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“How can a son of ‘Teli’ inaugurate Ram Mandir”: TMC leader Pijush Panda abuses PM Modi with casteist slurs, suggests OBCs should polish shoes

OpIndia Staff
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“How can a son of ‘Teli’ inaugurate Ram Mandir”: TMC leader Pijush Panda abuses PM Modi with casteist slurs, suggests OBCs should polish shoes

In another personal attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, TMC leader Pijush Panda abused PM Modi with casteist slurs and asked, “How can a son of ‘Teli’ inaugurate Ram Mandir”. The TMC leader was heard making casteist slurs against Modi in a video shared by the Leader of the Opposition (LOP) in West Bengal Suvendu Adhikari.  

Taking to X, senior BJP leader Adhikari lambasted the TMC leader for hurling casteist remarks about PM Modi and also shared the video of an excerpt from the TMC leader’s controversial address. 

In the video shared with corresponding English subtitles, the TMC leader can be seen targeting PM Modi with personal attacks and raising questions about his humble background. He argued that he would quit politics if someone showed evidence that PM Modi sold tea at the Railway station during his childhood days.

In the video, Pijush Panda also made deranging attacks on PM Modi and called him an “absolute fraud” and “a madman”, alleging that all his certificates are computerised even when computers didn’t exist at that time. Notably, earlier, the Gujarat High Court had refused to grant relief to AAP National Convenor and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal for making defamatory claims about PM Modi’s degree row.  

Further, the TMC leader Pijush Panda attacked PM Modi for inaugurating Ram Mandir despite being an OBC from Teli caste, saying only Brahmins can do so. He also suggested that OBCs like PM Modi should do the job of polishing shoes, saying that with a ‘Teli’ inaugurating Ram Mandir, Brahmins like himself will need to polish shoes.

He can be heard saying, “The Ram Mandir was inaugurated some time ago. I being a Brahmin may have to polish shoes at the Contai Central Bus stand in a few days. Want to know why?” 

He repeated the false narrative that was busted earlier during the consecration ceremony and claimed that PM Modi inaugurated an incomplete Ram Mandir. He also peddled the falsehood that the four Shankaracharyas stated that it can’t happen in the Hindu religion. 

Panda further stated, “Narendra Modi is arrogant. He is the son of a Teli (the community from which PM Modi hails). How can he inaugurate the Ram Mandir and offer Puja and a Brahmin is not even invited? Then what is the use of the sacred thread of the Brahmins? I am going to send my sacred thread to the Prime Minister’s office. I will polish shoes at the Contai Central Bus stand instead.”

Notably, PM Modi, as a representative head of the country was made the Mukhya Yagman for the consecration ceremony and it was performed as per Hindu rituals under the guidance of priests.  

Meanwhile, in his post, Suvendu Adhikari launched a scathing attack on the TMC leader for disrespecting the OBC community. The BJP leader stated that he would have ignored the remarks of a lower-rung TMC leader but because Pijush Panda is a functionary in TMC organisational structure, “his words have to be considered as his Party’s Official stance.” 

Suvendu Adhikari added, “He has not only tried to demean Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi Ji by terming him as a son of ‘Teli’ but he has insulted and disrespected the whole OBC Samaj. He has specifically indicated that polishing shoes is a befitting job for the members of the OBC Samaj.” 

He also slammed TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee and wrote, “His leader Mamata Banerjee has already diluted the established criteria approved by Mandal Commission which determined the identification of the Backward Classes, and has unethically extended the reservation benefits to her preferred ‘vote bank’ while depriving the real OBC Samaj in WB.” 

Adhikari noted that the TMC leader made brazen attacks on PM Modi and disrespected OBC community after getting patronage from Mamata Banerjee. 

The post further read, “The filthy person even quipped that he will send his sacred thread to the @PMOIndia and polish shoes instead, as if polishing shoes would have been a fitting job for the son of a TELI and not attending Temple inauguration events.”

