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IT Department ups the ante to check for ‘black’ money deposited during demonetization

OpIndia Staff
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IT Department ups the ante to check for ‘black’ money deposited during demonetization

Naysayers and so-called experts have already buried the exercise of demonetization, writing it off as a failure. One of the arguments being used since most of the money came back and was deposited in banks, there was very little black money in the system, or the system was gamed. Some even claimed that since the black money was deposited in banks, it had turned white at that very instance.

However, the Income Tax Department seems to have just started their investigations. Earlier this year, the Department had launched Operation Clean Money, involving e-verification of large cash deposits made during 9th Nov to 30th Dec 2016. In only the “first batch”, about 18 lakh persons had been identified in whose case, cash transactions don’t appear to be in line with the tax payer’s profile.

Data from banks, regarding accounts of companies whose names had been struck off by the Registrar of Companies, was also obtained last month. We had covered how the data showed some shocking irregularities, and how it is expected that the Income Tax Department would further investigate this matter.

Earlier this month, the IT Department had stated via LETTER [F.NO.225/363/2017-ITA.II], DATED 15-11-2017, that a list of people was being generated, who had deposited substantial Cash in bank account(s) during the demonetisation period but had not yet filed Income-tax returns. Officers were told to issue notices to such people, in order to compute the tax payable by them.

Now, the IT Department has issued a fresh salvo against those who may have tried to cheat taxes on “black” cash deposited in banks. Technically, this cannot be called a “fresh” attack since via a press release dated 14 December 2016, the Department had warned tax payers about this.

The release had stated that some taxpayers may misuse the provision to revise old income tax returns, for manipulating the figures of income, cash-in-hand, profits etc. with an intention to show the current year’s undisclosed income (including the unaccounted income held in the form of demonetized currency in current year) in the earlier return, to avoid heavy taxes. In such cases, the department said, detailed scrutiny may be required so as to ascertain the correct income of the year and may also attract penalty/prosecution in appropriate cases as per provision of law.

Acting on the above, the IT Department now has issued detailed guidelines to tax officers, which are to be considered while ordering scrutiny assessments pertaining to filing of revised/belated returns by assessees, post-demonetisation period. Scrutiny assessments refer to the cases which are picked by the IT Department for detailed investigation, and verification with supporting documents.

The guidelines list out some of the possible methods used by tax evaders:

i. Unsubstantiated reduction in closing stock in the revised return vis-a-vis the figures in original return;

ii. Reporting of higher sales in the revised return;

iii. Cash-in-hand as on 31.03.2016 or 31.03.2015 was enhanced in the revised return;

iv. Additional cash inflow claimed to be out of earlier year savings, receipt of loans/advances /gifts/repayments/sale of capital assets;

v. In some cases, cash outflow might have been reduced by paying some of the liabilities in cash;

vi. Significantly lower closing stock as on 31.03.2015 or 31.03.2016 as compared to the earlier years in a belated return;

vii. Significantly higher cash-in-hand as on 31.03.2016 or 31.03.2015 compared to the preceding year in a belated return.

They communication further prescribes methods to investigate the above anomalies. Thus, the Income Tax Department is slowly shutting the doors for all the people who might have tried to play smart during the demonetization period. While critics of demonetization may turn a blind eye, the IT Department is not backing off.

Vir Lachit : Remembering the ‘North Eastern Shivaji’ on his birth anniversary

Guest Author
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Vir Lachit : Remembering the ‘North Eastern Shivaji’ on his birth anniversary

At a time when the entire nation is debating Rani Padmavati and the version of history that would do justice to her legacy, the state of Assam in particular and the North Eastern region in general today only remembers one of the great sons of the soil, Lachit Borphukan.

Under Aurangzeb, the Mughal Empire saw its greatest ever expansion. However apart from Deccan, the Kamrup region of India had always alluded the Mughals and it was no different during Aurangzeb’s rule. The Mughal emperor therefore decided to launch an attack in order to annex Kamrup and make it a part of the glorious Mughal Empire.

