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Karnataka Govt Won’t Last Beyond January: Deve Gowda

By
The Commune
-

Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda said on Monday that the Karnataka Congress government won’t last beyond the coming month of January. Speaking at a massive campaign rally for NDA alliance candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy in Channapatna, Gowda appealed: “I urge to people of Channapatna assembly constituency to ensure the victory of NDA candidate Nikhil Kumaraswamy (his grandson) to break the arrogance of Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.” He added that Union Minister of State V. Somanna has said that the state government will collapse in January 2025.

“This is not a prediction; it’s the truth,” maintained JD (S) National President Deve Gowda. Deve Gowda stated that there had been a conspiracy to target his entire family, using the Hassan case (sex video scandal involving his grandson Prajwal Revanna) as a pretext. Reiterating Union Minister of State V. Somanna’s statement about the government’s collapse by January, he added, “It’s interesting that, like me, Somanna also has a habit of consulting astrologers, but he has spoken the truth. This government will not last long.” “I once clashed with former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, but we are united now to uproot this corrupt Congress government,” he declared, holding Yediyurappa’s hand in solidarity.

Expressing anger over Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar’s statement about arresting PM Narendra Modi and Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deve Gowda warned that D.K. Shivakumar’s own words would backfire on him. Referring to an accusation that Kumaraswamy threatened a prominent figure for Rs 50 crore to support his son’s candidacy, Deve Gowda argued, “For someone like Kumaraswamy, who once served as Chief Minister with the blessings of the people of Channapatna, such desperation is uncalled for. “Congress has never been trustworthy, and I warned Kumaraswamy against forming an alliance with them. But under pressure, he joined them to form a government. Just eleven days ago, no one spoke of Nikhil Kumaraswamy as our candidate. Yet for six months, D.K. Shivakumar was openly claiming the seat for himself. Now, another has taken his place in the race,” Deve Gowda said.

“I made Siddaramaiah the finance minister. I have nothing more to say about him. I don’t need to emphasise that Nikhil is my grandson. I didn’t even mention his name until he filed his nomination. Breaking the arrogance of Shivakumar is essential through Nikhil’s victory,” he stated. The decision of the virtuous voters will answer everything, he asserted. “I will return to the constituency on November 24. Ensure you cast your vote for number 1 on the ballot. On the morning of Nov 24, Yediyurappa and I will come together to thank the voters,” announced Deve Gowda. Speaking at the NDA mega gathering, candidate Nikhil stated, “This election is the litmus test in my life. People ask what role I will play. To me, caste is not important; the only thing I believe in is humanity. I appeal to you all—this is not just about a regional party; it’s about the honour of the NDA family. Once we are born, earning trust and gratitude is all that matters. Please give me one chance to serve you.”

“Much has changed since the seat fell vacant after Kumaranna’s (his father, Union Minister Kumaraswamy) resignation. This election is decisive for me. I did not lose heart after two defeats, as I had the support of the people. I may have lost because of Congress’s tactics, but the result was not my fault,” he said. “I am contesting in Channapatna because of the wishes of the workers. The people here do not give in to coupons or fall for any temptations. When I filed my nomination and started campaigning, I spoke emotionally. I am a person of emotions. In the past 16 days, I have received immense blessings. Please bless me and give me a chance,” he appealed.

–IANS

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Three Accused In NIA Custody Until Nov 14 In Coimbatore Car Blast Case

By
The Commune
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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has begun interrogating three suspects in the Coimbatore car bomb blast case that occurred on October 23, 2022. In the incident, a 29-year-old suicide bomber, Jamish Mubin, lost his life. The NIA took over the investigation, and to date, 18 individuals have been arrested in connection with the conspiracy and the car blast. Recently, the agency detained three accused: Aboo Hanifa, Saran Mariappan, and Pavas Rahman.

The special NIA court has granted the agency six days’ custody for questioning, allowing the NIA to hold the suspects until November 14. During this time, officials will escort the accused to various locations in Coimbatore and other areas as part of evidence-gathering efforts. According to the agency, the three suspects conspired to arrange funding for the attack. One of the arrested, Aboo Hanifa, worked as an Arabic faculty member at Kovai Arabic College, where Mubin and others involved in the case were reportedly radicalised toward Islamic State ideology.

