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Kanpur: AIMIM’s posters calling for the beheading of Yati Narsinghanand and Wasim Rizvi removed, FIR registered

OpIndia Staff
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Kanpur: AIMIM’s posters calling for the beheading of Yati Narsinghanand and Wasim Rizvi removed, FIR registered

The Kanpur unit of All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen has put up incendiary ‘sar tan se juda’ posters, calling for the beheading of Dasna Devi Temple head priest Narsinghanand Saraswati for his remarks on Prophet Muhammad.

One of the hoardings in Kanpur showed the head of Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati severed from his body. Along with the decapitated body of Narsinghanand Saraswati, the poster also displayed a beheaded Wasim Rizvi, the former chairman of the Shia Central Board of Waqf in Uttar Pradesh.

Another despicable poster had a dog and a child urinating on Narsinghanand Saraswati and Wasim Rizvi, respectively. The poster also demanded that Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati and Wasim Rizvi be hanged.

The Kanpur Police has said on social media that the posters have been removed and an investigation into the matter has been initiated.

Ever since Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati has made remarks on Prophet Muhammad, he has come under the firing line of AIMIM leaders, who have been making dog whistles for the decapitation of the Dasna Devi Temple head priest.

AIMIM protests the arrest of 4 Muslim men who were taken into custody for pasting posters against Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati

On April 09, Balaghat Police arrested four men from the Muslim community identified as Mateen Ajhari, Kasim Khan, Sohaib Khan and Raza Khan for pasting posters against Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati on Jama Masjid Road in the city. They were protesting against the Dasna temple priest for allegedly making statements against Prophet Muhammad.

It is pertinent to note that this arrest comes as a larger number of Muslims gathered at the Islamia Ground in Bareilly on 9th April, demanding action against Yati Narsinghanand. Amid the slogans to behead the priest, clerics gave a speech asking for his arrest.

A delegation of five members of AIMIM wrote to police urging them to take legal action against Dasna Devi Temple priest for his remarks on April 1 at the Press Club of India. Nazim Khan, district-in-charge of AIMIM, said, “Instead of taking action against the saint who has hurt the sentiments of the entire Muslim community, four members of our community have been arrested for putting up his posters.” He further added that the right to peaceful protest had been turned down by the state government. “People often burn effigies, hit it with slippers to register their protest against anyone, including the Prime Minister, but no action has ever been taken,” he said.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi slams Dasna Devi Temple head priest Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati

Earlier this month, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi lambasted Dasna Devi Temple head priest Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati saying he insulted the Prophet.

Ranting on Twitter, the Hyderabad MP said that insulting Prophet is unacceptable and asked “can these criminals acting as religious teachers get over their unnatural fixation with Islam?”

“Insulting Prophet (SAW) is unacceptable. Can these criminals acting as religious teachers get over their unnatural fixation with Islam? For something that you do not like, you do spend a lot of time on it. I’m sure there’s enough in your own belief system that you can discuss,” said Owaisi.

Remarks by Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati on Islam

On April 1, Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati, head priest of Dasna Devi Temple in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, had spoken at an event held at the Press Club of India when he urged Hindus to be fearless in highlighting the characteristics of Prophet Muhammad.

“If Islam’s reality, for which Maulana says, ‘If you speak about Muhammad, we will behead you, Hindus should get rid of this fear. We are Hindus. If we can about the characteristics of Lord Ram, and other Hindu deities, then Muhammad is nothing for us. Why could not we speak about Muhammad and speak the truth?” Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati had exclaimed.

AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan called for the beheading of Yati Narsinghanand Saraswati as ‘punishment’ for criticising Prophet Muhammad. He also got an FIR registered against the priest in Delhi. Subsequently, FIRs were registered against Khan in Delhi and Ghaziabad for his call for the beheading of the priest.  

Kanpur police remove posters, registers FIR

In the latest update, the Kanpur police have stated that after the removal of the posters and an investigation, they have now registered an FIR regarding the issue.

In a tweet, the Kanpur police informed that the FIR has been lodged in Chamanganj station under sections 153 A and 295 A. They added that the culprits are being identified.

Woman’s fear of cockroaches leads couple to change houses 18 times, husband files for divorce

OpIndia Staff
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Woman’s fear of cockroaches leads couple to change houses 18 times, husband files for divorce

A couple in Bhopal has changed 18 houses in three years of marriage due to the wife’s fear of cockroaches. The husband, a software engineer by profession, tired of being embarrassed amongst friends and family is planning to file for divorce, as reported by Amar Ujala.

