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Doordarshan will not broadcast ‘Sheikh Chilli’ anymore: Broadcaster takes action after snippet of Hinduphobic episode goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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Doordarshan will not broadcast ‘Sheikh Chilli’ anymore: Broadcaster takes action after snippet of Hinduphobic episode goes viral

A video of a cartoon show has gone viral on the social media platforms, in which the makers have openly displayed their hatred towards Hindus by depicting Yoga and Hindu saints in a shameful manner. A cartoon show on the public broadcaster Doordarshan named – “Sheikh Chilli and Friends” has stoked controversy after it mocked the tradition of Yoga and caused massive disrespect to Hindu Sadhus.

In one of the episodes of the show, Sheikh Chilli, who is apparently depicted as a Muslim, can be scene humiliating a Yoga guru.

In the episode, the character Sheikh Chilli and his friends, along with a Gennie can be seen challenging the Yoga performing Hindu Sadhu. The makers, in a subtle way, has used the platform of cartoons to attempt and discredit the practise of Yoga.

At the end of the episode, the makers have also gone onto depict the Hindu Yogis as ‘witches’. In a way, the makers intended to depict the tradition of Yoga and Hindu saints in a demeaning way and they have done it successfully using the state resources.

Why Sheikh Chilli was being played on Doordarshan

In August 2020, Discovery Kids, the kids’ channel from Discovery India had partnered with Doordarshan to telecast select episodes of the several children’s cartoons on the public broadcaster. As part of the understanding, starting July, select episodes of animated series, Little Singham, Kisna and Sheikh Chilli and Friendz, are being showcased on national broadcaster at 8 am on DD National, every day.

At the time, Shashi Shekhar Vempati, Chief Executive Officer, Prasar Bharati, had said, “Over the last three months, we have showcased iconic programming to engage and entertain audiences even as the country braced with a pandemic. Discovery Kids’ programming on Doordarshan is another important chapter in this journey. I am grateful to Discovery for coming forward and sharing this content for the larger good of society.”

Sheikh Chilli and Friendz, co-produced by Apsons Entertainment Pvt Ltd., revolves around the adventures of an innocent boy Sheikh Chilli and his friends of Jhunjhun Nagar. His heart in the right place, but his plans and actions are a source of humour as well as trouble for his friends. Kisna, co-produced by Cosmos Maya, is a story of an adventurous and amusing young boy from Anandnagri and his adversary the wicked Raja Durjan of Andhernagri. Using his superpowers, Kisna, along with his friends, try to solve every problem with wit and valour.

As the video went viral on the social media, the enraged netizens questioned the public broadcaster about its intent and slammed Doordarshan for telecasting such anti-Hindu propaganda openly.

Another user pointed out how the mockery of respectable saints and gurus was unacceptable and asked the Doordarshan to look into it.

Another concerned user questioned whether wanted their children to believe in some false Gennie rather than the time-tested practice of Yoga.

Author and Columnist Renee Lynn, disturbed by the anti-Hindu propaganda, pointed out that the video Muslim kid beating a Sanyasi is being served to the children by DD National on National TV. She also noted that the video was spreading hatred against Hindus.

She also asked why are Hindus always an easy target, highlighting that the show was disrespect for Yoga Gurus and their knowledge.

A concerned Hindu also expressed his shock over such shocking cartoon being served to the young children. He demanded the government to take action against those in Prasar Bharati who allowed this cartoon to be telecast and demanded the arrest of the makers of cartoon for spreading hate against Hindus

‘We have stopped its broadcast’: Prasar Bharati sources said after Hinduphobic episode went viral

After the Hinduphobic episode of Sheikh Chilli went viral on social media and inspired outrage, OpIndia reached out to its sources in Prasar Bharti, asking how the public broadcaster might proceed after the broadcast of the children’s show was being questioned.

The source in the know confirmed to OpIndia that the broadcast of Sheikh Chilli, which was a part of special content to engage children during the lockdown, will not be aired of Doordarshan any longer.

It was explained that private broadcasters shared content with DD on a gratis basis and other than Sheikh Chilli, several other cartoon shows like Chotta Bheem etc were aired. However, since the content of Sheikh Chilli is clearly not in tune with what children should be watching, it will now be pulled off air.

