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Twitter puts its own rules above Indian laws and refuses to block media accounts despite inciting violence, minister RS Prasad refuses to meet its officials

OpIndia Staff
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Twitter puts its own rules above Indian laws and refuses to block media accounts despite inciting violence, minister RS Prasad refuses to meet its officials

Twitter has decided to brazen it out and put its own rules above Indian laws and refused to withhold or suspend accounts that have been accused of inciting violence in the country. In a series of tweets and a blog, Twitter tried to explain its stand on not taking action against provocative tweets by certain verified individuals.

Twitter cited freedom of speech and expression as per the Indian Constitution for news media entities, journalists, activists and politicians for refusing to take action against the offending accounts.

Interestingly, the Indian Constitution’s Article 19 that serves freedom of speech and expression does not specify press or associated persons as separate entities. The laws in India consider every citizen equal, unlike the US.

The microblogging giant claimed, “The values that underpin the Open Internet and free expression are increasingly under threat around the world.” Twitter claimed that it exists to provide a platform to everyone so that their voices are heard irrespective of their views and perspective. One may think if it is the same company that recently blocked sitting President of the United States, Donald Trump’s account, claiming that he had caused Capitol Hall violence.

Twitter claimed to have taken action against hundreds of accounts

In the statement published on its blog, Twitter said that since January 26, 2021, its global team took action against hundreds of accounts that were in violation of the Twitter rules. It said that they:

  • “Took action on hundreds of accounts that violated the Twitter Rules, particularly inciting violence, abuse, wishes of harm, and threats that could trigger the risk of offline harm
  • Prevented certain terms that violated our Rules from appearing in the Trends section
  • Suspended more than 500 accounts that were engaging in clear examples of platform manipulation and spam
  • Tackled misinformation based on the highest potential for real-world harm, and prioritized labeling of Tweets that were in violation of our synthetic and manipulated media policy.”

Notably, they took action according to their policies, if their statement is to be believed. They may or may not have considered the law of the land, that is India.

Steps were taken by Twitter against Government’s request to block specific accounts

Twitter further said that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act served several separate blocking orders on the last 10 days. The accounts that the Government have requested to withhold or block also contained accounts of media outlets, news agencies, journalists, activists and some high profile leaders. Twitter further added that two of these were emergency blocking orders that the company temporary complied with. However, they reversed the action taken and restored the accounts. When they informed MeitY about their actions, they were served with non-compliance notice.

This is where Twitter went on and discussed the importance of ‘free speech’ and claimed Indian Law does not allow blocking of accounts. It said:

  • “We took steps to reduce the visibility of the hashtags containing harmful content, which included prohibiting them from trending on Twitter and appearing as recommended search terms.
  • We took a range of enforcement actions — including permanent suspension in certain cases — against more than 500 accounts escalated across all MeitY orders for clear violations of Twitter’s Rules.
  • Separately, today, we have withheld a portion of the accounts identified in the blocking orders under our Country Withheld Content policy within India only. These accounts continue to be available outside of India. Because we do not believe that the actions we have been directed to take are consistent with Indian law, and, in keeping with our principles of defending protected speech and freedom of expression, we have not taken any action on accounts that consist of news media entities, journalists, activists, and politicians. To do so, we believe, would violate their fundamental right to free expression under Indian law. We informed MeitY of our enforcement actions today, February 10, 2021. We will continue to maintain a dialogue with the Indian Government and respectfully engage with them.“

Twitter confused the United States’ Constitution with Indian Constitution

According to the White House’s website, “The First Amendment provides that Congress make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise. It protects freedom of speech, the press, assembly, and the right to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” Here, they have specifically mentioned the ‘press’ in the Constitution, giving media houses free hand to say whatever they want without worrying about the consequences of their actions. The First Amendment’s free speech clause for the press has increased penetration of Fake News in the United States, resulting in mistrust and even violence.