The husband was made aware of his wife’s phobia for the first time after their marriage in 2017. Allegedly, the wife on spotting a cockroach in the kitchen ran for help screaming and refused to enter the kitchen thereafter. Apparently, the scream was so loud that it frightened the family members. She had been adamant on shifting to a new house since then.

The couple changed houses for the first time in 2018 but unfortunately the trail did not stop there. The couple since then have changed 18 houses, says the report. 

The man claimed that he has taken his wife to many private psychiatrists including one at AIIMS for treatment but she refuses to take any medication prescribed. The wife on the other hand alleges that her husband does not understand her problem and is trying to declare her mentally ill by getting her on medications. 

To give their marriage a last chance, the couple visited BHAI Welfare Society, an organization that works for men trapped in fake dowry and domestic violence cases. The duo was counseled by a Zaki Ahmed, the founder of this organization, but nothing seemed to work.

Claiming that he and his family are embarrassed and tired of this routine, he has decided to seek legal help and file for a divorce. 

Election Commission bans Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours: Details

OpIndia Staff
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Election Commission bans Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours: Details

The Election Commission has banned West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee from campaigning for 24 hours, from 8pm on the 12th of April to 8pm on the 13th of April.

Mamata Banerjee was banned from campaigning due to comments where she appealed for the Muslim community to vote along communal lines. The ban was also due to comments where she urged women to ‘gherao’ central security forces apart from “false allegations” that the security personnel may intimidate voters to cast their votes for a particular political party.

After Mamata Banerjee asked people to ‘gherao’ the security personnel, a mob had attempted to snatch their weapons during the 4th phase of the West Bengal Assembly Elections on the 10th of April. 4 people lost their lives as the security personnel were forced to act in self-defense.

Earlier, the Trinamool Supremo had appealed to her ‘minority brothers and sisters’ to not allow their vote to be divided.

Amid rising cases of COVID-19, Delhi HC allows Nizamuddin Markaz, once a hotspot, to be made operational for devotees

OpIndia Staff
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Amid rising cases of COVID-19, Delhi HC allows Nizamuddin Markaz, once a hotspot, to be made operational for devotees

As India once again grapples with the resurgence of coronavirus cases in the country, Delhi High Court has allowed the Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi to make the Masjid Bangle Wali operational for devotees to offer prayers. This decision comes nearly a year after the Markaz Nizamuddin of Tablighi Jamaat had been shut down after it had turned into a hotspot for the outbreak of coronavirus.

While passing the order, the Delhi High Court said that since the month of Ramzan is starting from 14th April the Mosque can be reopened, however, it should be done accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines issued by Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA).

The order came following the central government’s proposal that a list of 200 people can be submitted to the police but only 50 people may enter the mosque at a single time to comply with social distancing norms. 

Rejecting the centre and Delhi Police’s submission, Justice Mukta Gupta observed: “It is an open place. They don’t have to have a fixed (number of) devotees when no other religious place has….”

Anybody can wish to go to a temple or mosque or church and a specific list of 200 persons cannot be given by anyone, Gupta added. “A 200-people list is not acceptable; that cannot be,” said the Court. It, however, said that a list of persons managing the mosque can be given to the local SHO.

As per the order passed by the court, an inspection of the mosque in presence of the local SHO will take place on Monday to measure the area for determining the number of people who can offer namaz at the place, in accordance with social distancing norms, and marking the spots where prayer mats can be put for devotees. Asking the authorities to file a status report, the court listed the case for hearing on Tuesday.

Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi reopened on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat

Almost a year after it shut, the Nizamuddin Markaz in Delhi reopened for the first time on March 30 on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat. According to reports, around 50 Muslims offered prayers on Shab-e-Barat at the 6-storeyed building, amidst tight security. 

The Waqf Board, represented by Ramesh Gupta and advocate Wajeeh Shafiq, had urged the Court to allow ‘some Muslims’ to pray at the mosque inside the Markaz. They also asked the Court to decide the matter before April 13 as many Muslims want to offer prayers during Ramazan. On March 24, the Union government told the Delhi High Court that 50 people chosen by the Waqf Board can offer prayers inside the Markaz.

Tablighi Jamaat event in Hazrat Nizamuddin and Coronavirus super-spreader

The Tablighi Jamaat congregation, which took place in Nizamuddin Markaz in the first half of March last year, became a mega-spreader of coronavirus in India, with members hiding from authorities and carrying the infection to almost all states in India. The persons who had attended the event, and their family members and those who came into contact with them tested positive regularly, contributing to the increase in the number of coronavirus cases in the country.

