In a mega boost for the Indian Navy, the Cabinet Committee on Security has cleared the acquisition of over 200 BrahMos extended-range supersonic cruise missiles for deployment on its warships.
The deal worth around Rs 19,000 crore was cleared in a meeting held on Wednesday evening, top government sources told ANI.
The contract is set to be signed in the first week of March between the BrahMos Aerospace and Ministry of Defence.
The BrahMos is the main weapon for anti-ship and attack operations for the Indian navy warships which have been regularly firing the weapon system.
The BrahMos Aerospace is a joint venture of India and Russia and produces supersonic cruise missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms.
The BrahMos missile has been indigenised in a big way by the BrahMos corporation and more parts are being indigenised.
The BrahMos missile is also set to be exported soon to the Philippines which is its first global customer.
Many countries in the Southeast Asian region have started showing serious interest in the missile system for deployment in multiple ways.
Brahmos Aerospace, headed by Atul Rane, is also working towards achieving the USD 5 billion export target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The BrahMos Chairman had stated that after the first export deal with the Philippines at 375 million dollars, his team was targeting USD 5 billion by 2025.
The Indo-Russian joint venture company had conducted test firings of the missile with a high level of indigenous content, and the missile is being equipped with an indigenous seeker.
The BrahMos missile system sale to the partner countries is also set to open many more windows for other successful weapon systems like the Akash, ATAGS howitzers and other equipment from the Indian industry.
This Indian defence industry is also working on improving its hardware quality to match global competition and achieve success in export markets.
Indian systems are also being showcased in foreign countries and some of the public sector units have also opened up offices in prospective markets for sales and support.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
On 19th February, Rozana Times, a YouTube-based Punjabi news channel, published an interview of a “farmer” protesting at the Shambhu border, recorded last week. In the interview, when the farmer was asked for comments on Haryana CM’s request to take trains to reach Delhi, the farmer asked why wealthy farmers with AC tractors and VIP rooms on trolleys would take trains. Furthermore, he called actor-turned-leader Deep Sidhu “Bhindranwale without Kesh”. Deep Sidhu, a prominent leader of Farmer Protests 1.0, died in a road accident in February 2022.
The ‘farmer’ accepted that the number of protesters is far less during farmer protests 2.0 compared to the previous protests. He blamed farmer leaders for ending the protests in 2021, and asserted people are not coming forward to participate in the protests.
BJP government attacked farmers as they have no ground for elections
The “farmer” further claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lost ground for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He asserted the action taken against the farmers was because no one was following PM Modi, Haryana CM Khattar, and UP CM Yogi Adityanath. “They do not have any ground. That is why they are getting under the skins of the farmers,” he said. He then claimed that if voting for the Lok Sabha takes place on ballot papers instead of EVMs, PM Modi will not get a single vote.
Don’t mess with Punjabis as they hold grudges
The farmer said that the central government should not mess with the Punjabis as they hold grudges. He cited an example of an alleged conversation between the then-Governor of Punjab and then-Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi. He said, “The governor had warned Indira not to mess with the Punjabis as they hold grudges. Even if they return after 50 years, they will take revenge.” He then warned the central and Haryana governments not to mess with the “peaceful” protesters.
I will be booked if I say anything about the Punjab government
The farmer initially refused to say anything about the role of the Punjab government in ongoing farmer protests. He asserted that if he said anything, he would be booked, and then police would reach his place.
Citing actor-turned-leader Deep Sidhu, he claimed that the central and Punjab governments are no different. He used the idiom “Together like Ghee Khichdi” and called the AAP-led state government B-Team of BJP. He questioned how AAP forms government in states where people are educated, and BJP forms government in states where people are illiterate. He asserted that BJP fields AAP to lead in states where people are educated and lead those states where people are not educated.
He expressed dismay over the defeat of Lakha Sadhana, a gangster-turned-politician. He said, “Thousands of people gathered for Bhaana Sidhu. Lakha Sidhana was the ‘Guru’ of Sidhu. Then, explain how Lakha Sidhana was defeated [in the Assembly elections]. How was elder Badal defeated?”
