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Karnataka: PM Modi inaugurates KR Puram to Whitefield metro line in Bengaluru, addresses a huge rally in Davanagere

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka: PM Modi inaugurates KR Puram to Whitefield metro line in Bengaluru, addresses a huge rally in Davanagere

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated the much-awaited 13.71 km Krishnarajapura (KR Puram) to Whitefield (Kadugodi) Namma Metro line, which could benefit lakhs of IT professionals working in the tech corridor of Bengaluru.

Officials with the Bangalore Metro Rail Company (BMRCL) have stated that commercial operations will commence from 7 am onwards on Sunday. The stretch is constructed as part of phase II of Namma Metro’s extended purple line, which runs from Baiyappanahalli to Whitefield (15.50 km) and it would shorten travel time on this route by 40% besides easing the traffic congestion in the city.

At around 1:00 p.m., PM Modi arrived at the Whitefield metro station and inaugurated the route. Then, he rode the train from there to Sri Satya Sai hospital and back with students, metro employees, and other passengers.

Prior to boarding the train, the Prime Minister was spotted purchasing a ticket at the Whitefield station. Thawar Chand Gehlot the governor of Karnataka, and Basavaraj S Bommai, the chief minister, were in his company.

Bengaluru’s metro network will extend 69.66 kilometres and include 63 stops once the new line is operational. After Delhi, the city’s metro system will have the second-largest operating network. According to BMRCL officials, the opening of the line will help five to six lakh local residents serving in information technology parks, export promotion industrial areas, malls, hospitals and several Fortune 500 companies, at a cost of 4,249 crores.

There will be 12 stations on the railway. BMRCL will operate five trains on the line, with a frequency of every ten minutes, and a travel time of 23 minutes between two destinations.

By the middle of the year, the 2 km line from Baiyappanahalli to Krishnarajapura is likely to be operational. A new station, Benniganahalli (formerly known as Jyotipuram), will be opened in between the two existing ones.

In addition to this, he also inaugurated ‘Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research’ (SMSIMSR) & ‘Sri Sathya Sai Rajeswari Memorial Block’, a completely free-of-cost medical college and hospital, at Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli in Chikkaballapura district.

PM Modi holds ‘huge rally’ in Davanagere

In the run-up to the 2023 Karnataka assembly elections, the prime minister spoke at the massive ‘Vijaya Sankalp Yatre Maha Sangama’ rally in Davanagere and asserted that only his party can guarantee the state’s overall development.

He highlighted that the BJP has transformed the ‘Politics of Perception’ in the country into the ‘Politics of Performance,’ noting that India had been embroiled in ‘dirty politics’ for years. “Our country had been mired in dirty politics for years. What prevailed in the country then was the politics of allegation and blame game. But since coming to power, the BJP has transformed the ‘Politics of Perception’ in the country into the ‘Politics of Performance’.”

Attacking the opposition, he emphasised, “Karnataka saw and suffered opportunistic and selfish governments for a long time, which affected its progress. That is why a stable government of the BJP is the need of the hour, in the interest of the state’s development.”

“Karnataka had seen years of governance by selfish and opportunistic alliances. Such governments inflicted grave harm to the state,” he proclaimed.

The BJP stalwart, in a stinging strike on Congress, remarked, “BJP wants to make Karnataka the driving force for a developed India. However, the Congress sees Karnataka as merely a means to fill the pockets of some of its leaders.” He added that Congress shouts ‘Modi Teri Qabr Khudegi,’ (Modi you will die) but they are unaware that the people of Karnataka say ‘Modi Tera Kamal Khilega’ (Modi you will win).

He had chastised Congress, earlier this month, for the same comment, while addressing a public rally at the inauguration event of the Bengaluru-Mysuru motorway in Mandya, Karnataka.

He also took a veiled dig at the former chief minister of Karnataka and congress leader Siddaramaiah for slapping a party worker. “Those who can’t respect their own party workers, how will they respect the people of Karnataka.”

Referring to his government as ‘pro-poor,’ he stressed that the BJP in Karnataka has worked for the marginalised people of the state. “Our government has been empowering the Dalits, poor, women and the oppressed sections. Ours has been a pro-poor government.”

He observed that the mega rally is an indication that BJP will return to power in the state. He also announced that Karnataka had made the decision to reinstate the double-engine government in their state.

Prior to the event, Prime Minister Modi staged a major road show, during which a large audience lined the streets, chanted his name and showered him with petals.

He also paid his homage to the great visionary leader Sir M. Visvesvaraya who was born in Chikkaballapur district and visited a museum that ‘celebrates his life and accomplishments.’

The current Karnataka Assembly’s tenure is set to expire on May 24. The Electoral Commission is anticipated to make a formal declaration regarding the election schedule soon.

