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Big moment for Atmanirbhar Bharat, 118 tanks developed by DRDO received orders

By
The Commune
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An order for two regiments of the new indigenous Arjun 1A tank for the Indian Army is on the anvil. The two regiments, comprising 118 tanks, have been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and incorporates 71 improvements from the original version.

They are expected to go through the usual route for clearance: The Defence Acquisition Council and the Cabinet Committee on Security. This deal is worth ₹8,956 crore, not just for the tanks but also, spares and servicing.

The Army already has two regiments of the earlier version of the Arjun. While the T-90, a Russian designed armoured vehicle, is the Army’s MBT or main battle tank, the Arjun is being considered suitable for use, particularly in the southern Rajasthan area, in the Thar Desert. Tank movement in the Punjab and northern Rajasthan is now more difficult because of urban settlements, canals and the increase in vegetation.

Anti-tank weapons

Five indigenous anti-tank weapons are in the final stages of development, top government sources said. They include the Nag anti-tank guided missile, its standalone version called SANT, the HELINA or the one delivered from helicopters. There will also be an MPATGM or the man-portable version as well as using the Arjun gun barrel.

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Hip hop artist Unkonfined deletes tweet supporting farmers protest, clarifies that he “fell victim to good intentions”

By
The Commune
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Unkonfined

American Hip-Hop Artist Unkonfined (stylized as ʋиκσиғιиɛ∂) on Wednesday tweeted in support of the farmers’ protests going on in India. However, he soon deleted his tweet, and clarified in a video that he deleted the tweet as he does not know much about the issue.

Unkonfined, who currently has more than 3,86,000 followers on social media platform Twitter, had simply tweeted “Support the farmers. #FarmersProtest”

This then led to a huge backlash from his Indian fanbase who soon unfollowed him. Here is a screenshot of the now-deleted tweet:

In his video explaining why he sent the tweet and then later deleted it, Unkonfined said that several people had been messaging him and had asked him to tweet with the hashtag ‘#FarmersProtest’. He decided to do it as he has a lot of followers in India. He further said that the deletion has nothing to do with supporting or not supporting the farmer protests. He said that he deleted the tweet because he does not know enough about the matter. “I deleted it because I don’t know enough about it to talk about,” Unkonfined said in his video. He further went on to say, “It’s important to educate yourself before you say anything and I should not have put a tweet out there that I don’t know anything about.”

As reported earlier, some international celebrities like pop-star Rihanna, porn-star Mia Khalifa and radical climate activist Greta Thunberg have tweeted in support of the farmers’ protests against the Centre’s farm laws to build international pressure on India. Greta Thunberg had even posted a ‘toolkit’ allegedly prepared by the Poetic Justice Foundation to be used for this campaign, containing messages to be posted on social media, accounts of media houses, journalists and politicians to be followed etc. The celebrities had even tweeted the same messages contained in the toolkit from their Twitter handles.

Unkonfined further clarified on Twitter that he was not paid to tweet in support of the protests and nor was he part of a coordinated campaign. He admitted that he “simply fell victim to having good intentions”.

“I wanna be very clear here that I was in no way a part of a coordinated effort, was not presented a toolkit, and do not ever get paid to tweet. I simply fell victim to having good intentions but not knowing anything about the topic. It was wrong and I deleted it within minutes”, he tweeted.

https://twitter.com/unkonfined/status/1357546787687395330

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Church election atrocities: Each household to get mutton biryani once a month, two wheeler, silk sarees, and many other goodies

By
The Commune
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A never-seen-before election campaign is going on in Tirunelveli district for the Diocesan Elections. The voters there are being lured with lucrative promises that each household would be given a two-wheeler, silk sarees and dhotis and sewing machines. There have also been announcements including the offering of mutton biryani once a month.

The election to elect members to the General Assembly from the towns under the Tirunelveli Diocese of the South Indian Church is to be held on the 7th February. Out of the 115 towns in the Tirunelveli constituency, 140 members are to be elected for the diocese. The winning members in the Tirunelveli Diocese are usually elected as the Secretary, Secretary of the Education Status Committee, Treasurer amongst others. The council controls 500 churches, 120 DDTA schools, 10 colleges, an engineering college and a teacher training school.

