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Here are 4 steps that the Election Commission is taking ahead of West Bengal polls

OpIndia Staff
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Here are 4 steps that the Election Commission is taking ahead of West Bengal polls

Ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls in the State of West Bengal, the Election Commission (EC) has intensified its efforts to ensure a free and fair election. The state has witnessed rampant political violence in the past. Even in the 2018 Panchayat polls, several instances of ballot box looting, attacks and murder were reported. Hence, a number of steps have been taken to ensure free and fair elections.

One lakh paramilitary forces to be deployed

The nodal election body has taken several steps to deter instances of violence and vote tampering. As per reports, a whopping 1 lac Central para-military forces will be deployed in West Bengal for the upcoming polls. It is expected that about 1000 companies of CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) will be sent to West Bengal, in light of the political violence in the State. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, about 750 companies of Central forces with over 75,000 -80,000 personnel were deployed in West Bengal.

An Election Commission official informed, “More than 750 companies of Central forces were deployed during the last Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal. Since the upcoming polls are only in five states, unlike the countrywide parliamentary pot, the availability of forces is bound to be more.” However, the decision regarding troop deployment will be finalized following discussions with the Union Home Ministry. In the 2016 State Assembly elections, a total of 726 companies of CRPs were deployed in the State.

EC to appoint special police observer in West Bengal

Opposition parties in West Bengal have raised concerns about the ‘neutrality’ of the State police, often accused of working as ‘party cadres’ of the ruling Trinamool Congress. The state government has however assured the Election Commission of upholding the law and order situation in West Bengal. Reportedly, the nodal election body will monitor the polls by deploying a special police observer, as it did in 2019 General Elections. At the same time, the number of polling stations will also be increased in light of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The randomisation of Police posting in elections

Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora had earlier said that the election body has zero-tolerance for money power, muscle power and misuse of the government machinery. As observed during the last year’s Bihar polls, police personnel will not be deployed in the area where they serve or are registered as voters. Experts are of the view that the Election Commission wants to disrupt the underlying connections between the police and the local leaders of the incumbent political dispensation.

(Video Courtesy: Youtube/ABP Ananda)

Election Commission announces launch of E-voter cards

Ahead of the West Bengal polls, the EC will launch the Electors Photo Identity Cards (e-EPICs) today. “Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad will launch the e-EPIC programme and distribute e-EPICs and Elector Photo Identity Cards to five new voters,” the nodal election body said. Voters can download their e-EPICs through nvsp.in, voterportal.eci.gov.in, and the Voter Helpline app.

(Video Courtesy: Youtube/ABP Ananda)

BJP writes to EC over electoral roll anomalies, Burq-clad voters

In a letter to the Election Commission of India (ECI), the State unit of the BJP has expressed concerns over identity verification and vote fraud by ‘Burkha-clad voters’ ahead of upcoming elections in West Bengal. “From the draft electoral list that was made public on 18 November, it was noticed that there has been a sharp rise in the numbers of electors, especially in many parts that are very close to the Bangladesh border and those that are predominantly minority voters,” the letter emphasised.

The BJP pointed out that there has been a 10% rise in the number of voters in the ward No. 66 of the Kasba Vidhan Sabha constituency, despite no ‘new township or settlement’. The party alleged that a similar increase in electorates has been observed in Metiabruz constituency and Sonarpur Uttar in South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal. “Also, we find that dead voters and those who have changed their dwelling place are not struck out from the voter’s list. In the past elections, it has been seen these votes have also been cast,” the letter added.

80-year-old woman’s priceless contribution for Ram Mandir construction wins hearts

OpIndia Staff
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80-year-old woman’s priceless contribution for Ram Mandir construction wins hearts

The Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra has been appealing to Hindus all over the world to donate as per their capacity for the construction of a grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad and several other Hindu organizations, along with their volunteers, have been helping in the donation collection drive. In December, the VHP had announced that their volunteers will visit door-to-door in lakhs of villages in India to raise funds for the Ram Mandir.

