On Friday, Mayawati yet again made casteist statements on PM Modi. She alleged that the Prime Minister isn’t an OBC by birth and that he hasn’t suffered from casteism. Mayawati said this in response PM Modi’s accusation of the ‘mahagathbandhan’ being casteist. She also said that Akhilesh Yadav, the son of a former chief minister and former union minister, is real backward, while Modi, who comes from humble origins, is not really backward.
Mayawati: PM’s accusation that ‘mahagathbandhan’ is casteist, is absurd. How can those who suffered from casteism be casteist? Entire country knows he isn’t an OBC by birth, he hasn’t suffered from the atrocities of casteism. So he shouldn’t say such lies about ‘mahagathbandhan’ pic.twitter.com/yjBxuUdAd9
“Modi ji is not an OBC since birth that is why he has not gone through the pain that they go through. He should have not given ‘jaativaad’ comment on our gathbandhan,” she said. She continued by asking, “If by chance Modi was OBC, then would RSS have let him become the PM?”
“The biggest mahamilavati is PM Modi himself as he has enlisted his upper caste in the backward list for political gains during the tenure of his own government. The person who is really backward is Akhilesh Yadav. He is not a fake and ‘on-paper’ backward like Narendra Modi,” Mayawati said in a SP-BSP joint rally in Azamgarh.
Earlier on April 27 also, Mayawati had attacked the PM saying that Modi had got his upper class included in the OBC list during his term as the Gujarat Chief Minister. “In order to derive political profits during elections, he (PM Modi) got his upper caste included in the list of backward castes. Like Mulayam Singh Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav, (PM) Modi was not born in a backward caste,” she said.
However, a closer look showed that Mayawati was saying an outright lie. Narendra Modi belongs to the Modh Ghanchi caste which was classified as OBC by the Gujarat government in 1994, after the Mandal Commission report. Narendra Modi became the Gujarat CM only in 2001.
Questions over PM Modi’s caste have been raised before. In 2014 Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil had alleged that Narendra Modi is a “fake OBC”, making the same claim as Mayawati saying that Modi’s caste wasn’t listed as OBC before he became the CM. Following which the Gujarat government had to issue a clarification stating the Modh Ghachi caste was listed as OBC in 1994.
In a candid interview with the OneIndia, an online news portal, former Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) officer, Amar Bhushan divulges the uncharted facts about radicalisation and terror down south India during his tenure, the accusations on the agencies of reacting late on the same and the noncompliance of the Congress government then.
While talking to OneIndia about the peril lurking down South as terror and radicalisation became a major threat there, Bhushan rubbishes the allegation on agencies of reacting late in South India. He maintains that the agencies never got a free hand under the government then to act against radicalisation and terrorism down South.
“When there are governments which latch on to support from Muslim dominated parties, there is very little support one can expect”, Bhushan says, as he furthers that because of the Government interference then (during the Congress regime), it became difficult to operate in South India.
Citing the example of the 2010 German Bakery blast in which Islamic terrorist, Yasin Bhatkal, the alleged co-founder of the terror organisation Indian Mujahideen was involved, Bhushan said that because the agencies were not involved in the case at the appropriate time, there was a delay in the investigation. Yasin Bhatkal has been last month charged for the 2010 blast.
“There is a kind of denying tolerance towards extremist activities. When there is a government which does not want to go all out, then what can one expect”, Bhushan asks.
Bhushan claims that if the State government does not work in unison with the Central government, taking prompt and adequate action against terrorism becomes difficult, which he said was the situation in South India.
Endorsing the BJP government at the centre, the former R&AW official says, “Look at the free hand given to the National Investigation today. The agency is going all out against the radical activities in South India and I must say they are doing a commendable job. Moreover, they are not restricting themselves only to the South. They are in Bengal and a whole lot of other states.”
“As police personnel, I can tell you that if you are not given a free hand, you really cannot operate. If you decide to go ahead, you will never know when you will get tripped,” he further adds.
Talking about the days he was an officer with the R&AW during the Congress rule, Bhushan asserts, “I can tell you this that we wanted to operate aggressively in Pakistan, but were never allowed to do it. Moreover, for permission for surveillance, we always had to go to the Home Ministry and seek approval after giving a lot of explanation. You cannot keep running to the MHA all the time.”
