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Israel agrees for ‘humanitarian pause’, allows UN organisations to hold polio vaccination campaign for children in Gaza

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Israel agrees for ‘humanitarian pause’, allows UN organisations to hold polio vaccination campaign for children in Gaza

 The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that an agreement had been reached with Israel to allow a mass polio vaccination campaign. The initiative will be made possible through humanitarian pauses beginning on September 1.

Notably, Dr Rik Peeperkorn, head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) office for the West Bank and Gaza had announced that the polio vaccination campaign in Gaza would start on September 1.

The UN agencies UNRWA, UNICEF, and WHO plan to vaccinate more than 6,40,000 children in Gaza in two rounds.

Sharing a post on X handle, the United Nations News Service, said, “UN health agency, WHO, alongside partners to start polio vaccination campaign on September 1, says Dr Rik Peeperkorn. Campaign to be conducted in two rounds; vital that it reaches at least 90 per cent coverage in both rounds.”

In another post, the UN News Service said that discussions have been held with Israeli authorities to secure humanitarian pauses of three days’ duration. “We have had discussions with Israeli authorities and we have agreed to humanitarian pauses… for three days,” the post on X said.

The post added, “I am not going to say this is the ideal way forward. But this is a workable way forward… We have to stop [polio] transmission in Gaza and outside Gaza. Of course, all parties will have to stick to this. We have to make sure that every day, we can do this campaign in this humanitarian pause… It is an ambitious target of 90 per cent, but the teams here are ready for it, we are ready to go”

Notably, the poliovirus was detected in July 2024 in environmental samples from Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah. Worryingly, three children presenting with suspected acute flaccid paralysis (AFP), a common symptom of polio, have since been reported in the Gaza Strip.

Polio is a highly contagious virus that is usually caught by ingesting contaminated water or food. Severe cases can lead to paralysis, respiratory problems and death. Many countries have eradicated polio, but the virus festers in situations of poor sanitation and sewage control. 


(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Goa: 7-year-old boy mauled to death by pitbull dog in Anjuna

OpIndia Staff
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Goa: 7-year-old boy mauled to death by pitbull dog in Anjuna

In a tragic incident in Goa, a 7-year-old boy named Prabhas Kalangutkar was mauled to death by a pitbull dog. The incident unfolded in Anjuna on Thursday (30th August), wherein a pitbull attacked the minor boy when he accompanied his mother to the house where she worked as a housemaid.

Suraj Gawas, PI of Anjuna, stated that an offence is now being registered in the matter. The victim was taken to the GMC for treatment after the attack, however, the boy succumbed to his injuries. 

The deceased boy’s father, Premanand Kalangutkar, described the pitbull attacking his son, tearing at his face and crushing his throat. He added that the same pitbull had earlier attacked another child, who fortunately survived. 

Reports say that although the owner of the pitbull had warned the deceased boy’s mother about its aggressive nature, she left the dog free and unattended.

Speaking about the incident, animal husbandry minister Nilkant Halarnkar stated that the state government has banned some violent dog breeds. However, some people have got relief from the court. He stated that several Goa residents had sought the high court. “I will speak to the chief minister to ban certain ferocious breeds of dogs and bring some guidelines on how to manage them,” Halarnkar said.

RG Kar Hospital rape-murder case in Kolkata: North Bengal Medical College doctors protest, demand justice for victim

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RG Kar Hospital rape-murder case in Kolkata: North Bengal Medical College doctors protest, demand justice for victim

Doctors at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) in Siliguri held a protest on Thursday regarding the rape and murder of a woman doctor in Kolkata, demanding justice for the victim.

A protesting doctor said that the protest has been ongoing for 20 days, and will continue until justice is achieved.

“We are on the 20th day of our protest demonstration here. We are seeing that CBI has made no considerable progress till now… We want to make it very clear that this strike will go on till justice is achieved,” he told ANI.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday reached the Police Morgue of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata for further investigation of the woman doctor rape and murder case.

Earlier, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concluded a second round of polygraph tests on former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH) principal Sandip Ghosh as part of their investigation into the rape-murder of a woman doctor at the institution.

The test was conducted by a team from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL). CBI officials had also conducted a polygraph test on the arrested accused, Sanjay Roy, in connection with the incident.

On Wednesday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) suspended the membership of former RG Kar Medical College and Hospital principal Dr Sandip Ghosh amid a CBI probe into the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor.