So far, there have been several instances where famous film personalities, politicians, and leaders have pledged donations worth crores for the Ram Mandir. Like the story of the little squirrel in the Ramayana, which carried tiny pebbles to be laid on the Ram Sethu to Lanka, there are several stories from across India that show how deeply Hindus care for the temple at Ram Janmabhoomi. Shri Ram had blessed the squirrel, saying that every little donation to a grand cause is important, because it is the sentiment and faith that counts, not the amount.

A video has surfaced on social media, where a poor old woman is insisting on donating for the Ram Mandir. In the video, the volunteers are seen insisting that she should donate only 10 rupees and not 20 rupees.

In the video, the old woman, who is visibly very poor, insists that she will donate 20 rupees. The volunteers try to persuade her that she should keep the other ten rupees note and donate just ten rupees, as she might need it for herself.

But the lady is adamant. She says that it is her money and it is her wish to donate 20 rupees. The volunteers then tell her that they have a coupon for 10 rupees only, probably in the hope that she will agree and keep the other 10 rupees note with her.

But the lady insists to take two coupons. She then tells that her elder son is no more and the volunteers should write one coupon in her name and another in the name of her deceased son.

The heart-touching video, showing the 80-year-old lady’s simple faith, and dedication has gone viral on social media.

Kannada actors appeal for donation to Ram Mandir

In another video, several Kannada actors were seen making an appeal to every one to donate as per their capacity for the noble cause of the construction fo Ram Mandir.

Among prominent names, southern actors Praneetha Subhash, superstar Pawan Kalyan, actor Akshay Kumar, producer Manish Mundra, cricketer and MP Gautam Gambhir have donated large amounts for the temple construction. President Ramnath Kovind had recently donated Rs 5 lakhs from his personal funds for the temple construction.

Donation drive

Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust had begun its donation collection drive from the day of Makar Sankranti on January 15. During the nation-wide campaign, the photos of the proposed new model of Shri Ramjanmbhoomi Mandir will reach the households of crores of Ram Bhakts. The trust has invited voluntary donations against which Rs.10, Rs.100, and Rs.1000 coupons will be available.

Uttar Pradesh: From Basant Panchami, students to get free coaching for competitive exams under Abhyudaya scheme

OpIndia Staff
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Uttar Pradesh: From Basant Panchami, students to get free coaching for competitive exams under Abhyudaya scheme

On January 24, Yogi Adityanath, Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh, launched a state-wide free coaching programme for students to prepare for competitive exams.

The programme will start on the upcoming Basant Panchami (February 16), the day of worship to the Goddess Saraswati. While addressing the state’s establishment day, CM Yogi said, “From the day of Basant Panchami, ‘Abhyudaya’, the free coaching facility for students of the state appearing in various competitive examinations will commence.”

CM Abhyudaya programme will help lakhs of students

The programme named “Chief Minister Abhyudaya Programme” will be commenced in a phased manner. In the first phase, coaching centers will be opened in 18 commissionary headquarters. The coaching will be both physical and virtual. CM said that officers and experts would be posted at these centers to provide training to the students. Last year, when 30,000 students were brought back from Kota, Rajasthan, amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, CM Yogi had promised that the state would provide free coaching to the students so they do not have to leave the state.

As per the estimates, around 4-5 lakh students from Uttar Pradesh sit in competitive exams like JEE, NEET, and UPSC every year. A large section of these students cannot afford to go to coaching centers due to financial restraints. For such students, the programme will provide the necessary training for the exams. CM said, “The coaching centres will give a new platform to youths and motivate them to take a new flight and scale new heights.”

During these classes, the experts will guide the students on tips, methods of writing answers, various ways to prepare for exams, general studies and more. The e-learning platform will provide easy access to the study material. Various officials will share their experiences on preparations via videos. Also, there will be videos on study material, tips and more to help the students. Students will be able to clear their doubts on the platform too.

Experts are curating content for these coaching classes from reputed universities, youtube channels, famous coaching centers and other sources. A special task force will be formed to create a roaster for the coaching classes.

Tablets and stipend for bright students

Every year, registered students will sit in an aptitude and general studies exam. Based on the results, 300 students will be selected. These students will get a tablet and Rs.2000 for five months as a stipend. The students who clear preliminary exams under the programme will get a chance for further training in Lucknow and Hapur. The state will provide accommodation for the students if required.

