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‘Nehru did not attend Somnath Bhumi Puja’: Congress, NCP question PM Modi’s Ayodhya visit for Ram Mandir

OpIndia Staff
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‘Nehru did not attend Somnath Bhumi Puja’: Congress, NCP question PM Modi’s Ayodhya visit for Ram Mandir

Irked by PM Modi’s decision to visit Ayodhya for foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir, Congress MP Husain Dalwai raised questions over the proposed event. In a statement on Monday, he said that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had not attended the Bhumi Pujan or the inauguration ceremony of Somnath Temple. At that time, Nehru said that he was the leader of the secular state, and if he visits Somnath Temple, it may harm the ‘secular fabric’ of the nation.

Dalwai added that PM needs to decide if it is appropriate to go for such an event amid Chinese coronavirus pandemic. He said, “Now Eid is also coming and most Muslim seers have advised people not to visit places of worship, not gather together, not offer (animal) sacrifice. A lot of temples are shut, including the Saibaba temple. Even the government keeps encouraging to maintain social distancing, so PM must decide to hold such a ceremony or not.”

Dalwai conveniently forgets an important piece of history

Dalwai said that while Nehru rejected the invitation for Somnath Mandir’s Bhumi Pujan stating he is a leader of a secular state, nowadays things have changed. However, Dalwai forgot to mention that then-President Rajendra Prasad went for the inauguration ceremony. When Nehru objected after learning about his plans via a letter, President Prasad wrote him back and said, “I believe in my religion and cannot cut myself away from it.” The said exchange of letters was mentioned in the book by Durga Das, “India: From Curzon To Nehru And After”.

Sharad Pawar questions PM Modi’s visit to Ayodhya

NCP Chief Sharad Pawar has also questioned PM Modi’s upcoming visit to Ayodhya for the Ram Mandir. On Sunday, he questioned whether building the Ram Mandir would cure coronavirus.

Ram Mandir Bhumi Pujan in Ayodhya on August 5

Earlier today, the PMO finalized 5th August as the day for the Bhumi Pujan ceremony at Ayodhya. On Sunday, the Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust sent an invitation for the same to PMO and asked PM Modi to select one of the mentioned auspicious dates 3rd August and 5th August for the ceremony. The construction will begin after Bhoomi Pujan. It may take anywhere between three to four years to complete the construction of the Temple which may coincide with state elections in Uttar Pradesh.

After a meeting of the Shri Ramjanmbhoomi Trust on Sunday, chief secretary Champat Rai said that they would begin an outreach program to collect funds for the construction of the temple. While that Larsen & Toubro (L&T) will manage the construction, Sompura Marbles is going to provide the bricks for the temple.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi recycles old images of Assam floods as current images of the plight of flood victims in the country

OpIndia Staff
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Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi recycles old images of Assam floods as current images of the plight of flood victims in the country

Several states in the country have been experiencing flood situation due to heavy rains. Assam and Bihar, particularly, have been facing fearful odds and governments are trying hard to minimise the loss of life and livelihoods. Under such circumstances, senior leader of the Congress party Priyanka Gandhi made an appeal to the workers and leaders of her party to help those battling the floods on the ground.

Priyanka’s tweet

There was just one problem with her appeal. Despite her great apparent concern for the people affected by the floods, Priyanka Gandhi recycled old images from past floods and showed them as people suffering in the current spate of floods across the country. As it turns out, the image on the right is from the Assam floods of 2017, as pointed out by Twitter user Ankur Singh.

Similarly, the image on the left is from the Assam floods of 2019. A cropped version of the image appears on the north east news portal NE Now.

Image Credit: Ankur Singh/Twitter

This is not the first time Priyanka Gandhi has been caught spreading misinformation through her social media account. Recently, Agra DM had ‘fact-checked’ her claim that 28 people had died of coronavirus within 48 hours. Sharing the details of coronavirus cases and deaths in Agra, the DM had asked the Congress president’s daughter to remove her tweet and apologise.

In March this year, Priyanka, in another such attempt, had posted images from Pakistan to claim that farmers in UP had suffered crop damage. After netizens outraged over her attempts ro spread misinformation, she had deleted her tweet.

