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Indian Express spreads fake news, claims BJP workers raised “Khalistani slogans” near Ludhiana DC’s office: Here is the truth

OpIndia Staff
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Indian Express spreads fake news, claims BJP workers raised “Khalistani slogans” near Ludhiana DC’s office: Here is the truth

A report in English Daily Indian Express was published on January 8 with the title ‘Khalistani slogans raised by BJP workers near Ludhiana DC’s office’. The title, at first, clearly communicates that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers raised slogans favouring Khalistan. However, the reality is far from the clickbait title that IE has used.

Tweet by Indian Express Punjab with misleading title. Source: Twitter

The anti-Khalistan slogans raised by BJP

At the beginning of the report, IE said Ludhiana BJP workers, along with their supporters, reached the district Deputy Commissioner’s office to submit a memorandum in regards to the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Ferozpur. As per the report, ‘Khalistani slogans were raised’.

Moving further, IE’s own report suggested the slogans that BJP workers raised were of ‘Khalistania da yaar Channi murdabad’ (friend of Khalistanis, Channi Murdabad), and ‘Attwadian nu panah den wala Channi murdabad’ (one who host terrorists, Channi murdabad).

Snippet from IE’s report clearly saying the slogans were anti-Khalistan. Source: Indian Express

IE quoted Pushpinder Singal, district president of BJP, saying that when BJP’s workers were going for the rally via buses, they were stopped multiple times. “At some of these stops, the protesters [allegedly] were raising slogans of ‘Khalistan Zindabad’ and were spotted tearing posters of PM Narendra Modi. These protesters were mostly youngsters, and we don’t know under whose influence they were raising these slogans. There were policemen everywhere, yet they did nothing when the slogans were raised. They just watched on as mute spectators. If you are quiet, then you become a party to the wrongdoing. The police were acting under the direction of the Punjab government. Hence, today slogans were raised to condemn those slogans. Today’s slogans mentioned the CM as a friend of Khalistanis and also as someone who acts as a host for terrorists.”

Speaking to OpIndia, Pushpinder Singal said he would look into the matter and talk to Indian Express about the misleading title.

CCI set to investigate Google after digital news publishers allege abuse of dominance in ad revenue share

OpIndia Staff
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CCI set to investigate Google after digital news publishers allege abuse of dominance in ad revenue share

Fair Trade regulator Competition Council of India (CCI) has decided to initiate a probe against tech Giant Google. This came after a complaint filed by The Digital Publishers Association claiming that Google was abusing its position as a dominant player in news aggregation by imposing unfair conditions on news publishers.

The Digital Publishers Association is a private body that secures the interests of digital news publishers. In its petition, it had accused Google of denying fair share in online advertising revenue while hiding necessary information to reach a fair settlement. While speaking on behalf of its members, the organisation said that news portals are determined to invest a sizeable amount of effort and revenue in providing fair and credible news.

In response to the petition, The CCI has asked its Director General of Investigation to launch a probe on the basis of the case filed by the Digital Publishers Association and to submit a report in 60 days. In a 21-page initial order, The CCI said, “In a well-functioning democracy, the critical role played by news media can’t be undermined.” It asserted that Google appears acting as a gateway between various news publishers and readers. The commission added that in its prima facie view, Google has violated provisions of Section 4 of the Competition Act, 2002 which accounts for abuse of dominant position.

“The allegations of the informant, when seen in this vertically integrated ecosystem operated by Google, makes it prima facie appear that news publishers have no choice but to accept the terms and conditions imposed by Google” added CCI on Friday. According to the body, while the tech giant channels 50% of total traffic on digital news portals, through its algorithms it determines which news website gets searched prominently through Google search.

Earlier in September 2021, Google India was found guilty of stifling competition by mandating the pre-installation of its product apps in mobile phones by the Competition Commission of India.

Intimate picture of Jacqueline Fernandez with conman Sukesh goes viral, actress requests people to respect her privacy

OpIndia Staff
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Intimate picture of Jacqueline Fernandez with conman Sukesh goes viral, actress requests people to respect her privacy

Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez issued a statement asking fans and media to respect her privacy after her picture of an intimate moment with alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar was shared widely on social media.

An intimate picture Jacqueline and Sukesh went viral on the internet and was used by several media houses to establish a deeper link between the actress and the con artist.