For the unaware, Sadhana contested the Punjab Assembly Elections 2022 as an independent, where he secured 28,091 votes but lost the election to Aam Aadmi Party’s candidate, Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana, who secured 63,099 votes. As per an affidavit filed by Sidhana during the Assembly Elections, there were 14 pending cases against him, and in two cases, he was convicted. Sidhana also tried his hands in politics in the 2012 elections but failed. Recently, he was seen instigating farmers to join the protests.
He added, “If AAP was not the B-Team of BJP, the Chief Minister of Punjab would have come to the border and taken stock of our situation. He would have warned the Haryana government not to touch the farmers; otherwise, he would have asked us to counter.”
Wealthy farmers don’t take train
The reporter asked the farmer about the request made by the Chief Minister of Haryana to use public transport like trains to reach Delhi instead of using heavy vehicles. He said, “Why should we go by train? We are Jatt Zamindars. We have land, cars and 15 lakh worth of AC tractors. We have built VIP AC rooms on our trolleys. Sardar rule here. This is not Bengal. Why should we take trains where ‘Bhaiyye’ [people from UP and Bihar] spit and have no toilets?”
Deep Sidhu was Bhindranwale without Kesh
The farmer spoke volumes of Deep Sidhu, and called him “Bhindranwale without Kesh and turban”. Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale was a Khalistani terrorist who the Indian Army neutralised during Operation Blue Star. Bhindranwale was responsible for the Punjab insurgency from the late 1970s to the late 1990s.
Deep Sidhu was a pro-Khalistani leader. He was actively involved in farmer protests 1.0 and played a vital role in hoisting an alien flag at Red Fort on Republic Day in 2021. He formed an organisation ‘Waris Punjab De‘ which was later taken over by pro-Khalistani Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh after Sidhu’s death.
Why are farmers protesting
The farmers are protesting to get their demands fulfilled by the Union Government, including a legal guarantee of MSP, implementation of Swaminathan Commission’s recommendations, pension for farmers and labourers, debt waiver, no hike in electricity traffic, withdrawal of police cases, reinstatement of Land Acquisition Act, 2012, compensation for the families of farmers who allegedly died during 2020-21 farmer protests and more.
On Wednesday (February 21st), the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel (ARCCI) submitted a report to the United Nations detailing the sadistic and systematic extent of the sexual violence committed by Hamas terrorists during the terror group’s brutal October 7 onslaught on southern Israel. The report stated that in many cases the Hamas terrorists shoved knives in the victim’s genitals.
“Many of the bodies of the sexual crime victims were found bound and shackled. The genitals of both women and men were brutally mutilated, and sometimes weapons were inserted into them. The terrorists did not stop at shooting; they also cut and mutilated sexual organs and other body parts with knives,” the report states adding that these practices were designed to destroy and inflict sadistic terror.
Terrorists “hunted young women and men who fled the Nova festival” and “dragged them by their hair amid screams,” the ARCCI report said.
The report further revealed that the victims of sexual assault were killed “after or during the rape”. The Hamas terrorists raped women in front of an audience including the victim’s family members, partners or friends to further humiliate them.
Relying on its information and analysis, the report emphasises “that sexual abuse was not an isolated incident or sporadic cases but rather a clear operational strategy.”
A Nova music festival victim informed ARCCI that they witnessed an “apocalypse of bodies, girls without clothes, some missing their upper, some their lower parts.”
Gad Liberson, another Nova survivor, said that he heard the women crying. “It sounded like they were being raped. “They take them to the pickup trucks, they cry, they scream. They shoot them. I heard men’s voices screaming and when I heard shots, they immediately stopped screaming. I heard the girls for a long time.”
“There were girls there whose pelvises were simply broken from being raped so much,” another witness told ARCCI.
The report states that there is “a clear picture of identical patterns of action repeated in each of the attack zones” – the Nova festival, kibbutzim and villages along the Gaza border, as well as Israeli military bases.