Sanjay Raut next to get disqualified? Maharashtra speaker sends report on breach of privilege motion over his ‘chormandal’ remarks to Rajya Sabha chairman

OpIndia Staff
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Sanjay Raut next to get disqualified? Maharashtra speaker sends report on breach of privilege motion over his ‘chormandal’ remarks to Rajya Sabha chairman

Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut’s breach of privilege notice has been referred to vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar by the deputy chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe. The privilege motion was moved against Sanjay Raut in the Maharashtra Assembly for calling the legislative assembly ‘chormandal’ which means an assembly of thieves.

Sanjay Raut’s ‘chormandal’ remarks about Maharashtra’s legislative assembly were probed by a privilege committee. The committee found the explanation given by Sanjay Raut in this regard insufficient and hence the notice was referred to vice-president Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Remarks by the legislative assembly speaker

While speaking in this regard, Maharashtra legislative assembly speaker Rahul Narvekar said, “The deadline was extended till March 20 to give an explanation regarding the breach of privilege case against Sanjay Raut. He has submitted an explanation in this regard. I gave a thought to the explanations he submitted. But it did not seem satisfactory. Therefore, I have reached the conclusion that it is a breach of privilege.”

He said that the reply was ‘incorrect’ and highly ‘unsatisfactory’, adding, “Raut has doubted the very fairness of the esteemed house by uttering derogatory remarks against its members.” He said that the matter has been referred to the Rajya Sabha chairman because Raut is a member of Rajya Sabha.

Remarks by the deputy chairman of the legislative council

The deputy chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe said in the legislative council, “Sanjay Raut Raut, in his response, had raised questions about the composition of the House’s privilege committee, its impartiality, and functioning. Being a senior member of the Rajya Sabha, it is not expected that he (Raut) raises questions about the functioning of the privilege committee. So I do not completely agree with his response and I don’t find it satisfactory. Therefore, I am referring the breach of privilege notice to Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President for appropriate action.”

‘Chormandal’ remarks by Sanjay Raut

Sanjay Raut had said, “There is a fake Shiv Sena in the legislature, it’s a gang of thieves.” He made this statement on 1st March 2023 during his tour to Kolhapur. The Shinde faction of Shiv Sena and the BJP then objected to this and demanded contempt proceedings against Sanjay Raut. Following the demand, the assembly speaker sent a notice to Sanjay Raut in this regard. In response to the notice, Sanjay Raut alleged that it was the ploy of the political opponents to process breach of privilege proceedings against him. He also claimed that he always had respect for the legislature. He had also said that he had not made any statement that would bring disrepute to the legislature.

Referring to the motion against him, Raut has said that it is against him is an attempt to disqualify him as an MP just like Rahul Gandhi. “In the same way Rahul Gandhi was treated with undeserving action, efforts are on to disqualify my membership to the Rajya Sabha. Shiv Sena under the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray is the real Shiv Sena. All the rest are venomous seeds. I will stay with that Shiv Sena till the end. I am ready to pay any price for that. If I wanted to apologise, then I would not have gone to jail. If I went to Surat and Guwahati, I would not have gone to jail. I’m with Balasaheb Thackeray’s Shiv Sena. Even I got offers and threats too, but I, not scared of anyone,” Raut said.

What is a breach of privilege?

The breach of privilege motion is a right against the violation of special rights given to the lawmakers in Parliament or Assembly. If a person disregards the members of the Assembly either personally or collectively or hurts them by commenting, it qualifies to be called a breach of privilege. Also, if a member makes such a comment during the session which hurts the dignity of the House, then in such a situation, action can be taken against that member under contempt of the House and breach of privilege. If a breach of privilege notice is raised against an MP in the Rajya Sabha, the matter is referred to the Committee of Privileges for examination. The committee then investigates the matter and submits its report to the house.

The legislature of Maharashtra thus formed a committee and referred the report to Jagdeep Dhankhar as Sanjay Raut is a Rajya Sabha MP. If the committee finds the MP guilty of breaching the privileges of the house, it can recommend various actions, including the expulsion of the MP from the house. Recently, former Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was disqualified from his Lok Sabha membership as he was convicted in a criminal defamation case. It remains to be seen if Sanjay Raut becomes the next MP to get disqualified.

Minor ST girl escapes gang rape attempt in Jharkhand, three accused Amiruddin, Mehboob, and Sheikh Aslam arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Minor ST girl escapes gang rape attempt in Jharkhand, three accused Amiruddin, Mehboob, and Sheikh Aslam arrested

On Thursday, March 23, three persons reportedly attempted to rape a minor girl belonging to the tribal society in the Gumla district of Jharkhand. Three accused identified as Amiruddin Khan (24), Mehboob Khan (19), and Sheikh Aslam (23) have been arrested. After failing to rape the victim, the three assaulted her and threw her from a moving vehicle. The victim is currently receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital. 

