The Congress-led government in Karnataka is setting up a ‘fact check unit’ to combat ‘misinformation’ with the help of notorious fake news peddlers such as Alt News.
Within two months of forming the government, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed the Departments of Information Technology, Biotechnology and Home Affairs to take action against those who supposedly post fake news.
As per a report published by the Kannada newspaper Vijayvani on Monday (July 24), the Karnataka government will seek help from dubious fact-checking portal ‘Alt News’ to fight misinformation.
Screengrab of the news report by Vijayvani
“The government will open a separate fact-check unit. It will also take the help of fact-checking agencies like Alt News, Boom Live, E Din, Logical(ly), etc,” the report read.
“There are two types of fake news attacks on social media. One is to defame personally and the other is against the government. Both types of verification will be done here. Action will be taken against such posts if the government is dragged into personal defamation and the other is to incite communal sentiments by targeting the government as a whole,” it further added.
Earlier in June, Congress MLA Priyank Kharge publicly displayed his camaraderie with Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair by referring to the latter as ‘chief.’ Interestingly, Kharge heads the same IT and biotechnology Departments, which are now entrusted to set up the ‘fact-checking unit.’
Will do Chief
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) June 16, 2023
This has led to speculations by netizens that the Karnataka Congress government is mulling to monetarily benefit Alt News by availing its services using taxpayer’s money.
In a tweet on Monday (July 24), popular Twitter user ‘Mr Sinha’ wrote, “So Karanataka govt is planning to build a system to punish “fake news peddlers” with the help of Fault news. It’s same as US joining hands with Pakistan to control Terrorism.”
“On a serious note, it seems like INC Priyank Kharge is planning to reward them using govt’s fund in the name of fact-checking,” he emphasised.
Screengrab of the tweet by Mr Sinha
Alt News and its notorious history of spreading fake news
The ‘fact checking’ portal, run by Pratik Sinha and Mohammed Zubair, has disseminated and amplified fake news on several instances. This is without accounting for the numerous lies peddled by the founders of the Alt News themselves.
For instance, on Sunday (July 23), Zubair shared a cropped video of Kanwariyas pelting stones in Bareilly to hide the fact that it was carried out in retaliation of an unproved attack by Islamists. By shrewdly avoiding the context of the video, he thus insinuated that it was somehow a ‘free-for-all’ case of stone pelting.
In June this year, he falsely suggested that YouTuber Akshat Shrivastava took money from the Union government to criticise the Congress party. Shrivastava later took to Twitter to lambast Zubair for his ‘half-baked research’ and ‘baseless allegations.’
Doing half baked research. And, hurling baseless accusations has become a fashion.
I had already released a video on 16th May on my YouTube channel, where I had talked about the Freebie culture in context of Karnataka elections. The video is still there- you can go & check.… pic.twitter.com/ZiaKDrtaxe
A month earlier, Alt News co-founder and his lackey shared a cropped video to falsely claim that BJP Tamil Nadu chief, Annamalai, claimed credit for CSK’s win in the Indian Premier League.
Zubair had also used misinformation to target the BJP over the inauguration of the new Parliament building. The ‘ignorant’ fact-checker made it clear that he did not know the difference between the ‘foundation’ and ‘inauguration’ of a structure.
Alt News also attempted to shield Congress workers, who were allegedly heard raising ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ slogans. Initially, he had claimed that there was no contentious sloganeering but later claimed that the proof was inconclusive.
I spoke to Police Inspector Mr. Dayanand from Belagavi, He says, They have not concluded if the slogans raised were "Pakistan Zindabad" OR "Asif (Raju) Sait Zindabad". They are sending the viral video to FLS for further investigation. https://t.co/LZOCxouhYB
It almost seemed like Zubair knew his assertions had been busted. However, to save face, he claimed that he spoke to Inspector Dayanand for Belagavi, who said that they had not confirmed yet whether the slogans were Pakistan Zindabad or Asif Sait Zindabad.
His frequent lies have been the fodder for Islamists both in India and abroad. On 14 June 2021, Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair took to Twitter to claim that an elderly Muslim man, Abdul Samad Saifi, in Ghaziabad was assaulted and forced to chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’.
The disinformation was shared recently by Majid Freeman, the Islamist who has been infamous for fanning the anti-Hindu violence in the United Kingdom’s Leicester in 2022. Despite such a history of peddling fake news, the Congress government has now decided to onboard ‘Alt News’ in its ‘fact check unit.’
On Monday, July 24 some anti-social elements attacked a shop in the temple premise in Meghalaya’s Shillong on the afternoon of the third Monday of the auspicious Sawan (monsoon) month. The attackers also thrashed the worshipers and robbed the shop, disturbing the peace in the area of Shillong’s famous Shiva temple, Mahadev Khola Dham.
According to the local reports, the incident is said to have happened on the third Monday of the auspicious Sawan month, which drew a huge congregation of worshipers to the temple. The incident happened when a visitor visited Mahadev Khola Dham and asked one of the stores there for an Amul Kool beverage. However, he informed the shopkeeper that he would pay her later.