At that time, Kamrup was ruled by the Ahom king Pratap Singha. His trusted Lieutenant was Lachit Borphukan who was asked to thwart the Mughal attack.

The battle lines were drawn at Saraighat.

The Mughals were led by Ram Singh and Mir Jumla and the Ahome forces where under the command of Lachit Borphukan and his trusted Muslim friend Ismail Siddiqui popularly known as Bagh Hazarika.

Although the Ahoms were lesser in resources and strength of numbers, the inexperience of the Mughals gave the Ahoms an upper hand. Still due to superior resources and firearms the Mughals managed to come to the borders of the Ahom kingdom. Lachit Borphukan instructed his Army to build a mighty wall across the Saraighat to prevent the Mughal forces from crossing over. The responsibility was entrusted to his maternal uncle who was himself suffering from high fever during that period.

On the night before the battle, when Lachit came to inspect the progress of the work, to his utter dismay he found his uncle sleeping under the stars. Out of rage, he took out his sword and severed the head of his uncle in one stroke, exclaiming “dexh t ke mumai dangor nohoi”. It literally meant “my uncle is not greater than my motherland”.

As the Mughals inched closer to victory, Lachit Borphukan, despite his ill-health bravely led the forces and what followed was a fierce battle in which the Ahoms finally emerged victorious owing to their superior diplomacy, intelligence and a weak Mughal navy.

The North Eastern region of India owes a lot to the Ahoms and Lachit Borphukan. It was because of his valor that the North Eastern region stayed free from Mughal rule until being finally annexed by the British. It was because of the efforts of Lachit Borphukan that the holy land of Kamakhya and Pua Mecca did not fall to the brutal Mughals.

Assam will forever be indebted to her greatest son after Srimanta Sankardev.

(This article was written by @manashsarma343)

Body found hanging in Jaipur fort with message warning “Kafirs” who are protesting against Padmavati

OpIndia Staff
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Body found hanging in Jaipur fort with message warning “Kafirs” who are protesting against Padmavati

Padmavati, the upcoming Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie, has become one of the most controversial topics in the country.

On one hand radical elements are announcing bounties against Bhansali and Deepika Padukone, on the other hand publications are carrying pieces written by converted Christians expressing self-loathing about Rajput history and the entire Rajput community.

Things took another dangerous turn today after media reported that a dead body was found at the Jaipur’s Nahargarh fort, with signs which referred to “Padmavati”.

News-18 carried a headline which suggested that anti-Padmavati slogans were scribbled near the body, “Body With Anti-Padmavati Slogans Found Hanging at Rajasthan Fort. 

Times of India came up with a headline of, “Body found hanging from fort in Jaipur, note nearby implies anger over Padmavati”.

Even leftist propaganda website Scroll came up with a similar headline, “Anti-Padmavati slogans found near body of man hanging in Jaipur fort”.

The main basis for such an inference was a message scribbled on a rock near the body which stated that, “Hum sirf putlay nahin latkaate Padmavati” (We don’t only hang effigies Padmavati).

As a result of such headlines, people like actress Alia Bhatt jumped the gun, and concluded that somehow those protesting against the release of Padmavati were behind the death:


But just as outrage was building against the elements who have been protesting against the movie, India Today came up with a report which contained “shocking new details”. As per the report, the main motive of the murder (it was initially dubbed as suicide) was to create strife between Hindus and Muslims.

After mentioning that initial reports were quick to pin it on anti-Padmavati film protests, it claimed that after deeper examination, the scribbled messages suggested that they were addressed to those protesting against Padmavati.

There were more than 10 such messages:

  • Padmavati ka virodh karne walo, hum kile se sirf putlay nahin latkaate (Those opposing Padmavati, we don’t stop at hanging effigies from forts)
  • Chetan Tantrik Mara Gaya (Chetan tantrik is dead). The possible murderers calling the dead man as a tantrik
  • Har kafir ka yah haal hoga (This will be the state of every infidel)
  • Jo kaafir ko maarega, Alla ko pyaara hoga (Whoever kills an infidel will be dear to Allah)

As per the reports, there were at-least 3 messages containing the word Kafir and 2 contained the word Allah thereby raising speculation about the possible communal agenda of the murderers.