Media reports state that the three accused first abducted a 13-year-old girl near the Chainpur police station area before taking her to Chainpur College Tongri. Here, all three accused made an attempt to gang rape the victim. When the girl objected, the accused persons attempted to silence her by assaulting her.

Reportedly, when the victim started screaming, the accused youths decided to flee, however, they also took the victim along with them in a vehicle. Later, when the victim started screaming again, Amiruddin Khan, Mehboob Khan, and Sheikh Aslam threw her from the moving vehicle, leaving her severely injured.  When the victim’s relatives got to know about the matter, they brought her to the hospital. The victim then informed her family members about the incident. Following this, the family of the victim filed a police complaint. Acting upon the complaint, police arrested the accused persons who are being questioned.

The Jharkhand government has come under fire from the Bharatiya Janata Party over this alleged attempt at rape case.

According to Yogendra Pratap, the co-in charge of BJP’s state media in Jharkhand, “The courage of such elements is at its peak due to the Hemant Soren government’s appeasement policy.”

‘We hold the highest regard for the integrity and sovereignty of India’: BYJUs issues clarification after drawing flak over a distorted map of India

OpIndia Staff
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‘We hold the highest regard for the integrity and sovereignty of India’: BYJUs issues clarification after drawing flak over a distorted map of India

On Friday, March 24, the educational technology behemoth BYJUs drew flak on social media for again sharing a distorted map of India which showed Jammu and Kashmir as a separate country and parts of Ladakh as China on the map. The map is allegedly part of the study material issued by BYJUs to its students.

The issue came to the fore after a Twitter user named Bala shared the image of the incorrect map of India, which is a part of BYJUs study material, and tagged the organization in his tweet. “First you defame Sardar Patel, then you promote pro-China and pro-Pakistan propaganda. Now it shows Kashmir as a separate country and some parts of Ladakh with China,” wrote BALA.

The widespread backlash on social media prompted Byjus to respond to the tweet. The company issued a statement denying any involvement in the creation of the distorted map of India that was uploaded on Twitter.

It further clarified that the video was based on user-generated content, which was uploaded by a young Osmo student. Osmo, a BYJUs subsidiary, is a platform and technology provider that allows users to upload their content. The map has subsequently been removed and is no longer accessible, said Edtech company.

“At BYJU’S and Osmo, we hold the highest respect for the integrity and sovereignty of India. We do not endorse or promote any content that violates our policies or goes against our values. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of editorial integrity and user-generated content moderation on our platforms,” the statement read.

Statement issued by BYJUs

Notably, the Edtech company faced a similar backlash in October last year. The company had then also issued a statement saying the map has been ‘wrongly attributed’ to the company and it will approach the authorities for further investigation and action.

The map, which was then attributed to BYJUs, showed a few parts of Kashmir as “Azad Kashmir” and “Aksai Chin.”

Child rights body NCPCR summons BYJU’s CEO Byju Raveendran over allegations of malpractice

In December 2022, the apex child rights body National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) on Friday summoned the educational technology behemoth BYJU’S CEO Byju Raveendran over allegations that it is indulging in malpractices to lure parents and children to buy their courses. Raveendra has been asked to appear before the NCPCR on December 23.

The Commission urged asked the CEO to appear in person before it with information about all of the courses that BYJU’s offers to children, including information about their course structure, fees, the number of students who are currently enrolled in each course and details of its refund policy.

Physics Wallah teachers leave the organisation and launch own venture, cry on dramatic viral video claiming false bribery charges were levelled on them

OpIndia Staff
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Physics Wallah teachers leave the organisation and launch own venture, cry on dramatic viral video claiming false bribery charges were levelled on them

A video of some former teachers in the Indian education technology start-up Physics Wallah recently went viral on social media. The teachers in this video broke into tears while interacting with the students and the management of the ed-tech unicorn. Tarun Kumar, Manish Dubey, Sarvesh Dixit, and Aditya Anand are among those left the edtech platform. The teachers have now started a separate platform of their own and named it ‘Sankalp’. The disagreement between these teachers and the company was regarding the allegations of taking bribes from students against these teachers.

Tarun Kumar, Manish Dubey, and Sarvesh Dixit alleged in this video that Physics Wallah teacher Pankaj Sijairya falsely accused them of taking a bribe of Rs 5 crore from rival platform Adda247 to quit PhysicsWallah. They further alleged that there have been strikes on their YouTube channel Sankalp by PhysicsWallah. They said that they resigned because the atmosphere at the edtech company was no longer favourable to students. The teachers have claimed that more teachers will be soon joining their new platform Sankalp.

In videos shared on the YouTube channel of ‘Sankalp’, these teachers explained more about their decision to leave Physics Wallah. The teachers said that they were trying to abide by the vision Alakh Pandey had at the time of starting the organisation Physics Wallah and they left because the situations were no more aligned with the vision. The teachers also said that they had decided to leave the organisation in January 2023, but they remained with the organisation till completing the syllabus so that students don’t get disturbed.