Rescuers who retrieved the bodies from the event grounds also told ARCCI that they saw “many bodies arriving partially clothed or unclothed” with “heavy bleeding from the pelvic area and mutilation of genital organs.”
Furthermore, the ARCCI report says that the rescuers found evidence of sexual assault within surrounding kibbutzes, with numerous women and girls’ bodies found raped in their bedrooms while partially dressed in pyjamas, knives in their genitals, and signs of semen.
Other than knives, weapons found in women’s genitals included nails and grenades, and some bodies were “booby-trapped,” according to the report.
According to testimonies from authors Dr Carmit Klar-Chalamish and Noga Berger, in around 90% of cases, victims were gang raped in front of others, including family members. ARCCI also reported that Israelis were sexually abused and shot in the genitals on military bases.
Israel Hamas War
On 7th October last year, around 3000 Hamas terrorists landed in Israel from land, sea, and air and killed over 1,200 Israelis including babies and foreign nationals, brutally assaulted, raped, and paraded women, and kidnapped over 230 Israeli and foreign nationals. In response, Israel has been carrying out ground operations in Gaza to “dismantle” the terror infrastructure of Hamas.
In a significant move, the Modi government has announced 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the space sector. This decision was announced following a key meeting chaired by PM Modi on Thursday (21st February).
The move is aimed at attracting potential investors to invest in Indian companies in the space sector and integrate Indian companies into global value chains further providing an impetus to ‘Make In India (MII)’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.
The Union Cabinet approved the amendment in the FDI policy on the space sector dividing the satellites sub-sector into three different activities with defined limits for foreign investment in each such sector.
The Centre stated that the proposed reforms will liberalize the FDI policy provisions in the space sector by prescribing liberalized entry routes and providing clarity for FDI in Satellites, Launch Vehicles and associated systems or subsystems, Creation of Spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft and manufacturing of space-related components and systems.
“The Indian Space Policy 2023 was notified as an overarching, composite and dynamic framework to implement the vision for unlocking India’s potential in the space sector through enhanced private participation. The said policy aims to augment space capabilities; develop a flourishing commercial presence in space; use space as a driver of technology development and derived benefits in allied areas; pursue international relations and create an ecosystem for effective implementation of space applications among all stakeholders,” the Centre stated.
It added that as per the existing FDI policy, FDI is permitted in the establishment and operation of Satellites through the Government approval route only.
“Now, in line with the vision and strategy under the Indian Space Policy 2023, the Union Cabinet has eased the FDI policy on the Space sector by prescribing liberalized FDI thresholds for various sub-sectors/activities,” the government announced.
The Centre said that the increased private sector participation would help to generate employment, enable modern technology absorption and make the sector self-reliant.
In a surprise late-night briefing on Thursday (21st February), the Centre announced a slew of incentives for sugarcane farmers following a key meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
At the briefing held by Union Minister Anurag Thakur, the Centre announced the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane for Sugar Season 2024-25 at Rs 340 per quintal at the sugar recovery rate of 10.25%.
“This is historic price of sugarcane which is about 8% higher than FRP of sugarcane for current season 2023-24. The revised FRP will be applicable w.e.f. 01 Oct 2024,” the government stated.
The government pointed out that India is This is historic price of sugarcane which is about 8% higher than FRP of sugarcane for current season 2023-24. The revised FRP will be applicable w.e.f. 01 Oct 2024.
It added that the decision is going to benefit more than 5 crore sugarcane farmers (including family members) and lakhs of other persons involved in the sugar sector.
Elaborating further on the implications of the decision, the Centre stated that sugar mills will now pay FRP of sugarcane at Rs 340 per quintal at a recovery of 10.25%.
“With each increase of recovery by 0.1%, farmers will get an additional price of Rs 3.32 while the same amount will be deducted on reduction of recovery by 0.1%,” the government said.
It added that however, Rs 315.10/quintal is the minimum price of sugarcane which is at a recovery of 9.5%. “Even if sugar recovery is lesser, farmers are assured of FRP at Rs 315.10/quintal,” the Centre stated.
