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No impact of Hathras case on BJP’s fortunes, wins all three seats around Hathras in Western UP in the by-polls

OpIndia Staff
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No impact of Hathras case on BJP’s fortunes, wins all three seats around Hathras in Western UP in the by-polls

Bharatiya Janata Party has comfortably won by-poll elections on six out of seven seats in Uttar Pradesh. The by-poll elections were held at Naugawan Sadat, Bulandshahr, Tundla, Bangermau, Ghatampur, Deoria and Malhani on 3rd November. Three seats that BJP won in western UP (Tundla, Amroha, and Bulandshahr) were under the shadow of the infamous Hathras Case. The opposition parties, including Congress, Left, and Bhim Army, used the 14th September incident to create voters’ mindset against BJP.

BJP grabbed six out of seven seats in Uttar Pradesh in by-poll elections

A comfortable win at all three seats in western UP

Prempal Singh Dhangar of BJP won the Tundla (SC) seat with a margin of 17,683 votes. Prempal got 72,844 votes compared to SP’s Maharaj Singh Dhangar, who got 55,209 votes. The remaining 40,967 votes went to BSP. Almost one-third of the total registered voters (3.6 lakh) in the constituency were Dalits. Prempal, who was contesting the election for the first time, said that BJP workers worked day and night to retain the seat. “I will try my best to fulfill the expectations of the people of my constituency. Making suitable arrangements for the supply of drinking water to each household will be my top priority,” he added.

BJP’s Sangeeta Chauhan, wife of former UP Cabinet minister late Chetan Chauhan, won Amroha’s Naugawan Sadat seat won by over 15,000 votes. She secured 86,692 votes while SP candidate Abdi got 71,615 votes, and BSP got 38,192 votes. On this seat, Congress candidate Dr. Kamlesh Singh secured merely 4,500 votes. She said, “My husband now is not in this world but he is with me. People of this constituency paid a true tribute to him. That is why our party won the seat again. I will not let the people down, and will fulfill the remaining promises of my husband.”

BJP’s Usha Sirohi won Bulandshahr Sadar seat comfortably with a margin of over 21,000 votes. She got 88,645 votes while BSP’s Mohammad Yunus secured polled 66,943 votes. Azad Samaj Party (Bhim Army’s political party) got 13,000 votes, and Congress’ Sushil Chaudhary secured 10,319 votes. RLD’s Praveen Kumar Singh (backed by SP) got only 7,312 votes. There were over 52,000 Dalit Jatav and over 1.2 lakh Muslim voters in the constituency. Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar got a good response in his political rallies, but the turnout at the rally failed to affect the election’s outcome.

The Hathras case and how opposition tried to create mindset against BJP

On 15th September, the media started to report the Hathras case. According to the reports, on 14th September, a 19-year-old from the Bulgadhi village in Hathras was gang-raped by four men belonging to the ‘upper caste’. The girl passed away on 29th September at the hospital. In the report, there, the police mentioned that there was no rape. IPC Section 302 (murder) was added in the case.

The case became a political battleground for the political parties to score brownie points. The justice for the victim took a backseat, and the leaders from every opposition party started to find ways to take advantage of the situation. Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath has ordered a CBI inquiry into the matter with numerous facets emerging to the story. From Gandhi family to BSP, Bhim Army, Left, SP, and other party leaders started to visit Hathras.

Media played a vital role in making the case about caste. From the very first day, it was projected that the incident took place because to girl was from the Dalit community. However, later details emerged that two families had old family disputes and some reports suggested that the girl and one of the men who were accused were in an affair.

Four Bhim Army workers were allegedly feeding fake stories to the media, and a doctor posing as victim’s bhabhi was allegedly part of the propaganda against the UP government. Four PFI workers were arrested, who were planning to cause communal tension in the area. During the by-poll election campaigns, the opposition parties tried their best to use the case against the Yogi-led BJP government in Uttar Pradesh. A timeline of the case can be explored here.

Hathras case failed to dent BJP in the region

There was a time when fake narratives set by political parties and media worked perfectly. Things are a little different now. It seems that voters do not concentrate on one incident that has happened in a region but look at the collective work the government has done. BJP focuses on working at the booth level with the help of party workers. Bihar elections and by-poll elections in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and other states showed how ground-level work done for the region’s benefit matters more than propaganda politics.

