Home Blog Page 5017

‘Whoever doesn’t want to watch the show, can go and read a novel, or turn off the TV’: Justice Chandrachud on Sudarshan News ‘UPSC Jihad’ case

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Whoever doesn’t want to watch the show, can go and read a novel, or turn off the TV’: Justice Chandrachud on Sudarshan News ‘UPSC Jihad’ case

Hearing a plea that had sought a stay on the Sudarshan News’ ‘UPSC Jihad’ show, the Supreme Court justice Chandrachud remarked today that if the show is putting allegations on Zakat Foundation, people having an issue with it should refrain from watching the show and instead ‘read a novel’, or turn off the TV. 

Justice Chandrachud’s remarks were in response to the prosecution counsel’s assertions that Sudarshan TV Editor-in-chief Suresh Chavhanke’s statements on the ‘UPSC Jihad’ show amounted to “classic hate speech” and alleged that photographs which can inspire students appear for civil services had been misrepresented by Suresh Chavhanke and the channel to portray them as a part of wider ‘jihadi conspiracy’.

However, Justice Chandrachud retorted back, stating that nobody is forcing people to watch the show and those who are uncomfortable with the telecast can choose to ignore it. Justice Chandrachud also wondered if the Supreme Court should spend the time it is spending on the case if the show is about allegations against the Zakat Foundation.

SC had put a stay on the broadcast of the ‘UPSC Jihad’ show

Earlier, a three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court comprising of Justices D Y Chandrachud, Indu Malhotra and KM Joseph had passed an order restraining the telecast of the programme. 

Justices Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra had noted that the pictorial representation of ‘Muslims’ with a beard, donning a green t-shirt, with flames in the background serves to alienate even the good members of the community and defended the injunction order lamenting that in absence of a potent regulatory mechanism, the courts had to step in and prevent the channel from broadcasting controversial content.

However, Sudarshan News filed a plea challenging the stay order from the court on their ‘UPSC Jihad’ programme. The counsel representing the channel argued that the programme shed light on the funding received by the Zakat Foundation that finances civil services coaching. 

The Editor-in-chief had then said that it is in national interest that a debate and discussion is held on source of such funding for organisations like Zakat Foundation. Chavhanke further clarified that in the four-episode series there is no such statement that member of particular community should not join the UPSC.

OpIndia, Indic Collective and UpWord Foundation file an intervention application in the Sudarshan TV case

Earlier today, OpIndia, Indic Collective and UpWord Foundation had filed an application in SC seeking intervention in the Sudarshan TV case. 

The applicants have moved an intervention application in the matter of Firoz Iqbal Khan v. Union of India concerning permissible free speech which the apex court is seized of in the Writ Petition as also in light of the ad-interim order dated September 15, 2020, passed in the Petition, both of which have implications on the treatment of content under the legal framework in India.

They have raised pertinent questions regarding the jurisdiction of the court to directly restrain content during the pendency of an examination by the appropriate State authority on the legality of the content under applicable laws.

OpIndia Impact: Trinamool deletes tweet acknowledging praise by a dubious organization after our investigation

OpIndia Staff
-
0
OpIndia Impact: Trinamool deletes tweet acknowledging praise by a dubious organization after our investigation

On 20th August, we published an investigative report about the Mamata government receiving appreciation from an organisation based in Japan that was apparently linked to the United Nations. It called itself the United Nation World Peace Association. During our investigation, we did not find any proof of their association with the United Nations. In their appreciation letter, they hailed West Bengal as Mamata Banerjee’s ‘kingdom’ and the message was shared by Trinamool Congress from its official handle.

After our story, All India Trinamool Congress has quietly removed the tweet describing the appreciation letter the West Bengal government got. However, Dr. Nirmal Maji still has the letter on his timeline on Twitter.

As it so happens, the organization did give them an appreciation letter, but it was not issued by the headquarters located in Japan. The Indian ambassador of the organization, Pinky Dutta, aka Priya Dutta, might have issued the letter, as suggested by the United Nation World Peace Association’s reply to OpIndia. The organization had first denied issuing any certificate that showed the appreciation letter was issued without taking prior permission of the UNWPA.

