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When Lata Mangeshkar endorsed the then-Gujarat CM Modi for Prime Minister of India: Read about the mutual respect the two shared

OpIndia Staff
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When Lata Mangeshkar endorsed the then-Gujarat CM Modi for Prime Minister of India: Read about the mutual respect the two shared

India lost one of the greatest singers of all time, Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar, on February 6, 2022. Did you know, back in 2013, Mangeshkar had endorsed the then-Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the post of Prime Minister.

Then-CM Modi was invited to inaugurate a super-speciality hospital in Pune built by Lata Mangeshkar in memory of her late father, Deenanath Mangeshkar in November 2013. During the event, Mangeshkar had said, “I pray to God that we see Narendra Bhai as PM.” It was just weeks after Narendra Modi was made the prime ministerial candidate for the BJP in the 2014 general elections in September 2013.

PM Modi had talked about a letter Lata Mangeshkar had written to him around six months prior to the event. He had said, “Didi wrote me a heartfelt letter around six months ago. It was full of blessings. That letter is one of the biggest gifts of my life.”

Lata Mangeshkar and PM Modi had interacted several times on social media platforms. In 2019, PM Modi shared a telephonic conversation with Mangeshkar over the phone during an episode of Mann Ki Baat to wish her for her birthday.

During the conversation, Mangeshkar sought blessings from PM Modi, to which PM said how could he give blessings to Mangeshkar as she is elder to him. She said, “There are many who are older than us, but important is the blessings of the ones who have done great service.” PM Modi mentioned whenever he went to meet Mangeshkar, she served him a Gujarati dish owning to the fact her mother was a Gujarati.

‘You have changed the picture of India’

Mangeshkar said, “You yourself do not know what you are. I know that picture of India has started changing ever since you arrived on the scene, and this gives me immense happiness.” PM Modi thanked her for the blessings and said, “I am deeply grateful to you for your concern about me.”

PM Modi pays respect to Lata Mangeshkar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted multiple tweets remembering the legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. He said, “I am anguished beyond words. The kind and caring Lata Didi has left us. She leaves a void in our nation that cannot be filled. The coming generations will remember her as a stalwart of Indian culture, whose melodious voice had an unparalleled ability to mesmerise people.”

In a follow-up tweet, he said, “Lata Didi’s songs brought out a variety of emotions. She closely witnessed the transitions of the Indian film world for decades. Beyond films, she was always passionate about India’s growth. She always wanted to see a strong and developed India.”

He added, “I consider it my honour that I have always received immense affection from Lata Didi. My interactions with her will remain unforgettable. I grieve with my fellow Indians on the passing away of Lata Didi. Spoke to her family and expressed condolences. Om Shanti.”

The Centre has announced two-day national mourning on Lata Mangeshkar’s demise.

‘After elections be ready with salt, we will bury PM Modi and Yogi’, says UP Congress leader Ajay Rai

OpIndia Staff
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‘After elections be ready with salt, we will bury PM Modi and Yogi’, says UP Congress leader Ajay Rai

Senior Congress leader and Congress candidate from Varanasi Ajay Rai has been booked for sedition for making a hate speech against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

According to the reports, the five-time MLA had held a public meeting in Pindra, Varanasi, on January 31 without obtaining permission. Sub-Inspector Ram Krishna Yadav filed the complaint.

The police officer said that Rai, in his address, asked people to metaphorically bury Prime Minister Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with salt.

“Aap log namak rakhey rakhna, March 7, 2022, ko Modi vah Yogi ko khanke gaad diya jayega (Be ready with salt, on March 7 we will bury Modi and Yogi),” Congress leader Ajay Rai had said in a public meeting. The video of the incident has now gone viral on the internet.

Sometimes, a dead body is buried with salt to fasten the decomposition process and also to mask the smell so that dogs and other animals do not dig up the grave and eat the corpse.

The police officer said that the speech was made to create enmity between people and disturb law and order. A four-member team had conducted an inquiry and concluded that an FIR should be lodged, the officer said. The police also said that Rai had violated the model code of conduct and Covid-19 protocols by organising such meetings.

“The video will be sent to a (forensic) laboratory for examination,” a senior police officer added.

The FIR has been lodged under IPC Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life), 124-A (sedition), 153-A (promoting enmity between groups and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 153 (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot).

Meanwhile, Rai denied the allegations, saying, “People have complained that salt distributed from the fair price shops was not good quality. People were falling ill after having it. I told people to collect it and bury them (the BJP) on March 7, which is voting day… A deliberate misinterpretation was done that I said something about the PM and CM.”