Fugitive Godman Nityananda urges followers to apply for a 3-day visa and visit his fictitious country ‘Kailasa’: Read details

OpIndia Staff
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Fugitive Godman Nityananda urges followers to apply for a 3-day visa and visit his fictitious country ‘Kailasa’: Read details

On Friday, self-styled Godman Swami Nityananda, who has been on the run from the law enforcement authorities, announced flights and visas to his fictitious country named ‘Kailasa’.

In a video that has now gone viral on social media, Nityananda urged his followers, “You can start applying for Kailasa visa. You have to reach Australia on your own. From Australia, it has its own charter flight services. You will be taken to Kailasa by its own private charter flight services.”

While limiting the visa to just a 3-day window, Swami Nityananda said, “Please do not ask for more than 3-day visa. Kailasa can accommodate anyone only for 3 days now and only one physical Darshan of Lord Shiva in 3 days. You can send your visa applications.”

While explaining the route to reach his self-owned country, he asked his followers, “You may have to reach Australia on your own. You may need at least one week visa for Australia. From Australia, you will be taken to Kailasa by private chartered flight services.”

In a longer version of the video, the fugitive informed that all visitors will be allowed free food, lodging, and free travel to and from Australia. He also added that he can spend between 10-60 mins with a follower, based on the requirement.

The curious case of Swami Nityananda and Kailasa

The Gujarat police had registered an FIR against Nithyananda after two girls went missing from his ashram in Ahmedabad in November last year. The ‘Godman’ was charged with kidnapping and wrongful confinement of children to make them collect donations from followers to run his ashram in Ahmedabad. He has been on the run, prompting Interpol to issue a blue corner notice.

In December last year, the Ministry of External Affairs had confirmed that the self-styled godman’s Indian passport has been cancelled. MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar attending the regional media engagement of the MEA had also confirmed that no agency has yet approached the Ministry with information on the whereabouts of Nithyananda, who is absconding. Calling the claim of rape-accused Nityananda of forming a new country – Kailaasa through his website, ‘bizarre’, Raveesh Kumar had then said: ‘You can’t form a nation by creating a website’.

Nithyananda, who is over 40 years old, is a native of Tamil Nadu and his real name is Rajashekharan. He had set up his ashram at Bidadi on Bengaluru-Mysore highway almost 20 years ago. Nithyananda, who first hit the national headlines for his alleged video in a compromising position with an actress in early 2010, has been a highly controversial figure.

Video of Telangana AIMIM leader brandishing sword and gun goes viral, arrested after injuring three: Here is why he opened fire

OpIndia Staff
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Video of Telangana AIMIM leader brandishing sword and gun goes viral, arrested after injuring three: Here is why he opened fire

In a shocking incident, AIMIM Adilabad district, Telangana president and former municipal vice chairman Farooq Ahmed opened fire on a group of people during a scuffle with the locals in the city on Friday.

According to the reports, the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party leader was arrested by Telangana police officials after he allegedly shot at a group of people seriously injuring three members.

A video of the incident has gone viral on social media platforms, in which it was seen that one person, alleged to be Farooq Ahmed brandished guns at the public and fired shots at them. The AIMIM leader can be seen pointing guns toward the public before he shot one of the bystanders. The injured persons can also be heard screaming after being hit by the bullet.

In the video, Farooq was also seen holding a sword in one hand and a gun in the other.

Reportedly, Farooq fired two rounds, one at the head and the other at the abdomen. The injured were rushed to Rims Hospital. The incident took place in Tatiguda in the district headquarters of Adilabad. Ahmed opened fire after AIMIM leader and his supporters clashed into another faction on Friday.

AIMIM leader opened fire after clashes began over issue of playing cricket

As the video went viral, the police took the video into cognizance and registered a case in connection with the incident. The accused AIMIM leader Farooq Ahmed was taken into custody and is being interrogated.

Y Nagireddy, Inspector General of Police, said that three people Syed Zameer, Syed Mohtasim and Syed Mannan were seriously injured in the shooting. They are being treated at the hospital.

According to the police official, the clashes started among the children on the issue of playing cricket. Farooq Ahmed came to the spot and picked up a fight with the rival group. As tensions escalated, he opened fire at the other group and also tried to attack the rivals with a knife. The police have seized the weapon from the accused.

The senior police officer also said that Farooq has shot with a licensed gun. The police have also asked the district collector Adilabad to cancel the arms license of Farooq Ahmed.

A case under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder), 324 (Causing grievous hurt) and section 27 and 30 of the Indian arms act has been booked against the accused.