On refusal, he felt insulted and hurled a coconut at the woman shopkeeper. According to a statement by SP Sylvester Nongtnger, a massive fight broke out when her 21-year-old son intervened to protect her. The SP confirmed that thirty minutes later, the miscreant returned with a enraged group who attacked the woman and her son, grabbed money from the store, and fled. A group of nine to ten persons attacked them, taking their cellphones and cash worth Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000, according to a FIR that the shop’s owner filed.
Upon information, police personnel from Jhalupara OP rushed to the spot. The mother and boy are said to have suffered minor injuries, and after receiving first aid and a medical inspection, they were both released.
The CCTV footage of the incident is making rounds on social media where the miscreants can be seen creating a ruckus in the temple premises. They can be seen thrashing the devotees and also manhandling the assets of the nearby shop. The Legal Rights Observatory (LRO) shared the video and stated that the miscreants were from the Khasi Students Union.
Khasi Students Union- KSU goons attacked Mahadev Khola mandir, 101 Area Lower Iowsohtun , Shillong , Meghalaya. We can be see them assaulting priests women devotees including family of priests. Hope @SangmaConrad@MeghalayaPolice act. Will Presb Church stop hate mongering? pic.twitter.com/1Ru02yQ8QV
— Legal Rights Observatory- LRO (@LegalLro) July 24, 2023
The SP stated that a case has been filed at Lumdiengjri Police Station and that the district police are working tirelessly to apprehend the offenders.
Meanwhile, according to eyewitness accounts, the attackers attacked unarmed devotees who had gathered to pray and bring water to the shrine. The thieves attacked female worshippers physically in addition to stealing money from the believers. The eyewitnesses also stated that the miscreants were wielding knives and chains, and stopped devotees from entering the temple premises.
After the attack, the temple authorities quickly solicited police assistance. Unfortunately, the attackers had already left the site by the time the cops arrived, leaving others in a state of panic and confusion. However, crucial information was recorded by the temple’s security cameras, giving detectives a lead to find the attackers. The primary suspect was clearly seen on the CCTV tape and could be recognised by his clothing.
At present, FIR in the case has been filed and investigations are underway to capture the accused.
On Saturday, 22nd July 2023, an FIR was registered against Mukesh Machkar – editor of Marathi Cartoon Weekly Marmik – for inciting hatred and violence against Brahmin women over the recent Manipur issue. Mukesh Machkar said in his Facebook post that he would contribute money to those who pack the women with surnames Bhide, Gadgil, and Nadkarni in a sack and send them to Manipur. He also added that he will sponsor a half-litre of petrol if anyone wishes to do “something else” with them.
This FIR is filed in the Cyber Police branch of Pune City at the Alankar Police Station in the Erandwana area of Pune and it is based on the complaint filed by 35-year-old Marathi author Ashwini Kulkarni. While Mukesh Machkar represents the so-called “moral compass” of the progressive ideology of Maharashtra, it is necessary to first understand the background of the things which went on to build this controversy.
It started with the viral video of the Manipur Tragedy
On July 19 horrifying visuals of two women being stripped naked and paraded naked surfaced from Manipur. The visuals show two women being paraded naked while a group of men around them heckled them, and then being dragged into a paddy field. It was reported that the two victims were then gang-raped. It was also reported that the victims were from the Kuki community and the assailants were from the Meitei community.
A wave of condemnation spread over social media. While many people active on social media condemned the incident as a genuine response to this heinous incident, many others had their personal agenda of sieging the BJP government in the state and in the Center over this issue. They not only questioned PM Modi on this late-reported issue but also disregarded the firm resolve he showed about dealing with such crimes in his statement the next day.
While everyone condemned this heinous crime and demanded action, the Leftists and Islamists who were expressing their horror over the Manipur incident, glossed over similar incidents from West Bengal where Hindu women were raped, paraded naked and beaten up.
Mukesh Machkar particularly targeted Brahmins – and that too Brahmin women – from this clout of social media users and spewed venom against them. It is notable that Mukesh Machkar has more than 25000 followers on Facebook and holds a fairly widespread compounding impact on the opinion of the Marathi diaspora being an editor of a 63-year-old Cartoon Weekly founded by none other than Balasaheb Thackeray. Weekly Marmik served as a mouthpiece of Shiv Sena before it started a daily newspaper “Saamana”.
What did Mukesh Machkar post?
Mukesh Machkar wrote in his Facebook post, “I will give a contribution of rupees one thousand to pack Bhide, Gadgil, and Nadkarni women in a sack and send them to Manipur. Also, will give half a litre of petrol if there is any other plan!”
