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‘They are really selfless who only care about national interest, no matter how much the criticism’: Shehla Rashid on why her opinion on Modi and Shah changed

OpIndia Staff
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‘They are really selfless who only care about national interest, no matter how much the criticism’: Shehla Rashid on why her opinion on Modi and Shah changed

On Thursday (16th November), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) alumna Shehla Rashid shared on her X handle a video snippet from her recent interview in the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash wherein she explained the reason behind her change of heart. This comes a day after the podcast episode was released in which she commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for securing a “bloodless” political resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

In her X post, Shehla Rashid wrote, “What caused my change of heart is the realisation that the Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi is a selfless man who is taking radical decisions to transform India. He has braved intense criticism but remained steadfast to his vision of inclusive development that leaves no one behind.”

In the video attached to the post, she said, “It actually doesn’t matter what we do. Because the state needs to have the will to take action, to take some bold actions, and for that – you know – I really congratulate and I am really impressed by how the government of India has handled the whole Kashmir situation. Because – you know – I used to think that I have said a lot of things about the BJP. I have said a lot of things about the Prime Minister, the Home Minister.”

Shehla Rashid added, “But look at them. They have taken so much criticism domestically, and internationally. India has been castigated for the abrogation. But they took all that criticism on them. And it doesn’t make sense to me why somebody would – you know – make such a risky, unpopular – whatever you want to call – decision? And I have arrived at one conclusion which is what caused my change of heart also.”

Shehla Rashid further said, “I have realised that the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the Home Minister – they are really selfless people who only care about the national interest, no matter how much the criticism. I mean I know how much criticism we have made of the government. How much criticism the government faced internationally, domestically, and from the opposition? Why would anyone take so much criticism – you know – if it were not for the national interest? and it has ended up serving the national interest. And of course, I understand, that it is not a deontological position. It is a consequentialist position that – you know – now we are judging the actions. But certainly, I should not continue to believe that I am the Miss Know-All.”

Shehla Rashid said, “Maybe there are some people who have a better reading of the situation. They have taken certain steps. And has it resulted in the saving of human lives in Kashmir? Yes, it has. Has it resulted in progress and development? It has. Has it resulted in us enjoying better freedom? Like, now, children can go to the play area at the mall. These are very superficial things. But actually, they are not. Now there is sports infrastructure. I mean there is a Kashmiri in the cricket team and there are Kashmiris in sports who are doing very well in the Asian Games. There are so many athletes who have performed.”

In the promo trailer of her interview with Smita Prakash in the ANI podcast, it was seen that Shehla Rashid lauded PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. This pulled much traction to the podcast episode released on 15th November. She credited the duo for bringing up a bloodless political solution to Jammu and Kashmir.

The former JNU student was questioned if her sympathies were with the stone pelters at that stage to which she replied, “In 2010, yes” and further elaborated, “But today when I see it, I am much more grateful for today’s situation. Kashmir is not Gaza, it has become clear that Kashmir is not Gaza, because Kashmir was just involved in these back-and-forth protests and sporadic incidents of insurgency and infiltrations.”

She also credited PM Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah’s initiatives for the developments that have occurred in Jammu and Kashmir. “All of those things, somebody needed to break the ice, and for that, I would like to credit the present government, especially the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. They have ensured a political solution to it, which I would say is bloodless.”

Notably, this is not the first time that Shehla Rashid has openly come in support of the actions of the Modi government. She recently praised India’s firm stand on the Israel-Palestine conflict. It is important to note that Shehla Rashid, who was once vehemently opposed to the Centre, is now frequently seen taking a stand for the country and endorsing the policies of the Modi government, particularly in light of the revocation of Article 370.

Israeli troops found Hamas weapons, combat gear in Al Shifa hospital in Gaza: Watch video

OpIndia Staff
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Israeli troops found Hamas weapons, combat gear in Al Shifa hospital in Gaza: Watch video

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has published a video on social media in which it was reported that Israeli troops have successfully seized countless Hamas weapons inside Gaza’s largest hospital Al-Shifa a day after they stormed the hospital on 15 November and strengthened their control over the establishment.

