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From being coerced to implicate Modi to fake cases HM Amit Shah narrates how political vendetta against the then Gujarat CM panned out

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From being coerced to implicate Modi to fake cases HM Amit Shah narrates how political vendetta against the then Gujarat CM panned out

On March 29, Home Minister Amit Shah narrated how political vendetta against him and then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi panned out after the encounter case and the 2002 Gujarat Riots. HM Shah was interviewed by News18 with Group Editor Rahul Joshi during Rising India Summit 2023. He also talked in detail about the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and how his actions in 2013 led to immediate disqualification after getting convicted recently in a defamation case.

‘I was asked to take Modi’s name’

“Let me tell you how the agencies are misused as I have faced it. There was no case of corruption against us filed by Congress. I was named in an encounter case when I started Home Minister. CBI arrested me. There must be recordings if CBI did record it honestly and Congress did not delete it. In 90 per cent of the questions, I was told, “why are you so worried? Take Modi’s name, and we will leave you”. They formed SIT against PM Modi. They filed a fake case of involvement in riots. We did not do chest beating.”

He added, “High Court gave me bail saying there was insufficient proof to arrest me. When I filed an acquittal application in Mumbai court. The court said CBI filed the case on the political injunction and dismissed the case against me.”

Speaking on the allegations levelled by Kejriwal, he said, “Tell me for how long Satyendra Jain is in jail? It has been over 1.5 years. Why is he not getting bail? Why is Sisodia not getting bail? There are courts in this country. Instead of accusing (us) for misusing agencies, everyone should take their case to court.”

‘Congress is spreading misconception’

Speaking on the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha, HM Shah said the Congress party is spreading misconception over the issue. He added that while the sentence can stay if the court decides, the conviction cannot stay. Pointing out how Rahul Gandhi’s action in 2013 led to the cancellation of the ordinance that the then-Manmohan Singh government had proposed to reverse a Supreme Court judgment over the issue, he said, “Law is clear on an MP’s disqualification. Rahul Gandhi tore the ordinance publicly during Manmohan’s tenure. Nobody dared to say anything to Rahul Gandhi then…SC order came when the Congress-led government was in power in 2013. We do not want to make corrections in the Law over the matter.”

In 2013, in Lilly Thomas vs Union of India, Supreme Court’s judgment removed the clause that gave a three-month time period to any lawmaker to get his or her sentence stayed by a higher court. Then-Manmohan Singh-led UPA government brought an ordinance in the house to reverse Supreme Court’s judgment. Rahul Gandhi tore the ordinance publicly, and it was cancelled. Fast forward to 2023, his actions have led to immediate disqualification and to the orders that directed him to vacate the government accommodation.

HM Shah questioned why Gandhi and his party had not filed an appeal to get a stay on the conviction. “What kind of arrogance is this? Where does it originate from?” he asked. In reality, even Lok Sabha speakers have no authority to stop the disqualification from happening. Only a court can do so.

No special favours for Gandhis

Regarding the orders to vacate the accommodation, HM Shah questioned why Gandhi should be given any special favours. HM Shah further added PM Modi is being blamed for whatever happened. On the issue of “Democracy in danger in India”, he said, “When the NCP leader was disqualified, why was democracy not in danger? When the NCP leader and Jayalalitha were disqualified, why was democracy not in danger? Why is democracy in danger when a member of Gandhi’s family got disqualified?” He added, “You could have changed the Law, but you tore the ordinance. Why are you beating your chest now?”

When asked about Gandhi’s statement over Veer Savarkar where he said, “I am not going to seek mercy, I am not Savarkar”, HM Shah said, “If he was so adamant, why he got bail?” He added, “Once Mahatma Gandhi did the same. He said, “I am not going to seek forgiveness. I am not going to seek bail.” He should have done the same. Why did he get bail? As far as my knowledge says, he submitted a Rs 15,000 bond to get bail.”

‘Disrespecting Veer Savarkar is wrong’

HM Shah added it was wrong to disrespect Veer Savarkar. “He may not believe us, but he can read the statements of his grandmother on Veer Savarkar. He should see what Indira Ji said about Savarkar. Even his associates are advising him the same.”