Notably, Bhide, Gadgil, and Nadkarni are the surnames commonly found in the Marathi Brahmin Community. Peshwas of the Maratha empire, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Veer Savarkar, and many other eminent Marathi personalities belong to this community. Nathuram Godse who shot MK Gandhi dead also comes from this community. What Mukesh Machkar incited through this post is nothing but a genocide of this community like the one witnessed by Maharashtra in 1948 after MK Gandhi’s assassination.
Facebook post by Mukesh Machkar
In this post Mukesh Machkar not only incited hatred and violence against one community, but he targeted women of the community. By ‘sending to Manipur’ he essentially meant that the women of this community deserve a similar treatment as the one received by the Kuki victims in the viral video. It therefore seems like Mukesh Machkar through this post was essentially declaring a reward of rupees 1000 for raping the women of the Brahmin community.
Mukesh Machkar is a writer and has worked in noted secular liberal media houses like Maharashtra Times. Presently. He is the editor of Weekly Marmik which was started by Balasaheb Thackeray with a tagline that read – “For Justified Rights of the Marathi People”. Mukesh Machkar incited hatred and violence against Marathi women while “decorating the editorial chair of this Weekly Marmik with his distinguished presence”.
Ashwini Kulkarni’s Complaint against Mukesh Machkar
Noted Marathi writer Ashwini Kulkarni filed a complaint against Mukesh Machkar in the Pune City Cyber Police. Ashwini Kulkarni is known for her book based on the life of Shrimant Peshwin Kashibai (श्रीमंत पेशवीण काशीबाई) – the wife of Peshwa Bajirao the First. OpIndia has secured a copy of this complaint. In her complaint, she said, “The above post was uploaded from the Facebook profile of Mukesh Machkar. Mukesh Machkar has a lot of followers as he is the executive editor of the weekly magazine Marmik. The post, which he uploaded to Facebook, has garnered a total of 751 likes, 178 comments and 18 shares so far.”
Ashwini Kulkarni further said, “A video and news of women being stripped, paraded and tortured in Manipur have gone viral on social media. This type of thing is condemnable and slanderous in nature. There is a sense of anger among all the citizens about this incident. We also condemn this practice.”
Ashwini Kulkarni added in her complaint, “However, in response to the incident in Manipur, the social media user Mukesh Machkar posted the above on his Facebook profile, expressing his hatred towards the particular community and women of that community. By making such provocative statements, he instigated people to commit violence against women of a particular surname and caste, he instigated to use petrol by putting them in sacks and posted posts with a strong possibility of promoting enmity among the classes by stifling enmity between the castes or different religions and creating enmity between them.”
Ashwini Kulkarni concluded her complaint by saying, “The response his post received shows that many people are willing to get involved in such violent activities. So, I think there is a strong possibility of a law and order problem as atrocities are being fuelled in the state along the lines of Manipur. I have a legal complaint against this Facebook profile holder, Mukesh Machkar, for posting a post that would defame these women of a particular community and would incite hatred and enmity between different castes and religions.”
The FIR against Mukesh Machkar
The Pune Police filed an FIR against Muksh Machkar on the basis of the complaint filed by writer Ashwini Kulkarni. The police have booked Mukesh Machkar under sections 153A, 500 and 505 of the IPC. OpIndia has secured a copy of this FIR.
While speaking about this case, Ashwini Kulkarni said, “We all know about the heinous incident that took place in Manipur. It tarnished humanity. We all condemned it. It is sad that a few people are using this incident for their political gains. I saw a post by Mukesh Machkar who is the editor of Marmik. This post is objectionable and low-grade. He said that women of particular surnames should be sent to Manipur and burnt with petrol. He was ready to sponsor the act. Surprisingly, many people expressing themselves in the comments below that post were ready to assist Mukesh Machkar in this activity. To protest this, I filed a complaint in the police station. It contains non-bailable sections too. As soon as Mukesh Machkar knew that someone has filed an FIR, he realised that his post was wrong. He deleted the post and shared another post of apology on his Facebook profile.”
Ashwini Kulkarni added, “But, once a post is shared, its screenshots are viral on the internet, it does not make any sense even if you apologise or delete the post. It is useless. Therefore, an action shall be taken against him. I will not take my complaint back. I want to ask that when the whole country is outraged against the incident that took place in Manipur, how can one dare to share such a post? Who gives right to Mukesh Machkar to pack those ladies in a sack and send them to Manipur? If a common man shares such a post, it can be ignored. Mukesh Machkar should have realised that being the executive editor of a popular Weekly like Marmik, he should have shared the social media posts responsibly. I urge the government and the police to take firm action against this person as soon as possible and set an example so that no one should dare again to share any such post against any woman. If anyone dares to do so again, we will file a complaint again.”
Mukesh Machkar deleted the post and furnished a meaningless apology
Mukesh Machkar deleted the post after it reached to masses. Later he issued a practically meaningless apology on his Facebook profile. He wrote, “My post in reference to some persons who have posted insensitive posts in the context of atrocities against women in Manipur has gone viral in the sense that it is a hate speech against a particular caste. That wasn’t my intention. I don’t hate any race. However, the post remained ambiguous as it simply spelt out the last name and did not explicitly mention the people involved, leading to this misunderstanding.”