Now coming to Article 19 of the Indian Constitution [PDF] that talks about the freedom of speech and expression. Article 19, section 1(a) states, “All citizens shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression.” Moving further, Section 2 of the same Article states, “Nothing in sub-clause (a) of clause (1) shall affect the operation of any existing law, or prevent the State from making any law, in so far as such law imposes reasonable restrictions on the exercise of the right conferred by the said sub-clause in the interests of 4 [the sovereignty and integrity of India,] the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence.]”

That means though the Indian Constitution allows freedom of speech to everyone, irrespective of caste, race, location, age, sex, political views, etc., there are restrictions. The free speech does not allow anyone to make any statement that can disrupt public order or result in incitement to an offence. That means, Article 19 does not allow people of the press or any other profession to make any statement that can result in violence.

The statements made by the accounts mentioned in the notices sent by MeitY were involved in spreading fake news and misleading public. For example, Rajdeep Sardesai, The Caravan and other media outlets had spread misinformation about the death of a rioter named Navreet Singh Hundal and claimed he was shot by the police. Despite clarification by the police and related authorities, these portals continued to spread the misinformation.

Government denied request of dialogue

According to sources in the ministry, the Government has turned down the proposal to have dialogue from Twitter. Union Minister of IT & Telecom, RS Prasad, has refused to meet Twitter officials.

Government takes note of Twitter going public with their ‘defiance’, posts response on Twitter alternative Koo

OpIndia Staff
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Government takes note of Twitter going public with their ‘defiance’, posts response on Twitter alternative Koo

As micro-blogging site Twitter brazened it out and refused to take action the anti-India and Khalistani accounts, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) on Wednesday said that they are reviewing its earlier decision to meet Twitter officials.

Taking to the India-made Twitter alternate Koo app, the Ministry said that following Twitter’s recent blog, they would soon share its response about the decision to meet the Twitter officials. Earlier, it was reported that some of the Twitter officials were expected to hold meetings with government officials to convey their stand on the issue in light of the ongoing events. However, sources tell OpIndia that Union Minister RS Prasad has refused to meet Twitter officials.

With Twitter coming out with its recent blog saying that it refuses to take action against all the 1,400 accounts listed by the government and instead would let off a few social media accounts of alleged journalists, media houses and other left-wing accounts, the MEITY is now reconsidering the decision to meet the Twitter officials after it disrespected Indian laws by not following the law of the land.

“Upon the request of Twitter seeking a meeting with the Govt., the Secretary IT was to engage with senior management of Twitter. In this light a blog post published prior to this engagement is unusual. Govt. will share its response soon,” posted MEITY through its Koo account.

MEITY’s Koo

Interestingly, the Modi government has chosen to issue this particular statement on the relatively new app – ‘Koo’, which itself it is a testament that the government is not happy with the defiance showed by a foreign private entity like Twitter.

Twitter fails to comply with Indian government notice

Earlier this week, the centre had issued a new notice to social media giant Twitter directing it to block 1,178 accounts found to be from Pakistan peddling Khalistani secessionism. This was an addition to the government’s earlier notice asking them to ban 257 anti-India social media accounts for making hate speech.

The misuse of the social media platform for spreading anti-India propaganda, provocative content and misinformation had irked the Union government. The government believes that the said Twitter accounts have the potential to cause a threat to public order.

However, Twitter showed its reluctance to comply with the central government’s notice under Section 69A of the IT Act. The social media site has banned only a handful of 1,400 handles, and Twitter said it would not be taking action against any media, journalists, activists, and politicians despite the government’s notice.

Referring to some handles as ‘newsworthy’, the social media platform brazened out by saying that this Twitter handles will only be blocked within India and would not include the handles of journalists, media entities, activists and politicians.

Shockingly, Twitter claimed that the actions being directed towards them by the Modi government were not consistent with the Indian law. The micro-blogging site not only attempted to teach Indian laws to the democratically-elected government but also tried to disrespect Indian laws by failing to comply with orders of the government.