As a result of such topsy turvy, people decided to express their anger over this whole affair:


Scoopwhoop’s news editor too shed light on this new development:


All this raises the question as to why was the media so quick in giving the angle that murder was a result of anti-Padmavati protests, when clearly all the facts hadn’t come out? Also would the media houses and individuals who drew such a conclusion, now come out and apologise for jumping the gun.

‘Traitor’ Kejriwal, AAP activists put up anti-Kejriwal posters in Varanasi

OpIndia Staff
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‘Traitor’ Kejriwal, AAP activists put up anti-Kejriwal posters in Varanasi

Even as Uttar Pradesh gears up for second phase of civic polls, disgruntled Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) activists have gone all out against AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and called him a traitor in the posters and hoardings put up in Varanasi. During 2014 General Election, Arvind Kejriwal had resigned within 49 days of being elected as Delhi Chief Minister to contest against the then Prime Ministerial candidate of BJP Narendra Modi.

The posters which have come up in Varanasi now urge the voters not to vote for Arvind Kejriwal and Aam Aadmi Party. AAP rebel leader Kapil Mishra too tweeted that those who have ‘hijacked’ the movement will be taught a lesson.


According to reports, a group led by AAP activist Rakesh Pandey displayed the hoardings and posters in many areas in the city. The dissatisfied AAP activists are running a campaign against Kejriwal and other leaders of Aam Aadmi Party. They are accusing Kejriwal of not fulfilling the promises he had made while campaigning during 2014 Lok Sabha elections in Varanasi. They say that Kejriwal has not even turned back to look at them even once. They have also accused him of betraying the movement and the trust of the volunteers.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded its candidates in 37 wards for corporator polls of Varanasi Municipal Corporation and candidate for the position of Chairperson in Ramnagar Palika Parishad.

Letter from Gandhinagar Archdiocese is about a foreign power meddling in Indian elections

Abhishek Banerjee
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Letter from Gandhinagar Archdiocese is about a foreign power meddling in Indian elections

Anything to oppose Modi. That’s been the story of Gujarat elections so far. So one Hardik Patel comes in with a message of pure casteism, distributing caps with “I am Patidar” written on them. Our so-called liberals immediately make him a youth icon. Because, you know, casteism is the new liberalism.

And then these liberals wonder how ‘babajis’ like Gurmeet Ram Rahim are able to keep their gullible followers blindly committed to them. One liberal was so taken in by the persona of Hardik Patel that she boasted openly about showing Hardik’s sex CD to her minor 12-year-old daughter. A mainstream magazine like the Outlook allows her to author an article about it.

And now comes a blatantly communal letter from the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar about the Gujarat elections.

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Talking about how “nationalist forces are on the verge of taking over the country.” A letter from the Archdiocese requesting parishes and convents to organize prayers against this, telling them that governments in other countries have been tumbled by this!

Telling them that “power of prayer saved Europe from being taken over by people of another faith“.

Now we can fully expect our liberals to ignore the blatantly communal appeal in this letter. For good measure, we can also expect our liberal, humanist and feminist friends to fully ignore the Catholic Church boasting in this letter about its role in taking away a woman’s right to choose regarding her own body with respect to abortion. Liberals can only apologize to Archbishops, not stand up to them.

Fortunately, due to the recent rise of channels like Republic, we finally got to see such communal appeals by the Church discussed on primetime news. While these channels did rightly outrage about the letter, I feel that they missed the most frightening detail.

Because the  outrage surrounding this letter mostly got caught up in the debate over mixing religion with politics.

But this letter is much, much worse. This letter is not merely an appeal from a person, one Thomas MacWan who just happens to be the Archbishop of Gandhinagar. This letter is on the official letterhead of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar, signed by the Archbishop.