PETA India encourages Muslims to be ‘kind’ on Eid, by giving guidelines on ‘how to slaughter goats kindly’

OpIndia Staff
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PETA India encourages Muslims to be ‘kind’ on Eid, by giving guidelines on ‘how to slaughter goats kindly’

PETA India’s glaring hypocrisy on animal rights reached a new peak. Columnist Shefali Vaidya on Monday took to Twitter to expose the NGO’s hypocrisy yet again. Sharing screenshots from PETA India’s website she showed how PETA India spuriously talks about encouraging ‘kindness in animals’ amongst Muslims while sharing guidelines on how to slaughter them ‘effectively’.

PETA India, which is known to selectively target Hindu traditions and customs, while giving other religions a free pass, has on its website recommended a ‘resource’ set up by PETA US which advocates ‘Islamic Teachings On Compassion’. PETA India’s website read that “AnimalinIslam.com is an excellent resource that our friends at the PETA US have created to help Muslims encourage ‘kindness to animals’ in their community trough Islamic teaching of compassion”.

PETA India advocates ‘kindness to animals’ amongst Muslims

Though PETA India’s this endeavour looks quite encouraging, on visiting the ‘resource’ which PETA India exulted about in its website, we came across a link on ‘Qurbani’, (the archive of which can be viewed here). Here, ‘Animals In Islam’ gives detailed guidelines on how animals should be sacrificed ‘effectively’.

“When you must kill a living being, do it the proper way—when you slaughter, use the best method and sharpen your knife so as to cause as little pain as possible.” When the Prophet (pbuh) saw a man sharpening his knife in the presence of the animal destined for slaughter, he said, “Do you intend inflicting death on the animal twice—once by sharpening the knife within its sight and once by cutting its throat?” (Muslim), reads the article, which gives, a step by step, in-depth knowledge, of how to go about slaughtering an animal.

Screenshot of the article on “Qurbani” on ‘Animals in Islam’ website

The article also goes on the speak on how Children should be sanitised with regard to the ‘spiritual significance of Qurbani’ as they develop stronger bonds with animals than adults.

It’s rather surprising that on one hand, PETA India is advocating veganism to the entire world, and on the other hand, it is tutoring on how to execute an ‘effective’ slaughter.

PETA India’s double-standards are no longer surprising. Recently, the NGO had faced the ire of Netizens for its selective and biased campaigning. Soon after removing ‘Turn Vegan’ posters, since it had hurt the ‘religious sentiments’ of Muslim clerics, PETA India had launched a Rakshbandhan campaign in Ahmedabad featuring a cow urging people to give up leather for Rakhi. This had irked the social media users who went all out to then expose the animal rights advocacy group. It soon became evident how PETA India is more concerned about the criticism it faces on social media than actual physical attacks on its workers by Islamist mobs.

Miffed netizens also exposed how the NGO, which supposedly works against animal cruelty, had displayed double-standards by conferring awards on people who have a history of promoting animal slaughter and abuse. Following which, PETA joined hands with Congress and Islamists to attack a private citizen, Shefali Vaidya, and indulged in name-calling and bullying.

This is why Sharad Pawar is attacking Ram Temple at Ayodhya and Narendra Modi

Ajay Sudame
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This is why Sharad Pawar is attacking Ram Temple at Ayodhya and Narendra Modi

Sharad Pawar the senior-most secular politician in our country, continues his flip-flops and political tight rope walk. As news channels started airing news of Modi planning to reach Ayodhya on 5th August, Pawar lost his cool. He attacked PM Modi for planning to perform Bhumi Pujan amidst coronavirus pandemic.

According to Pawar, Modi thinks, Chinese coronavirus can be eliminated by building Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. Further, he said that after the lockdown, the government should focus on reviving the economy instead of Ram Mandir. Interestingly, he wholeheartedly supported PM Modi on Galwan valley issue only a fortnight ago. Ten days later, he accused Modi of ‘Shudra Level’ of Politics. Yesterday he attacked Modi again.

Such masterful U-turns! Even Kejriwal would be proud! That’s politics in typical Sharad Pawar style for you.

Now the question is why does Sharad Pawar, who otherwise projects an image of a responsible opposition leader, get derailed when it comes to Hindu’s religious sentiments? The reason is the Muslim vote bank!

NCP is locked in an ongoing battle with Congress. A proof of which came out within a few hours of Pawar issuing this statement. Congress MP Husain Dalwai pointed out that former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had not attended the Bhoomi puja of the Somnath temple as he was the leader of a secular nation.