Twitter also claimed that they did not believe that the actions they have been directed to take are consistent with Indian law. They said that keeping with their ‘principles of defending protected speech and freedom of expression’ and will not take any action on accounts that consist of news media entities, journalists, activists, and politicians.

“To do so, we believe, would violate their fundamental right to free expression under Indian law,” it said.

Government moves to ‘Koo’ app

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and many of its organisations have moved to Koo, a Made-in-India alternative to Twitter. The Ministry of Electronics and IT, MyGov, Digital India, India Post, NIC, NIELIT, SAMEER, Common Services Center, UMANG app, Digi Locker, NIXI, STPI, CDAC, and CMET have verified handles on the platform.

The move comes at a time when the Government is mulling actions against Twitter for failing to comply with its orders on removing Khalistani and anti-India accounts.

Supreme Court stays dismantling of INS Viraat on a petition to preserve it after more than 30% already dismantled in Alang

OpIndia Staff
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Supreme Court stays dismantling of INS Viraat on a petition to preserve it after more than 30% already dismantled in Alang

The Supreme Court of India today passed an order staying the dismantling of INS Viraat, the decommissioned aircraft carrier of Indian navy. A three-judge Bench of Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde and Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian issued to order to keep the status quo on the demolition of the vessel, which was brought to Alang Ship Breaking yard in Gujarat in September last year by a scrap dealer.

The judgement was passed following a petition by a company called Envitech Marine Consultants Private Limited, offering to preserve it and convert it into a museum. The Company has proposed to convert the hull into a maritime museum and multi-functional adventure centre.

However, this order may not be the cause for conservationists to rejoice, as demetallation of the ship has already begun at the yard. Reports last month had stated that around 30% dismantling work of INS Viraat had been completed and the entire vessel would be dismantled in nine months. Mukesh Patel, Chairman of the Shree Ram Group, which bought the ship at an auction in July last year for Rs 38.54 crore, had told media that the firm began the dismantling process in December 2020.

Photographs of the dismantled ship that have appeared on social media show that the ski-ramp of the carrier has already been removed, and the dismantling process of the deck is well under process. The images show that not just the upper deck, but the process of dismantling even the lower decks have also started, and the superstructure of the hull also have been dismantled to a significant extent. This shows that it will be almost impossible to restore it back to preserve it, and even if that is done, it will be very costly.

INS Viraat being dismantled in Gujarat

It may be noted that after the ship was decommissioned in March 2017, several organisations have demanded it to be converted into a museum instead of dismantling it. In November 2018, the Maharashtra government had approved the conversion of Viraat into India’s first moored maritime museum and marine adventure centre. But it didn’t attract any tender due to high cost of the project.

An expert committee appointed to study the feasibility of preserving the ship had ruled that it will not be viable due to the structural deterioration of the ship. The committee was formed on the advice of PM Narendra Modi, who also wanted to preserve the ship. But when the committee said in its report that the ship won’t survive beyond 10-15 years due to extensive deterioration of the metal used in the ship, the central government had decided to scrap the same.

INS Viraat being dismantled in Gujarat

In July 2020, Gujarat-based company Shri Ram Shipping had purchased the ship from the Metal Scrap Corporation for ₹38.54 crore. In September, the ship was towed from Mumbai to Alang in Gujarat, where the dismantling began in December. In the meantime, Envitech Marine Consultants had offered to buy the ship from Shri Ram Shipping to convert it to a museum, but the deal didn’t materialise.

INS Viraat had started as HMS Hermes of the Royal Navy of the UK in the year 1959, and it was decommissioned in 1984. After that, it was purchased by India, and the carrier was commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1987. Therefore, although the ship served with Indian Navy for 30 years, it is actually more than 62 years old.