Donating for construction of Ram Mandir? Beware of these fraud UPI IDs

Guest Author
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Donating for construction of Ram Mandir? Beware of these fraud UPI IDs

Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra is a trust established for the construction and management of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

During this time when donations are being made for the construction of Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, many fraud UPI IDs have been created to trap people.

What is a UPI ID?

UPI stands for Unified Payments Interface. UPI ID is an alternative method of doing online financial transactions. Traditionally, also in other methods, users need to fill details like bank account number, IFSC code, bank branch name and address while transferring money from one account to another. But, when the users carry out a transaction with UPI ID, they do not need to fill any of those details to send or receive financial amount. UPI is also called Virtual Payment Address (VPA).

Meanwhile, many fraudsters created a number of fake UPI IDs pretending to be Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra’s UPI IDs to trap people. Fraud UPI IDs are being misused to loot people and play with their religious sentiments.

I have caught 13 such fraud UPI IDs which might be looting devotees in the name of the construction of Ram Mandir. All of these 13 UPI IDs are currently active.

Details of 13 fraud UPI IDs

sriramjanmbhumi@pnb

Fraud UPI ID for Ram Janmabhoomi

sriramjanmbhomi@sbi

Fraud UPI ID for Ram Janmabhoomi

sriramajanmbhoomi@sbi

Fraud UPI ID for Ram Janmabhoomi

sriramjanmbhoomi@ybl

Fraud UPI ID for Ram Janmabhoomi

sriramjanmbhoomi@upi

Fraud UPI ID for Ram Janmabhoomi

shriramjanmbhumi@ybl

Fraud UPI ID for Ram Janmabhoomi

shriramjanmbhumi@paytm

Fraud UPI ID for Ram Janmabhoomi

shreeramjanambhumi@sbi

Fraud UPI ID for Ram Janmabhoomi

shriraamjanmbhoomi@sbi

Fraud UPI ID for Ram Janmabhoomi

shriramjanambhoomi@upi

Fraud UPI ID for Ram Janmabhoomi

shriramjanmbhoomi@barodampay

Fraud UPI ID for Ram Janmabhoomi

shreeramjanambhoomi@upi

Fraud UPI ID for Ram Janmabhoomi

shriramjanambhumi@upi

Fraud UPI ID for Ram Janmabhoomi

This is not the first time. Earlier, I had busted 5 such fraud UPI IDs too.

Whenever you make donation for the construction of Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir through UPI, kindly check the registered names of UPI IDs. You must also be careful about the QR codes. Fraudsters might photoshopped the image, and replace the authentic QR code with their own QR code to trap the devotees.

I am listing the authentic UPI IDs:

  1. SBI: shriramjanmbhoomi@sbi
  2. BOB: ramjanmbhoomi@barodampay
  3. PNB: 0513865A0000164.mab@pnb
QR code of SBI
QR code of Bank of Baroda
PNB QR code

Source of Information: Tweet by official account of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra.

Details are also available on the Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Teerth Kshetra’s official website: : www.srjbtkshetra.org

The above article was first published on Medium by Anshul Saxena. Republished with permission.

Here is why the Sikh regiment salutes twice during the Republic Day parade

Dibakar Dutta
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Here is why the Sikh regiment salutes twice during the Republic Day parade

The Sikh regiment is one of the most decorated infantry regiments in the Indian army. As India gears up to celebrate the 71st Republic Day, here is one unique and fascinating tradition of the regiment. While every contingent of the Indian armed forces salutes only once, the Sikh regiment does it twice.

The saga began 42 years ago on January 24, 1979. During the rehearsal of the Republic Day Parade, the Sikh contingent marched from Vijay Chowk to Red Fort. The regiment, led by Brigadier Injo Gakhal, passed through Rajpath, followed by KG Marg, Connaught Place, Minto bridge, Ram Lila ground, Chawri Bazar, Kinari Bazar, Sis Ganj Gurdwara Sahib, Chandni Chowk, and finally stopped at Red Fort.

When the army contingent crossed Sis Ganj Gurdwara Sahib, Brigadier Injo Gakhal ordered his troops to look right (Dhainay Dekh) and he lowered his sword (the mark of salute). This took the Gurdwara authorities by surprise, who then followed the contingent till Red Fort. As a mark of respect, they offered refreshments and ‘Karah prasad’ to the troops.

