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Rafale verdict: Media plays Nero to Rahul Gandhi’s lies, Business Standard blatantly lies about Justice Joseph’s observations

Nupur J Sharma
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Rafale verdict: Media plays Nero to Rahul Gandhi’s lies, Business Standard blatantly lies about Justice Joseph’s observations

The Supreme Court on 14th November 2019 dismissed the review petitions filed against its verdict on the Rafale case where it gave the deal a clean chit. The review petitions were filed by Advocate Prashant Bhushan, Yashwant Sinha and Arun Shourie. Post the verdict, Congress took to lying profusely and the media played Nero’s guest.

Several news agencies misrepresented the verdict and the separate note by Justice KM Joseph that spoke about a technicality to insinuate that Justice Joseph gave a dissenting view of some sort, indicating wrong-doing.

The Media headlines after Rafale verdict

PTI had the following headline

CNN News 18 headline (PTI story)

Business Standard had the following headline. The story was written by Ajai Shukla who claims to be a defence analyst.

Business Standard headline

Following is the headline by ANI:

ANI Headline

The sheer misrepresentation of the verdict in the media is staggering if not unexpected. Considering the conduct of the media during the Rafale controversy and how it played the role of a propaganda tool in the hands of Congress, is not surprising that even today, the media would mislead the masses.

Nexus between Rahul Gandhi and Media?

The media has almost lifted the exact words that Rahul Gandhi used in his tweet after the Rafale verdict was pronounced. In a tweet, Rahul Gandhi stated that the Supreme Court’s Justice KM Joseph has left open a “huge door” for an investigation into the Rafale deal and demanded that a probe must begin in full earnest. He also called for a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the fighter jet contract.

Read: Read how Rahul Gandhi and Congress continue to lie and misrepresent even after SC throws out Rafale review petitions

The Congress in a press conference had said, “BJP is in habit of celebrating without going into details of verdict. The Supreme Court order has paved the way for a probe into the Rafale deal. The verdict has opened a window for a detailed enquiry into the matter, it has said that 14 Dec 2018 or today’s verdict is not an obstacle in way of the CBI from taking action in the case in future”.

One easily notices the eerie similarities between the exact words used by the media and by Congress. However, the Media and Congress are both lying blatantly and misinterpreting the judgement shamelessly.

Understanding the note by Supreme Court Justice KM Joseph in Rafale case

The exact words used by Justice Joseph were “a case MAY have been made out”. If it was the contention of Justice Joseph that the petitioners had already made a case against the Rafale deal, he would not have used the word ‘may’. Justice Joseph essentially said that the petitioners did not approach the right forum for their request.


The note by Justice Joseph mentions clearly that the petitioners did not even seek a preliminary inquiry and a direct FIR would mean raising fingers at a public figure without proof.

Interestingly, the Supreme Court judgement and even Justice Joseph’s note clearly stated that there is “absence of any substantial material to show to be a cse of commercial favouritism”. Further, it says that the Court lacks to expertise to judge on a technical basis.

SC judgement

It may be interesting to note here that Congress itself had said that they have no grouse with the Rafale jet technically, and their entire premise of wrong-doing was based on fictitious “commercial favouritism”. The court, even in the words which are being gleefully quoted by Rahul Gandhi has categorically said that there was no proof of commercial favouritism whatsoever.

Lawyer Kartikeya Tanna explained the essence of this in simple language. He said if his wallet gets stolen and he approaches the Homes Minister, the HM may listen to him sympathetically, however, tell him to go file a case in the local police station. When he gets to the police station, he will have to produce enough material for the police to decide what is to be done next. He cannot, however, go to the police station, give no facts and material but scream that the Home Minister opened the door for an FIR to be filed.


Essentially, the door was never “closed” for an enquiry but the procedure was never followed by any of the parties since they had no material evidence to begin with.

Essentially, the separate but concurring note by Justice Joseph clarifies two things. One, the review petition filed by the petitioners has failed to prove any irregularities prima facie in the Rafale deal and hence they are not ordering an investigation pertaining to Rafale deal. Secondly, the order states that an investigation can be still launched but prior permission is needed to do so.