On Wednesday (21st February), Punjab Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee head Swarn Singh Pandher announced that the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march of the Punjab farmers has been suspended for two days – 22nd and 23rd of February. He added that a decision would be taken after analysing what transpired in the Khanauri incident and they would disclose their next strategy, and future course of action on Friday evening.
“We will have discussions over the incident that took place in Khanauri. There will be a two-day stay on our march towards Delhi. We will clarify the entire situation later as to what our further movement will be,” he was quoted saying by news agency ANI.
Notably, a farmer protestor named Shubh Karan Singh reportedly died after he was injured during a clash with police at Khanauri border. He was rushed to Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, where an injury on his head was found. While protestors have claimed that he was shot by police, the police have denied firing on protestors. Reportedly, doctors said that Singh was hit by a rubber bullet.
However, Haryana Police have denied the report of the death, saying that no farmer has died.
#WATCH | Shambhu border: Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher says, "…We will have discussions over the incident that took place in Khanauri. There will be a two-day stay on our march towards Delhi. We will clarify the entire situation later as to what our further movement will… pic.twitter.com/Wb3XnftBtH
Meanwhile, the Haryana government has extended the suspension of internet services till February 23 keeping in view the tensions at the Haryana-Punjab border.
The development came after the farmer protest took a violent turn on the resumption of the Delhi Chalo march on February 21, after a brief halt. Notably, clashes broke out between protesting farmers trying to break barricades and create tear gas of their own, and security forces deployed at the Punjab-Haryana border, particularly the Khanauri border.
As per Haryana police, three police personnel have died at the farmer protest sites. The farmer protestors today mixed chilli with stubble and burnt it, creating their own tear gas smoke. They then attacked the police with sharp weapons and resorted to heavy stone pelting. 12 policemen were seriously injured in the attack.
Jind police said that using the cover of smoke, the protestors took out their swords and attacked the police. Some protestors also used spears and machetes. To control the situation, police used tear gas to disperse the farmers.
AIG, (Administration) and Spokesperson of the Haryana Police, Manisha Chaudhary stated that the Police personnel were surrounded at the Data Singh-Khanori border by the protesting farmers’ who poured chili powder mixed in the stubble and set it on fire. They also attacked the policemen using sticks and sharp weapons as well as pelted stones. Around 12 policemen sustained serious injuries in the attack.
Additionally, the Haryana Police denied reports of abducting a protestor describing it as fake news. It added that the said protestor was admitted to hospital but he is out of danger.
The Haryana Police post read, “The fake news of the abduction of one farmer named Preet s/o Davinder Singh r/oVillage Nawa Gao Dist Sangrur by Haryana Police at Khanauri border is strongly denied. He is admitted in PGI Rohtak by Haryana police for treatment and is completely out of danger.”
Other key developments of Farmers’ protest
It is pertinent to note that earlier in the day, Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda had invited the protesting farmers to hold a fifth round of talks. He added that the government is ready to have discussions on all issues including MSP, stubble burnings, and crop diversification.
The protesting farmers in the Punjab-Haryana border began their march today donning gas masks and fortified gear to face the police. This is a week after the farmers failed to cross the border given the heavy police presence.
Amid the farmers’ protest, the Punjab DGP had issued orders stopping the movement of JCBs, Poclaines, Tippers, Hydras and other heavy earthmoving equipment towards the Punjab-Haryana Border at Khanauri and Shambu. The order was issued after a written request for the same by DGP Haryana.
Notably, the Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled that tractor-trolleys cannot run on highways as per the Motor Vehicles Act. The court also reminded the farmers to follow constitutional duties regardless of everyone knowing their fundamental rights.
The protesting farmers demanding Centre to enact laws ensuring MSP among other hosts of demands have been camped at the Shambhu and Khanauri border posts in Punjab and Haryana since their march was halted by security forces on 13th February.
Officials announced on Wednesday that the National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the West Bengal government and the state’s police chief regarding reports of “unabated human rights violations” due to ongoing violence in the turbulent area of Sandeshkhali.
