “face-off”, however, the videos of the clash show otherwise. 

In one such viral video, three Pakistani policemen are seen kneeling on the ground. In the video, they can be heard pleading before the army personnel to leave them and stop humiliating and torturing them. In another video, a man can be seen lying on the ground with a bleeding nose. In many of these videos, the army personnel are seen stomping on cops lying on the ground. 

In another viral video, two cops are seen running to save their lives inside a police station but the Pakistani Army ultimately nabs them. 

According to a PTI report, the injured police personnel were taken to a nearby hospital but interestingly, their medico-legal examination was not shared.

What led to the violent clash between Pakistan Army and Police

As per Pakistani media reports, on 7th April, an ASI and an SHO (station house officer) of Madressah police raided the house of one Mohammad Anwar. They went there to arrest his son Rafaqat as he allegedly possessed an unlicensed pistol. 

However, Anwar’s other son Mohammad Khaleel, who is an Army official, along with his family members held the two policemen as hostages. Incidentally, the video of the same was also uploaded on social media. 

Later on, a police team reached Anwar’s residence to rescue their police officers – SHO and ASI. It is alleged that the police team went on to torture Anwar’s family members and arrested him and his sons. Police also ransacked their house. The videos of this had also gone viral. 

Later, the Madressah police booked 23 family members of Mohammad Anwar following police attack on them. However, when the Bahawalnagar district police officer learned about the matter, they conducted an inquiry, and the ASI and SHO who led the controversial raid on Anwar’s house were arrested. They have been charged with illegal detention and also for holding the soldier at the police station for more than 24 hours rather than presenting him before a magistrate.

Citing sources, PTI reported that the Punjab police personnel allegedly demanded money from those detained for their release. 

Ugly scenes erupted after Eid prayers on 11th April when around 50 to 60 Army personnel from the Bahawalnagar Brigade, in 10 vehicles, stormed the Madressah police station. In their bid to release the arrested army official and his family members, the Army men went on to severely torture the cops.

In a statement, the Punjab Police downplayed the incident, alleging that it was taken out of context and exaggerated. The statement said, “Fake propaganda is being made on social media… The episode is being presented in a way to imply that there has been fighting between the Pakistan Army and Punjab Police.” 

“When the unverified videos went viral, both institutions launched a joint investigation. Officers from both institutions reviewed the facts and peacefully resolved the matter,” Punjab Police added. 

According to Dawn’s report, four personnel of Madressah police, including the station house officer, have been booked and arrested.

The media affairs wing of the Pakistani Army called the Bahawalnagar incident “unfortunate”. It said that the incident was promptly addressed and resolved through collaborative efforts of military and police authorities. 

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “Despite this, certain factions with vested motives started fanning vitriolic propaganda on social media to create divisions between state institutions and government departments.”

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