The news was covered by several news portals including Times of India, Deccan Herald and Outlook and many others. In fact, news agency PTI referred to the UNWPA as a ‘UN-linked NGO’, a claim that was carried by several outlets. The logo of the organisation appears to have been deliberately designed to give one the impression that it has some association with the United Nations. Furthermore, it calls itself United ‘Nation’ WPA and not United ‘Nations’.

These glaring bits should have rung the alarm bells but it appears that in their eagerness to shower applause on Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool Congress and the media merrily ignored them.

Bollywood drug web has extended links internationally, money is used for narco-terrorism: NCB chief Rakesh Asthana

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Bollywood drug web has extended links internationally, money is used for narco-terrorism: NCB chief Rakesh Asthana

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has reportedly unearthed the international links of the alleged drug scandal involving actress Rhea Chakraborty, her brother Souvik Chakraborty and other drug peddlers.

In an interview with the Outlook magazine, NCB Director Rakesh Asthana has informed that the central agency is speeding up the probe in the case. He revealed that the drug syndicate of the film industry could be the ‘tip of the iceberg’. Asthana stated that the investigation has exposed the ‘international’ connections of the drug racket to Dubai and terror organisations. He stated, “Drugs were procured for rave parties and the funds were used for narco-terrorism.”

According to the NCB Chief, ‘curated marijuana buds’ sell for upto ₹8,00,000/kg in the international market. He added that the role of Rhea Chakraborty cannot be overlooked in the drug racket and drug peddlers cannot be pardoned. Asthana emphasised that Bollywood stars are role model for the youth and it can have a bad influence on them. He informed that NCB has knowledge about the drug abuse in Bollywood parties and that the agency is currently gathering more evidence.

80% Bollywood stars on drugs, claimed Rhea Chakraborty

Earlier, Rhea Chakraborty had revealed to the NCB that 80% of Bollywood stars are on drugs. In her statement, Rhea had reportedly accepted her role in procuring drugs for Sushant Singh Rajput. She had also stated that actress Sara Ali Khan and Rakul Preet Singh, designer Simone Khambatta had consumed narcotics substances. The names of Sushant’s friend Rohini Iyer and filmmaker Mukesh Chhabra had also been mentioned by Rhea during her interrogation.

Reportedly, the NCB officials have recovered electronic devices and phone data which establishes Bollywood connection of the drug cartel. The NCB has now prepared a dossier to summons all the suspected celebrities in the coming days.

PM Modi’s Twitter handle registered record high engagement level on the day agriculture bills were passed

OpIndia Staff
-
0
PM Modi’s Twitter handle registered record high engagement level on the day agriculture bills were passed

Amidst the barrage of misinformation and brouhaha created by the Opposition over the various agriculture Bills passed in the Upper House, PM Narendra Modi’s Twitter handle witnessed the biggest single day engagement on September 20 (the day the Bills were passed in the Rajya Sabha), which has been a record.

This number, which is published by a platform named Twitteet, has been confirmed to be the highest engagement for a single day by any twitter profile in India for the month of September 2020.

Top trending Indian politicians on Twitter

The next highest Twitter engagement on September 20 was that of senior Congress senior leader Rahul Gandhi which was around 20% of what PM Narendra Modi could register.

Rahul Gandhi way behind PM Modi on rankings

Most of PM Modi’s tweets on September 20 revolved around the agriculture Bills, which he has called the need of 21st century India.

The tweet wherein PM Modi put the facts on record that the MSP (minimum support price) for agriculture produce will not be discontinued and that government will continue to purchase from farmers got the highest traction.

This tweet of PM Modi was in response to the misinformation spread by senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who had cast aspersions on the government doing away with the MSP.

Record breaking engagement for PM Modi’s tweet

Sandeep Amar, co-founder of www.twitteet.com, the analytics platform representing ratings, rankings and curated feeds based on Twitter engagements while speaking to OpIndia said, “PM Modi’s twitter handle crossing half a million engagements is the first time our algorithm has registered this kind of engagement in India for a single day. It’s a single-day record, for the month of September 2020.”

The platform captures Twitter engagement data for politicians, journalists, sportsperson, Bollywood, Businessmen and other celebs, and reports a ranking on a daily basis.