Recognising the seriousness of the situation, the Commission has also decided to dispatch a team to investigate and gather facts through an on-site inquiry into the incidents of “violence of human rights” in Sandeshkhali, located in the North 24 Parganas district, as per the officials.
The team, led by an NHRC member, will be supported by officers from the rights panel, according to a statement.
The NHRC has taken “suo motu cognisance of print and electronic media reports that in Sandeshkhali, North 24th Paraganas, West Bengal, innocent and impoverished women have been harassed and sexually assaulted by a group of local gang of a political person, as a result of which, for last few days, local villagers have started protesting for appropriate legal action against the perpetrators of horrific crimes indulged by various goons and anti-social elements, when the local administration failed to take appropriate legal action against the perpetrators of crime,” it said.
The rights panel also stated that there have been reports of the safety and security of women, children, and elderly individuals being allegedly “jeopardised.” According to the statement, this has led to women purportedly leaving their homes due to the looming threats of torture and sexual abuse.
The Commission has noted that recent events in Sandeshkhali, as reported by various media outlets, “indicate a prima facie violation of human rights, shocking the conscience.”
“Thus, it is essential for the Commission to exercise its jurisdiction under Section 12(a) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, to uphold, safeguard, and promote human rights and to take suo motu cognisance of the reported instances of violence,” the statement explained.
Consequently, it has issued notices to the chief secretary and the director general of police of West Bengal, requesting reports within four weeks concerning the violence and the actions taken or planned against the perpetrators, as stated in the statement.
The Commission has also inquired whether any compensation has been provided or is intended to be provided to the victims.
“In issuing these notices, the Commission has additionally emphasized that life is inherently precious, encompassing the rights to dignity, freedom, equality, and liberty. It is the solemn duty of the State to safeguard these rights as guaranteed by the constitution,” it added.
Sandeshkhali saw a series of protests after local women accused Trinamool Congress leader Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters of “land-grabbing and sexual assault” under coercion.
Shajahan has been on the run since a group, purportedly linked to him, attacked officials from the Enforcement Directorate who were searching his premises in connection with a ration scam on January 5th.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has reportedly sought details from the West Bengal police regarding the allegations of human trafficking in the Sandeshkhali incident where multiple women have accused TMC leaders and their henchmen of sexual exploitation and systemic rapes. According to reports, the Sandeshkhali investigation has widened with this probe by the NIA.
Human Trafficking | সন্দেশখালি নিয়ে ফের কোণঠাসা রাজ্য। সন্দেশখালিতে মানব পাচারের অভিযোগের ঘটনায় এবার রাজ্য পুলিশের কাছে তথ্য তলব NIA-র। প্রশ্ন উঠছে, অদূরেই ভারত-বাংলাদেশ সীমান্ত। তবে কি জঙ্গল, নদীর আড়ালেই চলে মানব পাচার?
As per reports, the agency has not yet registered a separate case in this matter. However, the central agency which is probing Human trafficking cases at the India-Bangladesh border has sought details from the state police in connection with the allegations of human trafficking in the Sandeshkhali incident. The NIA had charge-sheeted around a dozen individuals including Bangladeshi nationals in the Human trafficking cases near the porous India-Bangladesh borders.
Speaking with Times Now, the NCW Chairperson had also raised the potential Human trafficking angle in this incident. The Bhartiya Janata Party has also alleged the potential involvement of Human trafficking in the Sandeshkhali. However, the ruling Trinamool Congress has been downplaying the allegations of Sandeshkhali women as a ‘minor incident’ rejecting it as a conspiracy of the BJP/RSS. The ruling party has also denied the Human trafficking angle.
Meanwhile, the National Commission for Women (NCW) recently said in its report that its fact-finding team in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali found that women who spoke out against the atrocities were met with retaliation.
The report claimed that sexual exploitation was perpetrated by both Police officers and members of the ruling TMC. The report read, “Disturbing testimonies gathered from women in the village painted a harrowing picture of widespread fear and systematic abuse. Victims in Sandeshkhali recounted instances of physical and sexual violence perpetrated by both police officers and members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).”