Taking to Twitter and Instagram on Saturday evening (December 8) appealed to people not to circulate the images, intruding on her privacy and personal space. She said that she has been facing a tough and tumultuous time in her life and she hopes to bounce back soon.

“This country and its people have always given me tremendous love and respect. This includes my friends from the media, from whom I have learned a lot. I am currently going through a rough patch but I am sure that my friends and fans will see me through it. It is with this trust that I would request my media friends to not circulate images of a nature that intrude on my privacy and personal space. You would not do this to your own loved ones, am sure you would not do this to me either. Hoping that justice and good sense prevails. Thank you,” the statement read.

In the picture, she is seen in a compromising position with Sukesh who is an accused of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Rs 200 Crore money laundering case.

Aditi S Singh, the wife of former promoters of Ranbaxy, Fortis and Religare Enterprises Shivinder Singh, had charged Sukesh for cheating Rs 200 crore on the promise of helping her in her husband in a case of scam.

Notably, Jacqueline is linked in this case as the ED questioned her association and financial transactions with this conman who claimed to be the owner of Sun TV And many other things.

According to media reports Sukesh admitted to being in a relationship with Jacqueline and gave her costly gifts.

Money laundering investigation revealed had gifted diamond-studded jewellery sets, crockeries, four Persian cats worth 36 lakhs and a horse worth Rs 52 lakh. ED has found evidence of financial transaction between the two, and he had given gifts worth Rs 10 crore to her.

Sukesh also used to chat with Jacqueline over mobile from jail. After he received bail last year, he booked a chartered flight for himself and also arranged for chartered flights for Jacqueline to meet her in Chennai.

Jacqueline has been named in the chargesheet filed by ED against Sukesh along with his wife, dancer-actor Nora Fatehi, and others.

Sikh cab driver assaulted, turban ripped off by unidentified person in NY, State Dept condemns after India raised issue with US authorities

OpIndia Staff
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Sikh cab driver assaulted, turban ripped off by unidentified person in NY, State Dept condemns after India raised issue with US authorities

An unidentified man assaulted an Indian-origin Sikh man earlier this week at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport in a suspected hate crime. After a video of the event was shared on Twitter on Tuesday, it went viral on social media.

On January 4, Navjot Pal Kaur shared an undated 26-second video to the microblogging site Twitter, depicting a man attacking a Sikh Indian-origin cab driver outside the airport. A bystander at the airport, she said, captured the footage.

The assailant can be heard reportedly abusing the victim with vulgarities. The assailant was seen continually striking and punching him, causing his turban to fall off.

“This video was taken by a bystander at John F. Kennedy International Airport. I do not own the rights to this video. But I just wanted to highlight the fact that hatred continues to remain in our society and unfortunately, I’ve seen Sikh cab drivers get assaulted again and again,” Ms Kaur Tweeted.

There were no further facts regarding the driver or the reason of the accident available at the time of writing of this report.

Twitter users reacted angrily to the video. Many people were outraged by the occurrence and asked that it be investigated thoroughly.

“Another Sikh cab driver assaulted. This one at JFK Airport in NYC. So upsetting to see. But it’s crucial that we don’t look away… What I am sure of is how painful it is to watch our fathers and elders get assaulted while they’re just trying to live an honest life.”

“For those who aren’t Sikh, I can’t put into words what it means to have your turban knocked off — or to see someone else’s turban knocked off. It’s visceral and gut-wrenching and just so disheartening to witness,” Simran Jeet Singh tweeted.

“That humble man is on defensive because he is on a foreign land and he doesn’t know if he will have community support. You try this here!” tweeted Partho Chakravarty.

Executive response to the incident

The event has been termed as “deeply disturbing” by India’s Consulate General in New York, that raised it with US authorities and urged them to investigate.

On Saturday, the Indian Consulate General in New York tweeted, “The assault against a Sikh taxi driver in New York is deeply disturbing. We have taken up the matter with US authorities and urged them to investigate this violent incident.”

The attack on the Sikh cab driver at JFK International Airport was termed as “very disturbing” by the Department of State’s South and Central Asian Affairs Bureau, which condemned all forms of hate-based violence.

