On 23 July 2023, Subhashini Ali, a former Lok Sabha MP and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member, posted a picture of two men dressed in RSS attire, along with a screenshot from a viral video of the Manipur incident claiming that the men were the accused involved in the Manipur incident in which a mob paraded two women naked and allegedly gang-raped one of them.
She said “They are the Manipur accused. Recognise them by their clothes.”
However, her claim was challenged by netizens who called it propaganda and pointed out that it was fake news. The two individuals in the picture are BJP State Vice-President Chidananda Singh and his son.
Subhashini Ali later apologized for the misinformation but did not correct or delete her initial tweet.
The same image and claim were also shared by other social media accounts, supporting the Congress and Communists. One handle by the name of Shankar Kondaparthi on Twitter stated that these two individuals were the ones who led women naked in Manipur.
Incidentally, Student Union President of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) Aishe Ghosh shared a drawing that implied RSS to be behind the tragic incident.
In response to the fake news being circulated, BJP State Vice-President Chidananda Singh took action and wrote a letter to the Manipur DGP, requesting legal measures be taken.
He clarified that the photo used in the fake news was edited and pasted with pictures of himself and his son wearing the RSS uniform. The original photo had been downloaded from his Facebook page.
Chidananda Singh mentioned the names of the groups and individuals who shared the false information and asked the DGP to take necessary actions against them. He emphasized that he and his family had no connection to the 4 May 2023 incident portrayed in the viral video.
He further expressed his intention to file defamation cases against those responsible for spreading the fake news on Twitter, maligning him, his family, and the RSS organization.
Later on, the Manipur Police confirmed on Twitter that they had registered a case at the Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS) based on Chidananda Singh’s complaint.
*FIR registered for spreading false news:* On 23.07.2023, Cyber Crime Police Station (CCPS), Manipur received a report from a functionary of a political party that a picture of him and his son collaged with a screenshot of the viral video of two women paraded,
Several netizens expressed their dissatisfaction with the central government’s communication regarding the measures taken to address the ongoing violence in Manipur since May 2023. Fake news and misinformation spread through various Twitter handles, leading people to criticize the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government for its failure to effectively communicate to the public. This lack of proper communication allowed rumors to circulate unchecked, causing frustration among the people.
So What Have The Modi Government & The Biren Singh Government In Manipur Done To Contain Manipur Unrest & Help The Innocents?
The government was aware of the potential unrest following a judicial order. On 3 May 2023, violence erupted, prompting the immediate deployment of 55 columns of the Indian Army. During that same night, the Army successfully rescued and evacuated approximately 9,000 individuals to ensure their safety. A continuous and unwavering effort was maintained to restore normalcy in the region.
Govt knew it coming after the judicial order
Violence erupted on May 3rd & the same day 55 columns of Army were deployed.
Indian Army rescued & evacuated nearly 9,000 people to safety the very night.
A relentless effort was being made throughout to bring normalcy.
#WATCH | Indian Army & Assam Rifles undertook major rescue operations to evacuate more than 7,500 civilians of all communities relentlessly throughout the night to restore law & order in Manipur.
There was a potential risk of food scarcity, which led the government to halt the auction of OMSS (Open Market Sale Scheme) to states, including Karnataka. Despite this, the government ensured that free food grains were supplied to the hill state. A consistent flow of stocks was maintained to prevent any shortage of food grains in the affected region.
Centre assures Manipur government of complete support in ensuring sufficient stock of foodgrains in the state
Sanjeev Chopra, Secretary DFPD visits Imphal; meets with L. Susindro Meitei, Minister CAFPD and Chief Secretary, Vineet Joshi and senior officials
To ensure the safety of farmers during the cropping season, the government deployed approximately 2000 security forces to protect them from individuals carrying illegal weapons. The government took strict measures to prevent militants from targeting those working in the fields, prioritizing the well-being of the farmers at all costs.
For farmers safety, nearly 2000 forces were deployed to protect them against people roaming around with illegal weapons.
Its season of cropping, the govt ensured those out in the fields were not targeted at any cost by militants.