Govt of India issues show-cause notice to Twitter for disrespecting territorial integrity of the country, gives 5 days to reply

OpIndia Staff
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Govt of India issues show-cause notice to Twitter for disrespecting territorial integrity of the country, gives 5 days to reply

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued a notice to social media giant Twitter for distorting the map of India. The notice has been issued after it was found that Twitter was showing Leh as part of Jammu and Kashmir, instead of the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The micro-blogging site has been asked to explain why legal action should not be initiated against it for disrespecting India’s territorial integrity. The notice issued on 9th November had given 5 days to Twitter to submit its reply.

According to sources, the Ministry had issued a notice to the Global Vice President of Twitter. The Ministry notice says that showing Leh as part of Jammu and Kashmir is a deliberate attempt by Twitter to undermine the will of sovereign Parliament of India, which had declared Ladakh as a Union Territory of India with headquarter in Leh.

The Ministry has directed Twitter to explain within five working days why legal action should not be initiated against Twitter and its representatives for disrespecting the territorial integrity of India. If the govt of India is not satisfied with the reply submitted by Twitter, it may face actions, including possible ban under the section 69 of the IT Act.

The matter came to notice after defence analyst Nitin Gokhale had noticed on October 20 that Twitter was marking his location Leh as being part of Jammu of Kashmir. It was after Twitter had presumably corrected an error in its location data, where Jammu and Kashmir was shown as inside People’s Republic of China.

On October 18, Nitin Gokhale has posted a live video on Twitter from Leh, he was surprised to see that his location was marked as Jammu and Kashmir, People’s Republic of China. Therefore, Twitter had got both the country and the union territory wrong.

Following the outrage on social media over this serious error, Twitter had issued a statement saying that it was a technical issue, and said that they had investigated and resolved the geotag problem. At that time, the govt of India had issued a warning to Twitter, objecting to distortion of India’s territorial integrity.

Bhima Koregaon case accused Varavara Rao’s bail plea rejected by Bombay High Court, next hearing on November 17

OpIndia Staff
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Bhima Koregaon case accused Varavara Rao’s bail plea rejected by Bombay High Court, next hearing on November 17

The Bombay High Court today rejected the bail plea of ‘Urban Naxal’ Varavara Rao who had sought bail from the court citing health condition. Rao’s wife Pendyala Hemlatha had filed the bail plea under Article 226 of the Constitution seeking his immediate release citing medical grounds, as reported by Bar and Bench. The plea was filed after the Supreme Court refused to intervene in the matter and directed the Bombay High Court to his pending bail plea at the earliest. The court has adjourned the next hearing of the matter till November 17.

In the bail plea, Hemlatha had alleged that Rao was not being provided appropriate medical treatment by the government and this amounted to violation of his fundamental right to health, dignity and life under Article 21 of the Constitution. Requesting for compensation, she contended in the plea that Rao’s detention in Taloja jail, given his medical condition, amounted to cruelty. The petition filed through Advocate R Satyanarayan, stated that there was apprehension that Rao might lose his life in custody due to medical negligence of the state.

During the hearing today, a Bench of Justices AK Menon and SP Tavade allowed immediate medical examination of Rao by doctors via video call.

The Court further said that if the medical panel felt that his assessment was not possible on video call, then they could be allowed to visit the Taloja jail in consultation with the jail authorities.

The court ordered for the submission of report of medical examination before November 16.

Rao taking undue advantage of pandemic: NIA

In July this year, the National Investigating Agency (NIA) had accused Rao of attempting to take undue advantage of the Coronavirus outbreak after he applied for bail on grounds of health. In the reply filed in response to Rao’s bail plea before the Supreme Court, the NIA said, “The appellant accused Varavara Rao under the garb of the current situation on account of global pandemic Covid-19 and his old age, is trying to take an undue benefit in the aforesaid situation in seeking bail on the grounds mentioned in his application.”

In November 2018, Rao, and nine others were arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case, which was initially probed by the Pune police and later transferred to the National Investigation Agency. He was arrested by Karnataka police in July 2019 in connection with a 2005 Maoist attack case registered at Tirumani and was later sent to Mumbai prison.

Here are the 12 measures announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman under Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 stimulus package

OpIndia Staff
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Here are the 12 measures announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman under Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 stimulus package

The Modi government on Thursday announced another financial stimulus package, as a part of Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharamana announced 12 new measures under the new Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 stimulus package to boost the Indian economy amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The measures announced by the centre are expected to be aimed at sectors worst hit by the pandemic and lockdown.

