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Congress trolls spread fake news about Modi granting reservation to Muslim castes as Gujarat CM, here is the truth about OBC reservations in Gujarat under Modi’s tenure

OpIndia Staff
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Congress trolls spread fake news about Modi granting reservation to Muslim castes as Gujarat CM, here is the truth about OBC reservations in Gujarat under Modi’s tenure

As the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are underway, the Congress trolls on social media are hyperactively spreading fake news and disinformation in the forlorn hope of tipping the scales in favour of their party, whose leaders appear resigned to the fact that Modi’s return to power is all but inevitable. 

In an attempt to reverse the fortunes of the Congress party, its online supporters and trolls have started claiming that Modi granted reservations to Muslim castes during his tenure as Gujarat CM. 

The claims have spawned on social media after PM Modi asserted that Congress tried to grant reservation to Muslims at the expense of SC/ST castes. Addressing the electorate in Rajasthan’s Tonk-Sawai Madhopur Lok Sabha constituency, slated to cast their votes on April 26, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked on Tuesday that in 2004, the Congress attempted to allocate reservations to Muslims in Andhra Pradesh at the expense of diminishing SC/ST reservations, displaying what he described as a disregard for the Constitution.

“The reality is that during the Congress regime, they sought to carve out a separate reservation for their favoured voting bloc by encroaching upon the reservations meant for Dalits and backward classes. This action, he emphasised, stands in stark contradiction to the principles outlined in the Constitution,” PM Modi said. 

No sooner did Modi accuse Congress of minority appeasement by granting reservations to Muslims by encroaching upon quota meant for SC/ST castes than a raft of Congress trolls online began sharing an incomplete video to insinuate that Modi accorded reservation to Muslim castes during his tenure as the Gujarat CM. 

Congress trolls share an incomplete video of Modi to make misleading claims: Modi doesn’t claim to extend reservations to Muslim castes in the state list

Firstly, in the video, Modi isn’t making such assertions; rather, he mentions that during his tenure as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, numerous Muslim castes benefited from reservations under the OBC quota. However, he notes that the media often overlooks such instances. Nowhere does Modi claim that his administration included any Muslim caste in the state’s OBC list.

It is indeed a fact that numerous “Muslim castes” have been receiving reservations under OBC quotas across various states for nearly four decades. Muslim castes were also granted reservations in the central OBC quota, with the UPA government issuing notifications to this effect. This practice predates Modi’s tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat.

Curiously, upon examining the castes enumerated in Gujarat’s state OBC list, it becomes apparent that all the Muslim castes that were included in the list were before Narendra Modi assumed office as Chief Minister of Gujarat. Subsequently, during Modi’s tenure as CM, 14 castes and some sects were appended to the list, none of which pertained to Muslims.

Notifications issued by successive Gujarat govts to extend reservations to various caste groups

Modi took the oath of Gujarat CM on 7 October 2001 and was the chief minister of the state till 2014. As per the List of Socially and Educationally Backward Classes declared by Gujarat State, there were 7 instances when the state government intervened to add castes to the existing list.

These include Kamli, Tamboli, Garai, Gurav, Kalal (Hindu), Sanghar (Hindu), Nagarchi, Kayasth, Gandharv (Hindu), Darji, Bhandari, Kathi Rajgir and Ahir Gor, Kuruhin Shetty, and Hajari (Rajput). 

Castes included in reservations under Modi as Gujarat CM

Kalal Muslims were already included in caste reservations; Kalal Hindus were included in reservations under Modi as Gujarat’s CM

Indeed, a noteworthy instance arises with the Kalal caste of Gujarat. While both Hindus and Muslims are recognised as belonging to this caste, only Muslim Kalals were granted reservation and incorporated into the OBC list by the Gujarat government. It wasn’t until 2005, under the Modi administration, that Hindu Kalals were eventually included in the list.

Interestingly, there are 31 Muslim castes granted reservations by the Gujarat government. Out of 31, 29 Muslim castes were granted reservations under the Congress-led governments in the state. There were two instances when Muslim castes were included in the ambit of reservations under BJP-led governments, one in December 1995 and the other one in September 1996, but Modi was not at the helm of the government then. 

PM Modi keeps watching live CCTV footage of Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail all day, claims AAP leader Sanjay Singh

OpIndia Staff
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PM Modi keeps watching live CCTV footage of Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar Jail all day, claims AAP leader Sanjay Singh

On Tuesday (23rd April), Aam Aadi Party leader Sanjay Singh who was recently released from jail in the liquor policy case, claimed that the Prime Minister and the lieutenant governor have been constantly keeping watch on the activities of Arvind Kejriwal in Tihar jail. He also claimed that Kejriwal who is a diabetic patient had finally been administered a dose of insulin 23 days after his arrest.