The two parties that are contesting in this election are Vedanayagam’s party and DS Jayasingh’s party. Apart from them, two independent candidates for the Sivanthipatti assembly constituency in Konkanthanpaarai have made promises to impress voters in a way that will win them the diocese elections.

They have announced that they will provide a free Honda Activa vehicle to all the families in the Konkanthanpaarai if they win. It has also been announced that mutton biryani will be provided on the first Sunday of every month and all voters between the ages of 18 and 120 will be given two silk sarees free of cost for the festive days of Christmas and New Year. They had also promised to provide two silk dhotis and shirts to men and a free sewing machine for women to start self-employment.

This brings into question their source of income for granting the freebies, as well as the means of funding that they will be receiving in order to do so.

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Love Jihad: Muslim tutor threatens to murder girl’s brother if she doesn’t get converted to Islam and marry him

By
The Commune
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Love Jihad Bihar

In the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, a 25-year-old tutor named Amaan has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and trying to force his 18-year-old student to convert and marry him, reports The Indian Express.

Members from the Hindu Jagran Manch and Bajrang Dal demanded the police to rescue the kidnapped girl.

The incident occurred on Tuesday (02 February) in Meerut and after the tutor was arrested on Wednesday (03 February) night, the girl was sent to her family after the police had recorded her statement before a magistrate at a court in Meerut.

“Amaan was the woman’s tutor and they had developed a friendship. He had asked the woman to elope with him and marry him after converting to Islam,” police said.

“When she refused, Amaan threatened to kill her younger brother and under pressure, she left her parents’ place in Meerut on Tuesday (02 February) morning and went to Delhi with him,” said in-charge of the police station where the FIR was lodged.

When the daughter went missing the parents lodged a complaint identifying Amaan as the prime suspect and the police lodged the FIR under IPC Section 362 (kidnapping) and traced the victim to a place in the national capital.

“We brought her to Meerut and then arrested Amaan. We have also added the relevant section of the UP anti-conversion ordinance to the FIR after she recorded her statement before the magistrate and alleged that Amaan forced her to convert at a mosque in Delhi,” said the in-charge of the police station.

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KS Bhagawan, known for abusing Hindu Gods, gets smeared with black paint

By
The Commune
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Bengaluru-based woman advocate, Meera Raghavendra smeared black paint on the face of a Kannada writer and ‘rationalist’, KS Bhagawan who is known for abusing Hindu Gods.

Two months ago, Meera Raghavendra had filed a petition against KS Bhagawan for hurting religious sentiments. Allegedly, he made a statement against the Hindu religion at a press conference in Mysuru. As the hearing happened at the Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court, he had come to the court for the hearing. Reportedly, KS Bhagawan was granted bail.

When he walked out of the court, Meera smeared his face with ink and was heard telling Bhagawan, “Are you not ashamed to talk about God at this age (in this manner).” She went on to say, “I am ready for everything, even ready to get arrested.”  Following the incident, KS Bhagawan along with his advocate has filed a  complaint at the Halasuru gate police station. Meera also uploaded the video on Twitter which went viral.

https://twitter.com/MeeraRaghavendr/status/1357233534646112259

This is not the first time KS Bhagawan is accused of hurting Hindu religious sentiments. In 2018, KS Bhagawan wrote a book, “Rama Mandira Eke Beda?” (Why there should be no Rama Mandira). This invited criticisms from various sects of people on social media. Recently, the Public Library Book Selection Committee withdrew its recommendation to purchase this book.

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Madurai bench of Madras HC asks Centre to consider printing Netaji image on Indian currency

By
The Commune
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On Thursday (February 4), the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court (MHC) asked the Central government to consider printing the image of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose on Indian currency. Reportedly, the petition was filed by K.K Ramesh.

