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Fake news about Punjab BJP MLAs joining the Congress busted

BJP Punjab Congress
Featured Image: The post with the fake news making the rounds on social media

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has faced numerous criticisms and major setbacks in the Punjab local body elections following the farmers’ protests against the agricultural laws enacted by the Centre last year. The Congress won in all the seven municipalities in Punjab. Following that, a post is currently going viral on social media.

The post contained a photo that said that three BJP MLAs from Punjab have joined the Congress and now, Punjab has become a BJP-free state. The photo, which was posted on Facebook, said, “Punjab has now become a non-BJP state as all the three BJP MLAs in Punjab have joined the INC.”

After this news broke out, India Today has found that all these allegations are fake. There are currently two BJP MLAs in Punjab who have confirmed that they are still in the BJP. Moreover, the BJP MLAs in Punjab were not mentioned in any press release as having joined the Congress.

The official website of the Punjab Legislative Assembly also says that there are two BJP MLAs in the state, Arun Narang and Dinesh Singh.

Commenting on the allegations, Arun Narang said, “There is no basic truth in this news. Initially, there were only two BJP MLAs in Punjab. There were three in the 2017 elections. However, Som Prakash resigned and contested the 2019 elections.”

Dinesh Singh, the other BJP MLA from Punjab, said, “I have been an MLA in Punjab three times and even now I am in the BJP. All the allegations that I have joined the Congress are false.”

The Congress in Punjab has also denied the claims, saying no BJP MLAs have joined the Congress. So it is completely false news that the three accused Punjab BJP MLAs, who are currently going viral, have joined the Congress.”

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Shocking: Seeman declares an annual income of a mere ₹1000 in election affidavit

Seeman NTK annual income villupuram protest

In an affidavit filed for his election candidature, Seeman, the chief coordinator of the Naam Tamil Party, has declared that his annual income for the financial year 2019-20 was a measly ₹1000.

It was later found that Seeman had blatantly tried to fudge the numbers on the affidavit, and that only recently, he had paid off several lakhs’ worth of debt.

Furthermore, it was revealed that Seeman’s annual income was ₹2,60,000, and that the amount of tax that he had paid on his income was ₹1,000. Seeman went on to explain that the income was somehow incorrectly recorded as ₹1000.

In light of this controversy, questions over Seeman’s debt have recently sprung up. In the affidavit filed in the last election held in 2016, Seeman stated that he has an outstanding loan of ₹8,97,557 with the ICICI Bank. But, the affidavit that was filed in 2021 states that there is no debt.

Seeman’s affidavit had claimed that his annual income in 2019-20 was only ₹1000, which is why him having a debt of ₹8,97,557 in the  ICICI Bank seems extremely fishy. One begins to wonder if there is more to it than meets the eye. A request has been made to the election commission to verify the veracity of the specific information provied by Seeman.

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After supporting Indian farmer-agitators, porn star Mia Khalifa now attacks Pope on Twitter

Mia Khalifa Pope

Lebanese-American porn sensation Mia Khalifa has again courted controversy. She recently sent out a tweet on microblogging website Twitter attacking the Pope, the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

Her tweet read, “F**k the Pope”.

The tweet and the outrage against Pope Francis and the Church comes after a recent Vatican decree that reaffirms the old Church teaching against homosexuality and bars priests from blessing same-sex unions.

The Pope, who is the vicar of Christ and the successor of St. Peter, is considered as the “earthly representative of Christ on Earth”. The Pope is a revered figure for millions of Catholics around the world.

Earlier, Mia Khalifa had famously plowed her way to notoriety when she sent out a tweet in support of the Indian farmers agitating against the Centre’s farm bills.

Mia Khalifa, tweeting a picture of a protesting Sikh farmer, had written, “Paid actors, huh? Quite the casting director, I hope they’re not overlooked during awards season. I stand with the farmers. #FarmersProtest.

Khalifa also alleged that there were human rights violations when internet services were suspended in New Delhi at the time of the violent protests.