So, the competition between NCP and Congress for ‘Most Secular’ tag is very much on. And they are also playing from the same playbook. Which reads, ‘Attack Hindu Symbols’! And if any political leader is seen to be protecting those attack that leader too. Hence attack PM Modi!

NCP, which also fights with Congress for Maratha votes in Maharashtra, seems to have won that duel. Sharad Pawar over the years has established himself as the tallest Maratha leader. Marathas, along with another sub-caste, Kunbi (कुणबी) constitute the largest single caste block in the country. Together they are 31% of the population in Maharashtra. There is another factor. Marathas is the most prominent farming community. Naturally the Maratha community is the holder of the largest agricultural and commercial land banks. This largely helps NCP to control their lives and hence votes of poor in rural and semi-rural parts of Maharashtra. But when it comes to Muslim vote Congress is well ahead. As per a survey (CSDS-Lokniti), 38% of Muslims prefer Congress over any other party. 

So if Pawar wants to be projected as ‘National Leader’, without Muslim votes and approval it’s not going to happen. And to be sure enough he has left no stone unturned. He has been attacking Hindus as venomously as Congress. For example, during his interview with Shekhar Gupta, he openly admitted that he invented ‘12th bomb blast’ in 1993 to save Muslims. Whereas fact remains that all 11 blasts that took place were by Islamic terrorists. In the same interview, he admits again that in 2006, bombs were planted in those trains, which are used by Hindus to travel. 

Then again just after forming the unholy post-election alliance with Shiv Sena, in Jan 2020 he came out on the importance of Muslim vote. At a minorities cell meeting, he declared, minorities decide whom to defeat in elections. He further added the Muslims ditched BJP in assembly elections. As if to suggest, that though BJP-Sena had won a comfortable majority, this was the reason he and Uddhav Thackeray decided to have a truck. 

Sharad Pawar’s real skill lie in the fact, that without being blamed as anti-Hindu (like Congress) he has quietly reinforced NCP’s image amongst Muslims. Here is another example of it. In this video, his daughter, Supriya Sule (heir apparent to his political legacy) is seen eulogising Burqa and Triple Talaq. And she doesn’t stop at that. She also advocates the conversion of Hindus to Islam. She tells the crowd that, she met a lady named Kiran Kulkarni wearing Burqa, who was also a PhD. Even her two daughters are doctors and were wearing Burqa. Now, most of you must be aware that Kulkarni is a Brahmin surname in Maharastra. Now if this is not proselytization, nothing can be. And if this is not systematic targetting of Brahmins what can be? 

Another detail which should be brought to the fore is, that Uddhav Thackeray has approved of PM Modi ‘s visit and is planning to visit Ayodhya himself. To reiterate, at the conclusion, Sharad Pawar’s game plan is clear: Use Thackery brothers to chisel away at BJP’s Hindu vote while he works on Congress party’s Muslim vote and BJP’s Nationalist vote. He is preparing for 2024. 

Rahul Gandhi video 2: The youth icon not only appears confused but also ends up revealing something damaging

Editorial Desk
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Rahul Gandhi video 2: The youth icon not only appears confused but also ends up revealing something damaging

Former Congress President and the Congress scion who has been launched and re-launched as a rising political star for decades is now making a series of videos where he is supposedly talking about the ‘big issues’ that impact India. In his first video, Rahul Gandhi spoke about the Galwan issue and essentially, shielding China and blamed India for the mess. The second video, just as the first one, is a litany of lies, half truths and a confused rant that makes no sense whatsoever.

Rahul Gandhi tweeted a 2 minute 39-second video clip of himself today where he was talking about China’s strategic game plan with respect to India. In the video, the Nehru-Gandhi scion couldn’t quite decide what he really wanted to say, but even in that confusion, he managed to peddle a lie or two.

The text that Rahul Gandhi used to share his video on Twitter was rather simple – He was saying that PM Modi “fabricated” a strongman image and that was his biggest strength. However, that has now become India’s biggest weakness.

While trying to explain this, however, Rahul Gandhi meanders and loses his way to an extent that one can safely say he was not even in the zip code as logic.

The video starts with Rahul Gandhi saying that his main worry is that the Chinese are still in Indian territory. This is a lie which has been debunked time and again. Currently, the process of disengagement is on and it was reported that the Chinese army has pulled back troops that were involved in the fatal clash at Galwan on June 15.

