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Former Congress I&B minister Manish Tewari says he knows which journalist’s ‘zameer’ gets sold for how much

OpIndia Staff
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Former Congress I&B minister Manish Tewari says he knows which journalist’s ‘zameer’ gets sold for how much

A video of senior Congress leader Manish Tewari went viral recently where he was seen calling the media ‘bikau’ during a public rally. Congress leader Manish Tewari said that he has been the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister in the past and he knew for how much the conscience of journalists are sold for. Tewari is the candidate from Anandpur Sahib, Punjab and this speech was reportedly made in Banga.


In the video, Manish Tewari can be heard saying:

“Tussi enna TV waleyan nu chhadd dyo, akhbaar waleyan nu chhad dyo. Main enna da wazir reya haan. Main Information and Broadcasting minister reya haan bharat sarkar vich. Mainu pata hai enna di zameer kinne paiseyan vich vikdi hai” (Don’t go by what television and newspaper people say. I have been their minister. I was the Information and Broadcasting Minister in Government of India. I know for how much they sell their conscience)”.

After the video went viral, Manish Tewari took to Twitter to post a video message “apologising” for his comments. He said that his comments were taken out of context and he said what he did for what Arun Shourie terms as “North Korean channels” and not “other journalists”. He said he holds the media in high regard.


Arun Shourie, the erstwhile right-wing intellectual who has now made a shift to the radical left for some inexplicable reasons, had compared some of the Indian media to ‘North Korean media’ saying that these channels and journalists always want to please the ruling class.

In essence, Manish Tewari, the former Information and Broadcasting Minister, has no issues lashing out at the section of media that seems to question Congress and not toe their line.

Manish Tewari is no stranger to controversy. Earlier, he had hurled filthy abuses against PM Modi and his supporters who he calls ‘Bhakts’.

Curfew imposed in Assam’s Hailakandi after communal clashes triggered by Friday prayers on road, 1 dead, several injured

OpIndia Staff
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Curfew imposed in Assam’s Hailakandi after communal clashes triggered by Friday prayers on road, 1 dead, several injured

Police have enforced curfew after incidents of violence in Hailakandi town in southern Assam today. 15 people are said to be injured in violent clashes, including three policemen. Reports of arson also coming from media. Later, one person succumbed to injuries at the Silchar Medical College, who has been identified as Jamiruddin Tapadar.

According to several reports, people feared about communal tension for the last two days when during Tuesday namaz, some miscreants allegedly threw stones on vehicles of local Muslims who had parked it near a mosque. Muslim community complained to the local police station and threatened to pray on road on Friday if nothing was done.

On Friday, the Muslims decided to hold Friday noon prayers on a road in front of the mosque, which leads to a Kali Mandir. This was objected by local Hindus who said the road to their temple was being purposefully blocked. This resulted in stone pelting from both sides. Police resorted to firing blanks to disperse the crowd. Now, curfew has been imposed in the area on the orders of DM.


Talking about the issue, journalist Anindya Banerjee tweeted, “Communal clashes break out in Assam injuring 15. Clashes broke out after Friday prayers were allegedly held in a road that leads to a temple. Curfew imposed. Uneasy calm in the area. Holding back video deliberately.”

During the clashes, several vehicles parked in the area were torched by rioters. Police had to do lathi charge and fire in the air to disperse the mob. Curfew and prohibitory orders under section 144 have been imposed in the town, and additional security forces have been sent.

Assam CM Sarbananada Sonowal has ordered Additional Chief Secy Rajib Bora to conduct an inquiry into the violence. Parimal Suklabaidya, a minister of Sonowal cabinet and MLA from nearby Dholai, ADGP Mukesh Agarwala & Barak Valley Commissioner Anwar Hussain also rushed to the spot.

Sam Pitroda asks everyone to ‘move on’ from the ‘issue’ of 1984 Sikh Genocide

OpIndia Staff
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Sam Pitroda asks everyone to ‘move on’ from the ‘issue’ of 1984 Sikh Genocide

After the ‘hua to hua’ comment made yesterday brushing aside the Singh genocide of 1984, Congress leader Sam Pitroda has asked everyone to move on from the subject. Yesterday, The Chairman of Indian Overseas Congress and Rahul Gandhi’s mentor Sam Pitroda had said, 1984 happened, so what, while talking about the genocide done by Congress workers after the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi by Sikh bodyguards.