Israeli officers reported finding weapons, ammunition, body armour and other military equipment in a radiology section while soldiers searched and questioned people who were present inside. A military spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus showed approximately ten guns, ammunition, protective vests and Hamas military uniforms in a video shot at the hospital. He claimed that some of the weapons were concealed behind M.R.I. machines, others were in nearby storage units and a few were behind a “blast-proof door.”

The Israeli military official entered the MRI centre of the Shifa hospital with the cameraman and asserted, “A few of the things that we found, totally confirms, without any doubt that Hamas systematically uses hospitals in their military operations in violation of international law. These weapons have absolutely no business being inside a hospital,” and added that he believed the material was “just the top of the iceberg.”

The hospital’s surveillance cameras, according to the Israeli military, were completely blocked. The Israeli commander contended that Hamas employs firearms and other weaponry for their illegal military operations in other Gaza Strip hospitals and ambulances.

After days of battle with Hamas gunmen on the facility’s perimeter, the IDF conducted room-by-room searches in the building. The Israeli military had surrounded the structure for days and claimed that Hamas kept a major operations command centre under the hospital as well as used the citizens, employees, and patients who were taking refuge there as cover for terrorists.

On November 14 the United States of America affirmed that Islamic Jihad and Hamas employed tunnels beneath Al Shifa and other Gaza hospitals “to conceal and to support their military operations and to hold hostages.” Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari informed, “In the hospital, we found weapons, intelligence materials, and military technology and equipment.”

He further mentioned, “We also found an operational headquarters with communication equipment belonging to Hamas and Hamas uniforms. These findings unequivocally prove that the hospital was used for terror, in complete violation of international law.”

The IDF shared a video from inside Shifa that showed three duffel bags that were allegedly discovered stashed near an MRI lab. Inside each bag were an assault rifle, grenades and Hamas uniforms. Furthermore, there was a closet that held multiple assault guns devoid of ammunition clips and a laptop was also located and sent for analysis. Although the military stated that the search was ongoing, no signs of tunnels or an extensive military facility were found right away.

Israeli soldiers “did not find any equipment or weapons in the hospital” the Gaza health ministry which is administered by the terror group Hamas alleged in response to the accusations and charged that Israeli bulldozers “destroyed parts of the southern entrance” of the hospital.

According to the military, it conducted a “precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the hospital” with medical teams accompanying the soldiers and providing supplies like incubators. The areas of the hospital below where it is believed that Hamas had its main command centre were not accessible to the army.

The statement indicated that it would continue working at Al Shifa Hospital to locate intelligence data and Hamas assets. It also mentioned that the military was looking for hostages however they had not yet located anyone.

The United States stated that its own intelligence suggested terrorists have exploited tunnels beneath Shifa and other hospitals to assist military operations and keep hostages, hours before Israel’s strike. On 16 November, the IDF persisted in its operations at Al-Shifa Hospital, which it noted is a Hamas command centre concealed behind 2,000 people who are taking refuge there.

California: Vials labelled HIV, SARS-CoV 2 and other pathogens, freezer marked Ebola & other items found in illegal biolab run by Chinese individual, CDC refused to probe

OpIndia Staff
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California: Vials labelled HIV, SARS-CoV 2 and other pathogens, freezer marked Ebola & other items found in illegal biolab run by Chinese individual, CDC refused to probe

Thousands of vials of biological substances, including some labelled “HIV”, and a freezer marked “Ebola”, were found inside a secret illegal Chinese-owned biological laboratory in California, according to a US House committee report released Wednesday. Notably, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and FBI initially refused to investigate the lab after it was discovered last year.

Laboratory equipment, manufacturing devices, medical-grade freezers, vials of biological substances including Coronavirus 2, transgenic mice and Chinese individuals in lab coats were some of the findings made by US Code Enforcement Officer Jesalyn Harper in December 2022 inside a warehouse located in Reedley, California.

According to the report released by the House Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, thousands of these vials contained pathogens, some were labelled “HIV” and a freezer marked “Ebola” was found inside this illegal laboratory.

The report has also criticised the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FBI for initially refusing to investigate the matter and showing reluctance despite alarms raised by local authorities and citizens.

The illegal laboratory was discovered by Jesalyn Harper when she noticed a green garden hose sticking out of a hole drilled into the side of a warehouse located at 850 I Street in Reedley, a town of 26,000 residents. The hose was in clear violation of the town’s building code in a building that was known to be vacant for over a decade.