Before announcing the package, the Finance Minister spoke about the current state of the economy, in which she highlighted the growth in energy consumption in October and added that bank credit growth is up 5.1 per cent and stock markets are at a record high.

“RBI is predicting a strong likelihood of economy returning to positive growth in Q3”, the Finance Minister said. She also added that global rating agency Moody’s has reassessed the country’s growth numbers.

Speaking about Aatmanirbhar Bharat 1.0, the Finance Minister also said that 28 states/union territories (UTs) have been brought under the national portability of ration cards with effect from September 1. The minister added that at least 26.2 lakh loan applications were received under the PM SVANidhi scheme for street vendors.

The minister said that credit boost has been given to 2.5 crore farmers through Kisan Credit Cards and Rs 1.4 lakh crore has been distributed to farmers. She also pointed out hat proposals from 21 states for Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana worth Rs 1,700 crore has been sanctioned.

The announcement comes shortly after the Union Cabinet approved the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for 10 sectors on November 11.

Here are the 12 measures announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday under Atmanirbhar Bharat package 3.0:

1. Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday announced the Atmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana to incentivise the creation of new employment opportunities. The new scheme will be in addition to Prime Minister Rozgar Protsahan Yojana.

The beneficiaries will include any new employee joining the EPFO registered establishment, who draws a monthly wage of less than Rs 15,000 who lost jobs during the pandemic and regained employment after October 1.

The scheme is being launched to incentivise the creation of new employment opportunities during the Covid-19 recovery phase. This will be effective from October 1, 2020, for the next two years.

2. Existing Credit Guarantee Scheme extended till March 2021

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also announced that Rs 3 lakh crore existing emergency credit line guarantee scheme is extended till March 31, 2021. The guaranteed credit for supporting stressed sectors to be utilised for 100 per cent guaranteed collateral-free additional credit at capped interest rates.

The Finance Minister said that the tenure of additional credit to be 5 years, including one year moratorium on principal repayment.

3. More sectors to be covered under Manufacturing PLI Scheme

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also announced a Rs 1.46 lakh crore boost for Atmanirbhar Manufacturing Production-linked incentive for 10 champion sectors. A total amount of nearly 1.5 lakh crore has been earmarked across sectors, for the next five years, she added.

The government has already approved a PLI scheme for 3 sectors at a cost of Rs 51,355 crore. The scheme is expected to give significant boost to economic growth and employment.

4. Additional spending on PM Awas Yojana (Urban)

The Modi government announced an additional outlay of Rs 18,000 crore for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), which will be provided over and above the budget estimate which was mentioned in the Budget 2020-21.

The decision will help ground 12 lakh houses and complete 18 lakh houses, said the Finance Minister announcing new measures under stimulus package.

“A number of measures have been taken in the past several months for the revival of the Housing and Real Estate Sector. These measures have contributed to the fair recovery in this sector,” said Sitharaman.

5. Support for construction and infrastructure

To provide ease of doing business and relief to contractors whose money otherwise remains locked up, performance security on contracts will be reduced to 3%, the Modi government announced.

The Finance Minister said that the EMD for tenders will be replaced by bid security self-declaration for which the relaxations will be applicable till December 31, 2021.

6. Income Tax relief for developers and home buyers

The Union government has announced tax relief for developers and home buyers for houses up to Rs 2 crore.

Under this, the Income-tax relief will be provided to 20% of the differential between circle rate and agreement value increased from the existing 10%. FM Sitharaman said that this would be applicable on primary sale of residential units of value up to Rs 2 crore.

7. Infusion of equity in National Investment and Infrastructure Fund

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government would make a Rs 6,000 crore equity infusion into the debt platform of the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), which will help the NIIF in raising Rs 1.1 lakh crore by 2025 for infrastructure projects financing.

She also announced that private equity participation to also come in the NIIF. NIIF has itself invested Rs 2,000 crore debt platform has a loan book of Rs 8,000 crore and deal pipeline of Rs 10,000 crore, the Finance Minister said in the press conference.

8. Support of Rs 65,000 crore for subsidised fertilisers

The Modi government also announced that Rs 65,000 crore fertiliser subsidy will be provided to farmers. This will help 140 million farmers, said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Fertiliser consumption is going up significantly and increased supply of fertilisers at subsidised rates will ensure that forthcoming crop seasons will not be affected, the Finance Minister said.