Apart from Mia Khalifa, popular entertainer Rihanna and radical climate activist Greta Thunberg too had tweeted in support of the farmers’ protests.

Political commentator Shehzad Poonawala sent out a tweet and asked Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi what he has to says about the objectionable words use by Mia Khalifa against the Pope.

https://twitter.com/Shehzad_Ind/status/1372059273442721795

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The murder that was not: Accused was elsewhere when Nikita Tomar was shot dead, claim defence lawyers

Nikita Tomar

The murder of 20-year old Nikita Tomar by a Muslim man in Faridabad sent shockwaves throughout the country. After it was revealed that the crime committed in broad daylight was caught on CCTV, the footage of the incident was widely shared on the internet. However, in a strange twist of events, the accused’s lawyers have produced eye-witnesses claiming that when Nikita was shot in the head, the accused was in another town in Haryana.

“Reminder: While we all share videos of brutal murders caught on camera, trials almost wholly depend on eyewitnesses. They can be created, bribed, threatened, eliminated. Court battles need persistence and lots of money. We are doing everything we can for #justiceforNikitaTomar,” journalist Swati Goel Sharma, in response to the development.

Nikita Tomar was a final-year B-Com student and was going home after giving her exams. The whole incident, captured on CCTV footage, shows the girl attempting to flee when the shooter opens fire, putting a bullet in her head and then running away in a white-coloured car with an accomplice. The accused was allegedly trying to kidnap Nikita.

https://twitter.com/rajshekharTOI/status/1320926170716663808

Incidentally, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the police investigating the murder have filed a 700 pages-long charge-sheet and have included the names of 60 witnesses.

Unlike the 2017 killing of 17-year old Hafiz Junaid, where government officials went to the doorstep of the victim’s father to offer lakhs of rupees in compensation, Nikita’s father has not received a single rupee in compensation from the government after the death of his daughter. He has now lost his job and is facing a financial crisis. “Many youth who supported him [Nikita’s father] after [Nikita’s] murder are facing criminal charges. Hence many are reluctant to support him”, Agniveer activist Sanjeev Newar tweeted.

As per reports, the accused was Nikita’s classmate till high school and had been forcing her to become his friend. He had allegedly tried to kidnap her earlier in 2018.

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Indo-Israeli joint venture rolls out first batch of MRSAM for Indian Army and IAF

Indian Army Air Force IAF MRSAM Kalyani Israel
Featured Image Credits: Economic Times

Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS) has rolled out its first batch of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) for the Indian Army and the Air Force under an MSME joint venture, reports Economic Times.

KRAS is a joint venture (JV) between India’s Kalyani Group and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.

The roll-out event on Tuesday (16 March) marked KRAS’ commitment to deliver more than 1,000 MRSAM missile kits for the Indian Army and Air Force over the coming years.

These missile sections will now be forwarded to India’s state-run defence Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for further integration.

It is also another important milestone for the Modi government’s commitment to the “Make in India” concept, striving towards “Atmanirbharta” goal of the country.

Baba Kalyani, Chairman & Managing Director, Kalyani Group, said, “This is the beginning of a new era filled with self-confidence, a marked step-change in technological expertise and a collective demonstration of capability to be the global manufacturing hub for defence products. We are confident to complete the order far ahead of the stipulated time, and support the armed forces with the best in class missile kits. Apart from the missile kits, we will extend our support in maintenance and repair operations (MRO) as in-service Air Defence Missile System for the armed forces.”

Speaking on the occasion, Brig. Gen. Pinhas Yungman, Head of Air and Missile Defense Systems division of Rafael Advanced Defense System said, “We have been a reliable partner to the Indian armed forces for almost three decades, and these missile kits are a testimony of our commitment to ‘Make in India’ cause. We are confident KRAS will not only build products for the Indian armed forces but will also trigger and help achieve Indian government’s vision of exports from India.”