“Upon entering, Officer Harper found a vast warehouse filled with laboratory equipment, manufacturing devices, and what appeared to be medical-grade freezers. She observed several individuals who identified themselves as PRC nationals wearing white lab coats, glasses, masks, and latex gloves working inside. As she stepped further into the warehouse, she noticed that some of the freezers and containment units had glass doors,” the report states.

It further adds, “Inside, she saw thousands of vials of biological substances. Many were unlabeled. Others were labeled in a foreign language later identified as Mandarin. Others still were labelled in some kind of code. A few of the vials, however, had labels in English. Some of these labels listed substances that Officer Harper at the time did not recognize. She did, however, recognize the names listed on several labels, such as HIV.”

Further inside the hallways of freezers, Harper found a makeshift storage room emanating a foul smell. “Inside were 1,000 laboratory mice in crowded conditions. Officer Harper would later learn that these were transgenic mice, specifically genetically modified and bred to stimulate the human immune system for the purpose of laboratory experimentation,” the report stated.

Moreover, the mice were unwell, abused, and had fraying hair, rashes and distended bellies.

Further investigation uncovered a laboratory filled with thousands of vials containing pathogens and other unknown biological and chemical substances. It was found that the lab was operated by a wanted fugitive from Canada, who is a People’s Republic of China (PRC) citizen.

The finding of the illegal lab prompted an investigation that revealed systemic and profound risks in American biosecurity “that merit Congressional attention”. According to the report, “evidence alongside interviews of local officials and other investigative steps revealed troubling gaps in federal pathogen safeguards. These gaps allowed a wanted fugitive from Canada, who is a PRC national who had previously stolen millions of dollars of American intellectual property, to operate an illegal facility that contained thousands of vials of potentially infectious agents.”

The report stated that when local authorities repeatedly tried to attain assistance from CDC ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), they refused to speak with them or hung up mid-conversation several times. “Local officials were similarly unable to get any help from other federal agencies that may have concurrent authority to investigate and/or remediate the biohazardous substances found at the Reedley Biolab,” the report stated.

Finally, on 2nd May 2023, the CDC conducted an onsite review and learnt that the Reedley facility contained “at least 20 potentially infectious agents,” including HIV, Tuberculosis and the deadliest known form of Malaria.

Bacterial agents included Chalmydia trachomatis, E.Coli, while infectious viral agents included Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Dengue, Herpes 1, Herpes 5, Respiratory, Rubella, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.

“The CDC did not test the samples to asses whether the listed labels were correct or otherwise in a cipher that the workers used for a more dangerous pathogen,” the report states adding that CDC did not even test the wholly unlabeled samples. “It did not test the samples labelled COVID even though both SARS-CoV and a chimeric version of the currently endemic COVID-19 are both Select Agents-biological agents that the US government has determined “have the potential to pose a severe threat to public health and safety”.

The report states, “Even though it had not tested any samples from the Reedley Lab, the CDC concluded that there was no evidence of select agents or toxins. According to local officials, the CDC knew that absent testing, local officials would have to destroy all samples pursuant to a forthcoming abatement order. The CDC likewise instructed state officials not to test any remaining samples of transgenic mice based on concerns over the accuracy of potential testing.”

The House committee in its report has stated that the “CDC’s response was unacceptable and raises serious questions about its standard practices. “The CDC’s refusal to test any samples is likewise baffling,” the report stated.

‘I would not justify it. I would look into it’: EAM Dr Jaishankar says India is open to probe in Nijjar’s murder case if Canada provides evidence

OpIndia Staff
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‘I would not justify it. I would look into it’: EAM Dr Jaishankar says India is open to probe in Nijjar’s murder case if Canada provides evidence

On 15th November, India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar responded to questions on the allegations made by the Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, regarding Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder. The accusations revolved around the involvement of Indian agents, directly or indirectly, in the killing of the Khalistani separatist leader in Canada.

Lionel Barber conducted the interview in association with Wilton Park and the Indian High Commission in the UK. In his query to Dr Jaishankar, Barber emphasised the gravity of such accusations and sought clarity from Dr. Jaishankar.

