Propagandist ‘comedian’ Kunal Kamra has expressed his disappointment as he saw no comedian defending Tanmay Bhat who was removed from Kotak Mahindra Bank’s advertisement. On 14th February 2023, Kunal Kamra tweeted, “I can’t believe no comedians are siding with victim Tanmay Bhatt he has faced so many atrocities in life & still counting. Sad day for the comedy world over. Shame on the Indian comedy scene.”
I can’t believe no comedians are siding with victim Tanmay Bhatt he has faced so many atrocities in life & still counting. Sad day for comedy world over… Shame on indian comedy scene https://t.co/o5CVrxe5Ui
After being called out for supporting a controversial ‘comedian’, Kunal Kamra went into damage control mode, stating that his tweet was meant as sarcasm.
Self-described comedians and fact-checkers often resort to such means where they lean on ‘sarcasm’ when caught on the wrong foot. Kamra, too, appeared to manage the backlash by claiming that his tweet lauding the controversial AIB ‘comedian’ known for his vulgar and derogatory jokes was sarcastic.
Kotak Group withdraws its ad campaign featuring Tanmay Bhat
On February 12, Kotak Mahindra Bank’s digital banking handle Kotak811 withdrew the campaign featuring controversial former AIB comedian Tanmay Bhat after it received a backlash on social media. In a tweet, Kotak811 said, “We at Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. do not support or endorse the views of actors made in their personal capacity that harm or offend any individual or group. We have withdrawn the campaign.” The ad campaign also featured comedian Samay Raina.
We, at Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. do not support or endorse the views of actors made in their personal capacity that harm or offend any individual or group. We have withdrawn the campaign.
Kotak811 launched the campaign on January 30. Considering Tanmay’s controversial history, the netizens did not take the idea of taking him for the drive. Kotak811 and Kotak Mahindra Bank’s Chairman and Managing Director, Udit Kotak, were called out on social media for using him for the campaign. As a result, the Bank withdrew the ad campaign.
As none of the comedians was seen backing Tanmay Bhat, propagandist Kunal Kamra ranted on social media saying that Tanmay Bhat is a victim. In fact, Kunal Kamra himself is an accused in a case of contempt of the court. After the recent Gujarat assembly elections were declared in which BJP secured a landslide victory, he tweeted that he will be able to perform in certain cities of Gujarat only in his next life. Many Twitter users roasted him for this tweet.
Just like Kunal Kamra, Tanmay Bhat who was a founding member of the controversial comedian group All India Bakchod (AIB), has been in the limelight for the wrong reasons on several occasions. Tanmay Bhat has a history of making derogatory and problematic tweets. He not only insulted legendary singer Late Lata Mangeshkar at one point but also made casual jokes about child sexual exploitation.
His group AIB was infamous for making controversial jokes, and it was closed down after one of its members was accused of sexual harassment. Notably, the other members, including Bhat, were aware of the accusations before they were made public, but they decided not to act strictly upon them. The accusations were made public in the wake of the MeToo movement that swept the country in 2018.
The Allahabad High Court has held that although a woman cannot commit the crime of rape, she may be charged with “gang rape” if she facilitated the act of rape with several individuals. Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav made this observation recently in light of the modified Sections 375 to 376E of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as a result of Act 13 of 2013 of the IPC, 1860.
According to Section 376-D of the IPC, “gang rape” is a separate and distinct offense. If a woman is raped by “one or more persons” acting as a group or for a common purpose, each of those individuals is regarded to have committed the offense of rape and is subject to punishment. According to the ruling by the single-judge bench, this clause incorporates the idea of joint liability, and the presence of shared purpose is what makes joint liability fundamental.
The judgment stressed the need of not interpreting the term “person” in the Section in a restrictive manner. He used Section 11 of the IPC as well as the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary to define the term, noting that “person” refers to “an individual human being” or “a man, woman, or child” and includes any “company, organization, or group of individuals,” whether or not they are incorporated.
In light of the aforementioned facts, the judge determined that a woman can be charged with gang rape if she helped another person commit a rape. The court was hearing a petition for quashing the summons order issued against one Suneeta Pandey. In accordance with Section 376-D, 212 of the IPC, the accused had been called to appear in court.
According to the FIR, the event occurred in 2015 when the complainant’s 15-year-old daughter was taken away and raped. The victim claimed that the lady was engaged in the alleged event in her statement that was recorded under Sections 161 and 164 CrPC. The accused lady was eventually called to appear in the court for gang rape even though her name was not on the charge sheet.
The defense attorney for the accused woman said that since she was a lady and no case under Section 376-D IPC was established against her, the trial court erred in summoning her to testify in a case of gang rape. He also argued that since a woman cannot be considered to have “an intention” to commit rape, she cannot be charged with gang rape and cannot be tried for it.