Singh, while addressing a press conference on Tuesday stated that a conspiracy was being framed by the central agencies and the PM to kill jailed CM Arvind Kejriwal. “Arvind Kejriwal has got the insulin that we were demanding…Why wasn’t he given insulin for the past 23 days? We were asked why we thought it was a conspiracy to kill Arvind Kejriwal?… Delhi’s Tihar Jail has become a torture cell for Arvind Kejriwal…24 hours he is kept under the surveillance of PMO and LG. PM Modi and his office are constantly watching Kejriwal through the CCTV links,” Singh said.

The Tihar officials meanwhile confirmed the news of insulin saying, “Yesterday, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was administered low-dose insulin at Tihar Jail. His sugar level was 217 yesterday. AIIMS team had said that he could be administered low-dose insulin when the level crosses 200.”

However, the Aam Aadmi Party claimed that the sugar levels of Kejriwal had reached 320. In a post on X, AAP said, “CM Kejriwal’s sugar level had reached 320. This has been possible only due to the blessings of Lord Hanuman and the struggle of the people of Delhi. We have succeeded in delivering insulin to our Chief Minister.”

Earlier on Monday, Kejriwal accused the Tihar jail administration of issuing a fake and misleading statement regarding his diabetic health under political pressure, claiming he has been requesting insulin every day.

At the same time, a local court had directed AIIMS to form a medical board to evaluate Kejriwal and establish whether he needs insulin to control his blood sugar levels. The court further found that the AAP convener was eating home-cooked food, which differed from the diet plan prescribed by his doctor.

“The court finds it perplexing why the applicant’s family has been offering him various items contrary to his medically advised diet, such as mangoes, sweets, and aloo puri,” remarked the court. Kejriwal was reported to have been eating mangoes, sweets and sugar added tea in Tihar jail, despite his diabetes concerns.

The episode sparked up after the jailed chief minister claimed that he was not being given insulin in jail, resulting in an “alarming” spike in his blood sugar levels. The Court meanwhile also noted that Kejriwal never made any demands for insulin.

CM Arvind Kejriwal is currently lodged in Tihar Jail in connection with a liquor policy scam. He was arrested by the ED on March 21. Meanwhile, on May 15, the Delhi High Court will hear Kejriwal’s plea challenging the ED summons issued to him.

Hindu shopkeeper was attacked for playing Hanuman Chalisa in a Congress-ruled state, they banned Ram Navami in Rajasthan: PM Modi in Tonk-Sawai Madhopur

OpIndia Staff
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Hindu shopkeeper was attacked for playing Hanuman Chalisa in a Congress-ruled state, they banned Ram Navami in Rajasthan: PM Modi in Tonk-Sawai Madhopur

On Tuesday (23rd April), Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress party over its Wealth redistribution promise, attack on Hindus in Congress-ruled states, and ‘Muslim appeasement’ politics. PM Modi said that two days ago he exposed the truth of the grand old party which has them all agitated and angry (Congress ko Mirchi lagi). 

Addressing a rally in Tonk-Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the indecent of a mob attack in Karnataka where a Hindu shopkeeper, Mukesh was assaulted for playing Hanuman Chalisa in his shop. He stressed that under Congress rule, even listening to Hanuman Chalisa becomes a crime and it becomes difficult to follow one’s faith. 

He said, “While talking to you today on Hanuman Jayanti, I remember a picture. A few days ago, in Congress-ruled Karnataka, a shopkeeper was brutally beaten up only because he was listening to Hanuman Chalisa while sitting in his shop..”

He added, “In Congress rule, even listening to Hanuman Chalisa becomes a crime. Rajasthan has been its sufferer…For the first time on Ram Navami this time, Shobha Yatra procession was taken out in Rajasthan. In a state like Rajasthan where people chant Ram-Ram, Congress banned Ram Navami.” 

PM Modi slammed the Congress party over the Wealth redistribution promise asking why they want to hide their own policy. He added that Congress ko mirchi lagi (Congress got rattled and is in a panic) after he exposed the truth of its policy. Without taking his name, PM Modi criticised Rahul Gandhi’s ‘X-ray of wealth’ remark stating the opposition would even survey the savings of Indian women which they keep in utensils or safe places for dire situations.  