In his reply, Dr Jaishankar categorically denied any evidence pointing to the involvement of the Indian government, direct or indirect, in the murder of Nijjar. He stated that Canada did not provide any basis for the allegations.

When questioned about Nijjar’s involvement in terrorist activities, Dr Jaishankar acknowledged the presence of his controversial social media record. However, he left it to the judgment of the public to form an opinion about him based on the available information. Notably, Nijjar is a designated Khalistani Terrorist by the Government of India under UAPA. The GoI has submitted an extradition request of Nijjar several times along with the list of other most wanted criminals taking shelter in Canada.

During the conversation, Dr. Jaishankar contextualized the situation by highlighting political figures in Canada who back separatist ideology. He added that such ideologies sometimes come with violent means. He expressed his concerns about views in Canadian politics as they provide a shield to the anti-India elements, leading to attacks and threats to Indian diplomats.

The minister underscored the importance of exercising freedom of speech and expression. Dr Jaishankar expressed discontent over the lack of action against the perpetrators who attacked Indian diplomats and Indian embassies in Canada.

Responding to Trudeau’s allegations, Dr Jaishankar informed that India had requested the Canadian government to provide evidence to back the claims. He further emphasized that India is not running away from the investigation. However, Canada has not provided any evidence so far.

Disagreeing with Barber’s assertions based on a previous conversation with someone who has experience in international politics and diplomacy that other countries like Iran, the United States, Israel, and Saudi Arabia indulge in extraterritorial assassinations, and the attempt to put India in a similar situation, Dr Jaishankar disagreed with this comparison, emphasising the need for presenting evidence rather than justifying actions based on historical precedents. He added if presented with the evidence, “I would not justify it. I would look into it.’

India-Canada relationships and murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar

The diplomatic relationships between India and Canada have been deteriorating consistently. The last nail to the coffin was the false allegations leveled by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau against India during an address in the Canadian Parliament, where he accused India of being involved in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on Canadian soil. Canada almost immediately fired an Indian diplomat after levelling the allegations. In retaliation, India also fired one of the top Canadian diplomats and issued a statement denying the allegations.

India accused Canada of false accusations and said Canada never presented any solid evidence supporting the allegations. Furthermore, India revoked the diplomatic immunity of 41 Canadian diplomats and asked them to leave the country. India has stopped visa services for Canadians. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs called Canada a safe haven for criminals, terrorists and gangsters. India also accused Canada of not fulfilling the terms of the extradition treaty as the latter failed to take action against the 20 most wanted criminals that India wanted Canada to extradite. Canada has yet to provide any evidence of India’s involvement in Nijjar’s murder.

Samajwadi Party wants no discussion on religion: Akhilesh Yadav after party leader Swami Prasad Maurya’s controversial remarks on Goddess Laxmi

ANI
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Samajwadi Party wants no discussion on religion: Akhilesh Yadav after party leader Swami Prasad Maurya’s controversial remarks on Goddess Laxmi

Amid the controversy surrounding a post by Swami Prasad Maurya Akhilesh Yadav, the supremo of the Samajwadi Party (SP), on Wednesday, stated, “The stand of the Samajwadi Party on religion is clear. There should be no discussion about it”.

“The stand of the Samajwadi Party on religion is clear. There should be no discussion about it.., but keep talking about caste census. If someone is giving such a statement about religion, then you (media) don’t show it.” Akhilesh Yadav said.

This statement was made in response to the controversy surrounding a post by Swami Prasad Maurya, made on November 13, where the Samajwadi Party leader questioned the birth of Hindu goddess Lakshmi and said, “How can Lakshmi be born with four hands?

In a post on X, Swami Prasad Maurya said that every child born anywhere in the world has two hands, two legs, two ears, and two eyes and if a child with eight hands, and ten hands has not been born till now, how can goddess Lakshmi be born with four hands?

“While worshipping and honouring wife on the occasion of Deepotsav, I say that every child born in every religion, caste, race, colour and country of the whole world has two hands, two legs, two ears, two eyes and a nose with two holes. There is only a head, stomach and back. If a child with four hands, eight hands, ten hands, twenty hands and a thousand hands has not been born till date, then how can Lakshmi be born with four hands?” Swami Prasad said on X.”

After stoking controversy by making remarks on Goddess Laxmi, Swami Prasad Maurya on Monday said that his comments are of a practical nature, based on truth, scientific and not hinged on someone’s imagination.

