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‘The Hindu’ must apologise for carrying an article that insults martyrs of Indo-China war

Nithesh S
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‘The Hindu’ must apologise for carrying an article that insults martyrs of Indo-China war

I have no problem with people of the secular liberal cabal defending the ideology or policies of Nehru. To be honest, I feel there is no use in invoking Nehru so often in our political discourse. We must be focusing on the future and not the past. In fact, I do feel that the first Prime Minister had some role in ensuring that we did not end up as a banana republic.

Today I came across an article published in the editorial section of ‘The Hindu’ newspaper written by a US-based academic named Mohammed Ayoob. It was titled ‘In defence of Nehru’. The article had the regular ingredients which are often used to eulogize Nehru. Industries, democracy, secularism, etc. But I found a line that infuriated me (emphasis added) :

The 1962 India-China war, forced upon Nehru by an ill-informed and jingoistic opposition and public opinion, posed a major challenge to his foreign policy. 

Let that sink in.

I never expected this cabal to twist facts so blatantly and shamelessly in order to defend their icon. The history of the Indo-China war is documented as a Chinese aggression for which India was unprepared. Forget about Nehru’s foreign policy or the politics of the past or present. Twisting this fact to make Nehru look good is an example of dynastic servility and shamelessness on part of the writer.

This article is a blatant insult to all those soldiers who laid down their lives defending India. This is an insult to many soldiers like Jaswant Singh Rawat, who laid down their lives for India. Despite orders to retreat, Rawat had stayed at his post and invested all his energies in repelling Chinese intruders single-handedly. Was Rawat a jingoistic fool doing the bidding of opposition parties? Should we reduce the supreme sacrifice of Indian soldiers to nought in the pursuit of defending a politician?  Absolutely not.

Jaswant Singh Rawat Memorial. Image credits: News360

When the torch bearers of secular liberal cabal mock nationalism and label it as jingoism, they are not joking. These are the people who are ready to sell the nation for the sake of personal gains or power. I am quite sure that the author of this asinine article belongs to the same cabal. He writes :

When asked why he was so strident in attacking Hindu communalism while he soft-peddled on Muslim communalism, he replied that it was because majority communalism was far more dangerous since it could easily pass off as Indian nationalism. A prescient comment indeed!

He not only endorses the idea of ‘majority communalism’ but also reduces the idea of nationalism to a sectarian agenda. This is nonsensical and absolutely reprehensible.

I have some questions for the newspaper which published this article. Did The Hindu editors read the article carefully before publishing? Is their policy so flimsy that it allows such blatant lies to be carried in their editorial section? This reflects very badly on a newspaper. Even if the author Mohammed Ayoob does not issue an apology for this asinine claim, the newspaper must issue an apology for insulting the martyrs of Indo-China war. They must apologise for carrying an article that calls Indo-China war as a result of ‘pressure by jingoistic opposition parties/public opinion’ and not Chinese aggression.  

Rebel Congress supporter reveals how Cambridge Analytica convinced the party to be its client

OpIndia Staff
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Rebel Congress supporter reveals how Cambridge Analytica convinced the party to be its client

Prominent Congress supporter Shehzad Poonawalla who has had a spectacular fall out with the party and its leadership, has revealed what he claims is a pitch made by Cambridge Analytica to the Congress party for bagging it as one of its clients.

As reported by India Today, Shehzad released a 49 page document titled, “Data Driven Campaign: The Path to the 2019 Lok Sabha” – which is supposed to be Cambridge Analytica’s pitch to the Congress party. This document is speculated to have been prepared in August 2017.

Under this pitch believed to be prepared by Cambridge Analytica’s CEO Alexander Nix, an election strategy for the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the assembly elections in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh was laid out. Shehzad has alleged that the pitch was made in form of a presentation to current Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

Few of the tools laid out for the strategy included data mining, national situational analysis, data driven campaign, strategic communication review, media monitoring to name a few. Under data mining, the agency proposed to source data from sources like Facebook, Twitter, party websites, mobile apps and build segments to provide insights.

The pitch also proposed the creation of a National Data Infrastructure Project containing an operation centre acting as the party’s nerve centre for campaign coordination and planning.

The pitch in question estimated cost of research to be about Rs 2.5 crore which has been termed as “undervalued” by Shehzad who claims the real deal ranges anything between Rs 200 to Rs 500 crore.

If indeed true, this revelation might put the Congress party in further soup with regards to its relationship with the controversial data analytics agency. When the “sins” of Cambridge Analytica came into prominence a month back, Congress’ social media head promptly denied any sort of links with the data agency.