NDTV accused of fraudulently collecting funds in name of govt foundation and UNICEF for own benefits, complaint registered

OpIndia Staff
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NDTV accused of fraudulently collecting funds in name of govt foundation and UNICEF for own benefits, complaint registered

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights – the apex body responsible for the laws and policies of the child rights in the country, has written to the Economic Offences Wing to initiate an action against controversial news channel NDTV over allegations of fraudulently using the cause of children to illegally raise money for its own benefit.

In a letter written to the Joint Commissioner of Police -EOW of the Delhi Police, the NCPCR has asked to investigate a complaint against NDTV for organising an alleged fund riser purported to be for the kids by using a foundation’s name that works with Government of India. In its letter, NCPCR said that they received a complaint against NDTV alleging that the controversial news outlet had started a fundraiser in partnership with the UNICEF to help kids affected by the Chinese coronavirus pandemic.

The complainant had stated that NDTV had claimed these funds were being raised for the Childline India Foundation – a foundation that works with Ministry of Women and Child Development. Childline India Foundation is a nodal agency under the Ministry that operates a telephone helpline called ‘Childline 1098’, for children in distress.

However, neither the foundation nor the Ministry is even aware of the fundraising campaign that was organised in its name by NDTV.

In his letter to NCPCR, the complainant has alleged that the purported fundraiser initiated by NDTV was nothing but a fraudulent way to use cause of kids to illegally raise money for its own benefit.

NCPCR asks Economic Offence Wing to take action against NDTV

Forwarding the complaint to the EOW, the NCPCR has now written a letter seeking action against NDTV to look into the serious allegations against NDTV for raising this money and utilising this money received in this fundraiser. The NCPCR has also said that it has deemed it appropriate to take action NDTV under Section 13(1)(j) of the Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005.

“Keeping in view of the serious allegations made against NDTV for fraudulently using the cause of children and illegally raising money for its own benefit, the Commission has deemed it appropriate to take cognisance under Section 13(1)(j) CPCR Act, 2005 upon this complaint,” read the NCPCR letter to EOW seeking action against NDTV.

NCPCR’s letter to EOW seeking action against NDTV

The letter added, “Therefore, it requested that the serious allegation made in this complaint may be looked into an investigation into the intentions of NDTV for raising this money and utilisation of this money received in this fundraiser may be initiated under appropriate provisions of law”.

NDTV-UNICEF Reimagine Telethon – a bogus fundraiser

In November 2020, the controversial media house NDTV – whose promoters are accused in money laundering and tax fraud cases, had launched an alleged fundraising initiative ‘NDTV-UNICEF Reimagine Telethon’ to aid children during the COVID-19 crisis.

According to NDTV, it had collaborated with UNICEF to start a fundraiser for children. The main aim of ‘Reimagine’ special telethon is to help the most vulnerable children affected by the COVID-19 crisis, claimed NDTV on the launch of the purported fundraiser.

“Children are the forgotten victims of the pandemic. COVID has severely affected not just children’s health but has caused many of them to drop out of school…With lockdowns being relaxed, things will improve but will not get back to normal for a very long time – during which time lives, educations and futures will be lost,” said NDTV during the launch.

During the launch, the NDTV had claimed that without immediate funding and key lifesaving interventions like health care, nutrition, and immunization, an additional 1,600 children could die in India every day over the next six months. Seeking funds in the name of helping children, NDTV had asked for funds claiming that they would protect the most vulnerable children.

“Let’s reimagine our children’s future. Join NDTV and UNICEF’s special campaign, ‘Reimagine Our Children’s Future’,” claimed the NDTV.

UNICEF issues disclaimer on NDTV fundraising

As NDTV claimed that the fundraising was a collaboration with UNICEF, the global child-rights body had taken an exception against such claims made by NDTV. After NDTV used UNICEF’s name to receive money as aid to help children, the global organisation issued a statement saying that a few organizations and individuals were falsely using UNICEF’s name to raise funds and promotion without authorization.