No political party is together

When asked about Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee supporting Congress, he said, “What will they do in Bengal? Is Kejriwal going to vacate his seat in Delhi for Rahul Gandhi? Everyone is against each other.” He said, “No unity among the Opposition, Everybody is fighting against each other, but when it comes to standing against PM Modi, we can see them coming together.”

‘Allegations of misuse of central agencies are wrong’

During the interview, HM Shah was asked about the allegations of misusing the central agencies for political reasons. He said, “In the 2014 and 2019 elections, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) promised we would fight against corruption.

Our fight is against corruption.” He pointed out that from 2004 to 2014, Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached properties worth 5,000 crores under PMLA Law. However, without making any changes in the Law, ED under the BJP government 2014 has attacked properties worth Rs 1 lakh 10 thousand crores. “Not even 5 per cent belongs to leaders,” he added. He further said CBI registered 5,000 cases in these nine years while not even 500 cases were registered under the UPA regime. Only a fraction of those is against the political leaders.

India to take action against attacks on Indian Mission Abroad, booked under UAPA

During the interview, HM Shah assured India would take action against those involved in attacks on Indian Missions Abroad. “It was the attack on India. We will take action against those involved in the attack; FIR already lodged in Delhi,” said Union Minister Amit Shah when asked about attacks on Indian missions abroad. He further added that UAPA had been imposed, and police have asked for recordings of the incidents. Based on the findings, appropriate action will be taken.

HM Shah hailed Sikhs for their contribution to India’s freedom. He said, “Contribution of Sikhs to India’s freedom has been immense, every Sikh wants to be with India.”

HM Shah pointed out that he met Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann every three months during the operation against pro-Khalistani separatist leader Amritpal Singh. HM Shah pointed out that his meetings with CM Mann should not be seen in connection to any incident or crackdown on Amritpal Singh, as meeting all CMs once in three months is a norm.

He said, “I met Punjab CM every three months. Irrespective of the party, we stand together regarding the security of the country… Many people have been arrested in connection with the Amritpal Singh case. The police and intelligence agencies are working on the case.”HM Shah said irrespective of political rivalry, BJP and the central government stand with every state if there is a law and order situation.

‘BJP will comfortably win Karnataka elections’

Speaking on the upcoming Karnataka Assembly Elections, HM Shah said BJP would comfortably win the elections. He also hailed the Karnataka Government for scrapping 4 per cent Muslim reservation.

He said, “I agree, we got a bit late doing it (scrapping reservation for Muslims). Reservation based on religion is illegal and not in the constitution. There cannot be any reservation based on religion. Congress did it for polarization, and we corrected it.” Muslims have been put under the 10 per cent EWS quota.

Pakistan: Stampede during free flour distribution leaves 11 people dead in Punjab

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan: Stampede during free flour distribution leaves 11 people dead in Punjab

Amidst severe food shortage, protests and clashes over the distribution of free wheat flour, it has been reported that at least 11 people were killed in the Punjab province of Pakistan as they were trying to collect the free flour distributed by the government-run outlet. 

According to reports, several people went to government distribution centres after Pakistan’s cash-strapped government launched a free flour programme for the poor, particularly in Punjab province, to combat the country’s surging inflation.

Tuesday’s stampedes at free flour distribution sites in Sahiwal, Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, and Okara districts resulted in the deaths of two elderly women and a man while 60 others suffered injuries. Stampede-related fatalities were also recorded from Fasailabad, Jehanian, and Multan.

Police have been accused of spreading mayhem at the centres by manhandling and baton-charging people who were waiting in long queues, according to reports in Pakistani media.

To combat crowding and inconvenience for residents, Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi declared on Wednesday that free flour centres would open at 6:00 am across the province.

Imran Khan, a former prime minister who has criticised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz administration, has also slammed this mishandling. Khan blamed the killings of innocent people on both Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister, and Naqvi, the interim chief minister of Punjab.

It is notable that Pakistan is witnessing violent protests which often lead to fatalities due to its persistent economic turmoil and inflation reaching a nearly 50-year high. Political instability has further added to the festering woes of our hostile neighbour.

Digvijay Singh thanks German Foreign Ministry for pointing out that Rahul Gandhi can still appeal against his conviction, which he hasn’t done yet

Sanghamitra
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Digvijay Singh thanks German Foreign Ministry for pointing out that Rahul Gandhi can still appeal against his conviction, which he hasn’t done yet

On Thursday, Congress leader Digvijay Singh expressed his gratitude to the German Foreign Ministry in a tone and manner that suggested they had declared political support for Rahul Gandhi in the next elections.