Pertinent to note that Sandeshkhali is located on one of the thousand islands created by the Sundarbans, the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta system in the North 24 Parganas district. The NCW report is of particular concern because the Sundarbans are shared by India and Bangladesh. The area is prone to illegal trafficking of humans, cattle, currency, and livestock.
Sandeshkhali incident
Tensions have been high in Sandeshkhali since January when local women staged protests demanding the arrest of Sheikh Shahjahan and his accomplices Uttam Sardar and Shibu Prasad Hazra. The Sandeshkhali women have accused them of forcibly acquiring land, pumping saltwater into fields to render them unusable, and engaging in institutional sexual harassment.
The women have accused them of sexually assaulting women “night after night and release them only when they are satisfied”. While Shibu Hazra and Uttam Sardar have been arrested, the mastermind of Sandeshkhali, Sheikh Shahjahan is still absconding.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is on Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra these days and every day some clip of his speech goes viral on social media. He starts citing random examples from anywhere when he is speaking to the audience, which leads to ridicule and frequent chaos. He recently used the name of popular actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to amplify the impact of his remark. He might have believed that bringing Aishwarya’s name would draw public attention towards him. However, he was ignorant of the extent of his offence to Aishwarya Rai.
Rahul Gandhi told the people that the media outlets would not take the opinions of the people seriously for criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his rally. He claimed, “These media houses belong to Adani and Ambani. The farmer, the labourer, and the impoverished will never be featured on their shows. Their owners say no, so they can’t do it. They can’t present India’s underprivileged in the media. The media promotes Narendra Modi throughout the day. Then sometimes Aishwarya Rai will be seen dancing following which Amitabh Bachchan will come out showcasing his moves the next second.”
Rahul Gandhi’s remark was an attempt to express his disdain for the participants in the Ram Mandir Pran Pratishtha programme. However, it’s unclear why he chose to drag Aishwarya’s name. She wasn’t even an attendee there. Individuals involved in the program could have been named, if he wanted to give examples. However, he did not. Over the past few days, Aishwarya Rai’s name has been brought up repeatedly by Rahul Gandhi to disparage her.
It should be noted that he is not the only leader to use the names of female artists in his speeches and statements to bring attention to himself by mentioning their work, skin tone or colour.
Actress Trisha was paid 25 lakh rupees to come to the resort — a Tamil Nadu leader issued an apology for the objectionable statement
The most recent instance involves a leader from the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Leader AV Raju alleged that actress Trisha was invited by an MLA to a resort for entertainment in exchange for Rs 25 lakh. The actress had voiced her displeasure and threatened to take legal action in response to AV Raju’s remarks. The leader later conveyed regret and apologised to her in response to witnessing this reaction.
However, the issue remains as to whether this culture of dehumanizing actresses for politics would endure in this manner.
Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan’s statement on actress Jaya Prada’s underwear
Samajwadi Party MP Azam Khan made a contentious remark regarding actress Jaya Prada’s underwear in 2019. At a public gathering in Shahabad, Azam Khan made offensive statements about former Parliamentarian and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Jaya Prada. He announced, “It took you 17 years to understand her reality,” referring to Jaya Prada. He added, “It took me 17 days to realize that the underwear she wears is khaki in colour.”
Jaya Prada’s convoy is on the way, and evenings of Rampur will be colourful now — Samajwadi Party leader Firoz Khan
Firoz Khan, another leader of the Samajwadi Party also made crude comments about Jaya Prada in March of 2019. He recounted an incident where, while travelling by bus, Jaya’s convoy passed by which caused traffic congestion. He got out of the vehicle, tried to have a look at her and wondered if she started dancing to clear out the traffic. After his disgusting thinking and lewd remarks about Jaya Prada, he claimed that Rampur’s evenings would now be colourful in this election season.