An investigation officer can take up an investigation on any such issues even if the magistrate has dismissed an application for an investigation under Section 156(3). However, the investigation has to take a prior sanction under Section 17(A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which has been clearly stated by Justice Joseph’s order and it has always been the case. Hence, the question of the Supreme Court allowing or not allowing to investigate further on the ‘irregularities’ in the Rafale deal does not arise as there is no bar for any such future investigation even though SC has clarified that there are no irregularities in the multi-crore jet deal.

In fact, the Supreme Court also observed that the petitioners filed the petition knowing fully well that Section 17 (A) would bar any FIR to be filed without prior approval.

SC judgement

It thus makes one wonder if all these court cases are just an excuse to keep an issue alive, knowing fully well that they don’t have the evidence of any wrong-doing whatsoever.

The blatant lies by Business Standard’s Ajai Shukla on Justice Joseph’s notes

Section 17 (A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act requires the government to accord prior permission for prosecuting an official for an offence carried out in the discharge of his duty.

Playing the quintessential Nero, Ajai Shukla in his Business Standard article lies blatantly regarding Justice Joseph observations with regards to this section.

Ajai Shukla in Business Standard

Ajai Shukla lies blatantly in his article when he claims that Justice Joseph in his note “recognised” that “attempting to obtain government permission would be futile exercise” and the “the petitioners cannot succeed”.

Ajai Shukla essentially said that Justice KM Joseph told the petitioners that they would not succeed in getting permission from the government under Section 17 (A) and their attempt would be futile, insinuating that even Justice Joseph meant that the government has something to hide.

The note of Justice Joseph said no such thing. Justice Joseph actually said something completely different.

SC judgement

Justice KM Joseph said that even IF the court accepted the premise that on the bases of the petitions, an FIR must be registered, it “will be a futile exercise” since Section 17 (A) is in place.

SC judgement

Further, Justice Joseph said that “more importantly, Section 17 (A) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, in aa Review Petition, the petitioners cannot succeed”.

Essentially, Justice Joseph was enumerating the provisions of Sectio 17 (A) and in no way insinuating that the government would not approve. In fact, the government was not even a point of discussion. Justice Joseph was enumerating hypothetical scenarios to explain all positions vide Section 17 (A).

Justice Joseph said that EVEN IF the court had accepted the petition and ordered an FIR, Section 17 (A) would have come into play and thus, it would be “futile”. Secondly, Justice Joseph said that due to the existence of Section 17 (A), the Review Petition ‘cannot succeed’.

Ajai Shukla twists Justice Joseph’s words to write, “Joseph’s judgment recognised that attempting to obtain government permission would be “a futile exercise” and that “the petitioners cannot succeed”. A complete misrepresentation that would ideally amount to contempt of court.

The 2018 Supreme Court judgement dismissing petitions for inquiry into Rafale deal

In the 2018 judgement, the Court had made it amply clear that the allegations were baseless. SC had reasserted that the allegations made by the petitioners were inadequate. The Supreme Court had observed that after going through all the material carefully and after interacting with several airforce officers, there is no occasion to doubt the process. In fact, in the judgement, the court has mentioned that it has even gone through material etc regarding the pricing of the deal.

Read: SC verdict on Rafale deal: Read scathing comments made by Court while dismissing petitions for inquiry

The court has said that broadly the processes have been followed and that the long negotiations in the MMRCA (Congress regime negotiations) did not procure any results.

The court also said that the wisdom to cancel the defunct MMRCA cannot be questioned since our defence capabilities were being diminished after our enemies have acquired 5th generation aircraft and we had none.

The Court had also revealed that the government had shared the pricing details with the court.

Read: Rafale: SC examined the pricing details closely, ‘did not rely’ on CAG report as claimed by Rahul Gandhi

The Supreme Court Rafale judgement, in para 22, states clearly that the pricing is not in the public forum (other than base price) even though the petitioners based on news articles have asserted escalation of price. The pricing has been shared with the CAG and the CAG report has been examined by the PAC. The Chief of Air Staff too said that sharing the pricing would result in a breach of national security and that the pricing details have been mentioned in Article 10 of the contract between India and France. In the end, the court says that “despite this reluctance, the material has still been placed before the Court to satisfy its conscience”.

The Court was slightly on the secretive side while talking about the pricing, obviously, for national security concerns. The court, however, did say that it was compared the price of the previous deal and current deal and suffices to say that the official respondents say there is a financial benefit to the country.