“We denounce this unethical practice and disassociate from the organizations/individuals involved in this,” the UNICEF had denounced NDTVs’ fundraising campaign without naming the controversial far-left outlet.

However, NDTV is yet to respond to the ongoing allegations. The complaint registered at NCPCR and the subsequent letter to Economic Offence Wing against the alleged fundraising event of the NDTV may now lead to a detailed investigation against the news outlet and its purported fundraising campaign to illegal raise funds in the name of children.

Republic Day Violence: Another accused Iqbal Singh arrested by Delhi police from Punjab

OpIndia Staff
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Republic Day Violence: Another accused Iqbal Singh arrested by Delhi police from Punjab

Following the arrest of Khalistani supporter Deep Sidhu yesterday, the Delhi Police Special Cell has now arrested another accused, named Iqbal Singh in relation to the Republic Day violence. Iqbal Singh who has a reward of Rs 50,000 on his was arrested by the police last night from Hoshiarpur, Punjab.

Apart from Iqbal Singh, a cash reward of Rs 50,000 each has also been announced by the police on arrest of Jagbir Singh, Buta Singh and Sukhdev Singh.

As per reports, Singh was seen threatening police officials with violence in the videos from Red Fort. He had threatened that if the rioters are not allowed to enter, they will fire at the police from their own weapons.

A Delhi Court had sent Deep Sidhu to 7 days police custody. The police have been investigating Sidhu’s role in instigating violence and vandalising the Red Fort on the Republic Day during the tractor rally organised by protestors. Sindhu, who has been absconding since the Republic Day riots, was reportedly traced by the police using advanced surveillance technology.

Delhi Police have identified 50 rioters so far

Delhi Police had announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh each for information leading to the arrest of Sidhu, Jugraj Singh, Gurjot Singh and Gurjant Singh. A lookout notice was also issued against Sidhu, Lakha Sidhana and Jugraj Singh. Sidhu and Jugraj Singh and two others were involved in hoisting two flags with Sikh symbols atop the Red Fort and inciting people for violence.

Delhi police have so far identified 50 rioters and have seized 14 tractors used in the Republic Day violence.

As Congress’ P Chidambaram claims he is ‘andolanjeevi’, here is how his police killed an ‘adolankari’ during 2011 anti-corruption protests

OpIndia Staff
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As Congress’ P Chidambaram claims he is ‘andolanjeevi’, here is how his police killed an ‘adolankari’ during 2011 anti-corruption protests

Days after Prime Minister Modi called out the hypocrisy of professional protestors who agitate only for the sake of protesting, Congress leader and former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram took to Twitter to claim how he is also an ‘andolanjeevi’ (lifelong protestor), walking on the paths of Mahatma Gandhi.

The fact that Mahatma Gandhi was agitating against the British rule and not laws formed by democratically elected government, was quite lost on him.

Another fact that he conveniently forgot was how under his leadership, the Delhi Police raided and lathicharged the protestors at Ram Leela Maidan, leading to protestors getting severely injured and deaths.

On September 26, 2011, 51-year-old Rajbala passed away after fighting for her life for weeks as Delhi Police, under the then Home Minister P Chidambaram raided Ram Leela Maidan on June 5, 2011. The lathi charge left her with a crippling spinal injury. She was participating in the Baba Ramdev led protests.

As per hospital statement, she was admitted to hospital with post-traumatic fracture and dislocation of cervical C4 and C5 vertebrate with quadriplegia and respiratory irregularity, haemodynamic instability and bladder and bowel dysfunction. She was critical from day 1.

In Dr Manmohan Singh government, P Chidambaram was the Union Home Minister from November 2008 to July 2012. Delhi Police falls under the Union Home Ministry.

But, he is an ‘andolanjeevi’.

To read more about staggering hypocrisy of P Chidambaram, click here.