Applauding BJP government for giving a free hand to the National Investigation Agency, the former officer says, “The NIA is today successful because of surveillance measures that they have taken. The thing is, if you have created an agency, then let it run freely. Surveillance is the heart of any operation and absolutely needed to monitor extremist elements.”
The Patidar agitation and Congress leader Hardik Patel once again stirred controversy by referring to Prime Minister Modi as ‘Yamraj’ (God of death) in his rally in Madhya Pradesh on Friday reports Republic TV.
In his attempt to provoke the crowd in Madhya Pradesh against the Prime Minister, Hardik said, “This land is the land of farmers and labourers. Why are you all sitting so quietly? Like some Yamraj has come amidst you all. There is one ‘Yamraj’ who is sitting in Delhi, I know that. But he is not here right now.”
This is not the first time a Congress leader has used the term for Modi. Earlier, Congress leader Rashid Alvin a press conference in 2013 had referred to the then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as ‘Yamraj’.
Hardik Patel, who was barred from contesting the Lok Sabha elections, as the Gujarat High Court refused to stay his conviction in a case of rioting, previously too made a racist remark. In a sound byte given to the media last month, Hardik had said that if he wants to look for a ‘Chowkidaar’, he will go to Nepal and instead, he wants a Prime Minister who can strengthen the economy of the country, education and work for the youth and armed forces.
He reiterated at the end of his statement that he doesn’t want a ‘chowkidaar’ but a Prime Minister for the nation. Hardik Patel made this racist statement against Gorkhas and Nepalis after casting his vote in Viramgam in Gujarat on April 23.
A massive controversy has broken out after Prime Minister Modi raked up Rajiv Gandhi infamous holiday in Lakshwadeep, at a remote, uninhabited island called Bangaram. The charge is that Rajiv Gandhi, along with his wife Sonia Gandhi, kids and others used INS Viraat for his personal use as a ‘taxi’ for his vacation.
India Today had covered the story exclusive back in 1988, Anita Pratap writes, “The island had been chosen with care: it is the only one in the strategic archipelago on which foreigners are not banned. It is also the exception in the group of islands in that prohibition is not in force”. The story categorically states that there were foreigners and Sonia Gandhi’s Italian relatives present onboard INS Viraat.
The Gandhis were accompanied by their personal cook. The India Today story says, “A consignment of wines and liquor was also brought in from the capital. A poultry farm with 100 chickens was set up in Agatti. Apart from sugar and freshly – caught fish, island fruits like the Lakshadweep papaya, sapota, small yellow bananas, and guavas were sent. Butter and some 100 loaves of bread were despatched from Kavaratti and from Cochin came Cadbury’s chocolates, 40 crates of cold drinks, 300 bottles of mineral water, Amul Cheese, cashew-nuts, sweet lime, condiments, 20 kg of flour, 105 kg of basmati rice, and fresh vegetables. The first consignment of non – perishable items was moved to Bangaram by ship on December 23. The second arrived three days later and replenishments came on January 1”.
The story goes on to say, “Questionable actions were, however, in evidence. India’s premier warship, INS Virat, was used to transport the Gandhis and moved in the Arabian Sea for 10 days. Its daily expenditure at sea is astronomical as the Virat travels with an entire retinue of escort ships. A submarine was also reported to be in attendance and some defence experts questioned the justification of depriving the navy of its most effective fighting component merely to suit Rajiv’s holiday plans. The considerable expense was also incurred in setting up a special satellite link up at Agatti for the duration of the holiday”.
Interestingly, at that time, the story was never questioned or contradicted. Speaking to India Today, the reporter who broke the story, Anita Pratap, said that she would not have written about it had she thought there was no impropriety.
Several other testimonies have come to the fore that corroborate the story today, though, several others have also surfaced that rubbish the story and raise questions on it.
Indian Express had reported in 1988 that at least eight foreigners joined the Prime Minister and his family during their New Year holiday here. It was reported that the group consisted of 24 men, women and children. Looking after their needs were 70 persons from various departments, cooks and valets and naval personnel. Nearly 1,200 policemen drawn from Lakshadweep Police and Madhya Pradesh Armed Special Police, based at neighbouring Agatti island, were on patrol on the periphery of Bangaram.
The drain on the resources was evident from the fact that according to Indian Express, innumerable boats of the local administration, including 40 hp high-speed boats, and the Navy’s yachting boats were pressed into service. The Navy also provided a windsurfer for the holidaymakers.