Further, the court had said that “mere press interviews or suggestions cannot form the basis for judicial review by this Court”. The court said that there is “no material on record to show that this is a case of commercial favouritism to any party by the Indian government” to choose offset partner.

Essentially, the material evidence was already examined by the court and the petitions for inquiry dismissed with scathing observations that there was no wrong-doing in the case. In the review petition too, that there is no evidence of commercial favouritism has been reiterated.

It thus suffices to say that the Media, hand in gloves with Congress, is not only trying to help one political side form a narrative to undermine a duly elected government but also, severely undermine national security.

Update: After the OpIndia article, Business Standard updated its headline from “SC junks Rafale Review pleas, but keeps doors open for a CBI probe” to “SC junks pleas seeking review of verdict absolving govt in Rafale deal case”. 

New Business Standard Headline

While Business Standard changed the headline of the article written by Ajai Shukla, it is yet to amend the blatantly fallacious interpretation of some statements made by Justice KM Joseph.

Case registered against BHU official for removing RSS flag from south campus in Mirzapur

OpIndia Staff
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Case registered against BHU official for removing RSS flag from south campus in Mirzapur

A case has been registered against an official of the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) for forcefully removing a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) flag from its south campus in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district.

According to the reports, a complaint was registered at the Dehat Kotwali police station against BHU south campus deputy chief proctor Kiran Damle for outraging religious feelings. The case against Damle has been filed based on the complaint of RSS office-bearer Chandra Mohan, the police officer said.

On Tuesday, students of Banaras Hindu University’s Rajiv Gandhi South campus in Barkachha had staged a dharna the demanding the resignation of the college’s Deputy chief proctor Kiran Damle alleging that she had uprooted the RSS flag from the campus during a Shakha organised by the students of the college.

As per reports, the resident students of various hostels in the college organise such Shakhas every morning in the playground within the campus. On Tuesday, many students had put up an RSS flag to set up a Shakha.

According to the police officials, Damle had removed the RSS flag and had taken it away while the members of the RSS and ABVP were practising yoga in a ‘shakha’ on the campus. Damle had allegedly said that the flag will not be allowed but members can go on with their yoga practice.

Read: Agitation and student protest at BHU South Campus over RSS flag removal, deputy chief proctor resigns

Terming it as disrespect of the flag, RSS members had demanded her removal from the university while alleging that Damle had misbehaved with students. Damle later apologised for removing the flag and resigned from the post.

The deputy chief proctor had said in view of the ‘prevailing atmosphere’ she had asked for the removal of the flag and since it was not done, she handed it to her assistant attendant Satish.

Her resignation has been sent to proctor OP Singh. The protestors got the support of local MLA Ratnakar Misra and RSS leader Sohan who reached the spot soon after. Meanwhile, SP Dharamvir Singh said the removal of the flag has hurt the sentiments of RSS swayamsevaks and Damle should instead have explained and prevailed upon them for getting it removed.

A day after Delhi HC slammed Arvind Kejriwal govt for failure to tackle pollution, Congress accuses AAP of corruption in pollution mask purchase

OpIndia Staff
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A day after Delhi HC slammed Arvind Kejriwal govt for failure to tackle pollution, Congress accuses AAP of corruption in pollution mask purchase

The Delhi Congress on Thursday accused Arvind Kejriwal led Aam Aadmi Party of corruption in the name of controlling air pollution in the national capital and demanded a CBI inquiry.

According to the reports, Delhi Congress president Subhash Chopra launched an attack on the Aam Aadmi Party government, accusing them of involving in corruption in purchasing and distribution of masks among school children and also in extending financial benefits to the party volunteers during the odd-even traffic scheme.

Chopra said that Delhi government has spent Rs 10 crore to buy masks, but those masks have not been distributed. He also alleged that very poor quality masks have been procured which can’t be used more than 3-4 hours in such high pollution. He said that they demand CBI inquiry into the matter, and will also approach the Lokayukta.

The Congress party alleged that AAP government collected money from the people in the name of ‘Green Tax’ and instead of spending that money on checking pollution, the AAP government indulged in corruption by introducing the Odd-Even traffic regulation once again in the capital. The party accused Kejriwal government of spending the Green Tax money for its self-publicity.