On August 25, the anti-corruption branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation conducted searches at multiple locations connected to Sandip Ghosh and his relatives in West Bengal’s Kolkata.

On August 24, the CBI filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Dr Sandip Ghosh based on directives from the Calcutta High Court. The investigation was initiated after a single bench of the High Court ordered the CBI to probe the alleged corruption at the medical college.

The Calcutta High Court has granted the CBI three weeks to submit a progress report on the investigation, which is to be presented on September 17.

Earlier in the month, the Supreme Court ordered the security of Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital to be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) while hearing the suo motu case concerning the incident.

Earlier, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) formed a disciplinary committee at the headquarters that took cognisance of the grievances of the victim’s parents and different doctor’s associations which led to his suspension, said IMA President Dr RV Ashokan on Thursday.

He further noted that the Bengal branch of IMA and other associations of doctors had written that Dr Ghosh had brought disrepute to the whole profession which led to the suspension of his membership.

IMA National President Dr RV Asokan said, “Indian Medical Association (IMA) headquarters has suspended the membership of Dr Sandip Ghosh, former Principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital and the vice president of Calcutta IMA branch. A disciplinary committee was formed in the IMA Headquarters which took into cognisance the grievances as expressed by the parents of the victim where they were not able to meet the Head of the institution and were also appalled by the information given to them that their daughter had committed suicide.”

The trainee doctor was found dead in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

INS Arighaat: Second Arihant class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine commissioned into Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam

OpIndia Staff
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INS Arighaat: Second Arihant class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine commissioned into Indian Navy in Visakhapatnam

The second Arihant-Class submarine ‘INS Arighaat’ was commissioned into the Indian Navy on August 29, 2024 at Visakhapatnam. This is the country’s second nuclear-powered submarine capable of launching ballistic missiles carrying nuclear warheads.

The almost 112-metre-long submarine, armed with K-15 missiles that have a strike range of 750 km, was commissioned at a classified ship-building yard in Visakhapatnam in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and top Indian Navy officials.

INS Arighat will join its predecessor, INS Arihant, which became fully operational in 2018, to enhance the country’s ‘nuclear triad’—the capability to launch nuclear weapons from land, air, and sea. The Arihant class submarines are powered by 83 MW pressurized light-water reactors. While conventional diesel-electric submarines need to surface frequently for air and refuelling, nuclear-powered submarines can remain underwater for a long period of time.

The 6,000 tonnes INS Arighat is an upgraded version of INS Arihant, and it can travel at a maximum speed of up to 24 knots (44 km/h) when submerged and 12–15 knots (22–28 km/h) on a surface level. Even though it is of the same size as its predecessor, it can carry more weapons. It has four launch tubes and can carry twelve K-15 SLBMs with a range of about 750 kilometres, or up to four nuclear-armed K-4 SLBMs with a range of over 3,500 kilometres.

The Arihant class submarines are built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project, under which five such vessels are being planned. The third vessel, named INS Aridhaman, will be a larger 7,000-tonne vessel, capable of carrying K-4 missiles with a range of 3500 km.

The construction of INS Arighaat involved the use of advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research & development, utilisation of special materials, complex engineering and highly skilled workmanship, said a statement issued by the defence ministry. It has the distinction of having the indigenous systems and equipment which were conceptualised, designed, manufactured & integrated by the Indian scientists, industry and Naval personnel.

The technological advancements undertaken indigenously on this submarine make it significantly more advanced than its predecessor Arihant. The presence of both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat will enhance India’s capability to deter potential adversaries and safeguard its national interests.

In his address at the launch ceremony, defence minister Rajnath Singh exuded confidence that ‘Arighaat’ will further strengthen India’s nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, help in establishing strategic balance & peace in the region, and play a decisive role in the security of the country. He described it as an achievement for the nation and a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government’s unwavering resolve to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence.

Rajnath Singh commended the Indian Navy, DRDO & the Industry for their hard work and synergy in achieving this capability. He termed this self-reliance as the foundation of self-power. He appreciated the fact that the country’s industrial sector, especially MSMEs, have received a huge boost through this project, and more employment opportunities have been created.

Recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s political will which put India at par with a nuclear weapon state, the Raksha Mantri said, “Today, India is surging ahead to become a developed country. It is essential for us to develop rapidly in every field, including defence, especially in today’s geopolitical scenario. Along with economic prosperity, we need a strong military. Our government is working on mission mode to ensure that our soldiers possess top-quality weapons and platforms made on Indian soil”.

Senior politician comparing rape to riding a bicycle: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut calls out Pro-Khalistan leader Simranjit Singh Mann over his heinous comments

OpIndia Staff
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Senior politician comparing rape to riding a bicycle: BJP MP Kangana Ranaut calls out Pro-Khalistan leader Simranjit Singh Mann over his heinous comments

Pro-Khalistan politician and Shiromani Akali Dal (Amritsar) leader Simranjit Singh Mann recently instigated a major controversy after attacking actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut with a derogatory personal remark after she stated that rapes took place during farmers’ protest.

“I don’t want to say this but Kangana Ranaut has a lot of experience with rape and you can ask her how rape happens so that it can be explained to people. The same way people learn riding a bicycle, they have the experience of riding a bicycle. She has a similar experience of rape,” Simranjit Singh Mann claimed during an interview on 29th August.

Mandi Lok Sabha MP Kangana Ranaut took to social media to slam the former MP Mann for his objectionable statement and trivializing the sensitive matter of rape.

“It seems this country will never stop trivialising rape, today this senior politician compared getting raped to riding a bicycle no wonder rapes and violence against women for fun are so deeply rooted in the psyche of this patriarchal nation that it is casually used to tease or mock a woman even if she is a high profile filmmaker or politician,” Kangana Ranaut posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The Bharatiya Janata Party leader added, “I am getting rape threats also that Kangana knows how rape happens. It is like a rape threat but he cannot suppress my voice like this.”

Notably, during one of the promotion events for her upcoming movie, Emergency, Kangana Ranaut lauded the Union government for its actions during the farmer protest. “What happened in Bangladesh, it could have easily happened here too. bodies were seen hanging and rapes were taking place,” Kangana said while referring to criminal incidents that were widely reported during the first farmers’ protest.

Afterwards, Kangana Ranaut began receiving numerous threats for both her upcoming film Emergency and speaking out against the agitation. Some so-called “influencers” threatened to harm her physically or file a defamation lawsuit, while others implied she would suffer a destiny akin to that of Indira Gandhi.

Meanwhile, Simranjit Singh Mann’s remarks provoked strong outrage, and the Punjab State Women Commission took cognisance of them.

As foreign students in Canada protest against the new immigration policy, Indian students in Brampton protest against failing exams, demand grade increases saying don’t have time for re-examination

OpIndia Staff
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As foreign students in Canada protest against the new immigration policy, Indian students in Brampton protest against failing exams, demand grade increases saying don’t have time for re-examination

Less than a month after students protested and toppled the government in Bangladesh, some students launched a protest in Canada. However, the reason of the protests by the Indian origin students in Canada is completely different, they are protesting because they failed in the exam.

On 28 August, over 200 Indian students studying at St Clair College in Brampton came out to protest after they failed the exams. A group of post-secondary students demonstrated at Garden Square, Brampton, demanding grace marks to pass the exams. The students claimed that the college failed them for no reason.

The students said, “We will not tolerate this and are starting our protest.” They also sought support of the local Indian community, mostly Sikhs from Punjab. They declared that they can’t appear for the exam again as they don’t have time, and demanded that the college declared them pass by adding grace marks.

“We cannot do the subject again as we do not have time. We request you to stand by us! If you stand by us today, we will stand by you tomorrow. So please reach to St Clair College to support our protest,” one of the students can be heard saying in a video shared by a Canadian X user.

The college administration asked the students to use the grade appeal procedure, but the students reportedly insisted that they must be given 100% certainty of pass on their first appeal. They didn’t request for a review of their papers and grades, and insisted that their grades should be increased to at least pass.

Some students who joined the protests failed in multiple subjects, raising questioned on their demands to increase their grades.

The protests also made comments against a journalist who was present at the spot to cover the protest. Harrison Faulkner from True North posted videos showing a protester asking other students to ignore him, saying that he is a YouTuber and not a real journalist. The students also chanted ‘go back’ slogans against the journalist, calling him and the media house racist.

They yelled “True North Shame Shame” and “Go back, racist!” Harrison wanted to give the students a chance to speak on media, but the students chanted ‘go back’ instead.