The Prime Minister said, “The day before yesterday in Rajasthan I put forth some truth in front of the country and the entire Congress and INDI alliance went into a panic. I put forth the truth that Congress is plotting to snatch your property and distribute it to their special people…When I exposed their politics, they got so angry that they started abusing Modi…I want to know from Congress why are they so afraid of the truth? Why do they hide their policy so much, when you yourself made the policy then why are you afraid to accept it now…If you have the courage then accept it, we are ready to face you…”

Further in his rally, PM Modi issued an appeal for unity asserting that whenever we divided, enemies of the country took advantage.

Launching a scathing attack on Congress for appeasement politics, PM Modi cornered the grand old party for advocating ‘reservation for Muslims on religious grounds’ adding that it is unconstitutional. He asserted that in the past it tried to carry out a pilot project in Andra Pradesh to give reservations to Muslim community on religious grounds.   

He emphasised, “The truth is that when the Congress was in power, they wanted to give separate reservation to their special vote bank by breaking into the reservation of Dalits and backward classes. Whereas the Constitution is completely against this…”

Highlighting the past incident, PM Modi added, “…Congress party has toyed with the Constitution of the country. When the Constitution was drafted, reservation based on religion was opposed, so that SC, ST, and OBC castes could get protection. Former PM Dr Manmohan Singh in his speech had said that Muslims have the first right on the country’s resources. This was Manmohan Singh’s statement. Congress’s thinking has always been of appeasement and vote bank politics.” 

He pointed out that as soon as the Congress government came to power at the Centre in 2004, its first task was to try to provide reservation to Muslims by reducing SC/ST reservations in Andhra Pradesh. This was a pilot project, which Congress wanted to try in the entire country. Between 2004 and 2010, Congress tried four times to implement Muslim reservations in Andhra Pradesh. However, due to legal hurdles and awareness of the Supreme Court, they could not fulfil his plans. 

“In 2011, Congress tried to implement it across the country. They snatched the rights given to SC/ST and OBC and gave them to others for vote bank politics. Congress made all these efforts knowing that all this was against the basic spirit of the Constitution. But Congress did not care about the Constitution, ” the Prime Minister said. 

The Hindu tries to discredit PM Modi with a ‘fact-check’ over ‘people with more children’ remark, cites data that shows Muslims have the highest fertility rates

Amit Kelkar
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The Hindu tries to discredit PM Modi with a ‘fact-check’ over ‘people with more children’ remark, cites data that shows Muslims have the highest fertility rates

Days after PM Modi said that if Congress comes to power, it will snatch away the wealth of people, including the Mangalsutra and gold possessions of India’s women, and hand it over to “people with more children”, an apparent reference to Muslims, Chennai-based media house The Hindu came up with a “fact-check” to check the veracity of the claims made by PM Modi. 

However, merely claiming to “fact-check” does not make an article fact-check, as The Hindu would have us believe. Nowadays, the left-leaning media houses and journalists, spurred by the shady ‘fact-checks’ carried out by the likes of Pratik Sinha and Mohammed Zubair of Alt News, have begun peddling propaganda dressed as ‘fact-check’, hoping it would help them hoodwink their readers into believing their assumptions and prejudice. 

A similar attempt to mislead readers was made by The Hindu with its recently published piece titled—’A fact-check on Modi’s speech in Rajasthan about Muslims and Manmohan Singh’—authored by Vignesh Radhakrishnan and Rebecca Rose Verghese, which presented strawman arguments, presumably with the hopes of discrediting PM Modi’s pithy statements referring to the fertility rates among Muslims. 

The Hindu article ‘fact-checking’ PM Modi’s comments in Rajasthan

In its ‘fact-check’, The Hindu cited fertility rates among various religious groups over the years to cleverly conclude that the gap between the fertility rates of Muslims and other groups is rapidly narrowing. 

The data shows the fertility rate among Hindus dropped from 2.78 in 1998-99 to 1.94 in 2019-21, whereas it dropped from 3.59 to 2.36 for Muslims in the same period. Needless to mention, Muslims had the highest fertility rate among all religious groups. 

Source: The Hindu

The data shows the fertility rate among Hindus dropped from 2.78 in 1998-99 to 1.94 in 2019-21, whereas it dropped from 3.59 to 2.36 for Muslims in the same period. Needless to mention, Muslims had the highest fertility rate among all religious groups. But instead of concluding that Muslims had the highest fertility rates among all religious groups, which would have vindicated PM Modi’s remarks, the authors of the article claimed the gap in fertility rates between Muslims and that of other religions is narrowing.

However, this wasn’t the premise on which PM Modi made the remarks. He alluded that Muslims have more number of children than others, which the data validates. 