Then, he goes on to explain what China’s strategy really is. He explains that China essentially initiated the Galwan stand-off to undermine Prime Minister Modi’s ‘strongman image’ and this is a “border issue to put pressure on the Indian Prime Minister”.

How China is trying to put pressure on PM Modi’s image according to Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi in his video says that China is trying to put pressure on the PM Modi in a very “specific” way. Rahul Gandhi says that China understands that in order for PM Modi to survive politically and function effectively, he needs to protect the idea of “56-inch” and this is “real idea” that the “Chinese are attacking”. He says, “They are telling Mr Narendra Modi that if you do not do what we say we will destroy the idea of Mr Narendra Modi as a strong leader. Now the question is, how will Mr Narendra Modi react. Will he take them on? Will he take on the challenge and say absolutely not, I am the Prime Minister of India, I do not care about my image, I am going to take you on or will be succumb to them. The worry I have so far is that the Prime Minister has succumbed”.

He further goes on to say, “The worry I have is that the Chinese is sitting in our territory today and the PM has said publicly that they are not. Which to me tells me that he is worried about his image and he is defending his image. And if he allows the Chinese to understand that they can manipulate him because of his image, the Indian Prime Minister will no longer be worth anything for India”.

The strange dichotomy in what Rahul Gandhi is trying to say

This is the chronology of what Rahul Gandhi said in the video:

  1. PM Modi has created a strongman image
  2. China understands that his strongman image is essential for him to survive politically
  3. China initiated standoff at Galwan because they wanted to destroy the strongman image of PM Modi
  4. PM Modi is succumbing to Chinese pressure by not being aggressive with China and attacking China
  5. PM Modi is defending his image by being soft on China

Essentially, Rahul Gandhi cannot decide whether PM Modi is defending his strongman image of succumbing to China. He first says that China wants to test PM Modi’s strongman image and they initiated Galwan to threaten PM Modi saying that if he does do as the Chinese wish, they will destroy his strongman image. Which would essentially mean that China would attack and ensure that PM Modi does not retaliate and hence, destroy his strongman image.

However, he follows that up with by saying that PM Modi is succumbing to China by not attacking China after the Galwan standoff. Immediately after that he contradicts himself saying that PM Modi has ‘succumbed’ to China to defend his strongman image and is being soft on China to defend his ’56 inch image’.

If PM Modi wanted to defend his strongman image, he would be attacking China. However, according to Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi is defending his strongman image by succumbing to China and being soft against the Chinese.

The fact of the matter is that India’s response to China has been unprecedented and has forced China to get rather rattled. However, the facts of India’s response aside, Rahul Gandhi cannot seem to decide what he wishes to say in the video.

Even if we take him on face value and believe that China wants to destroy PM Modi’s strongman image, who does it benefit?

In his India Today interview right before the 2019 elections, Rahul Gandhi gave an interview to India Today. In one segment, Rahul Gandhi interestingly revealed his true plans and talks about how one of his primary goals during campaigning was destroying the image of Narendra Modi. Even in his NDTV interview, he had repeated this trope at the time saying that his aim was to destroy PM Modi’s image. In fact, both these statements were made when he was asked about the Rafale deal.

In his NDTV interview, Rahul Gandhi went ahead and said that when he started off with the Rafale rhetoric, only 20% people believed that there was a scam in Rafale, whereas now, according to Congress’ internal numbers, 67% of the country believes that there is a scam in Rafale. Interestingly, according to CVoter, as on 2nd May 2019, only 9.68% believe that corruption is an issue in the country at all. Unfortunately, we don’t have the data from the Congress era to compare, but logic dictates that the number would have been much, much higher. If according to CVoter data, only a little over 9% believe that corruption is an issue, where the 67% number that Rahul Gandhi cites comes from is a mystery. Perhaps just like most of his lies, this number has also been pulled out from the deepest corner of his vivid imagination.

It is pertinent to note that there was no ‘scam’ in the Rafale deal and this was reiterated by the Supreme Court itself. Without repeating the extensive fact-checks done to rebut Rahul Gandhi’s Rafale lies, it suffices to say that Rahul Gandhi thought that the Rafale trope would weaken PM Modi’s image and thus, help him politically in the 2019 elections.

Even though the strategy did not work and PM Modi came back to power with a larger majority in 2019, Rahul Gandhi made it rather clear that for him to succeed politically, PM Modi’s strongman and the incorruptible image was an obstacle.

