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Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive has seen sacking of top officers in China’s military, raising questions of capability and trust

Rukma Rathore
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Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption drive has seen sacking of top officers in China’s military, raising questions of capability and trust

Top officials in China continue to vanish and the most recent example is the absence of General He Weidong from yet another important event on 25th April. He was not present at the Politburo study session presided over by President Xi Jinping, as per a report in South China Morning Post. Weidong missed the tree-planting ceremony earlier in the outskirts of Beijing as well. Notably, it is a yearly springtime custom for the military leadership of the country for over 40 years.

Weidong was missing from a high-profile, two-day working meeting on neighborhood diplomacy on 9th April either. Additionally, official media reported that he was absent from a symposium held on 14th March to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Anti-Secession Law’s implementation. Amidst escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait, the symposium marking the legalization of “peaceful national reunification” with Taiwan in 2005 brought together prominent figures from the party and China’s military.

Weidong’s final public appearance took place on 11th March, when he and other high-ranking officials sat on the rostrum for the closure of China’s annual premier political assembly, the National People’s Congress. Ironically, he urged the advancement of anti-corruption operations and better military training during a 5th March review of government work reports with General Zhang Youxia.

He Weidong’s failure to attend the significant occasions fits into an increasingly common trend of missing Chinese military officials. The disappearance of these figures is reportedly a part of Xi Jinping’s purge of the highest ranking members of the military. General He Weidong is one of the two vice-chairpersons of the influential Central Military Commission (CMC) and one of the 24 members of the Communist Party’s Politburo.

An inquiry into him would be unprecedented. The sole historical example in the People’s Republic of China pertains to party veteran He Long during the Cultural Revolution, who was completely rehabilitated only following Mao Zedong’s demise.

The disappearance of Chinese officials

Beijing has targeted two of the seven members of the CMC which is headed by Xi Jinping, in the last two years and the third disappeared from the public view more than a month ago. CMC member Admiral Miao Hua was expelled from the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, which is the nation’s highest legislative. He directed the Communist Party’s ideological framework and personnel changes. He was relieved of his duties and subjected to an investigation in late November.

The dismissal of Tang Yong, who served as the deputy head of the military’s anti-corruption agency, from his position in the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the premier political advisory institution in the country, in March has also been viewed as a sign that he is under suspicion for corruption.

Li Shangfu became the shortest-serving defense chief in decades when he was fired as China’s defense minister in late 2023. He was kicked out of the CMC a few months later. Both him and Wei Fenghe, his predecessor and the defense minister from 2018 to 2023, were ousted from the party after becoming the subject of corruption inquiries.

The first official explanation for Li Shangfu’s abrupt departure came from a report by China’s top military authority, the Central Military Commission, which claimed that both individuals had “gravely hurt the work of the party,” the advancement of defense and the reputation of senior leaders. Dong Jun, the first individual to hold the position of navy chief after his departure, in December, is also under scrutiny for corruption.

Qin Gang, China’s former foreign minister, disappeared from the public eye in June 2023, months after taking office, in another high-profile case that ended in outster. A month later, he was sacked as foreign minister, reports FirstPost. Other representatives have similarly went missing from time to time. The head of the People’s Armed Police Force General Wang Chunning has been missing from important meetings and has since faded from the spotlight. Ground force commander Li Qiaoming and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) naval commissar Yuan Huazhi, have reportedly been unaccounted for since last December.

The People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force commander, General Li Yuchao, and his deputy, General Liu Guangbin also vanished in 2023. Xi Jinping ordered their replacements in August. Wang Houbin, who has been the PLA navy’s deputy commander since 2020, was subsequently named the Rocket Force’s commander by the Chinese president. The Rocket Force also appointed Xu Xisheng, a member of the party central committee and an air force officer as its new political commissar.

The head of the ministry of industry and information technology, Xiao Yaqing, dropped from the scene in July 2022. Three weeks later, he was under investigation for corruption, according to official media. Since Xi Jinping’s rise to power in China, at least 78 senior officers within the PLA, holding no less than a two-star rank, consisting of eight former or serving members of the CMC, have been removed from their posts.

Xi Jinping’s iron fist control

An analyst mentioned, “The most powerful tools that Xi uses to control the PLA are his anti-corruption campaign, which allows him to purge the corrupted, disloyal and incapable ones, and his military reform plan, which allows him to reshape the PLA’s structure and modernisation, promoting the loyal and capable ones to newly created crucial positions. I see no changes in these factors,” according to South China Morning Post.

“After all, while Xi’s control over the military certainly cannot compare to that of war veterans such as Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, he is certainly much stronger than Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao,” he added. Xi Jinping was allegedly able to capitalize on the influence of his father, revolutionary veteran Xi Zhongxun and his prior experience as secretary to former Chinese defense minister Geng Biao, unlike previous leaders Jiang Zemin and Hu Jintao who lacked substantial military backgrounds or connections prior to their ascent to power.

According to the analyst, given that the majority of CMC members were known to be his loyalists, he demonstrated unassailable and overwhelming control over top military appointments, particularly following the 20th party session in 2022. He added that Xi Jinping’s ability to defy the customary “retire at 68” regulation to retain Zhang Youxia, the dependable vice-chairman of the CMC, who was 72 at the time, for at least another five-year term was a vital hint.

The Beijing-based analyst voiced, “They are all Xi’s loyalists, but that doesn’t mean that there are no frictions or tensions among them. There is a cutthroat race for the top posts in the next CMC among the top commanders as the 21st party congress is just two years away,” mentioned South China Morning Post. The crackdowns would actually increase Xi’s influence since they highlighted that he had “the ultimate say on who to hire and who to fire,” confirming his overwhelming control over top appointments, noted Deng Yuwen, former deputy editor of the Central Party School’s official journal.

“This is by far the largest shake-up of PLA leadership and state-owned enterprises involved in military procurement in recent memory. It suggests deep anxiety and dysfunction within the ranks of China’s military, and a failure of trust between Xi and the military,” conveyed Lyle Morris, per Economic Times. He works at the US-based Center for China Analysis as the Senior Fellow for Foreign Policy and National Security. He stated that these visible actions indicated a significant issue of trust and corruption within the PLA.