This claim was punctured by Cambridge Analytica’s whistleblower who during a hearing at the British parliament named the party as one of the agency’s clients. Further evidence in this regard emerged when Congress party’s poster was seen hanging on Cambridge Analytica CEO’s office wall while he was interviewed by author and journalist Jamie Bartlett.

BJP files complaint against AAP workers accused of spreading communal tension during Ram Navami

OpIndia Staff
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BJP files complaint against AAP workers accused of spreading communal tension during Ram Navami

A complaint was filed by the BJP on Monday against AAP workers who have accused of trying to spread communal tension during Ram Navami. In a video which surfaced on social media, these supposed saffron clad AAP workers were seen waving swords and raising provocative slogans in front of a mosque while taking part in Ram Navami celebrations in Delhi.

As reported by us, it was alleged that the sloganeering AAP workers were considered close to AAP leaders like Gopal Rai, Sanjay Singh as well as Ram Nivas Goel – the Vidhan Sabha speaker. Such an instigation by the AAP was ironic considering its MLA Amanatullah Khan had earlier suggested a proposal against Ram Navami celebrations by claiming that in guise of these celebrations, there was an attempt to instigate communal violence.

Later Sanatan Hindu Yuva Vahini, the organiser of the said Ram Navami rally expelled the two AAP members namely Manish Kumar and Nand Lal Kanojia after alleging conspiracy. As per one of the members of the the Hindu group, these AAP workers instigated the mob to shout slogans.

Rebel AAP leader Kapil Mishra has alleged in this regard that AAP councillor of the Delhi area arranged for refreshments just outside the mosque so that the group stops there, giving them a chance to carry out sloganeering.

This issue was soon picked up by the BJP, which saw its Delhi unit president Manoj Tiwari alleging that AAP and Congress were trying to break the society. He also alleged that they were attempting to defame the BJP.

Following this drama, a complaint has been lodged with the New Delhi’s Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) by Delhi BJP’s good governance cell in-charge Shailender Singh. In the complaint Singh has demanded that action be taken against AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and AAP MLA Amantullah Khan.

The AAP in response has vehemently denied the allegation by claiming that it was an attempt by the BJP to divert public attention from the Unnao and Kathua rapes.

Times Now slammed for stoking a needless controversy over bureaucratic ‘behaviour’ in MP

OpIndia Staff
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Times Now slammed for stoking a needless controversy over bureaucratic ‘behaviour’ in MP

English news channel Times Now on Tuesday decided to take the case of the Women and Child Development department in Madhya Pradesh’s Devas, over some of its employees celebrating their colleagues’ birthday in the office by dancing while a song was playing in the background:


With the tagline, “Women and Child department turns party hub” flashing on the screen, the anchor was seen commenting that less work and more celebration was going on in the office. The correspondent too toed a similar line by commenting that the government officials needed to understand that it was more important to work than make merry. He also claimed that following the incident, the District Magistrate has promised a probe.

Soon questions were raised by various social media individuals over the officials being unnecessary targeted for what looked like an innocent bit of fun on a joyous occasion:


Parallels were also drawn with the private sector where some companies encourage a daily dance activity for five minutes to induce positive energy in the employees:


People also called out the “holier than thou” behaviour of the media, when it itself is known for organising various festivals or events, some of which have been marred by molestation charges:


It remains to be seen as to what are the findings of the probe by the District Magistrate and whether the administration would be forced to take some action following the unnecessary focus by the media.

BJP corners Congress over fielding Mehul Choksi’s lawyer as candidate in Karnataka

OpIndia Staff
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BJP corners Congress over fielding Mehul Choksi’s lawyer as candidate in Karnataka

The Congress party announced its first list of candidates for the Karnataka assembly elections on Sunday and controversies over it just refuse to go away. Not only the party is facing internal revolt as several party leaders are unsatisfied over being denied tickets, now a fresh issue has surfaced.

Recent reports state that Congress has fielded HS Rajamauli, the lawyer of Nirav Modi’s uncle and fraud accused Mehul Choksi as a candidate for the Madikeri assembly seat in the coming elections.


The Congress’s choice of HS Rajamauli is being questioned not only being questioned by outsiders, but several party leaders have also expressed displeasure over it. Especially because Rajamauli is a new face in the party and the party has snubbed veteran leader and loyalist Brijesh Kalappa while declaring Rajamauli as a candidate. The Madikeri seat, for last two elections, is being won by BJP’s Appachu Ranjan.

According to reports, Kalappa has expressed his disappointment over facebook and stated that there was a campaign against him within the party. Kalappa is also Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s legal advisor and a party spokesperson.

The BJP has attacked Congress over the choice of Rajamauli as a candidate.


However, according to reports, Rajamauli has stated that the party has winnability factor as a priority while selecting candidates and his performance has been good on the local body elections. He also added that his association with Mehul Choksi was through a legal firm and he has never met him personally.