They have claimed that PhysicsWallah’s mission to provide good, affordable education got sidelined as the organisation grew bigger. They said that allegations of them being paid Rs 5 crore as bribe from Adda247 are completely baseless and they quit PhysicsWallah because its atmosphere was no longer conducive to learning or teaching.

Tarun Kumar, Manish Dubey, Aditya Anand, and Sarvesh Dixit said that they resigned together after giving proper notice period, and assured that they will continue to work for their students, most of whom are candidates for entrance exams for higher education. They said that have left their content at PhysicsWallah, which the company can continue to use.

While narrating what has happened to the students of the platform, Kumar, Dubey and Dixit broke down into tears in the video. This started when they started to narrate how they took the decision to quit the company and start their own venture. They showed WhatsApp messages sent to Prateek Maheshwari in January, where they had told him that they are depressed due to what was happening.

“Sir I am highly dipresssd and frustrated, Es system ko benane me sub kuch laga diya including health… Mere life ke sabse badi mistake mene aap ke baat man ker kota aagya family ko bhi problem Me dala. Aap ne keha tha ye aap ka sacrifice hi company ke liye…”, one of them sent to Maheswari on 11 January.

“Sir me System se imotional connect tha, kyo ke India ke baccho ke liye kuchh kerna chahta tha.. Sir aap ko kya lagta hai mujhe kabhi offers nahi mele hogai. Per meine kabhi unko intertain nahi kiya. System ko priority de Es system me sub kuch dene ke baad mujhe kya mila insult, dipression, family distractions, health issues.. Aap ke kahne per kota aagya, online classes with complete load and offline classes complete management … rat 3 baje tak kam kiya hai ….bina complain kiya. Sir ab nehi,” said another message. While showing this messages, they turned very emotional. While they had started by calmly narrating their version of the story, it soon turned into a BiggBoss-like drama as they started crying, and became busy consoling each other.

They said that false allegations have been level against them that they left PhysicsWallah suddenly, and said that those who are lying won’t be saved. Aditya Anand was seen as the most emotional among them.

The Sankalp team received support from the students on their channel, and they showed messages received from the students. Apart from two videos posted by the team together, there are two videos by Tarun Kumar and Manish Dubey explaining why thy left PW.

Physics Wallah is an ed-tech company started by Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari in 2016. Initially, a YouTube channel, the company later developed an application in 2020 and went on to expand its business by employing more teachers. The company achieved success during the Covid-19 lockdown, when students were confined to homes and schools had moved to online classes.

Rahul Gandhi accuses veteran Congress beat journalist of being a ‘BJP agent’, suggests that Rajdeep Sardesai is his unofficial spokesperson

Jhankar Mohta
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Rahul Gandhi accuses veteran Congress beat journalist of being a ‘BJP agent’, suggests that Rajdeep Sardesai is his unofficial spokesperson

On Saturday, March 25, addressing a press conference for the first time after he was disqualified as a Lok Sabha member on March 24, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi lost his cool yet again, lashing out at two media persons.

The press conference had been largely one-sided, with Rahul Gandhi accusing the government of silencing him over the Adani issue. However, when some reporters posed some seemingly probing questions concerning his defamation conviction which led to his expulsion, the Gandhi scion was spotted losing his mind.

At first, the Gandhi scion, lambasted journalist Ravi Sisodia of CNN-News18 and called him a BJP stooge when he questioned him about his conviction in the ‘Modi surname’ case, adding that BJP has alleged that the remark was nothing short of an insult to the OBC and the socially oppressed classes of the country.

“Aap itne directly BJP ke liye kyun kaam kar rahe ho, thoda discretion se karo yaar. Thoda ghoom ghaam kar poocho. (How is it that you are so openly working from BJP, do it with some discretion. Don’t pose such direct questions, be diplomatic), he said.

“If you want to work for the BJP, bring a BJP symbol and wear it on your chest,” Rahul lambasted. “Don’t pretend to be a pressman…Kyun hawa nikal gayi?” he further mocked the journalist.

Soon after Rahul Gandhi’s press conference, several social media users took to Twitter to reminisce about how these two journalists, whom the Gandhi scion rebuked and mocked in front of the entire media, are actually members of the Congress-friendly journalists’ brigade who have always written plaudits for the party and its leaders.

Sharing screenshots of a few of tweets by CNN-News18 journalist Ravi Sisodia where he sang praises for ‘Rahul baba,’ journalist Pradip Bhandari tweeted in Hindi, which roughly translates to, “Rahul Gandhi’s reprimanded journalist has long been a Congress supporter and in his ‘tight’ circle. People should take note that the godi media will be shown its proper status at the whims of their bosses.”