Now, with Rahul Gandhi saying that China is aiming to weaken PM Modi’s strongman image, one has to wonder if China is actively trying to help Congress and Rahul Gandhi realise their political goals since their aim, seems to be the seem – weaken PM Modi’s image.

It is pertinent to note here that Congress and China have a very close working relationship. In the year 2008, the Congress party and the Communist Party of China (the ruling and only political party of China) had signed an MoU to work closely together and cooperate with each other. Further, on multiple occasions, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, a foundation chaired by Sonia Gandhi and with Rahul Gandhi in its board of directors, had accepted donations from the Embassy of China and even the Republic of China. An investigation in the matter has now been launched by the Government.

With the close relationship between Congress and China, one has to wonder if Rahul Gandhi accidentally revealed how the enemy nation of China and Congress have the same goal and are using the same methods to not only achieve it but also help each other politically.

Japan rolls out subsidies plan worth 536 million USD for its companies shifting manufacturing facilities from China

OpIndia Staff
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Japan rolls out subsidies plan worth 536 million USD for its companies shifting manufacturing facilities from China

The government of Japan has decided to give subsidies worth 57.4 billion yen or roughly $536 million to companies ready to shift production to Japan. It will enable them to invest in factories in Japan and Southeast Asia. Japan is one of the largest trading partners of China. In a bid to reduce manufacturing dependency on China, Japan has decided to encourage firms to invest in factories outside China. The step is similar to what Taiwan did in 2019 to bring back investment from China.

As per the reports, 57 companies that include facemask-maker Iris Ohyama Inc. or Sharp Corp will get benefits from this plan. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan made the announcement on 18th July about the subsidies. The government, in another announcement, said that they would also assist additional 30 firms in investing in Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and other southeast Asian countries.

Though METI did not name China in the statement, in March Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister, Japan, said that they need to bring production back home or diversify their investment to ASEAN nations. It is essential to cut reliance on one country. Nikkei had reported that the government would pay a total of 70 billion yen in the first round. In April, the government announced 220 billion yen to help companies shift their factories outside China. In the report, it was mentioned that the firms will source the raw material for their products from local vendors instead of getting them from suppliers from China and other countries.

Japan and China’s relationship remained stable over the past few decades. However, coronavirus pandemic and China’s aggressive attitude in the South China Sea have forced Japan to take strong steps against China. The US and China relations are getting worse amid the trade war. President Trump had announced several restrictions on Chinese companies including Huewai in the past few months. India is also cutting ties with Chinese companies. Under Aatma Nirbhar Bharat campaign, Prime Minister Modi has urged the citizens to buy and promote products manufactured locally. India has also ended contracts with several Chinese companies in the background of Galwan valley faceoff.

Bengaluru police arrest one Sameer Ullah for triggering panic via fake video claiming to be from COVID hospital

OpIndia Staff
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Bengaluru police arrest one Sameer Ullah for triggering panic via fake video claiming to be from COVID hospital

On Sunday, the Crime Branch of Bengaluru police has reportedly apprehended a 46-year-old man named Sameer Ullah after he uploaded a video of a crowded hospital in Patna and falsely attributed it to a dedicated Coronavirus treatment ward in the Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru. The accused was nabbed within a few hours of posting the video on his Facebook account named ‘Saif Adds.’

As per the report, the accused is a timber merchant and a resident of Tilaknagar, Bengaluru. He had uploaded the viral video on his Facebook account, following which the cops zeroed on him through his IP address. Reportedly, a case was registered by the Cyber Crime police station under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and National Disaster Management Act.

Bengaluru police chief Bhaskar Rao confirmed that the accused person who had spread fake news to create panic has been arrested.

The accused, Sameer Ullah (46), had on Saturday night, posted a video from his Facebook profile, Saif Adds. The video is of scores of people wearing masks, gathered in a small space in a hospital, and the person filming it expresses concern that it is a threat to medical staff and patients.

In the viral video, one doctor named Dr. Rana Singh could be heard as saying, “Ma’am, this is the amount of rush that we are getting at room number 5 (in) OPD ground floor. Looking at the amount of patients here, it is a complete threat to all the doctors and staff of the hospital including the patients. That is why I am forwarding this video to you. This is Dr Rana Singh here. Thank you, ma’am. This entire amount of people standing right in front of room number OPD-5, more than 100 in number. Please take immediate action as soon as possible.”