The lawyer cited a Supreme Court ruling from Priya Patel Vs. State of M.P. and others (2006), which stated that a woman cannot be tried for the alleged commission of the crime of gang rape, in support of his argument.
Even though Sections 375 and 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) state that “any woman” cannot commit rape, the court held that a woman might be charged under Section 376-D of the IPC if she assisted the other accused individuals who actually committed the gang rape. The Court accordingly rejected the woman’s plea.
Hours after the Income Tax officials reached BBC’s Delhi and Mumbai offices to conduct a survey on Thursday, several opposition parties and ‘liberals’ extended their support to the media organisation criticizing the BJP-led government for allegedly ‘targeting’ the media firm. Several ‘liberals’ and opposition party leaders took to Twitter and insinuated that the BJP government had directed the Income Tax officials to conduct a survey at the BBC office as a result of its recent documentary on the 2002 Gujarat riots.
The BBC survey was carried out in view of its deliberate non-compliance with the Transfer Pricing Rules and its vast diversion of profits. Transfer Pricing essentially ensures that the transaction between ‘related’ parties is at a price that would be comparable if the transaction was occurring between unrelated parties.
However, the opposition parties and ‘liberals’ co-opted the Income Tax department’s action to attack the government and paint the move as politically motivated.
Opposition and ‘liberals’ rally behind BBC, which is accused of taxation irregularities
“First came the BBC documentary, it was banned. Now Income Tax has raided BBC. Undeclared Emergency,” tweeted Congress as it alleged that the centre had deliberately directed the survey against the BBC. Also, Rajya Sabha member and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh attacked the BJP-led government and said that the government was ignoring the Adani crisis and was running behind the BBC.
Further, senior Congress leader KC Venugopal condemned the survey and said, “The IT raid at BBC’s office reeks of desperation and shows that the Modi government is scared of criticism. We condemn these intimidation tactics in the harshest terms. This undemocratic and dictatorial attitude cannot go on any longer”.
The IT raid at BBC’s offices reeks of desperation and shows that the Modi government is scared of criticism.
We condemn these intimidation tactics in the harshest terms. This undemocratic and dictatorial attitude cannot go on any longer.
Apart from Congress, Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), and Aam Aadmi Party also targeted the centre over the BBC raids. Commenting on the matter, SP leader Akhilesh Yadav said the Centre was conducting an ideological emergency by conducting a survey at the BBC office.
BBC पर छापे की ख़बर ‘वैचारिक आपातकाल’ की घोषणा है। @BBCIndia
Meanwhile, AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj tweeted, “Central Govt has embarrassed itself and the country by raiding offices of BBC. Modi govt is attempting to silence the BBC voice through it’s well-known and so predictable move of harassing anyone who refuses to fall in line. Modi ji your Adani scam will not get diverted through such condemnable actions.”
Bharadwaj also termed BBC as one of the most credible news agencies in the world and said that the Centre was making itself a laughing stock by ‘directing’ raids at the BBC office.
Modi govt is attempting to silence the BBC voice through it’s well known & so predictable move of harassing anyone who refuses to fall in line. Modi ji your Adani scam will not get diverted through such condemnable actions.
Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut stated that India was losing its democratic status. “Timing of the Raids on BBC no more suggests, but establishes, that India is fast losing its Democratic Image. India’s Democracy is under siege. Judiciary and Journalism are the last surviving bastions. We will fight to the last drop of our blood for Indian Democracy! Jay Hind!” he wrote on Twitter.
Timing of the Raids on BBC no more suggests, but establishes, that India is fast losing its Democratic Image. India’s Democracy is under seige. Judiciary and Journalism are the last surviving bastions.
‘Journalist’ Rana Ayyub, who is accused in a donation fraud case, claimed that anyone who comments against the Gujarat riots 2002 is bound to face problems. “Anybody who speaks of the Gujarat 2002 carnage, writes, investigates it, is bound to face the vindictiveness and the wrath of the regime. It is a pattern in case you missed it BBC,” she tweeted.
Anybody who speaks of the Gujarat 2002 carnage, writes, investigates it, is bound to face the vindictiveness and the wrath of the regime. It is a pattern in case you missed it #BBCpic.twitter.com/nZVbppZLJX
Founding member of Aam Aadmi Party and Supreme Court lawyer Prashant Bhushan, however, called the Modi government the most vindictive and fascist government ever and alleged it of deliberately harassing the BBC. “The bloodhounds of the govt are at it again to harass and intimidate anyone who says or shows anything that Modi doesn’t like. Now raiding BBC for daring to show a film ‘The Modi question’. This is the most vindictive and fascist govt ever. Much worse than the emergency. On its last legs,” he tweeted.