This is a letter written in official capacity.

This is not a letter written by a private person, Mr. Thomas MacWan, who is (presumably) a citizen of India.

Written on the official letterhead, it becomes the official view of the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar.

This is significant because the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar, or any Archdiocese for that matter, is part of the Catholic Church, administered by the Pope in the Vatican. You can see it right here on the page of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India.

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The Vatican is not just in a foreign country, it’s a sovereign state and the Pope is the monarch of the Vatican, a foreign head of government. Like any other foreign country, the Vatican maintains an Embassy in India. It is located in Chanakyapuri area of Delhi. On the Indian side, our Ambassador in Berne, in Switzerland has traditionally been tasked with maintaining diplomatic relations with the Vatican (also called the Holy See).

Like any other Archbishop, Mr. Thomas MacWan was appointed to his position by the Pope, head of a foreign government, acting through his ambassador in India.

Therefore, following the official letter from the Archdiocese of Gandhinagar, it can only be surmised that this is the official position of the Government of Vatican City regarding a domestic election in an Indian state.

The gravity of this letter is immense and goes far beyond one night of outrage on cable news or a hashtag on Twitter. This letter is no different from, say, the American or French Embassy in India blatantly picking a side in Gujarat elections. Will the Government of India and the people of India tolerate such an insult to our sovereignty?

Whether the side they take seems to be Congress or BJP or even MIM is completely irrelevant. This is interference by a foreign government in our domestic election.

It is now up to the Government of India to lodge strong diplomatic protest against this, demand an immediate apology and severe consequences for the officer of the Catholic Church who has written this letter. We cannot have foreign governments interfering in our elections. It doesn’t matter which Government it is : that of America, France, Germany or Pakistan or the Vatican. The foreign government must back off.

It is also incumbent upon all Indian citizens of all faiths, Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Muslims, Christians to stand together and demand that the Government of Vatican City be censured for this outrage.

Our sovereignty is supreme.

People react after Shekhar Gupta’s publication gets a converted christian to write about Rajput pride

OpIndia Staff
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People react after Shekhar Gupta’s publication gets a converted christian to write about Rajput pride

The Print, a publication run by journalist Shekhar Gupta who is most known for his “coup story”, might have got itself in a bit of a soup.

On Friday it published an article titled, Without our tales of bravery, we Rajputs would be just a bunch of non-intelligent losers. This opinion piece was penned by well known author and former advertisement professional, Anuja Chauhan.

In the report, Ms. Chauhan writes in first person about the special talent of Rajputs in narrating stories of valour about Prithviraj Chauhan, Panna Dai, Rani Padmini, Maharana Pratap, all of whom as per Ms. Chauhan, lost their battles.

She then narrated a few “grandma stories” which as per her described Rajput valour, which she claims is all what they have got without which, she writes:

We are pretty much a loser class, with our best days behind us, a heap of crumbling castles and some denting-painting mechanics businesses to run.

She further cast aspersions on the Rajputs by calling them as, Just a sad bunch of not-very intelligent folk, falling without style and claimed that these heroes are all that the Rajputs have got.

While writing the article she used the phrases, “us Rajputs” or “we are” which to many readers might mean that she belongs/relates to the community and was effectively acting as an unofficial voice of the community.

Soon after the article was published, various twitter users started raising objections. As pointed out by many, Anuja Chauhan had about a decade after her marriage converted to Christianity. A fact which she herself tweeted out in 2014:


People as a result objected that neither The Print nor Ms. Chauhan had carried any sort of a disclaimer/disclosure in the article, which was being interpreted as the views of “one of the Rajput community’s own”:


One was unhappy about the article’s content:


Such a stance by the people is understandable as during the midst of a controversy erupting over movie Padmavati which supposedly distorts Rajput history, the article possibly aimed to be a voice from within the Rajput community. Thus if the author’s religious identity has changed, which is her right, it should at the least be declared in the article.