Disgusted by the arrogance shown by the Gandhi scion, journalist Pallavi Ghosh tweeted, “the two reporters who were targeted have covered the party for years – the only badge we carry and wear is our Mike …”

Pallavi Ghosh, who is covering the Congress party for a long time, said that Ravi Sisodia is also working on the Congress beat for the last 15 years. “The reporter who everyone is happily calling godi including those who flaunt, their lavish lifestyle and have a gyaan on everything – he has been covering the party for 15 years .. more than YOU have spent in reporting .. knows party in and out .. is appreciated by some .. and he is NOT GODI,” she said, clarifying that Ravi Sisodia is a veteran Congress beat reporter and he is certainly not pro-BJP. It is notable that the term ‘Godi media’ is used to mean media houses and houses who are allegedly pro-government and pro-rulling party.

Further expressing her displeasure over Rahul Gandhi accusing Sisodia of being a BJP agent. She also said that there was no need to attack the journalist for the two questions he had asked, 1. BJP says you tore the ordinance and hence you faced the law 2. BJP says OBC has been disrespected. She further added that while Congress leaders are saying that this was a great move by Rahul Gandhi, there are others who are not happy about it.

Going by the Twitter timeline of Ravi Sisodia, it is clear that there is no hint of him being pro-BJP, while there are several tweets which indicate his tilt towards the Congress party.

Below are some previous tweets by CNN-News18’s journalist Ravi Sisodia, in which he couldn’t stop extolling the Congress party and its prince, Rahul Gandhi.

After accusing the Congress-beat journalist of being a BJP agent, Rahul Gandhi then went on to embarrass controversial journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, insinuating that Sardesai sometimes works as his unofficial spokesperson.

While Rahul Gandhi continued his attempts to establish a relationship between the businessman and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, journalist Rajdeep Sardesai attempted to interject, but the Gandhi scion coldly shut him up. He also said that Rajdeep Sardesai speaks for himself sometimes. “Please let me finish Rajdeep, unless you want to answer it for me, which you do sometimes,” he remarked. Rajdeep Sardesai was visibly embarrassed by the comments of Rahul Gandhi, which was caught on camera.

Rahul Gandhi’s remark on Rajdeep Sardesai exposed what is already widely known, that the journalist has close ties with the Congress party. He regularly gives clean chits to Congress leaders involved in controversies and openly supports Congress and other parties opposed to BJP. However, it is to be seen how Sardesai takes this public embarrassment by Rahul Gandhi.

Nevertheless, this is not the first time the Gandhi scion was seen losing his mind at journalists. In September last year, during his interaction with the media in Ernakulam in Kerala as part of his Bharat Jodo Yatra, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi insulted a female journalist from NDTV because the controversial media house at that time was being acquired by the Adani group. Rahul Gandhi repeatedly told the female journalist that she has a ‘new owner’ before eventually moving on to not answering her original question.

During the press conference, the journalist from NDTV, whose name was not audible in the video, asked Rahul Gandhi why he was not running for the post of Congress president in the upcoming party elections when he is leading the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra. But instead of answering her question, Rahul Gandhi commented, “I believe you have a new owner”, with a smile on his face.

In December 2021, the senior Congress leader lost his cool yet again, lashing out at the media for asking him about the accountability of the Punjab lynching incidents.

In what had happened, Gandhi had posted a tweet saying lynching was completely unheard of before 2014. During his press conference, when a reporter asked Rahul Gandhi about his tweet and drew his attention towards the tragic deaths caused in the lynching incidents in Punjab, a visibly irate Gandhi scion tried to fend off the uncomfortable questions by accusing the journalist of doing the Centre’s bidding. “Sarkar ki dalali mat kijiye(Stop doing Centre’s bidding), don’t distract from the issue,” Rahul said when asked about the inaction over lynching incidents that took place in Punjab over the last few days.

Similarly, on August 12, 2021, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi got irked when a journalist asked him a seemingly uncomfortable question and accused the journalist of being biased against the opposition.

“Are you the government’s spokesman? Has the government asked you to say so? I am asking you. Are you the government’s spokesman? Do you work for the government?” The reporter replied, “I am from media,” to which Rahul said, “You are not from media. You are the government’s employee. I will tell you the truth about the media. Let me tell you. Let me tell you,” Rahul Gandhi lambasted.

As Indian High Commission in London faces multiple attacks from Khalistanis, British MP comes out in support of the Indian separatists

OpIndia Staff
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As Indian High Commission in London faces multiple attacks from Khalistanis, British MP comes out in support of the Indian separatists

Days after a mob of frenzied Khalistanis laid siege on the Indian High Commission in London, British Parliamentarian Claudia Webbe openly expressed support for Khalistan and a referendum on the Indian State of Punjab.

In a tweet (archive) on Saturday (March 25), the MP from Leicester East wrote, “I am very concerned about the situation in the Punjab, which is affecting many within the Sikh Community of Leicester.”