Notably, the protests at St Clair College took place months after similar protests at Algoma University in January 2024 when over 100 students protested against the same college for failing them. The protests continued for days and in the end university changed the grading system allowing them to pass. Notably, at that time, the University offered them several options but the students did not accept claiming it would show as if the students were unable to pass the exams. The university did not provide any explanation of how grades from failed were changed to pass at that time.

At that time, some of the students claimed that their scores decreased after the final exam which, according to them was not possible. For example, according to Humber news, one student named Simarjit Singh said he earlier had 45% marks but they dropped to 44% after the final exam alleging that the university’s grading practices were arbitrary and lacked transparency. They held placards that read “Justice For Students” and “Stop Exploiting Us”.

Responding to the allegations, Algoma University conducted a reassessment of the grades and offered some students a chance to pass through a “bell-curve-up” grading system. 61 students out of 230 who initially failed were later allowed to pass.

Notably, Publica reported that some of the students faced expulsion as they were allegedly involved in academic integrity violations with accusations ranging from cheating to submitting plagiarised content.

At a time when St Clair College students were protesting against failing exams, Indian students across Canada have been protesting against the changes in immigration policies that will impact their pathway to permanent residency in the country. These protests are happening in cities like Ontario, Charlottetown and Winnipeg. The students have argued that the recent changes in the policy have made it difficult for them to obtain permanent residency even though they fulfil the previous requirements and invested a significant amount of money and time in getting an education and working in Canada.

The international students, mostly Indian students, have claimed that they are being unfairly targeted by limiting their post-study work options and tightening the eligibility criteria for permanent residency. Several groups of students have launched protests outside government offices, universities and public spaces. Reportedly, international students are becoming more anxious as time passes and they fear the chances of deportation shortly.

Reportedly, many Indian students claim that they feel betrayed by the Canadian government which they believed once was student-friendly. Several protesters pointed out that when they came to Canada, they were promised an easier route to permanent residency. It was their main motive for choosing to study in Canada that after completing their education, they would get permanent residency which would clear the path to citizenship.

Not to forget, amidst political turmoil between India and Canada, the number of Indian students opting for Canada as destination for education has already dropped.

China: Two women lock a toddler in plane toilet because she was crying, Airline says they did it with toddler’s grandmother’s permission

OpIndia Staff
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China: Two women lock a toddler in plane toilet because she was crying, Airline says they did it with toddler’s grandmother’s permission

In a shocking incident, two passengers on a Juneyao Airlines flight from Guiyang in southwestern China to Shanghai locked a crying toddler in an aeroplane bathroom on Saturday (24th August).

Notably, the incident went viral on Chinese social media after one of the two women, Gou Tingting, shared a video of herself bringing the girl inside the plane toilet. Tingting claimed that she was attempting to help others on board. However, her actions attracted severe backlash.

Later, the airline stated that the girl’s grandmother had permitted the two women to “educate her”. It added that the toddler’s grandmother was waiting at the restroom door when the incident unfolded.

Gou Tingting said in the caption for the now-deleted video, which was shared on Douyin [Chinese TikTok], that the child’s crying was so loud that passengers used tissues to block it out.

“I just wanted to calm the child down and let everyone rest,” Tingting said.

According to reports, one of the women in the video could be heard telling the screaming toddler that she will not let the child out unless she stopped crying.

‘Mamata can do anything for politics, she can block chicken’s neck area in future’: CMs and political leaders from other states lash out at Bengal CM’s threatening message

OpIndia Staff
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‘Mamata can do anything for politics, she can block chicken’s neck area in future’: CMs and political leaders from other states lash out at Bengal CM’s threatening message

The Kolkata rape case has intensified outrage in the state of West Bengal against the incumbent CM Mamata Banerjee. On the day of the ‘Bangla Bandh’ that was organised by the opposition BJP on 28th August for 12 hours, CM Mamata Banerjee made inflammatory remarks while claiming that the unrest in West Bengal could have far-reaching consequences beyond the state.

The West Bengal CM alleged that PM Narendra Modi was using his party to start a fire in West Bengal over the Kolkata woman doctor rape and murder incident. She warned that if Bengal burns, other states including Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn.