Ajay Rai, a five-time MLA, also contested the 2017 election from Pindra and lost to the BJP’s Avadhesh Singh. Ajay Rai had earlier contested unsuccessfully against Modi from Varanasi in the 2014 and 2019 parliamentary elections.

Months before Hijab controversy, Udupi Muslims boycotted local fishermen for protesting against illegal cow smuggling and slaughtering

OpIndia Staff
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Months before Hijab controversy, Udupi Muslims boycotted local fishermen for protesting against illegal cow smuggling and slaughtering

Three months before the ongoing Hijab controversy stirred up Karnataka, an act of provocation by local Muslims had occurred in the Udupi district.

According to the reports, in October last year, the Muslim residents of Byndoor, Udupi district, had boycotted fishermen at the Gangolli fishing port after they had taken part in a mega Padayatra organised to register protest against illegal theft and slaughter of cows. On October 1, a massive protest was organised at Gangolli against illegal slaughtering and smuggling of cows. Several fisherwomen had participated in the protest, irking the local Muslims.

Hence, in retaliation, members of the Muslim community had enforced a ban on purchasing fishes from these fisherfolks from Gangolli.

In response, the locals stood in solidarity with the fisherfolks and had extended moral support to the fisherwomen of Gangolli. On the other hand, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal (BD) had taken strong exception to the decision of a particular community deciding to boycott fish purchases from Gangolli fishing port.

The workers of the local cashew factory had also extended unequivocal support to the fisherwomen at Gangolli fish market during the incident and instilled confidence in them. They had assured the fish vending women that Hindus from different villages would come to Gangolli to purchase fish.

Exactly three months later, a similar provocative incident of communalising the atmosphere has taken place in the Udupi district in the form of the Hijab controversy.

Hijab controversy

The Hijab controversy started in Karnataka after the government strictly enforced uniform regulations in educational institutions. However, it took a dangerous turn after a few Muslim students refused to follow the guidelines and insisted that they would be wearing Hijab inside educational institutions.

In response, Hindu students have also started wearing the saffron shawls prompting the authorities to ban both outfits. However, the Muslim students have brazened it out to protest against the authorities outside, risking the future of several other students studying in the school.

The Karnataka government has categorically stated that religious attires are not allowed inside the campus, and students will have to obey uniform rules. However, some Muslim students continue to protest outside the gates, demanding the right to wear hijabs. Meanwhile, a petition arguing that Muslim women wearing Hijab should be permitted to attend classes has also been filed in the Karnataka High Court. 

However, the state government has stood firm on its stand of uniform dress code at schools and colleges of Karnataka and has ordered the mandatory wearing of uniform approved by the state government on school and college campuses.

Veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar passes away at 92

OpIndia Staff
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Veteran singer Lata Mangeshkar passes away at 92

On Sunday, February 6, legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar died of Covid-19 related complications at the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai. She was 92 years old.

As per reports, she was undergoing treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital. Lata Mangeshkar was suffering from pneumonia. She showed slight improvement in her health, but was again shifted on ventilator and ICU as her condition deteriorated. She breathed her last on Sunday morning.

Lata Mangeshkar’s musical gems need no introduction. She has sung in Hindi, Marathi, Bengali and other regional languages. She has been honoured with the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Award as well as several National and Filmfare Awards. Lata Mangeshkar’s last complete album was for 2004 Bollywood release Veer-Zaara.

Lata Mangeshkar began singing to support her family after the death of her father Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar 1942. He was a classical singer and theatre actor. In Bollywood, Lata Mangeshkar got her first major break with the song Dil Mera Toda from the 1948 film Majboor. However, her song Aayega Aanewaala from the movie Mahal (1949) became her first major hit.

‘Progressivism does not mean detaching from one’s roots’: PM Modi after inaugurating the Statue of Equality of Sri Ramanujacharya

OpIndia Staff
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‘Progressivism does not mean detaching from one’s roots’: PM Modi after inaugurating the Statue of Equality of Sri Ramanujacharya

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Statue of Equality today on the occasion of Basant Panchami at Muchintal near Hyderabad in Telangana. In his address after the inauguration, he has asserted that “Progressiveness does not mean detaching from one’s roots. Rather it is necessary that we connect with our real roots and become aware of our real power.”

The 216-feet tall Statue of Equality commemorates the 11th-century Bhakti Saint Sri Ramanujacharya, who promoted the idea of equality in all aspects of living including faith, caste, and creed.