Speaking to ANI, Swami Prasad Maurya said, “I had not spoken about four arms alone, I also spoke about eight arms, ten arms, 1000 arms – no such child has ever been born in the country. If it did happen, I challenge them to tell me and I will accept it.”

“We can make somebody with 1000 arms or 20 arms or 10 arms on the basis of our imagination. Imagination is just imagination. I said what is practical, based on truth, scientific and Sanatan too. I also spoke as per Sanatan Dharma and I said that people must respect their wives as she is the ‘Grih Laxmi’ in the real sense,” he added.

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

Rajasthan: Behror MLA Baljeet Yadav ‘welcomed’ by locals with garland of shoes, video viral

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: Behror MLA Baljeet Yadav ‘welcomed’ by locals with garland of shoes, video viral

In Rajasthan’s Behror, independent MLA Baljeet Yadav was ‘welcomed‘ with a garland of shoes and slippers in Gadoj village on Wednesday (15th November). The locals were upset with the Behror MLA who recently filed his nomination for the upcoming elections. After a local youth garlanded Baljeet Yadav with shoes, the MLA’s supporters clashed with the locals.

The locals raised “MLA Baljeet Yadav Murdabad” slogans as the conflict escalated. Seeing the situation taking a serious turn, the MLA ran away from the spot pausing his election campaign. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media. It has been reported that several youths from Behror were taken into custody later without any evidence of criminal offence.

Notably, MLA Baljeet Yadav is regularly facing the anger of locals in his constituency as in September this year, the MLA was welcomed with black flags and sloganeering in Bichpuri village in the constituency. The locals said that Baljeet Yadav was claiming credit for the construction of a road built by BJP MP from Alwar, Mahant Balaknath Yogi.

MLA Baljeet Yadav formed his own political party named Rashtriya Janta Sena Party earlier this year. In 2018, Yadav was elected as an independent MLA from the Behror assembly constituency for the first time. Yadav gained attention after he campaigned in 200 assembly constituencies across the state, dressed in black clothes as a mark of protest against corruption, with 14 requests. However, he has been accused of corruption amounting to crores of rupees.

MLA Baljeet Yadav is also accused of doing a multi-crore scam in the purchase of cricket bats, balls, helmets, batting pads, stumps, and gloves for children studying in government schools.

BJP’s Jyotiraditya Scindia hits back at Priyanka Vadra for making ‘short height-high ego’ remark, says ‘look into mirror first’

OpIndia Staff
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BJP’s Jyotiraditya Scindia hits back at Priyanka Vadra for making ‘short height-high ego’ remark, says ‘look into mirror first’

On the final day of campaigning in the poll-bound state of Madhya Pradesh, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a personal attack on BJP leader Jyotiraditya Scindia. On 14th November, Vadra remarked at a public rally in Datia, Madhya Pradesh, that Scindia was “short in height but high on arrogance.” She also referred to the Union minister as a ‘traitor’.

However, Scindia slammed Vadra on Twitter on Wednesday (15th November), saying that those comparing ability to height to teach ego should first look in the mirror.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the rally in Datia had said, “All of their leaders are a little weird. First, our Scindia…I have worked with him in UP (Uttar Pradesh). His height is a little short but in arrogance, ‘waah bhai waah’…Any worker who used to go to him says that we have to call him Maharaj and if we don’t say that, our issues will not be addressed. He followed his family’s tradition well. Many have betrayed but they have betrayed the public of Gwalior and Chamba.”

Slamming Vadra for making personal comments during a public rally, the BJP leader on Twitter (X) said, “Since Priyanka Gandhi ji is a part-time leader, I do not expect her to have the ability to understand the difference between these two traditions – the sons of which family, from the Afghans to the Mughals and the British, sacrificed their lives to protect Mother India, and who protected India from China. Forget about doing so, the Indian land was given to China as a gift. The second generation of which family had imposed emergency in the greed for power? And even today, the present generation of which family is defaming the country by going to foreign forums?”

Scindia went on to say that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra does not know the Gwalior Chambal region and that she had very little knowledge about the region. “Priyanka Gandhi ji, who called Gwalior Chambal as “Gwalior Chamba” during her speech, needed written lines on a pamphlet to attack my family. One could get an idea of her thinking and understanding of Gwalior Chambal from her statement,” said Scindia.