This isn’t the only time The Print has managed to get in the news for the wrong reasons. We had recently carried an open letter by Anuraag Saxena whose efforts to bring back Indian artefacts were maligned by The Print, which gave it a communal colour.

Central government to give CISF security cover to Hardik Patel

Nirwa Mehta
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Central government to give CISF security cover to Hardik Patel

Hardik Patel gets Y category VIP security cover from the central government after the Intelligence Bureau assessment of threat perception. 8 CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) including one commando will protect Hardik whenever he travels within Gujarat. As many as 60 people in India are provided the VIP security cover, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat.

Recently, Hardik extended his support to Congress after they decided on a ‘reservation formula’ which may not even get through the judicial review. Meanwhile, the Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) workers allegedly pelted stones on the BJP candidate’s office in Varachha, Surat. About 25 PAAS workers were taken into custody by Surat Police last night, following which the agitated PAAS workers gheraoed the police station and security had to be beefed up.

Meanwhile, BJP Gujarat has geared up to hold public rallies covering all 89 seats, which go for polling on 9th December, from 26th November. Prime Minister Modi is also expected to hold as many as 8 public rallies on 27th and 29th November.

On the other hand, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, is on yet another Gujarat visit even as Gujarat Congress struggles to make itself relevant with the voters as a ‘fake resignation letter’ of Gujarat Congress President is allegedly making rounds on social media.


Bharatsinh Solanki has pledged his allegiance by claiming he is loyal to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.


As the politically charged year comes to an end, we hope Gujarat chooses to vote for the one who chooses to stay loyal to the nation instead.

In an open letter, Savio Rodrigues slams Archbishop who appealed to ‘save India from nationalist forces’

OpIndia Staff
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In an open letter, Savio Rodrigues slams Archbishop who appealed to ‘save India from nationalist forces’

Recently a controversy broke out when Archbishop Thomas Macwan appealed people to ‘Save India from Nationalist forces’. This came right before the crucial Gujarat Assembly Elections that has been a whirlwind so far.

Savio Rodrigues was a senior Congress leader from Goa. He resigned after the Goa election debauchery. He blamed the party of mistreatment and Digvijay Singh of dooming the party in Goa.

Savio, known to be extremely forthcoming with his views, took a strong exception to Archbishop Thomas Macwan’s appeal to ‘save India from Nationalist forces’. He first took to twitter to express his disdain.


He then took to Goa Chronicle, a publication he owns, to pen a stinging open letter addressed to the Archbishop.

His letter has been reproduced here in totality. He writes :

Let me at the onset of this letter turn to the book – The Holy Bible – that has inspired me for most of my life and has given me the Wisdom to discern the truth from the fabricated lie.

1 John 4:7 says, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God”

I was much disturbed by your letter addressed to the Eminences, Graces and Lordships on 21/11/2017. So I decided to as a fellow Christian put forth my views.

I do not belong to any political party. My views are personal and I pray you take it in the spirit of truth.

For better understanding, I am going to express my viewpoint on the statements that left me confused and disturbed.

‘The secular and democratic fabric of our country is at stake’

Democracy of any country and at any point of time is always at stake. It is not a new phenomenon to India.

I am trying to understand your idea of democracy.

In 2014, the people of India gave a thumping majority to Narendra Modi – led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) political outfit through a democratic process of elections. In the last three years the government has taken tough decisions such as demonetisation and implementation of GST. It faced considerable criticism for the decisions but if you do a thorough analysis of just these two decisions, you will see that the decisions could be debatable but the support Modi got from the people of India across states and across religious boundaries will outnumber the critics. So is that the failure of the democratic fabric of the country.