The bloodhounds of the govt are at it again to Harass& intimidate anyone who says or shows anything that Modi doesn’t like. Now raiding BBC for daring to show a film ‘The Modi question’. This is the most vindictive&fascist govt ever.Much worse than the emergency.On it’s last legs pic.twitter.com/rZJ3sJ0d0S
Also, journalist Nidhi Razdan who recently quit NDTV, claimed that the Income Tax searches were the hallmarks of a ‘thin-skinned state’. “You may agree or disagree about the contents of the BBC documentary, but these Income Tax searches are the hallmarks of a thin-skinned state. Ahead of the G 20, it’s a poor look for India as we call ourselves the mother of democracy,” she tweeted.
You may agree or disagree about the contents of the BBC documentary, but these Income Tax searches are the hallmarks of a thin skinned state. Ahead of the G 20, it’s a poor look for India as we call ourselves the mother of democracy
‘Opposition’s conduct a serious cause of concern for the country’: BJP
After the opposition criticised the government and accused it of directing raids at BBC, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia addressed a press conference and stated that the reactions of the opposition were a matter of concern for all Indians. “The political reactions are coming on the ongoing survey of the I-T department at BBC offices, be it’s Congress, TMC or SP, it’s a matter of concern for all the Indians. First, Congress needs to understand that the country runs according to the constitution. This is the Modi government. Investigating agencies are no longer caged parrots. They are doing their work. Any agency whether a media firm or a company, working in India has to obey Indian laws. If nothing wrong has been done, then there should be no fear,” Bhatia said on Tuesday.
“If we look at the works of the BBC, it has become the world’s ‘Bhrashta Bakwas Corporation’. It is said that BBC’s propaganda and Congress’ agenda are similar. We know that India is leading the world under the leadership of PM Modi. But there are forces who do not like this. And whenever the country performs well, then these agencies or Rahul Gandhi’s Congress and some leaders of the Opposition feel pain. The Congress party must remember how Indira Gandhi had put a ban on the BBC,” he added.
The Income Tax officials on Tuesday conducted surveys at the BBC Delhi and Mumbai office in connection with alleged tax evasion and irregularities. The officials as a part of the survey seized the mobile phones and computers of the employees and asked them to leave the office premises. The BBC, meanwhile, revealed that it was following the tax rules and hoped to get out of the situation soon.
On February 14, 2019, a convoy of vehicles carrying Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel to Srinagar via National Highway 44 came under a suicide bombing attack in Pulwama. 22-year-old Adil Ahmad Dar, a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist from Kakapora in Jammu and Kashmir, rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into a bus carrying the CRPF personnel. 40 of our jawans were martyred in that cowardly terror attack.
The terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), based in Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack. They also posted a video of the Islamic terrorist Adil Ahmad Dar, who had joined the outfit a year before. In an official statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that Pakistan was responsible for assisting terrorist attacks and that JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar had been “given the freedom to target India.”
In an hour when the whole nation stood together to back the armed forces, it was the Indian opposition that tried to give a clean chit to Pakistan and the terrorists involved. The opposition leaders tried to pin the blame on Narendra Modi instead and tried to spin conspiracy theories around the attack. The anti-Modi sentiment and the fear of getting wiped out from the political spectrum ahead of the 2019 general elections were so deep-rooted in the opposition leaders that they went on to accuse Modi of executing this brutal attack for BJP’s political gains. Many of them also questioned the role of the armed forces during this attack. Others questioned the air strike by the Indian Air Force in Balakot after this attack.
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu rushed to give a clean chit to Pakistan
Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu, who often expresses his love towards the terrorist state of Pakistan issued a shocking clean chit to Pakistan by claiming that ‘Terrorism has no country’ and indicated that Pakistan has no role in the Pulwama terrorist attack.
While condemning the heinous terrorist attack on the CRPF soldiers, Navjot Singh Sidhu said that terrorism has no country, giving a clean chit to Pakistan despite Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist group based in Pakistan and backed by the Pakistani establishment, taking the responsibility for the attack on CRPF soldiers at Pulwama.
I got this msg 2days back from a person in jammu Msg was sent at 2.43am saying urgent something bad is going to happen. He even asked me to convey this msg to higher authorities. But before i could understand this incident occurred. Now i am confused b/w coincidence or conspiracy pic.twitter.com/0XLBfzz5Ku
Several other leaders leveled serious allegations about the Pulwama attack
Former Congress MP from Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur, Noor Bano, during an interaction with the media leveled charges against security forces and accused them of exercising negligence prior to Pulwama terrorist attack.