The NIA disclosed that Mubin had pledged allegiance, or “bayath,” to Abu-Al-Hasan Al-Hashimi Al-Qurashi, the self-proclaimed caliph of the Islamic State at that time. With these recent arrests, the total number of people apprehended in connection with the car blast case has risen to 18. The NIA has already filed four chargesheets against 15 accused in the NIA Special Court at Poonamallee, Chennai. The agency stated that its investigation into the radicalisation of vulnerable youths in Tamil Nadu and other South Indian states is ongoing. Earlier this year, the NIA conducted raids across Tamil Nadu and select locations in Hyderabad as part of this case.

–IANS

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Seeman Warns DMK Of Karunanidhi’s Statues Being Razed Down If Power Shifts To ‘True, Self Respecting Tamil’

By
The Commune
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Seeman Warns DMK Of Karunanidhi's Statues Being Razed Down If Power Shifts To 'True, Self Respecting Tamil'.

Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) Chief Coordinator Seeman, who recently faced a defamation case for his comments on former DMK Chief Minister Karunanidhi, has issued a sharp warning to the DMK regarding the future of the statues of Kalaignar (Karunanidhi). Seeman linked the potential destruction of such statues to events in other countries, citing examples such as the removal of the statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Bangladesh and the demolition of statues of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy by the public. He asserted that if Tamil were in power, such statues (Karunanidhi) would be torn down, just as seen in these global examples.

Seeman made these comments during a press interaction at the Thoothukudi Vagaikulam Airport on 11 November 2024.  Seeman’s statements were delivered in a strong tone, warning the DMK not to take their power for granted, adding that if a Tamil leader with integrity came to power, they would likely destroy all such statues. He was referring to past instances where public sentiment had led to the destruction of monuments, emphasizing that such actions would be repeated if a true Tamil patriot did not hold the power in Tamil Nadu.

Seeman warned, “Just take a look at Bangladesh and Sri lanka that are nearby. Look at what happened to the father of its nation Mujibur Rahman, where is it? like the same Jagan Mohan Reddy kept his father’s name Rajasekhara Reddy to all the places. Chandrababu Naidu was not even in andhra, he was in Delhi before he took oath, they have buldozed it to nothing. The same situation will happen here, people’s money is going to become a waste of money. Even if you cry on that day, it won’t come. Wont this power will go another someday? If it goes to a good self respected tamil if will be bulldozed. You should be very carefull in plays.”

Seeman issued a stark warning, saying, “Take a look at what happened in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka,  next to us. Look at what happened to the the founder of Bangladesh, Mujibur Rahman’s statue—where is it now? Similarly, in Andhra Pradesh, Jagan Mohan Reddy named everything after his father, Rajasekhara Reddy, but when Chandrababu Naidu was in Delhi, before even taking office, they had those (statues bulldozed). The same thing will happen here. All the people’s money spent will be wasted, and no matter how much you cry, it won’t bring it back. Won’t this power go to someother one day? If it falls into the hands of a true, self-respecting Tamil, those (statues) will be demolished. So, you need to be very careful and play.”

Seeman also voiced concerns about Indian fishermen allegedly fishing illegally across the maritime border with Sri Lanka. He responded to statements made by Sri Lankan President Anurakumar Dissanayake, who had warned of strict actions against Indian fishermen. Seeman questioned why similar action had not been taken against Kerala fishermen and criticized Sri Lanka for its past violence against Tamils, including the killing of Tamil fishermen and the destruction of their nets. He demanded that India’s central government—comprising the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Defense, the Prime Minister, and Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister—take stronger steps to address the issue, even suggesting an economic embargo on Sri Lanka as a means of exerting pressure.

In a further escalation of his rhetoric, Seeman reiterated his call for an economic embargo on Sri Lanka, which he called a “small country” that was repeatedly taking actions against Tamil fishermen. His remarks were not just limited to the fishermen’s issue but also tied into his broader nationalist agenda. Seeman stressed that Tamil nationalism and Dravidian ideals should work together for the development of the Tamil people, but warned that Dravidian politics, as practiced by the DMK, would ultimately lead to the downfall of Tamil interests. He emphasized that while Tamil nationalism could be a unifying force, Dravidian politics could turn the state into a “graveyard.”