Chopra said the AAP government, which has collected Rs 1,174.67 crore from the people as ‘Green Tax” since 2015 has spent only Rs 272.51 crore, out of which Rs 265 crore was spent on the orders of the Supreme Court for the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System.

“The AAP government spent only Rs 7 crore for the repair of Delhi roads for pollution control, which was a big scam as the Delhi government has no account of the expenses incurred,” he said, adding around Rs 400 crore were lying with the Central government.

Chopra also said that 63,142 children had died due to air pollution in 2017. He said that according to available statistics, 58 children face death every day in Delhi due to pollution.

He added, “Despite this shocking revelation, the BJP government at the Centre and the AAP government in Delhi have not taken effective measures to control pollution in the Capital.”

Read: RTI reply reveals AAP government in Delhi has not spent almost 80% of the Green Tax collected in last four years

Questioning the basis on which the masks were purchased and distributed, Delhi Congress leaders said there were doubts about the manner in which the masks were purchased and distributed and demanded a high-level probe.

Just yesterday, the Delhi High Court had slammed Delhi Government and concerned authorities on the present state of air pollution in Delhi. The High Court had observed that if the government had followed its previous orders, the pollution level would not have reached present levels.

The High Court pulled up the Delhi government saying the problem lies in implementation and not lack of ideas. There is a complete lack of will, observed Delhi HC.

US congressmen warn their govt over possible nexus between American charity organisation and Pakistan-based terror groups

OpIndia Staff
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US congressmen warn their govt over possible nexus between American charity organisation and Pakistan-based terror groups

Three Republican senators in the United States have cautioned their government over the possible nexus between social service organisations and Islamist terrorist groups, like the Hizb-ul Mujahideen and the Lashkar-e-Taiba, reported Times Now.


The Congressmen of the US’s Republican Party have written the letter to Ambassador Nathan Sales, the coordinator of counter-terrorism in the US State Department, said the Times Now report.

In their letter, shared by Times Now, the Congressmen have urged the Ambassador for a full investigation into “potential terror links between US-based groups like the Helping Hands for Relief and Development (HHRD) and the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) with UN Security Council designated terrorist groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Hizb-ul Mujahideen.

The Republican Congressmen, namely Randy Weber, Chuck Fleischmann and Jim Banks, have stated that the HHRD and the ICNA “sell themselves as innocuous Muslim civil society organisations when they are, in fact, arms of one of the most radical networks in the world.”

In the letter dated November 1, these lawmakers have stated that ‘there is no doubt that the ICNA and HHRD are part of Jamaat-e-Islami’s international network.’ They added that the evidence of these two organisations’ links with terror groups is extensive and overwhelming.

They have claimed that these organisations have openly worked with US-designated terror organisations operating in Kashmir under the guise of international aid. Asserting that the US government must work on stopping the money flow from these organisations to the terrorist groups working in Kashmir, the letter stated that both groups are ‘directly involved in terror funding’.

As per the report, the HHRD had organised a conference in Pakistan in December 2017, at a government college in Timergara, which was co-sponsored by the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, a front of the LeT which was designated by the US Treasury Department as a terrorist organisation. Another co-sponsor was Al-Khidmat, which supports the Hizb-ul Mujahideen.

Read: OpIndia investigation: Tentacles of radical Islam, Pakistan, Khalistan in Houston anti-Modi protests ahead of ‘Howdy Modi’ event

The Falah-i-Insaniyat Foundation is listed as a terror organisation by the government of India too under the UAPA. The HHRD’s links with internationally designated terror organisation through the guise of ‘charity groups’ has been documented by many sources.

Read: How Pakistan ensured that Hafiz Saeed’s JuD is removed from the list of banned terror outfits

The congressmen have also highlighted that the ICNA has received 10 million USD as a grant from the Trump administration.

The US politicians have urged their government not to ‘fan the flames of war’ and help to keep peace in the Kashmir region by taking solid steps to curb funding to these so-called ‘charity’ organisations.

Pakistan denies reports of amending the Army Act to help Kulbhushan Jadhav appeal against conviction in civilian court

OpIndia Staff
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Pakistan denies reports of amending the Army Act to help Kulbhushan Jadhav appeal against conviction in civilian court

Media reports had stated that the government of Pakistan is in the process of amending its Army Act in accordance with the decision by the International Court of Justice in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case. Reportedly, the laws were to be amended to allow Kulbhushan Jadhav to file an appeal in a civilian court in Pakistan. However, now the Pakistan Army had denied all such reports and called them baseless.