Two days later on the scheduled Republic Day parade of 1979, Brigadier Injo Gakhal again ordered his regiment to look right (Dhainay Dekh) as he lowered his sword. However, this time, the Gurdwara authorities were prepared in advance. Amidst loud chants of ‘Sat Sri Akal, they showered rose petals on the troops as they marched towards the Red Fort. And thus began a tradition of saluting twice, once to the President of India, and the other to Sis Ganj Gurdwara Sahib.

The significance of Sis Ganj Gurdwara Sahib

Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth of the ten Sikh Gurus of the Sikh religion. He not only prevented forceful religious conversion of Kashmiri Pandits to Islam but was also publicly beheaded by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb in Delhi for refusing to convert to Islam. He was condemned for ‘waging a war’ and was told only Islam could save him. When he refused, he was beheaded. In Delhi, Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib is built at the exact site where Guru Tegh Bahadur was executed. His ‘sis’ (the severed head) was brought to Anandpur Sahib by his disciple Bhai Jaita and cremated by 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Rai.

Pro-AAP musician Vishal Dadlani claims Lata Mangeshkar sang ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’ for Nehru in 1947. Here is how he is wrong

OpIndia Staff
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Pro-AAP musician Vishal Dadlani claims Lata Mangeshkar sang ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’ for Nehru in 1947. Here is how he is wrong

‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’ is a song that is close to the heart of every patriotic Indian. Many generations have grown listening to the melodious song written in praise of the fallen heroes who had died defending their motherland. The song is in the limelight again, but unfortunately, this time for the wrong reason.

Pro-AAP musician Vishal Dadlani has made a ridiculous and historically incorrect claim during a reality show that Lata Mangeshkar sang it for then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947. His statement, which went unchecked by the producers of the reality show and made to the aired episode, has brought all sorts of sentiments on the social media platforms. While some netizens criticize him for being unfamiliar with the history of such a famous song, others are mocking him with mocked-up facts and trending #DadlaniFacts.

Dadlani’s claim about the famous song

Vishal Dadlani is a judge in the reality show Indian Idol that airs on Sony TV, and the episodes are available on the Sony Liv OTT platform too. During its Republic Day special episode, a contestant named Sireesha Bhagavatula performed the famous patriotic song ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon.’ After her performance, Dadlani, while praising her for the performance, said, “Lala Ji herself sang this song for the first Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru 73-74 years ago in 1947 when we got our independence. If there is any song that is the greatest song of all times, then it is this song.”

The actual history of the song

There are several reports based on the history of the song. Rajya Sabha TV did a 28-minute show on the song in 2013 on its 50th anniversary. Famous poet Pradeep wrote the song in 1962 to commemorate the heroes of the 1962 India-China war. The song was composed by famous musician C. Ramchandra and sung by Lata Mangeshkar.

As the story goes, it is said that Pradeep was in low spirits because of the war. One day he was walking on Mahim Beach when he first thought of the lines. He immediately borrowed a pen from a fellow walker and wrote the first few lines on a piece of paper he ripped from his pack of cigarettes.

There was some misunderstanding between Ramchandra and Mangeshkar at that time. It was supposed to be sung by Asha Bhosle, but Pradeep convinced Mangeshkar to sing it instead of her sister. The song was first performed live on January 26, 1963, at the National Stadium in New Delhi.

In fact, the parts in the song tha mention ‘das das ko ek ne saara’ (each of our soldiers killed ten enemy soldiers) is said to be about the battle of Rezang La, where just 123 Indian soldiers under Major Shaitan Singh had faced over 3000 well-armed Chinese troops on 18 November 1962 at Ladakh’s Rezang La.

At the event, then-President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, then-Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru were present, and several other prominent personalities including Indira Gandhi, Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Mohammad Rafi and more. In an interview, Pradeep’s daughter Mithul said that it was unfortunate that her father was not invited to the event. After the performance, Nehru said, “Bahut achcha. Mere aankhon mein paani aa gaya (Very nice. There were tears in my eyes).”