Mukesh Machkar added, “In a fit of rage, I also made inflammatory comments and mis-wording. I’m sorry about that. Let me reiterate, I am not a hater of any caste or religion. I have deleted this post after noticing the mess. Nevertheless, I sincerely apologise to those whose feelings have been hurt by that post. Sorry!”
Facebook post by Mukesh Machkar
Even in the comments of this post of apology, many followers and supporters of this Mukesh Machkar were seen backing him. One of them said, “Do not apologise at all Sir. These people deserve the same. I shared the screenshots of their posts. You did not post anything wrong at all. We are with you.”
Tushar Damgude calls out the progressive liberals of Maharashtra
While digging more about the issue, OpIndia contacted Pune-based Hindu activist Tushar Damgude. He is one of the main complainants in the Bhima-Koregaon case that unearthed the urban naxals racket activated in the Elgar Parishad in 2018.
Tushar Damgude said, “Mukesh Machkar is an executive editor of an old weekly named Marmik. Marmik was started by Balasaheb Thackeray to uphold the interests of the Marathi people. I feel sad as a Marathi Manus to see that the same Marathi weekly editor is spewing venom against Marathi women who have surnames like Bhide, Nadkarni, etc. It is a day to mourn as a Marathi Manus indeed. It is high time for Uddhav Thackeray and Rashmi Thackeray to think about whether this pervert person Mukesh Machkar should be continued as an executive editor of Marmik. Marathi Manus will know the thoughts of Thackerays about Marathi people and Maharashtra from the action they take against Mukesh Machkar.”
Tushar Damgude further said, “For the past few years we have repeatedly seen that the so-called progressive liberal seculars in this country are setting up a narrative that supports violence. We all have seen what happened in America. News spread that the electoral results are not in favour of a particular group of American people. These people captured the capitol hill. They stood against their own armed forces. Some people are trying to incite this kind of situation in India. We have seen it in Manipur. Indian people stood in front of the forces. Women stripped themselves to ensure that declared rioters get a free hand. Even in the past, we have seen rumours spread saying that mosques are demolished in Tripura. It was done to incite riots across the country.”
The Mukesh Machkar incident represents an extension of the anti-social toolkit
About social media and its responsible usage Tushar Damgude said, “One should not take the use of social media so lightly. Even mainstream media should not ignore it. Why this is being done so? It is because of the upcoming elections. If Narendra Modi is voted to power once again in 2024, these people will deduce its meaning as ‘The democracy in the country is doomed. So we will take the democratic establishment of this country into our hands by acting against the state, the armed forces and by blocking the roads, etc.’ There are some people who think in this way only and propagate this thought. This is a sign of imposing anarchy here. It is a sign of inciting people to create riots and a civil war-like situation.”
Tushar Damgude further said, “It is nothing but what we call urban naxals and the fifth-generation war. It is nothing but an attempt of capturing power by making the people of the country stand against each other. These self-proclaimed liberal secular progressive people do not trust the election commission. They do not trust the judiciary. They do not trust any news channels too. they do not trust the government elected by the people of this country through a democratic electoral process. They do not trust government officers. All they want is that everyone should accept their demands and agree to their thoughts without raising any doubts or questions. If it is not agreed and accepted, they are ready to block the roads. They are ready to attack you by gathering a huge number of people. They incite the people against you by writing on various media platforms like this Mukesh Machkar did. Such incidents are repeated frequently. The government should take serious cognizance of this and act on it. There should be some restrictions on social media and news channels too. The government should send a message to the people that this country is still ruled by law and order.”
Conclusion
Marmik which once used to be Shiv Sena mouthpiece is now published by Prabodhan Prakashan. It is led by Rashmi Uddhav Thackeray. Mukesh Machkar – a left-leaning so-called progressive liberal writer in Marathi was brought on board as an executive editor during the MVA period only. This incident is seen as a manifestation of the radical ideological shift in Uddhav Thackeray’s stance. In the prime years of the 1980s the same ‘Weekly Marmik’ had stalwart journalists like Bhau Torsekar on its editorial board who despite all odds continued to be relevant and most followed Marathi journalists even in the digital era.
Mukesh Machkar’s appointment as the executive editor of the Weekly Marmik thus represents the about turn of the pro-Marathi pro-Hindu periodical and Uddhav Thackeray and Rashmi Thackeray giving a free pass to Mukesh Machkar’s pervert post against Marathi Brahmin women indicates the violent anti-Hindu inner self of the established and self-proclaimed progressive liberal secular thought leaders in contemporary Maharashtra.
On 24th July, the Manipur government asked Assam Rifles authorities to push back 718 Myanmar nationals who entered India illegally. These illegal immigrants, including 301 children, entered India on 22nd July and 23rd July. The state government expressed concerns over illegal immigrants entering India amidst ongoing Manipur violence.