Sam Pitroda’s comment had raised huge outraged all over the country, and many people had condemned the same. Even the Congress party had also distanced itself from the comment, and chief minister of Punjab Amarinder Singh said that he does not agree with Pitroda. “The people who were behind the massacre should be punished”, Singh told media, clearly saying that the massacre can’t be forgotten as Sam Pitroda suggests.

Facing the heat, the Congress leader tried to cool things down by apologising, but instead, he ended up making the matter worse. He has said that his Hindi is not good, and he meant to say, what happened was bad, and now people should move on. He said that he wanted to say jo hua vo bura hua, but ended up saying hua to hua, as he could not translate the word “bad” to Hindi in his mind.

But with that, he also said that now we should move on. “What I meant was move on. We have other issues to discuss as to what the BJP government did and what it delivered. I feel sorry that my remark was misrepresented, I apologise. This has been blown out of proportion,” Sam Pitroda told news agency ANI.

Zero infiltration bids from Pakistan points to the success of Balakot airstrikes: Report suggests

OpIndia Staff
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Zero infiltration bids from Pakistan points to the success of Balakot airstrikes: Report suggests

Ever since India struck the terror camps at Balakot, infiltration bids that usually intensify during March and April have witnessed a steep fall. According to a report published by India Today, post-Balakot airstrikes, there are zero infiltration attempts from Pakistani based terror elements. The precision airstrikes have worked in favor of India as no terrorists have dared to intrude into India after Indian Air Force (IAF) obliterated JeM terror camp in Balakot.

Since Pulwama attack, a total of 31 Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) terrorists have been shot dead by security forces. Indian Air Force struck Balakot to avenge the deadly Pulwama attack, in which 40 CRPF personnel were martyred. Besides, the top leadership of JeM has been eliminated, including Mudasir Khan, the mastermind behind the Pulwama attack. He was killed by the Armed Forces in an encounter in Tral. So far in 2019, the total number of terrorists killed in Kashmir stands at 75.

Besides, India’s successful diplomatic pursue and push helped enlist the founder of JeM and most-wanted terrorist, Masood Azhar in the United Nations Sanctions List of global terrorists.

The report points out that the first time since Pulwama attack, an official request to de-escalate border tension has also come through the diplomatic channel from Pakistan. The request of military de-escalation comes in the wake of increased border skirmishes after the attack on the CRPF convoy in Pulwama this year.

However, India has sent a stern message to Pakistan saying that de-escalation is possible only if Pakistan takes concrete action to stop terror outfits from mushrooming on its soil. As per a review assessment by the Indian Army, it was speculated that Pakistan will continue to pursue de-escalation through military and diplomatic channels to help control the border skirmishes.

“Pakistan will continue with proposals of de-escalation both through military and diplomatic channels,” the assessment said.

The report also acknowledged that Pakistan has taken steps to close terror infrastructure across the LoC, but added that the real situation would be clear once the snow melts in the higher reaches. “Pakistan is forced to maintain a high level of alertness and exercise restraint on LoC,” it read.

However, there seems to be no respite from the ceasefire violations, which have steadily increased. In 2019 itself, Pakistan has resorted to 982 violations so far.

Breakdown of violations in 2019 is as follows: January- 203 violations, February-215 violations, and March-267 violations. The month of May is comparatively peaceful with only 9 ceasefire violations reported till now.

As per the report, in 2018, 209 fresh recruits had joined various terror organizations while this year, this number stands at 17.

This report points to the success of the Balakot air strikes, an issue which was raised and questioned by the opposition in a bid to pin down Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

‘Gyanvapi Mosque now stands exposed, surrounded by Temples’, Muslims concerned over Kashi Vishwanath Corridor: Report

OpIndia Staff
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‘Gyanvapi Mosque now stands exposed, surrounded by Temples’, Muslims concerned over Kashi Vishwanath Corridor: Report

The Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi has been Narendra Modi’s dream project. The corridor, spread over an area of 39,000 square metres with an investment of Rs 700 crore, will link the ancient shrine and one of the 12 Jyotirlinga Temples to the famous ghats in Varanasi.

From the very beginning, the proposed corridor has attracted much criticism from various quarters. However, the Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh has been working relentlessly to realise the Prime Minister’s vision.

As the process to build the corridor was set in motion, huge swathes of buildings flanking the narrow lanes leading to ghats and temples were demolished. The clearing process has resulted in a discovery of 40 ancient temples in the area, which were until now obscured by the buildings and structures in the region. PM Modi has said that these temples will be preserved for public darshan.