200 new detention facilities in China

Over 200 specialized detention centers have been constructed or extended nationwide by China to further President Xi Jinping’s expanding anti-corruption initiative. Suspects could be detained in these “Liuzhi” centers for at least six months without access to family visits or legal representation. The contentious “shuanggui” system, which was criticized for torture and abuse, was replaced by Liuzhi, which was codified in 2018.

The facilities feature padded floors, 24-hour security and security cameras to keep an eye on the inmates. Officials, civil servants and managers of public institutions are also among their targets in addition to members of the Communist Party. More than 218 Liuzhi centers were constructed or enlarged between 2017 and November 2024. The extended detention policy, according to critics, permits forced confessions and misuse of authority.

According to a lawyer who defends officials in corruption trials, inmates frequently endure torture, intimidation and intense psychological pressure. “Most succumb to the agony,” he stated, based on NDTV. There is a nationwide plan in place to build these facilities between 2023 and 2027 and authorities have set standard construction guidelines for liuzhi centers.

Local anti-graft organizations might be misusing their authority by holding entrepreneurs on fictitious accusations in order to demand bribes, according to critics. Economist Zhou Tianyong argued that such practices could hurt China’s economy and called for reforms in a now-censored piece.

Xi Jinping’s millionaire family

According to a US intelligence report, the family of Chinese President Xi Jinping still owns millions of dollars in financial interests and economic endeavors in China and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) remains plagued by “endemic” corruption, despite his ten-year anti-corruption campaign targeting the officials. It asserted that Xi Jinping’s family has maintained significant financial stakes in both state-owned and private companies via their political ties.

It mentioned, “Their high-ranking positions could have provided them with access to privileged information, and both private and state-run enterprise activities might have benefited family investments due to their associations with people in political authority.” The report further emphasised, “Corruption is an endemic feature of and challenge for China, enabled by a political system with power highly centralized in the hands of the CCP, a CCP-centric concept of the rule of law, a lack of independent checks on public officials, and limited transparency.”

The research stated that the combined assets of Xi Jinping’s siblings, nieces and nephews “amounted to over $1 billion in real estate and business investments.” It unveiled, “Their senior-level positions would have granted access to privileged information and both private and state-owned enterprise actions could have advantaged family holdings due to their connections to persons with political power.”

According to the report, bribery is the source of illegal income for up to 65% of Chinese government officials. “Corruption in China often involves money in the form of different types of bribery or graft, and open-source research has demonstrated that some officials and their families have amassed significant wealth due to their positions and connections,” the report stated.

Jinping launched an anti-corruption campaign at all levels of the Communist Party after taking office in 2012. It targeted both high-ranking “tigers” and low-ranking “flies” and led to hundreds of thousands of officials being investigated and punished, according to RFA (Radio Free Asia). Centralized control, a lack of independent scrutiny, and limited accountability, particularly at the province level, are systemic problems that contribute to corruption in China, per the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

According to the research, these circumstances allow public servants to accumulate riches through corrupt activities at a pace that is estimated to be four to six times their official wages. it revealed that Xi Jinping first targeted his political adversaries or people connected to them with charges of corruption.

Editor-in-Chief of Newslaundry, who downplayed the rape of minor girl in Nainital, was earlier convicted of criminal defamation: Read the case in detail

Dibakar Dutta
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Editor-in-Chief of Newslaundry, who downplayed the rape of minor girl in Nainital, was earlier convicted of criminal defamation: Read the case in detail

The Editor-in-Chief of Newslaundry, Raman Kirpal, had recently stirred the hornet’s nest by downplaying the rape of a minor Hindu girl in Nainital by a 65-year-old Muhammad Usman as an ‘affair’ and ‘small incident.’

He made the comments on Saturday (3rd April) during the course of a podcast on the YouTube channel of the propaganda outlet, which was taken down after being called out on social media.

When the public outcry became intense, both Kirpal and Newslaundry were forced to tender an apology.

Kirpal is not new to controversies. The current Editor-in-Chief of Newslaundry had previously been convicted of criminal defamation in 2007.

As a reporter of the Pioneer in 1994, he published a fake interview of the district magistrate of Muzaffarnagar, Anant Kumar Singh.

Kirpal had falsely claimed that the district magistrate made a statement favouring rape of women in the village. Singh dragged the accused to the court, where he was declared guilty, fined and sentenced to jail.

But he got away with just a fine and apology in 2022 since he was a ‘first-time offender’ and 28 years had passed since the incident (when Kirpal published the fake interview of Anant Kumar Singh).

Raman Kirpal and the background of the case

It was October 1994. Raman Kirpal was a reporter with the Pioneer. He ran a fake story with the headline ‘Any man will rape a woman in a lonely spot: DM, Muzaffarnagar.’

This concocted story was published both in the Pioneer and the Hindi daily Swatantra Bharat. The then magistrate of Muzaffarnagar, Anant Kumar Singh, had not given any such interview or made any statement to Raman Kirpal.

Despite this, Kirpal attributed the following statement to Singh – “You see, it is human tendency when a woman is seen at a lonely place in a jungle, any man will be inclined to rape her.“

Singh had denied giving any such interview from Day 1. This did not stop the Pioneer and Swantantra Bharat from publishing the fake interview.

The magistrate of Muzaffarnagar issued a contradiction, which was not covered by the editors of either of the newspapers. He then notified the Press Council of India (PCI), which reprimanded the journalists and the papers.

The criminal defamation case and its aftermath

Forced by circumstance, Anant Kumar Singh filed a criminal defamation case in 1997. Ten years later, in 2007, Raman Kirpal was convicted of publishing a ‘concocted, false and defamatory’ interview.

He was fined ₹5000 and sentenced to 1 year of rigorous imprisonment by a special court.

Suresh Chandra, the special chief judicial magistrate, observed that Anant Kumar Singh had proved beyond a reasonable doubt that the interview published by Raman Kirpal and others was defamatory and concocted.