Next, the article introduces another set of data about the total fertility rates (TFR) of Hindu and Muslim women for the five most populous States in two periods. 

Source: The Hindu

The five states were UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and MP. Barring MP in 2005-2006, the TFR for Muslims had consistently been higher than their Hindu counterparts. However, this data again doesn’t concern with the remarks made by PM Modi.

It then includes two extraneous data sets, which the academics often resort to to confuse readers and buttress their ‘confirmation bias’, in this case, the preconceived notion that PM Modi was factually wrong in his remarks during a rally in Rajasthan. 

Source: The Hindu

One data set shows the share of females and males across religious groups who did not attend school/complete 12 years of schooling. In contrast, the other table shows the neonatal mortality rate (NMR) and under-five mortality rate (U5MR) among Hindus and Muslims in 1998-99, 2005-06 and 2019-21.

Source: The Hindu

The inclusion of these data sets, nevertheless, is an attempt to rationalise why the fertility rate is high among Muslims. They don’t refute PM Modi’s statements or the truth that Muslims have the highest fertility rate among all religious groups. These data sets only seek to contextualise why the fertility rate among Muslims is high. As evident from the data sets themselves, the Muslim community severely lags on both parameters, the literacy and mortality rates, which the authors use to imply the cause for the high fertility rate among Muslim women. 

But it nonetheless doesn’t discredit PM Modi’s remarks and only reinforces his stand referring to Muslims as the community with more number of children.

Fact-checking, these days, has become an occupation that is susceptible to personal bias and selective quoting of facts. The Hindu’s ‘fact-check’ on PM Modi’s remarks in Rajasthan is one such attempt, albeit a poor one at that, to refute a reality: that Muslims indeed have the highest fertility rates among all religious groups in India.  

Rajasthan: 2 election officials insult Lord Ram, desecrate hoardings having photos of Lord Ram, VHP demands action

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan: 2 election officials insult Lord Ram, desecrate hoardings having photos of Lord Ram, VHP demands action

On Saturday, 20th April, two election officials identified as Vijay Mali and Somendra Gehlot were accused of insulting the hoardings of Lord Ram in the Jalore city of Rajasthan. The two government officials are said to have torn the hoardings with photographs of Lord Ram on them. The video of the incident has gone viral over the internet.

The Hindu organisations, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), took cognisance of the incident, and demanded the strictest punishment against the accused officers. The VHP submitted a memorandum on Monday (22nd April) to the District Magistrate/District Election Officer of Jalore, Rajasthan, and said that the picture of Lord Ram installed in Bhinmal Nagar on Saturday night was vandalised in a very humiliating manner by the government staff posted on election duty, and later the hoarding was thrown down.

The VHP said that the incident took place at the Ambedkar Circle in Jalore City of Rajasthan. The video of the incident is going viral on social media with demands for action against the staff.

According to the VHP memorandum, several of the people standing there got angry after seeing photographs of Lord Ram being disrespected. Both the government employees stated that the rationale for removing the photo was the application of the election code of conduct. VHP then questioned if the offensive manner in which the portraits of Lord Ram were disrespected at midnight was permissible under the Model Code of Conduct. In the same document, it is said that both government officials did this on purpose to disrespect Hindu feelings.

The letter further states that there is anger in the Hindu community as a result of the viral video’s portrayal of both government employees’ acts. VHP members have asked District Election Officer Jalore to immediately suspend Vijay Mali and Somendra Gehlot. VHP has also threatened an agitation if action is not taken against both. OpIndia has a copy of the memorandum.

Naresh, a Vishwa Hindu Parishad official, told OpIndia that, in addition to the memorandum, he personally has urged that all top district authorities take action against the two employees. He claims that if action is not taken, there will be agitation.

From Farooq Abdullah to Dimple Yadav: Surat is not the first incident, at least 35 candidates have won Lok Sabha elections unopposed since 1951

OpIndia Staff
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From Farooq Abdullah to Dimple Yadav: Surat is not the first incident, at least 35 candidates have won Lok Sabha elections unopposed since 1951

In a historic first for the Bharatiya Janata Party, its Lok Sabha elections candidate from Surat, Mukesh Dalal won the 2024 Lok Sabha election unopposed. Notably, after the nomination of Congress candidate Nilesh Kumbhani was revoked, eight other independent candidates withdrew their nominations. This cleared the way for BJP’s Mukesh Dalal to be declared the Member of Parliament (MP) unopposed on Monday (22nd April). Strikingly, this made him the first BJP candidate in the history of Independent India to be elected unopposed during Lok Sabha elections. 