I love this word ‘Secular’ – in context of our Nation it is most misused and misunderstood word. If you ask a common man to define secular, you will get a prompt answer, ‘As a Nation we respect and accept all religions’. That however is not what the true definition of ‘secular’ but the propaganda definition. To be a secular Nation is to not accept religion in affairs of governance – it is as simple as that. Keep religion out of governance. But unfortunately before Independence and after Independence religion has been the one thorn that pierces into the very heart of our country and the resultant impact is on the people. This is the bane of politics in India and you too Archbishop Macwan is using religion to spread your views because of a certain dislike towards a political party and its leader. There is then no difference between you and those evildoers that forced people over the years to hate on the basis of religion.

‘Not a single day goes by without attack on Churches, Church personnel, faithful and institutions’

I live in Goa. The Christian population has dwindled over the years since many have decided to follow their Portuguese roots. Yet we are roughly around 27 per cent with the Hindu population being around 65 per cent. The BJP government has been here for 5yrs in the state and now three-years at the Centre.

Whenever I go to Church, I see the Churches filled with the faithful praying without fear or restriction; every village has the traditional Mother Mary novenas in different houses without fear or restrictions. Christmas and Easter are celebrated in pomp and fanfare. St Francis Xavier is revered and his feast is celebrated by Christians, Hindus and Muslims. I have not seen any Christian been attacked or stopped during his religious duties.

I am finding it hard to understand this statement of attack on the Church and Christians that you elucidated. I have travelled extensively across the country – Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, Jaipur, Raipur, Ahmedabad – I have never been attacked for being a Christian or going to Church.

I am not saying that there might not be stray incidents of over zealots and we have them across all religions but at a ground level as a common Christian citizen where am I or my family attacked.

In fact if you do comparative analysis of deaths since the BJP government at the Centre, it would be the Hindus that have been killed more and not the minorities as it is portrayed out to be. Strangely this government has done nothing to curb the killings of the Hindus in states like Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

So why then is the Church spreading this narrative of ‘nationalist forces’ out to divide and harm the minorities, OBCs etc?

Let me ask you very openly just because a few priests have been guilty of sexually abusing children, should we paint all Christian priests as pedophiles. In the same logic just because some over zealots may have attacked some Pastors on allegations of conversions, which have no relation to the government directly or indirectly, should we blame the government? If so, then by that same logic we should blame you for all the pedophile acts of priests in Gujarat or Pope Francis for the pedophile acts of priests across the world? But I am sure you will not agree to this logic and even term me as a blasphemer. But the logic is irrefutable.

‘Nationalist forces are on the verge of talking over the country’

Here Archbishop Macwan you get it completely wrong and it almost seems you are insinuating that citizens must not be nationalists.

By definition ‘A Nationalist’ is a person who wants their country to be politically independent. Is that so wrong?

Are you saying that we should continue to be slaves under the Portuguese like in Goa and British like in most parts of the country? Are you saying that the Independence we got from colonial powers was wrong and we should have continued to be slaves? Or are you (God forbid) saying that Anti-National should take over the country?

I am a Christian and a proud Nationalist. This is my Bharat Mata and I am her son. Is that something I should be ashamed off?

All the great leaders in the Church in their planned attack on the Modi government will fail. By edging people to vote on the basis of political biases which are really religious biases; you are polarizing the voters. In a polarized scenario, the majority always wins and in fact the minority will also support the majority if there is progress, peace and economic welfare. That is what Modi is doing. He is not bringing people together under a religious banner. If he did that he would fail. He is bringing people together under the banner of a New India. The people of India are starting to think as Indians and not majority and minority.

There is no denial that there is an attempt to lay emphasis in restoring some of our Hindu culture, sciences and art that have been buried under mounds of invaders own interpretation of history. There is nothing wrong in that. If we celebrate Yoga Day in India and globally, we should be proud of it. Our roots are Vedic, irrespective what our religion today might be.

Your letter reeks of a communal stink. You are sowing the seeds of doubt and hatred in the minds of gullible Christians. You will fail because this not the way of God but the way of the world you are acting on.

Luke 6:31 states “Do to others as you would have them do to you”

The beauty of the teaching of Jesus is that he urges his followers to be peacemakers. The beatitudes states, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Children of God”

All my life I have strived to be a peacemaker. Even as I write to you, I know you might not agree with me and many Christians will be upset with me. But the truth is in a world where religion has become the bane of inconceivable violence can we not grow beyond religion at least for our Nation and think as Indians and be proud of India.