“What happened was unfortunate, and the incident affects all of us. We do not know how BJP will churn out benefits from this incident. They will exploit the incident. It is the responsibility of the armed forces, to protect people. I saw on television, that they had prior information, but then how they failed to avert the attack?” Congress leader Noor Bano was quoted by reports.
Gujarat Congress leader from Junagadh, Vinu Amipara also parroted similar lines. He said, “Whenever there are elections, they(BJP) do something like this. Earlier, Godhra carnage was carried out (before the 2002 Gujarat elections) and today, the Pulwama attack is also suspicious. The soldiers are murdered. When Congress comes to power, then we will investigate this.”
Congress’ motormouth Digvijaya Singh was at it again
Indian Air Force carried out an air strike at Balakot in Pakistan after the Pulwama terror attack. Senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh doubted the surgical strikes instantly while trying to downplay the Pulwama terror attack. He started with a disclaimer that we are proud of our armed forces and have complete faith in them.
हमें हमारी सेना पर उनकी बहादुरी पर गर्व है व सम्पूर्ण विश्वास है। सेना में मैंने मेरे अनेकों परिचित व निकट के रिश्तेदारों को देखा है किस प्रकार वे अपने परिवारों को छोड़ कर हमारी सुरक्षा करते हैं। हम उनका सम्मान करते हैं।
He lauded the armed forces for the service they provide in protecting the nation. However, he added, following the ‘Pulwama accident’, reports in various foreign media regarding the “air strike” have created doubt in his mind. This apparently made him question the credibility of the Indian government as well.
किन्तु पुलवामा दुर्घटना के बाद हमारी वायु सेना द्वारा की गयी “Air Strike” के बाद कुछ विदेशी मीडिया में संदेह पैदा किया जा रहा है जिससे हमारी भारत सरकार की विश्वसनीयता पर भी प्रश्न चिन्ह लग रहा है।
Downplaying terror attacks or absolving the actual terrorists and pinning the blame on someone he doesn’t agree with politically is not something new for Singh. In 2010, months after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, Digvijaya Singh, along with filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and others launched a book that claimed that the Mumbai terror attacks were an RSS conspiracy.
Congress leader Randeep Surjewala
Just a week after the dastardly attack by the terrorist belonging to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammad claimed the lives of 40 CRPF soldiers, the Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala rubbed salt on their wounds by alleging that the terrorist was a ‘Home-grown so-called terrorist’. While addressing a presser, the Congress spokesperson insulted the sacrifice of the martyred soldiers by referring to the terrorist who killed them as a ‘so-called terrorist’. Surjewala also called into question the functioning of the Armed forces when he called the terrorist as ‘Home-grown’, providing an alibi to Pakistan.
Veteran lawyer and politician Kapil Sibal joined in to cast aspersions on the surgical strikes
Congress leader Kapil Sibal joined the bandwagon after the air strikes. He tweeted, “Modiji: Is international media: 1) New York Times 2) London based Jane’s Information Group 3) Washinton Post 4) Daily Telegraph 5) The Guardian 6) Reuters reporting no proof of militant losses at Balakot pro-Pakistan? You are guilty of politicizing terror?”
Modiji :
Is international media :
1) New York Times 2) London based Jane’s Information Group 3) Washinton Post 4) Daily Telegraph 5) The Guardian 6) Reuters
reporting no proof of militant losses at Balakot pro-Pakistan ?
Goa Congress leader Chellakumar alleged Pulwama was orchestrated by PM Modi
While addressing a press conference, Goa Congress leader Chellakumar alleged that the Pulwama attack was orchestrated by PM Modi. Chellakumar said, “People are not fools anymore. This man will go to any extent. Because, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah together… even recently video clipping has come out, even the Godhra incident was planned by BJP and stuff like that. Their own man has said that, not some Congress leader. I will not take the name but someone from the BJP circle has claimed that the Godhra incident was manipulated and orchestrated by the BJP. If it is so, why not this Pulwama incident also? They have identified all the jawan’s bodies. Where is the terrorist’s body? Till now they could not show to the people. So he is not a public representative. Not a public leader.”
Mehbooba Mufti blamed the government for the attack
The former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Mehbooba Mufti, also attempted to justify the horrible atrocity committed by terrorist Ahmad Dar and pinned the blame on the government for its ‘muscular approach’ forcing gullible youths in the Valley to take up arms.