While it has led to a political furore with opposing trying to paint it as an ‘assault on democracy” or ‘death of democracy’, it becomes pertinent to note that at least 35 candidates have won Lok Sabha polls unopposed since 1951. Incidentally, the majority of candidates who have entered the Lok Sabha unopposed belong to the Congress party.

In 1957, a record-breaking seven candidates won the general elections uncontested. Five candidates won the elections without a contest in both the 1951 and 1967 elections. There were three uncontested victories in 1962, and two candidates were elected unopposed in 1977. Additionally, one candidate each secured an uncontested win in the elections of 1971, 1980, and 1989.

Several prominent names, including Samajwadi Party’s Dimple Yadav, National Conference’s Farooq Abdullah, and former Maharashtra CM Y B Chavan have also won Lok Sabha polls without a contest. 

Dimple Yadav, the SP candidate, won the Kannauj Lok Sabha by-poll in 2012 without any contest. This happened after her husband, Akhilesh Yadav, became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and vacated the seat. Earlier, there were frequent allegations that the ruling party and administration gained an ‘unfair advantage’ in by-polls by misusing their power and intimidation tactics. 

Other notable leaders who have won parliamentary elections unopposed include Hare Krishna Mahtab, T T Krishnamachari, P M Syeed, and S C Jamir. Unopposed victories have taken place twice in the constituencies of Sikkim and Srinagar. 

(Credits – News18, around 9 candidates have won without a contest in by-polls)

While most of these candidates secured uncontested victories in general elections, at least nine, including Dimple Yadav, have won unopposed in by-elections.

Additionally, the election of members of the Legislative Assembly without a contest has been a norm in the state of Arunachal Pradesh where the tradition recently continued and 10 BJP candidates won their assembly seats unopposed.  

Whitewashing Khalistanis, propaganda against Ram Mandir, lies about CAA: Meet Avani Dias, anti-India ‘journalist’ whose visa extension was temporarily denied by Modi govt

Dibakar Dutta
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Whitewashing Khalistanis, propaganda against Ram Mandir, lies about CAA: Meet Avani Dias, anti-India ‘journalist’ whose visa extension was temporarily denied by Modi govt

On Tuesday (23rd April), the South Asia Bureau Chief of the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) News, Avani Dias, took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim that she had to leave India abruptly due to the non-extension of her visa by the Modi government.

The controversial ‘journalist’ also alleged that the Indian government had plans to not allow her accreditation to cover the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Dias claimed that her visa was extended for a period of 2 months at the last minute, following which she went back to Australia.

She lamented returning to her home country just a day before the first phase of the elections. “Last week, I had to leave India abruptly. The Modi Government told me my visa extension would be denied, saying my reporting “crossed a line”. After Australian Government intervention, I got a mere two-month extension…less than 24 hours before my flight,” her tweet read.

Avani Dias further brazened out, “We were also told my election accreditation would not come through because of an Indian Ministry directive. We left on day one of voting in the national election in what Modi calls “the mother of democracy”.”

Thereafter, her employer ABC News published a controversial article (archive) claiming that Dias received a phone call from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and was notified about the denial of her visa extension.

The publication said that MEA informed the ‘journalist’ that she crossed a line with her propaganda-laden YouTube video, which suggested that India was somehow involved in the assassination of Canada-based Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

The 29-minute-long video was deliberately titled ‘Sikhs, Spies and Murder: Investigating India’s alleged hit on foreign soil’ to tarnish the image of India on a global scale and present the nation as a facilitator of extra-territorial killings in foreign countries.

Screengrab of the news report by ABC News

Interestingly, a similar attempt was recently made by the British newspaper The Guardian to falsely implicate India in the assassination of Islamic terrorists by ‘unknown gunmen’ on Pakistani soil.

Nonetheless, the Modi government directed YouTube to withhold the anti-India propaganda video by ABC News and its South Asia Bureau Chief Avani Dias. “This content is currently unavailable in this country because of an order from the government related to national security or public order,” reads a message on the YouTube link of the video

Avani Dias was under the false impression that a red carpet would be laid out for her by the Indian government for attempting to sour the diplomatic relations of the nation with its allies and partner countries.

Screengrab of the anti-India YouTube video of ABC News

“It felt too difficult to do my job in India. I was struggling to get into public events run by Modi’s party, the government wouldn’t even give me the passes I need to cover the election and the ministry left it all so late, that we were already packed up and ready to go…”It’s by design. The Narendra Modi government has made me feel so uncomfortable that we decided to leave,” she was quoted as saying by ABC News.