“The accused people have failed to prove that the reporter had actually taken the interview,” the judge noted. Kirpal had vowed to file an appeal in the Allahabad High Court.

In 2012, an additional district judge in Lucknow issued non-bailable warrants against Raman Kirpal and cancelled his bail application. His appeal was also dismissed, and the conviction was upheld.

Judge P.N. Srivastav noted that Anant Kumar Singh “has proved beyond reasonable doubt that the interview written and published by the appellants have lowered his reputation in the eyes of the common man while the appellants have failed to produce any evidence which may even suggest that the reporter has taken the interview.”

When the accused claimed to be innocent

However, Raman Kirpal was successful in getting a stay on the warrants from the Allahabad High Court. He had claimed to The Hindu newspaper that the ‘interview’ indeed took place.

“I also had a photographer with me who took pictures during the interview, providing additional proof that the interview took place. Unfortunately, I had left The Pioneer by then, and the newspaper also changed hands, my taxi bills proving my trip to Muzaffarnagar have been lost,” he alleged.

Apology of Raman Kirpal and the verdict of the Allahabad High Court

The matter came to an end in August 2022 when the Allahabad High Court, in its judgment, accepted the ‘apology’ of Raman Kirpal and let him go with a fine. The court observed that 28 years had passed since the incident.

The current Editor-in-Chief of Newslaundry, who had claimed to be innocent in 2012, said this in his apology-

“Realizing my mistake, I offer my unconditional apology to the Respondent No. 2/Original Complainant for publishing such defamatory and derogatory news about him and sincerely express my regrets for the irreparable loss, pain and agony caused to him, his family and friends. I am deposing the same voluntarily without being influenced by coercion or inducement. I also submit that any such false attributions made were entirely unintentional, non-wilful and inadvertent.”

The court noted,

“Thus, this Court thinks that the apology tendered by the revisionist is genuine and bonafide. The incident took place 28 years back. The two courts have concurrently held the revisionist guilty for offence under sections 500 I.P.C. The two courts have convicted and sentenced the revisionist as mentioned above.“

“It is not disputed that the accused-revisionist is the first time offender and was not previously convicted in any other case. Learned counsel for the revisionist submits that in view of the express provisions of Section 361 Cr.P.C., considering the facts and circumstances, nature of the offence, the character of the accused-revisionist and particularly, the time period which has lapsed since the date of incident, the benefit of Section 4 of the Act may be granted in this case.“

The Allahabad High Court also upheld his conviction but released him on probation. The court directed Raman Kirpal to pay a personal bond of ₹50000. He was further told to keep ‘peace in society’ and refrain from committing further offence.

Kirpal was additionally directed to pay ₹1 lakh to Anant Kumar Singh, whom he defamed through his fake interview.

Bengaluru Police summon Sonu Nigam over alleged Kannada remarks made during concert in the city

ANI
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Bengaluru Police summon Sonu Nigam over alleged Kannada remarks made during concert in the city

The Bengaluru District Police on Monday issued a notice to playback singer Sonu Nigam, asking him to appear before the investigation officer within a week.

This comes after an FIR was filed against Nigam on May 3 at the Avalahalli Police Station in Bengaluru Rural District for allegedly making hurtful remarks about the Kannadiga community during a music event in Bengaluru. The remarks were reportedly made on stage and were captured in a video that has since gone viral.

The complaint was lodged by Dharmaraj A, President of the Bengaluru City District Unit of Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, a pro-Kannada group. The FIR includes charges under Sections 351(2), 352(1), and 353 of the Indian Penal Code.

The complaint accuses Sonu Nigam of making “objectionable and emotionally provocative” statements that have hurt the sentiments of the Kannadiga community and incited hatred among various linguistic communities in Karnataka.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike staged a protest against Nigam at Freedom Park in Bengaluru for his alleged anti-Kannada statement.

Earlier this week, Nigam responded to the controversy, saying he had no intention to hurt anyone and was only performing.

The singer took to social media to explain that a group of four to five individuals had caused disturbance during his event by shouting and threatening him to sing in Kannada.

In a self-made video posted on his Instagram handle, Sonu Nigam said, “There were only 4-5 goons who were shouting. In fact, thousands of people were stopping them. I remember the girls were shouting at them, ‘Don’t disturb the scene.’ And it was very important to remind them that no one asked for the language when the pants were taken off in the Pahalgam incident… Kannadigas are very nice people. Don’t think there’s any wave or movement; there are always a few bad people everywhere. I’m sure of it.” 

1971 Bhuj war heroes call on PM Modi to avenge Pahalgam massacre: Read how 300 women helped to rebuild IAF airstrip

Rukma Rathore
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1971 Bhuj war heroes call on PM Modi to avenge Pahalgam massacre: Read how 300 women helped to rebuild IAF airstrip

During the 1971 India-Pakistan War, a squadron of Sabre jets released over 14 Napalm bombs on the Indian Air Force airstrip located in Bhuj, Kachchh distrcit, on the night of 8th December. The attack incapacitated the airstrip, hindering the takeoff of Indian combat aircraft. The Indian Air Force (IAF) appealed to the Border Security Force (BSF) for the restoration of the airstrip, but time was running short and and the labor force was scant.

In this critical moment, 300 villagers, mostly women, fueled by unwavering patriotism, resolved to come out form their homes, in Madhapur of Bhuj and undertook the daunting challenge of restoring the airstrip and completed the task within a mere 72 hours.

Kanbai Shivji Hirani, one of those brave women has called for strong action against Pakistan in light of the terrorist attack in Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam which claimed the lives of 26 Hindu tourists and injured multiple others, on 22nd April. She also reflected on her participation in the war and conveyed that while it was not feasible to construct the runway promptly but they managed to expedite the process and reconstructed it as it was essential for the nation.

She added that India’s triumph in the conflict brought her great joy, however, recent events have caused her considerable distress. “When we won the war, we were very happy. Today, what Pakistan has done (in Pahalgam) is very wrong,” she voiced.