She claimed that UK politicians had been labelling Sikhs as terrorists, even though they are peacefully indulging in separatist activities and calling for the secession of Punjab from the Union of India.

“It’s inflammatory for UK politicians to label Sikhs as ‘terrorist’. Those that peacefully support Khalistan and a referendum on independence are not terrorists,” she concluded.

It must be mentioned that Claudia Webbe was earlier expelled from the UK’s Labour Party after being found guilty of harassing a woman named Michelle Merritt for 18 months (2018-2020) over an affair with her boyfriend Lester Thomas.

“I have seen all of your naked pictures. Get out of my relationship otherwise, I will tell your whole family and show them all of your pictures,” she had threatened Michelle Merritt over a phone call.

Claudia Webbe was eventually handed a 12-month community service, totalling 80 hours of unpaid work. She is currently an independent MP from Leicester East, where the Hindu minority population was targeted by Islamists between August and October 2022.

Indian High Commission in London faces attacks from Khalistanis

On March 19 evening, pro-Khalistani elements barged into the Indian High Commission in London and removed the tricolour from the premises.

In a video that has now come to light, a mob of Khalistanis could be seen staging a protest outside the Indian High Commission. Amidst chants of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’, a man sporting an orange turban was seen scaling the walls of the building and pulling down the Indian flag.

He then waved the Khalistani flag jubilantly while Indian officials at the building seized the tricolour from the man. Some of the Khalistanis were also spotted holding a poster of ‘fugitive’ Amritpal Singh.

Even after assurances from the London Metropolitan Police about raising the level of protection for the Indian High Commission, pro-Khalistan supporters on March 22 breached the security cover and threw eggs and inks to deface and vandalize the building.

The police had deployed forces in 24 buses as well as the mounted police, however, the Khalistanis were still successful in vandalizing and defacing the premises.

As Rahul Gandhi says he will never say sorry, throwback to the time when he apologised unconditionally in the Supreme Court

OpIndia Staff
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As Rahul Gandhi says he will never say sorry, throwback to the time when he apologised unconditionally in the Supreme Court

On 25th March 2023, former Congress MP Rahul Gandhi held his first press conference after being disqualified from his Lok Sabha membership owing to his conviction in a criminal defamation case against him in a Surat court. A criminal defamation case was filed by Gujarat BJP leader Purnesh Modi after Rahul Gandhi, in an election rally in 2019, had asked why everyone with the Modi surname is a thief, mentioning Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, and Narendra Modi.

When asked whether he would apologise for his 2019 remark, Rahul Gandhi retorted arrogantly, “I am a Gandhi and not Savarkar, and Gandhis do not apologise.” It is notable that earlier he had tendered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court for lying that the court had said ‘Chowkidar chor hai’.

Rahul Gandhi apologised for ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’ jibe

On 8th May 2019,  Rahul Gandhi tendered an unconditional apology in the Supreme Court for “unintentionally and inadvertently” attributing the ‘Chowkidar Chor hai’ jibe against Prime Minister Modi to the court’s order on the Rafale Review plea. On 10th April 2019, while campaigning at a rally, Rahul Gandhi stated that the Supreme Court order says, “Chowkidar Chor Hai”. BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi had filed a contempt plea against the statement on which the SC had issued a notice to Rahul Gandhi. The court had stated that it has never said so.

The SC had allowed the admissibility of three documents in their hearing of the review petitions on the Rafale verdict. Rahul Gandhi and Congress had promoted the step as a big victory against the NDA government. Rahul’s unconditional apology came after much embarrassment to his image and his party as he was made to admit he had said it in ‘the heat of campaigning’.

The Supreme Court had also objected to the affidavit submitted by Rahul Gandhi. The then CJI Ranjan Gogoi had stated during a hearing that Gandhi admitted wrongly attributing the remark but he stands by it. Later, the SC also raised an objection regarding Rahul Gandhi’s affidavits. The court had stated that ‘regret’ is not ‘apology’ and had ordered Rahul to submit an unconditional apology.

Why the Rafale review petition was filed?

It is notable that the Rafale deal which is an inter-governmental deal between the governments of India and France for 36 Rafale fighter jets in flyaway condition was in the eye of the storm for a rather long time. The opposition used this necessary defense deal to train its guns against the Narendra Modi government to insinuate a scam.

Congress-friendly career PILists like Prashant Bhushan and others filed a PIL in the Supreme Court asking the SC to intervene and order a court-monitored probe into the deal. The Supreme Court, however, dismissed the petition. The Court also heard an application for initiating perjury proceedings against officials who had allegedly misled the Court. On Thursday, 14th November 2019, the Supreme Court dismissed even the review petitions.