9. Additional outlay on PM Garib Kalyan Rozgar Yojana

An additional outlay of Rs 10,000 crore is being provided for PM Garib Kalyan Rozgar Yojana, announced Finance Minister Nirmala Sithataman.

The Modi government has allowed these funds to be used for MGNREGA or for Gram Sadak Yojana aiming at helping accelerate rural economy.

10. Boost for project exports

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also announced an additional Rs 3,000 crore that will be released to EXIM Bank for the project exports through IDEAS scheme.

About 811 export contracts amounting to $10.50 billion being financed under LoCs, the Finance Minister added.

11. Capital and Industrial stimulus

The Modi government has also allocated Rs 10,200 crore additionally to give impetus to capital and industrial expenditure.

The Finance Minister said that the amount will be spent towards domestic defence equipment, industrial incentives, industrial infrastructure, and green energy.

12. R&D grant for Covid vaccine development

Finally, to fight the coronavirus pandemic, the centre has announced Rs 900 crore fund for Covid Suraksha Mission for Research and Development to the Department of Biotechnology.

The provision being made only towards research activity said FM Sitharaman. The actual cost of vaccine and logistics required for distributing the vaccine is different and will be provided., she clarified.

The five stimulus package announced by the Modi government have together provided a total fiscal stimulus of Rs 17.16 lakh crore since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In addition to this, the RBI has announced various measures worth Rs 12.71 lakh crore taking the total stimulus package close to Rs 30 lakh crore, amounting to 15 per cent of India’s gross domestic product (GDP). 

Under Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0, the fiscal stimulus is Rs 2.65 lakh crore, which includes the PLI scheme announced on November 11. 

Image Source: News18

Atmanirbhar Package – the economic stimulus announced by Modi government

Earlier in May, in a series of announcements, the Modi government had announced economic stimulus to battle the economic downturn induced by the coronavirus outbreak.

The relief package announced by the government includes a host of measures such as free food grains for distraught migrant workers, hike in foreign direct investment in defence, liquidity measures for the MSMEs, changes in Essential Commodities Act, increase in public expenditure in health, among others.

TN varsity removes Arundhati Roy’s anti-India book from syllabus after ABVP opposes inclusion in syllabus: Read details

OpIndia Staff
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TN varsity removes Arundhati Roy’s anti-India book from syllabus after ABVP opposes inclusion in syllabus: Read details

The Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli on Wednesday decided to withdraw a book authored by the ultra-left wing ‘intellectual’ and a notorious anti-India propagandist Arundhati Roy from their syllabus after a huge protest by the university students.

According to reports, the Manonmaniam Sundaranar University in Tirunelveli had to withdraw the controversial book – “Walking with the Comrades” written by Naxal sympathiser Arundhati Roy after Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) protested against the inclusion of the book in its postgraduate English syllabus

Reportedly, the book is based on Roy’s visit to Maoist hideouts and her interactions with the left-wing terrorists. The book was a part of the syllabus in the university since 2017 for a course in BA English language and literature students in the third semester.

Book replaced after students protest

Following the severe opposition, the MSU university Vice-Chancellor K Pitchumani chaired a meeting and decided that the book will be removed and replaced with a few essays from naturalist M Krishnan’s “My Native Land: Essays on Nature”.

“The book was included in the syllabus in 2017. It was only a week ago that it was brought to our notice that Ms. Roy had glorified Maoists. So we formed a committee to discuss the issue and the panel recommended its withdrawal,” Pitchumani said.

He also added that besides the ABVP, others complained too and the issue assumed multiple dimensions, resulting in the university deciding to withdraw the book. It is appropriate that Krishnan is from Tirunelveli, he also added.

ABVP Dakshin Tamil Nadu joint secretary C Vignesh, who led the protests said that it was regrettable that Maoist and Naxal ideas had been imposed on the students for the last three years. “The teachers also taught an anti-national subject. Students are subjected to mental agony as the book encourages hatred against our country,” he added.

Vignesh also warned that if the University delayed its decision to withdraw the book from the syllabus, the ABVP will bring it to the notice of the Union Ministry of Education. “We will launch protests,” he had warned.