After PM Modi opened Pandora’s box, several people came forward to testify that the holiday did indeed take place. Commander VK Jaitly (Retd.) who was posted on the INS Viraat and says he was witness to Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi “using INS Viraat for travel to celebrate their holidays at Bangaram island.
#LIVE on #INSViraatCharge | Commander VK Jaitly (Retd.) who was posted on the INS Viraat and says he was witness to Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi “using INS Viraat for travel to celebrate their holidays at Bangaram island” is on air on Republic TV. Watch – https://t.co/LGCyJUEBn5pic.twitter.com/D7d8Kwpwvp
Commander VK Jaitley also testified that a lot of resources were used for the holiday and routinely so and that the Navy staff were used as personal staff for the Gandhis during these vacations.
Former Naval Commander, Harinder Sikka, also made sensational claims after the controversy broke out. He said that the 1987 vacation of Rajiv Gandhi using INS Viraat was not a one off. In fact, he had been doing it consistently since 1985 every year using Naval warships. Says that ship logs will prove everything.
Former Naval Commander, Harinder Sikka, makes a sensational claim – that the 1987 vacation of Rajiv Gandhi using INS Viraat was not a one off. In fact, he had been doing it consistently since 1985 every year using Naval warships. Says that ship logs will prove everything. pic.twitter.com/RND2Prk6H7
— Chowkidar Akhilesh Mishra (@amishra77) May 9, 2019
The claim is rather sensational. Saying that the Rajiv Gandhi holiday wasn’t one off and that Sonia Gandhi used these ships since 1985 for regular holidays is an indication that India’s national security might have been severely compromised. Navy warships generally go out to sea on specific excercises, accompanied by several other ships, boats, submarine and resources. That the Gandhi family used to divert resources regularly for personal use is a concern that should not be glossed over.
INS crew member, retired Commander VK Jaitley had explain, while talking to Republic the expense to the country’s exchequer when Rajiv Gandhi or his family would have used Naval resources for personal use, especially, while travelling on INS Viraat for personal vacation.
#INSViraatcharge | INS Viraat does not sail alone, so there were 4-5 ships were in and around Bangaram. Thousands of crores Rupees must have spent for that vacation: VK Jaitley- Retd Commander, INS Viraat Crew Member pic.twitter.com/cXlXFMEi8n
There are other testimomies that contradict the story completely. Vice Admiral Vinod Pasricha said that the contents of the story are completely incorrect and that the INS Viraat was there in Lakshwadeep only for 2 and a half days and not 10 days. Former Lakshwadeep administrator said that Rajiv Gandhi was on an official visit and the INS Viraat was not used for vacationing.
However, the evidence that points towards the fact that, in fact, Rajiv Gandhi did use the INS Viraat for vacationing is true. The news reports have eminated from 1980s itself.
Veteran political cartoonist RK Laxman had also captured Rajiv Gandhi ‘Viraat’ fiasco in his cartoons at the time.
Rk Laxman’s cartoon
The tradition of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty has also been of misusing resources of the Navy. We had reported how the tradition was started by Jawaharlal Nehru who had vacationed using INS Delhi and used Countess Edwina Mountbatten died in 1960, and was buried at sea by Lord Mountbatten in accordance with her wishes, Nehru sent the Indian Navy frigate INS Trishul as an escort and had a wreath cast in her memory.
In fact, from the official Madhya Pradesh archives, we reported that once, when Nehru was visiting Bhopal, the Rajya Bhavan staff had realised that he had forgotten to carry his favourite cigarette brand ‘555’. Nehru reportedly had a habit of smoking after his meals. The Rajya Bhavan staff sent a plane to Indore to pick up the packs of smoke and transport to Bhopal. The packs of ‘555’ were kept ready for Nehru at the Indore airport.
The Supreme Court has granted an extension of time till 15th August to the mediation panel to reach an amicable solution to the Ayodhya matter. A five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi heard the Ayodhya matter today.
The three-member mediation panel sought an extension of time to reach an amicable solution. The CJI further said that the Supreme Court will not tell the progress in mediation as it is confidential.
In March, the Supreme Court sent the Ayodhya Dispute for mediation between the parties involved. The mediation panel is headed by retired Justice FM Kalifullah and comprises of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and senior advocate Sriram Panchu as its other members.
Apart from the three mediators mentioned here, the Supreme Court in its order has allowed for the induction of more members in the panel for mediation of the dispute. The proceedings will take place at Ayodhya and the Uttar Pradesh state government has been directed to extend all possible facilities for the purpose.