‘Bangla Bandh’ was organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party on 28th August in protest against police action against students who earlier demanded the removal of Mamata Banerjee from her position given her failure to provide justice to the 31-year-old doctor who was brutally raped and murdered on 9th August. It was reported that several BJP workers and leaders were attacked, targeted, and detained across the state during the Bandh.

On the same day, Mamata Banerjee addressed a public event that was organised to mark the foundation day of the Trinamool Congress’s student wing. During her address, CM Banerjee warned that the unrest in Bengal could have far-reaching consequences beyond the state. 

She went further to blame Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accused his party of fueling unrest in Bengal. Mamata Banerjee brazened it out saying, “Mr. Modi, you’re using your party to start a fire here. If you burn Bengal, Assam, North-East, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Delhi too shall burn! We will topple your chair.” Banerjee further stated, “Some people think this is Bangladesh. Please remember, I love Bangladesh, they speak like us, and their culture is the same as ours, but Bangladesh is a separate nation, and India is a separate nation.” 

This further provoked several BJP leaders and state CMs to counter the statement and lambast Mamata Banerjee for her incendiary comments. Reacting sharply to her controversial remarks, several BJP leaders intensified their demand for Banerjee’s resignation stating that such “anti-national comments isn’t the voice of someone holding a constitutional position”. 

What state CMs and BJP leaders said about CM Mamata Banerjee

BJP MP and West Bengal BJP Vice President Saumitra Khan condemned the remarks on 29th August and expressed fear that the West Bengal CM would separate India from North-East. He said that Banerjee could do anything for politics and even accommodate terrorists and criminals for her position.

“I live in West Bengal and I fear that Mamata Banerjee will close the path to North East India by shutting down the (Chickens’) neck of India in the Siliguri portion by 2026 if the Government of India does not pay attention to it… She can do anything for politics… She will accommodate terrorists and criminals there for her politics. The Courts and the Indian government should see to this otherwise India would be in danger,” Khan said.

Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi also condemned the threatening remarks made by CM Banerjee. “Mamata ji, who gave you the right to make objectionable statements about Odisha? Odisha is a peaceful state, and the people here are responsible and aware. The people of Odisha will never accept your hateful attitude, negative comments, and insensitive attitude towards our state. Without giving justice to the victim of a heinous crime, the vindictive comments you are making are dangerous for the country. Please stay away from such statements. Remain calm,” he said on X.

He also condemned the Bengal CM for failing to take action against the culprits in the Kolkata doctor’s rape and murder case.

Their comments came after Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma lashed out at the TMC leader for speaking in divisive language which according to him, doesn’t behoove her post. He warned the West Bengal CM not to try burning the country with her “politics of failure”. 

Sarma said, “Didi, how dare you threaten Assam? Don’t show us red eyes. Don’t even try to burn India with your politics of failure. It does not befit you to speak divisive language.”

Union Minister Giriraj Singh interacted with the media criticising CM Mamata Banerjee for her remarks. Giriraj Singh compared her to North Korea’s Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Un and said Mamata can’t tolerate her opposition just like the North Korean leader. “This can’t be the language of a democratic person, of a Chief Minister. North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un doesn’t tolerate his Opposition. Similarly, Mamata Banerjee doesn’t tolerate the words of her Opposition,” he said.

The video of his comments is making rounds over social media.

Shehzad Poonawala, BJP spokesperson, said on Thursday, 29th August, that CM Mamata Banerjee was disrespecting demonstrators and doctors by claiming that demanding justice is the same as inciting trouble. Poonawala went on to say that nobody in West Bengal is safe, except criminals. He also attacked the INDI alliance’s leaders, Rahul Gandhi and Akhilesh Yadav, for Mamata’s statement on burning Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Northeast, and Odisha, and asked whether they would challenge Mamata about it.

Telangana BJP President G Kishan Reddy posted, “INDI alliance member Mamata Banerjee’s statement is not only reckless but dangerously divisive. Such incendiary rhetoric is utterly unacceptable from an elected leader who should be working to unite and uplift her state, not sowing seeds of fear and discord. Stop this dangerous fear-mongering and instead focus on delivering good governance and addressing the real concerns of the people.”

Earlier, Union Minister and Bengal BJP President Sukanta Majumdar also wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah in which he slammed Mamata Banerjee for inciting violence in Kolkata.