“In 1971, when the war between India and Pakistan happened, I was 24 years old. At that time, Pakistan bombed the runway in Bhuj. They destroyed everything during a nighttime bombing raid. Then the question arose, what do we do now,” the unsung heroine recounted and remarked that more than 300 women came together to fix the structure. She further stated, “So we came to Madhapur. The collector came with us. On the first day, 30 women went. On the second day, even more went. By the third day, 322 women were working.”

She talked about the precarious circumstances they faced at the time while working and highlighted, “When Pakistani planes came, we hid. I had a green cloth because it helped us blend into the environment. It looked like part of nature. I had a lot of green cloth. I didn’t have 5 rupees, so I took 1 rupee from here and there to buy it. We left home at 7 am and returned at 7 pm. We were told – ‘When the first siren goes off loudly, hide wherever possible, behind whatever environment you can find.’ Then, ‘When the second siren sounds, come out and get back to work.’ That’s how we worked. We risked our lives, but we had to save India.”

She asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to act decisively against Pakistan. “PM Modi should take action on this, stop the water and food supply to Pakistan. The only way they will understand things is to stop it.”

How 300 women helped Indian Air Force in 1971

The 1971 India-Pakistani War, also referred to as the Bangladesh Liberation War, pitted an oppressive Pakistan against India’s Mitro Bahini forces. The event occurred during the Bangladesh Liberation War in East Pakistan, which commenced on 3rd December 1971 and concluded with the Fall of Dhaka on 16th December 1971. The conflict commenced with aerial assaults from Operation Chengiz Khan targeting 11 Indian air bases.

Pakistani aircraft dropped bombs at least 63 air to ground bombs on the runway of the Bhuj air force station during the 1971 war, effectively preventing the Indian Air Force from conducting offensive missions from there. The IAF sought to make the station operational with the aid of the BSF and the limited resources at their disposal, but their efforts fell short. The IAF eventually reached out to the Kutch district collector to request for help in rebuilding the damaged runway.

300 individuals, primarily women who were daily wagers, stepped forward as a shining example of selflessness and patriotism when when the residents Madhapar hamlet learned of the development. Upon receiving information about the bombs, the valiant women made their way to the airfield to fix it, prioritizing their country over their own safety and that of their families and boarded the army vehicle. They departed from their residences to assist the Air Force. Their primary objective was to ensure that pilots could return to flying from this airstrip.

How the women fought against all odds

“The villagers worked relentlessly, despite continued attacks on the runway by Pakistan aircraft and helped make it operational for the IAF to undertake offensive operations against the enemy,” informed an official. According to Valbai Seghani, one of the fearless women, she felt like a soldier, reported Ahmedabad Mirror. She revealed how the women did not consider their safety or their families at all before boarding the army vehicle and heading to the airstrip to secure it on 9th December 1971, when they were informed about the attacks.

“We were 300 women who left our homes to help the Air Force, determined to ensure the pilots fly again from here. If we were to die, it would have been an honourable death,” she outlined. “The sound of fighter jets scared us. We were not able to sleep. We came to know about the bombing and destruction only the next morning,” she narrated the frightening experience.

Women repairing the runway. (Source: Jagran Josh)

“We would immediately run and hide in the bushes. We were asked to wear pale green saris to camouflage ourselves. A short siren was an indication that we could resume work. We toiled from dawn to dusk to make optimum use of the daylight,” she further stated. The women were told to support the admirable cause by the District Collector at the time. However, the women voluntarily enlisted when Jadhavjibhai Hirani, the village sarpanch, personally asked them to assist the army.

“We began work and were guided by the officers. A long siren would go off when there was any indication of Pakistani bombers approaching us. We would immediately run and hide in the bushes. We were asked to wear pale green sarees to camouflage. A short siren was indication that we could resume work. We toiled from dawn to dusk to make optimum use of the daylight,” Seghani expressed. “We also camouflaged all the bridges by smearing them with cow dung so the army was able to get continuous supplies,” she mentioned.

Chose nation over family

Seghani’s neighbor took care of her 18-month-old boy while she was away for three days. “The neighbour used to ask me who will take care of my son if something happened to me. I had no answer. I only knew this was the time my brothers needed me the most. I still remember how the pilots took care of us,” she added and declared, “I am only 74 and I can serve my soldiers and my country again if they need me. Pakistan should know that we are not born to be defeated,” with a proud heart and a raised fist.

“We were instructed to cover the strip with cow dung, in order to camouflage it from the enemy’s planes. While working, we had to scurry for shelter in bunkers often at the sound of siren. Taking shelter in bunkers during air strikes, we had to survive on Sukhadi and chilli,” stated Viru Lachhani who was also part of the valorous squad.

Some of the brave women. (Source: The Better India)

Hiruben Bhudia had a similar experience. “The air strip in Bhuj was completely devastated by Pakistani bombers that dropped 14 nepalm bombs on the night of 8th December 1971. The air strip needed to be reconstructed on a war footing, and for which, officials were not in a position to wait for long. They hurriedly took a decision to get the repair work done by locals. They contacted us and we responded to the crisis in an equally quick manner,” she recalled, in an interview with The Times of India.

According to Air Force documents, the bombardment had devastated the airfield and made it difficult for combat planes to take off. There wasn’t enough labor to fix the runway. A hamlet close to Madhapar used to supply water to the defense personnel and when the locals heard about the issue the issue, they volunteered to assist. They had nothing to eat on the first day. On the second, they received fruits and sweets from a nearby temple. After three days of arduous labor, the planes departed the airstrip at approximately 4 pm on the fourth day.

The Indira Gandhi administration eventually acknowledged their efforts when the war ended and the women received a group award of Rs 50,000 in addition to being felicitated at a public event. All of the women, however, asked to give the amount for Madhapar Navavas Gram Panchayat’s community center.

“The airstrip needed to be reconstructed on a war footing. However, due to labour shortage they counted on us. In 72 hours, we ensured they were back to the skies. We still have the same energy and if the armed forces need us, we will work for them again. Three years after the war, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi had offered us gifts but we refused it saying what we did was for our country. A cash reward of Rs 50,000 was donated for a community hall at Madhapar,” Bhudia noted.