“Thank you Germany Foreign Affairs Ministry and Richard Walker for taking note of how the Democracy is being compromised in India through the persecution of Rahul Gandhi,” the Congress leader wrote in a tweet.

Other Congress leaders and the Gandhi family loyalists also were excited that the German Foreign Ministry has given a statement on the issue.

The Congress leaders and the Gandhi family loyalists presented it as if the German government is going to launch a campaign for Rahul Gandhi.

But there is an issue. The German Foreign Ministry noted, “To our knowledge, Mr Gandhi is in a position to appeal the verdict. it will soon become clear if the appeal will stand and whether the suspension of his parliamentary mandate has any basis. We expect that the standards of judicial independence and fundamental democratic principles will equally apply to the proceeding against Rahul Gandhi.”

Point to be noted here, Rahul Gandhi has not appealed against his verdict yet, even a week after his conviction and automatic disqualification under the law that was put into place when his own great grandfather was the Prime Minister and ordnance to change it was torn away by Rahul Gandhi himself in 2013 to announce his grand entry in active politics.

Rahul Gandhi was disqualified under section 8(3) of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951, which states that any MP or MLA convicted of any offence and sentenced to imprisonment for not less than two years shall be disqualified from the date of conviction.

The disqualification becomes valid from the day of conviction. Rahul Gandhi is entitled to appeal against the verdict of the Surat district Court, which, for some strange reason, he hasn’t done yet.

What is going on in the Congress party?

There is some strange political drama underway, judging from the manner in which the Congress party and its senior leaders are reacting to the issue of Rahul Gandhi’s conviction and disqualification. They have displayed a lot of outrage and anger before the media, using generic lines like ‘death of democracy’, ‘Modi’s conspiracy’ etc.

But despite the party having some of the biggest lawyers in the country in its cadre, the appeal against Rahul Gandhi’s conviction hasn’t been filed yet.

Also, Rahul Gandhi is not even the president of the Congress party. He is just one of the 52 MPs, it is not understood why the disqualification of 1 of the MPs of a party is being hailed as the ‘death of democracy’, because Rahul Gandhi is neither BJP’s main opponent nor a direct challenger to Modi’s PM post. Congress doesn’t even have enough MPs in Lok Sabha to be called the main opposition party.

Just months ago, another MP from another party (NCP), Md Faizal from Lakshadweep was disqualified after a conviction in an attempt to murder case. Since then, he has appealed against the conviction and the Kerala HC had stayed the conviction. Following this, as per legal procedure, his parliamentary membership has been restored.

It is weird why Congress refuses to follow the law of the land, but excepts Rahul Gandhi to be anointed as the PM of India, even going to the extent of begging for foreign intervention.

The law of the land is equal for all. it cannot be different for the Lakshadweep MP and Wayanad MP. If Rahul Gandhi appeals, and the judiciary sees merit in his appeal, maybe his conviction will be stayed and eventually, his membership of the Lok Sabha will be restored. But without doing that, it is strange how the Congress party’s senior leaders are just desperately busy using the disqualification to gain media attention and gather political support. It is as if some people in the party WANT Rahul Gandhi to stay disqualified.

Is Rahul being sacrificed at the political altar of the Congress so that another heir can be popped up? Time will tell.

Atiq Ahmad reaches Sabarmati jail back alive escorted by UP Police after being convicted in the kidnapping of Umesh Pal in 2006

OpIndia Staff
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Atiq Ahmad reaches Sabarmati jail back alive escorted by UP Police after being convicted in the kidnapping of Umesh Pal in 2006

Amid tight security, Mafia-turned-SP politician Atiq Ahmad was brought back to Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati jail after completion of the court formalities in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Ahmad who is sentenced to imprisonment for life in the kidnapping of Umesh Pal in 2006 was brought to Prayagraj’s Naini Central Jail for a court hearing that was scheduled on March 28.

According to the reports, a team of the Uttar Pradesh police reached the Sabarmati jail in Ahmedabad city on March 26 morning to take Atiq Ahmad to Prayajrag where he was to be produced before a court. While on the way to Prayagraj, Atiq Ahmed’s convoy, escorted by the Uttar Pradesh police entered MP’s Jhansi where it halted for 20 minutes before continuing its onward journey.