In a tweet, BJP’s Manipur MLA Rajkumar Imo Singh said the government had sought detailed clarification from authorities to clarify why these Myanmar nationals could enter Manipur illegally. “They have been ordered to push back/deport all the Myanmar Nationals immediately to their own country. Manipur is for all the indigenous people from all communities, but let us all push and deport all illegal migrants from our State,” He added.
State Government has sought a detailed clarification from authorities to clarify the reasons as to how the 718 Myanmar Nationals entered Manipur, India. They have been ordered to push back/deport all the Myanmar Nationals immediately to their own country. Manipur is for all the… pic.twitter.com/QzEX0diNF1
Singh further urged the Central Government to ensure that no illegal person enters the territory of Manipur, India and demanded proper border fencing. He said, “Porous boundary needs to be fenced properly, and identification of all illegal migrants needs to be completed on priority as ordered by the Central Government.”
In an official press release, the Home Department of the Government of Manipur said a report was received from Assam Rifles headquarters that 718 Myanmar nationals entered India illegally via the Indo-Myanmar border to the general area of New Lajang of district Chandel amidst ongoing clashes at Khampat opposite Border Pillar 58.
As per the press release, the 718 illegal immigrants from Myanmar included 209 men, 208 women and 301 children. They have been living in Laijang, Bonse, New Somtal, New Laijang, Yangnomphai, Yangnomphai Saw Mill and Alvomjang.
The state government pointed out that it had clearly informed Assam Rifles that, being Border Guarding Force, it has to take strict action to prevent any such infiltration of Myanmar nationals into Manipur without valid visas or travel documents. These instructions were given on behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
The state added that such infiltration may have international ramifications amidst an ongoing law and order situation. Deeming it an utmost sensitive matter, Manipur Government sought a detailed report from Assam Rifles Authority to clarify why and how these Myanmar nationals were allowed to enter India in Chandel District without proper travel documents. The state home department asked Assam Rifles to immediately push back those 718 illegal Myanmar nationals.
Furthermore, the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police of Chandel District was instructed by the Home Department to oversee the implementation of the instructions given to Assam Rifles and keep biometrics and photographs of all illegal immigrants.
Earlier, Singh shared a letter to Assam Rifles and the Deputy Commissioner of Chandel district in Manipur, where they were asked to verify reports of fresh infiltration. He wrote, “So there is fresh 718 illegal influx of Myanmar Nationals who have entered Manipur, India on 23rd July in Chandel District.”
So there are fresh 718 illegal influx of Myanmar Nationals who has entered Manipur, India on 23rd July in Chandel District. This is what everyone in Manipur has been saying for so long that thousands of people are entering the state illegally over the last few years, many have… pic.twitter.com/tsxx4HelCA
Singh pointed out that the issue of infiltration by thousands of Myanmar nationals entering India illegally was raised by locals on several occasions. “This is what everyone in Manipur has been saying for so long that thousands of people are entering the state illegally over the last few years, many have not been detected yet, and that is why the State is trying to find out these illegal migrants and take appropriate action as per law. Central Government has to ensure the entry of illegal influx stops at the border itself, and our government has to ensure they are deported back immediately,” he added.
Manipur violence: Local Meiteis Vs Kukis that include illegal immigrants
It is notable here that the influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar, mostly Kuki Christians who go on to live in the protected hill areas, has been a key factor in the ongoing conflict between Meitei and Kuki communities. Though the official narrative for Kukis opposing the ST status to Meiteis is that they will lose exclusive land ownership rights in the hill areas, the Meitei community, and even the state government has been vocal over the illegal immigration issues in the state.
According to Meitei groups, Kuki people are immigrating from Myanmar and occupying forest land in Manipur, and the local Kukis are supporting them. Aware of the situation, the state govt has launched an eviction drive, which is being opposed by the tribal groups.
The Central CEN Crime Police Station in Bengaluru has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against unknown suspects in connection to a death threat to a Karnataka High Court employee and six judges, police revealed on Monday, 24 July. A case has been lodged on the complaint of a Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Karnataka High Court, K Muralidhar.
According to the police, Muralidhar told them that he received a threatening call and WhatsApp messages on his official number in which a caller demanded ransom money. The suspect threatened him that if he didn’t transfer the money into his Pakistani account, he would kill him and six judges of the Karnataka High Court. However, the caller didn’t reveal his identity.
According to the complaint filed on 14 July, Muralidhar received a call and messages from an international number at 7 pm on the 12th of July. The unknown suspect sent messages in Hindi, Urdu and English.
In these threatening messages, the accused demanded a ransom of Rs 50 lakh. He gave Muralidhar details of a Pakistani bank account number linked with ‘ABL Allied Bank Limited’ and asked him to deposit the ransom amount in this account. The message sender threatened Muralidhar that if the money was not transferred, six judges of the court along with him would be killed by a ‘Dubai gang’.
