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Congress infighting in Chhattisgarh: Tribal MLA says Health Minister TS Singh Deo could get him killed to become CM

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Congress infighting in Chhattisgarh: Tribal MLA says Health Minister TS Singh Deo could get him killed to become CM

All seems to be not well for the Congress party in Chhattisgarh as its members are embroiled in yet another internecine conflict. Congress MLA Brihaspati Singh has accused the state health minister TS Deo and his relatives of assaulting him and planning to kill him.

The sensational claims made by Brihaspati against Deo’s kin is turning into a massive political furore and intensifying the infighting within the political party.

The tribal MLA said while he was on his way to Ambikapur for an event, a relative of TS Deo chased his convoy, snatched keys from the driver of one of the cars before vandalising it. Brihaspati claimed the man kept asking for him, but he had already left. 

Following the incident, a case was filed by the police under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Prevention of Atrocities Act as well as sections of the Indian Penal Code. Three people have been taken into custody, The Times of India reported. 

Speaking about the attack, Brihaspati Singh alleged that it was carried out because his remarks on the procedure to elect the chief minister of the state did not sit well with the Health minister. He added that Deo is secretly harbouring the desire to become the next chief minister and was unhappy with his comment that the state chief minister will be decided by the party high command. 

Singh appealed to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi to throw Deo out of the party, stating that he has apprehensions that besides getting him attacked, the Health Minister might even get him killed. 

“If he thinks that by killing four-five MLAs, he (TS Singh Deo) will become chief minister, then good luck to him,” Singh added, according to ANI. “I have apprehensions that besides getting me attacked, he can get me killed.

On the other hand, Deo denied the allegations saying they were emotional statements made under pressure. He said people know more about him than himself and he has nothing to say. Deo said he has been trying to reach out to the MLA but he did not take his calls. 

Delhi Police confiscates the tractor Rahul Gandhi drove to Parliament to protest against farm laws

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi Police confiscates the tractor Rahul Gandhi drove to Parliament to protest against farm laws

Delhi Police on Monday confiscated the tractor senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi drove to the Parliament to protest against the new farm laws. On July 26, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi drove a tractor to the Parliament to show his support for the protesting farmers. According to a report by Aaj Tak, since Section 144 is imposed in the region, Delhi Police confiscated the tractor and detained few Congress leaders, including Randeep Surjewala and Srinivas BV and Congress workers. They were taken into custody. Gandhi was not detained, and he went to attend the Monsoon session of the Parliament.

Gandhi had posted his photograph in which he was driving the tractor. He wrote, “If you force to sell the land then the tractor will run in Parliament. We will grow the crops of truth! Withdraw the anti-agriculture laws.”

In a statement, he said, “We have brought the message of farmers to the Parliament. They are not allowing to take up the issue of farmer protests in Parliament. They are crushing the voice of the farmers. They have to repeal the black laws.” He further alleged that the three laws that the Union government passed in September last year were for the benefit of 2-3 business houses.

Kuljit Nagra, MLA from Fatehgarh Sahib, posted a video of Surjewala and others getting arrested. He said, “Delhi police has arrested and detained AICC General Secretary RS Surjewala. As much as it tries, the Narendra Modi government’s dictatorship attitude cannot dampen the spirit of Congress. Congress  stands strong with farmers!”

It is not yet clear whether Rahul Gandhi was in violation of traffic rules and whether he did have the licence to drive the agriculture tractor on the streets of Delhi.

The farmers’ protest

In September 2020, the government of India passed three laws for the benefit of the farmers. The laws would help them in doing contract farming with lesser burden. They would provide them with more options to sell produce and better storage facilities. However, people with vested interest brainwashed the farmers and launched protests against the government.

The farmer unions came together and formed Samyukt Kisan Morcha, comprising of farmer leaders majorly from Punjab and Haryana. The Punjab government allegedly supported the propaganda-driven farmer protests. In November 2020, the farmers reached the Delhi border, and since then, they have been camping there.