Many residents were pleasantly surprised to find the existence of 40 temples which were hitherto concealed under the sprawling resident and commercial structures in the region. Most of them now appear to approve of the corridor and feel that the construction of the corridor will enable more Tourist visits and pave the way for modernisation of the city.

Now, it appears, Muslims in the area are concerned over the construction of the corridor and appear convinced that it could pave the path towards the demolition of the adjacent Gyanvapi Mosque, Times of India reported. The TOI report narrates an incident where a chhabootra was being demolished by authorities in October last year. The demolition prompted a mob to gather in the area which ultimately had to be stopped. Later, it was reconstructed. It has raised concerns among the Muslim community over the safety of the Mosque.

S.M. Yaseen, joint secretary of Anjuman Intezamiya Masajid (AIM), Varanasi, an administrative body of the Mosque, said, “Gyanvapi Mosque could meet the same fate as Babri,” TOI reported. “I remember the chant ‘Ayodhya toh ek jhaaki hai, Kashi, Mathura abhi baaki hai (Ayodhya is merely a glimpse, Kashi, Mathura now remain)’ which became popular among kar sewaks after Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was demolished in 1992.”

Yaseen is quoted further as saying, “Until now, the shops and houses in narrow lanes shielded the mosque. Now it stands exposed, surrounded by Temples.” He adds, “Between 1991 and 1992, the area surrounding the mosque was cleared by the then BJP government led by Kalyan Singh for ‘beautification’ of Ayodhya.”

Gyanvapi Mosque was built by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb after destroying the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The remnants of the ancient Hindu temple can be seen on the walls of the Gyanvapi mosque now. The temple was an earlier restoration of the original Kashi Vishwanath temple, which was destroyed and rebuilt several times in history. The current Kashi Vishwanath was built on a site adjacent to the Mosque in 1780.

The administration, however, says the concerns are unfounded. The District Magistrate insists that the Mosque is completely secure.

NIA says murder of Ramalingam was a terrorist act, who was killed for opposing religious conversion by Muslim preachers

OpIndia Staff
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NIA says murder of Ramalingam was a terrorist act, who was killed for opposing religious conversion by Muslim preachers

A trial court has given NIA another 90 days of judicial custody of the 10 accused men in the murder case of PMK leader Ramalingam in Tamil Nadu, who was murdered after he had opposed religious conversion by Muslim preachers. The NIA has also stated that the murder of the PMK leader was an act of terrorism aimed at inciting communal tensions. The accused men are also confirmed to be a part of the Popular Front of India (PFI), a radical Islamist group.

A special NIA prosecutor, CSS Pillai, sought an extension of judicial custody of 10 out of the 16 accused men under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 for 180 days. He argued that the nature of the injury was similar to jihadi attacks that were reported in some States. He said that their association with other terror organisations must be probed further. 6 of the accused are presently absconding.

The NIA has stated the motive was not only to murder Ramalingam but also to create communal tensions. The report read, “The investigation revealed that the accused persons had hatched criminal conspiracy, recruited persons, collected weapon, collected vehicles etc, for committing the terrorist act and acted themselves as a terrorist gang. Moreover, the statements of witnesses, as well as the confession of the accused persons, reveal that they were in promotion of ‘Jihadi’ activities which has to be probed further during the course of the investigation”.

The agency has requested time to also analyse the digital data collected during searches conducted in connection to the case, CCTV footage and call data records. They have also said that the terror link must be further probed

The NIA also highlighted from a statement of the witness, “that the conspiracy was hatched between the accused and they had to do away with deceased Ramalingam as he was against the Muslim people who are indulging in forcible conversion of Hindus to Islam.”

The defence counsel of the accused says that the 10 men have been falsely implicated and also argued that the PFI wasn’t a banned organisation.

42-year-old Ramalingam was a PMK leader who had been brutally murdered for opposing religious conversion. The accused PFI members have been preaching conversion to Islam. Last week, the NIA had also raided PFI offices in Palakarai, Tiruchirappalli in connection with the murder of Ramalingam.

Cricketing greats VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh express shock at AAP allegations, extend support to Gautam Gambhir

OpIndia Staff
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Cricketing greats VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh express shock at AAP allegations, extend support to Gautam Gambhir

The Aam Aadmi party yesterday levelled outrageous allegations against cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir, accusing him of distributing pamphlets to defame AAP candidate from East Delhi constituency Atishi Marlena.