Congress MP claims new agriculture laws will scrap APMC markets, fails to point out which clause says that

OpIndia Staff
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Congress MP claims new agriculture laws will scrap APMC markets, fails to point out which clause says that

On February 9, several members of Parliament expressed their views on the new Agriculture laws and ongoing farmer protests. Congress MP Ravneet Singh Bittu expressed his opinions on Agriculture laws in Lok Sabha. During an almost 22-minute long speech, he made some claims but failed to provide any explanation.

‘APMC markets will be scraped’ – Did Singh mention clauses without reading them?

While talking about The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020, Singh claimed that in clause 3 and clause 5, it is written that private markets will be established and APMC markets will be scrapped. Anurag Thakur, Minister of State for Corporate Affairs, interrupted him immediately and asked where it is written that the APMC markets will be scrapped?

Confused by the rebuttal from the minister, MP Singh tried to re-read the clauses but apparently could not find the exact points which could back his claims. He kept on saying that clause 3 and clause 5 have the provision for the same, but in reality, clause 3 and clause 5 have no mention of APMC markets being scrapped.

Does America pay 40,000 billion dollars in subsidy to its farmers every year?

MP Singh claimed that the United States paid USD 40,000 billion in subsidies last year to its farmers. However, the amount was USD 46 Billion in 2020. Singh somehow multiplied the subsidies by thousand and forgot to check how much is the total federal budget of the United States that stands at USD 4.829 trillion or USD 4829 billion. He also claimed that the government would bring Google and WhatsApp in the Agriculture sector. Interestingly, Google and WhatsApp do not have any Agriculture business in India or otherwise.

Clause 3 does not even talk about APMC markets

Clause 3 of the said law allows the farmers to do inter-state trading. It says, “Subject to the provisions of this Act, any farmer or trader or electronic trading and transaction platform shall have the freedom to carry on the inter-State or intra-State trade and commerce in farmers’ produce in a trade area.” How Singh reached the conclusion that it means scrapping of APMC markets is difficult to understand.

Clause 3 of The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 (Source: egazette.nic.in)

Clause 5 talks about the electronic trading platforms but not about APMC markets

Clause 5 states that any person with a PAN number or required documents as prescribed by the Central Government or farmer producer organization or agricultural co-operative society is allowed to establish and operate an electronic trading and transaction platform for inter-state and intra-state trading of the produce. It also states that it will be the responsibility of the creator of the platform to ensure fair practices and arrange logistics etc. The clause also gives power to the government to formulate laws for such platforms if the government thinks it is essential for fair trade.

Clause 5 of The Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Act, 2020 (Source: egazette.nic.in)

Clause 5 says, “(1) Any person (other than individual), having a permanent account number allotted under the Income-tax Act, 1961or such other document as may be notified by the Central Government or any farmer producer organization or agricultural co-operative society may establish and operate an electronic trading and transaction platform for facilitating inter-State or intra-State trade and commerce of scheduled farmers’ produce in a trade area:

Provided that the person establishing and operating an electronic trading and transaction platform shall  prepare and implement the guidelines for fair trade practices such as mode of trading, fees, technical parameters including inter-operability with other platforms, logistics arrangments, quality assessment, timely payment, dissemination of guidelines in local language of the place of operation of the platform and such other matters.

(2) If the Central Government is of the opinion that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, it may, for electronic trading platforms, by rules (a) specify the procedure, norms, manner of registration; and (b) specify the code of conduct, technical parameters including inter-operability with other platform and modalities of trade transaction including logistics arrangements and quality assessment of scheduled farmers’ produce and mode of payment, for facilitating fair inter-State and intra-State trade and commerce of scheduled farmers’ produce in a trade area.”

Again, there is no provision of scrapping the APMC markets in clause 5.

No tax on trade is a problem, says MP Singh

MP Singh further said that there is a provision that there will be no tax on the private markets, which will lead to lesser trade in the APMC markets as there are state fees and state taxes applicable in APMC markets. The provision is in clause 6, but it only states that the state cannot impose any cess or levy under State APMC Act or any other state law.