As the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections approach, Seeman expressed confidence that his political ideas and strategies were gaining traction. He claimed that all political parties were following his lead and adopting similar strategies to appeal to voters, particularly in terms of populist measures such as monetary promises for the underprivileged. He also criticized political parties for their election-time rhetoric, claiming that leaders would make promises to secure votes but were ultimately uninterested in the real needs of the people.

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TN BJP Calls For Mandatory Screening Of Film ‘Amaran’ Across State

By
The Commune
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TN BJP Calls For Mandatory Screening Of Film ‘Amaran’ Across State

Tamil Nadu BJP Spokesperson ANS Prasad has called for a mandatory statewide Tamil movie ‘Amaran’ screening. Prasad emphasised the need to counter separatist agendas and defend national pride in the face of anti-Amaran propaganda in the state. Produced by Kamal Haasan and starring Sivakarthikeyan and Sai Pallavi, Amaran is a cinematic tribute celebrating India’s martyrs’ valour, filling Tamil hearts with pride. The film honours Major Mukund Varadharajan, a valiant son of Tamil Nadu, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against terrorism.

Prasad highlighted that Amaran serves as a powerful reminder of our gratitude to such selfless heroes. “Security is paramount, whether for our homes or our nation,” Prasad stated. He noted that even residential complexes in cities like Chennai implement strict safety measures, such as video screenings for visitors, to ensure the safety of their residents. If stringent security is required for a small complex, Prasad argued, the scale of security necessary for a country with 1.4 billion people is enormous. Prasad went on to discuss external threats, specifically from Pakistan, which, he claimed, has been sponsoring terrorism within India and exploiting internal vulnerabilities. He pointed to Pakistan’s occupation of part of Kashmir and its efforts to infiltrate the rest of the region as further justification for increased vigilance. In the face of these threats, Prasad emphasised the dedication of India’s soldiers, who stand guard in the snow-capped mountains of Kashmir, ever-ready to protect the nation.

He argued that wealth and comfort mean nothing without national peace and cited the plight of refugees in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Israel, and Ukraine as a stark reminder of the importance of national security. According to Prasad, ‘Amaran’ instils a sense of patriotism and national pride in young people, asserting that the interests of the nation must come first. He condemned those spreading what he termed as “vile propaganda” against Amaran, accusing some critics of mischaracterising the film as anti-minority. “Amaran tells the story of a brave soldier, not the complex narrative of Kashmir,” he said, dismissing criticisms that expect exhaustive coverage of Kashmir’s issues in a 2.5-hour film. He argued that those opposing the film are attempting to undermine India’s unity and the integrity of its armed forces. Prasad stated that the issue of Kashmir is about national integrity, not minority rights, and he highlighted the forced expulsion and ignored rights of the Hindu minority in Kashmir. He urged Tamil Nadu’s authorities to reject any anti-India rhetoric disguised as film criticism, which he claimed undermines national harmony.

The BJP leader called upon the Tamil Nadu government to proactively support national unity by opposing separatist agendas disguised as criticism of ‘Amaran’. He also encouraged the state to promote patriotic films by granting tax exemptions and organising screenings in educational institutions, aiming to inspire youth to embrace patriotism and national unity for a stronger India. “The government should organise screenings of ‘Amaran’ in schools and colleges to inspire young people with the values of patriotism and unity,” Prasad concluded, “ensuring a stronger, united India.”

–IANS

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‘Amaran’ Director Rajkumar Periasamy Busts Dravidianist Thirumurugan Gandhi’s Propaganda

By
The Commune
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'Amaran' Director Rajkumar Periasamy Busts Dravidianist Thirumurugan Gandhi's Propaganda.

Director Rajkumar Periasamy of the film ‘Amaran’ has blasted out the coalition of leftists, Islamists, and Dravidianists for their inability to tolerate the growing wave of nationalism among the public. He specifically took aim at Thirumurugan Gandhi, the founder of the May 17 Movement, who is known for his support of extreme leftist and separatist ideologies. Gandhi recently made a baseless accusation about the film, claiming that the depiction of Indian Army soldiers shouting “Jai Bajrangbali” was part of a Hindutva agenda.