Squadron leader Vijay Karnik: Man behind the plan

The surprising and heroic participation of the women from the village of Bhuj during the War of 1971 was orchestrated by squadron leader Vijay Karnik. He was the driving force behind the plan to organize Madhapur women to repair the damaged airfield while he served as a Wing Commander in 1971. During the conflict, he was in command of the Bhuj airport. He made sure the airstrip remained operational in spite of the damage caused by the bomb strike, working with two senior officers, 50 IAF and 60 Defense Security Corps troops.

Squadron leader Vijay Karmik (Source: TV9 Bharatvarsh)

“We were fighting a war and if there had been any casualties of any of these women, it would have been a great loss to the war effort. But I took the decision and it worked out. I had briefed them where they could take shelter if attacked and they followed it bravely,” he pointed out. After nine years of service, he was the youngest base commander in the 1971 conflict.

Notably, the purpose of Bhuj, a forward base officially known as a C&MU (Care and Maintenance Unit) was to provide emergency recovery for returning aircrafts as well as staging facilities for aircrafts heading towards Pakistan. All of the IAF’s activities were carried out from Jamnagar Air Base, about 100 kilometers south of Bhuj. Pakistan sought to isolate and seize the Kutch region, but, the efforts of the women prevented their evil agenda from coming to fruition.

The timely help of the women ensured that the Indian Air Force could maintain its operations and enabled India to establish a firm position in the conflict, ultimately shattering Pakistan’s aspirations of reaching Delhi.

“All the ladies were educated, girls were studying in schools and colleges. I approached them and somehow they got convinced and they dared to come. Initially 30 came, followed by 100 and then the whole village came. With great courage, they entered the runway and started repairing when the war was going on, infact when the war was at its peak,” mentioned Karnik while talking to India TV.

On 24th December 1971, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi came to Bhuj. “It is the only airbase she visited after the war. She didn’t visit any airbase except Bhuj. Then she addressed us, the airforce staff, thanked us and said you’ve done a great job and saved Kutch from going into the hands of Pakistan,” he further revealed.

“Then there was a function in the Circuit House where all these women were present and they met Indira Gandhi, talked to her and told her about their experiences, spent almost 3-4 hours with her. In the evening, there was a rally, Indira Gandhi was addressing the rally and she said we have won the war, great job done by the armed forces. She also said that earlier we had one Jhansi ki Rani and now 300 Jhansi ki Rani who actually took part in the construction process,” the war hero added.

When Air Marshal Daljit Singh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command, visited Air Force Station Bhuj in 2014 as part of Air Force Day celebrations, the villagers were honored and felicitated for their invaluable services. A total of 90 attendees from the village were honored, comprising 70 “Veeranganas” (brave women).

Harjit Kaur, head of the Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional), presented the sarpanch with a donation for the benefit and advancement of local women. A war memorial named “Virangana Smarak” was established in Madhapur 2018 to honour them.

The exceptional portrayal of valor and patriotism was depicted on the silver screen in “Bhuj: The Pride of India,” released in 2021. Ajay Devgn portrayed the character of Karmik, while Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha, Nora Fatehi, Sharad Kelkar and Ammy Virk appeared in significant roles.

From defaced temples to Khalistanis demanding removal of all Hindus from Canada, how change from Trudeau to Carney as PM hasn’t seen any change in Anti-Hindu rhetoric in Canada

Anurag
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From defaced temples to Khalistanis demanding removal of all Hindus from Canada, how change from Trudeau to Carney as PM hasn’t seen any change in Anti-Hindu rhetoric in Canada

On 4th May, pro-Khalistani elements living in Canada organised an anti-Hindu parade in Toronto. The Khalistanis openly called for the deportation of 8 lakh Hindus residing in Canada. The anti-Hindu parade took place outside the Malton Gurdwara and drew sharp criticism online. The parade was organised at a time when Canada had just elected Mark Carney as the Prime Minister in recently held elections.

Carney had replaced Justin Trudeau as the leader of the Liberal Party following infighting within the party, and waning public trust in Trudeau’s leadership. However, it seems that the Carney administration’s stance on pro-Khalistani elements is unlikely to change significantly from that during Trudeau’s tenure.

Khalistani parade featured Modi, Shah, Jaishankar’s effigies in cages

Notably, the parade featured effigies of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, handcuffed and caged. The aim appeared to be to mock Indian leadership while accusing them of attacks on pro-Khalistani Sikhs in Canada. Such attacks on Indian leadership have increased exponentially since the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was killed in a gang-related incident outside his Gurdwara in Surrey in June 2023. Following his murder, then Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, accused Indian agents of killing Nijjar, an accusation for which Canada failed to provide any evidence.

Returning to the parade, the attendees chanted slogans calling for Punjab’s liberation from India to form Khalistan, a country for Sikhs. While these parades are not new to Canada, the timing of this latest rally has sparked outrage, given Carney’s recent assumption of office. It has raised concerns over whether he intends to follow Trudeau’s appeasement playbook or introduce stricter enforcement against separatist hate groups operating from within Canada.

Recently, during the Khalsa Parade in Canada, operatives and the Jathedar of the Khalistani terrorist organisation Babbar Khalsa, along with members of Amritpal Singh’s militia group Anandpur Khalsa Force (AKF), were seen in videos. Babbar Khalsa-linked terrorist Santokh Singh Khalsa, who was convicted for plotting the bombing of AI Flight AI-112, was also seen giving speeches at the parade. The Khalsa Parade occurred just days before the elections in Canada.

Journalists and citizens question Carney’s silence

Videos of the parade were shared by Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman. He called it a glaring display of “anti-Hindu hatred”. In a post on X, he wrote, “The Jihadis rampaging through our streets have done significant damage to the social fabric, running around threatening any Jews they can find. But the Khalistanis are giving them a good run for their money on most hateful foreign-funded menace to society. Will Mark Carney’s Canada be any different from Justin Trudeau’s?”