Concluding his post, he asked NCBC Chairperson and the Election Commission to make cognizance of the matter and take stern action against the TMC leader. 

Reacting to the comments of the TMC leader, political analyst Kanchan Gupta noted that Pijush Panda was disgusted by the sight of a ‘Teli’ inaugurating Sri Ram Mandir.

Rajasthan: Ram Baraat passing near a mosque attacked in Kota’s Kaithun town, stones pelted and DJ system vandalised, several injured

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Ram Baraat passing near a mosque attacked in Kota’s Kaithun town, stones pelted and DJ system vandalised, several injured

Recently, tensions erupted in Kota’s Kaithun town on Friday (29th March) after the Ram Baraat was attacked from behind when it passed the nearby mosque. The Hindu devotees part of the procession were assaulted and the miscreants vandalised the procession, cut the wiring of the DJ system, and broke a laptop. Several videos of the attack are doing rounds on the internet.

As per reports, an altercation broke out when the Ram Baraat reached near the mosque as the Muslim community tried to stop the DJ claiming that Friday Namaz was going on. However, the organisers of the procession stated that when the Ram Baraat reached there, Namaz was not going on in the mosque. Yet, they had stopped the DJ. 

But, when it passed the mosque, it was attacked from behind, and stones were hurled at the Hindu devotees part of the procession. The miscreants also cut the DJ system’s wiring and broke the laptop used to play music over the DJ system. 

Outraged by the incident, the Hindu devotees gathered outside the police station and accused several miscreants from the Muslim community of assault and vandalism. During this time, the police resorted to lathi charges to disperse the crowd and bring the situation under control. 

After getting information about the incident, top police officers also reached the spot. 

Rural SP Karan Sharma said that a Ram Baraat (procession) was being taken out in the town on Friday (29th March). It was passing in front of the Mosque. At the same time, Namaz started taking place in the mosque. Amidst this, a dispute broke out regarding the issue of stopping the DJ. Someone removed the DJ’s wires. After this, there was an altercation between both parties, leading to a tense situation in the town. 

According to the Police, currently, the situation is under control as talks have taken place between both sides. As a precautionary measure, the police have deployed personnel, and are also monitoring suspects and social media activities.

Notably, a 7-day fair is organised in Kaithun town on the occasion of Holi. This time Ramleela was also organised in the fair. On Friday, the Ram Baraat started from Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir. It had to cover a distance of 2 kilometres to reach Krishi Mandi Canal. 

People involved in the Ram Barat said that at the time the procession was passing in front of the mosque, Namaz was not taking place in the mosque. The organisers had also stopped the DJ. But as soon as it crossed the mosque, the miscreants attacked it from behind which led to a chaotic situation. Several women were also injured in the attack on the Ram Baraat. 

Following the incident, Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s co-provincial minister Yogesh Renwal said that the lathi charge on the devotees of Ram Baraat is condemnable. If the administration does not take impartial action then Kaithun town will be closed. This attack on Ram Barat will not be tolerated under any circumstances. 

However, Police officials assured that strict action is being taken against the culprits and some accused have also been detained.

Further, after bringing things under control, the police also conducted a flag march in the town, with officers from another police station area in the Kota district arriving to take charge.

While TMC leaders in Delhi assure that party will remain in INDI Alliance, Mamata Banerjee says in Bengal that voting for Congress means voting for BJP

ANI
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While TMC leaders in Delhi assure that party will remain in INDI Alliance, Mamata Banerjee says in Bengal that voting for Congress means voting for BJP

When Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien was giving assurances on his party’s behalf to the INDIA bloc members in Delhi’s historical Ramlila Maidan, at the same time West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee’s struck a different tone in Nadia, stating that her party is fighting against the Congress and accused the grand old party as well as CPI(M) of indirectly supporting the BJP.

Despite O’Brien’s affirmation that “TMC is very much was, is and will be part of the INDIA alliance,” Banerjee, back at home, emphasized that “Voting for Congress means voting for BJP,” implying a strategic divergence from Congress.