We had then reported extensively how the Tablighi jamaat event had wreaked havoc in the country.

Actress Mahima Chaudhry rallies for both TMC and BJP candidates in West Bengal: Here’s her explanation for the unusual event

OpIndia Staff
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Actress Mahima Chaudhry rallies for both TMC and BJP candidates in West Bengal: Here’s her explanation for the unusual event

Ahead of the upcoming 5th phase of the State Legislative polls in West Bengal, actress Mahima Chaudhry was spotted campaigning for the BJP in the North 24 Parganas district.

In a video shared by Zee 24 Ghanta journalist Piyali Mitra on Monday (April 12), Chaudhry was seen holding an election rally in support of BJP leader Sabyasachi Dutta in Dumdum Park. She stood alongside him in an open jeep and waved at people. Dutta is the BJP candidate from the Bidhannagar Vidhan Sabha constituency.

However, a week earlier, Mahima Chaudhry was spotted participating in the election rally of the Trinamool Congress. On April 5, she campaigned for the TMC leader Madan Mitra in his constituency of Kamarhati. Even during the TMC rally, she stood alongside Madan Mitra in a red coloured jeep, made victory signs and waved at the people. Her campaign for both parties comes at a time when the State is witnessing violence and clashes between the BJP and the TMC.

While responding to the tweet by journalist Piyali Mitra, actress Mahima Chaudhry dismissed charges of being associated with either of the two political parties in West Bengal. “I don’t belong to any party.I know both candidates for a decade now. I came to support MR Madan Mitra in 2011 & MR Sabyasachi when he was mayor. I don’t change my friends if they change their political party. I support friends NOT a particular party,” she tweeted. The actress had featured in various films including Dhadkan, Dil Hai Tumhaara, Dil Kya Kare, Lajja and Pardes.

Screengrab of the tweet by Madan Mitra

The 5th phase of the West Bengal polls will be conducted on April 17. A total of 319 candidates will be contesting for the 45 constituencies. Reportedly, about 1.12 crore electorates will be voting during the 5h phase. While the BJP is contesting all the 45 seats, TMC is contesting on 42 of them.

OpIndia Exclusive: Tata Communications suffers data leak, hackers claim to have sold access to company’s servers, over 50GB data still up for sale

Anurag
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OpIndia Exclusive: Tata Communications suffers data leak, hackers claim to have sold access to company’s servers, over 50GB data still up for sale

After Facebook and Mobikwik, hackers have claimed to got access to another major tech giant in India. As per two posts by hackers on a hackers’ forum, they have gained access to Tata Communications servers. In the posts, the hackers are offering backdoor entry to anyone who is willing to pay $9000 for the servers.

Access to servers sold, claimed hackers

In a March 15 post, the hackers claimed that they have got access to the servers of Tata Communications. They were offering access for $18,000 in the form of Bitcoins. The buyer would get:

  • Access partners
  • Access to the internal network
  • Access to the webserver
  • Access to DB’s
  • +30 Billion billable transactions
  • Access to all SMS and telecom servers
March 15 post by hacker

The hackers offered a discount if needed. By March 11, the hackers dropped the price substantially and asked for $9,000 in Bitcoins. However, when we tried contacting the hackers, they claimed that the access to Tata servers had been sold. On inquiring further whether the person who got access to the servers can access them remotely, the hacker said the servers are behind firewalls, and the buyer did not buy bypass from them. However, with the information they have, they can use Web Shell access to gain persistent access to the company’s databases.

What exactly is the Web Shell access?

A Web Shell is a malicious script used by threat actors with an intent to escalate and maintain continuous access to an already compromised web application or server. It has to be noted that a Web Shell cannot attack or exploit the remote vulnerabilities on its own. However, it is the second step of an attack.

In this case, the threat actors would use the vulnerabilities exiting on the Tata Communication servers, which they learnt about from the data bought from the hacker. Using the vulnerabilities, they can initiate a social engineering attack to attain file upload capabilities and transfer of malicious files or the Web Shells. Some of the common functionalities include, but not limited to, shell command execution, database enumeration, code execution and file management.