He further urged the people of Madhya Pradesh to teach a lesson to the Congress during the upcoming elections.

It is worth noting that, during the last elections in the year 2018, Congress leader Kamal Nath had become the CM by gathering a variety of supporters. The Congress leadership, that the is Gandhi family, had decided to ignore Scindia and make Kamal Nath the CM for his loyalty to the family. However, the general discontent and disagreements within Congress resulted in a split and in 2020, Jyotiradiya Scindia had joined the BJP with 22 MLAs. Scindia then went on to become a Rajya Sabha MP on BJP’s nomination and was made the Civil Aviation minister.

Voting in Madhya Pradesh is scheduled for November 17 and the election results will be tallied on December 3.

Bhupesh Baghel insulted Lord Mahadev, Bemetara has become hub of love jihad: Amit Shah launches stinging attack on Congress in Chhattisgarh

OpIndia Staff
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Bhupesh Baghel insulted Lord Mahadev, Bemetara has become hub of love jihad: Amit Shah launches stinging attack on Congress in Chhattisgarh

On 15 November, Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that the Bemetara district of Chhattisgarh has turned into a hub for “love jihad” and that no one would dare carry out such an atrocity should the Bharatiya Janata Party win the state’s upcoming election. He referred to prominent Congressman and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel as a “prepaid CM” and accused him of defaming Lord Mahadev by naming the controversial betting app after him.

He stated that his party provided the nation with its first Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) a member of an extremely backward class and that the BJP has worked for the development of Other Backward Class communities by granting them broad representation in the central ministry, the legislature and state assemblies.

The senior leader asserted that the Durg division which was once a focal point of education had devolved into a betting area during Bhupesh Baghel’s leadership as chief minister. He spoke at three rallies in Bemetara, Janjgir-Champa and Korba districts on the final day of campaigning for the second and final phase of polls in the state on 17 November.

Ishwar Sahu, a local was put forward by the BJP to replace his son Bhuneshwar Sahu who was murdered in a communal clash in Biranpur village of Bemetara in April. Amit Shah highlighted, “Ishwar Sahu is not only a candidate but a symbol of fight for justice. Under Bhupesh Kakka’s rule (referring to CM), communal elements lynched Sahu’s son Bhuneshwar Sahu. People of Bhupesh Kakka offered a cheque and job to Ishwar ji asking him not to seek justice. But I would like to thank Ishwar ji that he refused and sought justice for his dead son,” in a rally in Saja.

He noted, “It is our responsibility to get him justice. No one has the right to take the law into his hands. I want to tell Bhupesh Kaka, Today you have surrendered to communal forces for the sake of the vote bank. No one knows how many like Bhubaneswar Sahu were martyred but you never cared to give them justice. Your time ends here. Reverse counting begins.”

He pledged that if the BJP obtains power, the killers of Bhuneshwar Sahu would be put behind bars. “It is our responsibility to ensure justice for Bhuneshwar Sahu. No one will be allowed to violate the law. Every murderer of Bhuneshwar Sahu will be sent to jail. The countdown of the exit of Bhupesh Kakka has started.”

He urged voters to support his party and promised that a BJP government would ensure Bhuneshwar Sahu’s justice and serve as a warning to those engaging in appeasement politics. The former BJP president criticised the Congress government in Chhattisgarh and charged that under Bhupesh Baghel’s chief ministership, Bemetara had become a hub for “love jihad.”

He charged that the Bhupesh Baghel regime was asleep at the time of the love jihad which was directed towards the Sahu, Kurmi and Gond communities. “Who will wake them up,” he asked and added, “It’s your votes. I promise you, bring BJP to power and no one will dare commit such an act.”

He blasted the chief minister and pointed out his connection with Mahadev Betting App. “Bhupesh Kakka destroyed the Durg division. During the Raman Singh-led BJP government, the Durg division had become a centre of education. Bhupesh Baghel turned it into a centre of satta (betting). If they had to engage in betting, they could have done it in the name of Bhupesh Baghel.”