Normally one would expect that PM Modi’s handle will have most engagement on his birthday, which was a day earlier. However, the fact that his handle registered record-breaking engagement on the day various agriculture Bills were passed signifies that people not only listened to what the PM had to say about the farm sector reforms Bills but also understood the historical changes brought about in the agricultural sector by the central government.

The methodology used to ascertain engagements of PM Modi’s Twitter handle

Explaining the methodology which the platform uses to deduce the results, Amar explained that the Twitteet engagement number is the result of a certain algorithm which takes into account tweets from 12 midnight of Day 1 to 11:59 PM of day 1. Furthermore, engagement is measured by the total number of retweets and likes. 

For some profiles like politicians, where the same profiles come in multiple ranking categories – the engagement data may be slightly different, the reason for the same is a different time of data collection (max time difference is 30 mins). For this particular study, Twitteet considered PM Modi’s personal Twitter account and not the official Twitter account of PMO India.

PM Modi’s popularity

PM Modi’s popularity is unprecedented. PM Modi is currently most followed Indian politician on Twitter with over 62.5 million followers. Similarly, in August 2019, the tickets to ‘Howdy Modi’ event in Houston, Texas in America was sold out within hours. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi and Congress, which has used bots in the past to boost the popularity, has been losing the edge.

Pronoun man asks parents to choose between Donald Trump and his grandkids and son

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Pronoun man asks parents to choose between Donald Trump and his grandkids and son

Leo Guinan, an aspiring writer in the United States, has asked his parents to choose between their grandkids and Donald Trump. In what could very well be a satirical post on Medium, but there does not appear to be any indication that it is, Guinan narrates his emotions when he saw his dad had put up a Trump sign in his backyard ahead of the Presidential elections in November.

Guinan, who prefers to be addressed with the pronouns He/Him as per his bio on Twitter, says that he sent a text to his parents with his “Hands shaking, tears in eyes”. He claims to have sent the following text: “Due to the signs in the yard, the kids and I will not be down. The current occupant of the White House is preaching hate and violence, endangering the lives and safety of many of my friends. This is not acceptable to me at all. There is a complete disregard for women, minorities, science, ethics, and morality. Please consider if you support Trump that much. Because I hate him that much. I wanted to be upfront and honest about my feelings.”

Lei Guinan reasoned, “You can vote for whom you wish. But I can choose who I surround myself with. I love my dad, but I can’t be around him until he understands how vital I believe this election to be and what is truly at stake.” A lot of people in replies appeared to agree with that sentiments in the post.

Some agree with Leo Guinan

Some said, “I think I know how the non-Nazis felt when Germany was spiraling into the monstrosity it became during WWII.” Others said ‘Trumpism’ is basically a ‘death cult’.

‘Trumpism’ is a ‘death cult’ some argued

However, most believed Leo Guinan went way out of bounds for making such threats to his parents. People did not hesitate to point out that Leo Guinan had pronouns in his bio.

While Leo Guinan may be a parody or a satirical account, it cannot be discarded that at least some section of the anti-Trump do feel that way about his supporters. Ruining personal relationships over political differences does appear to be a bit of a stretch but such actions appear rational on the part of people who genuinely believe that Donald Trump is a fascist.

Delhi riots: Court rejects Umar Khalid’s plea to meet his family, police say he is ‘non-cooperative’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Delhi riots: Court rejects Umar Khalid’s plea to meet his family, police say he is ‘non-cooperative’

On Saturday, a Delhi Court rejected the plea of Delhi riots accused and former JNU activist Umar Khalid, seeking permission to meet family members during police remand.

In his plea, Khalid had argued that verbal assurance was earlier given to him that he would be allowed to meet his family members. His lawyer told the Delhi court that the accused seeks permission to meet his family as he has been in the police custody for an ‘extraordinarily’ long period.

Khalid has been sent to police remand till September 24.

Umar Khalid had sought permission to meet his family for 30 minutes on at least 2 days. The investigating officer revealed that Khalid was non-cooperative when confronted during the investigation. Arguing against the grant of relief, the investigating officer stated that permitting the accused to meet his family can be ‘a hindrance’ to the investigation process. He added that if Khalid wanted, then, he could convey his message to his family via his lawyer.