The post came in response to Shawn Binda’s alarming message, where he stated that Khalistani gangs at Malton Gurdwara demanded the deportation of Hindus. He wrote, “K-Gang at Malton Gurdwara (Toronto) shamelessly demands 800,000 Hindus—whose vibrant communities span Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname, Jamaica, South Africa, Netherlands, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Kenya, and beyond—be deported to ‘Hindustan’. This isn’t a protest against India’s government; it’s blatant anti-Hindu hatred from a Khalistani terrorist group, notorious for Canada’s deadliest attack, yet arrogantly claiming the right to stay.”

In the video shared by Binda, a man is heard saying, “India says there is nothing left for it in Canada. This is a message to the 8 lakh Indians living here, take them back to Hindustan.”

A dangerous precedent – Not a protest against India, but Hindus

It must be noted that this was not a regular protest against the Indian government. It was a hate-filled parade targeting Hindus. The Khalistani elements in Canada have shown that a change in leadership will not deter them from targeting Hindus and India. They continue to spew venom just as they did during Trudeau’s tenure. Canada’s political chapter may have changed, but the content of the book remains the same.

Notably, Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, one of the leading torchbearers of the Khalistani movement worldwide, has recently launched an attack against India while siding with Pakistan after the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack. Notably, the Pakistan-sponsored terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba’s offshoot, The Resistance Force, killed 26 innocent Hindus in Pahalgam.

Following the attack, India launched a diplomatic and strategic counterattack on Pakistan. Irked by India’s actions and the rising possibility of war between India and Pakistan, Pannun claimed on a Pakistani channel that Sikhs in Punjab would not allow the Indian Army to launch an attack on Pakistan from Punjab if Pakistan openly supports Khalistan, a separate Sikh nation.

Khalistani elements have also often attacked Hindu temples in Canada on multiple locations. They often deface walls of the temples with anti-India and pro-Khalistan slogans. In November 2024, Khalistani goons attacked Hindu temple in Canada’s Brampton leading to severe criticism of the Trudeau-led government.

Keeping such rhetoric in mind, it is essential for the Indian government to take a strong stance against Khalistani elements in Canada and to pressurise the Canadian government to curb these forces. Trudeau miserably failed to do so despite India’s repeated requests, merely for the sake of vote bank politics. Now that the leadership has changed, India may choose to put pressure on Prime Minister Carney to take concrete action against anti-India and anti-Hindu elements. However, the recent parade has cast serious doubt on Canada’s willingness to act.

Kashi draws 11.46 crore visitors in first quarter of 2025, number of people coming to the holy city booms after Kashi Vishwanath Corridor

OpIndia Staff
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Kashi draws 11.46 crore visitors in first quarter of 2025, number of people coming to the holy city booms after Kashi Vishwanath Corridor

The Kashi Vishwanath Dham in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi is attracting record-breaking number of people, not only from eithin India, but also from around the world. In just the first quarter of 2025, after the launch of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, the domestic footfall in Kashi surged by 77.59%, with the number of foreign visitors rising by 34.21%.

The holy city of Mahadev attracted over 11.46 crore visitors in Q1 2025 (January to March), significantly higher than the footfall recorded in 2024.

As per the government data, in the first quarter of 2024, Kashi was visited by 2.56 crore people. This translates into an increase of around 8.89 crore domestic visitors in Q1 2025.

Similarly, foreign visitors also surged from 98,961 in 2024 to 1,50,425 in 2025, recording an increase of 51,464 visitors in first three months of the year.

Notably, the increase in footfall can be attributed to many factors, especially the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December 2021, rejuvenation of Ganga Ghats, beautiful roads, cleanliness, new ropeway project, cruise service, and the divine Ganga Aarti.

Back in 2021, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple area was from 2,700 sq ft to 5 lakh sq ft under the Kashi Vishwanath Dham Corridor project worth Rs 900 crores which was launched by PM Narendra Modi. The BJP-led government established direct connectivity between the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and the river Ganga through Jalasen, Manikarnika, and Lalita ghats. This project has significantly contributed to increased connectivity, beautification of the sacred city and attracting domestic and foreign visitors.

According to Rajendra Rawat, Deputy Director of the Tourism Department, the development that has taken place in Banaras in the last eight years is showing results today. Earlier, where the number of visitors coming here was in lakhs, now this figure has reached crores.

Trump imposes 100% tariff on movies made outside USA, calls them ‘national security’ threat, may impact Bollywood, Tollywood movie makers

Anurag
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Trump imposes 100% tariff on movies made outside USA, calls them ‘national security’ threat, may impact Bollywood, Tollywood movie makers

On 5th May (local time), the President of the United States, Donald Trump, imposed a 100% tariff on any and all movies produced in foreign lands and released in the US. In a post on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump called such movies a “threat to national security” and claimed that, because of the incentives provided by foreign countries, filmmakers and studios have shifted outside the US.

In his post, Trump said, “The Movie Industry in America is DYING a very fast death. Other Countries are offering all sorts of incentives to draw our filmmakers and studios away from the United States. Hollywood, and many other areas within the U.S.A., are being devastated. This is a concerted effort by other Nations and, therefore, a National Security threat. It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda! Therefore, I am authorizing the Department of Commerce, and the United States Trade Representative, to immediately begin the process of instituting a 100% Tariff on any and all Movies coming into our Country that are produced in Foreign Lands. WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!”

Source: Truth Social

According to ProdPro, production spending in the US stood at $14.54 billion in 2023, which was down by 26% compared to 2022. However, countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK saw an increase in spending over the same period.

According to a report on CNN, it is unclear how the US administration intends to impose a 100% tariff on films made outside the US and released in the country. Films are essentially intellectual property and not goods. They can be described as services, which are not currently subject to tariffs. However, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) states that some services can still face other trade restrictions, such as special regulations or tax benefits granted to local companies.

If imposed, it could make things difficult for American filmmakers, as other countries might retaliate. They may stop offering incentives and could impose additional taxes on films made in the US, making it harder for American filmmakers to attract viewers to cinemas.

Furthermore, certain stories require filming in real locations outside the US. If tariffs or penalties are introduced, it would discourage filmmakers from shooting abroad, which would undoubtedly compromise quality and authenticity.