She further claimed that the TMC is contesting against the alliance of CPM-BJP-Congress, denouncing any formal coalition formation.

“Congress is contesting the elections in alliance with the Left here. Voting for them means voting for BJP,” West Bengal Chief Minister said.

TMC chief Mamata Banerjee further mentioned that it is fighting against the alliance of the CPM-BJP-Congress.

“We are fighting alone. I have heard that the CPM and Congress are saying that they are fighting as part of the INDIA alliance. Here, no alliance has been formed. Here a scam has happened. The CPM-BJP-Congress are on one side and the Trinamool is on the other side,” Mamata Banerjee said.

Chief Minister Banerjee also said that Congress and CPI(M) is extending support to BJP which is “riotous” party.

“Do you remember Bilkis Bano’s case? Do you remember the Hathras incident? Do you remember the riots in Gujarat? So remember, BJP is a riotous party and Congress, CPM have supported them,” she said.

TMC leader Kunal Ghosh sought to clarify the party’s position, saying that his party is totally committed with the INDIA bloc at the national level but in Bengal, Congress and CPM are giving advantage to the BJP.

“INDIA allaince has been floated by our leader Mamata Banerjee, the name ‘INDIA’ was also given by the CM. We are with the INDIA alliance at the national level, but in West Bengal, the state Congress and CPM have become the agents of the BJP. They don’t have an organisation to fight the BJP, but they do politics against TMC to give advantage to BJP, and hence in Bengal, TMC will contest all 42 seats against the BJP, Congress and CPM,” Ghosh told ANI.

Amidst this political discourse, tensions between TMC and Congress escalated, with both parties accusing each other of tacitly aligning with the BJP.

TMC is going solo in West Bengal during the Lok Sabha polls as it is contesting all 42 seats against BJP, Congress, and CPM in the state.

Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury claimed that Mamata Banerjee’s distancing from the alliance stems from fear of Prime Minister Modi and potential scrutiny by investigative agencies. Chowdhury alleged that Banerjee prioritizes defeating him over BJP, citing TMC’s nomination of Yusuf Pathan against him in Berhampore.

“Mamata Banerjee is worried about facing Modi. She is worried that if the ED and CBI start visiting TMC on Modi’s orders, it could pose a risk to the TMC party. So, by distancing herself from the alliance, Mamata Banerjee is sending a message to Modi’s office: Don’t be upset with me; I’m not part of the alliance and I won’t compete with the BJP,” he said.

The Congress leader also claimed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s main aim is to defeat Adhir Chowdhury at any cost, even if it means BJP winning.

“Adhir Chowdhary must be defeated at any cost. Mamata Banerjee has no problem if the BJP wins instead, that’s why Yusuf Pathan was nominated from here,” he said.

Yousuf Pathan has been fielded from Berhampore, where Congress heavyweight, Adhir Chowdhury is a sitting MP.

Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury challenged Banerjee to contest from Berhampore, suggesting her defeat would signify TMC’s failure. The political rhetoric reflects the intensifying competition and strategic maneuvering ahead of the elections.

He went a step further, daring her and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee to contest from Berhampore adding that the loss of Trinamool Congress (TMC) candidate will denote the defeat of the chief minister.

“I challenge Mamata Banerjee to engage in the electoral battle from Berhampore and emerge victorious against me. Alternatively, if she opts not to participate, she should nominate Abhishek Banerjee or announce that if the Congress candidate wins that would mean defeat of TMC supremo. She can employ all available resources to secure a victory, while I rely solely on the people’s support. Let’s see who wins,” he said.

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress on multiple occasions have called Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury “BJP agent”.

On January 29, Kunal Ghosh said that Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury continuously maligns the image of TMC in public and that the top leadership of Congress should think about it.

“Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury continuously keeps maligning our party and government, he is working like BJP’s agent and with CPI(M). Delhi leaders should think about this,” Kunal Ghosh said.

Both parties also displayed their mutual discontent over the Sandeshkali incident.