Sikh organisation from Uttarakhand and UP calls for boycott of Sikhs supporting the three farm laws

OpIndia Staff
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Sikh organisation from Uttarakhand and UP calls for boycott of Sikhs supporting the three farm laws

An organisation of Sikhs in Uttarakhand have called for boycotting those members of the Sikh community who support the three farm laws enacted by the Centre. The Sikhs have appealed the farmers of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh to reach Delhi and observe the martyrdom anniversary of 9th Guru of Sikhs, Guru Teg Bahadur on December 19 and push the movement further.

According to a Times of India report, President of Sikh Sangathan of Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh Jasvir Singh Virk said that some Sikhs from Uttarakhand had accompanied the State Education Minister Arvind Pandey to meet Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar to support the farm laws and express solidarity with the government. Virk claimed that some of them were not even Sikhs and were merely wearing turbans to look like Sikhs. “Strangely, many of them were just wearing turbans to look like Sikhs and majority of them were not even farmers but were into sand and gravel business”, he alleged.

Virk told that a delegation of Sikhs supporting farm laws went to meet the District Magistrate in Rudrapur yesterday but they were confronted a large number of Sikh community members opposing the laws. He said that the delegation was shown black flags and slogans were raised against them. According to the report, a local named Salvinder Singh said that meetings were held in local gurudwaras yesterday wherein the Sikh community decided to boycott the community members who supported the farm laws.

Purpose of protest could be achieved through dialogue only: CJI on farmer protest

During the hearing of a petition challenging the farmer protest, the Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde had proposed setting up of an independent committee to facilitate dialogue between the government and the farmers. The CJI stressed that merely sitting in protest would not help the purpose of the protest and it was necessary to hold talks.

The farmer unions had boycotted the 6th round of talks with the government demanding the repeal of laws. The central government had agreed to make amendments in the farm laws considering the concerns of the farmers. However, the farmer representatives have said that they will accept nothing short of repeal of the laws.

‘I will go wherever Suvendu Adhikari goes’: Another jolt to TMC as its MLA Banasri Maity resigns, to join BJP with Adhikari

OpIndia Staff
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‘I will go wherever Suvendu Adhikari goes’: Another jolt to TMC as its MLA Banasri Maity resigns, to join BJP with Adhikari

Troubles do not seem to end for Trinamool Congress ahead of the Assembly elections in West Bengal, as another TMC MLA Banasri Maity submitted her resignation from the party today. “I do hereby tender my resignation from the primary membership of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITMC) as well as from each & every post or assignment given to me in connection with my membership of the party”, Maity wrote in her resignation letter addressed to party president Mamata Banerjee.

Image of Maiti’s resignation (Source: Anandabazar Patrika)

Maity, who represents Kanthi Uttar constituency in East Midnapore district, said that she was toeing the line of Suvendu Adhikari in resigning from the party as he is the one who brought her into politics. “I came to politics holding the hand of Suvendu Adhikari. Hence I have decided that wherever he goes, I will follow him”, she said. The TMC leader was also the working president of the party’s Medinipur Purba district unit.

She has not yet resigned from the post of MLA. Banasri Maity is a two-term MLA from TMC, she had won from Kanthi Uttar in 2011 also before winning in 2016.

It is rumoured that Maity will join BJP during the visit of Amit Shah to the state on December 19 and 20. She is expected to resign from the assembly after joining BJP.

Several senior TMC leaders have resigned from TMC

After the top TMC leader Suvendu Adhikari submitted his resignation on December 16 following a prolonged discontentment with the party, a string of party leaders submitted their resignations within the last 72 hours. The TMC leaders who have submitted resignations from the party include Silbhadra Datta, TMC MLA from Barrackpore Assembly constituency, Col. (Rtd) Diptangshu Chaudhary who resigned as the Advisor of the CMO’s Grievance and Monitoring Cell, Asansol MLA Jitendra Tiwari resigned as the Chairman of Board of Administrators of Asansol Municipal Corporation, Abhijit Acharya quit as the Vice-President of Paschim Bardhaman.

West Bengal BJP Vice-President Arjun Singh had claimed earlier today that 60-65 leaders are likely to quit the TMC by January 2021. Several TMC leaders including Suvendu Adhikari are speculated to join the BJP during Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the state on December 19.