On Republic Day, the protesting farmers entered Delhi from unauthorized routes for Tractor Rally and created havoc. They destroyed properties worth crores and injured more than 300 police personnel. Now the union leaders are threatening similar rallies and protests on Independence Day. In a recent statement, they have threatened that they would not allow ministers to hoist National Flag on Independence Day in Haryana.

China’s Huawei hires Democratic lobbyist Tony Podesta, Trump administration had branded Huawei national security threat

OpIndia Staff
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China’s Huawei hires Democratic lobbyist Tony Podesta, Trump administration had branded Huawei national security threat

On July 24, Chinese telecom giant Huawei hired the veteran Democratic lobbyist Tony Podesta to improve its relationship with the Biden administration. Notably, Podesta has strong connections inside the White House, including with President Biden himself and counsellor Steve Ricchetti, who is believed to be close to Biden.

Podesta stopped lobbying in late 2017 after a federal investigation rendered his practices toxic. As a result, his $42-million-a-year worth of lobbying and public relations firm had collapsed. After exit from the lobbying business, he entered into art dealing and turned his modern art collection into a form of income. In recent weeks, Podesta started to explore options to return to the lucrative lobbying business.

On Friday, Politico reported that China’s telecom giant Huawei has hired him, and the agreement was signed around two weeks ago. New York Times quoted a source familiar with his way of working, saying that last week, he also signed a deal with a Bulgarian energy company that is seeking options to develop business relationships with American Companies.

As per congressional lobbying disclosures, in recent times, Huawei has hired several new lobbyists and lawyers and increased its lobbying spending to more than $1 million in the second quarter of 2021. In the first quarter of 2021, the company had spent only $180,000 on lobbying activities.

Trump administration had deemed Huawei a national security threat

Notably, Huawei has been trying to reduce the tension with the US government to find a way back to the market. During Trump Administration, the company was deemed as a national security threat. The then-US Government had said that the Chinese Government might use the communication technology provided by Huawei for spying.

Though Huawei denied the charges, it was barred from doing business in the US. In the aftermath of the decision announced by the Trump Administration, the company reportedly lost business across the world primarily related to its 5G network equipment. Huawei and its two subsidiaries are facing federal charges of conspiracy to steal trade secrets from American companies.

Who is Tony Podesta?

Tony Podesta is a 77-year-old lobbyist who was a dominant figure in Washington during his peak years. He had raised millions of dollars for Democratic candidates and party committees. His Podesta Group was once one of the highest-earning firms. During President Trump’s tenure, a special counsel’s investigation into the President, his campaign and its connection to Russia.

Podesta Group had taken a client who was involved in Ukrainian politics and was linked to Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, who were the centre of the investigation. These two had worked in Ukraine before joining the Trump campaign. The firm did not register the work under the Justice Department foreign lobbying rules that led to months of investigation into the Group. However, in the end, the investigators decided not to press charges against Podesta.

On July 9, New York Times had reported that Podesta wants to enter back into the lobbying business. He had said, “I don’t want to recreate what I had, but I sort of miss working, and art alone doesn’t sustain me, because I love politics.”

Chinese government explored ways to influence western media

In January, it was reported that all major outlets in western mainstream media attended private dinners and accepted sponsored trips from the Chinese Communist propaganda front CUSEF, The National Pulse has reported. According to the report, journalists from CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times and MSNBC have participated in these private dinners and sponsored trips.

The events were organised by the China-United States Exchange Foundation (CUSEF), a group funded by the Chinese Communist Party, in order to garner “favourable coverage” and “disseminate positive messages” regarding China.

Other media organisations are reported to include Forbes, the Financial Times, Newsweek, Bloomberg, Reuters, ABC News, the Economist, the Wall Street Journal, AFP, TIME magazine, LA Times, The Hill, BBC, and The Atlantic.

As per the report, the relationship between the mainstream media and the CUSEF was revealed in the Department of Justice’s Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA) filings. A 2014 FARA filing revealed that over 20 attendees from top western media organizations attended a private dinner by CUSEF.