Adhir Ranjan had urged that the investigation in Sandeshkhali should be conducted by the Supreme Court, whereas Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh alleged that BJP, Congress and CPI-M are engaged in trying to provoke the situation as the region returns towards normalcy.

“BJP, Congress and CPI-M were provoking and hence on the direction of CM Mamata Banerjee, Abhishek Banerjee ordered the formation of a four-member committee,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases beginning April 19.

West Bengal, which sends 42 MPs to the Lok Sabha, will be voting in all seven phases.

Nearly 96.8 crore people are eligible to cast their votes in the upcoming polls at over 12 lakh polling stations.The election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will be held in seven phases starting April 19.

The counting of votes will take place on June 4.

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

Rahul Gandhi threatening civil war? Says at I.N.D.I. Alliance rally that the whole country will be on fire if BJP wins elections and amends constitution

OpIndia Staff
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Rahul Gandhi threatening civil war? Says at I.N.D.I. Alliance rally that the whole country will be on fire if BJP wins elections and amends constitution

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi threatened that the country would burn down if the Bharatiya Janata Party won the upcoming Lok Sabha election and attempted to amend the Constitution, in a desperate attempt to sow seeds of mistrust and hatred throughout the nation in an effort to capture some votes. He expressed the divisive sentiments during Congress-led I.N.D.I. Alliance ‘Loktantra Bachao Rally‘ (Save Democracy Rally) at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on 31st March.

He claimed, “Listen carefully, if the BJP wins these match-fixed elections, and changes the Constitution, the whole country will be on fire. Remember this. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to do match-fixing in these elections. Without EVMs, match-fixing, social media, and pressurizing the press, they cannot win more than 180 seats. The day this match-fixing becomes successful, our Constitution will cease to exist right there. These are not ordinary elections. These elections are to save the future of India, and the rights of farmers. The whole country knows match-fixing is going on.”

The former Congress president further claimed, “Two chief ministers were arrested. What kind of election is this? Match-fixing is being done by PM Modi along with three-four billionaires. This is being done to snatch the Constitution from the poor.” He claimed that the country would end the day the Constitution is finished and alleged that if it is repealed, the rights of the underprivileged and reservations would also be eliminated. The Constitution, he added, is the voice of the people. He stressed, “This election is not just about votes it is to save the country and the Constitution.”

Leaders of the opposition alliance, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah, People’s Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti, Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren and other leaders were present during the event.

Opposition leaders tried to demonstrate their unity and strength while staging a protest against Aam Aadmi Party’s national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest in relation to the Delhi liquor policy case. He was apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate on 21st March and will remain in the agency’s custody till 1st April.

Meanwhile, a young man exposed the truth behind the rally and unveiled, “I am Raj Varma. I am from Sonia Vihar. The event organiser told us to come here and spend some time, that’s it. The rally is not against anyone but in support of Arvind Kejriwal. We could also receive some money, around Rs 300. We only had to be seen among the crowd at the rally and that’s all.”

Viral Video: Woman thrown off the building from by in-laws for not spicing chicken properly in Pakistan’s Lahore, husband arrested

Paurush Gupta
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Viral Video: Woman thrown off the building from by in-laws for not spicing chicken properly in Pakistan’s Lahore, husband arrested

In a shocking incident in Pakistan’s Lahore, a woman was thrown off the upper floor of a house by her husband and in-laws allegedly for not spicing the chicken properly. The incident was caught on camera and a disturbing video of the same has recently gone viral on social media platforms. The incident took place on 9th March in Lahore, Pakistan.

In the viral video, a woman is initially seen standing in front of her house. Moments later, she hastily shuts the doors as screams are heard, and the victim woman falls from the upper floor of an adjacent building. The woman landed on her feet, severely injuring her legs. In the viral video, several passers-by can be seen rushing to help her as she sustains severe leg injuries. The victim survived the fall but is said to be in critical condition.