Reactions from netizens over Dadlani’s claims

Several netizens called out the blunder made by musician Dadlani and some even trended the hashtag #DadlaniFacts to make other similarly wrong and outrageous claims regarding famous songs.

Reaction from Vishal Dadlani

Though Dadlani has ‘apologized’ for the mistake, he did not seem to think he has done anything wrong. Instead he claimed that he is being targeted by ‘right-wingers’ and branded them as trolls.

His now-pinned tweet says, “I see a few right-wingers “offended” by my messing up the date of “Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon” being sung to Pt. Nehru. I apologise for my error. These “staunch Nationalists” didn’t say a thing when #Chornab celebrated the deaths of 40 Indian soldiers in #Pulwama as a TRP win. Odd.”

Vishal Dadlani ‘apology’

Dadlani also laughed at the people who were trending the hashtag #DadlaniFacts and called them BJP’s 2 rupees trolls. He also claimed that the hashtag and the criticism does not affect him at all.

Dadlani’s past blunders

This is not the first time Dadlani has been facing criticism for his statements. In 2016, he had made derogatory comments on Jain Monk Tarun Sagar that was heavily criticized. In November 2019, he used derogatory words against former-CJI Ranjan Gogoi on his retirement.

In December 2019, Dadlani claimed that the cases of rape, murder, encounters and even ‘onions’ were actually the government’s evil plan to distract the citizenry from the ‘Citizenship Amendment Bill.’ Dadlani had shared a post claiming the same on Instagram.

Gujarat: Farmer Ayyub Degiya left high and dry after 6th wife denies sex

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Farmer Ayyub Degiya left high and dry after 6th wife denies sex

Gujarat farmer Ayyub Degiya is looking for a 7th wife after his 6th wife refused to have sex with him after she learnt of his previous five wives. A report by Times of India says that Degiya, a farmer from Kalpetha, Surat, is searching for a 7th wife since September last year.

The couple separated in December last year after the woman, 21 years his junior refused to have sex with the 63-year-old. She told him that she had an infection. Degiya says he needs a wife who can keep relationship with him. As per the report, he approached the woman, who was a widow, offering to take care of her. He said that since his faith (Islam) allows him to take more than one wife, he could take the step. He even promised her jewellery worth Rs 2 lakh and a house. However, none of the promises were delivered.

After the woman did a background check on him, she found that he was previously married five times. He had not divulged this information with her, she said. Soon after the separation, Degiya started living with another woman, she said.

Degiya’s first wife is alive and lives in same village with their five children aged between 20 to 35 years.

She was later approached by some villagers who informed her that he keeps relationships for a few months with women before abandoning them. She then approached Mahila Police Station where the accused was booked under section 489-A (cruelty to married woman). As per the police, Degiya said that he does not wish to live with the woman as she is ‘unfit’ to fulfil his physical demands.

Cash-strapped Pakistan to now mortgage Islamabad park for 500 billion loan

OpIndia Staff
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Cash-strapped Pakistan to now mortgage Islamabad park for 500 billion loan

Pakistan, which has been overwhelmed by economic challenges, is now considering a proposal for mortgaging the biggest park in Islamabad in exchange of 500 billion Pakistani rupees (PKR).

As per reports, the federal government of Pakistan has sought to mortgage F-9 park (Fatima Jinnah Park) and receive 500 billion PKR by issuing bonds. The park, spread over 759 acres, is named after Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s younger sister Fatima Jinnah. The proposal, raised by the Finance Division, will be taken up in the cabinet meeting on Tuesday via video link. The agenda of the proposal read, “Issuance of Domestic and International Ijara Sukuk Against Unencumbered Land of F-9 Park, Islamabad”.

In order to get the proposal to fruition, the Capital Development Authority has issued NoC (No-Objection Certificate) in advance. Reportedly, this is not the first time that Pakistan has sought to mortgage its assets for a loan. The preceding governments have also mortgaged roads, buildings and institutions and procured loans through the issuance of bonds, both national and international.