After Mumbai HC stayed transfer of Kanjurmarg land for metro car shed, Shiv Sena govt eyes land at BKC worth Rs 45,000 crore

OpIndia Staff
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After Mumbai HC stayed transfer of Kanjurmarg land for metro car shed, Shiv Sena govt eyes land at BKC worth Rs 45,000 crore

The Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra leaves no opportunity to play petty politics even if it takes to compromise on the development of its state. Just two days after the Bombay High Court (HC) ordered an interim stay on the transfer of a 102-acre land in Kanjurmarg to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) for an integrated Metro car shed, the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) has now suggested that it is eyeing at the land allotted for Centre’s ambitious bullet train project in Mumbai if Kanjurmarg metro car shed project is stopped.

The Maha Vikas Aghadi government is considering using a plot of land in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) that had been set aside to be the originating point for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train. Confirming the news, Chief secretary Sanjay Kumar said: “The Kanjurmarg plot, where the car shed is being planned, is entangled in a legal process, which will take time. Hence, it has been proposed to examine the technical feasibility of the BKC plot. Based on the findings of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL), the state government will take the further decision,” Kumar said.

Bandra-Kurla Complex will increase the cost by several times

It may be noted that while deciding on the location for the metro car shed, the Bandra-Kurla Complex site was also considered, but it was rejected as the site is one of the prime commercial land in Mumbai fetching very high value. Former CM Devendra Fadnavis said that talks of setting up the Mumbai Metro 3 car shed at Bandra Kurla Complex are “ridiculous and childish” as it will increase the project cost multiple times. He said that such a move will increase the annual maintenance cost by five folds and also make the Metro venture non-feasible and non-starter.

He noted that last land sold at BKC was at the rate of Rs 1,800 crore per hectare, and as 25-hectare land will be required for the car shed, it would cost Rs 25,000 crore to Rs 30,000 crore. He said that due to the cost of land at that location, the bullet train station will be built three-level below ground, hence the land above will be available for commercial use. The proposed International Finance Centre (IFC) will be built above the bullet train station.

It may be noted that last year Japanese company Sumitomo had bought a three-acre plot for Rs 2,238 crore. Taking this rate, the 61 hectares (25 acres) needed for the metro car shed will be worth around Rs 45,000 crore, even more than the estimate by Fadnavis. This will be a far cry from the claim of Shiv Sena that relocating the project will not increase the cost.

Shiv Sena Govt’s decision leaves BJP govt furious

This decision of the Maha Aghadi government in Maharashtra has left the BJP government infuriated. BJP MLA Ashish Shelar slammed the Shiv Sena government saying that more than the construction of Metro car shed Uddhav Thackeray and his government is busy looking for opportunities to stall the Centre’s proposed bullet train project.

“The ego of an arrogant king and a luxurious prince is greater than every development project of Mumbaikars,” said Shelar taking an indirect dig at Uddhav Thackeray and his son Aditya Thackeray. Claiming that the development of Mumbai was being compromised due to the duo’s personal ego, Shelar added, “Not the opposition, they are the stumbling block in the development of Mumbai”.

Moreover, Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis also tore into the Maha Aghadi government claiming that the people of Maharashtra want the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project but the Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government led by chief minister Uddhav Thackeray does not.

“Now, after the coronavirus pandemic, how much will it benefit the people of Maharashtra? All material used will be from Maharashtra. Jobs would have been created. Only Maharashtra and the people of Maharashtra will get benefits from it,” the BJP leader said, furthering that the project would bring Rs 50,000 crores of investment in Maharashtra.

Bombay HC stays Kanjurmarg Metro car shed work

It is pertinent to note here that the Bombay High Court passed an interim order Wednesday, staying the October 1 order by Mumbai Suburban District Collector that transferred 102 acres of land to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to build a Metro car shed. The HC was hearing a petition filed by the Centre, which has claimed the land belonged to it. Adding that it would hear this case along with the Centre’s plea on the said land in February, the Bombay HC had directed the Maha Aghadi govt to stop work on the project.

In October the Uddhav Thackeray government had alloted this plot at Kanjurmarg for the Metro car shed project. This was after it scrapped the proposed car shed at the Aarey Milk Colony immediately after coming to power.

The 102 acre land at Kanjurmarg is actually owned by Salt Commissioner

While transferring this 102 acres of land at Kanjurmarg to the MMRDA, and the state govt had claimed that it owns the land hence it has the right to transfer the land for the metro car shed. But according to centre, that is not correct, as the land is actually owned by Salt Commissioner, which reports to the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of the union govt. Moreover, the land was transferred violating norms, as while the MMRDA had applied to DPIIT for allotment of the land, the state govt transferred it without waiting for a response by DPIIT.