The Pakistan Army has said that reports of Pakistan amending Army Act to allow Kulbhushan Jadhav to appeal his conviction in the civilian court is baseless and that they are ‘considering legal options’ to review and reconsider the Indian national’s case.


Earlier in the day, Pakistani government sources hinted at the amendment of the act under which no appeals can be made under civilian court. Earlier sources in Pakistan said Islamabad plans to amend the Army Act, section 133 which will give Jadhav right to appeal in a civilian court and also opens the door for India to provide legal aid to him.

Read: Pakistan violated the Vienna Convention in the Kulbhushan Yadav case: ICJ tells UNGA

As per existing laws under Pakistan’s Army Act, Kulbhushan Jadhav was forbidden from filing an appeal in Pakistan’s civilian courts. However, after the ICJ gave its verdict in India’s favour and stayed the death sentence pronounced for Jadhav, and further allowing consular access to India, the ICJ had asked Pakistan to allow Jadhav to file an appeal in civilian court.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) headquartered in The Hague, The Netherlands had in July directed Pakistan to stay Jadhav’s execution and allow him consular access. Based on ICJ’s verdict in a 15-1 decision on July 17, Pakistan had on July 30 sent its first proposal to India but with 2 riders attached. One that Pakistani security personnel will be present during the meeting and second there will be CCTV cameras present in the room.

Read: Kulbhushan Jadhav case: India wins at the ICJ, court says Pakistan violated Vienna Convention, orders review of case & consular access

After the ICJ verdict stayed the execution and allowed India consular access, India had declared that it will now push for shifting Jadhav’s case to a civilian court, to ensure he gets proper legal representation.

After the consular access was finally granted in September, India has stated that Jadhav is under extreme pressure by Pakistan to parrot a false narrative.

Share the names of ex MPs and MLAs who are yet to vacate govt bungalows: Delhi HC to centre

OpIndia Staff
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Share the names of ex MPs and MLAs who are yet to vacate govt bungalows: Delhi HC to centre

The Delhi High Court issued a notice to the central government to file an affidavit within a week and share the names of all the ex-MPs, MLAs and other government officials who are yet to vacate their government accommodation in the national capital.

As per a report in Livelaw, a division bench of Chief Justice DN Patel, and justice Hari Shankar also asked the central government to mention the amount that needs to be recovered from these ex-MPs, MLAs and government officials towards the payments of dues for overstaying in government dwellings.

The notice was issued over the PIL filed by the Anti Corruption Council of India. The PIL included the demands that

  1. The central government provides the details of all the ex-MPs, MLAs and government officials who have been overstaying in government bungalows
  2. The centre provides the details of the expenses incurred by the government for providing accommodation to present MPs and MLAs, who have been staying outside due to non-availability of government dwellings

The petitioners reportedly also stated that over 100 ex-government officers are also overstaying in their government accommodations in an illegal manner as they are not authorised to stay in these bungalows after the completion of service.

The petitioners have also argued that due to non-availability of government accommodations, many MPs are staying in expensive hotels on the Taxpayers’ money. They also added that an RTI enquiry seeking the above details has failed to get any response from the government.

The Delhi HC’s notice also reportedly included that, if the central government fails to furnish the affidavit within a week, the secretary will have to make a personal appearance before the court.

It is notable here that after the 17th Lok Sabha took the oath, ex-MPs were asked to vacate their government bungalows in Delhi. In August, when many of the ex-MPs still did not vacate the bungalows, the Lok Sabha housing committee, headed by CR Patil, had served a notice to over 200 former MPs who continued to occupy Lutyens bungalows.

Read: Government serves eviction notices to over 200 former MPs who continue to occupy Lutyens bungalows

The 17th Lok Sabha saw more than 260 MPs who have been elected for the first time in the lower house of the parliament. The government of India has been constructing duplex flats to accommodate the new MPs in Delhi’s North Avenue.

After 2014 elections too, a larger number of MPs had refused to leave their houses and it took a long time and lots of efforts in getting the houses vacated to accommodate newly elected MPs.