Such tariffs could also reduce global collaboration. Modern films often involve international talent, including actors, crews, and editors. Many films in the US are edited in foreign countries such as India, where studios offer VFX editing for major productions.

For example, according to Filmfare, VFX elements for films such as The Jungle Book, Life of Pi, Avengers: Endgame, Thor: The Dark World, Gravity, and many others were completed in India. If tariffs are imposed, the cost of hiring Indian VFX companies would increase severalfold.

Not to forget, it will also make it significantly more expensive for streaming services to release foreign films and shows on their platforms in the US, which may further lead to an increase in monthly subscription fees. For instance, Korean TV series are highly popular in the US. According to Polygon, viewership numbers for TV series produced in South Korea rose by 200% in the US between 2019 and 2021 and have continued to increase steadily since then. For streaming platforms like Netflix, releasing such content will become costlier due to the tariff.

How tariffs will affect Indian filmmakers

As the US administration has received the green light to impose a 100% tariff on foreign films, it will become expensive for Indian filmmakers to release their films in the US. It is notable that Indian films have performed exceptionally well in the US over the past decade.

According to IMDb, the highest-grossing Indian movies in the US include Baahubali 2: The Conclusion ($21.3M / ₹1,767 crore), Kalki 2898 AD ($15M / ₹1,245 crore), RRR ($13.9M / ₹1,154 crore), Pathaan ($11.4M / ₹946 crore), Pushpa: The Rule – Part 2 ($11M / ₹913 crore), Jawan ($9.95M / ₹826 crore), Baahubali: The Beginning ($8.46M / ₹703 crore), Animal ($7.90M / ₹656 crore), Jailer ($7.70M / ₹639 crore), and Salaar ($7.29M / ₹605 crore). Interestingly, seven out of the top ten highest-grossing Indian films in the US are from the South.

It is evident that Indian films, particularly from the South Indian film industry (Tollywood), perform well in the US. However, the tariff proposed by the US President will make it more expensive and difficult for Indian filmmakers to release films in the US. Ticket prices will rise, which could further deter audiences from visiting cinemas.

Notably, in 2018, the US box office reached $12 billion. After the pandemic hit, it plunged to $2 billion. In the aftermath, several theatres shut down, and a significant portion of the audience shifted to streaming platforms such as Netflix and others, particularly those run by the studios themselves. Indian films account for only a small share of the US box office, and higher ticket prices would mean even lower collections in an already inflation-hit economy like that of the US.

US–China trade war now includes the film industry

China is the world’s second-largest film producer. In April 2025, Beijing announced that it planned to “moderately reduce” the number of US films released and viewed in China. The decision came against the backdrop of the US–China trade war.

In a statement, the China Film Administration said, “The US government’s erroneous practice of imposing excessive tariffs on China is likely to further diminish the Chinese audience’s favourable perception of American films.”

Notably, although China is a huge market for US films, the Asian giant has capped the number of foreign films for decades. Reportedly, in the early 1990s, it formalised an agreement limiting imports to 10 per year. This did not initially affect the US market, but when Titanic grossed $44 million in China in 1998, it prompted Hollywood to recognise China as a potential market.

In 1999, negotiations led China to double the number of foreign films to 20, which was further increased to 34 in 2012. In 2024, 33 US films were released in China, generating total box office receipts of $722 million.

Similarly, several Chinese films have earned substantial amounts in the US. The Great Wall made around $35 million, while Ne Zha 2, released in 2025, earned approximately $20 million in the US, making it the highest-grossing non-English-dubbed international animated film in North America.

In conclusion, the imposition of 100% tariff on foreign films by the US could result in a significant blow to the Indian film industry, specifically at the time when its global footprint is expanding. South Indian cinema has consistently delivered high-grossing hits in the US. It may face severe barriers in accessing one of its most lucrative overseas markets. Rising ticket prices, reduced incentives, and shrinking international collaborations could make it financially unviable for many Indian filmmakers to release their films in the US which will lead to devastating effects on cultural exchange and commercial growth that Indian cinema has steadily built over the past decade.

NBDA asks news channels not to invite hate mongering anti-India Pakistani commentators for TV debates and panel discussions

OpIndia Staff
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NBDA asks news channels not to invite hate mongering anti-India Pakistani commentators for TV debates and panel discussions

In the aftermath of the Pakistan-sponsored Islamic terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, the National Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) has issued an advisory asking media to refrain from inviting anti-India commentators from Pakistan for discussions.

On Sunday, May 4, NBDA issued the advisory to all editors associated with the association. The NBDA emphasised that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has raised concerns over news channels inviting anti-India commentators from Pakistan in their programs who “propagate false propaganda against India.”

“In view of the recent attack on tourists in Pahalgam, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has drawn our attention to channels inviting anti-India commentators from Pakistan in their programs who propagate false propaganda against India,” the advisory reads.

The NBDA, which is a top body representing private news broadcasters, advised the editors to “refrain from inviting panelists, speakers, and commentators from Pakistan in their programs, who are known for espousing views that undermine the sovereignty, integrity, and security of the nation and speak against our country.”

It further asked editors to exercise a “high level of editorial discretion and judgment to ensure that channels/ digital platforms are not misused for anti-India false propaganda. To ensure compliance, the Advisory may be circulated to all concerned editorial personnel.”

Meanwhile, the National Broadcasters Federation (NBF) has also issued a similar advisory cautioning its member news channels against inviting Pakistani propagandists on their news panel discussions or debate programs.

In its advisory issued on Sunday (May 4), the NBF urged news channels to uphold the “highest standards of journalistic integrity” while remaining “mindful of the public sentiment during these sensitive times”.

“As a precautionary measure, NBF strongly requests that media channels refrain from inviting guests or panelists from Pakistan to participate in any news debates, panel discussions, or programming content until further notice,” the NBF’s advisory states emphasising that this suggestion made in national interest comes “considering the current political and security context”.