‘Justice Shinde has respect for terror accused Stan Swamy, please ask him to recuse himself from Bhima Koregaon cases’: LRO appeals to CJI

OpIndia Staff
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‘Justice Shinde has respect for terror accused Stan Swamy, please ask him to recuse himself from Bhima Koregaon cases’: LRO appeals to CJI

After Justice SS Shinde of the Bombay High Court, on July 19, heaped praises for terror accused Naxal sympathiser Stan Swamy, the lawyers’ collective have appealed to the CJI to ask the Justice to recuse himself from hearing the Bhima Koregaon cases.

Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), in a letter to the Chief Justice of India, highlighted that a matter concerning national security must be adjudicated on merit. Quoting Justice Shinde’s praise for Stan Swamy, the letter states that being openly appreciative of the work of the accused casts aspersions on the possibility to deliver an impartial and fair judgment by the Justice. 

LRO’s letter to CJI

Owing to this, Justice SS Shinde must be made to recuse himself from the Bhima Koregaon case, urged the letter. LRO took to Twitter to share the same. “Appeal- Justice SS Shinde of Bombay HC has “Great Respect” for terror accused #Catholic Father Stan Swamy. We have drafted a letter to CJI to look into the matter to force the said judge to recuse himself from #KoregaoBhima hearing,” it said in its Tweet. 

Justice Shinde eulogized Stan Swamy 

Stan Lourduswamy, commonly known as Stan Swamy, an undertrial prisoner in the Bhima Koregaon violence case was recently praised highly by Justice SS Shinde after his demise.

Justice Shinde had said that the graceful funeral service of Swamy had touched him. He had said, “I was informed about the timing of the funeral service. Such a wonderful person. The kind of services he has rendered to society. We have respect for his work. Legally, whatever is there against him is a different matter…We normally don’t get time for TV, but we saw this funeral, and it was very graceful.”

This garnered a strong reaction from the public after which the Bombay High Court was compelled to take back its statement. While withdrawing its statement, the judge justified the earlier comment saying that they are also human beings.

NIA, the investigating authority in the Bhima Koregaon cases had objected strongly to Justice Shinde’s remarks on an accused.

84 years old Stan Swamy was under arrest by NIA in the Bhima Koregaon-Elgar Parishad case and died on July 5 in a Mumbai hospital due to health issues. After his death, a Bombay High Court bench of Justices SS Shinde and NJ Jamadar had asked the authorities to conduct a probe into the death. The former was also hearing the bail applications of Stan Swamy.

Former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad sings verses from Rudrashtakam on first Monday of Shravan, wins hearts

OpIndia Staff
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Former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad sings verses from Rudrashtakam on first Monday of Shravan, wins hearts

On July 26, Hindus across the world are celebrating the first Somvar (Monday) of Shravan month. Former cricketer Venkatesh Prasad shared a video of himself singing verses of Goswami Tulsidas’s Rudrashtakam written in praise of Bhagwan Shiva.

Prasad narrated the first two verses of Rudrashtakam with their meaning in English.

नमामीशमीशान निर्वाणरूपं

विभुं व्यापकं ब्रह्मवेदस्वरूपम् ।

निजं निर्गुणं निर्विकल्पं निरीहं

चिदाकाशमाकाशवासं भजेऽहम् ॥ १॥

“I adore you, ruler of the entire universe, eternal bliss personified, the omnipresent and all pervading Brahma manifest in the form of the Vedas. I worship Lord Shiva, shining in his own glory, devoid of material attributes, undifferentiated, desireless, all-pervading consciousness, and the enveloping ether itself.”

निराकारमोंकारमूलं तुरीयं

गिरा ज्ञान गोतीतमीशं गिरीशम् ।

करालं महाकाल कालं कृपालं

गुणागार संसारपारं नतोऽहम् ॥ २॥

“I bow to the Supreme Lord, who is devoid of form, transcendent and extra-cosmic, who is beyond the approach of the voice, wisdom and the senses; Master of Kailash; veritable nemesis for evil-doers but kindhearted to devotees and the noble; the seed of the mystic syllable Om; the devourer even of Time; the mine of all virtue; and the redeemer from mundane existence.”

Netizens shower praises on Venkatesh Prasad

Netizens praised Prasad for staying connected to the Sanatan roots. Some thanked him for the video as a gift on the first Monday of Shravan month.