As per reports, even till October, over 50 ex-MPs were still occupying government bungalows in Delhi’s Lutyens area. On October 17, the 12-member committee led by Patil had sought the help of Delhi police to evict the 27 ex-MPs who were still occupying the government bungalows.

Decision up to Sunni Waqf Board, but we will not accept alternate land for Mosque: Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind on Ayodhya verdict

OpIndia Staff
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Decision up to Sunni Waqf Board, but we will not accept alternate land for Mosque: Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind on Ayodhya verdict

The Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind (JuH), a key Muslim litigant in the Ayodhya title suit, stated that they will not be accepting the 5-acre alternative land for building a mosque as mandated by the Supreme Court.

Reportedly, the decision by Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind comes two days before the crucial meeting of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board to discuss the future course of action following the Supreme Court verdict on Ayodhya.

Read: Give us 5 acres within 67 acres of Ram Janmabhoomi only, our kabristan and dargah are there: Muslim litigants demand

The working committee Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind met in Delhi on Thursday, stated that nothing would be acceptable as an “alternative” to a mosque, be it money or land. In another big decision, Jamiat did not rule out the possibility of going for a review of the Supreme Court verdict.

A five-member fact-finding committee to be headed by its president, Arshad Madani, would seek legal opinion on the issue.

Calling the Supreme Court verdict ‘baffling’, Jamiat president Maulana Arshad Madani said it was the prerogative of the Uttar Pradesh Sunni Wakf Board to decide on whether to accept 5 acres that the court ordered to build a mosque, but, he added that the Jamiat working committee has decided to reject the offer since there was no need for such “charity”.

Read: Evidences prove that Hindus have always believed Ram Janmasthan is the place where Babri Mosque was built: Addendum to Ayodhya Verdict

“Once a mosque is built, it remains a mosque till the end of time. So Babri Masjid is, was, and will remain a mosque. However, if the Supreme Court had said that Babri Masjid had been built after demolishing a temple, we would have forfeited our claim. Also, if we do not have a claim, why give us land at all? That is why this is a baffling verdict from the Supreme Court,” added Madani.

Uttar Pradesh JuH president Ashhad Rashidi, who was present in the meeting, said two crucial decisions were taken in the working committee meeting. “One was related to the five-acre alternative land for a mosque and the other was the possibility of filing a review plea,” said Rashidi.

Read: We don’t want a donation, we don’t need 5 acres land: AIMIM chief Owaisi whines after SC verdict on Ram Janmabhoomi

He added, “The working committee unanimously decided there can be no ‘badal’ (alternative) of a mosque for anything in the world, neither money nor land. It will not be right for any Muslim outfit to accept barter,” said Rashidi.

Founded in 1919, Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind is one of the most influential and financially sustainable Muslim organisations in the country. Recently, it had created a massive controversy after it had extended legal and financial aid to the Islamists accused in the Kamlesh Tiwari murder.

The Jamiat Ulama-e-Hind, which roughly translates to Council of Indian Muslim Theologians belonging to the Deobandi school of thought, had said that it was willing to bear all the legal costs and also offered the held of their legal cell to defend the 5 Islamists, who were accused in the Kamlesh Tiwari murder.

Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena work on CMP: Sena drops Hindutva like a hot potato? Makes minorities and farmers the focus

OpIndia Staff
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Congress, NCP, Shiv Sena work on CMP: Sena drops Hindutva like a hot potato? Makes minorities and farmers the focus

Maharashtra has been in limbo post-Assembly elections. While BJP and Shiv Sena, the ideological allies had a fall out over Uddhav Thackeray led Shiv Sena demanding the Chief Minister position, the erstwhile Hindutva party has now allied with Sonia Gandhi led Congress and Sharad Pawar led NCP. According to media reports, the three parties have reached a broad consensus on a Common Minimum Program (CMP) where Hindutva has been dropped like a hot potato and the cause of minorities, farmers have taken the spotlight.