Roads like actress Hema Malini’s cheeks
Hema Malini’s cheeks were also the subject of comments made by PC Sharma, Congress leader and a minister in the Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh. He claimed that the roads in Bhopal have turned into something akin to Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kailash Vijayvargiya’s cheeks after noticing the potholes in the pavement. He boasted, “The road will be gleaming in 15 to 20 days and will resemble Hema Malini’s cheeks.”
Movie actresses also have families
None of the remarks made by these politicians are respectful. On the other hand, these women, Aishwarya Rai, Hema Malini, Jaya Prada, and Trisha Krishnan of the South among others have all put in a lot of work in their fields and have achieved a level of success that has rendered them well-known to the nation’s youth and elderly. These leaders are taking advantage of their success by using their names in public to start a conversation. They might not realize how offensive they are until they step outside of their comfort zone.
The whole country knows that Rahul Gandhi talks about women’s respect from time to time. When an unfortunate incident transpires in a state governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party, he goes there right away under the pretext of aiding women and providing them with justice, however, Rahul Gandhi remains silent about states held by his party.
Similarly, in politics, they forget that the lofty promises of “women’s dignity” they put inside their manifestos also comprise females like Aishwarya Rai, Trisha Krishnan and others. These women are also the sisters, mothers and daughters of someone. Their fame ascended to such heights solely through diligence and hard work. How can their names be tossed around in such a derogatory manner in public? Can these politicians hear such things about daughters and sisters in their homes?
Opposition to Rahul Gandhi’s statement today indicates that the people he is attempting to represent are smarter than he is. They are reminding him that Aishwarya Rai’s success in the movie industry is far more significant than his achievements in the political field. At least he can make his point without stooping to such low levels. People are aware of her, value her contributions, admire her and even draw lessons from her struggles.
The Income Tax Department on Wednesday submitted before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) that they acted with responsibility and their action was fully in line with the law to obtain demand drafts of Rs 65 crore from the bank accounts of Congress party.
The Income Tax Department yesterday recovered Rs 65 crore from the accounts of the Indian National Congress out of the total outstanding tax dues of Rs 115 crore.
Advocate Zoheb Hossain, the counsel for the Income Tax Department, defended the decision to recover the amount and submitted that there has been a breach of rules by Congress and, in such a scenario, the entity must be treated as a normal assesse.
The counsel told the Tribunal that they were ready to give an undertaking if Congress wins the case. “We are ready to give back the amount assured,” he said.
He submitted that on July 6, 2021, the first notice of recovery was given. He said the Congress party filed an appeal for a complete stay on October 28, 2021, but for this, they had to deposit 20 per cent of the dues as per IT Act. He said they were requested to pay 20 per cent of the demand but it was not done.
“On January 9, 2023, we sent another letter seeking payment for outstanding demand. We received an email from Congress seeking an adjournment only. Over a period of four years their conduct was not to pay,” he said.
IT Department counsel said an application to the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) on March 28, 2023 for a stay of demand application became infructuous as the appeal was dismissed on merit.
Hossain said a false narrative is being created that “they’re being targeted before the general elections and this narrative is completely baseless”.
Meanwhile, Senior Advocate Vivek Tankha, who appeared for the Congress party, submitted that the compliance requirements have been met.
“Wrong interpretation has been given by Income Tax. Our bank account has been frozen and on February 16 our accounts were made lien. Last evening, they went and withdrew Rs 65 crore. We are one of the largest parties and we are on the eve of the election. If our accounts are frozen like this, how a democracy will survive,” he said.
“This is not a case where Rs 135 crore demand should be made on us while we are right ahead of polls. All the bank accounts at that point in time were frozen. I’m not a runaway person, I’m a 100-year-old party…to put such a condition right before elections is to ensure that I don’t participate in the festival of democracy,” he added
The Congress today approached the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) against the recovery and has filed a complaint.
In the complaint, Congress said the Income Tax Department has enforced its lein by encashing some of the balances lying with the banks without waiting for the outcome of the hearing scheduled before the bench. Congress appealed that the department should not proceed further till the disposal of the stay application.
(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)