Ahmad while on the journey had expressed concerns about being killed by the UP police team in an encounter. “Hatya, hatya (murder, murder)…Mujhe inka programme maloom hai…Hatya karna chahte hain (I know their program…They want to murder me),” he was heard saying. On finally reaching the city of Prayagraj he was lodged in the Naini Central Jail before the court proceeding.

Meanwhile, Atiq Ahmad’s brother Ashraf was also taken from Bareilly jail to Prayagraj jail. He was transferred in connection with the kidnapping case in which Atiq is a co-accused. He also has been sent back to the Bareilly jail, alive.

The Mafia-turned-politician on returning to the Sabarmati jail reiterated that he had no role in the murder of Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2006 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case. He claimed that he was in jail when Umesh Pal was murdered and that he is being falsely implicated in the case. He further claimed he had no knowledge about his son Asad’s whereabouts.

Ahmad, who received a life term in prison in the 2006 case, was brought back to the Sabarmati jail with a maximum-security facility on Wednesday evening after traveling almost 24 hours by car from Prayagraj.

More than 100 criminal cases have the former Samajwadi Party lawmaker’s name on them, and most recently, he was cited as an accused in the murder of Umesh Pal.

Lalit Modi to sue ‘Pappu’ Rahul Gandhi in UK court for his ‘Modi surname people are thieves’ remark, read details

OpIndia Staff
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Lalit Modi to sue ‘Pappu’ Rahul Gandhi in UK court for his ‘Modi surname people are thieves’ remark, read details

Businessman Lalit Modi, former chairman of the Indian Premiere League, on Thursday in a series of tweets said he would be taking legal action against former Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi over his derogatory remarks on Modi surname.

I see just about every Tom, Dick and Gandhi associates again and again saying I am a fugitive of justice, he said. He asked how and why and questioned if he has ever been convicted. “Unlike #Papu aka @RahulGandhi now an ordinary citizen saying it and it seems one and all oposition leaders have nothing else to do so they too are either ill informed or just vendetta prone,” he said adding that he has decided to take Rahul Gandhi to UK court. “I am sure he will have to come-up with some solid evidence,” he tweeted.

“i look forward to seeing him make a complete #fool of himself. #rkdhawan #sitaramkesri #motilalvohra #satishsharna all bag men of #gandhi family. not to forget #naraindutttewari. how do u all have overseas assets. ask #mrkamalnath. i can send addresses and photos etc. lets not fool the people of india who are the real crooks. #Gandhifamily who have made it as if they the entitled ones to rule our country. yes i will return as soon as u pass stringent liable laws. ? jai-hind,” Lalit Modi tweeted.

“not even a penny to date has been proven i took in last 15 years. but what is clearly proven i created the greatest #sporting event in this world that has generated close to 100 billion dollars. let not 1 one #congress leader forget that from early 1950’s the #modi-family has done more for them and our country then they can ever imagine. i too have done more then can ever dream of doing. so keep barking scam tainted looters of india like the very own Gandhi family ? Jai Hind.” Lalit Modi tweeted in his final tweet.

Lalit Modi also tweeted a video of his tweet thread with the IPL signature tune.

On 23 March, 2020, a Surat court convicted Rahul Gandhi in connection with a 2019 criminal defamation case filed against him over his “Modi surname” remarks.

The Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate HH Varma sentenced him to two years in jail and also imposed a fine of Rs. 15,000 after finding him guilty under Sections 499 (Defamation), 500 (punishment for Defamation) IPC. Almost immediately after being convicted, the Wayanad MP also secured bail in the case.

During an election rally in the run-up to the 2019 elections in Koral, Karnataka, Rahul Gandhi had mocked an entire community by saying, “Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi… how come they all have Modi as a common surname? How come all thieves have Modi as a common surname?”

Following his conviction, Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified as an MP from Wayanad.

Ghar Wapsi in Madhya Pradesh: Family that converted to Christianity for money comes back to Hinduism after 9 years

OpIndia Staff
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Ghar Wapsi in Madhya Pradesh: Family that converted to Christianity for money comes back to Hinduism after 9 years

On Tuesday, March 28, 2023, a family practising Christianity for 9 years in the  Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh reverted to Hinduism at a Shiva Temple. Eight members of a family who converted to Christianity performed Ghar Wapsi as they readopted Hindu Dharma. All of them called their conversion 9 years ago a result of their own distraction and expressed joy on becoming Hindu again.