As per Pakistani media, the incident occurred near Shalimar Road in Lahore’s Nonarian Chowk on 9th March. The victim was later identified as Maryam and was admitted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Based on the victim’s statement, the Police officials had filed a case against her husband Shahzad, mother-in-law Shazia, and her brother-in-law Romaan.

The Police also arrested her husband who is said to be the main accused involved in this incident. Meanwhile, conflicting reports have emerged regarding the husband’s name, with some reports referring to him as Zubair. However, the ambiguity remains as to whether ‘Zubair’ is an alias or part of Shahzad’s full name.

The Investigating Officer (IO) of the case confirmed the incident, stating that (prima facie) the victim “attempted suicide” as a result of domestic violence/disputes. The FIR did not specify the exact cause that led to the horrifying event and omitted any mention of a dispute arising from her alleged failure to properly season the chicken.

However, the official added that further investigations were underway to explore various aspects of the incident.

A day after the incident, Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif also shared the images of the accused husband who was arrested by the Police in this case. In her post, she also confirmed that the woman was thrown off the building for not serving “quality food”. 

We will open a BJP branch office at Assam Congress HQ after all Hindu leaders quit the party by 2026 and Muslim leaders by 2032: Himanta Biswa Sarma

OpIndia Staff
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We will open a BJP branch office at Assam Congress HQ after all Hindu leaders quit the party by 2026 and Muslim leaders by 2032: Himanta Biswa Sarma

On 30th March, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma repeated his claims that the Congress party will disintegrate after the Lok Sabha elections, saying that BJP will open a branch office at the Congress office in Guwahati after leaders quit the party after some years. He predicted that there wouldn’t be any Hindus in the grand old party in the northeastern state by 2026, while the Muslim leaders will leave by 2032.

He announced, “By 2026, there will be no more Hindus in the Assam Congress and almost all the Muslims will leave the Congress by 2032. We will open a branch at Rajiv Bhawan as Mahanagar BJP. Many Congress leaders will join the BJP tomorrow.” The CM posted a video where he was making the claims while talking to the reporters, along with a Hindi version of his comments.

Rajiv Bhavan, the Assam Congress headquarters, is located in the centre of Guwahati at ABC on GS Road. Notably, due to dwindling finances, the Congress party is considering turning it into a commercial complex to earn rental income.

Himanta Biswa Sarma said that a large number of Congress leaders and workers are joining the BJP daily, which is not being reported in the media.

The Chief Minister made the remarks while on a visit to the state Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters in Guwahati where he also attended an important conference to assess the level of preparation for the general election. He added, “A meeting of the Prabharis of 126 assembly constituencies was held at the state BJP headquarters in Guwahati. Three members of Congress joined the BJP on Saturday. Others will join the BJP on Sunday. I will go to Majuli and my election campaign will start in Majuli on April 1 with a cycle rally.”

He further highlighted, “I am trying to work to reform their (Muslim) society. Many Muslim youths are supporting me, as you can see on Facebook and they all welcome this. No one opposes it.” Speaking about the Jorhat parliamentary seat, he assured that the BJP would emerge victorious there. “A section is trying to create an atmosphere against me, but the ground reality is different.”

“Why two right and left hands of the Congress candidate (Gaurav Gogoi) have left the party and joined the BJP because they know that there is no possibility of winning a chance,” he asked. According to him, political parties must ask the people for their blessings because they are the representatives of the masses. “The BJP will take the lead in 105 out of 126 assembly constituencies in the state. I am very confident that people will vote for us for the development work done by the government.”

He recently claimed that State Congress President Bhupen Borah is reportedly planning to join the BJP in the upcoming year, based on him. Additionally, he asserted that if he called several opposition figures only once, they would all defect to the BJP. He has been saying that except the Congress leaders from dynasty families, all other leaders are welcome to join the BJP, adding that most of them will do so in future.

The chief minister noted, “The Congress party in Assam does things after taking my advice. Barring one or two leaders who belong to blue-blood families, the rest of the leaders will eventually align themselves with the development politics. Bhupen Borah will join either in January or February of 2025. I have also selected two seats for him to fight the assembly polls.”