“There’s always a feeling of unease that this sort of backlash could come your way as a journalist in India…I’ve felt it the whole time I’ve been here. So have my colleagues from different publications,” Dias continued.

The controversial ‘journalist’ was also seen playing the victim card on X (formerly Twitter) and casting aspersions on the state of Indian democracy under the Narendra Modi regime.

While seizing the opportunity, leftist propagandist portal Newslaundry rehashed its interactive session with Avani Dias about the ‘challenges’ faced by foreign correspondents in India.

Controversies of Avani Dias

In March this year, the Australian Hindu Media lambasted the South Asia Bureau Chief of ABC News for attempting to give a clean chit to Khalistani extremists and insinuating the role of Hindus in the vandalism of the Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple in Brisbane.

In a Facebook post, the organisation noted, “ABC News’s brown sepoys Avani Dias & Naomi Selvaratnam write a propaganda piece whitewashing terror-tainted Khalistan movement. Not a single Hindu or Indian government source is quoted in this biased copy paste story. RTI shows Khalistanis were suspects; no evidence of Hindu hand in police investigations.”

Earlier in January, the South Asia Bureau Chief of ABC News attempted to portray the Pran Prathistha ceremony of Ram Mandir as a ‘Hindu supremacist’ event. Avani Dias conveniently skipped the history of Ram Mandir and its destruction by Islamic invader Babur in 1526.

“There was a mosque there, the Babri Majid Mosque. It was built in the 16th century. And in 1992, Hindu right-wing mobs stormed this town and they climbed over the brick walls of the mosque and they demolished it with their bare hands, with axes, with hammers. It was a really dark period in India’s history and that led to nationwide riots,” she was heard saying.

“2,000 people died or even more than that. Most of those people were Muslims. So this has been a really divisive part of India’s history because since that point there have been legal battles about who should own the site, what should be built there, should a mosque be rebuilt? And ultimately the highest court in India determined that a Hindu temple in dedication to the god of Ram, who some Hindus, like Mr Modi, believe was born here, should be built,” Dias continued.

The controversial ‘journalist’ also claimed that the re-construction of the Ram Mandir is somehow a part of the Hindu supremacist agenda, aimed at undermining the ‘secular ethos’ of this nation.

“And so it really marks this Hindu nationalist agenda, this agenda that Mr Modi and his party have been pushing, that this is a Hindu supreme state, not one which is secular, which is what India’s constitution says. And there are hundreds of millions of Muslims that live in this country, tens of millions of others who follow other religions as well, who feel sidelined by those policies. Speaking to Muslims here in the town of Ayodhya, they’ve told us that they’re hiding out and they’ve told us they’re actually worried about what will happen in the coming days, in the coming weeks when Mr Modi and his 12,000 security forces leave,” Dias brazened out.

In March 2022, she wrote a contentious article (archive) targeting Yogi Adityanath during the Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Sabha elections. She had labelled the BJP leader a ‘Hindu supremacist monk’ for opposing the wearing of religious attire in government schools.

Screengrab of the article by Avani Dias

“He’s also built a youth group aimed at getting revenge on “historic wrongs” by Muslim rulers…Researchers have said his political rise represents a worrying trend of a new and assertive brand of Hindu nationalism leading to Muslim persecution in the world’s largest democracy,” Avani Dias attempted to create mass hysteria.

She also cried foul over the implementation of law (Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021), aimed at curbing forced religious conversion in the State of Uttar Pradesh. “In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP has introduced harsher penalties for people who kill the holy cow and longer jail terms for Muslim men accused of converting Hindu women to Islam,” her article read.

Besides Yogi Adityanath, the South Asia Bureau Chief of ABC News also attempted to demonise Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government at the Centre.

Screengrab of the tweet by Avani Dias

In April 2022, OpIndia reported how Avani Dias had spread disinformation about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) – a humanitarian law that aims to fast-track the citizenship process of persecuted religious minorities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh who have been illegally staying in India on or before 31st December 2014.

“Will Smith has been seen for the first time since The Slap and he’s in India. Reports he’s seeing Sadhguru, a spiritual leader who runs an ashram and once called a Muslim student ‘Talibani’ The guru also supports a law which doesn’t offer Muslim refugees citizenship in India,” she had claimed in a tweet.

When journalist Aditya Raj Kaul pointed out that there was no rule barring Muslims from becoming citizens, she continued to make false claims. On being corrected by political commentator Abhijit Iyer Mitra, she quietly deleted her tweet.

Given her anti-India antecedents, it comes as no surprise that Avani Dias is now trying to exploit her ‘visa extension denial’ and subsequent renewal to stir sympathy in her favour.