Delhi court rejects plea of Umar Khalid

Additional Sessions Judge Amitabh Rawat did not find any merit in his application. He stated that Khalid’s lawyer had requested a special meeting time during his police custody. The Court observed that the permission for the same was granted and the counsel was allowed to meet the accused every day for a period of 30 minutes.

The Delhi Court noted, “There was also an apprehension of safety raised by the counsel for the accused and thus a specific direction was also given to the concerned DCP (Deputy Commissioner of Police) to ensure the safety of the accused.” When approached with a new application again this time, Justice Amitabh Rawat ruled, “In the totality of facts and circumstances of the case, I see no merit in the application and accordingly, the application is dismissed.”

The role of Umar Khalid in Delhi riots

Umar Khalid, along with several others such as Jamia media coordinator Safoora Zargar, RJD’s youth wing president Meeran Haider, Pinjra Tod activist Natasha Narwal and several others have been booked under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly instigating the violence that swept over large swathes of the northeast Delhi in February earlier this year.

The Delhi Police Crime Branch in its FIR dated 6th March 2020 had stated that the anti-Hindu riots that took place in North East Delhi between 24-26 February during the visit of US President Donald Trump were pre-planned. The FIR copy stated that the anti-Hindu riots conspiracy was hatched by ex-JNU student Umar Khalid and his associates who are linked with two groups.

As part of the conspiracy, Umar Khalid gave provocative speeches at two different locations and appealed to people to take to streets during the visit of US President Donald Trump so that the propaganda that minorities are oppressed in India can be internationalized. The FIR also claimed that in this conspiracy, firearms, petrol bombs, acid bottles and stones were collected at numerous homes.

Indian Air Force to induct its first woman pilot in the Rafale squadron: Reports

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Indian Air Force to induct its first woman pilot in the Rafale squadron: Reports

The Indian Air Force will soon induct its first woman pilot in the Rafale squadron, reported India Today. The said pilot is currently undergoing ‘conversion training’ in Ambala to fly Rafale jets.

The woman pilot, who had earlier operated MiG-21 fighter jets, has been placed under the ‘full fighter training course’ and will join ‘active duties’ soon in the 17 Squadron. As per the report, the training regimen for both men and women pilots are identical. Every pilot, irrespective of gender, has to mandatorily undergo conversion training while switching from one fighter jet to another. Currently, there are 10 women fighter jet pilots in the Indian Air Force.

They have operated a range of fighter jets, including Su-30 MKI and MiG-29 UPG. The Centre had cleared women for flying fighter jets in 2016. “Women fighter pilots are inducted and deployed in IAF as per strategic needs and operational requirements within the laid down policy, which is reviewed from time to time,” Subhash Bhamre, India’s Minister of State for Defence was quoted as saying.

Rafale jets formally inducted in IAF

The Rafale jets were inducted into the Indian Air Force’s Golden Arrows Squadron on September 10. Reportedly, the IAF pilots had been training and flying sorties on Rafale jets over Ladakh, Leh as a part of operational readiness. While there are currently 5 ready-to-fly Rafale jets with the IAF, more fighter jets are scheduled to join the squadron by October and December.

The Rafale jets are India’s first major acquisition in 23 years after Sukhoi jets that were bought from Russia. Rafale can carry deadly weapons, including Scalp cruise missile and MBDA’s Meteor beyond air-to-air missile. Rafale jets are being inducted in the Indian Air Force amid increasing tension between India and China. The Ambala Air Base is considered to be the strategic location to provide air support on the border areas with China and Pakistan.

FinCEN files reveal names of Nepalis companies, banks involved in helping Iranian and Chinese firms avoid US sanctions

OpIndia Staff
-
0
FinCEN files reveal names of Nepalis companies, banks involved in helping Iranian and Chinese firms avoid US sanctions

An investigation by the Center for Investigative Journalism (CIJ), along with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and BuzzFeed has found that a few companies based out of Nepal, along with some Nepalese banks are allegedly involved in siphoning off money received suspiciously from abroad.

The investigation report released on Sunday exposes the shenanigans of Nepali companies and banks in attempting to evade the US sanctions and trade, particularly on Iran and China.