Under the leadership of Sri Amit Shah, the Home Ministry has overseen Assam Rifles’ efforts to evacuate almost 50,000 individuals to date. This paramilitary force has been instrumental in providing these people with safe passage, shelter, food, and medical assistance, ensuring their well-being and complete security throughout the evacuation process.
Assam Rifles, under the Home Ministery run by Sri Amit Shah Ji has evacuated nearly 50,000 people till date.
This paramilitary force has provided them safe passage, shelter, food and medicines & ensured complete security
Assam Rifles played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of a convoy of civil trucks, which consisted of approximately 9,000 vehicles transporting essential supplies such as food, medicines, and oil to Imphal Valley via NH-37. The paramilitary force provided round-the-clock protection, ensuring the incident-free movement of the convoy. Throughout the operation, human values, compassion, and commitment were given the utmost priority.
Assam Rifles also took the lead in providing round-the-clock protection to the convoy of civil trucks.
9000 trucks carrying essentials like supplies, medicines, oil to Imphal Valley via NH-37 moved incident-free
Human values, compassion and commitment was prioritized
The Modi Government has consistently prioritised healthcare. In response to the situation in Manipur, doctors from renowned medical institutions like AIIMS-Kalyani, AIIMS-Guwahati, and NEIGRIHMS-Shillong were promptly sent to provide medical assistance. The well-being of the injured and evacuated individuals was carefully looked after by specialized doctors in various fields, including surgery, psychiatry, obstetrics, and emergency care, ensuring comprehensive healthcare support for those affected.
Healthcare has always been a priority for Modi Govt.
Doctors from AIIMS-Kalyani, AIIMS-Guwahati & NEIGRIHMS-Shillong were rushed to Manipur
Well-being of those injured & evacuated were taken care by Dr's specilised in surgery, psychiatry, obstetrics, emergency care etc
The timely deployment of specialized doctors significantly bolstered the state’s health facilities. In a heartening incident, pregnant women who were rescued safely delivered their babies in an army camp. Both the Modi Government and the leadership of N Biren Singh employed a comprehensive “all of government” approach to ensure the safety and well-being of the people of Manipur. This approach aimed to safeguard the population and provide them with necessary support and assistance during challenging times.
Manipur | Esther Hontah, a 38-year-old woman delivered a healthy baby at the Mantripukhri camp, Imphal by Assam Rifles doctors. Early the lady was evacuated by Assam Rifles in Manipur during the ongoing violence: PRO, Kohima & Imphal, Ministry of Defence (07.05) pic.twitter.com/awGH06ss7v
Under the leadership of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the government made sure that no individual was left behind. They took special care of 50 Manipur children who had been abandoned by their parents in camps, ensuring their safe transfer to shelters. The government handled the situation with sensitivity and made sure that these children were protected from falling into the hands of those involved in the civil war.
CM @NBirenSingh Govt ensured no body was left behind.
50 Manipur children who were left behind by parents in camps were carefully shifted to shelters.
The govt of the day behaved sensitively & protected its children from falling into the hands of perpetrators of civil war
During this period, Home Minister Amit Shah was actively involved in planning, instructing, and coordinating with officials and community leaders. His efforts were crucial in the government’s initiatives to restore normalcy in the state. In addition, civil society groups provided robust support for these initiatives, aligning with the government’s actions to bring stability and peace to the region.
Amidst these developments, PM Modi was regularly briefed about the situation and remained constantly vigilant. The government left no room for compromise in ensuring the distribution of essential resources, including petrol and cooking gas, in Manipur. These measures were part of the government’s commitment to restoring normalcy in the region.
While all this was happening, PM Modi was briefed & he constantly took stock of the situation all through.
The govt made no compromise in ensuring distribution of essential resources including petrol and cooking gas in Manipur as part of measures to return normalcy.
Following Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Manipur, an all-party meeting was convened to discuss the ongoing actions in the state. During the meeting, he provided a detailed briefing to parties, including Congress and others, about the measures taken, such as arrests and the number of FIRs filed. Despite the government’s efforts to address the situation, the opposition parties continued with their opportunistic and divisive politics.