‘Will shoot you, bow down to us if you want to live in Mewat’: Faisal and Parveen warn Hindu youth against following Hindu rituals in Mewat

जयन्ती मिश्रा
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‘Will shoot you, bow down to us if you want to live in Mewat’: Faisal and Parveen warn Hindu youth against following Hindu rituals in Mewat

The atrocities on Hindus in Mewat, Haryana is not unheard of. The Hindus, who have been reduced to a minority community in Haryana’s mini Pakistan (Mewat), are living under constant threat in the hands of the Muslim majority in the region. Incidents of rape of Hindu, especially of Dalit girls, kidnapping of brides, forced conversion, assault on Dalits have become common in the villages in Mewat.

Recently, it was reported how a temple located in a village falling under the jurisdiction of Mewat’s Nagina police station was vandalised by the Muslims in the region. Now, another incident from the same jurisdiction has come to the fore where a Hindu youth has been terrorized and threatened with death if he visits the temple or indulges in any religious activities.

Hindu youth in Mewat claims that his case is not being heard

According to reports, two Muslim youth named Faisal and Parveen have threatened to kill a Hindu youth Muralilal Saini. Muralilal claims that in the hope to get some help, he has been knocking every door possible. He has approached the village sarpanch to the Nagina Police station and also written a letter to Haryana’s Chief Minister Mohan Lal Khattar. However, Murarilal claims of receiving no assistance until now. His case is not being taken seriously, alleges the youth.

Murarilal Saini

Murailal, who is a fruit seller by profession, was going to the temple with his friend Hemraj on November 2 when he was accosted by 4 youths. The Muslims who were on two bikes started abusing Murarilal and Hemraj. According to the Hindu youths, this was not the first time that Faizal and Praveen had harassed them. They often confronted them and intimidated them with locally made guns. Until now, Murarilal kept complaining to the village Sarpanch in hope that he would help him out. But when he saw that it was not working he approached the Nagina police station.

In his complaint, Murarilal said that he was standing at Hemraj’s shop on November 2 when some boys including Faisal and Parveen came to him and started abusing him. They threatened him by saying: “The day we find you alone, we will kill you”. They told him that they had prepared a hit-list with the name of few Hindu youths from the village who were in their radar and that he was one of them. In his complaint, Murarilal clearly expressed his fear that his life was in danger. He specified that if anything untoward happened with him, the Faizal, Praveen and his accomplice should be held accountable.

OpIndia speaks to oppressed Hindu youth in Mewat

When OpIndia got in touch with Murarilal, he shared with us the letters he had written Haryana’s Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, State Home Minister Anil Vij and the Superintendent of Police, requesting them for help.

Murarilal’s letter to Haryana CM

When OpIndia questioned Murarilal on police’s response, he said despondently that he had not received any reply from the police station so far. The bike riders still threaten him and kept saying that “You are from the RSS … will shoot you.”

“Jab bhi humare same aao toh humain salaam karo”, Muslim youths warn Murarilal

Murari expressed helplessness as he claimed that he is 31 years old and yet he was receiving such threats from boys aged 20-22. He said nothing like this happened before. He has been running his shop in the market for about 20 years. But from the last 7 to 8 months these boys started bothering him, claimed Murari. He told us that when the Muslims youths accosted him, while he was on his way to the temple, they warned him that if he wanted to live in Mewat, he would have to live as per their whims. They said that whenever in future Murari crosses them he would need to bow down and salute them first. “Mewat mein rehana hain toh humare hisaab see rehna hoga. Is liye jab bhi humare samne aao toh humain salaam karo”, roughly translated as (If you want to live in Mewat, then you have to live according to us. So whenever you come in front of us, you have to salute us).

The aggrieved youth first thought that all these were petty matter amongst the villagers and would get resolved in the village itself, but when his hardships started to cross all endurable capacities, he gathered the people of the village and approached the village sarpanch. The sarpanch assured him that he would make sure that the matter is resolved and the Muslim youths do not bother him henceforth.

For a month things were better, but it all started again after one month. The process of intimidation and threatening has continued ever since, said Murarilal. In fact, those Muslims youths have now started threatening Murarilal to leave the village or face dire consequences.

On November 2, seeing Murarilal standing at Hemraj’s shop, these Muslim youths surrounded him and asked: “You have not left the village yet? Now your time has come.” According to Murarilal, every Hindu in his area who visits temples or engages in any form of religious activities is suppressed and harassed. They are often roughed up by these Muslim youths and due to their dominance in the village, the helpless Hindus can do little to help themselves or their friends, revealed Murari.

OpIndia approches SHO of Nagina police station

After speaking to Murarilal, Opindia contacted the SHO of Nagina police station. However, we were told that they have no information about the purported incident. After this, we again tried to reach out to them, but the police did not pick up our phone.