Patanjali misleading ads case: ‘Your doctors endorse allopathic medicines, why should we not turn the beam at you?’ SC seeks explanation from IMA

OpIndia Staff
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Patanjali misleading ads case: ‘Your doctors endorse allopathic medicines, why should we not turn the beam at you?’ SC seeks explanation from IMA

On 23rd April, the Supreme Court of India questioned the Indian Medical Association (IMA) over the endorsement of medicines in the allopathic field provided by doctors associated with the association. The apex court was hearing the case of Patanjali’s misleading Ads where IMA is the complainant. Supreme Court noted that while IMA filed a case against Patanjali for misleading ads, its doctors themselves endorse allopathic medicines.

Supreme Court unhappy with the size of printed apology

During the hearing when Senior Advocate Mukul Rohtagi informed the court about the printed apology by Patanjali in 67 publications, the court asked if the size of the apology was the same as that of the advertisement. Rohtagi informed the court that it was a smaller one otherwise it would have cost tens of lakhs. The bench asked Rohtagi to submit cuttings of the apology published without enlarging them as the court wanted to see the actual size.

In its apology, Patanjali said, “Patanjali Ayurved fully respects the dignity of the Hon’ble Supreme Court. We sincerely apologize for the mistake of publishing advertisements and holding a press conference even after our advocates made a statement in the apex court. We are committed to not let such a mistake be repeated ever in the future. We reassure you that we shall remain committed to uphold the constitution and the dignity of the Hon’ble Supreme Court.”

In its order, the court said that the apology was published only a day before the hearing and deemed it as “unqualified” as it was not on record. The court gave two days to Patanjali’s lawyers to submit the cuttings of the printed apology.

Court questions Indian Medical Association for endorsing allopathic medicines

During the hearing, the Supreme Court expressed displeasure over the fact that while the Indian Medical Association filed a complaint against Patanjali for misleading ads, the doctors associated with the association endorse medicines of the allopathic field. The court said, “while petitioners are pointing fingers at respondents, four fingers are pointing at them. your doctors are also endorsing medicines in allopathic field. If that’s happening, why should we not turn the beam at you?”

Senior Advocate Patwalia appearing for IMA said the association would look into it, to which Justice Kohli replied, “We can’t let the public be taken for a ride. There are children and babies involved!” The court said, “Petitioner also needs to put its house in order. There are several complaints with regard to alleged unethical conduct of IMA. Wherever there is misuse of their position in recommending highly expensive medicines, extraneous medicines for valuable consideration.”

‘We have to look at broader picture’

Supreme Court said that it was not a matter of one FMCG and the court has to look at the broader picture. Justice Kohli told ASG KM Nataraj appearing for the Union Government to reply the seven issues raised by the apex court. In the order, the court said once additional ads by Patanjali issuing unconditional apology are submitted in the court, the issue related to the implementation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act needs a closer examination.

The court said the matter is not limited to Patanjali but covers all FMGCs that publish misleading ads taking public for a ride, in particular, affecting health of babies, school going children and senior citizens who have been consuming their products.” Furthermore, the court said the Ministry of Consumer Affairs and other departments needed to examine the steps taken by the Ministries to prevent abuse of Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, etc.

The matter related to additional ads by Patanjali will be heard on 30th April and the matter in larger issue has been listed for 7th May.

The case against Patanjali Ayurved

The case against Patanjali Ayurved originated from a plea filed by Indian Medical Association in August 2022. The association was triggered by an ad that sparked controversy by questioning allopathic medicine’s efficacy. The IMA accused Patanjali of contributing to vaccine hesitancy and spreading misinformation about the efficacy of its products.

During hearing, Justice Amanullah cautionined Patanjali against making false claims about curing diseases and warned about imposing fines for such claims. However, despite court orders, Patanjali allegedly continued false advertising, leading to contempt notices and a ban on their medicinal product advertisements. As Patanjali allegedly failed to comply with the orders, it prompted criticism from the court for their inadequate apologies and demanding a comprehensive explanation for their actions. OpIndia’s detailed report on the matter can be checked here.

Neha Hiremath murder aftermath: Hindu girl in Karnataka assaulted by her Muslim friend for trying to end their relationship; accused was carrying a knife

OpIndia Staff
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Neha Hiremath murder aftermath: Hindu girl in Karnataka assaulted by her Muslim friend for trying to end their relationship; accused was carrying a knife

In Hubballi, Karnataka, a Muslim man was arrested for allegedly assaulting a Hindu girl who wished to end their friendship in the wake of Neha Hiremath’s murder, a report published on News 18 said.