He added that Bharat Chandra Narah, a former minister and six-time MLA, is not in contact with the BJP. The latter resigned from Congress following the refusal of a ticket for his wife Ranee Narah by Congress. “The resignation of Bharat Narah is still an internal matter of Congress as he had not approached the BJP before quitting the party. He was not in touch with either me or my other colleagues.”

It is notable that in the last several weeks, a large number of Congress leaders and workers have defected to the BJP. Moreover, some Muslim leaders from the Congress party have joined AIUDF.

On 30th March, three Assamese Congress leaders, among them the general secretary of the state committee resigned from the party and became members of the BJP. Two of them were known to be close allies of the party’s candidate from Jorhat, Gaurav Gogoi, who is the deputy leader of the opposition in the outgoing Lok Sabha and the third was a senior leader of the Charaideo district party unit. Another top Congress leader and Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) spokesperson Kishore Bhattacharya also became a part of the BJP on 31st March.

On 21st March, in the presence of state cabinet minister Pijush Hazarika, over five hundred members of the Congress Party and the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), most of whom belong to the minority community, joined the BJP at Town Hall in the Hailakandi district of Assam.

‘Stay the night, give hug/ kiss for bright future’: FIR against Visva-Bharati University faculty Abdullah Mollah for sexually harassing students

OpIndia Staff
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‘Stay the night, give hug/ kiss for bright future’: FIR against Visva-Bharati University faculty Abdullah Mollah for sexually harassing students

On Thursday (28th March), a First Information Report (FIR) was lodged against a guest lecturer of the prestigious Vishva-Bharati University after being accused of sexual harassment. The varsity is located in Shantiniketan in the Birbhum district of West Bengal.

As per reports, the accused was identified as Abdullah Mollah. Three female students studying in the Persian, Urdu and Islamic Studies Department of the university have accused Mollah of inappropriately touching them and sending explicit messages on WhatsApp.

OpIndia has accessed the FIR filed by the Shantineketan police, wherein the victims have accused the faculty member of soliciting sexual favours in exchange for good marks in examinations.

The female students have said that Abdullah Mollah demanded hugs and kisses in return for ‘securing their future. According to them, he had also threatened to fail the students in the semester exams if they did not spend the night with him or respond to his sexual favours.

The victims had initially written to the Internal Complaint Committee of Visva Bharati. However, they received no response and were forced to approach the police. The cops have now initiated a probe into the matter.

In the meantime, the accused Abdullah Mollah has dismissed the accusations of sexual harassment

“I did not send any such message. I don’t know why the students are saying this. I have been here for so many years. There has never been any such complaint before. I have not sent any wrong message,” he claimed.

Kerala police recover fireworks stored for Hindu New Year festival from RSS worker’s house, Congress, media and Islamists spread fake news claiming it to be explosives for terrorism

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala police recover fireworks stored for Hindu New Year festival from RSS worker’s house, Congress, media and Islamists spread fake news claiming it to be explosives for terrorism

On 30th March, Kerala Congress shared a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) claiming that police found a large quantity of explosives in the houses of local RSS leader Vedakkeil Pramod and his cousin Vadakkeil Shanta. As per the post, 770 KG explosives were seized during the raids. However, this is a false claim, because the police found fireworks meant to be used in a Hindu festival, not explosives for terror acts as claimed by the party.

Kerala Congress wrote, “BJP men have often been caught in similar incidents of spreading terror and conspiring against the state.” They added, “What was the real aim of BJP behind the latest effort to amass such heavy explosives? Was it to terrorize and create political and communal tensions before the elections? Will the National Investigation Agency take over the investigation?”

Source: X

With the post, Congress added screenshots of the recent and some old reports claiming the recovered “explosives” were meant for terror activities.

Several other social media handles made similar posts. One SaifuddinIndia wrote, “770 kg explosives recovered from #RSS leader’s house in Panur, #BJP regional leader wanted.” He shared a computer-generated image of PM Modi as Hitler and HM Amit Shah as his associate.