KRAS is a major private sector MSME with advanced manufacturing capabilities. It will also play a vital role into maintenance and repair operations (MRO) of a major in-service Air Defence Missile System for the Indian Air Force.

This JV has been hailed as deep cooperation between Israel and India in the strategic defence sector space.

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Several new schemes worth over ₹9000 crores launched for North-Eastern States

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved revised cost estimates for strengthening power distribution and distribution in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim as a key step in promoting their economic growth by strengthening inter-state power distribution and distribution systems. Its total value is ₹9129.32 crore.

The project will be jointly implemented by the Governments of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, as well as by a public sector undertaking under the Central Ministry of Power. The project is scheduled to start in December 2021, with gradual completion of already approved projects. Schemes that have not yet approved will be completed within 36 months of approval. State agencies are then to take over the maintenance work from the power distribution system.

The main objective of the project is to promote the overall economic growth of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim and to strengthen inter-state power distribution and infrastructure. This allows the connection of the power supply to remote locations.

Through the implementation of this project, a reliable power supply is touted to be created and power distribution and distribution capacity in the above states will be strengthened. Quality electricity is available to villages and towns, including remote and border areas. The scheme is set to benefit all segments of power consumers.

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Case filed against Christian missionary organization for using ₹90 crores for illegal conversions

illegal church lrpf landgrab

It is a known reality that the global network of evangelist missionaries, with the help of their allies in India, have been using foreign funds to convert people to Christianity through fraud, coercion and seduction. The Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), which monitors FCRA irregularities and the misappropriation of foreign funds, has found that the Apostolic church in South India had received ₹40.66 crore from abroad and illegally used it to ‘preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to baptize non-Christians.

This organization (the New Apostolic Church) on its website openly boasts about converting many people to Christianity. The LRO has complained to the Ministry of the Home Affairs for FCRA violations and the illegal use of foreign funds.

The LRO, in its complaint, said the evangelical organization ‘had received 17 souls’ in the Ichpur congregation of Bidar district. Donors to this evangelical organization are said to be from Canada, Germany and Switzerland. One of the donors, the New Apostolic Church in West Germany, posted on its official website about one of the many missionaries working for the charity. The operational area of ​​Christchurch Nanda is said to be spread across six district rector areas in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Christensen Nanda said in an interview, “I work in the most challenging areas where the Naxalites meet. These are groups that are trying to violently protect their forests from industrialization and political interference.”

The website says the New Apostolic Church emphasizes ‘open and constructive relationships’ with governments, public authorities, and other religious groups. It claims to be politically neutral and that its operation is consistent with its own laws. According to these statements on the website of the New Apostolic Church, it is based on the premise that state authorities must obey ‘divine commands’ and abide by its commands.

The New Apostolic Church expects its members to respect the law and to fulfill their country’s civil duties as long as they comply with ‘divine commands’. The Church explicitly commands that if the laws of the country in which they reside are contrary to ‘divine beliefs’ then the followers must violate the laws of such countries to uphold the divine ideology of the Church.

In essence, the church not only undertakes and finances shameful religious conversions, but also advises its followers to violate the law of the land if they do not follow the ‘divine rules’ of the church.

The evangelical church first converts the marginalized sections of the society to Christianity, and after the conversions, encourages them to violate the laws of their own country. We can see these evangelical organizations calling on local Christian converts to break their local laws and engage in violent protests and armed revolutions.

These evangelical organizations are therefore closely associated with the Naxalites and Maoists in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and elsewhere, thereby inciting proselytizing people to revolt against their own government and country, leading to separatist tendencies. The LRO’s complaint to the Interior Ministry is expected to be taken seriously and a serious investigation into not only serious FCRA violations but also national security vulnerabilities.

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India, Bangladesh agree to expand cooperation on water resources

India Bangladesh water
Featured Image Credits: PIB

The India-Bangladesh Water Resources meeting took place at the Secretary level on 16 March 2021 at New Delhi.

The meeting was held under the framework of the Joint Rivers Commission.