Murarilal’s letter to the Nagina police station SHO

Atrocities against Hindus in Muslim dominated Mewat continues unabated

This is, however, not a one-off incident in Mewat. Earlier, a 24-year-old Dalit boy Rahul was brutally assaulted, with a battle-axe, by members of the Muslim community in his village Uleta, falling under the jurisdiction of Mewat’s Nagina police station. When Rahul’s family went to save their son, even they were also subjected to assault by the Muslim assailants.

The village sarpanch and other villagers stayed away from even inquiring the well being of Rahul and his family which came under the attack of the Muslim assailants. Instead, Rahul’s uncle Jaswant was allegedly intimidated by a well-known person in the village who warned him that if he wants to stay in the village, he will have to live under their yoke. The police did not allegedly cooperate. To weaken the case, the ST/SC Act was removed from the case. It’s been four months since Rahul’s family has been running pillar to post seeking justice for their young son, but his assailants are still roaming around freely.

However, these Hindus are no different from the rest of the oppressed Dalit family’s in Mewat, who have been enduring these hardships for the past two decades. The pervasiveness of the local police, probably under the influence of the majority Muslim population in the region, has only added to the miseries of these Hindu families.

Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani steps in to represent Sameet Thakker

OpIndia Staff
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Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani steps in to represent Sameet Thakker

Senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani will represent Sameet Thakkar, who is currently lodged in jail for criticising the Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government through his social media posts. Thakkar is a victim of the witch-hunt by the Maharashtra government. He has been arrested three times in three weeks under different cases by the Mumbai Police.

It has been confirmed by OpIndia that senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani is taking up Thakkar’s case against the Uddhav Thackeray government.

The cases against Sameet Thakkar

Two FIRs were registered against Sameet Thakkar in Nagpur and at VP Road police station in Mumbai on July 2 for allegedly posting objectionable remarks against CM Uddhav Thackeray, his son Aditya Thackeray and Nitin Raut. Thakkar filed a petition in Bombay High Court seeking protection from arrest and quashing of FIRs against him. On 1st October, the court granted him protection from arrest and ordered him to cooperate in the investigation.

Another FIR was registered against him and eight others with BKC Cyber police by Shiv Sena’s legal consultant Advocate Dharmendra Mishra on August 5, 2020, for allegedly posting against Aditya Thackeray, alleging that he was linked to actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. Thakkar is currently facing three FIRs filed with Nagpur police, VP Road police, and BKC cyber police in relation to the comments posted by him.

Thakkar was first arrested on October 24 by Nagpur Sitabuldi police. He spent nine days in custody. On November 2, he was re-arrested by the VP Road police from court premises after a Nagpur court granted him bail. On November 10, he was arrested by BKC police after he was granted bail on November 9 in relation to the FIR lodged with VP Road police. He was sent to police custody till November 13, but as the courts will be closed till November 15, he can request bail only on or after November 16.

Attorney General KK Venugopal grants consent to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Kunal Kamra

OpIndia Staff
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Attorney General KK Venugopal grants consent to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Kunal Kamra

Attorney General KK Venugopal has granted his consent to initiate contempt of court proceedings against far-left troll masquerading as a ‘stand-up comedian’ Kunal Kamra. A Mumbai based lawyer had sought the Attorney General’s permission to initiate contempt proceedings against Kunal Kamra for his tweets against the Supreme Court, after apex court had granted bail to Arnab Goswami.

According to the reports, the AG KK Venugopal, granting his consent to initiate proceedings against Kamra said the tweets by Kamra, where he referred to the Supreme Court of India as Supreme Joke India, and said that humour has left the SC long ago, “were highly objectionable.”

In his consent letter, KK Venugopal stated that the other tweets also are highly objectionable and it would perhaps be for the court to decide the question as to whether these tweets also would constitute criminal contempt of the Supreme Court of India. The AG also referred to one image posted by Kamra where the Supreme Court was shown in saffron colour, and the Indian flag was replaced by the flag of BJP, insinuating that Supreme Court is working under BJP.

“I find that today people believe that they can boldly and brazenly condemn the Supreme Court of India and its judges by exercising what they believe is their freedom of speech,” the Attorney General KK Venugopal said in his letter to the Mumbai-based lawyer Rizwan Siddique.