Kapil Sharma reveals he was asked by the channel to not use the word ‘Paagal’, says ‘we are moving backwards’

OpIndia Staff
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Kapil Sharma reveals he was asked by the channel to not use the word ‘Paagal’, says ‘we are moving backwards’

On 24th March 2023, comedian Kapil Sharma appeared on Kareena Kapoor Khan’s show ‘What Women Want’. Apart from answering questions regarding his recently released film ‘Zwigato’, Kapil Sharma also made some remarks about the form of comedy and the changes incorporated in the same over a period of time. Kapil Sharma, during this interaction, said that recently he was instructed by the channel that he cannot use the word ‘paagal’ (meaning mad) on his show. Kapil Sharma also remarked that by imposing such restrictions on comedy, we are moving backwards.

In this talk show, Kareena Kapoor Khan asked Kapil Sharma, “We are evolving as a society, comedy that used to be funny 10 years ago, people are now taking a lot of offense to that. So then when you write a script or sit down with your team, do you keep it in mind that we can’t make fun of such and such situation?”

Kapil Sharma answered, “Honestly it happens a lot, in the society that I come from Amritsar, Punjab it’s there in our culture that the bride’s side would tease the groom and call him out with names and joke over it. Body shaming and other things, that were in our culture but now if we do it here it’s called body shaming. When you work with GEC (General Entertainment Channel) channels, you get S&Ps (standards and practices) on words you can’t even imagine. Currently, I was told by the channel that I cannot use the word ‘paagal’. I didn’t get it and asked why? Later, they told me the reason saying, actual people who are termed with the name get offended.”

Kapil Sharma further said, “Yet, it is a word that we use casually with our children, and siblings call each other ‘paagal’ with fun. I sometimes think we’re moving backward. I recall Javed Akhtar said in an interview that he couldn’t write the moment in Sholay where Dharmendra speaks while hiding behind the statue of Lord Shiva because it would offend people.”

It is notable that Kapil Sharma’s The Kapil Sharma Show has previously been criticised for some of its body-shaming jokes. Throughout the show, he frequently makes fun of Sumona Chakravarti’s appearance and Kiku Sharda’s weight.

The Kapil Sharma Show is aired on Sony Entertainment Television and has become a hugely popular weekend comedy show since its inception in 2016. The show is hosted by Kapil Sharma and includes comedy skits by a team involving several actors and comedians, and interviews with celebrities. Filmstars are regular invitees to the show, who appear in it to promote their upcoming movies. Before The Kapil Sharma Show on Sony, Kapil Sharma had hosted Comedy Nights with Kapil on Colors, an almost similar show.

Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi: The journalist who sacrificed his life in front of an Islamist mob while trying to save Hindus during the Kanpur Riots of 1931

Shraddha Pandey
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Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi: The journalist who sacrificed his life in front of an Islamist mob while trying to save Hindus during the Kanpur Riots of 1931

Two days after freedom fighters Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, a journalist, freedom fighter, and Congress leader was killed by a rioting mob in Kanpur on March 25, 1931. A champion of freedom and justice who bravely perished in 1931 at the age of 41 while trying to stop communal violence and save Hindus from a violent mob.

Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi was one of the understated icons of India’s freedom struggle and a rebel in his own right.  Born on October 26, 1890, in a typical Indian household in Attarsuiya, Allahabad (now Prayagraj), he became an important figure in the non-cooperation movement. Vidyarthi’s father, a middle school teacher, homeschooled him as he was raised in a poor family. Vidyarthi was compelled by poverty to work as a clerk before being hired as a teacher in Kanpur, although his true passion was journalism.

A deeply religious person, Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi was much influenced by the fiery articles of popular journals of the time, Swarajya and Karmayogi. He also contributed articles to these journals. It is said that he adopted the ‘Vidyarthi’ pen name around 1910. 

In 1913, Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi, a prominent Hindi writer and editor at his famous literary monthly, ‘Saraswati’ offered Vidyarthi a job as a sub-editor. However, it is said that Vidyarthi who was keener on politics and current affairs went on to join ‘Abhyudaya’, another popular newspaper.

Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi returned to Kanpur in 1913 and started his own revolutionary weekly journal ‘Pratap’ with the help of his aides Shiv Narayan Mishra, Narayan Prasad Arora, and Yashodanandan. Through his writings, Vidyarthi raised the voice of the oppressed people of his time. 

Vidyarthi dedicated himself to the national movement after meeting Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in Lucknow in 1916. In addition to participating in the 1917-18 Home Rule movement, Vidyarthi also led the first textile workers’ strike in Kanpur.

During this time, he also was arrested on multiple occasions, be it for his articles in support of Kanpur mill workers, Rae Bareilly peasants, or for his political activities. It is notable that Vidyarthi was a prominent Congress leader during this time and also served as a member of the United Provinces Legislative council from 1925-1929.