Malaysia seizes PIA plane for non-payment of dues

In a rarest of rare cases in the history of international civil aviation, Malaysian authorities had seized a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Boeing-777 aeroplane at the Kuala Lumpur Airport owing to non-payment of aircraft lease dues. According to reports, the PIA aircraft was seized on the orders of a local Malaysian court over the non-payment of aircraft lease dues.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) had leased two aircraft, including the Boeing-777, from a Vietnamese company in 2015. However, they had failed to pay the dues to the Vietnamese company. Reportedly, the authorities seized the plane after passengers had already boarded the aircraft. The aircraft’s 18-member staff also become stranded in Kuala Lumpur due to the seizure and will now quarantine for 14 days as per protocols. Earlier, Pakistan had also taken a loan from China to repay a $3 billion loan taken from Saudi Arabia. 

Rahul Gandhi lost in translation: How ‘knickerwala’ jibe backfired in Tamil Nadu

OpIndia Staff
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Rahul Gandhi lost in translation: How ‘knickerwala’ jibe backfired in Tamil Nadu

By now it is a well established fact that Rahul Gandhi’s public rallies are nothing but source of entertainment in an otherwise gloomy world. Joining the long list of facepalm moments is from Sunday, 24th January, 2021 when the Wayanad MP was addressing a rally in Tamil Nadu’s Dharapuram.

At around 56 seconds in above video, Rahul Gandhi takes a jibe at the RSS, headquartered in Nagpur, Maharashtra. “Knickerwalas from Nagpur can never decide future of the state,” he proclaims. Except, the translator perhaps got confused and said that the ‘liquor merchants’ from Nagpur can never decide the future of the state.

The same was pointed out by many netizens.

Erm.

Unfazed, Rahul Gandhi continues his zero-sense monologue.

Rahul Gandhi’s translator in Erode faints

Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi had addressed a rally in Erode, Tamil Nadu. The senior Congress leader had suggested that if India’s farmers, workers and labourers were strong, India would not need to deploy army, navy and air force at borders, especially at Indo-China border. He had claimed that if the farmers and labourers were protected and empowered, China would not dare to intrude into Indian territories.

Soon after translating this speech, 35-year-old Muhammed Imran, a professor, who was seen passionately translating Rahul Gandhi’s pearls of wisdom, fainted. He has been taken to a nearby hospital.

To read more on Rahul Gandhi’s goof-ups at public rallies, click here.

The Rahul Gandhi blooper collection: When the Gandhi-scion goofed up and made zero sense at public rallies

OpIndia Staff
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The Rahul Gandhi blooper collection: When the Gandhi-scion goofed up and made zero sense at public rallies

After his long holiday to Italy to celebrate the new year, the Gandhi-scion Rahul Gandhi is back in the limelight. The former Congress President announced his return to India quintessentially by goofing-up public rallies recently, which has now taken the internet by storm.

Rahul Gandhi is known for his faux passes, bloopers and goof-ups. Interestingly, ever since Narendra Modi came to power in 2014, Rahul Gandhi’s blunders at the public rallies have only continued to rise.

Here are the major goof-ups of Rahul Gandhi:

Lok Sabha has 546 seats, according to Rahul Gandhi

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who had visited the United States in 2017, had made it into headline after failing to recollect the total number of seats in the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament and erred in saying that it had 546 seats.

Rahul Gandhi, a member of the Lok Sabha, made a major blunder by putting out false information about the total number of elected representatives when he addressed the students at the University of California in Berkeley. Speaking on ‘India at 70: Reflections on the Path Forward’, Rahul Gandhi spoke about contemporary India and its way forward as the world’s largest democracy.

During his address, Rahul Gandhi, perhaps unaware of the fact regarding the number of seats in the Lower House, said the total seats were 546, instead of 545.

Amma Canteen or Indira canteen?

In 2017, Rahul Gandhi became the perfect target for trolls after he goofed up badly at the launch an Indira Canteen in Bengaluru. In a slip of the tongue, the Gandhi-scion referred to Karnataka’s affordable food initiative ‘Indira canteens’ as ‘Amma’ canteen, another subsidized food provider popular in Tamil Nadu leaving the internet in splits.

Rahul Gandhi’s 3-Idiots Chatur moment : ‘Bhrashtachar ya balatkaar’?

Rahul Gandhi had to face a massive embarrassment after he mixed up two Hindi words while addressing a women’s rally in Madhya Pradesh as he referred to the increasing number of violence against women in the BJP-ruled Indian state.