Similar incidents of attack on Indian-origin Sikh drivers in past

This is not the first time a Sikh cab driver in the United States has been assaulted. In a suspected hate crime, an Indian-origin Sikh Uber driver was beaten and racially harassed in the US state of Washington in 2019. The driver informed cops that he believed his race led to the attack.

A 25-year-old Sikh cab driver in New York was beaten and had his turban ripped off by intoxicated passengers in 2017.

Delhi police arrests mastermind behind Sulli Deals app: Here is what we know so far

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi police arrests mastermind behind Sulli Deals app: Here is what we know so far

In a major breakthrough, the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) of Delhi Police Special Cell arrested the creator and mastermind of the Sulli Deals app. The development comes days after cops nabbed three accused in the Bulli Bai app case.

As per reports, the accused has been identified as 25-year-old Omkeshwar Thakur. He was nabbed based on the inputs given by the creator of the Bulli Bai app, Niraj Bishnoi. During interrogation, Thakur informed that he developed the Sulli Deals app on GitHub in July last year, where pictures of Muslim women were put up for ‘virtual auction.’

The creator of the Sulli Deals app is a BCA student. He has revealed the involvement of several people in the case.

Delhi Police arrests main culprit of ‘Bulli Bai’ app case from Assam

Months after the controversial ‘Sulli Deals’ app, which had offered pics of Muslim women as ‘deals’, one ‘Bulli Bai’ app appeared on the open-source code repository Github on January 1 this year. Niraj Bishnoi, the alleged mastermind behind the controversial ‘Bulli app’ was arrested by the Delhi Police, IFSO special cell on January 6 from Jorhat in Assam. The accused, a 21-year-old engineering student, has confessed to his act, police said in a statement.

Three other suspects were previously apprehended by Mumbai police. Bishnoi had criticised the Mumbai police for arresting the other suspect whom he claimed were innocent. Bishnoi disclosed during his interrogation that he created the ‘Bulli Bai’ app on Github as well as the @bullibai_Twitter handle and others too, police said.

During interrogation, he stated that the GitHub application was established in November 2021 and updated a month later. “The Twitter account was set up on December 31st. Bishnoi further revealed that he created a second Twitter account, @Sage0x1, to tweet about BulliBai, but that he later deleted it,” DCP IFSO KPS Malhotra stated.

Farmer leader turned politician says he has proof of AAP selling tickets after AAP workers thrashed each other and heckled Raghav Chadha for it

OpIndia Staff
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Farmer leader turned politician says he has proof of AAP selling tickets after AAP workers thrashed each other and heckled Raghav Chadha for it

Balbir Singh Rajewal, founder of Bhartiya Kisan Union (Rajewal) and the political front of farmer unions Sanyukt Samaj Morcha (SSM), has alleged he has proof that Aam Aadmi Party is selling tickets in Punjab. During an interview with Times of India, when Rajewal was asked if there was any possibility of forming an alliance with AAP, he denied the possibility and said, “AAP is behaving like other traditional parties, where tickets are sold. We have proof of it. AAP wants to take Punjab water to Delhi.”

On the contrary, Raghav Chadha, co-in-charge, AAP Punjab, refuted the allegations that his party was taking money to distribute tickets for Punjab assembly elections. Calling the allegations absurd, he said, “These are absurd allegations. There is no amount or person who can buy Raghav Chadha, the AAP, or Arvind Kejriwal. I want to say this very clearly to my opponents.”

Chadha further called the ‘fist-fight’ among AAP workers over ticket distribution an ‘internal matter of the party. He said there are always some differences among the workers that would be resolved within the party.

Interestingly, Chadha tried to present the ruckus AAP workers created on Friday as a good sign. He said, “Have you ever seen anyone fighting for BJPs ticket? I do not want to say anything about any party, but have you seen anyone fighting in any other party for a ticket from a particular constituency. Competition over tickets happens in only that party which is going to form the next government and the party which has a wave going for it.”

AAP workers indulged in a fist-fight in Jalandhar

On Friday, AAP workers created a ruckus at the press conference and indulged in a fist-fight over ticket distribution. The incident took place when Chadha was to induct Dinesh Dhall, a former Congress leader, into the party. Dr Sanjeev Sharma and Shiv Dyal Mali, who were looking forward to securing a party ticket to the contest from Jalandhar, reached Jalandhar Press Club, where the press conference was taking place with their supporters.