In 1920, Vidyarthi launched the daily edition of Pratap named Dainik Pratap and it was in this year that he was sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment for championing the cause of the peasants of Rae Bareli. After being freed in 1922, he was almost immediately imprisoned again for delivering a “seditious” speech at the Provincial Political Conference in Fatehgarh. Vidyarthi met and protested with Bhagat Singh in 1924, and the two became close friends and colleagues. It is interesting to note that Vidyarthi met Bhagat Singh and Batukeshwar Dutt in prison.  Moreover, Vidyarthi covered their 63-day-long historic hunger strike. Using the pen name ‘Balwant Singh,’ Bhagat Singh used to write thought-provoking pieces for Vidyarthi’s Pratap.

Front page of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi’s Dainik Pratap (Image via News18)

When Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi led a demonstration at the Moolganj Mosque

At Kanpur in 1927, some Muslims attacked a band that was playing music while a Hindu wedding procession passed by. The city’s notable Congress leaders including Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, Narayan Prasad Arora, G. G. Jog, and Bir Bahadur Tiwari led a group of Party volunteers who played music in retaliation for forty minutes in front of the Moolganj mosque. 

Excerpt from The Politics of the Urban Poor in Early Twentieth-Century India by Nandini Gooptu (Page: 293)

Kanpur riots 1931 and the death of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi

The infamous Kanpur riots erupted on March 24, 1931, and lasted for six days till March 30, 1931, claiming over 400 lives. The riots erupted after Muslims opposed the demand of Hindus to call for a ‘Hartal’ against the hanging of martyr Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, and Sukhdev by the British colonialists. However, several Muslim shopkeepers refused to close their shops and also objected to the demonstrators asking for the closure of their shops.  In the Cawnpore Riots Inquiry Committee Report (1931), the ‘attitude’ of the Congress Committee and the actions of its prominent men led to the outbreak of communal riots. 

Excerpt from Cawnpore Riots Inquiry Committee Report (1931) (Image via National Archives)

Vidyarthi, who was preparing to attend the Karachi session of Congress, decided not to leave Kanpur and rather help people in the riot-hit areas. Even the Cawnpore Riots Inquiry Committee Report mentions multiple times how Vidyarthi showed exemplary courage and became a true ambassador of communal harmony as he rescued locals belonging to both Hindu and Muslim communities. However, Vidyarthi was attacked with sharp weapons and killed by a murderous Islamist mob. It has also been reported that a temple was also set ablaze during the riots.

Vimla Vidyarthi, the daughter of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi had in an interview reportedly said that the killing of her father was a “part of the conspiracy which hurried the execution of Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev.”

In a book titled ‘Yug Purush Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi’ accounts of a few eyewitnesses have been mentioned. An eyewitness named Ganpat Singh, describing the events on the fateful day of March 25, 1931, stated that at Kanpur’s Chaubegola area around 4-5 pm, a group of Muslims from Bakarmandi arrived at the ‘nai sadak’, meanwhile a Muslim shouted -He is Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, kill him! Don’t let him go!

Another eyewitness, Madho Rao, who was with Vidyarthi till the end told the Inquiry Committee that on March 25, 1931, at around 3 or 4 pm at Chaubeygola, the place near a mosque on Meston Road, a large crowd had gathered requesting Vidyarthi to give a speech. “There were two hundred Musalmans. Chunni Khan and some other prominent Musalmans shook hands with him and embraced him.” From Chaubeygola, Vidyarthi was taken to another ‘troubled spot’ and was left alone to face the Muslim mob.

“It was there that some people started attacking him with lathis. At the instance of one Muslim volunteer, he was spared as he had saved hundreds of Muslims. But soon after, another group attacked him. When some people started dragging him to a nearby lane, he said that he won’t run away as he had to die one day, he would prefer to die while doing his duty. But his noble words had no effect on the murderous mob which attacked him from all sides. One of Vidyarthi’s companions died on the spot. Another volunteer was stabbed with a knife. Lastly came his turn and as the mob approached him, he bowed his head down only to be killed. He was stabbed in the back and another man attacked him with a khanta (an axe),” eyewitness Ganpat Singh told Enquiry Committee, as mentioned in Dr. M.L. Bhargava authored book Builders Of Modern India-Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi (Page:143).

M.L. Bhargava further writes that Vdyarthi’s decomposing corpse was found two days later, stuffed inside a gunny bag at the hospital. Despite having a severely disfigured face, he could be recognized due to his prominent white khadi attire. The three letters he had written on the fateful morning of March 25 were found in his pocket and served as additional evidence of his identification (Page: 144).

Before getting slain, Vidyarthi rescued many Muslims and Hindus from the violent mob, it is said that Vidyarthi was killed by a Muslim mob when he returned to rescue some Hindus stranded in the riot-stricken zone. It is said that even during his last moments, he was trying to convince the rioters not to kill innocent people. Vimla Vidyarthi in an interview with Suresh Salil, a noted poet, and translator, who is also accredited with editing and compiling the works of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi, had said, “Her father had successfully rescued some Muslim women but then immediately got involved in rescuing some trapped Hindus, and at this stage, he got attacked and killed.”

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