In a strong response, a regional party in Manipur countered the scion of Vadra-Congress by attributing the Manipur issue to the Congress party. According to their letter, the root cause of the problem lies in the continuation of the British policy to contain Meiteis, which has contributed to the current situation.
In a befitting reply, a regional party in Manipur did hit back at the scion of Vadra-Congress on how the Manipur issue was making of the Congress.
Root cause, the letter said, was due to continuation of British policy to contain Meiteis.
PM Modi conducted meetings where he gave assurances of implementing a Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki militant groups, aiming to bring about a ceasefire in the region. The primary objective now is to achieve peace at all costs.
However, lets not divert into politicking but look at what more is being done.
PM Modi held meetings & assured to implement Suspension of Operations agreement with Kuki militant groups which would bring ceasefire in the region.
Under the leadership of Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, the government is devising a plan to establish pre-fabricated houses for the innocent victims affected by the unrest. Initially, they aim to build 3,000-4,000 such houses as a starting point. Considering that many homes were destroyed during the violence, the government is committed to providing shelter to the affected individuals until new permanent homes are constructed for them.
Sri @NBirenSingh Govt is planning to set up pre-fabricated houses to the innocent victims.
3,000-4,000 will be built for a start.
Many homes were destroyed during the violence, govt is ensuring they stay here until new homes are constructed.
With the assistance of the Government of India, the Manipur government is making every effort to protect innocent lives and ensure their safety and well-being.
Govt of Manipur is not being run by incompetent fresher in politics.
A seasoned leader & administrator is taking stock of the situation on table inside the office & on ground.
Govt of Manipur with help of Govt of India is doing every bit to safeguard innocent lives.
The collective efforts of the BJP Government, both at the central and state levels, are yielding positive results as normalcy returns to Manipur. Schools have reopened as of 5 July 2023, and although the student turnout is relatively low, many have returned to their classes. Among the 4,617 schools in the region, only 96 are yet to resume, indicating a significant improvement in the situation.
Efforts are being paid off!
Collaborative efforts of BJP Govt, both at the centre & state have brought back normalcy.
Schools have reopened & students, though in low numbers have returned to classes.
Out of 4,617 schools, except 96, all have rung the morning bell.
In a groundbreaking decision, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, has selected four women Parliamentarians to serve as Vice-Chairpersons on the panel. This historic move marks a significant step towards promoting gender inclusivity and representation in the parliamentary leadership.
In a historic move, Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar reconstitutes the panel of Vice-Chairpersons with 50% women Parliamentarians.
It is important to highlight that the women members chosen for the panel are all serving their first term as Parliamentarians. Notably, Smt. S. Phangnon Konyak holds a remarkable distinction as the first woman from Nagaland ever to be elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Prior to the Monsoon Session, the panel was reconstituted and now comprises a total of eight members, with half of them being women. This marks a momentous occasion in the history of the Upper House, as it is the first time that women members have been granted equal representation in the panel of Vice-Chairpersons.
In a noteworthy advancement, the Rajya Sabha Chair has transitioned to a fully digital approach. The Chair will now utilise electronic tablets for various aspects related to the House’s functioning, including matters pertaining to conducting business, maintaining attendance records, tracking details of Members speaking, and other relevant information. Here are the particulars of the women Members selected for the panel of Vice-Chairpersons:
Smt. P.T. Usha
A distinguished athlete and recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri award, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in July 2022. Within her role as a Member of the Rajya Sabha, she actively serves on various committees, including the Committee on Defence, the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the Committee on Ethics.
Smt. S. Phangnon Konyak
A member of the Bharatiya Janata Party, she holds significant distinctions within the realm of politics. In April 2022, she made history by becoming the first woman elected as a Member of the Rajya Sabha from Nagaland. She also holds the honour of being only the second woman from the state to be elected to either the Parliament or the State Assembly.
As an active and engaged parliamentarian, Smt. S. Phangnon Konyak serves on multiple committees, including the Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture, the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, the Committee on Empowerment of Women, and the House Committee. She is also a valued member of the Governing Council of the North-Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences in Shillong.