The office bearers of Vishwa Hindu Parishad have welcomed all the returned members.

Reportedly, the concerned family resides in the Jhabua district’s Dhamanda village. Kailash and his family members told that 9 years ago some of them used to be unwell. Kailash met someone who was connected to Christian missionaries in the meantime. After becoming a Christian, that person defrauded the Hindu family for better treatment. Kailash claims that he converted to Christianity out of greed. Later on, though, he began to recall his initial religion. Reminiscing their culture and traditions, the reverted family asserted that ‘Hindu dharma is the only true religion.’

Kailash, Shukli, Durgesh, Govind, Kali, Mukesh, Monika, and Abhishek all reverted to Hinduism. While Kailash and Shukli are husband and wife, others are their sons and daughters. Meanwhile, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists said that the converted family had met with members of the Hindu group fighting against religious conversion. The family was then assisted by the VHP activists in returning to their original religion.

This ‘Ghar Wapsi’ programme was held at the Mahadev Dham in the village of Kokavad. Here, Vedic mantras were chanted while the returning members offered prayers to Hindu gods and goddesses. The temple’s priest Kamal performed the Havan. Moreover, the family also bowed before the statue of Sant Khoomsingh Maharaj. On this occasion, members of Hindu groups and local villagers had gathered. Meanwhile, the Hindu organization members have deemed conversion as a serious issue.

Govt of Pakistan Twitter handle withheld in India

OpIndia Staff
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Govt of Pakistan Twitter handle withheld in India

The Pakistan government’s official Twitter account has been withheld in India.

Govt of Pakistan Twitter handle withheld in India

When anyone tries to access the Twitter account of the Pakistan government, it says, “Account Withheld @GovtofPakistan’s account has been withheld in India in response to a legal demand.” This is the third time Pakistan’s Twitter account has been restricted to be viewed in India. 

Prior to this, in October 2022 and July 2022 Pakistan government’s Twitter account was withheld in India. However, eventually the restrictions were lifted.

According to Twitter guidelines, the microblogging site takes such action in response to a valid legal demand, such as a court order. Currently, the Twitter feed of the Pakistan government “@GovtofPakistan” is not visible to Indian users. 

In June last year, Twitter in India banned official accounts of Pakistan Embassies in the United Nations, Turkey, Iran and Egypt. In August, India blocked eight YouTube-based news channels, including one operating from Pakistan and one Facebook account for posting fake, anti-India content online. 

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in a statement that the action was taken by imposing emergency powers under Information Technology Rules, 2021. The blocked Indian YouTube channels were observed to be using fake and sensational thumbnails, images of news anchors and logos of certain TV news channels to mislead the viewers to believe that the news was authentic.

(With inputs from ANI)

NPCI says no extra burden on customers after introducing interchange fee on select UPI transactions, here is what you need to know

OpIndia Staff
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NPCI says no extra burden on customers after introducing interchange fee on select UPI transactions, here is what you need to know

Days after the National Payments Corporation of India recommended an interchange fee up to 1.1% on UPI transactions of over Rs 2,000 made through Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs), there was confusion over it applicability. There were claims on social media saying that every transaction over Rs 2,000 made via Unified Payments Interface (UPI) will attract a fee of 1.1%, making UPI less preferable option over cash payments.

Responding to such rumours, NCPI issued a statement today, clarifying that the interchange fee will only be applicable for certain specific transactions, and will be not applicable for bank-to-bank transfers done via UPI.

The statement issued by NCPI said that as 99.9% of UPI transactions at present are made using a linked bank account, only a small portion of payments will attract the fee. The statement said, “Traditionally, the most preferred method of UPI transactions is linking the Bank account in any UPI enabled app for making payments which contributes over 99.9% of total UPI transactions. These Bank account-to-account transactions continue to remain free for Customers and Merchants.”

NCPI further clarified, “Recent regulatory guidelines, the Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPI Wallets) have been permitted to be part of interoperable UPI ecosystem. In view of this NPCI has now permitted the PPl wallets to be part of interoperable UPl ecosystem. The interchange charges introduced are only applicable for the PPl merchant transactions and there is no charge to customers, and it is further clarified that there are no charges for the bank account to bank account based UPI payments (i.e. normal UPI payments).”