The Madurai bench of the MHC saw some unusual public interest litigation petitions such as, to change the name of Tamil Nadu, to announce Lord Murugan as Tamil God, etc. One among them is to print the image of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose on the Indian currency. A Division Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and S. Ananthi heard these petitions.

While hearing the petition about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Judges said, “The contribution made by Netaji to the nation was unparalleled and one could not ignore his sacrifice.” The judges disposed of the petition filed by K.K. Ramesh of Madurai and they asked the Central government to consider the representation.

Seven years back, the then President of India Pranab Mukherjee had accepted a proposal for imprinting the image of Bose on Indian currency notes. Though the proposal was forwarded to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), it is yet to be carried out. With the year-long 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose commencing from January 23, residents of Cuttack city have also raised the demand for currency notes featuring Netaji.

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Pastor involved in abduction gets arrested, mob of Christians block road and create ruckus

By
The Commune
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A Christian pastor who was held for abducting a lorry driver and extorting money was arrested and was being taken to the magistrate court when about a mob of about 50 Christians blocked the road and created ruckus.

Mohandas, who runs a church in Vyasarpadi was driving his car, when a lorry travelling on the Poonamallee National Highway collided with this car, causing minor damage. Enraged, the pastor had demanded compensation from the lorry driver.

The lorry driver had then spoken to the lorry owner who had offered to pay a compensation of ₹ 30,000 for the damage to the car. But the pastor who refused to accept it took the lorry driver to a car repair shop in Madhavaram, along with a few accomplices. They had then asked for an additional ₹ 30,000 in order for them to release the lorry driver.

The owner of the lorry then registered a complaint with the police about his lorry driver being abducted. Police then rescued the lorry driver Manikandan and arrested pastor Mohandas, his driver and four accomplices, Isaac, Jeeva and Anbu. The four were charged with kidnapping and were being taken to the Poonamallee court, when a mob comprising of more than 50 Christians gathered on the road causing public nuisance. Police force were then brought in to clear them.

(With inputs from Kathir News and Puthiyathalaimurai)

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Pfizer withdraws its application to supply Covid-19 vaccine in India due to competition

By
The Commune
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Pfizer, one of the worlds largest Pharma company on Friday (5 February) said it has decided to withdraw its application for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) of its COVID-19 vaccine in India.

It must be noted that Pfizer was the first pharmaceutical company to seek clearance for emergency use authorisation from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for its COVID-19 vaccine as it secured such clearance in the UK and Bahrain.

“In pursuance of the Emergency Use Authorisation of its COVID-19 vaccine, Pfizer participated in the Subject Expert Committee meeting of the Drug Regulatory Authority of India on February 3. Based on the deliberations at the meeting and our understanding of additional information that the regulator may need, the company has decided to withdraw its application at this time,” a company spokesperson said in a statement.

Pfizer also stated that it will continue to engage with the Indian authority and resubmit its approval request. In its next attempt, Pfizer will provide additional information said the statement said.

“Pfizer remains committed to making its vaccine available for use by the Government in India and to pursuing the requisite pathway for emergency use authorisation that enables the availability of this vaccine for any future deployment,” the spokesperson said.

Pfizer is one of the most influential pharmaceutical company tried it very bet in its application to the drug regulator in December 2020, and sought permission to import the vaccine in India and at the same time asked for a waiver of clinical trials on Indian population in accordance with the special provisions under the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019.

The other reason for Pfizer to withdraw its application to supply Covid-19 vaccine was the introduction of the indigenous covax vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech which is cheaper with a high efficacy rate. 

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Madras HC quashes Goondas Act slapped against Karuppar Kootam

By
The Commune
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The Madras High Court on Friday (February 6) quashed the Goondas Act slapped against arrested members of the Karuppar Koottam – Surendran and Senthilvasan.

Karuppar Koottam was a YouTube channel run by a group of ‘Periyarists’, Communist ideologues and DMK sympathizers. They had indulged in targeted attacks against Hindus posting videos abusing Hindu Gods, Hindus and Brahmins for a long time under the garb of ‘rationalism’.