The names of the High Court Judges mentioned in these threatening messages include Justices Mohammad Nawaz, HT Narendra Prasad, Ashok Nijagannanavar, HP Sandesh, K Natarajan, and Veerappa.
Additionally, five suspicious mobile phone numbers were also mentioned in these threatening messages stating, “Yah Indian hamare apne shooter hain (these are our Indian shooters).”
According to the Police, they have registered an FIR under Sections 506, 507, and 504 of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 75 and 66(F) of the Information Technology Act. Additionally, they have submitted it before the 1st Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court.
A day earlier, on 23rd July, the Mumbai Police control room received a threatening call in which the caller said that a tanker filled with RDX and two Pakistani nationals onboard was going from Mumbai to Goa.
Previously, on 18 July, the Mumbai Police’s traffic control room received another threatening call, in which the caller claimed of carrying out another 26/11-style of attack in Mumbai. The unknown caller claimed that the governments of CM Yogi and PM Modi are on the target and cartridges and AK-47s are present at specific locations. The caller threatened a potential 26/11-style attack in Mumbai.
In another such threatening call, one unknown caller threatened to destroy India, if Seema Haider doesn’t return back to Pakistan.
The Supreme Court on Monday refused to stay the ongoing delimitation exercise underway in Assam but agreed to hear a challenge made to it by opposition leaders of the state.
A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra issued notice to the Centre on the plea and asked the Centre to file an affidavit within three weeks.
Refusing to stay the delimitation process of the Election Commission initiated in Assam, the bench said it wouldn’t issue any order restraining the poll panel to take any further steps regarding the delimitation exercise in the state.
“At this stage when delimitation has commended having due regard to the issuance of the draft proposal on June 20, 2023, it would not be proper to interdict the process at this stage. Hence, while reserving the constitutional challenge, we are not issuing any orders restraining the Election Commission to take any further steps”, the apex court stated in its order.
The apex court was hearing a plea filed by ten opposition leaders from Assam challenging the recent draft proposal of the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the delimitation of Assam’s 126 Assembly constituencies and 14 Lok Sabha constituencies.
The petition also challenged Section 8A of the Representation of People Act, 1950 as per which the Election Commission is exercising its power in conducting the delimitation process.
The petitioners filing the petition through advocate advocate Fuzail Ahmad Ayyubi challenged the provision on the grounds of the same being arbitrary and opaque apart from also being discriminatory to the State of Assam.
The petitioners who have filed the petition are Lurinjyoti Gogoi (Assam Jatiya Parishad), Debabrata Saikia (INC), Rokibul Hussain (INC), Akhil Gogoi (Raijor Dal), Manoranjan Talukdar (CPI(M)), Ghanakanta Chutia (Trinamool Congress), Munin Mahanta (CPI), Diganta Konwar (Anchalik Gana Morcha), Mahendra Bhuyan (Nationalist Congress Party), and Swarna Hazarika (Rashtriya Janata Dal).
The petitioners have challenged recent proposals of the ECI readjusting the extent of 126 Assembly and 14 Lok Sabha Constituencies in Assam by a draft order issued on June 20.
The petition challenged the methodology adopted by the ECI by taking different Average Assembly Size for different districts and argues that population density or populous-ness has no role to play in the process of delimitation.
“While the Constitution of India envisages an exercise whereby Constituencies are to be readjusted so as to ensure that all constituencies are comprised of an almost equal population, by relying on 2001 census figures, the Election Commission has created three categories of districts and has taken different yardstick for the three categories resulting in possible deviation of up to 33 per cent between the population of the largest and smallest constituency,” the petition stated.
Petition contended that delimitation for the rest of the country has been conducted by a high-powered body headed by a retired Supreme Court Judge and the same Commission was formed for Jammu and Kashmir as well.
“However, the provision of Section 8A discriminates against Assam and three North-Eastern States, for which the Election Commission has been prescribed as the authority to conduct delimitation,” it further stated.
The petition has also highlighted certain statements of the Chief Minister of Assam who has publicly stated that the present exercise will be beneficial to one party i.e., BJP while being damaging to other opposition parties.
Such statements, the petition submitted, while do not inspire any confidence in the exercise, also give rise to apprehensions that the ECI exercise has not been independent and has been heavily dictated by the State government, it added.
The apex court also seized two PILs regarding the delimitation of four North-Eastern States including Assam.
In December of last year, the Election Commission began the delimitation of Assembly and Parliamentary Constituencies in Assam by using the 2001 Census as per Section 8A of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.
(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 Monday, July 24, the Supreme Court resumed hearing a plea filed in connection with the delay in Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transport System (RRTS) project. During the hearing, the court came down heavily on the Delhi government for not contributing its share in the infrastructure projects. The bench warned Delhi government’s counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi that if the government fails to provide budgetary provisions for the project, the bench can attach their advertisement budget.
The bench said, “Either you pay or we will attach your advertisement budget”.
SC: Where is Dr Singhvi (for Delhi)? We will say pay or attach (smiles).