The statement added that “with this addition to UPI, the Customers will have the choice of using any bank accounts, RuPay Credit card and prepaid wallets on UPl enabled apps.”

The interchange fee, which will be upto 1.1%, came after NCPI allowed full interoperability of pre-paid instruments with all UPI merchants in offline stores and online apps/websites.

Here is what this new development in India’s digital finance system means.

On which transactions it will be applicable

The new full interoperability means pre-paid instruments like digital wallets can be used to make payments to merchants using UPI, including scanning a QR code at offline stores. Generally, while making UPI payments, the money is directly debited from the linked bank account.

Users can keep money in their digital wallets, which can be used to make certain payments. Now, according to the interoperability guidelines, such wallets can be used to make all UPI payments. And this interchange fee will be applicable only if the wallet is used to make the UPI payment. If the payment is made using the linked bank account, there will be no charge.

As NCPI has said that at present 99.9% of payments are made using linked bank accounts, this means 99.9% of current transactions will not be subject to the interchange fee.

At present, while selecting UPI as payment at e-commerce sites or while paying via QR code at merchant stores, payment apps like Paytm directly open the UPI payment from the bank option, and there is no option to pay via wallet. The wallet is shown only if Paytm, PhonePe etc wallets are chosen at the checkout screen on merchant websites, or a non-UPI option is selected in the payment app.

But now after the new guidelines are implemented, wallets will also be available while making UPI payments. This means, while making a payment via UPI using a payment app like Paytm or PhonePe, the app will show options to select from where the payment is to be made, directly from a bank or the wallet of the app. Now, if the user selects the wallet of the app, then the 1.1% fee will be applicable if the transaction size is over ₹2,000. But if the payment is made by directly debiting the bank account, selecting a bank account linked to the account and then entering the MPIN, then no charge will be applicable.

Therefore, unless a user is making a payment from the wallet, there will be no interchange charge. Some of the wallets are Paytm wallet, PhonePe wallet, Amazon Pay, MobiKwik wallet etc. Smart cards, vouchers, and magnetised chips come under prepaid payment instruments, and the fee will apply if these are used to make UPI payments.

The interchange fee will not be applicable for peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions or peer-to-peer-merchant (P2PM) transactions between a bank and the prepaid wallet. This means, sending money to friends, family or any other individual or a small business merchant’s bank account will not attract an interchange fee. Most UPI payments at present fall under these categories.

Who will pay

Even after the fee becomes applicable for a transaction, the customer will not have to pay the interchange fee. Interchange fees are transaction fees that the merchant has to pay whenever a customer processes a transaction. It is similar to Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) that merchants have to pay while receiving payments using credit and debit cards.

Therefore, the new rule basically means, if a customer pays at a store using UPI by scanning a QR code and selecting wallet for the payment, then the merchant will have to pay the fee to the payment service provider like Paytm or PhonePe. The user does not have to pay the fee.

If the user pays directly from the linked bank account, the question of the fee does not arise.

Moreover, all merchants will not be liable to pay the fee even if the payment is made from PPIs. Small businesses which have a projected monthly inward UPI transaction of Rs 50,000 or less will not be required to pay. The fee will vary from 0.5% to 1.1% based on the merchant category code as per NCPI. Reportedly, 0.5% fee will be levied for categories like fuel, education, agriculture, and utility payments. Categories such as convenience stores, and speciality retail outlets will have an interchange fee of 1.1%, provided the transaction size is ₹2,000 or above.

As a result, most small stores and roadside stalls that use UPI to accept payment will not be impacted, as most of their sale sizes are below ₹2,000. For medium-category merchants, it will impact a portion of the transactions. For high-end stores, it will be applicable on all transactions as almost all sales in such stores are high value, way above ₹2,000.

Benefit to payment service providers

This new system will provide a much-needed revenue option for payment service providers like Paytm, PhonePe, Amazon Pay etc, for UPI transactions made using the wallets of these services. The service providers are struggling due to a lack of transaction fee on UPI payments, given that UPI has become the main mode of digital payment in India.

Analysts have already predicted additional revenue for companies like Paytm due to the interchange charge. Paytm yesterday released a statement saying that Paytm Wallet will be universally acceptable on all UPI QRs and online merchants, and Paytm Payments Bank will earn additional interchange revenue from merchants acquired by other payment service providers (PSP), payment gateways (PG) and payment aggregators (PA).