Databases worth 50 GB up for sale

According to the second post by the hackers, they are willing to sell the 50GB Database of Tata Communications. They might have gained access using the vulnerabilities they talked about in the previous post. The hackers alleged that the database contains

  1. Customers details: username – password (plaintext) – servers information – servers logs – phone numbers and etc.: If hackers are to be believed, this will provide the buyer access to the server credentials of Tata Communications’ customers.
  2. CRM and Organizational automation DB’s: Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Organizational automation Database contains information of the sales that the company has made over time and information about its customers. Such a system helps the company to track and manage the engagement between customers and responsible teams at the company. This system is used for both existing and prospective customers. If someone gets access to this information, it can be used to get detailed information of the contracts between the company and the customer. In the wrong hands, it can potentially cause financial losses to the company.
  3. Employees Emails Backup: This is the most dangerous set of information that the hacker has offered in the database. Employees emails backup can provide a lot of information about the company processes, customer details, projects the company is working on, in-house trade secrets and much more. It is still unclear how much information is available to the hackers. Another point that one has to keep in mind here is that the access to the servers has already been sold. If the hackers have provided correct information, someone might have already started accessing the databases using the vulnerabilities exploited by the hackers.
  4. Servers access information (usernames – passwords (plaintext) – IP): The hackers claim that they are providing passwords in plaintext format. That means they have already been dehashed. In this case, if the information is correct, anyone who has access to this database will be able to access different servers and exploit the data available on the said servers.
  5. Admin panels information (usernames – passwords (plaintext) – URLs): Using this information, the buyer of the database can access admin panels at Tata Communications, making the trade information vulnerable to leas.
  6. Internal networks Maps and diagrams
  7. Employees Maps
March 26 post by hacker

The sample data

OpIndia got access to the sample of the database. There were a total of eight files and one folder in the sample data. In the folder, there were some invoices dating back to 2016-17. These invoices were issued by one of the Tata Communications business partner and telecom giant Etisalat. Both companies had signed MoU in 2013 to build multi-service regional network infrastructure in UAE.

sample invoice (screenshots from sample data)

In a file titled Tel-data-2021, details of Tata Communications clients’ network usage was found. The majority of the clients mentioned in this list were from Saudi Arabia.

Client information from Saudi Arabia (screenshots from sample data)

Another file shared by the hacker had usernames, passwords in text format (possibly dehashed) and email addresses and other details of one of Tata Communications clients that is a Cloud Communication Platform provider. Notably, one of the users had his phone number as the password. When we reverse checked the number, it turned out to be registered to the same name, which weighs in for the authenticity of the data.

Username and password of a client of Tata Communications (screenshots from sample data)

The hacker also shared a sample of SMS servers of Tata Communications. It has to be noted that the services of Tata Communications are used by several companies, including banks, institutes, government organizations and more. In this particular file, we were able to check the numbers of the users and what messages they exchanged. The messages ranged from October 2020 to March 2020. Please note that this was only a sample, and the hackers have claimed to have access to the latest data dump.

SMS server sample (screenshots from sample data)

Another database potentially has information of the internal invoices.

Accounts information sample including invoice details (screenshots from sample data)

There is still a lot of information in the sample data dump that we believe should not be shared anywhere. The screenshots included in this report are not even 0.1% of the data the hackers provided in the data sample.

Tata Communications is yet to comment

We have contacted Chief Technology Officer at Tata Telecommunications via email and waiting for their reply. Once they provide us with any information about the alleged leak/breach, we will update the story.

‘Victim card’: Netizens react as ‘comedian’ Munawar Faruqui vows to quit social media, political jokes

OpIndia Staff
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‘Victim card’: Netizens react as ‘comedian’ Munawar Faruqui vows to quit social media, political jokes

Two months after being released on bail, ‘comedian’ Munawar Faruqui has now announced that he would quit making political jokes and leave social media platforms. He was earlier arrested on January 2 this year along with four others by the Indore police for making indecent remarks about Hindu deities and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

In a tweet on Monday (April 12), Munawar Faruqui wrote, “I am quitting all social media platforms. And will not do any political joke today onwards.” We could not ascertain whether the ‘comedian’ was being serious or sarcastic.

Screengrab of Munawar Faruqi’s tweet

Netizens take a dig at Munawar Faruqi

Following his announcement, netizens were quick to take potshots at Munawar Faruqui. With a slew of memes and jokes, they mocked him for his anti-Hindu comedy and the ‘innate’ ability to play the victim card. A Twitter user (@mintu_solanki) said that none would physically harm or behead him for abusing Hindu deities while Swamy Yati Narsimhand Saraswati had been issued death threats. “This is how our law system works. Even if he (is) punished by law still he has to deal with Jihadist who use violence as tool while negotiations,” he added.