Cops debunk misinformation

According to the cops, Sameer had said that he received the video on Whatsapp and uploaded it online without verification. “We are trying to find out who spread this false information,” an official was quoted as saying. JCP (Crime) Sandeep Patil informed that the viral video is fake and has no links with the Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru. He stated, “People should be careful not to share or forward any false video or message about the pandemic.”

Replying to an inquiry about the authenticity of the video, the official handle of Karnataka DIPR tweeted, “Dr CR Jayanthi, director-cum-dean of the medical institution has stepped forward to clear the misconceptions, stating that the video is from AIIMS Patna and not Victoria Hospital.”

Bollywood nepotism debate: Karan Johar’s 2017 clip asking Kangana Ranaut to ‘leave the industry’ goes viral

OpIndia Staff
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Bollywood nepotism debate: Karan Johar’s 2017 clip asking Kangana Ranaut to ‘leave the industry’ goes viral

In the 18th July interview with Arnab Goswami on Republic TV, actress Kangana Ranaut had alleged that a particular group of powerful Bollywood ‘mafia dons’ operates in the industry and without getting into their ‘good books’, it is impossible fr ‘outsiders’ to survive. She had revealed how these big names work to actively promote the people they support and also actively bring others down, destroying their careers and harassing them finacially and mentally.

Kangana Ranaut has been in loggerheads with Karan Johar for quite some time. She was also the one who had directly accused the moviemaker of nepotism in his show ‘Koffee With Karan’ back in 2017. The incident had triggered gossips and bickering in several events and public statements that followed.

After Kangana’s interview got aired recently, netizens dug up a clip of Karan Johar in which he said he is ‘done with the victim card’ played by Ranaut and she should leave the industry if she is facing so many problems.

In the interview that happened at LSE India forum in 2017 Johar was asked about his opinion on Kangana’s statements she had made during the show “Koffee With Karan”. She had called him ‘flag bearer of nepotism’ and movie mafia that became the topic-of-the-hour on social media. Johar, after making fun of her language skills, had said that while he launched Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and others who fall under the category of nepotism, his production house has also given a chance to many filmmakers and artists who had no connection with the industry including Tarun Mansukhani, Puneet Malhotra, Shakul Batra and more.

“You give these people film careers and platforms to stand on that is the reverse of nepotism,” he added. He said that he did not understand what she meant by movie mafia. “What does she think we are doing? Sitting and not giving her work? Is that what makes our mafia? No, we do that by Choice. I do that because maybe I am not interested in working with her. It does not make me a movie mafia. It makes me a man with an opinion,” said Karan in the interview.

While praising her roles in Tanu weds Manu, Fashion and Queen, he said that he applauded her for coming to his show and “giving it to him” as what everyone was saying at that time. He said that he was gracious enough to keep everything shot during his show and cut none of her opinions. “I am done with Kangana playing the victim card. I am done. You cannot be this victim at every given time who has a sad story to tell how you are being terrorized by the bad world of the industry, leave it. Who is forcing you to be in the movies? Leave. Do something else,” he continued.

Sharp reaction from netizens

The netizens reacted based on the excerpt of the interview and slammed Johar for his attitude towards an accomplished actor. They said that he does not have the right to tell anyone to leave the industry and insult them on an international platform.

Several clips of Kangana’s interview with Republic TV went viral in which she talked about Sushant Singh Rajput, problems faced by the struggling artists in the industry and how she had to face similar situations.

It is notable here that after Sushant Singh Rajput’s tragic death, many artists and persons associated with the Bollywood world have been sharing their experiences and concerns over the ‘mafia-style lobbying’ that happens in the industry, where a certain group of power brokers promote their chosen ones and work together to pull some talented artists down.

Ram Mandir: PM Modi likely to visit Ayodhya for Bhumi Pujan on 5th August

OpIndia Staff
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Ram Mandir: PM Modi likely to visit Ayodhya for Bhumi Pujan on 5th August

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely visit Ayodhya for Bhumi Pujan of Shri Ram Mandir on August 5. The ceremony will be graced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath among several other invitees. However, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has not yet confirmed his visit.

Reportedly, an estimated 100-150 guests will be allowed at the said event. The foundation laying ceremony will mark the beginning of the construction of the grand temple that is expected to take about 3 years to complete. Kameshwar Chaupal who serves as a trustee of the Ram Temple Trust informed that they are expecting the Prime Minister’s arrival in the temple town of August 5. He added that all government standard operating procedures (SOPs) with respect to safety against coronavirus will be ensured during the Bhumi Pujan.