The media reporting on the mediation process is banned.
BJP’s East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir Friday filed a defamation suit against AAP chief and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and his contender from AAP Atishi Marlena. This development comes hours after AAP accused him of circulating an offensive pamphlet on his rival Atishi.
BJP East Delhi candidate, Gautam Gambhir on AAP candidate Atishi: I condemn what has happened. I am from a family where I have been taught to respect women. I didn’t know CM Arvind Kejriwal would stoop so low. I have filed a defamation case. pic.twitter.com/Dgrov90Pql
The cricketer turned politician hit out at AAP saying that he is from a family where he is been taught to respect women. He condemned the despicable act meted out against him for mere propaganda.
Earlier on Thursday, Gambhir claimed that these vile pamphlets were printed and distributed by Aam Aadmi Party itself. Declaring that if proven guilty he would quit polls. Gambhir had stated yesterday, that he will be filing a defamation suit against Aam Aadmi Party for maligning his image. However, Gambhir also asked if Kejriwal fails to get any proof against him, will he quit the politics.
Meanwhile, in the notice addressed to Atishi Marlena, Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, Gambhir has denied any relation to the alleged pamphlet and its deplorable contents.
“Statements made by the Noticees are baseless, without any foundation, extraneous, false and vexatious in nature as such statements have no iota of truth,” the defamation notice reads.
Asking the AAP leaders to withdraw all the statement made against him in the matter, the BJP leader demanded an unconditional apology for tarnishing his image with false and baseless allegations.
According to AAP, the letter, which is not signed by anyone, was published and circulated by BJP’s East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir. The pamphlet with the title Atishi Marlena- know your candidate, refers to Atishi as ‘mixed-breed’ and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal as ‘Kuta Kejriwal’ and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia as ‘Kanjar Sisodia’. The letter refers to Marlena as ‘Sisodia’s keep’ and a ‘prostitute’. The letter goes ahead to assassinate not only Marlena’s character but also that of Manish Sisodia.
An image of the pamphlet was circulated on social media by AAP leaders and workers, blaming Gautam Gambhir for it.
AAP’ Atishi had broken down twice at a press conference while reading the content of the pamphlet, which she attributed to her BJP opponent.
Strongly denying all the accusations, Gambhir accused Arvind Kejriwal of being involved in the act of outraging the modesty of a woman, Gautam Gambhir while addressing Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as ‘filth’ asked how low will he stoop just to win the elections.
Close on the heels of the horrific gang rape of the Dalit woman in Alwar, Rajasthan, another such incident has come to light. On May 9, the district police in Alwar received a complaint about another gang rape of a Dalit woman.
As reported by Times of India, a 40-year-old woman was allegedly gang-raped inside a community health centre by an ambulance driver and a compounder on Tuesday, May 7. The woman has registered an FIR alleging that she was staying at the community health centre with her pregnant daughter in law. However, on Tuesday when she went to the delivery ward to file some papers, the ambulance driver and the compounder allegedly locked her in a room stuffed her mouth with cloth and took turns to rape her.
After the daughter-in-law was discharged from the hospital, the woman approached the police station with the complaint. An FIR has been registered and the police is investigating the case.
The incident comes just days after a young woman was brutally gang-raped in Alwar on April 26. The family members of the brutal gang-rape victim had alleged that the police tried to suppress the case and hush up the matter due to the ongoing elections. Polling in Rajasthan took place on April 29 and May 6. The victims’ kin alleged that though they reported the crime to the Alwar police station on May 2, the cops hushed up the matter due to the polls in Rajasthan. The police cited the lack of staff due to poll duty, as the reason for delaying the investigation.
The accused robbed the couple of Rs 2000 and dumped the couple’s bike in a ditch and dragged them to the sand dunes off the road, where they were forced to strip off their clothes and videotaped. The lady resisted the five men but when they started brutally assaulting her husband with sticks, she surrendered to them. The accused took turns to rape the victim.
Later, one accused blackmailed the couple for cash, with 11 videos they recorded while carrying out the act of savagery.
Sam Pitroda, Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress, insulted the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots by casually brushing aside the topic in a bid to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is not the first time when Pitroda has shrugged off a serious topic on a casual note. Earlier, he had insulted the Pulwama martyrs by trivializing the attack and towing Pakistan line by demanding proof of the Balakot airstrikes.