As a mother, its hard to fathom how a father can rationalize his sons decision to become a fidayeen. But young men in Kashmir are agitated & angry. GoIs muscular approach to Kashmir is imprudent & injudicious. Beyond a point we need to look inwards & introspect what went wrong. https://t.co/R7fi0AJdxH
Arvind Kejriwal subtly tried to create doubt about the air strikes
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal also questioned Balakot air strikes. He tweeted, “Is the army lying according to Amit Shah? The army has clearly said that whether someone died or not or how many died, cannot be said. Are Amit Shah and BJP telling lies to the army for their electoral gains? The country has faith in the army. Do Amit Shah and the BJP have no faith in the army?”
क्या अमित शाह के मुताबिक़ सेना झूठ बोल रही है?
सेना ने साफ़ साफ़ कहा है कि कोई मरा या नहीं मरा या कितने मरे, ये नहीं कहा जा सकता।
अपने चुनावी फ़ायदे के लिए क्या अमित शाह और भाजपा सेना को झूठा बोल रहे हैं?
देश को सेना पर भरोसा है। क्या अमित शाह और भाजपा को सेना पर भरोसा नहीं? https://t.co/IkBh92hT5e
Sam Pitroda, one of the accused in the National Herald ‘cheating and breach of trust’ scam and one of the most trusted aides of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, demanded proof of the Balakot airstrikes carried out by the Indian Air Force on Jaish-e-Mohammad terror camps in Pakistan.
He questioned, did we really kill 300 people? “I don’t know that. As a citizen, I am entitled to know. And if I ask, it is my duty to ask. That does not mean I am not a nationalist. That does not mean I am on this side or that side. We need to know the facts. If you say 300 people were killed, I need to know that. We all need to know that. The people of India need to know that. And then the global media says that nobody was killed. I look bad as an Indian citizen,” he said.
As the nation remembers the martyrs of the Pulwama terror attack, people should not forget that these leaders from the opposition parties accused Narendra Modi of this attack, questioned the role of the Indian army, peddled a narrative that the Indian army was responsible for the suicide bomber of Pulwama joining a terrorist outfit, and finally questioned the valor of the Indian Air Force after the Balakot air strike.
On February 13, Bharuch Police booked Jubair Ismail Patel, Salim Abdul Dhira, Irfan Mubarak Patel, Nasir Ismail Samniwala, Wasim Shabir Nawab, Zulfiqar Adam Rokadia, Javed Siddique Dholat, Saeed Adam Rokadia, Usman Ismail Patel, Sarfaraj Ali Patel for insulting National Anthem during a wedding. As per reports, a video of the accused went viral on social media, where they recited National Anthem while sitting.
The video was recorded on the night of the wedding of Ayub Ibrahim’s daughter, who lives in the western area of Bharuch city. Reports suggest that the accused were present at the wedding and started reciting National Anthem during the wedding. In the video, five accused were seen sitting on chairs and reciting the National Anthem. After the video went viral, the police swung into action and registered a case under relevant Sections, including sedition.
The mobile phone on which the video was made has been seized by the police and sent to FSL for investigation. Notably, two of the accused who the police have booked are BJP leaders. Syed Adam Rokadia has filed a nomination for BJP in Ward No 1 of Barouche for the recent municipal elections. Zubair alias Imran Ismail Patel was Minority Front General Secretary.
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is in the news after the Income Tax Department of India surveyed the organisation’s office in Delhi earlier today.
The BBC survey was carried out at the company premises given the organisation’s deliberate non-compliance with the Transfer Pricing Rules and its vast diversion of profits. Transfer Pricing essentially ensures that the transaction between ‘related’ parties is at a price that would be comparable if the transaction was occurring between unrelated parties.
According to sources, there has been persistent non-compliance with the Transfer Pricing rules for years. The sources have informed that BBC has been served several notices by the IT department, however, they have persistently been non-compliant. They have also been allegedly diverting their profits.
The key focus of these surveys is to look into the manipulation of prices for unauthorised benefits, including tax advantages. These surveys have been undertaken due to BBC’s persistent non-compliance with the norms, making it a repeat offender.
Every UK household with a TV playing live programmes has to pay a ‘licensing fee’ to the BBC
Even as the Income Tax department is probing the BBC’s India office over alleged non-compliance, it is worth noting that the state-sponsored media of the United Kingdom is notorious for mulcting British citizens. The UK’s public broadcaster is financed by the television licensing fee, similar to a tax, and failure to pay can lead to imprisonment for committing a criminal offence.
A TV Licence is a legal requirement to install or use television receiving equipment for live viewing on any channel, TV, or streaming service, and to access BBC iPlayer, on any device. This is mandatory, regardless of the channels or the method of receiving them. It is important to note that the licence fee is not a fee for BBC services or any other television services, even though the revenue generated from the licence fee is utilized to finance the BBC.