The supporters of the two raised black flags and slogans against Chadha, leading to an argument with the AAP workers present at the press club. Within a few minutes, the fist-fight started, and Chadha was seen escaping the Press Club in an SUV. The AAP workers protesting against their own party raised slogans like “Raghav Chadha Chor Hai”. The ruckus continued for around 40-50 minutes.

Alec Baldwin blames ‘right-wing hate’ for ‘misinformation’ about the ‘Rust’ shooting, compares hate against him to Capitol Hill siege

OpIndia Staff
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Alec Baldwin blames ‘right-wing hate’ for ‘misinformation’ about the ‘Rust’ shooting, compares hate against him to Capitol Hill siege

On Saturday (January 8), Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin, currently under investigation, mysteriously blamed ‘right-wing hate’ for “misinformation” about the investigation process in the killing of Director of Cinematography Halyna Hutchins on the set of the movie ‘Rust.’

In a video posted on Instagram, the actor said, “The best/only way we can honour the death of Halyna Hutchins is to find out the truth.” He claimed to have been insisting investigative agencies do everything in their power to find out what had actually happened.

“Any suggestions that we are not complying is a lie…As soon as we go for this process, by all means, we will comply. I have no worries about that. That will work itself out, regardless of what they say in these right-wing rag sheets and people who are all about hate,” Alec Baldwin alleged. He then went on to compare the ‘hate against him’ for the ‘accidental death’ of Hutchins to the US Capitol Hill siege of January 6.

During his 4:47 minute monologue, the actor claimed, “Any suggestion that I am not complying with requests or orders or demands or search warrants about my phone, that’s bullshit. That’s a lie.” His comments came at the backdrop of a search warrant issued by a New Mexico court.

Alec Baldwin suggested that the delay in investigation is due to the fact that he lived in New York while the incident took place in New Mexico. Alec Baldwin blamed the ‘investigation process’ for any ‘perceived delay’ in the probe, adding that the police force from another State need to follow certain protocols to seek information from him.

“They have to specify what exactly they want. They can’t simply go for your phone, your photos or love letters to your wife…We are 1000% going to comply with all that,” he concluded.

Journalist accuses Hollywood actor of not co-operating with investigation agencies

Jack Posobiec, the Senior Editor of Human Events, pointed out how the actor had tried to blame the shooting of Halyna Hutchins and the January 6 incident on right wing hate. While emphasising that Baldwin had not been cooperating with the authorities, Posobiec stated, “He also claims he is complying with the investigation while obviously recording the video on his phone that the sheriff has ordered him to turn over.”

The Background of the case against Alec Baldwin

On October 21 last year, American actor and producer Alec Baldwin was in the news for ‘accidentally’ shooting cinematographer Hutchins with a prop gun on the set of a movie ‘Rust’. Reportedly, the director of the movie was injured while the director of cinematography Halyna Hutchins was killed in the incident. The incident took place at Bonanza Creek Ranch in Santa Fe County in New Mexico during the shoot of the film.

In December 2021, a search warrant was issued by the police for Alec Baldwin’s phone to be searched in connection with the death of Hutchins. The warrant was issued by a Sante Fe court in New Mexico. It said, “there may be evidence on the phone” that could be “material and relevant to this investigation”. Investigators were asked to confiscate Mr Baldwin’s Apple iPhone that is “believed to be in his possession”.

Only two weeks after Alec Baldwin gave his first interview about the shooting, the police thought that there could be evidence on his phone. The police now want to check the emails, photos, text messages, call logs and web browser history on Baldwin’s phone. According to reports, the police also want to see if any private messages were sent over social media platforms.

The Hollywood Actor has been known over the years for his violent antiques and eccentric behaviour, from fights with photographers to calling his then eleven-year-old child Ireland Baldwin a “rude, thoughtless little pig”

Assembly elections: 50,000 troops to be mobilised, Punjab to get 75 CAPF companies, UP to get 150

OpIndia Staff
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Assembly elections: 50,000 troops to be mobilised, Punjab to get 75 CAPF companies, UP to get 150

On January 8th, Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra said sufficient CAPF companies would be deployed in all poll-bound states looking at law & order situation and threat perception. S Karuna Raju, Chief Electoral Officer of Punjab, said that 75 companies of Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) had been allotted for Punjab. Out of these 75, 50 would reach the state on January 10.