Produced by actor Kamal Haasan and starring Sivakarthikeyan, ‘Amaran’ was released last Diwali to positive reception from the public and continues to perform well at the box office. The film was screened at the Sri Ganapathi Theatre in Ooty, where a large number of viewers gathered to watch it on Sunday, 10th November. During his visit to the Ooty Ganapathi theatre, Director Rajkumar Periasamy received a warm reception from ex-servicemen and local residents of Nilgiri district, who greeted him with fireworks and a procession.

Dressed in traditional attire, Periasamy addressed the audience, praising the film’s ability to connect with people from all walks of life. He emphasized that the film’s emotional narrative, rather than its commercial elements like songs or sub-plots, resonated with the viewers. He expressed gratitude for the heartfelt reception and spoke about the cultural significance of the Nilgiris, noting that the community still values its traditions.

Periasamy explained that ‘Amaran’ was made without any intention of promoting personal politics. He asserted that the film is grounded in the real-life struggles and sacrifices of soldiers, focusing on the authenticity of the story, writing, and performances. He further clarified that the film had received full approval from the Indian Ministry of Defence and the ADGPI. In fact, the ADGPI (Additional Directorate General of Public Information) of the Indian Army had viewed and approved the film’s script, as ‘Amaran’ is based on a military story and no such film can be released without the Ministry’s consent.

Regarding the controversy over the war cry “Jai Bajrangbali” used in the film, Periasamy explained that each regiment in the Indian Army has its own specific war cry. He pointed out that “Bolo Bajrangbali ki Jai” is the official war cry of the Rajput Regiment, and using this was a matter of historical accuracy, not political agenda. He stressed that the film was not driven by his personal political beliefs and that he, as a director, was mindful of the social responsibilities his work entails.

Periasamy dismissing the misinformation spread by individuals on social media, stated that, “For this movie on 1st October, the ADGPI and  Ministry of Defense have provided their approval, clearance, and appreciation after watching the movie. We cannot release a movie related to the army without them watching, giving their opinion, and clearance.. (they are like standard). It will be very difficult to give an explanation for someone who speaks of somewhere. In my view, everyone speaks based on the information they know, but they should cross-check whether it is correct or not before speaking. The people standing surrounding me are all army officials. For every regiment, there is a motto and a war cry. The Madras Regiment is near us, and they will say ‘Veera Madrasi Adi Kollu Adi Kollu.’ There is ‘Durga Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Bolo Bajrangbali ki Jai’ used by the 44th Rajput Regiment battalion as a war cry, which I can’t change. If I change it, then it will be wrong. As far as I’m concerned, this is not the movie where I can put my own opinion and political views. I too have many opinions, but as a director, I’m very clear not to impose opinions through my characters. “

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Former Indian Cricketer Atul Wassan Slams Ongoing Debate Over India’s Refusal To Travel Pakistan For Champions Trophy 2025

By
The Commune
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Amid reports of India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy 2025, former India cricketer Atul Wassan expressed his frustration that the issue comes up whenever it has already been decided that India doesn’t want to travel to Pakistan.

It has been reported that the BCCI have informed the ICC that India would not travel to Pakistan for the mega event and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sought the guidance of the federal government. “This is a dictum by a government and our management and it is something that everybody is on the same page that we don’t want to play with them (Pakistan) in their home. No matter how much pressure PCB tries to create, the decision has already been made once and for all. Every time this comes up, I wonder why it’s even discussed again when everything is clear. They know we’re not going there, and we know we’re not going to Pakistan,” Wassan told IANS.

During the 2023 ODI World Cup, Pakistan voiced displeasure at travelling to India, yet participated. “When the World Cup was in India, they said that if India doesn’t come, then they won’t come to India either. Such bold statements shouldn’t be made because they have a need to come here; we don’t need to go there,” he added.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has consistently asserted that if India wants to play against Pakistan, it should be prepared to travel to Pakistan. However, India’s security concerns and the ongoing geopolitical tensions have reinforced its hesitation to participate in matches on Pakistani soil. “When we face hardship, when we are attacked when we have lost so many of our soldiers, and then we start playing cricket, it sends the message that everything is fine. They think cricket is a way to show that no matter what happens if we’re playing, there are no issues. But we have taken that from them by deciding not to play cricket with them,” he concluded.