Since 1991, the BBC has served as the relevant licensing authority, responsible for the collection and enforcement of the TV Licence fee. The BBC hires companies under the trademark ‘TV Licensing’ to carry out this responsibility. The BBC, along with its authorised contractors, must adhere to legal requirements when collecting and enforcing the license fee.
Households with a TV playing live programs must pay a set fee to the government, currently £159 for colour and £53 for black-and-white licenses, with discounts for the elderly and disabled. The money is deposited into a state fund, which is then distributed to beneficiaries, including the BBC, through parliament.
Usually, the annual license fee cost is adjusted each April to reflect inflation, except in 2010 when the fee remained fixed at £145.50 for six years.
According to the Communications Act 2003 and the Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 (amended), it is mandatory to obtain a TV Licence and pay the associated fee. Section 363 of the Communications Act 2003 specifies that watching live programming on any channel, TV, or streaming service, or using BBC iPlayer on any device, without a valid TV Licence is a criminal offence.
Section 365 of the Communications Act 2003 mandates that a person who holds a TV Licence must pay a fee to the BBC. The Communications (Television Licensing) Regulations 2004 (amended) detail the amount of the fee and the methods of payment, which can be either a lump sum or in instalments.
The BBC has relied primarily on the license fee for its income for many years. The organisation’s 2020-21 Annual Report reveals that the license fee provided £3.75 billion of its total £5.06 billion income, with the remainder from grants and commercial agreements.
However, in January 2022, the British government announced a two-year freeze on the British Broadcast Corporation (BBC) license fee, with plans to completely do away with the system by 2027. The decision by the UK’s Conservative government was taken as a cost-cutting measure to assist citizens grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic, high inflation rates, and increased living expenses.
The BBC also had proposed to increase its existing licensing fee from £159 to £180 but was turned down by the then-Boris Johnson government as it came under the firing line of the critics for record-high inflation and price surge.
Online campaign to defund the BBC underway
Consequently, a campaign is also underway in the United Kingdom to defund the BBC, adding that the ‘licensing fee’ extracted by the government in the name of the broadcaster is unclear and forced people to cough up the said amount even when they don’t subscribe to the organisation’s services.
“We will lobby the government to decriminalize the license fee as the BBC’s current system for detecting and prosecuting non-payment is discriminatory and unfairly impacts women and those with low incomes. This is due to intentional ambiguity surrounding the right to refuse entry, and it must be addressed to ensure a fair system for all,” the campaign for defunding the BBC says.
Forcing people to pay a license fee for non-BBC live TV under the threat of imprisonment is unreasonable, the campaign adds. It aims to bring about the necessary change to the BBC charter by lobbying representatives in Westminster and maintaining an ongoing media campaign.
On Tuesday, hours after the news surfaced that the Income Tax Department was conducting a survey at the Delhi headquarters of BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation), the state-sponsored media of the United Kingdom, the Editors Guild of India issued a press release expressing “deep concerns” over it.
EGI is deeply concerned about the IT “surveys” being carried out at the offices of BBC India. Is distressed by the continuing trend of government agencies being used to intimidate and harass news organisations that are critical of ruling establishment. pic.twitter.com/hM7ZkrdOiq
While the editors’ body has condemned the survey, calling it a political witch hunt against the media outlet, it is worth noting that the survey was conducted on BBC premises in light of BBC’s deliberate non-compliance with the Transfer Pricing Rules and its massive profit diversion.
“EGI is deeply concerned about the IT “surveys” being carried out at the offices of BBC India. Is distressed by the continuing trend of government agencies being used to intimidate and harass news organizations that are critical of the ruling establishment,” read the Tweet posted by the organization supposedly representing the ‘editors’.
The Editors’ Guild stated in its press release on Tuesday that the IT department’s surveys are part of a trend of utilizing government institutions to intimidate and harass media organizations that are critical of government policies or the ruling establishment.
Statement by Editor’s Guild of India (Source: Official Twitter handle of EGI)
The Editors Guild went on to say that the action taken against the foreign media channel was the consequence of the BJP’s vendetta following the release of the BBC documentary on the 2002 violence in Gujarat and the contemporary plight of minorities in India.
The Income Tax Dept carries out a survey at BBC office in Delhi
The IT survey was carried out at the BBC premises in view of the BBC’s deliberate non-compliance with the Transfer Pricing Rules and its vast diversion of profits. Transfer Pricing essentially ensures that the transaction between ‘related’ parties is at a price that would be comparable if the transaction was occurring between unrelated parties.
The key focus of these surveys is to look into the manipulation of prices for unauthorized benefits, including tax advantages. These surveys have been undertaken due to BBC’s persistent non-compliance with the norms, making it a repeat offender.