He added, “But under the Constitution, the freedom of speech is subject to the law of contempt and I believe that it is time that people understand that attacking the Supreme Court of India unjustifiedly and brazenly will attract punishment under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1972, I, therefore, grant consent to proceed by way of initiating contempt proceedings against Kunal Kamra”.

Mumbai-based lawyer had sought the consent of AG to file contempt proceedings

Earlier, Mumbai-based lawyer Rizwan Siddiquee had sought Attorney General KK Venugopal’s permission to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Kunal Kamra. 

The infamous so-called comedian lost his cool when the Supreme Court of India granted interim bail to Arnab Goswami on 11th November. Kamra published a series of Tweets where he described the Supreme Court of India as ‘Supreme Joke of India’. As per the law, his tweets are subject to contempt proceedings.

In his letter to AG, Siddiquee said that Kamra posted unsavoury comments on the Supreme Court and Justice DY Chandrachud. He also circulated a morphed image of the Supreme Court premises. Siddiquee said his tweets amount to a “manifest attempt to lower the authority of the Supreme Court of India.”

Kamra’s tweets against Supreme Court and Justice Chandrachud

Siddiquee added five tweets by Kamra in his letter. In the first tweet, Kamra compared the Supreme Court to a Supreme Joke. In the next tweet, he wrote, “The pace at which the Supreme Court operates in matters of “National Interests” it’s time we replace Mahatma Gandhi’s photo with Harish Salve’s photo.”

In the third tweet, he compared DY Chandrachud to“flight attendant serving champagne to first-class passengers after they’re fast-tracked through, while commoners don’t know if they’ll ever be boarded or seated, let alone served.” In the last tweet, he provoked lawyers to stop using the prefix “Hon’ble” while referring to the Supreme Court or its judges. He said, “Honour has left the building long back.”

Siddiquee highlighted another tweet by Kamra where he posted a morphed image of the Supreme Court building giving it an Orange shade with the BJP flag hoisted in the Supreme Court’s entrance.

He said if the court does not take action based on the derogatory statements made by Kamra, his millions of followers will follow the same path and make reckless allegations when judgment is not in their favour. He further added, “Greatest strength of the judiciary is the faith of the people in it, a belief that should not allowed to erode because of a calculated and well-timed propaganda of a few,”.

Yesterday, lawyer Chandni Shah had filed a contempt plea against Kamra for his vile remarks, which was handed over to the Secretary-General of Supreme Court of India. Along with this, she also filed a cybercrime complaint against him.


NCP used Swami Vivekananda when they wanted to justify beef-eating, now protesting against his statue in JNU

OpIndia Staff
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NCP used Swami Vivekananda when they wanted to justify beef-eating, now protesting against his statue in JNU

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be unveiling a life-size statue of Swami Vivekananda at the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus today evening. The statue was vandalised by goons on JNU campus in November last year. Slogans like ‘Bhagwa jalega’ and ‘F*ck BJP’ were painted across by leftist goons. The inauguration will be done through video conference. 

Speaking about the event, PM Narendra Modi Tweeted: “At 6:30 this evening, will unveil a statue of Swami Vivekananda at the JNU campus and share my thoughts on the occasion. The programme will be held via video conferencing. I look forward to the programme this evening”.

While the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) has called for an anti-Modi protest over the funds used for the construction of the statue, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also jumped on the bandwagon to question the BJP government on the ‘wasteful’ expenditure being incurred on the installation of Swami Vivekananda’s statue. They claimed that the funds being spent on the ceremony could have been put to better use.

The National Congress Party has been steadfast in joining the controversy that has hit the ceremony hours ahead of the scheduled unveiling. Interestingly, today NCP is finding the funds spent on the installation of the leader’s statue a waste of expenditure. Probably, the party members have forgotten that it was their opportunistic party which had only a few years back latched onto the name of the same leader when they wanted to justify beef-eating.

“Swami Vivekananda was not only a meat eater but used to cook non-vegetarian food”: NCP

When in April 2017, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had advocated a nationwide law against cow slaughter, calling it a “vice” that must be removed, NCP general secretary DP Tripathi had rebuked the RSS chief for his idea. He had then said that “nowhere in the Vedas it is written that eating beef is a crime. It is not there in the shastras, the Vedas. I challenge Bhagwat or any of his representatives to come and a debate on the basis of all Hindu scriptures.”