“From now on, the Bank will earn 1.1% interchange revenue when our wallet customers (i.e., the KYC wallets issued by our associate Bank) make payments on merchants acquired by other payment aggregators or banks,” Paytm said.

While payment service providers will earn the fee, they will be required to pay 15 basis points as a wallet-loading service charge to the remitter bank for recharging a wallet with over Rs 2,000. This means, if a user loads a Paytm wallet with ₹2,000 or more, Paytm will pay 0.15% of the amount as wallet loading charge to the user’s bank.

While the customers do not have to pay the interchange fee and the wallet loading fee, the merchants or the wallet companies may choose to pass on the charge to the customers.

‘Will BJP MLAs wear black clothes and protest if I am convicted? No’: Assam CM slams Congress over protests against Rahul Gandhi’s conviction

ANI
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‘Will BJP MLAs wear black clothes and protest if I am convicted? No’: Assam CM slams Congress over protests against Rahul Gandhi’s conviction

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday lashed out at the Congress over its ongoing protests against the conviction of Rahul Gandhi by a Surat court, eventually leading to his disqualification from the Lok Sabha.

The Assam CM said the trend the Congress was setting with its protests wasn’t good for democracy. In a dig at Rahul, the senior BJP leader added that no one can cast aspersions on the country’s time-honoured judicial system if a particular judgment goes against him.

Speaking at the state Assembly on Wednesday, the Assam chief minister said, “Tomorrow, if a court convicts me in a case, will BJP MLAs wear black clothes and demonstrate? No. We might move the sessions court, high court or the Supreme Court, challenging the verdict, but we will never defy the judiciary. This trend (of casting aspersions on the judicial system) is not good for our democracy.”

He said Congress should consider approaching a higher court against the Surat court verdict and explore all legal avenues that are open to them.

“Justice HS Verma of Surat High Court (who pronounced the judgment against Rahul) may have been wrong, but our judicial process is well laid out. They have the option to challenge their conviction at a sessions court, high court or even the Supreme Court. But instead, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha is leading the protests (by the Congress) against the Surat court judgment,” Sarma added.

He said the judiciary was a “double-edged sword” as judgments can sometimes go in one’s favour and sometimes against.

“Court judgments may be in favour of a person or may even go against him. But will you launch protests just because a particular judgment went against you? Will you seek an adjournment motion in Parliament?” the Assam CM asked.

Further hitting out at the Congress on Twitter, Sarma said the ongoing protests by the grand, old party against Rahul’s conviction and disqualification from Parliament were “baffling”.

“The Congress party’s opposition to the immediate disqualification of Rahul is baffling. As it was Rahul Gandhi in 2013 who overruled his own government and said upon conviction of two years or more, (the) disqualification should be immediate and no interim relief should be given,” he said in a tweet.

Sarma added, “The Congress’ opposition (to Rahul’s disqualification) could be very harmful to our democracy. This decision (conviction) wasn’t by Modi-ji, it was by the court. One has to accept judgements even if they aren’t in one’s favour. Instead of moving to a higher court, they have chosen to protest against a court judgment on the streets.”

Hitting out at Rahul, the Assam CM said his statement (leading to his conviction and sentencing for criminal defamation) was against “an entire community”.

Addressing a public meeting at Kolar, Karnataka, in the run-up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul said, “How come all thieves have ‘Modi’ as their common surname?” The remark was interpreted as a veiled dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“During the court hearing, Rahul Gandhi was given several opportunities to retract his statement and apologise. However, he refused to apologise, prompting the court to rule against him,” the Assam CM said.

He reminded Congress that it was the previous UPA government, which went back on its decision to bring an Ordinance against the immediate disqualification of MPs and MLAs after Rahul voiced his opposition to the move.

The Surat court on March 23 held Rahul guilty of criminal defamation over his remark using the surname ‘Modi’ and sentenced him to two years imprisonment. However, the sentence was later suspended for 30 days during which he can challenge his conviction in a higher court.

Rahul was disqualified as an MP on March 24, as per a Supreme Court ruling in 2013. Under the ruling, any MP or MLA stands to be disqualified automatically if convicted and sentenced to two years or more.