“Why did he use the name Mahadev,” he questioned and voiced, “Modi ji sent Chandrayaan to the moon and named the spot (where it landed) Shivshakti, expressing reverence to Lord Shiva and Maa Shakti. But Bhupesh Kakka named a betting app after Mahadev and insulted him.”

The Home Minister announced, “In the first phase of the Chhattisgarh election, Bhupesh Kaka has been wiped out and the lotus is sure to bloom. Today, I was told by a journalist that even bookies have started saying that the Baghel government, which is involved in betting, is not going to return and a BJP government is going to be formed.”

Is Google Bard censoring OpIndia? Union Minister warns against search bias to Alphabet Co, says it violates Indian law

Anurag
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Is Google Bard censoring OpIndia? Union Minister warns against search bias to Alphabet Co, says it violates Indian law

On 15th November, Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar warned against Search Bias, Algorithmic Bias and AI models with bias while quoting a post by X (formerly Twitter) user Arun Pudur, where Pudur had highlighted how Google Bard was censoring a report by OpIndia. In his post, the minister said, “Search Bias, Algorithmic Bias and AI models with bias – are real violations of the Safety and trust obligations placed on Platforms under Rule 3(1)(b) of IT rules under the regulatory framework in India. Those who are aggrieved by this can file FIRs against such platforms, and safe harbour/immunity under Sec79 will not apply to these cases.”

The warning was issued based on Pudur’s post on X, where he published a screenshot of Google Bard’s reply to a request to summarise a report by OpIndia. The report in question was about the NewsClick-Chinese funding row accused Neville Roy Singham, who, along with his wife, has been funding anti-Israel protests in the United States. The report can be checked here.

In his post, Pudur said, “More and More are using AI for summarizing Articles, search and content. Today, I was causally using Google Bard to summarize an article by OpIndia, and it said it will not summarize it as Opindia spreads false information and is biased.” He tagged the Union Minister and Ministry of Electronics and Informational Technology (MeiTY) in his post.

Pudur highlighted the reply by Google Bard in the screenshot that read, “I cannot summarize the article for you because it is from a biased and unreliable source. Opindia is a website that has been repeatedly criticized for publishing false and misleading information. In addition, the article does not provide any evidence to support its claims about Neville Roy Singham’s wife funding an anti-Israel protest in the US.”

OpIndia checked if Google Bard’s algorithm gives similar results every time. For those who are unaware, Google Bard gives multiple drafts of every reply, and the users can choose whichever they like the most.

In the case of the report mentioning Singham, it took us several tries to get a summary of the article, but that summary was also shadowed with bias. In the first case, it Google Bard says the report contained content that violated its safety guidelines.

Source: Google Bard

In the second attempt, it did not have enough information to provide a summary.

Source: Google Bard

In the third attempt, it said OpIndia is not a credible news source, as mentioned by Pudur in his post on X.

Source: Google Bard

In the last attempt, it did provide a summary but claimed that OpIndia’s report was behind a paywall. It has to be noted that not even a single report on OpIndia has ever been behind any paywall. OpIndia thrives on the voluntary contributions made by its readers. If you wish to support OpIndia, you can check the process here.

Source: Google Bard

Interestingly, Google Bard provided a summary of reports that revolved around India without any issues. For example, it provided a summary of a report on the Aligarh ISIS module without any problem.

Source: Google Bard

However, when we tried to get a summary of the controversy revolving around Coldplay in Indonesia, as it is facing protests by Muslims, Google Bard decided to call it a sensitive topic and refused to give a summary.

Source: Google Bard

Furthermore, it has no problem in summarising reports from The Print and The Wire. It summarised The Print’s report on Indian-origin politicians abroad with ease.

Source: Google Bard

Google Bard faced no issue in providing information on The Wire’s report on Mahua Moitra.

Source: Google Bard

Google Bard, being a machine-learning AI program, takes information from the internet to provide answers to queries. Wikipedia is possibly one of its sources of information, as Google also throws Wikipedia links at the top of most of the queries. As Wikipedia is severely critical of OpIndia, it is obvious that Bard is getting anti-OpIndia opinions from Wikipedia. The issue of AI being biased is clear, as it often censors the content.