-IANS

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Challenge Excise Dealers, Not PM Modi: Pralhad Joshi To Siddaramaiah

By
The Commune
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Challenge Excise Dealers, Not PM Modi: Pralhad Joshi To Siddaramaiah

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi attacked Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Monday, saying that he is under the illusion that criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi will make him famous. Speaking to the media on Monday in Hubballi, Joshi responded to Siddaramaiah’s statement that, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi is falsely accusing the state government of a Rs 700 crore excise corruption scam,” saying that “Siddaramaiah, you, who have drowned in corruption and should challenge the excise dealers, not PM Modi,” Joshi said.

“Siddaramaiah keeps criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, perhaps thinking that it will make him famous. But it’s his own misconception,” Joshi remarked. Joshi countered Siddaramaiah by saying that it wasn’t Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the BJP who accused the state excise ministry and government of Rs 700 crore in corruption; rather, it was the excise dealers themselves. He urged Siddaramaiah to understand this first. “The excise dealers are part of his own government. These very dealers have accused Excise Minister R.B. Thimmapur of corruption, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi simply referenced this issue. What’s wrong with that?” Joshi questioned. “In his 25 years in politics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has never faced defeat. He has been Chief Minister of Gujarat three times and has been elected as the Prime Minister twice. He’s a seasoned politician who has never lost in his career. And yet, you dare speak about him,” he said.

“The people of Mysore rejected you in the 2018 Assembly elections from the Varuna segment, even though you were the Chief Minister from 2013 to 2018. But the people have never turned away from Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” Joshi retorted to Siddaramaiah. He added that as more and more corruption scams within the state government are coming to light, the Siddaramaiah is becoming desperate. “In the MUDA scam, a tehsildar’s report even shows that stamp duty payments were made on behalf of the Siddaramaiah, which has come out in the open, leaving him cornered,” he added. Reacting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s attack during the campaigning in Maharashtra state that the Congress government in Karnataka has ‘collected’ Rs 700 for assembly elections, Siddaramaiah had stated in Haveri that “I am surprised to see the Prime Minister of this country lie so much.”

While campaigning in Maharashtra, the Prime Minister claimed that the Karnataka Congress was involved in a scam in the excise department, mobilising Rs 700 crores to send to Maharashtra, and Jharkhand, and to spend on the bypolls. “Today, I challenge PM Modi: if he can prove these allegations, I will retire from politics. But if he cannot, then he should retire. When a Prime Minister makes such allegations, they should at least be close to the truth, but these claims are far from it. In independent India, we have never seen a Prime Minister who lies like this,” he said.

–IANS

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ABVP Protests At Barkatullah University Over Alleged Harassment & Time Limit Of Female Students by Hostel Warden

By
The Commune
-
ABVP Protests At Barkatullah University Over Alleged Harassment & Time Limit Of Female Students by Hostel Warden

Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarti Parishad (ABVP), the student wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on 11 November 2024, staged a protest at Barkatullah University in Bhopal after a group of female students living in the campus hostels alleged that they were “forced” to write an “apology” for returning late.

Students have alleged that the chief warden has harassed them unnecessarily for being late. “The hostel warden has not allowed us to visit an event at a religious place,” the female students alleged.

Later, the students registered a complaint with the Vice-Chancelor and demanded that the chief warden should be removed. As the matter became public, around 200 ABVP members on 11 November protested against the warden and demanded “justice” for students at Barkatullah University.

A large number of female students residing in hostels also joined the protest. However, the chief warden has said that the female students were not prohibited from visiting religious places. “But the security of female students can’t compromised, therefore they were asked to return to campus by 8:30 pm,” said the chief warden.

Meanwhile, Vice-Chancelor R. J. Rao has ordered an inquiry into the matter and asked students to maintain peace at the campus. Barkatullah University is one of the oldest and biggest educational institutions in the state which was established in 1970.