According to a report in the Times of India, a 40 point Common Minimum Program has been reached by the three parties. The CMP is now expected to be circulated to the party chiefs who will discuss the finer points over the weekend. A final word on CMP is expected to be reached on 19th November 2019. Interestingly, there were 3 meetings that took place to decide the CMP. In two of the meetings, Shiv Sena, Congress and NCP were all present, however, in one meeting, only Congress and NCP were present. According to TOI, Shiv Sena is likely to get 16 cabinet members, NCP 14 and Congress 12. The Speaker is likely to be from Congress and will get a deputy from Sena, while the legislative council chairman’s post will go to NCP, with the deputy’s chair, again, for Sena.

Read: Six things that follow from the new Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress govt and what the Hindus of India should learn from this

However, a report in India Today claims that Shiv Sena is going to get a full term Chief Minister with Congress and NCP electing one Deputy CM each. The report also says that Shiv Sena and NCP will get 14 Cabinet Ministers each while Congress is likely to get 12.

However, on the post of CM, TOI quotes a senior Congress leader as saying: “Shiv Sena has staked a claim for the CM’s post. It is not yet clear if it will be for five years or it will be by rotation for two and half years, or it should be for an equal period among Congress, Shiv Sena and NCP.”

Media reports have also given broad indicators as to what the agenda for CMP between the three parties is. Broadly, it appears that in their thirst for power, Shiv Sena seems to have given up on the Hindutva cause. In fact, if reports are to be believed, Congress and NCP want an assurance from Shiv Sena that their Hindutva agenda is going to take a back-seat once the government is formed. The demands are that Shiv Sena too needs to agree to be a part of a secular government, reported Jagran.

The reports indicate that the central focus of the CMP is going to be minorities and farmers. The CMP mentions the welfare of minorities, loan waiver for farmers, tracking of wet droughts, the revival of closed and sick industries, action plan for employment generation etc.

Read: 5% reservations to Muslims to be part of Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress govt in Maharashtra, journalist claims

Interestingly, a journalist had recently claimed that 5% reservation for Muslims was to be a part of the Common Minimum Program reached by the three parties.

Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan has reportedly said, “We took note of Shiv Sena’s manifesto as well as our own manifesto and drafted the CMP. It is not an election manifesto, but an action plan for providing clean and transparent administration. Contentious issues have been dropped”.

Recently, several Shiv Sena MLAs had revolted saying that the entire party is suffering because Uddhav Thackeray is hankering for the Chief Minister position. The revolting MLAs had reportedly left the resort they were being holed up in due to fear of poaching by BJP.

The drama is back: Trupti Desai says she plans to enter Sabarimala soon, urges Kerala police to escort her inside sanctum sanctorum

OpIndia Staff
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The drama is back: Trupti Desai says she plans to enter Sabarimala soon, urges Kerala police to escort her inside sanctum sanctorum

Controversial ‘activist’ Trupti Desai on Thursday said that women should be allowed entry into the Sabarimala temple till a seven-judge Supreme Court bench delivers the verdict on the issue.

According to the reports, Trupti Desai, who was stopped from entering Sabarimala shrine last year, and was turned back from Kochi airport, had ‘vowed’ to offer prayers at the shrine when it opens for worship this year.

“What I understand is that till the court order comes, entry is open for women and no one should protest against it. People who say that there is no discrimination at all are wrong because women of specific ages are not allowed there. I am going to offer prayers on November 16,” the Pune-based Desai said to the media after the SC verdict.

Read: SC order on Sabarimala is ‘complex’, will not provide assistance to women entering the shrine: Kerala Minister

Desai urged the Kerala government to ensure that police escort women right inside the temple, near the sanctum sanctorum, as per a report in The Hindu. Welcoming the Supreme Court decision, Desai said she was planning to visit Sabarimala in the next few days and added that mere police protection by the Kerala government was insufficient to ensure that women could worship at the Ayyapa shrine in peace.

“The judges today have referred the Sabarimala case to a larger Supreme Court Bench of seven judges by saying that Sabarimala was only part of a larger issue which included the question of entry of Muslim women in mosques and Parsi women in their fire temples. While we were expecting a final decision on Sabarimala today, we are nevertheless happy that the judges have not stayed the order,” said Desai.

Last year, after the Kerala police had stopped her from entering the shrine, Trupti Desai had announced that she will visit the Sabarimala temple “unannounced” in the future using “Guerilla tactics”. Desai, the founder of the ‘Bhumata Brigade’ had faced severe protest by Hindu groups last year after she attempted to enter the shrine in an attempt to violate and desecrate the age-old customs in the Sabarimala shrine.