X’s chief and tech billionaire Elon Musk has repeatedly warned that AI has the potential to become humanity’s biggest threat. In a recent interview, he said, “I mean, for the first time, we have a situation where there’s something that is going to be far smarter than the smartest human. So, you know, we’re not stronger or faster than other creatures, but we are more intelligent. And here we are, for the first time really in human history, with something that’s going to be far more intelligent than us.”

AI’s dangers not only lie in the way it censors but also in how conveniently it can generate fake content. Recently, the issue of a deep fake video of actress Rashmika Mandhani sparked a debate over the issue. To learn more about the case, please click here. To learn more about deep fakes, please click here.

Gharwapsi of two 8th-century temple idols stolen from UP in 1970s: EAM Jaishankar presides over repatriation ceremony in London

OpIndia Staff
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Gharwapsi of two 8th-century temple idols stolen from UP in 1970s: EAM Jaishankar presides over repatriation ceremony in London

On Wednesday (15th November), External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in London participated in a homecoming ceremony of two 8th-century Hindu temple idols that were stolen from India and recently found in England. 

The two temple idols named Yogini Chamunda and Yogini Gomukhi were stolen from a temple in Lokhari, Uttar Pradesh, between the late 1970s and early 1980s. The idols were recovered by the High Commission of India in London with assistance from the India Pride Project and Art Recovery International.

On the final day of his five-day visit to the UK, Jaishankar unveiled the idols at India House, saying he was looking forward to their return to India. “It is important today, as we look to appreciate each other’s culture, to ensure that cultural exchanges are legal, transparent and rules-based,” said Jaishankar.

“Where there have been deviations, whenever these are corrected I think this is something of great importance, not just in this case, but as a message that this is a practice which is not acceptable in this day and age,” he was quoted as saying.

The term ‘Yogini’ refers to female masters of the yogic arts, with 64 divine Yoginis worshipped as goddesses at Yogini temples like Lokhari. The Lokhari temple is said to have 20 Yogini statues depicting beautiful women with animal heads.

The temple was targeted in 1970 by a gang of robbers operating out of Rajasthan and Maharashtra and smuggling goods into Europe via Switzerland. Unknown numbers of statues were stolen, with others broken and the remaining unharmed statues removed and hidden by local villagers.

Chris Marinello of Art Recovery International commented on the issue and said that this is the fifth attempt that India is being provided with its old stolen artefacts from outside countries. “This is the fifth time we have been able to return important pieces of cultural heritage to India – in Milan, Brussels, and London three times. We work closely with the India Pride Project and when they identify one of these, we step in and negotiate with the possessors to reach an amicable resolution,” Marinello said.

The First Secretary of Trade and Economics at the Indian High Commission in London, Jaspreet Singh Sukhija, has been collaborating with the India Pride Project, an organization dedicated to restoring India’s lost artefacts, to arrange the restitution of these idols.

According to Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami, “Part of the objective of what we seek to do in these occasions is to find some acceptable and amicable solutions to enable our heritage to go back to where it is most appropriate, where it comes from, and where it is most appreciated.”

In the year 2022, a similar ancient Indian idol of a goat-headed goddess that had gone missing from a temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Lokhari village 40 years ago was recovered from London. The goat-headed Yogini idol was handed over to the Archaeological Survey of India yesterday by the Indian envoy to the United Kingdom Gaitri Issar Kumar.

As reported earlier, the stolen art recovery expert Christopher Marinello in October 2021 came across the idol when a widow in the UK requested help to sell the contents of her home, including the Yogini figure. Marinello, the founder of Art Recovery International, a company that specializes in recovering looted and missing works of art, later informed the India Pride Project which assisted the High Commission of India in recovering the idol.

Also in 2020, 3 priceless idols of Lord Ram, Maa Sita, and Laxman from the Vijayanagara period, stolen from a Vishnu temple in Tamil Nadu in 1978 were handed over to the Indian consulate in London by the British police.

Further in 2019, a 600-year-old Nataraja idol worth Rs 30 crore which was stolen 37 years ago from a temple at Kallidaikurichi in Tirunelveli district, Chennai, Tamil Nadu was brought back to India. The two and a half feet 16th-century idol which was kept in the gallery in Adelaide, Australia for 17 years was traced in 2018.

In fact, last year, PM Modi revealed how his government has been successful in bringing back over precious 200 idols, which were stolen in the past, from abroad since he assumed office in 2014.

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