In his address, the Prime Minister spoke on various aspects of Ramanujacharya’s life and teachings and explained how they hold importance in contemporary times. He said “In today’s world, when it comes to social reforms and progressivism, it is believed that reforms will take place only after detaching from the roots. But, when we see Ramanujacharya ji, we realize that there is no conflict between progressiveness and antiquity.”

He further said “Today Ramanujacharya ji is giving us the message of equality in the form of this magnificent statue of Equality. With this message, today the country is laying the foundation of its new future with the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas’.”

Underlining the contribution of Ramanujacharya in unifying the nation through Bhakti Sutra, PM Modi said “Ramanujacharya ji is also a shining inspiration for the unity and integrity of India. He was born in the South, but his influence is on the whole of India from South to North and East to West.”

As the program was organized in Telangana which was formerly a part of the Nizam state before it got attached to independent India on 17th September 1948, PM Modi did not forget to mention Sardar Patel and the Statue of Unity. Mentioning Hyderabad as Bhagyanagar he said, “Who better than the people of Bhagya Nagar knows the importance of Sardar Patel in unifying the nation.”

He further added “Today, on the one hand, Sardar Sahib’s Statue of Unity is repeating the oath of unity in the country, while Ramanujacharya’s Statue of Equality is giving the message of equality. This is the specialty of India as a nation.”

Before inaugurating the statue of equality, PM Modi offered Ahuti in the Vishwaksen Yagya. It is notable that Vishwaksen Yagya is a ritual organized for the completion of an undertaken task. PM Modi dedicated this Ahuti to the welfare of the nation and 135 crore Indians.

After the inauguration program, he attended the light and sound show depicting the life and works of Ramanujacharya. Chinna Jeeyar who has conceived the idea of this statue of equality thanked the Prime Minister and urged him to propagate the message of equality given by Ramanujacharya in the world.

After the light and sound show, PM Modi participated in Maha Yagya organized for consecrating Ramanujacharya’s idol in the temple on the upper floor of the temple complex. The treasurer of Ayodhya’s Shri Ram Janma Bhoomi Trust, Shri Govind Dev Giri was also present on this occasion.

A total of 144 Yagya Shala are created to accommodate 1035 Yagya Kunda and 2 lakh kg of pure desi ghee collected from various parts of the nation is used for the auspicious Ahuti. The Maha Yagya has started on 2nd February 2022 and it will conclude on 14th February 2022.

Surat: College student assaulted by Muslim classmates for ‘offensive’ social media post, two students arrested

OpIndia Staff
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Surat: College student assaulted by Muslim classmates for ‘offensive’ social media post, two students arrested

Days after youth Kishan Bharwad was killed by Muslims for blasphemy in Ahmedabad, another incident of violence over alleged blasphemy has been reported from Surat in Gujarat. Reportedly, 2 college boys were beaten by a mob of Muslims, including two of their classmates, for sharing a post on social media. After one of the boys had shared an allegedly blasphemous post on social media, he had received threats from other Muslim students in the same college studying in the same class.

Reportedly, Sunny Pandey, a student of KP Commerce College in Surat, was beaten by some students and their friends after he had posted some ‘offensive’ content on social media. When Sunny’s classmate Himanshu Dubey tried to save him, he was also beaten by the mob. The incident happened at around 11 am on Friday near the KP Commerce College in Umra is Surat.

According to a report by ABP Asmita, Sunny Pandey had received death threats on phone from Muslim students studying in the same college. They had threatened him for sharing social media posts that were allegedly offensive to their religious faith. On 4th February 2022, a mob of eight to ten Muslim attackers surrounded him in front of the college and assaulted him and his classmate Himanshu. After this attack, the boys took refuge in the nearby apartment where they hid. They were saved as the police were present in the vicinity. Later, Sunny registered a complaint with the police against the Muslim students.

Later police arrested two of the accused, who have been identified as Saiyed Sohelali and Rahil Khan. Both are first-year B.Com students of KP Commerce College. The police have charged both the arrested under IPC sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult with an intent to provoke breach of the peace), 506(2) (criminal intimidation).

Sunny Pandey said, “He was saying on the phone call that we will enter your house and kill you. He abused me. I said its ok, I accept that you might be hurt and apologize if I am wrong. I cut the phone call. I was not knowing that he will come to the college today to beat me. I came to college today. I attended the lectures. I completed my studies and as soon as I was leaving College, he appeared suddenly from somewhere and started beating me.”