Sr Adv Abhishek Manu Singhvi: We have given the details. There are problems due to GST, dues not being released …
— Bar & Bench – Live Threads (@lawbarandbench) July 24, 2023
In a previous hearing on July 3rd, the bench comprising Justices SK Kaul and Sadhanshu Dhulia was informed that the Delhi Government was not allocating funds for the RRTS Project and several other development projects citing budgetary constraints.
Back then, the Delhi government had refused to give Rs 3,261 crore towards the construction of the Delhi-Gurugram-Rewari-Alwar RRTS corridor and Rs 2,443 crore for the Delhi-Sonipat-Panipat corridor.
Subsequently, the court directed the Delhi government to file an affidavit within two weeks disclosing how much funds it has allocated for advertisements in the last three financial years.
However, the bench categorically noted that it was compelled to give such a directive in the last hearing because the Delhi government had outrightly declined to contribute its share in the infrastructure project.
SC: at the moment we are dealing with?
Counsel: Delhi Gurugram (section)
SC order: We were constrained to pass the last order because the State Government had thrown its hand up in contributing apportioned amounts for the court monitored projects in question.
— Bar & Bench – Live Threads (@lawbarandbench) July 24, 2023
Later, on the 19th of July, the Delhi government filed its affidavit enclosing the expenditure incurred on the advertisements. When the court considered it today, it was revealed that the Aam Aadmi Party government has spent around Rs 1073 crores in the last three years on advertisements. As per the affidavit, the AAP government spent Rs 296.89 crore in 2020-21, Rs 579.91 crore in 2021-22, and Rs 196.36 crore in 2022-23 on advertisements.
Reflecting on this, the bench remarked, “If Rs 1100 crores can be spent for advertisement in the last 3 financial years, certainly, contributions can be made to infrastructure projects”.
Order: If 1100 can be spent on ads in the last three years, certainly infrastructure projects can be financed. Senior Counsel says provisions will be made in line with proposed schedule. We take this on record, overdue amount will be paid within 2 months.#SupremeCourtofIndia
— Bar & Bench – Live Threads (@lawbarandbench) July 24, 2023
Following the critical remarks from the bench, the Delhi government’s counsel Singhvi assured the court that funds will be allotted, however, he requested the bench to allow the state government to pay its share in instalments.
After considering the argument, the bench instructed the AAP government to pay the overdue amount for the project within two months. The bench was subsequently informed that the Delhi government would allocate budgetary provisions for the respective projects as per the prescribed schedule.
The Court order read, “Senior Counsel says provisions will be made in line with the proposed schedule. We take this on record, the overdue amount will be paid within 2 months.”
Now, the Delhi government will have to pay Rs 415 crore for the Delhi-Meerut RRTS project, in line with its commitment in the Apex court today.
However, the Delhi government tried to justify its advertisement expenditure in the court stating that it is a necessary component of good governance and effective administration.
The ongoing project of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) involves the construction of a semi-high-speed rail corridor connecting Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. This corridor constitutes one of the three rapid rail corridors slated for development under Phase I of the RapidX initiative.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state of Chhattisgarh accused the state government led by CM Bhupesh Baghel of engaging in a monetary scam involving the trade of cow dung. BJP MLAs Narayan Chandel and Saurabh Singh stated that the cow dung scam (gobar ghotala) was even bigger than the fodder scam that involved the embezzlement of about Rs 9.4 billion from the government treasury of Bihar.
According to the reports, the leader during the last day of the Monsoon session of the state assembly raised several questions regarding the purchase and sale of cow dung and exposed that the state was embezzling around Rs 229 crores in the case.
The minister told that 10,336 gothans are approved in the state, out of which 10,240 gothans have been made, while 84 have not been made. From January 2, 2019, to June 30, 2023, a total of 1,23,19,845.64 quintal cow dung was purchased by the government, for which an amount of Rs 24,639.69 lakhs has been paid. Further cow dung worth more than Rs 291 crores has been sold. The deal garners good profit, they said.
कांग्रेस सरकार का एक और घोटाला
राज्य: छत्तीसगढ़ मुख्यमंत्री: भूपेश बघेल घोटाला: गोबर ख़रीदी के नाम पर घोटाले के अनुमानित राशि: ₹229 करोड़
बघेल जी से पूछिये: अगर ₹246 करोड़ की गोबर खरीदी हुई है और 17 करोड़ रुपये का गोबर पदार्थ बेचा गया, तो बचा हुआ 229 करोड़ रुपये का गोबर कहां… pic.twitter.com/schJjD8joB
BJP MLA Saurabh Singh stated that no minister in the government knows where the balance cow dung worth Rs 229 crores is stored. “This whole ‘gobar scam’ is a forgery on paper. Cow dung worth Rs 246 crore was bought and cow dung worth Rs 17 crore was sold, then where is the remaining cow dung worth Rs 229 crore?” he questioned Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu on July 22.