The report, dubbed as ‘FinCen Files’, is prepared by ‘Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’, a US government body that monitors financial transactions system in the US. As per the report, 9 banks and 10 companies and several individuals in the time period between December 2006 to March 2017 were found to have made suspicious transfer under the pretext of carrying out cross-border trade.

Nepali organisations have links with international smuggling rackets

The ‘FinCEN Files’ shows that several of the Nepali business organisations have connections with the international smuggling rackets of gold, antiquities, bitumen, and telecommunication equipment.

Banks such as Standard Chartered Bank, Prime Commercial Bank, Bank of Kathmandu, Nepal Investment Bank, Everest Bank, Mega Bank, Himalayan Bank, Apex Development Bank of Kaski, and Nepal Bangladesh Bank are amongst the financial institutions mentioned in the list of entities involved in indulging in dubious transactions.

‘FinCEN files’ expose $300 million in suspicious transactions through Nepal’s banks

Furthermore, 10 Nepali companies have been reportedly linked with sending or receiving funds illicitly. According to reports, a staggering amount of 292.7 million US Dollars have been routed through with the help of the banks and companies in the duration of 11 years.

The names of the companies mentioned in the report are: Rauniyar Brothers & Company, SubhaSamriddhi Traders Pvt. Ltd., Shasta Trading Company, Setidevi Export Import Pvt. Ltd., L.D. International Pvt. Ltd., Felt and Yarn Pvt. Ltd., Woman’s Paper Crafts, Acme Money Transfer Service, and Sunny Enterprises.

Amongst these, companies such as Rauniyar Brothers & Company, Shubha Shambridhi Traders, Private Limited, are under the scanner for being involved in suspicious transactions through Dubai based company called ‘Kite International FZE, who conducts business of importing and exporting petroleum products such bitumen, engine oil for vehicles, lubricants, and rubber processing oil.

The investigation has found sensitive details about these Nepali companies. Rauniyar’s company has imported the goods from Iran, a country under the US trade embargo. But the documents have been faked to show they have been imported from Dubai.

One of the directors of the Rauniyar company, Narayanji Rauniyar, said that his companies have stopped operating since the last four-five years. However, FinCEN files claim that Naranyanji’s son Prakash Kumar Rauniyar, was the mastermind behind the business.

Both the companies— Rauniyar Brothers & Company, SubhaSamriddhi Traders Pvt. Ltd. are registered under the name of Narayanji Rauniyar of Birgunj and his four sons—ShyamBabu, JyotiBabu, Prakash Kumar, and Deep Kumar Babu.

Ties between a Nepali Bank and ZTE

The documents further state that Zhongxing Telecommunication Equipment (ZTE) Corporation, China’s largest telecommunications service provider company, remitted 213.3 million US Dollars to other countries, including Nepal, from March 17, 2011, to March 1, 2017.

ZTE had done the transaction through Beijing-based China Construction Bank. The US-based New York branch of China Construction Bank had discovered that the transacted amount was suspicious.

In the duration of three years and four months from November 4, 2013, to February 27, 2017, ZTE was found to have deposited some amount in Nepal Investment Bank, according to ‘FinCEN’.

In the description, four separate amounts: $5,709.09, $5,244.76, $40,357.75 and $10 are found to be deposited by ZTE Corporation in Nepal Investment Bank, Kathmandu.

According to FinCEN, the investigation mentioned ‘several conspiracies’ that the ZTE created to evade US sanctions. The company “makes the purchase of telecommunications equipment from the United States and sells it illegally to Iran as ZTE’s equipment.” According to FinCEN, the ZTE traded suspicious funds in various countries to deceive regulating bodies against US sanctions.

Banning broadcast of Sudarshan News content not under SC jurisdiction, OpIndia, Indic Collective and UpWord intervention contends in Court

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Banning broadcast of Sudarshan News content not under SC jurisdiction, OpIndia, Indic Collective and UpWord intervention contends in Court

OpIndia, Indic Collective and UpWord have filed an intervention application in the Sudarshan News ‘UPSC Jihad’ case. A report titled “A Study on Contemporary Standards in Religious Reporting by Mass Media”, prepared by OpIndia was submitted in the Court. The matter was heard in the Court today. J Sai Deepak, representing the petitioners, said that there are three issues that have been submitted.