Source: X

Congress supporter Vijay Thottathil wrote, “Headline says 770kg explosives seized from the house of RSS leader Pramod and his relative at Panoor, Kannur in Kerala. Since then, the so-called leader has been underground, and the police are on the hunt! I think the plan was to bomb the entire Kannur city. Terrorists should be arrested and punished soon.”

Source: X

Sayema, the infamous propagandist who posed as RJ, also picked it up. She wrote, “Did you get to know of this news? Do not miss it.” She also shared a link to a report by Varthabharati. Notably, several reports said that police recovered explosives from the house of the RSS leader.

Source: X

Interestingly, when OpIndia visited the link shared by Sayema, the report mentioned that the portal had a telephonic conversation with Kolavalloor SHO, who stated the reports of recovery were true. However, he added that the “explosives” were meant to be firecrackers for the upcoming Ugadi festival on 14th April, the New Year’s Day according to the Hindu calendar. Reports suggest that Vedakkeil Pramod had stored the fireworks to be distributed among the people during the festival.

Furthermore, Upon further research, we found a report by OnlyFacts that mentioned that the content recovered by the police was fireworks and meant for the upcoming Vishu festival. The festival marks the beginning of the Malayali New Year and is celebrated enthusiastically by the locals. OpIndia tried contacting Kolavallor police but could not connect.

The police arrested Pramod and seized the items as he did not take the necessary license for storing fireworks, making them illegal. Therefore, while the RSS worker did commit a crime by illegally storing fireworks for the upcoming Hindu New Year festival and therefore he was arrested, those were not explosives to be used in a terror act as the Congress party and others are alleging.

Netizens school Priyanka Chaturvedi, Jawhar Sircar and others for alleging ‘disrespect’ of President, explain why PM Modi was sitting when Advani was awarded Bharat Ratna

OpIndia Staff
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Netizens school Priyanka Chaturvedi, Jawhar Sircar and others for alleging ‘disrespect’ of President, explain why PM Modi was sitting when Advani was awarded Bharat Ratna

After the President of India conferred the Bharat Ratna on BJP stalwart LK Advani at his residence, the usual suspects have been peddling a picture of the felicitation ceremony with misleading claims to target PM Narendra Modi. They point out that in the picture, President Droupadi Murmu is seen standing while PM Modi is sitting on a chair beside BJP veteran Advani, accusing PM Modi of disrespecting the President and democratic institutions.

Taking to X, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi shared the picture to target PM Modi and wrote, “The lady standing is the President of India while the PM of India is seated. Caption the pic please?”

Accusing PM Modi of disrespecting the Constitutional Head, Journalist Swati Chaturvedi wrote, “Dear God, what optics. The President of India is standing & his majesty Modi is sitting. Advani being seated is still excusable. Why can’t Modi extend any respect to Constitutional head & institutions.”

TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Jawhar Sircar went further, calling PM Modi’s actions as ‘very low culture’.    

He stated, “If this widely-circulated photo is true  — then it speaks of PM’s very low culture  — to make the President of India stand  — while he sits and laughs. Govt must clarify !”

However, these people forgot that when the president hands over awards in the Rashtrapati Bhavan, only the president and the awardee remain standing, and everyone else in the hall remains seated. This can be seen in photos and videos of various such ceremonies earlier. In case the recipient is not able to stand up due to some health issues of old age, they also remain seated, usually in a wheelchair, and the president stands up to give the award even to such persons.

LK Advani was given the award at his residence by the president because he could not go to the Rashtrapati Bhavan due to his old age and poor health, and therefore he was sitting in a chair while receiving the award. Similarly, PM Modi was present there to attend the ceremony, and he remained seated just like attendees of such ceremonies in Rashtrapati Bhavan remain seated.