Screengrab of the tweet

Another user (@Satyaam_) reminded Munawar Faruqui of his time in Indore Central jail. After learning that he has decided to quit social media, the user inquired, “Indore Central Jail se bulava aaya hai kya? (Have you been summoned to the Indore Central Jail?)”

Screengrab of the tweet

Another Twitter user shared a fun meme from the soap opera, ‘Taarakh Meheta ka Ulta Chasma’. The meme shared by the user showed Jethalal thanking Munawar Faruqui for quitting social media. “Thank you, I will always remember and remain grateful to you for this.”

Screengrab of the tweet

Twitter user, 13 Jamai, wrote, “On this turn, I will play the victim card.”

Screengrab of the tweet

Twitter user, Ms Banasal expressed her happiness for his tweet and hoped that it was true. “I am not believing this liar…and also April is going so you never know what a person is trying to do. PS: If it proves to be true, I am already happy.”

Screengrab of the tweet

In the end, one Harsha Rathore tweeted a picture of PM Modi with the caption, ‘Prashanthan kare shriman (Please leave Mister)’ to encourage Munawar Faruqui to adhere to his words.

Screengrab of the tweet

Munawar Faruqui and 4 others arrested for passing indecent remarks on Hindu deities

Eklavya Singh Gaur, an activist and the chief of Hindu Rakshak Sangathan, had earlier filed a complaint against Munawar Faruqui show after they had gone to watch the show. When they heard the “indecent” comments, they forced the organisers to stop the program. The Hindu activist Gaur also submitted video footage of the show. Gaur had said he and his friends went to watch the show where Faruqui was performing as the main comedian.

“The show mocked Hindu deities by passing indecent comments. The Godhra incident and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were also mentioned inappropriately. We shot a video and stopped the show by taking the audience out of the cafe. Then we caught the comedians and organizers of the show and took them to Tukoganj police station,” the Hindu activist said. Faruqui was arrested with four others on January 2 and later released on bail on February 5.

Maharashtra: Jalgaon factory owned by Amjad Mansoori found stuffing discarded masks inside mattresses

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: Jalgaon factory owned by Amjad Mansoori found stuffing discarded masks inside mattresses

The Maharashtra police on Monday busted a mattress-making factory in Jalgaon district which was caught using discarded used masks in place of cotton to stuff the mattress, as per an India Today report. 

A case has been filed against the owner of the unit, Amjad Ahmed Mansoori and a probe has been initiated into the matter.

Piles of face masks lying around the premises which were to be used to stuff the products were set on fire as per the prescribed norms. 

Used face masks recovered from the factory being burnt. Image Source: India Today

A raid was conducted after the police station located in Jalgaon’s Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) area was alerted about the alleged racket, as per the report. 

Additional Superintendent of Police Chandrakant Gawali informed, “When the officials visited the premises of the factory in Kusumba village of MIDC, they found a mattress being stuffed with used masks.”

“A case was registered against the factory owner, Amjad Ahmed Mansoori. The police are now probing the involvement of others in the racket,” he added.

Mattresses being stuffed with used face masks at the factory in Jalgaon. Image Source: India Today

Unsafe disposal of used masks can pose a serious health hazard to the ones who come in contact with them. The Central Pollution Control Board had issued stringent guidelines for the safe disposal of used masks and other waste generated during the treatment, diagnosis and quarantine of COVID-19 patients.

As per a Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) report, it was revealed that over 18,000 tonnes of coronavirus-related bio-medical waste had been disposed of between June and September 2020 alone, including gloves and face masks. Since the pandemic began, the production of protective equipment like face masks, PPEs and face shields were enhanced. As medical personnel across the country battle the pandemic, the waste disposal concerns have also risen up.

US, Europe withholding critical raw material needed for COVID-19 vaccine production: SII CEO Adar Poonawalla

OpIndia Staff
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US, Europe withholding critical raw material needed for COVID-19 vaccine production: SII CEO Adar Poonawalla

Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of the Serum Institute of India today revealed that the production of COVID-19 vaccines in the country had taken a hit because of the restrictions imposed by the United States and the European countries on the export of critical raw material.

Speaking in an interview with India Today, Poonawalla spilt the beans on the problems faced by his organisation in ramping up the COVID-19 vaccine production even as the country is in the grips of a resurgent coronavirus outbreak.