Clause 6 says, “No market fee or cess or levy, by whatever name called, under any State APMC Act or any other State law, shall be levied on any farmer or trader or electronic trading and transaction platform for trade and commerce in scheduled farmers’ produce in a trade area.” It is understandable that if the farmer has decided to sell the produce out of the APMC market, it is already out of the proximity of such State Acts. Thus, State will not have the authority to impose any tax on the trade.

Yogendra Yadav is behind Red Fort violence, claimed Singh

Towards the end of his speech, MP Singh claimed that Yogendra Yadav and his party is behind the violence that happened on the Red Fort. He said that if the government removed him from the protest site, the communication between farmer unions and the government would be smoother, and the resolution will be reached quickly. He also claimed that Khalistani terrorist organization Sikhs for Justice had announced a day prior to the Republic Day that they will hoist the flag on Red Fort at 11:30 AM, which they did.

India donates vaccines to Rihanna’s home country Barbados, a week after she fanned anti-India propaganda over farm laws

OpIndia Staff
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India donates vaccines to Rihanna’s home country Barbados, a week after she fanned anti-India propaganda over farm laws

Even as Indian citizens are annoyed by the interference of singer-songwriter Robyn Rihanna Fenty into promoting violent protestors funded by Khalistani separatists abroad, India has reached out to help her home country Barbados by sending a large consignment of coronavirus vaccines.

The Narendra Modi-led Indian government has sent 100,000 doses of coronavirus vaccine to Rihanna’s country Barbados under the ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative. On Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar announced on Twitter that Barbados had received Made in India vaccines.

On Sunday, India had dispatched two consignments of Covid-19 vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) to Barbados and Dominica under the Vaccine Maitri initiative. As vaccines reached Barbados’ shores, Prime Minister Mia Mottley expressed her gratitude to the Indian government.

Barbados PM Mia Mottley shared a video of the vaccine consignment being received by herself and her colleagues, thanking PM Modi for the ‘quick, decisive and magnanimous’ action.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 100,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca anti-coronavirus vaccine. In a letter to PM Modi on February 4, Mottley said, “On behalf of my government and people, I wish you to express gratitude to you, your government and the people of the Republic of India for the most generous donation of the Covishield vaccine (under the auspices of Oxford AstraZeneca).”

Mottley’s statement expressing gratitude to India came just a few days after Barbadian singer-activist Rihanna had sparked outrage in India for expressing ‘solidarity’ with protestors who had attempted an insurrection against the country. Rihanna’s attempts to interfere in the country’s affairs had triggered sharp reaction from Indians, especially after it was found that the famous singer had probably tweeted under a paid PR campaign by forces trying to trigger unrest in India.

A ‘toolkit’ accidentally shared by self-proclaimed climate activist Greta Thunberg had revealed that there was an elaborate and detailed plan to start violent agitations in India and get international celebrities to tweet in favour of the agitation. Rihanna’s tweet was copied verbatim from the ‘toolkit’.

For the uninitiated, Rihanna hails from Barbados. She was born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown.

India’s vaccine diplomacy

India, the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer, has yet again come to the world’s aid by successfully supplying vaccines to its neighbouring and other developing countries at an extremely affordable cost, besides giving away millions of doses to friendly nations for free. India has airlifted more than 6 million COVID-19 doses to nine countries in Phase-I under its initiative termed “Vaccine Maitri”.

The Modi government’s vaccine diplomacy has taken wings and has delivered vaccines to most of its neighbours. Under the initiative, India sent a gift of two million doses of Covishield vaccine to Dhaka on January 21 and facilitated a commercial contract of 30 million doses with vaccine manufacturer SII. Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives have received India’s COVID-19 vaccines under grant assistance in tune with country’s “Neighbourhood First” policy.