Pakistan’s inflation has reached a 45-year high, putting the nation on the verge of bankruptcy. While most people are struggling to pay for the basic ration there, the majority of the youngsters this weekend utilized their money to indulge themselves in the pricey Tim Hortons coffee on its opening day.
Tim Hortons, the Canadian restaurant chain launched its first store in Phase 6, DHA Lahore over the weekend. Pakistani people maintained queues outside the store to pay a hefty amount for one cup of coffee, the videos and photos of which went viral over social media.
As of February 9th, Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves are all below $3 billion, which is a nine-year low. The Pakistani rupee (PKR), the currency of the nation, hit a record low, and petrol expenses are exorbitant.
The South Asian country has struggled to meet the needs of its people on a fundamental level. Despite this, Tim Hortons in Pakistan reported the biggest opening sales in history since it started in 1964, setting a new record for the world. The Canadian coffee company’s Pakistani franchise outsold its 5,352 other stores globally for the opening day.
Sharing photos and videos of the long queue at the Tim Horton’s store, one of the users wrote, “Two Nation theory of Jinnah. The reality! It was not about Hindus and Muslims but the Elite and Poor, Fauj and Awam, Rulers and Subjects, Kings and Paupers. India got rid of feudalism and Pakistan, has 1000 lives and million of faces. The poor lineup for Flour, Elite for Tim Hortons,” he tweeted.
Two Nation theory of #Jinnah. The reality! It was not about Hindus and Muslims but the Elite & Poor, Fauj & Awam, Rulers & Subjects, Kings & Paupers. India get rid of feudalism & in Pakistan it has 1000 lives & million faces. Poor line up for Flour, Elite for Tim Hortons pic.twitter.com/qdnLOllyXY
A Pakistani singer and actor Farhan Saeed also expressed his concern and tweeted, “There are 2 Pakistans, one that is in the queue of utility stores for aata and ghee, and the other is at Tim Hortons. It scares me, that there is nothing in the middle scares me.”
There are 2 #Pakistan (s), one that are in queue of utility stores for aata & ghee, & the other is at #TimHortons. It scares me , that there is nothing in the middle scares me . #PakistanEconomicCrisis
Many meanwhile expressed their concerns over the price of the coffee. “Tim Hortons opened their first store in Lahore today. The small coffee cup will cost you Rs. 650 ($2.40) and check out the lines outside of the store. Yet we say there is no money and we beg the world to give us money. Shame on the inept government and its establishment. So sad,” one of the users commented.
Tim Hortons ???opened their first store in Lahore today. The small coffee ☕️ cup will cost you Rs. 650 ($2.40) & check out the lines outside of the store. Yet we say there is no money and we beg the world to give us money. Shame on the inapt goverment & its Establishment. So sad pic.twitter.com/LlF3EIYvcJ
The economic condition of Pakistan is concerning. According to the reports, the fifth-most populated country in the world appears to be creeping closer to a financial default. The State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) foreign exchange reserves have decreased to $2.917 billion. The country is having trouble getting an IMF rescue package at the same time.
Inflation in the nation is at a 48-year high. While the Wholesale Price Index has increased to 28.5% over the same period, the Consumer Price Index has jumped by 27.6%. Prices for basic goods like wheat, onions, and gas cylinders have reached a record high. A 20 kg bag of wheat flour typically costs Pakistani Rupee (PKR) 1,164.8 (as on January 2022), but that price skyrocketed to PKR 1,736.5 in January 2023, a 50% increase. Due to the country’s economic problems and currency depreciation, the oil corporations of Pakistan are on the verge of collapsing.
Notably, Tim Hortons’ second and third stores are slated to open on the 18th and 25th of February, in Gulberg, Lahore.
The Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Measures for Prevention and Redressal of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Ordinance (now law), popularly known as the anti-copying Ordinance, which prevents the use of unfair means and cheating during state recruitment exams, came into force after Governor Lt Gurmit Singh have his consent on Friday.
Many media houses reported about the purported ordinance brought by the BJP government in the state that would tighten the noose around the neck of the cheating mafia in the state. However, the headlines of a few such reports were quite misleading creating confusion in the mind of the readers about the provisions specified in the ordinance.
At first glance, the headline gives the impression that the Ordinance entails life imprisonment for any student caught cheating in exams in Uttarakhand, even for the first time. However, that is not the case. Life imprisonment is the maximum punishment an individual or an organization found involved in unfair means could be subjected to, not the only punishment, as specified in Uttarakhand’s anti-copying Ordinance.
According to the provisions specified in the Ordinance, any student caught cheating for the first time will be subjected to three year jail term and a fine of Rs 5 lakhs. For any individual caught doing the same for the second time, the punishment will not be less than 10 years and a Rs 10 lakh fine.