After his disqualification, Congress attacked the BJP alleging that Rahul was stripped of his status of MP for raising the Adani issue in Parliament.

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

“Legalising same-sex marriage will prove to be a death knell for family system”: Former judges urge activists not to pursue the matter in court

OpIndia Staff
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“Legalising same-sex marriage will prove to be a death knell for family system”: Former judges urge activists not to pursue the matter in court

In a move that is sure to spark controversy, a group of former judges has issued a statement condemning the potential legalization of same-sex marriage in India. The statement argues that legalizing same-sex marriage would be a violation of Indian culture and tradition. The statement says that vested interest groups are working towards legalisation of same sex marriage, and the matter is being considered by the Supreme Court and the issue has gained momentum in the recent past after it was referred to a constitutional bench.

The letter has been signed by 21 retired judges, including former Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court Justice (retired) SN Jha, Justice (retd) MM Kumar, former Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Gujarat Lokayukta Justice (retd) SM Soni and Justice (retd) SN Dhingra. They asked the Supreme Court not to mandate legalisation of same-sex marriage, reminding that the exercise of law-making is an exclusive domain of legislature and the judiciary should not intervene in the matter.

The group of retired judges said in the statement that “The people of the nation, hailing from various strata of society across regional and religious lines, are deeply shocked by this western-tinted outlook that is being superimposed on Bharatiya society and culture to weaken the family system.”

The Judges have argued against the legalisation of same-sex marriages, saying that legalising same-sex marriage will strike at the very root of the family system and thus will have a devastating impact on society at large.

In their argument, they said “It is evident since times immemorial that the purpose of marriage is not confined only to physical intimacy of partners but goes far beyond … Unfortunately, certain versed interest groups having no knowledge and regard of the civilisational importance of marriage have approached the court praying for legalising of same-sex marriage. Any attempt at weakening a great and time-tested institution should be opposed vociferously by society.”

It then adds, “Indian cultural civilization has constantly been attacked for centuries but survived against all odds. Now in independent India it is facing attacks on its cultural roots by the superimposition of western thoughts, philosophies and practices which are not viable for this nation at all. The cancerous problems that the West is facing are sought to be imported into Bharat by vested interest groups through the misuse of judiciary as an institution in the name of right to choice.”

The retired judges also say that while pursuing the matter, it is pertinent to take lessons from nations across the globe. The letter further says that 70% of new cases of HIV and AIDS in the US were among gay and bisexual men and therefore there is an associated health consequence with this move.

The letter adds that there are studies which state that legalising homosexual marriage will have negative consequences for the children adopted by such couples, including their emotional and psychological development as well as their nurturing in an environment devoid of balanced parenthood. “Same-sex marriage undercuts the procreative norm associated with marriage. It caters to individual emotional health at the cost of larger social health,” they argue.

The letter further state that the recognition of same-sex marriage will change the entire gamut of all personal laws from marriage to adoption and succession. In the long run, there are serious concerns that the gene pool is also going to be weakened affecting the entire human race, especially in terms of collective herd immunity and progressive evolution.

“Therefore, owing to its devastating impact on children, family, and society, mindless attempts to ape the practices of West in India, especially by legalising same-sex marriage, would prove to be a death knell to the already crumbling family system and devastating impact on the society at large,” the statement says.

The statement says that this is a matter that needs wider discussion and can’t be decided in a court. They wrote, “Since times immemorial, Bharat has a tradition of samvaad and shastrarth to inquire into the greater good for our society. Instead of having wide-range discussions and deliberations amongst the stakeholders and without there being any vociferous demand from any section of society, such a hasty judicial intervention is unfortunate, and totally unwarranted. The separation of powers is a part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution. The exercise of law-making is an exclusive domain of the legislature and not the judiciary, especially in matters exclusively within social and political domain.”

“In view of the above, it is our concerted opinion that such a sensitive issue concerning the society at large be debated in the Parliament and State legislature as well. Even before bringing such kind of law, the opinion of the society must be obtained to ensure that the law must represent the wish of the society and do not fulfil the desire of few elite sections of the society,” read the letter by the former judges.

“We thus respectfully urge the conscious members of the society including those who are pursuing the issue of same-sex marriage in the Supreme Court to refrain from doing so in the best interest of Indian society and culture,” urged the group of retired judges in the statement.

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