The pamphlet 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. In response, Gautam Gambhir claimed that the said derogatory letter was actually written and published by Aam Aadmi Party itself. The former cricketer has also sent a defamation notice to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Marlena and Sisodia in the matter.

Now, the cricketing fraternity has come out to defend Gautam Gambhir against the allegations. Stalwarts of Indian cricket have testified to Gambhir’s integrity and have asserted that he is not capable of saying the things mentioned in the pamphlet.

VVS Laxman, who is himself spoken very highly of in the cricketing community for his humble nature, said on Twitter, ” can vouch for his integrity, character and the respect he has for women.”


Harbhajan Singh, too, admitted that he was shocked to hear the allegations made against Gambhir. “I know him well and he can never talk ill for any woman. Whether he wins or loses is another matter but the man is above all this,” he said.


Nitish Rana, a budding cricketer who has made a name for himself after performing very well in this year’s IPL, too has tweeted in Gambhir’s support.


Gautam Gambhir has always been well respected in the cricketing fraternity. He earned a lot of goodwill last year when he wore a saree and bindi in support of the transgender community. Thus, the allegations against him have come as a deep shock to many.

BJP youth activist arrested for Met Gala-themed meme of Mamata Banerjee

OpIndia Staff
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BJP youth activist arrested for Met Gala-themed meme of Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister, and Trinamool Congress head, Mamata Banerjee expressed her intolerance and disapproval for dissenting opinions. Priyanka Sharma, BJP youth leader has been arrested for posting a meme mocking Banerjee on her Facebook Timeline on May 9, reports DNA.

A complaint was made by TMC leader Vibhas Hazra, against the convenor of BJYM, Priyanka Sharma for allegedly sharing a morphed picture of Mamata Banerjee in Howrah. The MET Gala 2019 themed meme superimposed Mamata’s face on Priyanka Chopra’s body. She was arrested and produced in Howrah Court.


The copy of the complaint read that this act broke the community guidelines and it was being viewed as an issue of violence. “She not just tries to insult our Hon’ble Chief Minister, but she trying to insult the culture of our Bengal by her post on Facebook and which is Cyber Crime”, read the complaint.

SS of the copy of the complaint against Bengal’s BJP youth leader Priyanka Sharma

Meanwhile, Bollywood actor, Priyanka Chopra’s whacky look on Met-Gala 2019, with this year’s theme – Camp: Notes on Fashion, had also become the hot topic for memesters who had a field day poking fun at the celebrity.

However, TMC leaders said that that sharing the CM’s photoshopped pictures was a grave crime and it was insulting the CM of the state.

This is not the first instance where Mamata Banerjee has been seen stifling dissenting voices and conflicting opinions. On March 27, Tina Biswas, an author of novel critical of WB CM Mamata Banerjee had alleged harassment during her book launch at Kolkata.

Recently, a Bengali movie, Bhobishyoter Bhoot (Ghost of the Future), directed by Anik Dutta, which took a dig at Mamata Banerjee’s style of functioning, was pulled off theatres. It was only after a public outcry that theatres in Kolkata have started screening the film again.

Similarly, a revising committee of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had refused to clear movie named Kangal Malsat for screening, after claiming it “insulted” Mamata Banerjee. Likewise, Teen Kanya’s screening was stopped by Mamata since it resembled the Park Street rape case of 2012.

Last year a man hailing from Tripura’s Dhalai district was arrested for allegedly making derogatory remarks against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a social media post.

As per reports, one Arunachal Dutta Choudhary, an employee of West Bengal Health Service was suspended over a Facebook post, which described the adverse condition in his hospital which has been facing a wave of dengue patients in the year 2017 as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee holds the health portfolio in the state government.

Mamata had also banned books by 1981 batch IPS officer Nazrul Islam which were critical of Mamata government not delivering what was promised.

The list of bans is long but perhaps the most absurd was the incident where Mamata’s police arrested a businessman for ranting about traffic conditions on Facebook and not apologizing about it.

Mamata Banerjee says BJP deliberately scheduled Lok Sabha polls in peak summer to provide an upper hand to PM Modi

OpIndia Staff
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Mamata Banerjee says BJP deliberately scheduled Lok Sabha polls in peak summer to provide an upper hand to PM Modi

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged that BJP has intentionally arranged the Lok Sabha elections in the Summer heat to provide an advantage to PM Modi.

In an interview to Rajdeep Sardesai in Midnapore, Mamata asserted that BJP has deliberately postponed the elections in districts of Midnapore, Bankura, Birbhum and Purulia to the subsequent phases at the time peak summer to help Prime Minister Modi.