The Supreme Court of India led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi on Thursday did not arrive at a conclusive decision in Sabarimala review petitions and referred the case to a larger bench by a 3:2 majority.

Hearing a batch of petitions seeking review of its September 2018 judgement on the Sabarimala issue, the Supreme Court on Thursday said restrictions on women in religious places were not limited to Sabarimala alone and was prevalent in other religions as well as it referred all review pleas to a larger seven-judge bench.

CJI Gogoi said the question of whether women of all ages should be allowed into Sabarimala is part of a larger debate that includes issues like allowing Muslim and Parsi women to enter religious practice and female genital mutilation in the Dawoodi Bohra community.

SC order on Sabarimala is ‘complex’, will not provide assistance to women entering the shrine: Kerala Minister

OpIndia Staff
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SC order on Sabarimala is ‘complex’, will not provide assistance to women entering the shrine: Kerala Minister

On Thursday, following the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala, the Communist-led Kerala government LDF government described the verdict of the top court as “very complex” and refused to provide any assistance to women wishing to enter the Sabarimala shrine.

Reportedly, Kerala Law Minister AK Balan, speaking to the media on Thursday, said that the state is yet to decide whether it will provide assistance to a woman between the age group of 10-50 if they attempt to enter the Sabarimala shrine. The Kerala government also refused to spell out on the arrangements made to handle the situation if women attempt to enter the hill shrine in the coming days.

“The state government won’t provide any assistance for women in the 10-50 age group to enter the Holy shrine if they try to do so. We are yet to decide on what has to be done if any women in the 10-50 age group show interest. The order is highly complicated and needs to be studied further,” he said.

Read: Today’s judgement by Supreme Court has effectively dislodged the 2018 verdict in Sabarimala case: Advocate J Sai Deepak

Even Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who had received a lot of flak for his support for the desecration of Sabarimala shrine and the government’s atrocities last year, seems to have toned down his enthusiasm after Thursday’s SC verdict. Though Vijayan avoided direct questions on whether his government will escort women into the shrine, like it did last year, law minister Balan’s statement was indicative that the LDF government may not.

“There is ambiguity. The verdict has created more confusion and its implications need to be understood in depth. We will consult legal experts and formulate a stand. Whatever the verdict, the government is bound to implement that,” Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said to the media on Thursday.

The Kerala Congress, which had been against the LDF government’s atrocities on devotees and attempts to desecrate the temple, reacted soon after the SC verdict yesterday. Congress’ Ramesh Chennithala urged the LDF not to send any more ‘atheists’ into the temple claiming to be devotees.

Read: CPM admits Sabarimala row proved detrimental to party’s fortunes in the Lok Sabha elections: Report

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court bench led by CJI Ranjan Gogoi could not come to a conclusive decision in Sabarimala review petitions and referred the case to a larger bench by a 3:2 majority. The Supreme Court had reserved its judgment in the Sabarimala verdict after hearing the review petitions in September this year, challenging the court’s verdict of lifting the ban on women of menstrual age to enter the shrine of Sabarimala.

Hearing the review petitions challenging the 2018 verdict, the Supreme Court had said that the issue of women’s entry into the Sabarimala temple is not just limited to Sabarimala, but to the entry of women into Mosques as well.

The apparent shift in the stand of the Kerala government on the issue of entry of women into Sabarimala shrine comes after the communists suffered a humiliating defeat in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Following the election rout, the Pinarayi Vijayan government seems to have learnt the hard way that interfering and desecrating the age-old religious customs and traditions of the Hindus could prove costly in the elections.

In the garb of devotees, the Kerala government was seen escorting non-Hindu and atheist women, mostly communist workers, into the shrine last year.

In the guise of implementing Supreme Court judgement, the Kerala government, with the help of state police force had turned the area near Sabarimala into a war zone after some devotees had clashed with the police. The Kerala police had also unleashed violence against thousands of Hindu devotees by pelting stones and lathi charging as the situation went out of control.

As Kerala government forcefully attempted to enforce the controversial Supreme Court judgement, the state of Kerala saw huge protests organised by Hindu devotees. The massive protests had come as a result of the Kerala government trying to stop genuine devotees while allowing activists and non-Hindus to enter the Sabarimala shrine, even escorting them.

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