The letter written by Majumdar read, “CM Mamata Banerjee, during her address to the Student Wing of TMC, today in Kolkata shamelessly incited gathering, declaring, ‘I never sought revenge, but now, do what needs to be done.’ This is nothing less than a blatant endorsement of revenge politics from the highest office in the state.”

BJP leader and party’s social media head Amit Malviya wrote, “A cornered Mamata Banerjee has declared war on the people of West Bengal, who are holding her to account in the brutal rape and murder of a young lady doctor at RG Kar Medical College & Hospital. The deceased could have been our sister or daughter but Mamata wants more blood.”

Malviya added, “Once a proponent of the ‘Bodol noy, Bodla Chai’ mantra, Mamata Banerjee now brazenly shifted her stance, openly calling for the very vengeance, she once purported to abhor.” 

It is worth noting that the West Bengal government, led by Mamata Banerjee, is under increasing pressure from civil society, doctors, students, political parties, and the general public to resign for failing to maintain law and order, particularly in the aftermath of the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case.

Fact-Check: Did Smriti Irani Praise Rahul Gandhi during podcast as claimed by media and Congress supporters? Here is what she actually said

OpIndia Staff
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Fact-Check: Did Smriti Irani Praise Rahul Gandhi during podcast as claimed by media and Congress supporters? Here is what she actually said

On 29th August, The Lallantop, OneIndia, and other news portals reported that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was being praised by former Union Minister Smriti Irani. They claimed that Irani praised Gandhi at a podcast she did with journalist Sushant Sinha. However, the fact is that she criticised the leader of the opposition in Lok Sabha, which was misinterpreted by the media houses.

Source: Lallantop, One India, Gujarat Samachar

What actually did Smriti Irani say about Rahul Gandhi?

Smriti Irani said during the conversation with Sushant Sinha, “How the political strategy of Rahul Gandhi has changed; particularly his recent emphasis on caste politics.” She clarified that she was not complimenting Rahul Gandhi but exposing his divisive politics. Furthermore, Irani criticised Gandhi’s earlier temple politics, suggesting his recent focus on caste issues is a tactical move to gain media coverage after his previous efforts failed.

During this interview, Irani discussed her defeat in Amethi in 2024, the third term of the Modi government, and other political matters. The ruling Congress and a section of the media have attempted to portray Smriti Irani as a Rahul Gandhi admirer by screening a clip of this conversation.

However, these fans completely misunderstand the point. What to them sounds like praise is actually a very sharp critique of Rahul Gandhi’s divisive politics. Smriti Irani very clearly explained why, in recent years, Rahul Gandhi’s strategy has shifted from temple visits to highlighting caste-based issues.

Smriti Irani exposes hypocrisy of caste politics

Smriti Irani said a couple of years back, Rahul Gandhi’s politics was based on visiting temples, which suffered a miserable fate and brought him into ridicule. According to Irani, these visits neither boosted his popularity nor attracted significant media attention. Following the failure of his temple strategy, his focus shifted to caste politics, a topic he frequently raises to gain headlines.

Irani further explained that for Rahul Gandhi, caste is not a historical issue but a strategic one, used solely for political gain. She noted that caste was never a central theme in his politics until recently and cited his remarks about caste in the Miss India contest, arguing that he raises Dalit or OBC issues merely to attract attention. Her comments on this can be heard between 55 and 60 minutes into the interview, available through the link provided below.

Rahul’s obsession with caste is no coincidence

Rahul Gandhi’s persistent focus on caste and his search for Dalit and OBC participants, even during events like the Finance Ministry’s ‘Halwa Ceremony’ or among Miss India winners, is no coincidence. Nor is his call for a caste census without reason. According to Irani, these are the results of his failure in his earlier strategy, termed ‘soft Hindutva’ by the media. A few years ago, Rahul Gandhi was often seen visiting temples like Somnath, with Congress spokespeople presenting him as a ‘Dattatreya Brahmin’ and displaying photos of him wearing a sacred thread.

When this approach did not yield benefits and the public rejected his supposed Hindu image, Rahul Gandhi shifted to a politics aimed at dividing the Hindu community. However, this strategy is not original; the Samajwadi Party first raised this issue during the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, but they were defeated. Rahul Gandhi seems to believe that raising this issue will help him secure more votes. His strategy is not without precedent.