Dehradun: Muslim man thrashed by mob after asking his name? Read the truth behind the viral fake news, designed to peddle ‘Muslim victimhood’ narrative

OpIndia Staff
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Dehradun: Muslim man thrashed by mob after asking his name? Read the truth behind the viral fake news, designed to peddle ‘Muslim victimhood’ narrative

On Sunday (4th May), a piece of fake news went viral on social media, wherein it was claimed that a Muslim family was attacked with a knife and an iron rod in Dehradun by a mob after asking their name and religion.

An X user named ‘Mr Haque’ tweeted, “Dehradun, Uttarakhand. A Muslim family was coming from Doiwala to Dehradun (Chanchak Banjarawala) for a wedding. Banjarawala. 5-6 people came and attacked them with iron rods and a knife at Banjarawala asking their name and religion.”

The tweet was accompanied by a video of a visibly injured and bloodied man. The fake news was amplified and retweeted by Zafarul Islam Khan, who had previously threatened the Hindu community.

Screengrab of the Twitter post

The fake news also went viral on X, with the usual suspects using the alleged incident to propagate the ‘Muslim victimhood’ angle.

The Truth behind the incident

The Dehradun Police have rubbished the claim made by ‘Mr Haque’ and others that the Muslim man was thrashed because of his religious identity. In reality, it was a case of road rage.

In a statement, the police clarified that the incident occurred on 1st May and the bloodied man was identified as Anish Ali. He and his family were en route to a wedding ceremony when his car broke down in the middle of the road.

This led to a traffic jam. A heated confrontation ensued between Ali and another man named Sanjay Rawat over the issue. They threw blows at each other, resulting in injuries on both sides.


On learning about the matter, the police reached the spot and sent the injured people to the hospital for immediate medical attention.

A large team of police was deployed in the area soon after to prevent any untoward incident. The cops also seized the CCTV footage from the site of the incident and registered multiple FIRs.

“The incident occurred due to a dispute caused by a car breaking down and causing a traffic jam. However, through social media, some people are trying to give a communal colour to the incident. The police are constantly keeping a vigilant eye on social media and identifying such people against whom strict legal action will be taken,” it cautioned.

Not the first attempt to defame Hindus

Social media is rife with fake stories of ‘Muslim victimhood’ ever since the Pahalgam terror attack, where Islamic terrorists massacred Hindus.

The make-believe stories are designed in such a way as to demonise Hindus and shift public debate from the religious profiling of victims during the Pahalgam terror attack.

This ‘Muslim victimhood’ card is employed to divert public debate from the religious hate-fueled nature of the terror attack.

OpIndia had recently debunked the fake news about the death of a Muslim corporate employee in Bengaluru at the hands of his Hindu colleagues for not chanting ‘Gayatri Mantra’ and not commenting on the Pahalgam terror attack.

The fake news was amplified by the leftist propaganda outlet, The Quint, which later deleted the story without citing any apology.

The story was covered by ‘journalist’ Aliza Noor based on a fake story by a LinkedIn user named Ishan Saxena, and she did not bother to verify the facts of the matter. It was gutted after it failed to fit the ‘Muslim victimhood’ story.

Noor (who had also written the Kolkata doctor story) has now deleted her X, LinkedIn and Instagram accounts after the exposé. She had also peddled the fake news about a Kolkata doctor ‘denying’ treatment to a Muslim patient.

The vicious ecosystem had also amplified the story of the molestation of a Kashmiri student at Jamia Millia Islamia. It later went silent when the perpetrator turned out to be Mohammed Abid from Mewat.

Brazil: Lady Gaga concert attack was planned to gain ‘notoriety on social media’

ANI
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Brazil: Lady Gaga concert attack was planned to gain ‘notoriety on social media’

Police have said that two persons arrested on suspicion of planning an attack at singer Lady Gaga’s concert in Rio de Janeiro were targeting LGBTQ+ people, CNN reported.

According to the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro, the two persons had tried to “recruit” people, including teenagers, to conduct coordinated attacks at a concert on Saturday, using improvised explosives and Molotov cocktails. According to police, the attack was planned to gain “notoriety on social media.”

In a separate development, a third person who allegedly planned to conduct a “satanist ritual by killing a child or a baby” during the concert was charged with terrorism offences, according to Brazilian police. The arrests were made following police searches at nine addresses across Brazil, CNN reported.

Around 2.1 million people attended the pop icon’s free performance at Rio’s Copacabana beach, which was Gaga’s first show in Brazil since 2012. Police said the suspects mainly wanted to target LGBTQ+ people attending the concert. Lady Gaga is a staunch supporter of the LGBTQ+ people and has previously said in a rally at World Pride NYC that she would “take a bullet” for them.

She said that people “filled with hatred and ignorance… should be looking up to the queer community and following and learning about love, and learning about grace, learning about kindness.”

According to police, the suspects were part of an online hate group that worked to radicalise young people. Police said they promoted “the dissemination of hate crimes, self-harm, pedophilia and violent content.”

According to Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security, those who have been arrested by police posed as “Little Monsters,” the name given to fans of Lady Gaga, to try and recruit people online to conduct the coordinated attacks. In response to this, police named their plan to thwart the plot “Operation Fake Monster.”

the police named their plan to thwart the bomb plot “Operation Fake Monster.” The group’s alleged leader was arrested for illegal possession of a firearm while a teenager linked to the thwarted attack was arrested for possession of child pornography, CNN reported.

According to police, 15 search and seizure warrants were served against nine targets in Brazil. One of those searched was the man who allegedly planned to kill a child or baby during the concert, as he claimed that Gaga was a satanist and he intended to “respond in the same way,” according to police officer Maria Luiza Machado. Police said he was charged with terrorism and inducing crime.

According to the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police, two of the search warrants were conducted in coordination with the US Consulate, which warned Brazilian authorities regarding potential threats. Before the singer’s concert on Sunday, a spokesperson for Lady Gaga told CNN that there were “no known safety concerns.”

In a statement to CNN, the spokesperson said, “We learned about this alleged threat via media reports this morning.” The statement read, “Prior to and during the show, there were no known safety concerns, nor any communication from the police or authorities to Lady Gaga regarding any potential risks. Her team worked closely with law enforcement throughout the planning and execution of the concert and all parties were confident in the safety measures in place.” 

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

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