If the Narendra Modi government is wrong, it will be judged by its actions of governance. If BJP walks the path of religious bigotry, people of the country will reject Modi.

This is New India. An India of hope and promise for our children built on strong nationalism and patriotism for our Motherland.

(The letter has been reproduced with due permission from Mr. Savio Rodrigues)

While the entire opposition is trying to create minority hysteria, Mr. Rodrigues’ letter shines as a beacon of all the values we hold dear as a Nation. What remains to be seen is whether Archbishop Macwan pays heed to Mr. Rodrigues’ open letter.

BJP asks Election Commission to verify identity of Burqa clad women during UP civic polls

OpIndia Staff
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BJP asks Election Commission to verify identity of Burqa clad women during UP civic polls

The ongoing civic polls in the state of Uttar Pradesh isn’t lacking for drama. The polls which are being considered as a test of popularity of Yogi Adityanath’s government, saw allegations surfacing about rigged EVMs during the first phase voting which took place on Wednesday. Voting in next two phases would be held on 26th and 29th November.

Of course, EVM rigging seems to have become a common allegation plank by the opposition which includes, AAP supremo Kejriwal spreading lies in order to desperately prove EVM tampering and low IQ journalists, vile politicians managing to generate a EVM controversy out of a simple joke.

Now another angle seems to have been added to the civic polls if certain reports [1][2] are to be believed. As per them, the BJP has asked the Election Commission to deploy women cops, in order to check the identity of Burqa clad women, in the two remaining rounds of the election.

The letter in connection with this demand has been sent to the State Election Commission in Lucknow by a BJP delegation which includes BJP state vice-president JPS Rathore and BJP’s election commission communication head Akhilesh Kumar Avasthi.

As per Rathore, such demand has been made to ensure a transparent election process and eliminate false voting. The party has also clarified that verification would only be required in those cases where the party cadre suspects foul play.

The opposition though has taken it up as an opportunity to attack the BJP. The Congress has termed the demand as a “sheer insult of women in general and minority women in particular” and the Samajwadi Party has alleged that the BJP only thinks of divisive politics and issues. 

Such an alleged demand comes after the Election Commission issued a Manual on polling stations in 2016, where it laid out the ways in which its staff can verify the identity of burqa clad women, while maintaining their privacy, dignity and decency. This manual though didn’t mention anything about the on duty cops being part of the process.

Finance Ministry denies news reports suggesting withdrawal of cheque book facility

OpIndia Staff
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Finance Ministry denies news reports suggesting withdrawal of cheque book facility

This might well be the latest case of how a story is twisted beyond recognition and then presented in the media, fueling a rumour, which could very well cause panic in the markets.

Last week we saw a flurry of media reports claiming that, in a push towards digital transactions, the Government could stop the cheque book facility. It all started with a set of news reports which were based on a PTI report, which had the following headlines:

At this stage, the reports were simple & clear: An officer bearer of a trade body claimed that cheque facility may be withdrawn. The news reports very clearly quoted him in the headline, clarifying that this was his view, and not of anyone from the Government. By 21st November, Economic Times ran a story which showed the below preview:

Although the headline suggested PM Modi may withdraw the cheque book facility, the text below clarified that it was the view of the trade body official.

By 21st November though, the headlines were devoid of any reference to the CAIT official, and the reports were titled as below:

Reference to the CAIT official was now left to some obscure paragraph in the article, and the headline strongly indicated that this was a move by the Government. We even saw some analysis of the feasibility of the move:

Now, the Finance Ministry has clarified via twitter that all such news reports were baseless and that there was no such proposal under consideration:


For the past few days, the media took the readers for a jolly good ride. A story which was basically the opinion of a non-Government person, was packaged and presented as if it was a story based on some information from some Government source or document.

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