In addition to that, India will send 1 lakh anti-Covid shots to Oman, a close partner in the Gulf. Later this week, India is scheduled to deliver over 5 lakh doses to Afghanistan and send 2 lakh doses to Nicaragua, 70,000 to Dominica and 1.5 lakh to Mongolia, besides the doses sent to Barbados.

Under commercial deals, Egypt, Algeria, UAE, and Kuwait have all purchased vaccines directly from the SII. The purchases are made commercially but need export clearance from the Indian government.

Meanwhile, India has begun the world’s largest coronavirus vaccination drive under which two vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin, are being inoculated to frontline health workers across the country. The country plans to vaccinate about 300 million citizens in the first six months.

Kerala: Congress MLA apologises to Muslims, claims was ‘cheated’ by RSS to donate for Ram Mandir

OpIndia Staff
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Kerala: Congress MLA apologises to Muslims, claims was ‘cheated’ by RSS to donate for Ram Mandir

A day after pictures of Kerala Congress MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly posing while donating to Ram Mandir construction went viral, he has now apologised to the Muslim community for doing so. A report by The News Minute states that in a video, he has apologised to the Muslim community for donating for construction of Ram Mandir.

He also claimed he was ‘tricked’ into donating for the Ram Mandir by the RSS. Kunnappilly alleged that some people had come to collect donation for construction of temple but ‘did not reveal’ that they were associated with the RSS and that the donation was for the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. He claimed that ‘out of his innocence’, he donated Rs 1,000 for the temple construction. However, it was later revealed to him that the temple was the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

As reported by Kerala Kaumudi, Kunnappilly was under tremendous pressure from the party after the picture of him donating for Ram Mandir went viral. He seeks to contest upcoming elections and is preparing for the same.

Earlier this month, another Kerala Congress leader Raghunathan Pillai, vice president of the Alappuzha District Congress Committee, came under fire for inaugurating the Ram Mandir temple fund collection drive. Communists attacked Congress and alleged that they they no right to speak on secularism.

Kasganj: Constable killed, officer critical after attack by liquor mafia, CM orders NSA against criminals

OpIndia Staff
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Kasganj: Constable killed, officer critical after attack by liquor mafia, CM orders NSA against criminals

After the deadly attack on a UP Police team by liquor mafia during a police raid in Kasganj on Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the matter and passed an order to take stringent action against the culprits.

In an order dated February 9, CM Yogi directed action to be taken against those responsible without any delay. The order stated that the state government has been working on the zero-tolerance policy towards crime and that no compromise will be made when it comes to law and order. The CM’s order directs the police to invoke the National Security Act against the culprits.

UP Cops were captured and attacked while raiding a liquor factory

According to reports, a UP police constable and an SI had gone to raid a liquor factory in Nagla Dheemar village in Kasganj district. However, they were captured by the liquor mafia and brutally assaulted. The culprits reportedly left SI Ashok Kumar Pal on the road but took constable Devendra Singh with them. Seeing the SI Pal lying on the road bleeding, local villagers informed the police.

As per the latest reports, one of the persons involved in th attack on the constable and the officer has been shot dead by the police in an encounter. Another accused is still absconding.

On learning about the matter, the police reached the spot with additional forces and admitted SI Pal to hospital. A search was launched to locate constable Devendra Singh. Constable Devendra Singh was reportedly found lying in a jungle. He was rushed to the hospital from where he was referred to Aligarh, However, he could not be saved and died on the way to the hospital. SI Ashok Kumar Pal is said to be in a critical condition and is undergoing treatment at the hospital.

CM Yogi announced compensation for the family of the deceased cop

ADG Ajay Anand, DIG Piyush Mordiya and DM Chandraprakash Singh took notice of the incident and assured the strictest action.CM Yogi has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 50 lakh for the family of the deceased constable and a government job for a dependent. The police are on a lookout for the culprits. The Chief Minister has also directed that National Security Act (NSA) be invoked against the culprits.

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