As per the report, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) are organising meetings to promote the ‘Shubhaaram‘ (commencement) of the Ram temple construction under the leadership of RSS joint General Secretary Krishna Gopal. Chaupal stated that a ‘Rashtra Mandir’ (Temple of the nation) will reflect the national spirit and the Hindu consciousness.

Silver slab to be placed within sanctum sanctorum

Reportedly, a silver slab weighing about 40 kg will be placed within the sanctum sanctorum of the proposed Ram temple during the Bhumi Pujan to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The largest sacred place for Hindus

Chaupal added that the the the holy Ram Mandir will be the biggest sacred site for Hindus, similar to Mecca is for (sacred place for Muslims) and Vatican (sacred place for Christians). Another functionary informed that the ram temple will take about 32 to 36 months to build and will be ready, ahead of 2024 General Elections. As coincidence will have it, August 5 also marks the first anniversary of the abrogation of article 370 in Kashmir.

‘Raazi’ author Harinder Sikka exposes how Bollywood lobby operates, says Meghna Gulzar hounded him out of events to steal credit for the story

OpIndia Staff
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‘Raazi’ author Harinder Sikka exposes how Bollywood lobby operates, says Meghna Gulzar hounded him out of events to steal credit for the story

The can of worms that Sushant Singh Rajput’s tragic death had opened, keeps popping up ugly secrets of Bollywood that have long been buried. As the debate around the dirty lobbying, nepotism and mafia-type operations of Bollywood intensifies, a lot of artists and prominent names have been speaking up about the dirty underbelly of the shining glamour world.

In a Republic TV debate over the Bollywood lobbying gangs, prominent author Harinder Sikka, whose production Nanak Shah Fakir had won three national film awards in 2016, has spoken on how Meghana Gulzar, the acclaimed moviemaker, had worked to hound him out of the Jaipur Literature Festival, book launch events and even awards. Sikka said that it was because Meghna Gulzar wanted all the credits for Raazi for herself and the Bollywood mafia gang did not want an ‘outsider’ like Sikka to be given any awards or accolades.

Sikka stated that Gulzar had pressurised the organisers of the Jaipur lit fest to remove Sikka from the event so that his book launch is delayed. He also claimed that his name was removed from the award for the best original story in the Filmfare awards at the behest of the Gulzars and even his movie Nanak Shah Fakir was not sent as India’s entry for the Oscars because the Bollywood mafia did not want an ‘outsider’ to steal the thunder.

Harinder Sikka’s allegations against Meghna Gulzar

Harinder Sikka is the author of the bestseller ‘Calling Sehmat’, the story of a Kashmiri girl who was trained as a spy and was married in a prominent Pakistani military family to gather information for the Indian Army. The story was made into the 2018 Bollywood blockbuster ‘Raazi’ starring Alia Bhat in the lead role.

Sikka had earlier also claimed that Meghna Gulzar had tampered with the story to portray a negative image of the Indian Army. In the movie, the protagonist Sehmat, after accomplishing her goals as a spy, is shown returning to India as a broken, depressed woman. Portraying the image that the Indian Army had used, and exploited a young Kashmiri girl. However, in Sikka’s book, Sehmat had returned India as a strong woman, proud of her achievements and with love and longing for her homeland.

Speaking to WION in January 2020, Sikka had stated that Meghna had deliberately kept him out of the preview screenings and post-production work because she did not want him to know how she had changed the ending. He had also claimed that the launch of his book was deliberately delayed by the Gulzars so Meghna, and not Sikka gets all the credit.

Sikka had earlier shared on Twitter that due to Meghna Gulzar’s short-sightedness, Raazi, which should have won multiple awards, appeared confused and negative in the end. Though the movie got commercial success, which, the author thinks was mostly due to Alia Bhat’s stellar performance, it ended up becoming a ‘folklore’. He had added that while signing away the rights of the story, he had made Meghna Gulzar promise that she will not tinker with the story. He had added that he feels backstabbed by Gulzar. He had also added that when ‘Lady Sehmat’ had returned to India, a band had played the national anthem and she had saluted the tricolour as a proud woman. The author had also revealed that Lady Sehmat had wanted Alia to play the character.

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