He added once these companies reach Punjab, they would start area domination operations. Furthermore, he held meetings with Deputy Commissioners-cum-District Electoral Officers (DCs-cum-DEOs) and police commissioner and SSPs and issued directions for strict implementation of the Model Code of Conduct.

Approx 500 companies of CAPF including CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB, comprising of around 50,000 troops, are being mobilised in the initial phase in the poll-bound states. In the coming days, additional 100-150 companies could be added if required. Uttar Pradesh, which has the maximum Assembly seats (403), will get 150 companies to avoid any unwanted incident during the elections.

Free Press Journal quoted a UP police official said, “Thirty Companies of Border Security Force (BSF) and Sashastra Seema Bal, 20 companies of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), 50 companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have been included in the total companies of 150 Central Armed Police Forces which are being provided by the Centre.”

He further added, “The centre is providing these agencies so that election could be conducted in a fair and efficient manner. We will get the service of these companies by January 10. It will also reduce the sensitivity and vulnerability during the polls. We hope that the elections will be conducted in a fair manner.”

The CAPF companies will be deployed in each district based on the sensitivity and vulnerability of the districts. The earmarked companies for the state of UP would start taking their positions from January 10. These companies would carry out area domination exercises and provide additional security to the polling booths. It is noteworthy that the EC has increased the number of polling booths by 16 per cent amidst the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic to ensure social distancing.

Elections in five states

On January 8, the Election Commission announced the poll schedule for five state assemblies, including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa. While Punjab, Uttarkhand and Goa elections will be done in a single phase, the elections of Manipur will be completed in two phases and that of Uttar Pradesh in seven phases.

In all five states, around 18.3 crore people are eligible to vote, including 8.55 crore women.

While Punjab CM claims there was no breach of PM’s security, state govt appoints new DGP and transfers several police officials

OpIndia Staff
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While Punjab CM claims there was no breach of PM’s security, state govt appoints new DGP and transfers several police officials

Punjab Government, on Saturday 8th January 2022, has appointed Viresh Kumar Bhawra as the new Director General of Police (DGP) of the state. Bhawra is a 1987-batch IPS officer. Viresh Kumar Bhawra will be at the top post for a minimum period of two years from the date of assumption of office. Alongside, the state government has also transferred seven IPS officers including Senior Superintendent of Police, Ferozepur. The changes in the police administration were made despite CM Charanjit Singh Channi claiming that there was no security breach with PM’s convoy, and it was a minor incident.

These decisions have come after serious lapses in the PM’s security that had occurred on 5th January 2022 when PM Modi was on his visit to Punjab. PM Modi was heading towards Hussainiwala in Ferozepur district of Punjab to visit National Martyr’s Memorial and subsequently address a public meeting. His convoy was stuck on a flyover for about twenty minutes as the so-called farmer protesters had blocked the roads. Ferozepur SSP came in the centre of the controversy when the farmers claimed that they were informed about PM’s road route to his destination by the Punjab Police.

Punjab government appoints new DGP

The Punjab government has appointed Viresh Kumar Bhawra as the new DGP of the state, replacing Siddharth Chattopadhyaya, who was made the DGP less than a month ago. Siddharth Chattopadhyaya was reportedly the choice of Navjot Sidhu for the post of DGP, who had replaced the earlier DGP Iqbal Preet Singh Sahota. Reportedly, State Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Home Minister Sukjinder Randhawa preferred to keep Sahota as the DGP, Sidhu wanted his man Chattopadhyaya in the post, and was successful in this.

An IPS officer of the 1987 batch, Bhawra has assumed the charge on Saturday 8th January. The State Government order said, “On the consideration of the panel received from the Union Public Service Commission, the Governor of Punjab is pleased to appoint Shri Viresh Kumar Bhawra, IPS, as Director General of Police, Punjab (Head of Police Force). His term shall be for a minimum period of two years from the date of assumption of office in pursuance of the orders of the Supreme Court dated July 3, 2018.”