The other victim Himanshu Dubey said, “There were almost ten of them. We know only two of them. Everyone else was brought from outside. The two, whom we know are from the same college and same class as ours. They had beaten us up very badly. They had called almost 8 to 9 people to beat us.”

A Hindu leader Narendra Chaudhari has said, “The boy has posted something on social media. The Muslims did not like it and hence they called him. They threatened the boy on the phone call and abused him too. The boy apologized saying that it is my mistake if you are offended. I will delete the video. And the boy deleted the post. Even after deleting the video, the next day they came and beat them up. Out of the ten people, only two were from the college while others were outsiders. Such violent activities are heating up the public mood in the nation. Even riots may begin in the recent future if this is not stopped here itself. We urge the police and the administration to prevent such incidents. Otherwise, the results of this will be very bad.”

However, police are saying that the assault took place due to personal enmity as the alleged offensive post was already deleted. Additional Commissioner of Police Sharad Singhal said, “The post was already deleted and the issue was settled. The incident has no relevance with any post as it happened due to some personal rivalry.” Similarly, DK Patel, police inspector of Umra said, “The student was attacked due to some personal rivalry between college boys and there is no truth behind the social media post.”

It is notable that after the Kishan Bharwad murder case, a series of such threats and violent incidents over social media posts have been reported in Gujarat. A youth from Anand had recently received similar death threats on a phone call.

Karnataka hijab row: Education Department asks students to wear dresses that do not affect equality, integrity

OpIndia Staff
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Karnataka hijab row: Education Department asks students to wear dresses that do not affect equality, integrity

The Karnataka Education Department on Saturday took cognisance over the hijab row, asking students to follow the dress code decided by the authorities.

The Department said students studying in the government schools should comply with the dress code requirements mandates by the state government while those in private institutions should follow the uniform dress code as asked of them by the school management.

Furthermore, students enrolled in colleges that are under the dept of Pre-University, state govt, are mandated to abide by dress code decided by the college’s development board (CDC). “If there is no such dress code, students can wear the dress which will not affect equality, integrity and law & order,” the Karnataka Education Department said.

Earlier, the Karnataka government invoked 133(2) of the Karnataka Education Act-1983 that states that religious attires are not allowed inside the campus and that a uniform style of clothing is mandatory. 

Karnataka hijab row: Institutes deny entry to burqa-clad students

The controversy first erupted in January 2022 after several Muslim students were denied entry to classes in a Udupi college because they were wearing hijab. Social media platforms were rife with videos of college authorities refusing to allow burqa-clad students inside their institutions. The college authorities had then argued that the hijab was not a part of the uniform dress code suggested to the students. Management under the new state guidelines had asked girl students to skip wearing hijab while in college. Eight girl students have constantly refused to follow the guideline as they claimed it prevented them from practising their faith. Subsequently, several other colleges also started denying entry to students who did not conform to their respective dress codes.

Meanwhile, a petition arguing that Muslim women wearing Hijab should be permitted to attend classes was accepted by the Karnataka High Court. The petition was filed by a Muslim student, asking the High Court for a direction to allow wearing a hijab in college, stating that it is her “Fundamental Right” granted under Article 14 and 25 of the Indian Constitution and “integral practise of Islam”.

As the hijab row continues to rage on, Hindu students, too, have jumped into the controversy, registering their protests against the Muslims wearing hijab by donning saffron scarves. In a Government Junior College in Kunadapur, around 100 Hindu students came to the college with saffron scarves around their necks to protest against Muslim girls continuing to wear Hijab to the college. On Saturday, in solidarity with their classmates, girl students also hit the streets by wearing saffron shawls to protest against the attempts of Muslim students to vitiate the secular atmosphere in the college by deliberately violating the rules and regulations.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya attacked by Shiv Sena workers after he accused Sanjay Raut of making Rs 100 crores illegally through COVID care centre

OpIndia Staff
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BJP leader Kirit Somaiya attacked by Shiv Sena workers after he accused Sanjay Raut of making Rs 100 crores illegally through COVID care centre

On Saturday, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya was attacked by the goons backed by Shiv Sena in Pune Municipal Corporation. Somaiya was in Pune to lodge an official complaint against Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut’s close aide and partner Sujit Patkar in case of Lifeline Hospital Management Services scam worth Rs 100 crores during the COVID19 pandemic. A video of the same has since gone viral.