Dr. Fauzia Khan
A member of the Nationalist Congress Party, she earned her seat in the Rajya Sabha through the April 2020 elections. In her role as a Member of the Rajya Sabha, Dr. Fauzia Khan actively participates in various committees, including the Committee on Empowerment of Women, the Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Smt. Sulata Deo
A member of the Biju Janata Dal, she secured her position in the Rajya Sabha through the July 2022 elections. As an active parliamentarian, she serves on several committees, including the Committee on Industry, the Committee on Empowerment of Women, the Joint Committee on Office of Profit, the Committee on Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), and the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
On 20 July 2023, Prime Minister Modi delivered a concise address before the commencement of the monsoon session of Parliament. During his speech, he emphasised that the Parliament will convene to fulfill its democratic responsibilities during the sacred month of ‘Shravan’. The Prime Minister urged all members of Parliament to actively engage in their parliamentary duties and make the most of the session by discussing, debating, and addressing crucial issues for the betterment of the people.
In the concluding part of his 8-minute speech, PM Modi spoke about a disturbing viral video that surfaced from Manipur. The video depicted a horrifying incident in which certain women were forcibly stripped naked, paraded, and reportedly subjected to gang rape by an armed mob.
He said, “Today I stand before you in this temple of democracy with a heavy heart filled with sorrow and anger. The incident that recently came to light in Manipur is an absolute disgrace to any civilized society. It doesn’t matter who the perpetrators are and how many of them there are; our nation and every single Indian are shamed because of the incident. I appeal to every Chief Minister of our country to prioritise and strengthen law and order in their respective states, especially for the safety and security of our sisters and mothers. They must take the strictest action, regardless of whether such incidents occur in Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, or Manipur. The significance of law and order should transcend political interests and debates in every state government across the country. We must show the utmost respect for women, and I assure my fellow countrymen that no wrongdoer will escape justice. The law will take its course with full might, and those responsible for what happened to the daughters of Manipur will be brought to justice.”
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Surat, renowned as the global center for crafting 90% of the world’s diamonds, has proudly unveiled a remarkable new addition to support its thriving industry. The recently inaugurated Surat Diamond Bourse serves as an all-encompassing hub for more than 65,000 diamond professionals, comprising cutters, polishers, and traders.
CNN reports that the Surat Diamond Bourse, covering an extensive area of over 7.1 million square feet, surpassed the Pentagon, making it the largest office building globally. Spanning 35 acres, the impressive 15-story complex showcases a distinctive architectural design, featuring nine interconnected rectangular structures radiating from a central “spine.”
Following four years of construction, which faced some setbacks due to Covid-related delays, the Surat Diamond Bourse is poised to welcome its first occupants in November. The official inauguration will be done by Prime Minister Modi later this year.
The Surat Diamond Bourse offers an impressive array of more than 4,700 office spaces, which can also function as small diamond-cutting and polishing workshops. The development encompasses 131 elevators, along with various amenities such as dining, retail, wellness, and conference facilities too, to cater to the needs of the workers.
PM Modi Hails The Diamond Bourse
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the impressive Surat Diamond Bourse, expressing that it reflects the vibrancy and progress of Surat’s diamond industry. He took to Twitter to tweet about this and he said, “Surat Diamond Bourse showcases the dynamism and growth of Surat’s diamond industry. It is also a testament to India’s entrepreneurial spirit. It will serve as a hub for trade, innovation, and collaboration, further boosting our economy and creating employment opportunities.”
Surat Diamond Bourse showcases the dynamism and growth of Surat's diamond industry. It is also a testament to India’s entrepreneurial spirit. It will serve as a hub for trade, innovation and collaboration, further boosting our economy and creating employment opportunities. https://t.co/rBkvYdBhXv
Delhi-based Morphogenesis Behind The Designing Of The Bourse
Delhi-based architecture firm Morphogenesis was the mastermind behind the construction of the Surat Diamond Bourse, securing victory in an international design competition. The project’s size was carefully planned based on demand, as all the offices were purchased by diamond companies before the commencement of construction.