“I wish I could go there and protest in the US myself to say that you are holding back critical raw material that are required for Covaxin and so many vaccine manufacturers in India and other parts of the world,” Poonawalla said while expressing his anguish over the unavailability of key raw materials needed to scale up COVID-19 vaccine production.

He added that the shortage and and struggling for raw material is for short term because in a few months, they will be able to develop other suppliers.

Poonawalla also added that SII is not looking to import raw material from China because of its quality issues and other supply constraints.

SII trying to double production capacity

To address the dire need for the coronavirus vaccine in the country, the Serum Institute of India is planning to double the monthly production of its COVID-19 vaccine Covishield. Poonawalla said that right now the SII is producing 6 to 6.5 crore doses of Covishield every month and the company is adding capacities to ramp up its production to 10-11 crores by June this year.

The Pune-based Serum Institute of India is the world’s largest manufacturer of vaccines. It is currently manufacturing the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine. This vaccine is being marketed in India under the name ‘Covishield’.

Besides Covishield, the Drugs Controller General in India has approved emergency usage of indigenously developed Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. At present, people above 45 are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccines in India.

When asked about his organisation’s strategy to cope up with the increasing demand for vaccines in India, the drug mogul responded that his organisation is prioritising the needs of India first. He said the Serum Institute of India is working with the central government at this stage at this price point to take care of Indians first.

While opposition leaders claim credit for Sputnik-V vaccine approval, here’s how it is the latest step in a process that began in Sep 2020

OpIndia Staff
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While opposition leaders claim credit for Sputnik-V vaccine approval, here’s how it is the latest step in a process that began in Sep 2020

Russia’s Sputnik-V vaccine has received emergency use approval from the Subject Expert Committee of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and now it awaits the final approval from the Drugs Controller General of India. Calls were being made to grant approval for the same citing the second wave in India.

The approval today has suddenly given some people cause to fall prey to their own false notions about the whole process. Some have decided it is a moment to pay tribute to the renowned intellect of Rahul Gandhi.

Others believe the approval has come forth due to the voices raised by the opposition.

In reality, the emergency use approval for Sputnik-V today is another step in a process that began as early as September 2020 when Dr. Reddy’s said that they were looking to begin late-stage Indian clinical trials for the vaccine within the next few weeks. This has been pointed out by users on social media.

“We want to get to the first step – which is the commencement of the clinical trials by getting the necessary approvals from the Indian regulators – within the next few weeks,” Deepal Sapra, CEO for API and pharmaceutical services at Dr. Reddy’s (DRL), had told Reuters in September.

It was reported that the trials were part of a deal between Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Dr. Reddy’s which involved the Indian firm conducting the Phase 3 trials in India and pursue local regulatory approvals. “I think it’s going to be several months before we accomplish all the steps in the process,” Sapra had said back then.

Dr. Reddy’s received the approval to conduct the Phase 3 trials from the Drugs Control General of India (DCGI) in January 2021. It was after the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) reviewed the safety data of the Phase 2 clinical trials and recommended the next phase of trials.

G V Prasad, Co-chairman and Managing Director, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories had said, “This is an important milestone in the progress of this pivotal clinical trial of the vaccine. We expect to commence the phase 3 study within this month and will continue to fast-track our efforts to bringing in a safe and efficacious vaccine for the Indian population”.

On the 19th of February, Dr. Reddy’s sought emergency use approval for the Sputnik-V vaccine with Phase 3 trials due to be completed on the 21st of February. It had said then that the safety profile of the phase 2 study and the interim data of the ongoing Phase 3 trials would be presented.

It was reported on the 16th of March that the Phase 3 trials had been completed and results were due in April. The phase involved 1500 participants and was randomised, double-blind, parallel-group, and placebo-controlled study in India.

On the 2nd of April, the authorities sought more data for emergency use approval. A source said, “No approval was given to Sputnik V on Thursday. Some queries have been asked on safety, efficacy, and logistics, which the firm will have answers to at the next meeting.” “Current storage temperature requirement is at minus 18 degrees Celsius. We are working on other storage conditions as well,” a spokesperson for DRL had said.

Ten days later, on the 12th of April, the SEC met today to discuss the emergency use approval for the Sputnik-V Vaccine and the clarifications that were provided. Following the meeting, approval for the same was granted. And now, it awaits the DGCI’s final approval.

Therefore, while politically motivated individuals may be inclined to credit their favoured opposition leaders for the development, the fact of the matter is that it is only the logical step of a process that began September last year.

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