The leader also said that the state had purchased 282,000 kg of cow dung from three women of the same family who didn’t even own a cow. “The family was paid more than Rs 5 lakhs. The government has done scam in the name of cow dung purchase,” the leader pressed video of which has gone viral over the internet.
BJP’s Amit Malaviya shared the video and also commented on the scam saying that the Congress government of Chhattisgarh was cheating the poor and the farmers.
The Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government in Chhattisgarh on Saturday survived a no-trust motion moved by the Bharatiya Janata Party on the last day of the Monsoon session of the state assembly. The ruling party meanwhile refuted the charges and said the BJP had ‘failed’ to come up with concrete issues during the session.
On July 24, the National Commission for Women (NCW) took cognisance of the suicide of a student of Std 10 after she was slapped, humiliated and expelled from St. Xavier’s School for sporting a bindi. The incident took place on July 10 in the Teltulmari neighbourhood in the Dhanbad city of Jharkhand.
The women’s rights body took cognisance after BJP leader Sumit Sharan wrote a letter to the organisation drawing its attention to the incident.
In the letter dated July 14, the BJP leader apprised NCW of the incident and called for the urgent need for intervention in the suicide case of a minor student who was compelled to commit suicide as a result of the humiliation she endured for her religious convictions and beliefs.
Based on the letter, NCW took cognisance of the case and wrote to the Jharkhand DGP on July 19, asking him to initiate a probe into the case. The Women’s rights commission’s Deputy Secretary Shivani Dey has sought a response from the DGP within 15 days from the date of receiving the letter.
17-year-old girl commits suicide after being slapped, expelled for wearing bindi to St Xavier’s school in Jharkhand
Notably, the 17-year-old reportedly went to the convent school, wearing a bindi on her forehead. Identified as Usha Kumari, she was humiliated by a teacher during the school assembly. She was also slapped twice in full public display.
This was even though the student removed the bindi as soon as she saw the teacher. The underage girl was taken to the principal’s office, who expelled her from the school.
Thereafter, the girl returned home and committed suicide by hanging herself from the ceiling of her room on Monday (July 10) at 11 am. She also left a suicide note in her school uniform, holding the teacher and school principal responsible for her death.
A First Information Report (FIR) was lodged at the Tetulmari Police Station based on the complaint of the family members. The accused teacher was arrested by the police and a probe was initiated into the matter.
On Tuesday (July 11), the villagers and the family members of the deceased girl blocked a road and also protested outside the gate of St. Xavier’s School.
NCPCR takes cognisance of the matter
While taking cognisance of the matter, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo said, “In Jharkhand’s Dhanbad, a girl student has been reported to have committed suicide after being thrashed for going to school wearing a bindi.”
A radical Islamist preacher, Anjem Choudary was charged with three offences under UK’s terrorism act, the Metropolitan Police said on Monday, 24 July. He has been charged under different sections of the UK’s Terrorism Act 2000. The charges include membership of a proscribed organisation, addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation, and directing a terrorist organisation.
He was arrested in London last week and has been in police custody since then. He will be produced before a court in London, late on 24 July. He holds dual nationality of Britain and Pakistan.
Apart from UK-born Choudary, the Metropolitan Police also arrested a Canadian man, Khaled Hussein (28). He has been charged with membership of a proscribed organisation.
The police said, “On Monday, 17 July (a week ago), Met counter-terrorism detectives investigating alleged membership of a proscribed organisation arrested a 56-year-old man in east London and a 28-year-old Canadian national at Heathrow Airport, after he arrived on a flight.”
The statement added that they were held under Section 41 of the Terrorism Act 2000 and detectives were granted warrants of further detention allowing them to detain the men until Monday, 24 July.
According to a report in the Guardian, 56-year-old, Anjem Choudary who hails from east London, was charged on Sunday with three offences. These include –
Membership of a proscribed organisation — violation of section 11 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
addressing meetings to encourage support for a proscribed organisation — violation of sections 12(3) of the Terrorism Act 2000.
directing a terrorist organisation — violation of section 56 of the Terrorism Act 2000.
British Pakistani, Choudary was once a high-profile Islamist preacher in Britain. However, it was found that he has been associated with several radical outfits. He was the former head of the now-banned Islamist organisation al-Muhajiroun.
The extremist Islamist preacher was convicted by the Old Bailey court in London in September 2016 for preaching radical ideology and calling Muslims to support the terrorist organisation, Islamic State.
He was released from London’s high-security Belmarsh prison in 2018 after serving half of his five-and-a-half-year sentence. In the past, he has been spewing venom against Hindus on multiple occasions and his name cropped up during last year’s violence in Leicester city. In several of the post on his website, Anjem has been spreading vicious propaganda against Hindus and called upon them to convert to Islam. He claimed that it is the “only way” of living.
Additionally, he had once praised the men responsible for the 9/11 attacks on the United States and said that he wanted to convert Buckingham Palace into a mosque.
Further, his followers have been linked to numerous plots across the world.