Importance of Shravan month and vrat (fast) on Shravan Mondays

Shravan is the fifth month of the Hindu calendar. According to Puranas, Samudra Manthan took place in the month of Shravan. During the churning of the sea, fourteen divine items emerged from the sea and Halahal, the deadly poison, emerged as the by-product. Bhagwan Shiva swallowed the poison to save the universe. As the poison did not pass the throat, his throat turned blue, thus the name Neelkanth.

The month of Shravan is celebrated as the month of Bhagwan Shiva since then. Mondays are considered to be the day of Shiva. During the month of Shravan, Mondays pose even more significant among the Shiva devotees. The majority of Shiva followers keep fast on Mondays, and those who cannot keep fast for all the Mondays observe the fast at least on the first Monday.

On this day, the devotees visit temples and serve bel patra, milk, datura, sweets, and fruits etc. on Shivalinga.

Venkatesh Prasad, a proud Hindu

This is not the first time Prasad proudly showcased his Hindu roots or raise his voice for Hindus who are proud of their religion. Recently, he slammed a Hinduphobic Twitter handle for targeting a NASA intern over a photo with Gods.

Prasad has been making interesting posts on his Twitter account in recent times. For quite some time now, the accomplished medium-fast bowler has been making Hindu-centric posts on his Twitter account.

BS Yeddyurappa steps down as the chief minister of Karnataka

OpIndia Staff
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BS Yeddyurappa steps down as the chief minister of Karnataka

Amidst speculations of his resignation, BS Yediyurappa on Monday stepped down from the office of Karnataka Chief Minister. He will meet Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot later in the day to submit his resignation. 

Yediyurappa announced the decision at the event to commemorate the second anniversary of the BJP government.

Speaking at the commemoration of two years of BJP government in the state, Yeddyurappa said, “I have gone through agni pariksha always. For two months (in 2019) I didn’t get to make my Cabinet. There were floods and I roamed like a mad man. Later the Cabinet was formed.” Yeddyurappa took oath as Chief Minister of Karnataka after the dramatic collapse of JDU and Congress government in Karnataka in 2019. 18 rebel leaders had quit the alliance government and later joined the BJP.

On Sunday, the top Lingayat leader had announced that he The towering Lingayat leader had on Sunday announced that he would take the decision on his future as Karnataka CM on July 26 when his government completed two years in the state.

“We will see tomorrow. I haven’t received any information from high command yet. By tonight or tomorrow morning I’ll get to know. Tomorrow we will celebrate the two-year anniversary (of the Karnataka government that was elected to power in 2019),” BS Yeddyurappa said on Sunday.

The new Karnataka Chief Minister will likely be decided in the meeting to be held later in the evening.

Javed Akhtar gets schooled on difference between citizens and invaders: Here is what happened

OpIndia Staff
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Javed Akhtar gets schooled on difference between citizens and invaders: Here is what happened

Bollywood lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar was at the receiving end of criticism on Twitter on Monday after he drew a perverse comparison between citizens of a country to marauding invaders.

In a tweet, Javed said just like Barack Obama, who has Kenyan ancestors, was allowed to contest US elections, similarly, Shah Jahan should also be treated as a citizen of India because his grandmother and mother were Rajputs.

”Obama’s father was a Kenyan his paternal aunts still live in Kenya but since Obama was born in US he had the right to contest the presidential election Shah Jahan was the 5th Gen in India his grand mom n mom were Rajputni ( 75 %blood Rajput) but they call him a foreigner,” Akhtar tweeted.

However, Akhtar’s preposterous tweet did not sit well with netizens, who schooled the lyricist for his ludicrous comparison between an immigrant and an invader.

Netizens slam Javed Akhtar for likening Shah Jahan with Barack Obama

One Twitter user asked Javed Akhtar to invest in a dictionary since he was unable to distinguish between a foreigner, an immigrant and an invader.

Another user responded saying Shah Jahan did not become the ruler of the country by the will of people. Rather his ancestors used violence to conquer India and establish their rule. And for this reason, he could not be called a ‘Bhartiya’.

Yet another Twitter user said Barack Obama became the US President through democratic process whereas the Mughals reigned supreme with the help of conquest and murder. Obama served his countrymen, while the Mughals ruled, the user said.