Claiming that 80 per cent of the countrymen, including a majority of Hindus, eat beef, Tripathi said Bhagwat’s idea of having a ban on cow slaughter is against the spirit of the Constitution.

He claimed Swami Vivekananda, whom “Prime Minister Narendra Modi admires, was not only a meat eater but used to cook non-vegetarian food”. He had furthered that had it been possible for these groups, they would have “jailed even the likes of Swami Vivekananda” for their views on beef and meat.

Interestingly, the party which had not shied away from using Swami Vivekanand’s name for proving their point, are now getting worked up when the statue of the same leader is being installed.

The witch-hunt against Sameet Thakkar by the Maharashtra govt and the 3 arrests in 3 weeks: All you need to know

OpIndia Staff
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The witch-hunt against Sameet Thakkar by the Maharashtra govt and the 3 arrests in 3 weeks: All you need to know

The Thackeray government in Maharashtra seems to be on a mission to shut out the last dissenting voice in the state that speaks against or criticises the government. Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami came out on bail yesterday after getting relief from the Supreme Court, however, Twitter user Sameet Thakkar is stuck in a loop of bail and arrest. Trouble refuses to end for Sameet Thakkar who is paying a heavy price for posting comments on social media against Maharashtra Chief Minister and his son.

Thakkar who is facing charges for his remarks was arrested by Maharashtra police for the third time in a row on November 11. He has been sent to police custody till November 13. However, Thakkar’s ordeal does not end there, the courts are closed till November 15 which means that he can request bail only be after courts reopen on November 16.

Three FIRs lodged against Thakkar

Two FIRs were lodged against Sameet Thakkar in Nagpur and at VP Road police station in Mumbai on July 2 for allegedly posting objectionable remarks against the Chief Minister, his son Aaditya Thackeray and Nitin Raut. Thakkar filed a plea in Bombay High Court seeking protection from arrest and requesting quashing of FIRs registered against him. on October 1, 2020, a Bench of Justice SS Shinde and MS Karnik granted Thakkar protection from arrest and ordered to cooperate in the investigation and record his statement at VP Road police station.

Another FIR was registered against Thakkar and eight others with BKC Cyber police by Shiv Sena’s legal consultant Advocate Dharmendra Mishra on August 5, 2020 after he allegedly posted a tweet alleging that Aaditya Thackray was linked with the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput and his former manager Disha Salian. Thakkar is currently facing three FIRs in total filed with Nagpur police, VP Road police and BKC cyber police in relation to the comments posted by him.

Advocate Mishra said that Thakkar was spoiling the atmosphere of the country through his posts. “He has been uploading content that spoils the atmosphere of the country. Rather than using social media for constructive work, it is being misused to defame people and forward conspiracy theories”, said Mishra as reported by the Indian Express.

Court asked police not to take coercive action

He went to VP Road police station on October 5, 2020 to record his statement, however, he escaped from there on the pretext of using washroom fearing his arrest. He told the court on October 9, 2020 that he had escaped from the police station fearing arrest. The court asked the cops not to take any coercive action against Thakkar and hand over to him a copy of the FIR and record his statement.

Thakkar was ordered to appear in the police station on October 16 but he did not appear. After that, his lawyer Advocate Abhinav Chandrachud returned his brief on October 23. Advocate Raspal Singh Renu infrormed the court about the same and requested the court for time to appoint a new counsel, after which the matter was scheduled on November 3 for hearing.

The series of arrests started on October 24

Thakkar was first arrested by Nagpur’s Sitabuldi police on October 24 after which he spent nine days in custody. He was then re-arrested by the VP Road police from court premises after a Nagpur court granted him bail on November 2 in relation to the FIR lodged with Nagpur police. He was again arrested by BKC police on November 10 after he was granted bail on November 9 in relation to the FIR lodged with VP Road police. He was granted bail on the condition that he would not operate his Twitter account until further orders.

The BKC police arrested Thakkar in relation to the case lodged with them and sought his police custody before the local magistrate court. His anticipatory bail in relation to the FIR filed with the BKC cyber police was rejected by the sessions court. Thakkar will now have to spend Diwali in police custody. It is noteworthy that out of nine people against whom FIR was registered at BKC police station, only Thakkar has been arrested.

Thakkar had allegedly called Aaditya Thackeray as  ‘Mohammad Azam Shah of Maharashtra, aka baby penguin.’ He also referred to CM as ‘Modern day Aurangazeb’ and posted a derogatory comment on Raut.

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