-IANS

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I Suffered A Lot In Congress For 14 Years, Was Victim Of Dirty Internal Politics: Ashok Chavan

By
The Commune
-

Amid the ongoing campaign, BJP Rajya Sabha member and former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan revealed reasons behind quitting the Congress party. In a series of sensational disclosures, Chavan, the son of veteran Congress leader Shankarrao Chavan, claimed, ‘’I suffered a lot for 14 years in the Congress party. I was the victim of the dirty internal party politics. There was no ED, CBI chase for me. Whatever happened it happened, when I was in the Congress party. Many people in the Congress party did not like my progress in the party, some of them are no more. I work in a free atmosphere and therefore I could achieve progress at different levels but it was not liked by many in the party. Therefore, a conspiracy was hatched against me.’’

Chavan, who is now campaigning for his daughter and BJP nominee Shrijaya Chavan from Bhoyar constituency and other MahaYuti nominees from various constituencies, further said, “nothing has been proved yet in the Adarsh case. No one can prove anything.’’ Chavan further stated that every election is important and it needs to be contested with full preparations without being complacent. ‘People are acknowledging my work which I did over the years. They are saying they are not helping BJP but helping me. There was no personal agenda when I was in the Congress. I am now getting acclimatised with BJP’s style of functioning. In BJP too, I have no personal agenda. I was instrumental in increasing the Congress party’s presence in Nanded and around. Now, my effort is to spread the BJP’s wings in Nanded district and around,’’ he added.

Referring to NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar’s ‘’opportunist’’ jibe against him, Chavan hit back and said, ‘’Sharad Pawar always plays rude politics. Because of Vasantdada Patil and Sharad Pawar, Shankarrao Chavan (Ashok Chavan’s father) had to quit the Congress party. It is a reality that Sharad Pawar’s relations with Yashwantrao Chavan (Pawar’s mentor) at the latter’s fag end of life were not so good. If he is terming me opportunist then what he is?’’ he asked. He further said that ‘’Sharad Pawar is a big leader having contacts with former US President Bill Clinton to a small villager.’’

–IANS

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At Least 20 Pc Of India’s Economy Will Be Digital By 2026-27: Jyotiraditya Scindia

By
The Commune
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At Least 20 Pc Of India’s Economy Will Be Digital By 2026-27: Jyotiraditya Scindia

At least 20 per cent of India’s economy will be digital by 2026-27 from the current 10 per cent, Union Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, said on Monday, underscoring the country’s commitment to expanding broadband access, enhancing regulatory frameworks, and promoting an inclusive digital ecosystem.

Inaugurating the South Asian Telecommunication Regulators’ Council (SATRC-25) in the national capital, Scindia said that with an extraordinary 1.2 billion telephones and 970 million internet subscribers, India emerges as a digital titan, characterized by a rapidly evolving digital economy now comprising 10 per cent of our overall economic landscape — an impressive leap from just 3.5 per cent a decade ago. “As our digital economy flourishes at a pace 2.8 times swifter than the national economy, we anticipate it will reach an astounding 20 per cent by 2026-27,” said the minister, urging SATRC member nations to collaborate on key issues such as digital inclusivity, sustainable network infrastructure, and consumer protection. “South Asia must unite in its efforts to build a connected, resilient, and sustainable future,” he said, envisioning a region that thrives on shared values and mutual support.

India emerges as the Voice of the Global South and “the SATRC-25 will serve as an excellent platform for knowledge-sharing and a confluence of innovative perspectives on emerging policy and regulatory challenges,” said Scindia. He further stressed that “secure, safe and standard driven future” should guide the creation of policies by regulatory bodies. SATRC member countries are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The Minister pointed out that South Asia plays a crucial role in global ICT development and stressed the need for regulations that inspire innovation while ensuring inclusivity.

The advent of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) presents a transformative opportunity to extend telecom coverage to the most remote corners of the member nations. “I am optimistic that the evolution of NTNs will unlock new vistas in communication technologies, igniting innovative applications across diverse sectors, and ultimately advancing our collective journey towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs),” the minister emphasised.

–IANS

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