Another social media user rubbished the claims made by Javed Akhtar that Shah Jahan was 75 per cent Rajput. He pointed out how Shah Jahan and Jehangir harboured hatred for indigenous people and their faith, which was predominantly Hinduism. Shah Jahan ordered demolition of 76 under-construction temple in Varanasi. Similarly, his father Jehangir and his son Aurangzeb were also known for wreaking havoc on Hindus and destroying their temples.

Writer and columnist Saket succinctly highlighted how Shah Jahan was not raised as a Rajput and in turn raised an Islamic fanatic in Aurangzeb.

It is a historical fact that Mughal rulers, including Shah Jahan, Aurangzeb, Jehangir and others ordered large-scale persecution of Hindus and destruction of their temples. Yet, Javed Akhtar proceeded to claim Shah Jahan was 75 per cent Rajput and drew a false equivalence with an immigrant and democratically elected leader.

It must be noted that the history books chronicling Mughal history seldom refers to the Rajput wives of Mughals by their Hindu names.

And these atrocities are glorified by the likes of Akhtar as ‘romance’.

Maharashtra: Man booked for demanding 21-nailed tortoise and black Labrador as dowry

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Man booked for demanding 21-nailed tortoise and black Labrador as dowry

On Tuesday (July 20), the Aurangabad police booked a man and his family members for demanding a 21-nailed tortoise in dowry from his fiance.

As per reports, the accused has been identified as one Army jawan from Nashik. With the help of common contact, he was engaged to a woman from Aurangabad on February 10 this year. Before the engagement, he solicited 10 grams of gold and ₹2 lacs in cash from her family as a token of dowry. He also took ₹10 lacs with the false assurance of getting his fiance a permanent government job. The accused failed to keep his promise and began escalating his demands with each passing day, the girl’s family have stated in the FIR.

He had also asked his future in-laws to arrange for a tortoise with 21 nails, a black Labrador, a Buddha statue, and a Samai oil lamp. The woman and her family began searching for the rare tortoise but failed to find one. It is believed that the cost of one such tortoise ranges between ₹5 lacs and ₹ 10 lacs. The woman’s father informed the accused that he couldn’t arrange for the animal. This led to a disagreement between the two families, with the accused threatening to call off the marriage. Meanwhile, the woman had asked her parents to not give in to his demands.

As per the TOI report, wildlife activists have stated that there is some superstitious belief that the 21-nailed tortoises bring ‘good fortune’ and guide the owner to ‘hidden treasure’. Hence there is a demand for the rare animals in some areas.

Woman’s family files complaint, accused booked for cheating and criminal breach of trust

The woman’s family asked the man to return all the valuables that were paid to him as a token of dowry. They also lodged a complaint against him and his 5 family members at the Osmanpura police station. While speaking about the matter, Inspector Dilip Tare said, “Based on the complaint lodged by would-be bride’s father, the jawan and five of his family members have been booked on the charges of criminal breach of trust and cheating.”

He added, “Following the engagement ceremony, would-be groom and his parents, citing auspiciousness, asked the bride’s family to get a 21-nailed tortoise, a black canine, and traditional lamp as part of the dowry.” The accused has been charged under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 34 (criminal act in furtherance of common intention), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 420 (cheating). Reportedly, the accused army is posted in Assam while his family members live in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra.

No Russian flag, no Russian anthem at Olympics. Know why Russia is competing in Tokyo 2020 under a new name

OpIndia Staff
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No Russian flag, no Russian anthem at Olympics. Know why Russia is competing in Tokyo 2020 under a new name

Russia- historically known for being among the world’s top sporting nations, has sent a contingent of 335 participants to the ongoing Tokyo Olympics. Participating with a pseudo name, Russia has been banned from using the country’s name compelling them to use the acronym ROC, meaning Russian Olympic Committee.

Why is there a ban on Russia?

In December 2019, a ban of four years was imposed on Russia by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). This bars Russia from competing in international events, including the Tokyo Olympics and the FIFA World Cup in 2022. The ban was enacted after Russia was accused of a doping program.