Pitroda, a close confidant and political mentor of Congress President Rahul Gandhi exposed his arrogant mindset by treating the victims of the riot with zero empathy. The deadly riots had transpired as an aftermath of the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by her Sikh bodyguards. Unofficial estimates suggest that more than 8,000 Sikhs were killed in Delhi while government estimates put these figures at 2,800.
“Ab kya hai ’84 ka? Aapne kya kiya 5 saal mein, uski baat kariye. ’84 mein hua to hua. Aapne kya kiya? (now what about ’84? What did you do in 5 years, talk about that. What happened in ’84 had happened. What did you do?) You were voted to create jobs. You were voted to create 200 smart cities. Aapne wo bhi nahi kiya. Aapne kuch nahi kiya isliye aap yahan wahan gup lagate hain (you didn’t do that also. You didn’t do anything hence you are talking here and there)”, he said.
#WATCH Sam Pitroda: Ab kya hai ’84 ka? Aapne kya kiya 5 saal mein, uski baat kariye. ’84 mein hua to hua. Aapne kya kiya? You were voted to create jobs. You were voted to create 200 smart cities. Aapne wo bhi nahi kiya. Aapne kuch nahi kiya isliye aap yahan wahan gup lagate hain. pic.twitter.com/9SMMUW5Hll
During this election season, Pitroda has been repeatedly targeting PM Modi and the BJP. Recently, he had attacked the PM and said democracy was hijacked in the country.
Reacting to Sam Pitroda’s comment, BJP President Amit Shah tweeted, “Agony of the entire Sikh community, suffering of all those Sikh families killed by Congress leaders in 1984, attack on Delhi’s secular ethos, all these can be summed up in these three words by Sam Pitroda – Hua To Hua.”
Agony of the entire Sikh community.
Suffering of all those Sikh families killed by Congress leaders in 1984.
Attack on Delhi’s secular ethos.
All Summed up in these three words by Sam Pitroda – Hua To Hua.
Pitroda’s insensitive statement is not only arrogant but insulting to the victims and their families who have been struggling to bring the guilty to books. Rajiv Gandhi is accused of orchestrating these riots that broke soon after his mother was shot dead.
According to senior advocate, H S Phoolka, Rajiv not only got the Sikhs killed but even rewarded the perpetrators of violence. He is accused of sending Jagdish Tytler, Sajjan Kumar, and Kamal Nath to the parliament and rewarding them with ministerial berths.
In line with his family legacy, Rahul Gandhi too rewarded one of the accused Kamal Nath with Chief Ministership of Madhya Pradesh in the recently concluded state elections.
Phoolka reminiscents, “Even Kamal Nath came to Rakab Ganj Gurdwara. Gurdwara was burned, two Sikhs were burned alive over there. Kamal Nath told the police that he was sent by the Prime Minister. It is in the police report that Kamal Nath came there and said he had been sent by the Prime Minister to see if any Hindu has been kept as a captive there. Despite the presence of Kamal Nath, the police fired on Sikhs inside the Gurdwara.”
Earlier, we had reported despite the Congress party’s repeated denial about the involvement of their leaders in the riots, victims have written to Rahul Gandhi expressing their anger against the party leadership. They have asserted that they would never be able to forgive Rajiv Gandhi and Congress.
The Aam Aadmi party today levelled outrageous allegations against cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir, accusing him of distributing pamphlets to defame AAP candidate from East Delhi constituency Atishi Marlena. Denying the allegations, Gambhir has claimed that the vile pamphlets were printed and distributed by Aam Aadmi Party itself. Now, Gambhir has stated that he will be filing a defamation suit against Aam Aadmi Party for maligning his image.
Gautam Gambhir, BJP’s East Delhi candidate: I will definitely file a defamation case against them. You can’t tarnish someone’s image just like that, if you don’t have the proof. I have never given a negative statement against anyone so far in my election campaigning. https://t.co/nETmu7SryS
Gambhir had earlier even challenged the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that if he can furnish any evidence proving his complicity in distributing the pamphlets, he will instantly quit the politics. However, Gambhir also asked if Kejriwal fails to get any proof against him, will he quit the politics.
My Challenge no.2 @ArvindKejriwal@AtishiAAP
I declare that if its proven that I did it, I will withdraw my candidature right now. If not, will u quit politics?