In the major goof-up, Congress scion Rahul Gandhi said ‘bhrashtachar’ (corruption) in place of ‘balatkaar’ (rape) at an election rally at Shahdol, Madhya Pradesh (MP), India.

Rahul Gandhi hugs a wrong person

In 2016, Rahul Gandhi had yet again embarrassed his party after he hugged a wrong person during a photo-op at a hospital at Una in Gujarat.

During his trip to Una to meet young Dalit men allegedly thrashed by a group of villagers for skinning a dead cow, the 46-year-old Vice President of the Congress hugged a woman at a local hospital.

However, it turned out that the woman was not a relative of one of the victims. The 55-year-old hugged by Rahul Gandhi had a criminal record that includes cases of extortion and rioting.

Steve Jobs is from Microsoft: Rahul Gandhi

Addressing the students at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies in Mumbai, Rahul Gandhi in 2016, committed another faux pas after he said that Apple Inc Steve Jobs was associated with Microsoft.

“One day you’re going to run this country, run the institutions, you will be the Steve Jobs in the Microsofts and the leaders…the Facebooks of this country,” said Gandhi-scion addressing the young students in the crow.

It was not clear whether it was a slip of tongue or intentional, but one thing that was certain was the fact that Steve Jobs never belonged to Microsoft.

“This morning I got up at night”

Rahul Gandhi’s another blooper came in 2013 while delivering a speech after being selected as the Congress’s vice president. Gandhi referring to how his mother had woken him up in the midnight 1 am to share her fears about being in a position of power, uttered those magical words saying, “This morning I got up at night”.

Rahul Gandhi’s blunder in Gujarat

Rahul Gandhi’s weird theories about milk production in Gujarat in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections are among the most embarrassing bloopers of his political career.

Addressing a rally in Gujarat, the Gandhi-scion actually intended to praise the Gujarati women for their entrepreneurial spirit, however, ended up making lewd comments against the Gujarati women.

“If Gujarat is leading in the production of milk in the country then it’s because of the women of Gujarat,” said Rahul Gandhi in his speech without even realising that blunder he had committed.

Rahul finds it tough to pronounce the name of Bharat Ratna Sir M Vishweshwaraiah

One of the most bizarre public rallies of Rahul Gandhi occurred in Karnataka in the run-up to state elections in 2018. Rahul Gandhi, who was aggressively campaigning in the state to woo voters, humiliated the Kannadigas by failing to pronounce the stalwarts’ names who had made the state in the international fora.

Rahul speaking at an election rally in Karnataka struggled to pronounce M Visvesvaraya, a Bharat Ratna recipient. In another rally in the run-up to Karnataka elections, Rahul Gandhi had also struggled to read out a ‘vachana’ or couplet written by 12th-century statesman, philosopher, poet Basavanna.

Gujarat is bigger than UK, India is bigger than Europe and USA put together: Rahul Gandhi

While interacting with professionals in Ahmedabad, Rahul Gandhi had suffered another brain fade moment after he claimed that Gujarat is bigger than the United Kingdom and India as a country is bigger than Europe and USA put together. Both these statements are incorrect. Even the USA alone is three times bigger than India in size.

Rahul Gandhi’s Tamil Nadu obsession gets lost in translation

Finally, the latest and the most recent goof-ups of the former Congress President Rahul Gandhi in Tamil Nadu occurred on this week.

Rahul Gandhi, who is on a political trip to Tamil Nadu ahead of the state assembly elections, yet again managed to make statements that were incomprehensible to any common man with a healthy and sound mind. Rahul Gandhi also ended up confusing his own translator, who just silently stood in awe watching Rahul Gandhi.

Addressing a gathering Congress leader Rahul Gandhi left everyone, including his own translator, confused with his speech as he attempted to attack the PM Modi-led Centre. Speaking at a roadshow in Coimbatore, Rahul Gandhi said, “If we say Tamil Nadu is India, then we have to say India is Tamil Nadu. It cannot be that we say that Tamil Nadu is India, but India is not Tamil Nadu”.

However, the translator got lost in the Rahul Gandhi’s word-jumbling act and bore a puzzled look as he helplessly looked at Rahul Gandhi to receive some clarification.

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