West Bengal CM argued that in the previous Lok Sabha polls, these regions were polled in the initial stages of the elections and the seven phases of polling have been designed to benefit Modi.

Mamata Banerjee also attacked the media alleging that it has become a ‘Dalal’ of PM Modi and is working towards securing his victory. Claiming that she doesn’t associate with Jai Shri Ram slogans, Mamata Banerjee said that she will only chant Jai Hind and Vande Mataram.

Mamata also slammed PM Modi for his comments about her indifference for the victims of Cyclone Fani. TMC supremo alleged that the charges levelled against her were politically motivated. Earlier, PM Modi had asserted that Mamata Banerjee refused his call twice to assess the damages caused by Cyclone Fani in West Bengal.

She also asserted that Mahagathbandhan would be poised in a comfortable position to form a government at the centre. Dismissing the uphill task, TMC is facing from the BJP, Mamata Banerjee contended that her party has no threat from the saffron party.

BS Yeddyurappa hints ‘20 disgruntled Congress MLAs’ can change the political scene in Karnataka post Lok Sabha elections

OpIndia Staff
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BS Yeddyurappa hints ‘20 disgruntled Congress MLAs’ can change the political scene in Karnataka post Lok Sabha elections

Karnataka BJP chief B S Yeddyurappa on Friday hinted at a political change in the state once the ongoing Lok Sabha elections conclude. The former Chief Minister of the state on Friday suggested that stand taken by 20 ‘disgruntled’ Congress legislators could play a decisive role in determining the continuance of the present JD(S)-Congress alliance in the state.


According to a report, Yeddyurappa anticipates a political change in the state in favor of the BJP. He expressed his confidence while suggesting the tally of his party in the assemble would witness a rise.

He lashed out at the H D Kumaraswamy led state government for its drought management and called it “brain dead.” He blamed the “charged” atmosphere within the coalition as the reason for the Chief Minister to head to a resort.

“State government is brain dead in a way. At a time when people are suffering from drought and are migrating, when there is scarcity of drinking water, Kumaraswamy (Chief Minister) and his father (JDS patriarch H D Deve Gowda) are going to a resort. It shows about charged environment in Congress-JD(S) coalition,” he divulged.

Addressing reporters at Hubballi, the former CM pointed out that all is not well between the Congress and JD(S). He claimed that Kumaraswamy is aware that neither his party will fare well nor his father (Gowda from Tumkur) and son (Nikhil from Mandya) would win in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

He clarified that he is not against the CM visiting a resort to take rest. However, pointing out at the time of his visit, he said, reflects the CM’s displeasure over the political situation and dissidence within his alliance partner Congress.

Soon after his return from a resort in Udupi post-treatment, Kumaraswamy visited a temple and is scheduled to camp at a resort in Kodagu district until May 12.

Yeddyurappa predicted that the outcome of Lok Sabha and assembly bypoll results would make it difficult for the coalition government to continue. Confident of winning Kundgol and Chincholi assembly segments in the bypolls, he added, “Winning this election is important to us, as we currently have 104 MLAs, and win in these two seats will take our tally to 106.”

He also claimed the support of three independent and smaller party legislators, which would take their number tally to 109.

Pointing out the 20 unhappy Congress MLAs who are unwilling to accept Kumaraswamy as their Chief Minister anymore, Yeddyurappa hinted they may take a decision any time in the near future and said, “Let’s wait and see.”

The Karnataka assembly has 224 members, wherein BJP has 104 MLAs, Congress has 77, JD(S) has 37, BSP has 1, one independent (both currently supporting the ruling alliance), one KPJP, and one Speaker. Bypolls for the vacant Chincholi and Kundgol are scheduled on May 19.

Speculations are rife in the political circles about ‘all is not well’ status between the alliance partners while Kumaraswamy opting out of campaigning in Kundgol and Chincholi also raise serious doubts. It is being widely speculated that adverse Lok Sabha results will hit the final nail in the coffin of their alliance in the state. Congress and JD(S) are fighting general elections together after reaching a seat-sharing agreement.

The Chief Minister and JD(S) leaders are also reportedly upset over a few Congress legislators, including ministers, rooting for Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Siddaramaiah as the CM once again.

Both Congress and JD(S) have been trying to prove their footing in the state. We had reported earlier about how Congress is desperate to retain Karnataka to stay relevant in the national political scenario.

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