The detained individual, identified as Aftab, a fruit vendor, was reported to the authorities by the victim. She recounted being acquainted with him through another Muslim classmate.

The girl narrated her ordeal to the police, stating that Aftab had pursued her for two years, showering her with gifts and tokens of affection. However, after the tragic incident involving Neha, she grew wary of Aftab’s motives and decided to sever ties with him.

Upon confronting him and returning the gifts as she requested an end to their association, Aftab allegedly turned violent, assaulting her with a heavy object on the street in broad daylight.

She recounted that Aftab proceeded to ignite the gifts she returned on the roadside. “When bystanders witnessed the attack, they rushed to my aid and intervened, pulling Aftab away,” she asserted.

One of the onlookers who intervened to thwart the alleged assault described the sudden scene of a boy attacking a girl in broad daylight at a public location. “I hurried to assist her and pushed him aside,” he recounted. Additionally, he noted that the assailant, Aftab, had a knife.

The victim further complained to the police, alleging that Aftab had forcefully gifted her bags and other items and had pressured her to maintain the relationship.

A probe into the incident has been launched by the police. Renuka Sukumar, the Hubli-Dharwad Police Commissioner, confirmed the arrest of the accused, Aftab, in connection to the case.

The heinous murder of Neha, the daughter of Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation’s Congress Councillor Niranjan Hiremath, has garnered widespread attention. CCTV footage depicts Fayaz, the perpetrator, repeatedly stabbing Neha on her college campus before fleeing. He was subsequently apprehended by authorities.

Neha Hiremath murder: Accused Fayaz’s family to be called by CID for interrogation, Fayaz’s sister tried to defame Neha by making her photos viral

OpIndia Staff
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Neha Hiremath murder: Accused Fayaz’s family to be called by CID for interrogation, Fayaz’s sister tried to defame Neha by making her photos viral

Days after the brutal murder of Neha Hiremath in Karnataka’s Hubbali, it has been reported that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) will call the accused Fayaz’s parents, and his sister, amid further investigation of the case. The state of Karnataka on Monday (22nd April) said that CID would look into the murder of Congress councilor Niranjan Hiremath’s daughter, Neha.

As per the latest update by Republic TV, the CID is slated to call Fayaz’s parents and his sister for further investigation. This is hours after Niranjan Hiremath spoke to the media and said that Fayaz’s sister is trying to defame the deceased by making her old pictures from college viral.

“That person’s (Fayaz’s) father, mother, and sister have all spoken to the media. They are all involved in this. His sister is deliberately selecting photos from old college functions where Neha had participated in events, and trying to make them viral, with a motive to defame my daughter”, Hiremath said while talking to Times Now.

He said that his daughter Neha was specifically targeted in the ‘Kerala Story’ style. He also stated that there is a mafia-type group that is involved in targeting girls from certain communities and families.

In the same interview with Times Now, Niranjan Hiremath added that the killer Fayaz, after getting rejected by Neha, had continued stalking her. Neha’s every movement was followed and Fayaz had engaged a group of people to know all the details about Neha, like the timings of coming to college, the gates she used to enter through, the classes she attended, and the places she visited.

Hiremath stated that it is an elaborate conspiracy to target some bright girls of certain families and systematically stalk them, trying to trap them in love affairs, just as they showed in the movie ‘The Kerala Story’.

Hiremath stated that he has requested the college authorities to give the CCTV footage to the authorities, and CID as well. “A proper investigation will reveal how many people were involved in this operation. This operation happened in the Kerala Story movie. Fayaz kept approaching my daughter even after being rejected multiple times. I am not blaming a particular community, but this pattern of targeting and stalking Hindu girls has been going on for a long time.”

“Neha tried to avoid Fayaz. She had told her mother that a former student of the college had been stalking and harassing her. I have asked around, tried to make inquiries and from the reports I have received, I can tell with certainty that this is not one person’s crime. A group was involved in the stalking and systematic targeting of Neha and other girls like Neha”, Niranjan Hiremath stated.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the Criminal Investigation Department will investigate the murder of Neha Hiremath and that a special court will be established for a speedy trial in the case.

Neha, 21, was stabbed to death on the campus of KLE Technological University in Hubballi Dharwad on April 18, by a former classmate, Fayaz Khodunaik. She was a first-year MCA student. Within hours of the incident, the police imprisoned Fayaz and brought him before a magistrate, who sentenced him to 14 days in judicial custody.

The father of the girl asserted that she was being harassed and tortured by the accused for rejecting his ‘love’ proposal and this is a case of Love Jihad.

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