The Indian delegation was led by Pankaj Kumar, Secretary (Water Resources, RD & GR). The Bangladesh delegation was led by Kabir Bin Anwar, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources.

According to a press release by India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti, both sides agreed to expand cooperation across the entire gamut of water resources issues. India and Bangladesh agreed to constitute a framework for the sharing of river waters, mitigation of pollution, river bank protection, flood management, basin management and other such issues.

A Joint Technical Working Group would provide inputs on the matter, the press release added.

India and Bangladesh share fifty-four common rivers, which directly impact the livelihood of people in the two nations.

“The discussions were substantive and held in a cordial atmosphere. Both sides agreed to schedule the next meeting at Secretary level under JRC framework at Dhaka at mutually convenient dates’, the press release stated.

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Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh transferred

Param Bir Singh transferred

In a significant development, Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh was transferred on Wednesday and was appointed as the Director-General of the Home Guard. Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh conveyed the news to press-persons.

Hemant Nagrale, the current Maharashtra Director-General of Police, has been appointed as the next Mumbai police chief.

The decision to transfer Singh comes after the meeting held on Monday (15 March) between Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar. Param Bir Singh had also met with CM Thackeray at his official residence ”Varsha” in Mumbai on Tuesday (16 March) night.

The transfer is a fallout of the arrest of encounter specialist Sachin Waze by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) over its probe into the recovery of an explosives-laden SUV near industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s house. The NIA has confirmed that the person seen in a CCTV grab walking near the Reliance Industries chairperson’s house, on the night of February 25 when the explosives-laden vehicle was found, is indeed Waze.

The vehicle belonged to Mansukh Hiren, a 48-year-old auto spare parts businessman. Hiren was found dead on March 5 in a creek. Waze was investigating Hiren’s death.

In an official statement, the NIA has said that Waze has been arrested for “his role and involvement in placing an explosives-laden vehicle near Carmichael Road”.

Waze reportedly revealed to the NIA that top Shiv Sena leaders were involved in planting the bomb outside Mukesh Ambani’s house “Antilia”.

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Rahul Gandhi compares Indian democracy to Qaddafi’s Libya and Saddam’s Iraq

rahul gandhi Indian democracy

In an interview given to Ashutosh Varshney, the Sol Goldman Professor of International Studies and the Social Sciences and Professor of Political Science at Brown University, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi compared the present state of Indian democracy under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to Muammar Qaddafi’s Libya and Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.

In response, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said that such a comparison of Indian democracy with Qaddafi’s Libya and Saddam Hussein’s Iraq was an insult to 80 crore Indian voters.

“Giving comment on Rahul Gandhi’s opinion is worthless. Comparing India’s democracy with Qaddafi and Saddam Hussein is an insult to the 80 crore voters. Only during the year of emergency, we witnessed a time like that of Qaddafi and Saddam”, Javadekar was quoted as saying by ANI.

The scion of the Nehru Gandhi family had claimed that India was “no longer a democratic country”. In the interview with Ashutosh Varshney, Gandhi had said, “Saddam Hussein and Gaddafi used to have elections. They used to win them. It wasn’t like they weren’t voting but there was no institutional framework to protect that vote.”

“An election is not simply people going and pressing a button on a voting machine. An election is about narrative. An election is about institutions that make sure that the framework in the country is operating properly, an election is about the judiciary being fair and a debate taking place in parliament. So you need those things for a vote to count,” Gandhi said.

Rahul Gandhi also strongly defended the centrality of the Nehru-Gandhi family in the Congress party and added that it was important to protect a certain ideology in the party. He said that he would not give up just because someone else does not like it.

He said that he would continue to fight the BJP’s ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and then went on to compare the RSS with the Muslim Brotherhood, a banned Islamic organisation active in the Middle East, North Africa,  Europe and North America.

Furthermore, Gandhi stated that the schools run by the RSS were like the madrasas in Pakistan, both producing radicals.

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