Congress continues to be anti-backward classes

Rahul Gandhi’s call for a caste census and his vocal support for the rights of backward classes is ironic, considering his party’s history of sidelining these communities. Although he has been raising the issue of a caste census in recent years, he seems to forget that his father, Rajiv Gandhi, dismissed the idea of reservations for backward classes as ‘foolish’ in the 1990s. The same Congress did not touch the Mandal Commission report for over a decade.

Holding a copy of the Constitution and calling for OBC and Dalit representation in events like Miss India is starkly contrasted by the reality of his party’s history. Research shows that under Congress governments, the representation of OBC ministers has always been lower than under the BJP. While Congress allocated around 14% of ministerial positions to OBCs between 1952 and 2024, the BJP increased this figure to 25%. Moreover, if Rahul Gandhi is genuinely concerned about caste issues, why does he not push for the release of caste census data in Karnataka?

The reality of Congress’s performative politics on Dalits and OBCs is exposed by the fact that the Karnataka Congress government diverted funds from Dalit welfare programmes to fund its own guaranteed schemes. Furthermore, a scam involving millions of rupees was uncovered in a scheme aimed at tribal development in the same state, leading to a minister’s resignation.

Divisive rhetoric cannot change the reality of Congress’s track record

Rahul Gandhi’s recent rhetoric about breaking reservation limits, ensuring rights according to population, and finding caste angles in every issue does not alter his party’s inherent character. Nor can it erase the fact that Congress governments have historically reduced funds meant for Dalit welfare. While Congress gained a few more seats in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi believes that emphasising a caste narrative could further increase their numbers. However, he seems to overlook that if this narrative were truly popular among the public, how did the NDA manage to secure a clear majority?

Conclusion

The claims that Smriti Irani praised Rahul Gandhi are misleading. Her statements were not expressions of admiration but a sharp critique aimed at exposing his divisive strategies.

Whitewashing ethnic cleansing and slandering India on a govt junket? Newslaundry downplays anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh, attacks Indian media after interim govt invites select Indian media

Shraddha Pandey
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Whitewashing ethnic cleansing and slandering India on a govt junket? Newslaundry downplays anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh, attacks Indian media after interim govt invites select Indian media

Special forces have joined the Western media in whitewashing the Islamist onslaught on Hindus in Bangladesh. Yes, the Indian leftist media has reached Bangladesh to slander India and whitewash the crimes against Hindus unleashed by Islamists following the unceremonious ouster of Sheikh Hasina. On the 27th of August, leftist propaganda portal Newslaundry published a ground report from Bangladesh.

To no surprise, the propaganda report by Newslaundry journalist Smita Sharma attempted to whitewash the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh and even slander India while being on a government junket. It must be mentioned that the Bangladeshi interim government led by Muhammad Yunus had invited Indian journalists to cover from ground on minority groups saying that the reports of attacks on the minorities have been ‘exaggerated’.

In the report, a Newslaundry reporter spoke to several Bangladeshi youths who said that they wanted to reform the country. The report showed some Hindu girls visiting a temple, suggesting that Hindus and their temples are safe now, however, the iron grills placed before the idols of Hindu deities tell a lot about how safe Hindu temples are in Bangladesh, especially after 5th August, since when numerous temples have been vandalised and idols of Hindu deities smashed.

Amusingly, the Newslaundry reporter asked a Hindu girl about the reports that ‘perhaps’ Hindu temples were attacked, however, before the student could speak anything about it, the propaganda portal’s reporter moved on to the next question.

The report also featured a conversation with Nusrat Tabassum, the central coordinator of Student Against Discrimination which led the ‘student’ protests against Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government. Tabassum claimed that none of the Awami League politicians have been beaten up by mobs, however, there have been many reports of how Awami League leaders both Muslim and Hindus were attacked and mob lynched. It was seen how Shahidul Islam Hiran, the Chairman of the Porahati Union and General Secretary of the Jhenaidah Sadar Upazila Awami League, was mob lynched and his body was found hanging from a sculpture at Paira Chattar in the Jhenaidah city centre.

Unsurprisingly, the Newslaundry reporter did not bother to refute Tabassum’s claim because the aim was probably not to present factual information but to reinforce the narrative that what happened in Bangladesh was a ‘revolution’, a students’ revolution, and that people should remember this only rather than the ethnic cleansing of Hindus.