But defending Rajamauli may not work well for Congress well because Rahul Gandhi, during his Shivmoga rally had alleged that Arun Jaitley’s daughter was a lawyer for Nirav Modi and had criticised BJP over it. The allegations of Jaitley’s daughter being hired by Nirav Modi’s firm were busted earlier. The Mehul Choksi – Nirav Modi scam had also landed squarely at the Congress’ doorstep and especially, on P Chidambaram.

Congress’s candidate list has incited severe criticism from several partymen as the party has not followed the ‘One family one ticket’ policy that it followed in Punjab. The CM and his son, the Home Minister and his daughter and the Law Minister and his son have all been given tickets.

High Court nails lies of hate peddlers, finds no communal motive in Junaid lynching case

OpIndia Staff
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High Court nails lies of hate peddlers, finds no communal motive in Junaid lynching case

In 2017, an unfortunate crime took place. A young man called Junaid was murdered in a moving train. The unfortunate murder was given an interesting turn by the usual suspects. Many media houses reported how Junaid was killed because of the suspicion that he was ‘carrying beef’. The country’s “liberal” elite had taken to social media and the streets to claim “not in my name” when the beef theory peaked.

The High Court in its order dated 28th March has confirmed that the fight started over seat dispute and there was no communal intention to the crime.

The following observation was made by the Punjab and Haryana High Court during a hearing granting bail to one of the accused, Rameshwar Dass.

The judgement makes it amply clear that the fight started over seats and “caste” slurs. The High Court observation too doesn’t mention beef or religious slurs to be a part of the reason for violence.

The trial court had last year dismissed Dass’s bail plea saying that he boarded the train and “was involved in the quarrel with the victims from the very beginning”. The High Court observed :

“I do not think, the distinction drawn by the trial court is apt. On the contrary, it is seen that the assault was never made in the beginning, but the same was made when the other boys entered the train.”

Justice Chaudhari observed :

“Except attributing him the abuses in the name of castes or giving slaps in the first round, it cannot be said that there was any allegation about the petitioner asking Naresh or any other boy to assault the other group, including the deceased. There is not even remote whisper that the petitioner had instigated or asked anybody to make assault.”

The High Court reiterates their observation in a later part.

The High Court makes 3 interesting observations in the portion attached above :

  1. The incident seems to have taken place over the issue of seat sharing
  2. There is no evidence of preplanning
  3. There was no intention to create disharmony

Nowhere in the order (or the FIR) is the word “Beef” mentioned. In the light of this order, it is essential to note how the mainstream media had spun this entire incident in a probable bid to paint India as “lynchistan”.

FirstPost claimed Junaid was killed because of accusations of him carrying beef.

Times of India too had made the same assertion.

Even BBC had jumped on the bandwagon painting India as an intolerant nation.

This comes as no surprise as back in July 2017, OpIndia had received an email from a “whistleblower” who allegedly had access to the work desks at a news channel. This “whistleblower” claimed that the beef part in Junaid’s case was added by a journalist sitting in Delhi, even though the local reporter had not mentioned it in his original draft:

With the whistleblower’s stand being vindicated by the High Court observations, one wonders if all those “journalists” and the “not in my name” propagandists who concocted the beef story just to paint India and its Hindu majority as intolerant and violent louts will now apologise or retract. Though, we are not holding our breath.

SC sets aside NGT order that put restrictions on chanting Mantras in Amarnath temple

OpIndia Staff
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SC sets aside NGT order that put restrictions on chanting Mantras in Amarnath temple

The Supreme Court has set aside an order by the National Green Tribunal that had imposed several restrictions on pilgrims visiting the Maha Shivlinga at Amarnath Dham. The NGT order that was passed last year stated that devotees cannot chant mantras and hymns inside the cave shrine.

The Amarnath cave is a major religious shrine for Hindus inside which a natural Shivlinga is formed every year. Thousands of devotees make the arduous journey every year to the cave shrine located in south Kashmir for a glimpse of the Shivlinga. The NGT order had sparked quite a controversy last year and people have criticised it as restrictions on Hindus and their faith.

According to Reports, the Supreme Court, while quashing the order has stated that the December order should not have been passed by the NGT on a petition that does not concern the Amarnath cave shrine. A bench of Justices MB Lokur and Deepak Gupta stated that due procedure needed to be followed and asked petitioner Gauri Mulekhi to file an appropriate petition with regard to pollution at the cave.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appeared for the Amarnath Shrine Board and stated that the NGThas ‘jumped the gun’ and had imposed restrictions on the chanting of Mantras, carrying of Prasad and usage of mules to reach the shrine.