“I am attacked by Shivsena Gundas inside the premises of Pune Mahapalika”, he tweeted as he said that complaint against Patkar must be registered. The BJP leader stated that Sujit Patkar had obtained the contract of management of Jumbo Covid Center at Shivaji Nagar, Pune on the basis of fraudulent documents. He also said that the Lifeline Hospital Management Services headed by Sujit Patkar did not provide the required facilities to the Centre resulting in massive death of COVID patients.

This is a day after BJP leader Kirit Somiya released a statement revealing the chaos and corruption in the allotment of COVID centre contracts to entities on paper in Pune and Mumbai. He affirmed that Sujit Patkar’s Lifeline Hospital Management Services was not in existence when it was given the contract by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM).

The Lifeline Hospital Management Services had started providing medical staff and actually running the COVID care centres at Dahisar, NSCI Waroli, Mulund and Racecourse Mahalakshmi one year before the contract was entered into. “MCGM did not receive any document, proper application, experience certificate, nothing but blindly allotted the contract to Lifeline Hospital Management Services”, the statement read.

Somaiya highlighted Sujit Patkar’s relation and partnership with Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut and said that the actual contract between the MCGM and Lifeline Hospital Management Services was never signed. “The company did not have any staff, experience, financial capacity and that resulted in a chaos”, he added.

He also mentioned that the partnership agreement submitted after one year of starting the service to COVID centre in Mumbai and that submitted to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMRDA) was totally different. At Pune’s Jumbo COVID Centre, 3 patients died within the first 7 days due to the casual attitude of the Lifeline Hospital Management Services.

The firm which was never registered under the state Partnership Act was then blacklisted and terminated by PMRDA. According to Somaiya, the four contracts by Mumbai Municipal Corporation were granted to Lifeline Hospital Management Services after Pune’s blacklisting episode.

The matter came to light when ED recently raided Sujit Patkar’s properties in connection with the land scam worth Rs 1034 crores. The document by ED reflected that Patkar had signed the agreement with MCGM one year after actually getting the contract and receiving Rs 32 crores in his account.

Sujit Patkar is also a business associate of the daughters of Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut, Purvashi and Vidhita, in their wine company Magpie DFS Pvt. Ltd since the last 16 years. ED suspects that a part of the proceeds from the Rs 1034 crore land scam may have been invested in Magpie DFS.

Watch: Former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad sings ‘Saraswati Shloka’ and extends greetings on Basant Panchami, Saraswati Puja

OpIndia Staff
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Watch: Former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad sings ‘Saraswati Shloka’ and extends greetings on Basant Panchami, Saraswati Puja

Former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad on Saturday shared a video of himself singing ‘Saraswati Shloka’, a prayer dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, on the occasion of Basant Panchami.

“Sarasvati Namastubhyam Varade Kaama-Ruupinni, Vidya Aarambham Karissyaami Siddhir-Bhavatu Me Sadaa(O Goddess Saraswathi; salutations to you, the giver of boons, the one who fulfils desires. I shall begin my studies. May there always be an accomplishment for me),” Prasad sang followed by wishing his followers a happy Saraswati Puja and Basant Panchami.

‘Saraswati Shloka’ is a Hindu prayer that is recited before the beginning of a class or beginning of one’s studies to seek blessings of Goddess Saraswati in learning all that one resolves to study. It is an address to the Goddess Saraswati, who represents all forms of knowledge, music, art, speech, wisdom, and learning. Knowledge is the most basic pursuit of human life, and a life of learning and study imparts wisdom, discipline among other virtues, and enriches human intellect.

How Venkatesh Prasad unapologetically wears his Hindu roots on his sleeve

It is worth noting that Prasad has been one of the few celebrities who have not shied away from openly expressing their Hindu roots. He joined Twitter on the 8th of April, 2021 and within a matter of a few months, he has posted some interesting content on his Twitter page, affirming his Hindu credentials.

In June 2021, Prasad had shared a video of himself where he was seen singing a few stanzas of ‘Shri Ram Stuti’ written by Goswami Tulsidas in the sixteenth century. He also shared the meaning of the stanzas he sang in the video.

“‘Shri Ram Stuti’ is an aarti, written by Goswami Tulsidas in the sixteenth century. It is a beautiful call to Lord Rama. Tried to share few stanzas with meaning,” Prasad tweeted along with his rendition of the aarti dedicated to Lord Rama.

On International Yoga Day, Venkatesh Prasad demonstrated the Surya Namaskar for his followers, performed in deference to the Sun God. He had also wished people on the occasion of Ganga Dussehra on Sunday as well. Earlier last month, he also sang the Shri Rama Stuti and shared a video of the same on Twitter. He also translated the lyrics for the audience.