On July 15, 2020  one Senthilvasan Muthusamy was arrested by the Central Crime Branch after cases were registered from different quarters for their vile and abusive video on Hindu God Murugan.

Nathikan alias Surendar Natarajan of Karuppar Koottam had surrendered at the Ariyankuppam police station in Puducherry on July 16 and was charged under the Goondas Act.

Krithika, the wife of Nathikan, and Senthilvasan had filed a petition seeking that the Goondas Act be repealed. In her petition, Kritika stated that her husband’s arrest amounted to violation of his freedom of expression and ‘against the principles of natural justice’. She had also stated that slapping Goondas Act against her husband was politically motivated. She also argued that the both her husband and Senthil were ‘fighting superstition’ and spreading ‘education’ and ‘awareness’

The Crime Branch which had argued that there are no provisions in the Goondas Act that states that it can be slapped only where the accused is booked under more than one case, the court rejected this argument. The bench comprising Justices BN Prakash and V Sivagnanam, which ruled in the case on Friday, dismissed the petition on the ground that there was a delay in issuing the arrest warrant.

It is alleged that Karuppar Koottam enjoyed the patronage of DMK. Evidences which emerged during the controversy clearly establishes the close relationship shared by Karuppar Koottam and the DMK. Surendar Natarajan, the host of the show ‘Aabasa Puranam’ had campaigned for the DMK in the last General Elections in 2019. Senthilvasan had gone on a luncheon with DMK IT wing head and Madurai Central MLA Palanivel Thiagarajan.

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MPs must be role models for other public representatives: Vice President

By
The Commune
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Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Friday (February 5) called upon the people’s representatives and governments to ensure that the development reaches the people without any delay, dilution or diversion. He also wanted the MPs to shun populism and guide the people on their developmental needs.

Speaking at a virtual event after releasing the book titled “Parliamentary Messenger in Rajasthan”, the Vice President also urged parliamentarians to use MPLADS funds for Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojna to develop villages as model villages. The book is written by Dr K.N. Bhandari and focuses on the health and education initiatives undertaken through the MPLAD Scheme on the recommendation of Dr Abhishek Singhvi in Rajasthan over 12 years from 2006 to 2018.

Noting that MPLAD Scheme aims at empowering people’s representatives by enabling them to serve their constituents, Shri Naidu said that since its inception in 1993, over 19 crore and 47 thousand works have been completed and the scheme has helped in creating assets across the country.

Referring to some shortcomings mentioned in monitoring reports on the implementation of the scheme, the Vice President also drew attention to several positives of the scheme such as high degree of involvement of local communities in the identification of works.

He expressed his happiness over the Government’s decision to put in place third party monitoring of MPLADS works for their execution in a transparent manner. “I am sure that third party monitoring mechanism coupled with the wisdom and experience of MPs would help streamline the processes for creation of assets through the scheme”, he added.

The Vice President also mentioned several suggestions made by the parliamentary committees to further improve the scheme such as the timely release and proper utilization of funds, a mechanism to monitor the quality of works/projects and their timely completion and the need for effective coordination between MPs and administrative authorities.

The Vice President also called upon the state governments and local administration to ensure timely execution of MPLADS projects by following the recommendations of the MPs in letter and spirit.

Observing that the level of debates in the House and image of the politicians in people’s eyes are going down, the Vice President wanted the MPs to uphold dignity and decency and do their duty sincerely. “Members of Parliament must be role models for other public representatives”, he said.

Praising Dr Abhishek Singhvi for his work as a lawyer and a parliamentarian, the Vice President mentioned his many a contributions, including as the Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law & Justice many years ago. He said that the book illustrates the power of doing public good through sound, targeted and efficient use of MPLAD funds and hoped that it will serve as a guide for all stakeholders involved in the developmental work under MPLADS.

The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh, Union Minister Thawarchand Gehlot, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad, Dr Abhishek Singhvi and other MPs participated in the virtual event.

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