Amidst all this, the one person who seemed quite excited with Maha Aghadi Government’s misdemeanors is none other than the ‘neutral’ journalist and the chief of the Editors Guild of India, Shekhar Gupta.

The thought that Modi government’s efforts could be impeded by the Shiv Sena government in Maharashtra was enough to make Gupta ecstatic. He opined that the entire fiasco was becoming “fun by the day”.

From promising similar reforms in Punjab elections to dramatically tearing off laws: The sordid saga of AAP’s U-turns on Farm Laws

OpIndia Staff
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From promising similar reforms in Punjab elections to dramatically tearing off laws: The sordid saga of AAP’s U-turns on Farm Laws

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his fellow AAP ministers on Thursday resorted to theatrics and sensationalism when he tore off the newly introduced Farm laws, in a bid to extend their support to the protesters demonstrating along the Delhi borders. Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government also passed a resolution demanding the annulment of the three agriculture laws.

Tearing the copies of Farm Laws, Kejriwal said, “I am pained and sad to have to do this. I did not intend to, but I can’t betray the farmers of my country who have been sleeping on the streets in the bitter cold.” He continued his rhetoric, designed to win over the farmers’ support, saying, “I am a citizen of this country first, a chief minister later. This Assembly rejects the three laws and appeals to the Central Government to meet the demands of the farmers.”

With this grand theatrics on the floor of Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal attempted to salvage AAP’s diminishing popularity among the Punjab farmers that had markedly shifted in support of the Congress party which has openly backed the demonstrations.

Kejriwal opposes against Farm Laws while his government in Delhi quietly notified one of the laws

While the Aam Aadmi Party supremo’s passionate grief regarding the ongoing protests was meant to position himself as the saviour of the farmers, his party’s numerous flip-flops on this matter have only served to portray Kejriwal as a wily politician who continuously changes his stances to suit his political ambitions.

Earlier in November, just when the Punjab farmers were threatening to launch an agitation against the new Farm Laws, the Kejriwal-led AAP government quietly notified one of the three laws that he now vigorously opposes. Despite opposing the Farm Laws and extending their support to the farmers, AAP in Delhi discreetly notified one of the three farm laws.

The Delhi government on November 23 notified the Farmers’ Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance 2020. It is one of the three laws passed by Central government against which Punjab farmers launched a protest.

When Captain Amarinder Singh cited AAP’s notification as Kejriwal government’s betrayal of the farmers, alleging them of working behind the back of the farmers with the Centre, the Delhi chief minister hit back with a powerful riposte. Except, it made no sense. Kejriwal offered a bizarre explanation, stating that Amarinder Singh criticised him because he did not allow Delhi stadiums to be converted into temporary jails to imprison the protesting farmers.

Kejriwal criticises farm laws after pledging to legislate similar reforms in Punjab in AAP’s 2017 elections manifesto

In yet another instance of U-turn, Kejriwal headed AAP government, which is now fiercely opposing the Farm Laws, had vowed to bring in similar reforms in their 2017 Punjab elections manifesto. In an attempt to woo the farmers, AAP had promised private push to agriculture markets and bringing amendments to the APMC Act to allow farmers to sell outside the state.

AAP manifesto for Punjab 2017 assembly elections

The official Twitter account of the Aam Aadmi Party in 2016 promised of large scale private investments in markets and processing centres for farmers to sell their produce.

In order to seek votes, AAP conveniently promised reforms in the agriculture sector if it were voted to power in the elections. But when they were actually implemented, albeit, by a rival political party, it took a massive u-turn, criticising the Central Government for legislating the very same reforms which it had once promised in their manifesto. Here is the copy of the party’s 2017 Punjab manifesto which is accessible online [PDF].

Rubika Liyaquat shuts up AAP leader Sanjay Singh by highlighting promises made by AAP in Punjab

When ABP News journalist Rubika Liyaquat confronted AAP leader Sanjay Singh on his party’s vacillating stance on the Farm Laws, a thoroughly rattled Sanjay Singh proceeded to heckle and name-calling the journalist.

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Undeterred by Singh’s attempts to deflect the issue away from Aam Aadmi Party’s about-turns, Ms Liyaquat slammed the AAP leader for calling her channel a sellout and highlighted how his party’s official Twitter account had advocated privatisation in agriculture in 2016, a 180 degree turn from its latest theatrics in the Delhi Assembly.