Responding to Priyanka Chaturvedi’s tweet, Ashok Malik, who was the Press Secretary of President Ram Nath Kovind from 2017 to 2019, schooled her on the protocols of Rashtrapati Bhavan. He pointed out that as per the protocol, the awardee and President, both stand for the picture while others gathered for the felicitation ceremony are seated and are not needed to stand. 

Malik explained, “Don’t want to get into a political argument here, but Rashtrapati Bhavan protocol has the President and recipient both standing, while other guests — including the Vice-President and Prime Minister — are seated. If the recipient is elderly or indisposed he/she may stay seated.”  

He added, “This event did not take place in Rashtrapati Bhavan, but obviously the usual protocol was followed.” 

CEO of BlueKraft Digital Foundation, Akhilesh Mishra slammed the netizens for peddling the picture with unfound allegations. 

He wrote, “The level of illiteracy in Indian media is mind boggling. When Predident is standing and presenting an award, no one, repeat no one, is supposed to stand as per protocol (except President and person receiving award). That is why PM is sitting. Look at Rashtrapati Bhavan videos and learn. As for Advani ji – the entire reason of conferring the award at home is his age and sickness. If he could stand, he would have as well gone to Rashtrapati Bhavan. It is despicable, the lengths to which haters and bigots will go to create a controversy.” 

It is pertinent to note that in numerous other pictures taken before and after the felicitation, President Murmu, PM Modi, and LK Advani are seen seated, with the exception being the one specific image captured during the felicitation.

Apart from President and Prime Minister, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, and former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu were also present on this occasion.

A day earlier, President Droupadi Murmu conferred Bharat Ratna on four eminent personalities, including two former Prime Ministers, Chaudhary Charan Singh and PV Narasimha Rao. Former Bihar Chief Minister Karpoori Thakur and agronomist MS Swaminathan were also conferred with the country’s highest civilian award.

“Action will be taken against every corrupt person”: PM Modi says war against corruption will continue as opposition gathers in Delhi to protest Kejriwal’s arrest

OpIndia Staff
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“Action will be taken against every corrupt person”: PM Modi says war against corruption will continue as opposition gathers in Delhi to protest Kejriwal’s arrest

On the day the opposition I.N.D.I. Alliance gathered in Delhi to protest against Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest in Delhi Excise Policy scam, PM Modi said in Meerut that his war against corruption is not going to stop. PM Modi was in Meerut to launch the Lok Sabha election campaign of Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).

Addressing the rally, PM Modi said that his fight is against corruption (in the country), and as a result, some leaders are now behind bars. He emphasised that the upcoming elections will be between those who are patrons of corruption, and those who are enemies of corruption.

“Modi will not be stopped. Action will be taken against every corrupt person,” PM Modi said, adding that no matter how big a person is, he will face action if he is corrupt.

Taking a dig at the opposition, the Prime Minister added, “They are not even getting bail from the Supreme Court. Some people are rattled by this action, and they have come together under the umbrella of the I.N.D.I.A. bloc.”

PM Modi also targeted Congress party over the issue of Katchatheevu island. He said, “Today, another anti-national act of Congress has come before the country. Katchatheevu is an island in Tamil Nadu, off the coast of India, between Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu, and this island is extremely important from the perspective of national security. When the country became independent, we had this island, and it was an integral part of India but 4-5 decades ago, Congress said that this Island was of no use and cut off a part of Maa Bharti and separated it from India…”

The rally was also attended by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and RLD chief Jayant Chaudhary, the grandson of Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh. Popular TV actor and TV serial Ramayan’s ‘Ram’ Arun Govil is BJP candidate from Meerut.

Earlier in the day, the opposition I.N.D.I. Alliance had a rally at the Ramlila Maidaan to protest against Arvind Kejriwal’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate.

The rally was attended by I.N.D.I. Alliance leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar) supremo Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav, Jharkhand CM Champai Soren, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, CPM’s Sitaram Yechury, and Trinamool Congress’ Derek O’Brien among others.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last week in Delhi Liquor scam, having preciously skipped several summons by the agency. Former Deputy CM of Delhi Manish Sisodia, and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh are already in custody in the same case.

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