This becomes clear as the student leader dismisses anti-Hindu pogroms orchestrated by Islamists as the aftermath of a revolution and “post-revolution depression”. “There is a term called post-revolution depression, post-revolution situation…disaster. This has been happening in the world since the beginning. Post-revolution period is a testing period,” Tabassum said.

Indeed, the post-revolution period, let’s assume the mobs that looted Sheikh Hasina’s residence, flashed undergarments and urinated on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s statue, were ‘revolutionaries’, is a testing period. And, the Islamist onslaught on innocent Hindu minorities demonstrated how the so-called student revolution was never just a student revolution but was hijacked by Jihadist political outfits like BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami who singled out Hindus and attacked them merely for existing. The Newslaundry journalist Smita Sharma, behaving like a true Islamist cheerleader, chose not to confront Nusrat Tabassum for downplaying anti-Hindu violence.

Newslaundry slanders India and Indian media for their reportage on anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh

Beyond the whitewashing of Islamist crimes against Hindus and how the ‘student protests’ were hijacked by Jihadist parties like BNP and JeI, Newslaundry also attacked the Indian mainstream media for not essentially whitewashing the anti-Hindu pogroms. In conversation with a Bangladeshi girl, Newslaundry journalist Smita Sharma said that Indian television media is predominantly aligned with the government narrative and the agenda. But there are a whole bunch of critical voices [read anti-BJP voices] working ‘independently’. Ironically, the Newslaundry journalist accused the Indian TV media of setting off a narrative, while the propaganda outlet itself thrives on peddling anti-BJP/RSS and anti-Modi propaganda.

Sharma did not forget to slander North Indians saying that the Hindi-speaking people have different perspectives towards reports on the unrest in Bangladesh since they receive information via ‘WhatsApp University’ and fake news, while in South India people speak varied languages and have lesser stereotypes towards Bangladesh and other countries.

The Newslaundry journalist alleged that there was a “high degree of exaggeration” by Indian media about the anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh and the general unrest. Except for some misleading social media posts, there was no exaggeration of events, if Sharma is labelling the usual dramatic aspect of the Indian media as ‘exaggeration’, then the dishonesty of the Newslaundry reporter and her lack of empathy for Hindu victims of the Islamist violence is alarming.

OpIndia has reported how Hindus were singled out, JeI prepared lists of Hindu houses to be attacked, and how Hindus were threatened to give money and other valuables to save their lives. How Hindu temples were vandalised and idols were broken by Islamists. There have been more than 200 such anti-Hindu attacks emanating from hatred of Islamists for Hindus since 5th August while the leftist media both India and Western were busy passing it off as ‘political revenge’.

She also claimed that Indian media labelled Citizenship Amendment Act protestors as “Islamic forces” shrewdly covering up the fact that the anti-CAA protests were both politically and religiously motivated. Despite CAA causing no harm to the Indian Muslims, the anti-CAA protestors unleashed violent protests that culminated in the 2020 Anti-Hindu Delhi Riots. Sharma failed to mention how AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan instigated Muslim mobs, how the then AAP councillor Tahir Hussain’s building housed 3000 rioters, stored petrol bombs etc. She did not mention how Muslim rioters mercilessly killed IB officer Ankit Sharma, a Hindu youth Dilbar Negi and several others. It was not just Islamic forces, but also Islamist sympathising political and leftist media ‘forces’ that opposed the CAA, which simply granted citizenship to persecuted Hindus and other non-Muslim minorities who came to India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Other than this, the Newslaundry journalist also alleged that participants of the 2020-21 Farmers Protests were labelled as ‘Khalistanis’ conveniently whitewashing the attempts of Khalistani elements to hijack the farmers’ protests. OpIndia reported how the farmers’ protest resulted in business losses to the tune of Rs 60,000 crores, the insidious resurgence and manifestation of Khalistani sentiments and a host of criminal activities such as rapes, murders, riots etc.

The Newslaundry’s reportage makes one wonder if is this why Muhammad Yunus invited select Indian journalists to Bangladesh, to whitewash crimes of BNP and JeI Islamists against Hindus, to convince the world that Hindus were just collateral damage of the post-‘revolution’ period. That the ethnic cleansing of Hindus should not be discussed, reported and condemned but be forgotten as a trivial matter? Are Indian journalists on government junket supposed to slander Indian people and media on foreign soil especially when that country has been shamelessly letting the Islamic fanatics persecute Hindu and other minority groups?

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