New York Times admits ‘institutional failure’, says it was likely duped by a Pakistani-Canadian pretending to be an ISIS executioner

OpIndia Staff
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New York Times admits ‘institutional failure’, says it was likely duped by a Pakistani-Canadian pretending to be an ISIS executioner

New York Times has admitted an ‘institutional failure’ on its part following the ‘Caliphate controversy’. Rukmini Callimachi is on the dock for her podcast ‘Caliphate’ which sought to provide an insider perspective into the macabre word of the Islamic State. ‘Caliphate’ relied heavily on the account of one Abu Huzayfah al-Kanadi. He claimed to be an ISIS fighter and provided a vivid description of executions he had carried out.

The only problem was that the supposed terrorist was arrested by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police under the hoax law of the country for allegedly lying about the crimes he allegedly committed in the Middle-East. The supposed ISIS fighter has been identified as one Sheroze Chaudhry with origins in Pakistan. In a statement on Friday, the NYT admitted that the podcast “did not meet the standards for Times journalism.”

Dean Baquet, the executive editor of The Times, said that leaders in the newsroom were to blame, including himself. “When The New York Times does deep, big, ambitious journalism in any format, we put it to a tremendous amount of scrutiny at the upper levels of the newsroom,” he said, before adding, “We did not do that in this case.”

“And I think that I or somebody else should have provided that same kind of scrutiny, because it was a big, ambitious piece of journalism. And I did not provide that kind of scrutiny, nor did my top deputies with deep experience in examining investigative reporting,” he said. The internal review was initiated after Sheroze Chaudhry was arrested and charged with perpetrating a terrorist hoax.

“From the outset, ‘Caliphate’ should have had the regular participation of an editor experienced in the subject matter,” an Editors’ Note said. “In addition, The Times should have pressed harder to verify Mr. Chaudhry’s claims before deciding to place so much emphasis on one individual’s account.”

Baquet also said, “For the most part we’ve gotten everything right. But I think this fell through the cracks, because it was a different way of telling stories than The New York Times is used to. We didn’t have a system in place to manage that, to help the audio team manage that.” He admitted that the NYT was possibly “duped” by Sheroze Chaudhry.

The Daily Podcast scheduled to be released on Friday also discusses the lapses in a conversation between Baquet and Michael Barbaro, the host of the Daily podcast. He said that “the reporting team couldn’t find any independent evidence to back up his story of being an ISIS executioner in Syria.” He added, “I think this guy, we now believe, was a con artist, who made up most if not all that he told us.”

Rukmini Callimachi came under intense criticism from those on the Left who alleged that her podcast fueled Islamophobia. Shekhar Gupta had also addressed the matter on The Print’s YouTube channel where he called journalists attacking Rukmini Callimachi ‘vultures’. She will continue to work for the NYT but will be given a different beat.

Indian-American astronaut Raja Chari selected for the SpaceX Crew – 3 mission of the NASA, to be the spacecraft commander

OpIndia Staff
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Indian-American astronaut Raja Chari selected for the SpaceX Crew – 3 mission of the NASA, to be the spacecraft commander

Indian-American astronaut Raja Chari has been selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) as part of the SpaceX Crew-3 mission that will be launched in 2021. Raja Chari who will be flying to the International Space Station (ISS), will be leading the mission while two other astronauts namely Tom Mashburn and Matthias Maurer will be serving as pilot and mission specialist respectively. A fourth member is yet to be selected for the mission that is expected to be launched in 2021.

Who is Raja Chari?

Raja Chari is one of the three astronauts selected by the NASA for the SpaceX mission. He was among the eleven astronauts who joined NASA’s ranks in January this year. In 2017, Raja Chari was selected to join Astronaut Candidates Class by the NASA. Earlier this month, he was selected as a team member for NASA’s Artemis programme that made him eligible for assignments to future lunar missions.

Raja Chari, a US Air Force colonel, comes from Cedar Falls in Iowa. He graduated from the US Air Force Academy with a Bachelor’s degree in astronautical engineering and engineering science. He also holds a Master’s degree in aeronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He has served as the Commander of the 461st Flight Test Squadron and the director of the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California. Raja Chari has accumulated 2500 hours of flight time in his career.