From manipulating data to cheating, Russia has been time and again accused of running a sophisticated doping program, forcing international federations to stop its athletes from competing in major events.

Russian players to pay under the name ROC

In the Tokyo Olympics, Russian sportspersons are playing under the name of ROC, or the Russian Olympic Committee. Russian flag, national symbols and national anthem are all banned at the Olympics. Even the ROC’s full name cannot be spelt out during events and the gold medal winners will have music played by Russian composer Tchaikovsky, not the Russian national anthem.

However, the current contingent of players are using uniforms with Russian national colours blue, white and red.

Whistleblowers lift the lid off the doping scam

In 2014, 800m runner Yulia Stepanova and her husband Vitaly, a former employee of the Russian Anti-Doping Agency, RUSADA, featured in a German documentary to reveal the ‘most sophisticated doping program’ in the history of sports. 

Grigory Rodchenkov, a former head of the RUSADA came out in 2016 to disclose that Russia ran a carefully planned, state-sponsored doping scheme. Detailing the modus operandi, Rodchenkov said that the country’s anti-doping and members of intelligence services substituted urine samples of the athletes through a hidden hole in the wall at the agency’s lab during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. For additional security, the lab was guarded by members of Russia’s state security services.

In the latest, two swimmers from the Tokyo Olympics team have been suspended for cases dating back years and two rowers tested positive last month.

After several allegations were unearthed, the accreditation of Russia’s anti-doping lab was suspended in 2015. Subsequently, the International Olympics Committee debarred more than 100 sportspersons before imposing a complete ban. 

A namesake ban?

As per reports, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) reduced the initial ban of four years to two in 2020. After the sanctioned term ends on December 16, 2022, Russia can once again participate if it respects and observes all imposed sanctions, pays its fines and contributions and starts adhering to WADA regulations.

However, the ban is not outright and participants who have been able to prove that they are not a part of the doping scam have been allowed to participate. As per the conditions laid out, they are allowed to compete as neutral participants, barred from using their country name, colours, flag and anthem. 

WADA not happy with CAS

Commenting on the so-called ban, WADA President Witold Bańka said, “We at WADA remain disappointed that CAS has decreased the level of the sanctions from four years to two years and that CAS allows Russian athletes to compete with the colours of the flag in the uniforms.”

History of doping

Russia has been infamous for its doping scam since 2012 and the country continues to remain in news for the same to date. 

As per a report from the World Anti-Doping Agency, the International Olympic Committee said, “all Russian athletes … are considered to be affected by a system subverting and manipulating the anti-doping system.”

Rahul Gandhi drives a tractor to Parliament to protest against farm laws, triggers hilarious jokes

OpIndia Staff
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Rahul Gandhi drives a tractor to Parliament to protest against farm laws, triggers hilarious jokes

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday drove a tractor to Parliament to protest against the farm laws.

While it is not yet clear if the senior Congress leader is in violation of traffic rules over licence to drive an agricultural tractor on roads of Delhi, his stunt led to a flurry of jokes on the Wayanad MP.

Netizens also tagged Delhi Traffic Police to issue challan to Rahul Gandhi in case he is in violation of traffic rules if he does not have the licence to drive the tractor.

Netizens also pointed out the hypocrisy of Rahul Gandhi for driving a fuel guzzler tractor even as prices of fuel skyrocket.

And how this is a family tradition.

That Rahul Gandhi chose to do petty politics on Kargil Vijay Diwas was also noted by netizens.

Did you know between 2004 and 2009 during the first term of the UPA led by Congress, there was no celebration of Kargil Vijay Diwas?

People also pointed out how the stunt by Rahul Gandhi appears more like a buildup to more protests ahead of India’s 75th Independence Day on 15th August.

Gandhi claimed that the union government is ‘suppressing’ voice of ‘farmers’ who have been blocking Delhi borders since over 7 months now. He again claimed that the new laws, which allows the farmers the freedom to sell their produce to anyone they wish to, while maintaining to keep the minimum support price option intact, is to benefit only 2-3 businessmen. This allegation has no basis but has been repeated over and over that rebutting it also seems pointless.

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