Screenshot from the Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Measures for Prevention and Redressal of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Ordinance
Screenshot from the Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Measures for Prevention and Redressal of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Ordinance
If any person, printing press, service provider organization, management system, or coaching institute is found involved in unfair means, then provision has been made for a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a fine of up to 10 crore rupees for those indulging in or facilitating the use of unfair means in recruitment examinations.
Along with these provisions, the ordinance also states that the assets of these candidates who use unfair means will be seized.
Additionally, Clause 11 (2) of the new anti-copying law, which came into force in the state on the night of February 10, has a provision for strict action against those who spread rumors.
Notably, the anti-copying law came into being after Uttarakhand faced two major paper leaks.
As per reports, this anti-copying law – Uttarakhand Competitive Examination (Measures for Prevention and Prevention of Unfair Means in Recruitment) Ordinance 2023 – would be enforced for every recruitment exam that the state would conduct from now on.
उत्तराखण्ड प्रतियोगी परीक्षा (भर्ती में अनुचित साधनों की रोकथाम व निवारण के उपाय) अध्यादेश, 2023 संबंधी अधिसूचना जारी।https://t.co/FjOna9TQSX
Earlier, CM Dhami himself announced that he had approved the Ordinance following students’ protest against the paper leak cases in the State. Following the Governor’s assent, the Ordinance has now become a law.
First case lodged under Uttarakhand anti-copying law
On Monday, only two days after the Ordinance came into effect, the first case under Uttarakhand’s new anti-copying statute was filed in the Uttarkashi district. According to a senior police officer, the case named a man, some anonymous applicants, and a news outlet for “spreading misinformation” regarding the revenue sub-inspector (Patwari/Lekhpal) test question paper.
“We have filed the FIR under the new anti-copying ordinance at Kotwali police station against an identified candidate (Arun Kumar) and others appearing in the Patwari/Lekhpal (exam) at a polytechnic college and a news portal for spreading misinformation that seal of the question papers was opened before it was distributed among candidates,” said Uttarkashi superintendent of police (SP) Arpan Yaduvanshi. “A video (made by the accused) in this regard has gone viral on social media.”
As Abdul Nazeer – a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India – has recently been appointed as the governor of Andhra Pradesh, a controversy has started around retired judges being appointed to constitutional posts like the governor, etc. It is therefore necessary to take an account of a Congress leader who was sent to Rajya Sabha as an MP, after which he was appointed as a judge. As he retired from his tenure of judgeship, he was given a ticket to Lok Sabha by the Congress party. This is the curious case of former Supreme Court justice Baharul Islam.
Baharul Islam was a lawyer before joining politics
Baharul Islam was born on 1st March 1918 in the Kamroop district of Assam. His primary education was completed in a local school and he attended Cotton College in Guwahati. After this, he went to Aligarh Muslim University for his law studies. He started working as an advocate at the Assam High Court in 1951 while his practice as a Supreme Court Lawyer started in 1958. Meanwhile, in 1956, Baharul Islam joined the Indian National Congress which marked the onset of his political career.
Baharul Islam was sent to Rajya Sabha
In 1962, Congress sent Baharul Islam as an MP in Rajya Sabha. He completed his first term as a lawmaker in 1968 after which the grand old party reelected him as a Rajya Sabha member. He continued to work as an MP till 1972. In 1972, he jumped from the legislative arm to the judicial arm of the Indian republic. But later developments suggest that it was not Baharul Islam who jumped. It was rather the Congress ecosystem that made him move from one office to the other, with added rewards in later stages for being loyal in earlier stages.
Baharul Islam worked as a judge for a decade
On 20th January 1972, Baharul Islam was appointed as the judge of the Assam and Nagaland High Court which is now known as the Gauhati High Court. On 11th March 1979, he became the acting chief justice of this High Court and continued as the chief justice of the High Court from 7th July 1979 until he retired on 1st March 1980.
On December 4th, 1980, he was appointed to the Supreme Court of India, which was unusual because a retired judge is not often elevated to the Supreme court. The convenient utilization of the systems did not stop here. He resigned as the judge of the Supreme Court of India on 12th January 1983. What followed was his second innings as a politician.
Baharul Islam in parliament again
Congress wanted to field Baharul Islam who was now the former justice of the Supreme Court of India from the Barpeta constituency of Assam. But later he was sent to Rajya Sabha again. This marked the second political innings of the lawyer-cum-politician-turned-judge. His is a must-read chapter when it comes to a discussion about ruling parties picking former judges for various constitutional posts. He has set a rare example in which a Rajya Sabha MP went on to become a judge in the Supreme Court and then come back as an MP in the upper house.