The SpaceX Crew-3 mission

The SpaceX Crew-3 mission is part of NASA’s contract with SpaceX under its Commercial Crew Programme. Under the programme, the SpaceX will provide six crew missions to the International Space Station (ISS) for NASA astronauts. The crew members of the SpaceX Crew-3 mission will spend six months at the ISS. Their stay will overlap with the Crew-2 astronauts for a short time. The Crew-1 astronauts are already on the ISS, while the Crew-2 mission will be launched in March 2021.

NASA is planning to send the next man and the first woman to the Moon by 2024. According to NASA, increasing the total number of astronauts on the ISS is helping in boosting the number of science investigations being carried out in the microgravity environment.

This will be the third crew rotation mission of the human transportation system of SpaceX and its fourth flight with astronauts including the Demo-2 test flight, to the space station through NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. The programme has the objective of providing safe, reliable and cost-effective crew access to the space station and low-Earth orbit in partnership with the American aerospace industry.

SpaceX is a private aerospace company founded by Elon Musk. After more than 100 launches using its Falcon 9 family of rockets, for various missions like supply missions to ISS and launch of satellites, the company ran the first crew mission in November this year, when four astronauts were sent to ISS. It was the first operational mission to the International Space Station in the Commercial Crew Program of NASA. SpaceX uses its Crew Dragon spacecraft to transport astronauts.

VHP slams Rahul Gandhi for trying to defame Bajrang Dal citing already debunked report by Wall Street Journal

OpIndia Staff
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VHP slams Rahul Gandhi for trying to defame Bajrang Dal citing already debunked report by Wall Street Journal

On Friday, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) slammed Congress scion Rahul Gandhi after he tried to defame the organisation citing a report by left-propagandist media house Wall Street Journal (WSJ). The WSJ report had claimed that despite an internal assessment calling for a ban on the Bajrang Dal, Facebook had not cracked down on the Hindu nationalist group due to these reasons.

“Facebook US says Bajrang Dal content is offensive and should be banned. Facebook India tells our Parliamentary panel that Bajrang Dal content is not offensive. Is Facebook lying to India and its Parliament?” the former Congress President tweeted while sharing the Wall Street Journal report.

Screengrab of the tweet by Rahul Gandhi

VHP slams Rahul Gandhi, questions his anti-India stance

In a statement on Friday, VHP Spokesperson Vinod Bansal said that Rahul Gandhi has exposed his mindset by citing false accusations, made by Wall Street Journal. VHP Secretary General Shri Milind Parande stated that Rahul Gandhi has been proactive in his support of anti-national elements, Tukde Tukde gang, anti-CAA hooligans, pro-China and pro-Pakistan elements.

VHP reiterated that nationalist organisations such as Bajrang Dal have therefore become the eyesore of Rahul Gandhi. “His affiliation and rapport with China are well known. He would believe in an American newspaper but, not in a Pan-Bharat nationalist youth organization!” the organisation stated.

VHP Secretary-General Milind Parande has demanded an apology from the Wall Street Journal for its false reporting, targetting and discrediting India under the pretext of defaming Bajrang Dal. Highlighting media reports and Wiki-Leaks, he said that Congress President Sonia Gandhi had also tried to ban Bajrang Dal but failed.

“Incidentally, Facebook has clarified that there is no reason to block Bajrang Dal on Facebook. This reflects their hostile anti-Hindu mindset. Sri Parande said that now Rahul Gandhi and the Wall Street Journal should apologize to the Bajrang Dal and the Hindu society that forms 1/6th of the global population,” VHP emphasised.

Claims of the Wall Street Journal on Bajrang Dal debunked by Facebook

Facebook India Head Ajit Mohan told a parliamentary panel on Wednesday that the social media giant had found no cause to act against the Hindu-nationalist organisation Bajrang Dal after reports had emerged claiming Facebook did not scrutinize accounts belonging to the Hindu organisation.

According to the reports, Ajit Mohan was summoned by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology on Wednesday chaired by Congress leader Shashi Tharoor to discuss the safety of user data. Responding to the allegations by the WSJ, Facebook officials said before the panel members that Facebook’s fact-checking team had not, so far, found any content, among material posted by the Bajrang Dal, that violated its social media policies.

Facebook India chief Ajit Mohan has also rejected the WSJ report saying it was “factually wrong and untrue”. The Facebook team led by Mohan told the parliamentary panel that people quoted in the WSJ report “had no knowledge or authority, and were not in the hierarchical chain” to comment on the decision making process.

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