First, whether Supreme Court has jurisdiction over the matter. When Justice Chandrachud sought to confirm whether the contention was that the Supreme Court had no jurisdiction over the matter, J Sai Deepak confirmed that indeed it was. The plea contends whether any statute or the Constitution itself permit Courts to step into the shoes of the State to restrain the broadcast of such content.

Second, the definition of hate speech. And third, the OpIndia report which tracks the contemporary landscape on the standards set by mass media in religious reporting. On being enquired about the report, Sai Deepak contended that “the episodes of Sudarshan News TV must be assessed in light of the contemporary standards of religious reportage observed by mainstream media, instead of being examined in isolation”.

Justice Chandrachud said that all intervenors including the OpIndia, Indic Collective and UpWord will be heard after the parties have been heard. It has also been indicated that petitioners and intervenors in support of the core petition concerned will be heard first and then it will be followed by the Solicitor General, J Sai Deepak, Mukul Rohatgi and others on the other side.

While arguments were being made, J Sai Deepak quipped that the judges “will also want to consider that there is a question of chilling effect of an order and what example does it state for future orders though it may be only for this series”. nJustice Chandrachud responded, “We agree with you. We are concerned about balance between speech and dignity. Here the community is a large amorphous group and we can’t ask them to approach civil remedy.”

The matter will be taken up next on the 23rd of September at 2 pm. You can read the full intervention application filed by OpIndia, Indic Collective and UpWord and the OpIndia report attached at the end here.

Richa Chadha to sue sexual assault survivor for naming her in allegations against Anurag Kashyap

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Richa Chadha to sue sexual assault survivor for naming her in allegations against Anurag Kashyap

Days after the sexual assault survivor Payal Ghosh opened up on the alleged sexual harassment she faced in the hands of filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, Bollywood actor Richa Chadha has taken to Twitter to affirm that she has initiated legal action against Payal Ghosh for dragging her name into the controversy.

Richa’s statement read: “No woman can be allowed to misuse their liberties to harass other women with unsubstantiated or non-existent, false and baseless allegations.”

“Our Client has initiated appropriate legal action and shall further pursue her legal rights and remedies in law as may be advised in her best interest,” the letter by Chadha’s lawyer Saveena Bedi Schar stated.

Richa followed it up with another Tweet against Payal Ghosh insinuating that the latter had a hidden agenda behind the name-calling: “Attempt to rape is a serious allegation. She should have gone to the cops. Do you think feminism is women dragging your name in an obscene, unnecessary way in their personal battles? So I can make cheap allegations about you on TV? – Your agenda has blinded you towards truth. Shame.”

Some on social media call Richa Chadha’s reaction as ‘double standards’

Richa Chadha’s Tweet was in response to another user’s Tweet, who had shared one of Richa’s old 2018 interviews where she had vociferously spoken against the concept of casting couch prevalent in Bollywood and advocated that women in the film industry should not be afraid of the big and influentials and stand up for themselves. The user had alluded that by going against the victim, Chadha is displaying double standards.

Actor Payal Ghosh accuses filmmaker Anurag Kashyap of sexual assault

Actor Payal Ghosh, the sexual assault survivor, had on September 19 claimed that she was sexually harassed by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and told that physical relationships between filmmakers and actresses are very common in the movie industry in order to make her comfortable about the whole situation. She claimed that Anurag Kashyap had told her that all the actors who had worked with him in the past, like Huma Qureshi, Richa Chadha, Mahi Gil, etc were just a call away.

Payal Ghosh had called Anurag Kashyap a ‘f***ing hypocrite’ for speaking on matters of women empowerment and the patriarchy.

‘Liberals and feminists’ jump in to rescue Kashyap

As expected, soon after Payal Ghosh’s allegations of sexual harassment against Anurag Kashyap surfaced, the so-called feminists and liberals, many of whom who had earlier vociferously supported the MeToo movement, jumped in to defend the filmmakers, absolving him from all the allegations.

1...5,0165,0175,018...7,645Page 5,017 of 7,645