Then on the occasion of Mother’s Day, Venkatesh Prasad shared verses from the Skanda Purana to wish people on the day. In another Twitter post, the cricketer also said that Hanuman Chalisa was an important part of his life on Hanuman Janmotsav.

Former UK diplomat narrates how he was set up by a British professor and monitored by Chinese Intelligence in 2018

OpIndia Staff
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Former UK diplomat narrates how he was set up by a British professor and monitored by Chinese Intelligence in 2018

The Chinese Communist Party is infamous for carrying out extensive surveillance on its citizens. China is surging towards becoming the first country in the world to implement a pervasive system of algorithmic and technology-aided supervision to keep a vigil on its entire population. It has now come to light that the country is also spying on citizens in other nations.

In an article in The Spectator, former UK diplomat Charles Patron, who had served 22 years in Communist-ruled China, narrated how he was subjected to surveillance by the Chinese Intelligence machinery. He recounted how an unnamed British Professor at an esteemed UK university set him up to be monitored by the Chinese deep State.

“In 2018, when I was an adviser to the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, a British professor suggested that my experience in EU/China relations might earn me some good money giving lectures,” he said. Patron informed that the Professor taught at a University, where members of the Chinese Communist Party are trained.

He got in touch with officials at the Shanghai International Studies University, who in turn connected him to their affiliate think tank named Shanghai Institute for European Studies (SIES). Patron stated that the University offered an all-expenses-paid trip to Shanghai.

“Since I was already due to speak in Shenzhen at a conference, we agreed to meet there to talk more about the offer. As the email said, by ‘lucky coincidence’ two of its people were in nearby Guangzhou for business the week after. It was not hard to spot that this was an intelligence approach,” the author wrote in The Spectator.

Screengrab of the article by Charles Patron in The Spectator

Charles Patron recounted how the two ‘CCP officials’ tried to trick him into believing that they are affiliated with the varsity. “Instead of meeting me in my hotel, they directed me to a discreet café. Of the two men, it was the younger, Mr Shen, who did the talking: unusual in a society where seniority matters,” he said.

“Nor was this because of the older’s lack of English. Mr Shen’s own fluency was not fit for purpose, so we switched to Chinese. They then forgot their story about doing business in Guangzhou. It was also clear that as I shifted ground on what I was competent to lecture about, they shifted too, away from their original professed interests,” Patron added.

He informed that the two men handed a printed ‘project proposal’ to him and was quick to turn to the payment section to test his ‘cupidity.’ After parting ways, he shared emails with his Chinese counterparts. They would often inquire about his plans to return to the Communist country under the pretext of one ‘innocuous’ request or the other.

“I let the correspondence lapse. But I am sure that the moment I set foot in China, Mr Shen will appear before me. Except that I won’t be going back…It wasn’t surprising that my intelligence approach was set up by a British academic: our universities are heavily targeted. Yet they seem remarkably relaxed,” he informed.

Charles Patron pointed out that UK universities did not bother to verify the background of their Professors, who often have connections to the Chinese Communist Party. He concluded, “There has, for example, been no debate as to the appropriateness of employing staff who are CCP members. At the very least, party membership should be declared, given that the oath when you join states that ‘I will fight for communism throughout my life’ and ‘be ready at all times to sacrifice my all for the party.”

Almost 100% of China’s public spaces under watch: Reports

Last year, a report published on OneZero stated that China was on the brink of achieving 100% surveillance of its public spaces with the help of the ‘Sharp Eyes’ surveillance program. The program started in 2013 from a backwater region of Pingyi County, where the local government began installing thousands of security cameras across rural and urban areas.

By 2016, a total of 28,500 cameras were installed. Even the smallest of the villages had at least 6 cameras installed, a state media report said. However, an intriguing facet of this unique surveillance program was that it turned neighbours into agents of the Chinese Communist Party, helping them in their snooping activities.

The footage from the CCTV camera was not only monitored by the law enforcement officials and automated facial recognition algorithms but they were also fed to the residents themselves with the help of special TV boxes installed in their homes.

The residents could watch live security footage coming from the CCTV cameras and summon the police in case they found anything suspicious. Two years later, in 2015, the Chinese government announced that it is going to extrapolate the program to the rest of the country.

The program was dubbed as “Xueliang Project”, or Sharp Eyes, in reference to a quote made by former Chinese ruler Mao Zedong who once wrote that “the people have sharp eyes” when looking out for neighbours that do not uphold communist ideals.

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