The bench also asked advocate Krishna Venugopal, who represented petitioner Gauri Mulekhi, on why a proper application cannot be moved on the issue. The bench also observed that the devotees can get Prasad at the cave instead of carrying it all the way. Advocate Venugopal reportedly stated that the NGT had not declared the entire area a silence zone and its only concern was the use of mules, due to which pollution was being caused in the area.

Advocate Rohatgi further argued that the petition did not specifically talk about the pollution at the Amarnath cave but also about the Vaishno Devi temple near Jammu.

The Supreme Court bench reportedly remarked that there is a procedure that needs to be followed and asked the petitioners to file a fresh petition specific to the Amarnath shrine while setting aside its December order.

The NGT had clarified earlier that it had neither intended nor declared the entire area a ‘silence zone’ and had only imposed restrictions on chanting Mantras while standing before the Shivlinga. It added that the direction was required to maintain the ‘sanctity and pristine conditions’ and ensure that there is no adverse effect on the Shivalinga due to  ‘heat, noise and vibrations.’

About 15,000 devotees visit the cave shrine every day in the summer months when the Dripping water from the cave roof forms a giant Shivlinga in the high altitude cave every year.

Delhi HC asks Arvind Kejriwal whether he will apologise to Delhi Police for his ‘thulla’ remark

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi HC asks Arvind Kejriwal whether he will apologise to Delhi Police for his ‘thulla’ remark

Ever since he has started apologising for the defamatory statements he has made, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has become a butt of all jokes. In a criminal defamation case filed by a Delhi Police constable for Kejriwal’s remark where he described Delhi Police as ‘thulla’, the Delhi High Court posed a question to Kejriwal whether he will apologise for the same.

Justice Anu Malhotra said that when Kejriwal has been apologising and seeking pardon from others, like Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, why can’t he do the same to police officials and settle the matter? His counsel said he would seek instructions from AAP supremo for this.

The court had earlier stayed the trial court order summoning Kejriwal in the defamation complaint filed by Delhi Police constable, who had sought dismissal of his petition seeking stay and quashing of the trial court order summoning him. In July 2016, Delhi High Court had asked Arvind Kejriwal to explain the meaning of the word ‘thulla’ as it does not appear in the dictionary. Arvind Kejriwal, in an interview with Rajdeep Sardesai, had described Delhi Police personnel as ‘thulla’.

Opposing the Chief Minister’s plea, the constable in his reply, filed through advocate L N Rao, had alleged that Kejriwal had “crossed all limits of decency” by using the insulting word ‘thulla’ for policemen in an interview to a news channel.

Prashant Bhushan files criminal complaint against Madhu Kishwar

OpIndia Staff
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Prashant Bhushan files criminal complaint against Madhu Kishwar

Politician and lawyer-activist Prashant Bhushan, who has previously shared an unverified image with wrong information to score a political point, has now filed a criminal complaint against social activist and professor Madhu Kishwar, who is known for speaking her mind, for giving benefit of doubt to those who are accused in the rape and murder of the year old girl in Kathua.

On 14th April, Madhu Kishwar tweeted that she suspected the girl was killed by the Rohingyas, who have a history of terrorist activity and being settled in Jammu.


On this, Bhushan filed an FIR against Kishwar claiming the above statement amounts to ‘hate speech’, punishable under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.


Interestingly, Bhushan, who is taking the high moral ground here, himself has dragged religion and politics in the shocking molestation video which had emerged on social media in June last year.


Shocking how the rules which apply on Kishwar aren’t quite applicable on Bhushan himself.

Watch: Congress President Rahul Gandhi washes hands off as Amethi MP

OpIndia Staff
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Watch: Congress President Rahul Gandhi washes hands off as Amethi MP

Congress President Rahul Gandhi, who is on a three day visit to his and his mother’s constituencies, Amethi and Rae Bareli, today washed his hands off from the responsibilities he has as a Member of Parliament (MP) from Amethi.

During his interaction with school children in Amethi, some kids asked him about implementation of law. To which, Congress President and MP from the region shrugged off his responsibilities as an MP and asked them to question Prime Minister Modi instead.


He further said, ‘Is it my government? Ask me questions when we form the government.’ The school children then asked about Amethi, Rahul Gandhi again smirked and said, ‘Yogiji (Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath) runs Amethi. I am an MP here. My work is to bring law in the Lok Sabha, but it is Yogiji’s work to run UP. But Yogiji is busy doing other work.’

This is not the first time he has shirked away from his responsibilities. Back in 2014, during the run up to the 2014 elections, when an Amethi resident asked Rahul Gandhi about the pathetic conditions of the roads there, Rahul Gandhi got angry and asked him to ‘join BJP’.

 

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