After assuming charge, Viresh Kumar Bhawra said the Punjab police will ensure smooth conduct of elections. He also said that his focus would be on eradicating drug menace and terrorism. He said people-centric policing and public service delivery are among his top priorities. Bhawra further added that the Punjab police will make optimum use of technology for carrying out investigations of crimes.

Ferozepur SSP transferred

Among other major transfers, IPS officer Harmandeep Singh Hans, SSP Ferozepur, has been posted as Commandant 3rd IRB, Ludhiana. Hans was Ferozepur SSP during the security lapse incident that occurred on Wdnesday 5th January, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s convoy was stranded on a flyover. Bharatiya Kisan Union (Krantikari) chief Surjeet Singh Phul, whose union had blocked the road in Ferozepur, said it was the SSP Ferozepur who had informed them Narendra Modi was coming by road. The Union home ministry had issued a show-cause notice to Hans yesterday.

Meanwhile, other police officers who have been transferred are Naunihal Singh who has been appointed as Commissioner of Police, Jalandhar. A.K. Mittal has been posted as Inspector General of Police, Roopnagar, while Sukhchain Singh has been posted as Amritsar Commissioner. Nanak Singh has been appointed as SSP Gurdaspur and Alka Meena will be SSP Barnala. Two PPS officers Harkamalpreet Singh Khakh and Kuljit Singh have been given new additional and new posting orders.

Election commission bans political rallies, roadshows till Jan 15 amidst a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Election commission bans political rallies, roadshows till Jan 15 amidst a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases: Details

As the number of COVID-19 cases in India rises, the election commission of India, on Saturday 8th January 2022, has directed that no physical political rallies and roadshows will be allowed till 15th January 2022.

Even after that, the rallies and election campaign meetings will be allowed only in designated places and with prior permissions of district administration. Earlier, the election commission had declared the schedule of the assembly elections to be held in five poll-bound states Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Manipur and Goa.

Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra during the briefing on the election schedule, on Saturday, said that the election commission aims to conduct covid-safe elections in all the five poll-bound states with maximum participation. He stated that the opinion of health experts is being taken to ensure covid-safe elections.

No campaigning till 15th January 2022

In the revised guidelines the ECI said, “No roadshow, Pad-yatra, cycle, bike, vehicle rally and procession shall be allowed till 15 January 2022. The commission shall subsequently review the situation and issue further instructions accordingly. Further, rallies and meetings shall be allowed only in earmarked places and with prior permissions of district administration.” The election commission further said that all the parties or candidates have to furnish an undertaking in the application and allocation of public spaces will be done using the Suvidha app.

However, physical rallies during the campaign period, as and when permitted after the decision of the Commission shall be conducted subject to adherence to extant COVID 19 guidelines. “The maximum limit of persons allowed for indoor and outdoor rallies and meetings shall be as per the existing direction of respective State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAS)”, it said.

COVID-19 guidelines released by Election Commission for rallies and meetings

“For these meetings, political parties shall distribute masks and sanitisers to persons attending and maintain COVID protocol at entry and exit point,” it said. The ECI said that between 8 pm and 8 am no rallies and public will be allowed on any campaign day, while the Nukkad Sabhas will not be allowed on public roads, roundabouts or public streets or corners.

It also advised Political parties and candidates to conduct their campaign as much as possible through digital, virtual, media platforms or mobile-based mode instead of physical mode ensuring strict compliance with COVID safety norms.

The ECI also directed the District Election Officer to identify dedicated grounds for public gatherings with clearly marked entry and exit points. It also said that the District Election Officer should ensure that markers for social distancing norms are put in place in advance by organizers of the meeting/rally.

Three doses of vaccination are mandatory for all election officials, the election commission said.

Besides, the Election commission has also declared guidelines for the number of vehicles in a convoy, distance to be maintained between two vehicles, the maximum number of people in a group for door to door campaigning, code of conduct for celebrating victory, arrangements to be made on polling stations etc.

The chief election commissioner expresses his hope for safe elections

During his address, the chief election commissioner Sushil Chandra also recited a couplet to express his hope that even though the COVID-19 cases are increasing, everything regarding these elections goes as per the set norms.

He said, “Yakin ho to koi rasta nikalta hai, Hawa ki oat lekar bhi Chirag jalta hai” which means if we have faith in our resolutions, we definitely find a way as a lamp may keep glowing even amidst heavy winds.

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