— Chowkidar Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 9, 2019
According to AAP, the letter, which is not signed by anyone, was published and circulated by BJP’s East Delhi candidate Gautam Gambhir. The pamphlet with the title Atishi Marlena- know your candidate, refers to Atishi as ‘mixed-breed’ and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal as ‘Kuta Kejriwal’ and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia as ‘Kanjar Sisodia’. The letter refers to Marlena as ‘Sisodia’s keep’ and a ‘prostitute’. The letter goes ahead to assassinate not only Marlena’s character but also that of Manish Sisodia.
AAP claims the above abusive letter is distributed by BJP’s Gautam Gambhir
An image of the pamphlet was circulated on social media by AAP leaders and workers, blaming Gautam Gambhir for it.
Accusing Arvind Kejriwal of being involved in the act of outraging the modesty of a woman, Gautam Gambhir while addressing Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as ‘filth’ asked how low will he stoop just to win the elections.
I abhor your act of outraging a woman’s modesty @ArvindKejriwal and that too your own colleague. And all this for winning elections? U r filth Mr CM and someone needs ur very own झाड़ू to clean ur dirty mind.
— Chowkidar Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 9, 2019
The former Cricketer also tweeted that he feels ashamed to have a chief minister like Arvind Kejriwal.
Election Commission of India (EC) has issued a clarification about a report published by few media houses that alleged 20 lakh electronic voting machines (EVMs) had gone missing from the possession of the ECI. Sheyphali. B. Sharan, the spokesperson for ECI issued an official statement addressed to the editors of Frontline magazine and TV9 Bharatvarsh channel on behalf of the commission to refute their virulent claims.
Regarding the story https://t.co/VzxlkMebno & news reports,it is clarified that there is no truth in contention that “20 lakh EVMs are missing”. The news report is based on inaccurate & specious misinterpretation of partial facts obtained frm RTI frm multiple Public Authorities
The story titled “Missing EVMs” authored by Venkitesh Ramakrishnan was published in the print edition of Frontline magazine dated May 24, 2019. Frontline is a fortnightly English language magazine published by The Hindu Group of publications from Chennai. TV Channel TV9 Bharatvarsh had telecast a report making the same allegations.
The report had quoted sources from an RTI-based public interest petition in the Bombay High Court to justify its claim. Through this report, the author had highlighted EVMs were vulnerability and unreliable through the ongoing 2019 general election. A claim that ECI has been discrediting all along.
ECI letter to Frontline
“It is noticed that this news story has selectively quoted some information obtained by an individual through RTI application from multiple Pubic Authorities and a PIL filed in the Bombay High Court. This news story carries only partial and one-sided information, which is inaccurate and based on the specious misinterpretation of the facts in the matter, therefore creating unwarranted doubts in the minds of the general public,” the statement read.
ECI letter to TV9 Bharatvarsh
The statement by ECI rejected the speculation made in the reports presuming the absence of proper system and infrastructure could lead to misplacement of EVMs along with misappropriation of funds. Rejecting these claims, the statement pointed out that ECI follows strict protocols and compliance procedures regarding the movement of the EVMs and VVPATs and no machine can leave the designated ECI warehouse without prior approval of the commission.
The statement also highlighted the fact that State Election Commissions (SECs) are independent constitutional bodies that conduct local body elections and do not fall under the jurisdiction of the ECI. The statement called out the malicious effort of the report to spread lies about EVMs to create doubts in the minds of the voters.
The editors of Frontline and TV9 Bharatvarsh have been informed due details with respect to misleading stories carried in their magazine/Channel. Editor Frontline has acknowledged that due rejoinder shall be published. TV9channel has deleted the story from their telecast pic.twitter.com/AwzZlFeRGA
The ECI spokesperson informed that the editor of Frontline has acknowledged that their report is false and a rejoinder will be published. On the other hand, TV9 Bharatvarsh has deleted the report from their website and Youtube.
This is not the first time that a report associated with the Hindu group of publications has been caught lying and spreading fake news. We had reported earlier how N.Ram, the Chairman of Kasturi & Sons Limited and Publisher of The Hindu had lied about Rafael deal.
Although TV9 deleted their report, it has not stopped people using the false report in spreading fake propaganda. It has been seen that video recordings and images from the reports are being circulated on social media, even after they were refuted by ECI. And this is how misinformation is spread for political agenda. Even after the media houses take back their fake reports, they remain alive on social media and online forums, fulfiling the purpose of creating such fake reports.