Speaking to CNN, the CEO of the project, Mahesh Gadhavi said that surpassing the Pentagon’s size was not the primary objective of the project. Instead, the building’s size was determined based on the demand and requirements of the diamond industry.
The Thought Behind The Design
The layout of the Surat Diamond Bourse is thoughtfully designed to offer an equitable environment for both small and large businesses. The interconnected offices through a central corridor ensure easy access to various amenities and facilities for all occupants.
The state-of-the-art building is equipped with energy-efficient features, designed to consume up to 50% less energy, earning it a coveted “platinum” rating from the Indian Green Building Council. Among its innovations is a “radiant cooling” system that utilizes chilled water circulation beneath its floors, effectively lowering indoor temperatures.
Moreover, the building utilizes solar energy to power the common areas, while the offices are connected through a spacious central corridor, resembling the layout of an airport terminal.
According to Sonali Rastogi, the co-founder of Morphogenesis, the design of the Surat Diamond Bourse was specifically focused on ensuring equal accessibility for all occupants. The goal was to ensure that no office would take more than seven minutes to reach from any of the entry gates, providing convenience and efficiency for everyone within the complex.
Morphogenesis’s research into the Indian diamond trade played a significant role in shaping the design of the building. Rastogi emphasized the incorporation of nine courtyards within the complex, strategically designed to serve as relaxed meeting places for traders.
The landscaped areas, resembling traditional bazaars, were intentionally included to acknowledge the prevalence of informal transactions happening beyond the office spaces. Rastogi described the courtyards as public parks, designed to facilitate various activities and interactions within the Surat Diamond Bourse.
At present, the surrounding areas of the Surat Diamond Bourse are characterized by low-rise structures. However, the landscape is poised for potential transformation with the ambitious “Dream City” redevelopment plan. This visionary initiative envisions the construction of a smart city spanning nearly 700 hectares in south Surat, with the new diamond hub serving as a prominent anchor tenant within the grand project.
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According to the latest report from Henley and Partners, the ranking of the Indian passport has improved, moving up from the 87th position in 2022 to the 80th position in 2023. This advancement grants Indian passport holders visa-free access to 57 countries. The rankings in the Henley Passport Index are determined by the number of destinations that passport holders can visit without requiring a visa in advance. This is primarily based on data sourced from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
India shares the 80th position in the Henley Passport Index with Senegal and Togo.
Indian passport has visa-free access to 57 countries; Singapore’s most powerful at 192: Report
Singapore has taken over the top spot on the Henley Passport Index, displacing Japan for the first time in five years. Japan, previously holding the leading position, now stands in third place. Singapore’s passport has officially been declared the most powerful in the world, granting its citizens visa-free access to 192 out of 227 travel destinations worldwide.
Germany, Italy, and Spain have ascended to the second position in the rankings with visa-free access to 190 destinations. Japan’s passport holders now join Austria, Finland, France, Luxembourg, South Korea, and Sweden in the third position, with access to 189 destinations without requiring a prior visa.
After experiencing a six-year decline, the UK has now made a significant improvement, rising two places in the latest ranking to reach the fourth position. This position is the same one it last held in 2017.
In contrast, the United States continues its decade-long decline on the index, falling another two spots to the 8th position. US passport holders now have visa-free access to 184 destinations. Nearly 10 years ago, in 2014, both the UK and the US jointly held the top position on the index, but they have been steadily descending in rankings since then.
Among the countries within the ‘Top 10,’ the United States has observed the smallest rise in its score on the Henley Passport Index over the last decade, acquiring visa-free access to only 12 additional destinations between 2013 and 2023. In contrast, Singapore has notably increased its score by 25, propelling it five positions higher in the ranking over the past 10 years, ultimately securing the top spot on the index.
Afghanistan retains its position at the bottom of the Index, offering visa-free access to only 27 destinations. It is followed by Iraq with access to 29 destinations and Syria with access to 30 destinations. These three countries have the weakest passports in the world in terms of travel freedom.
Over the 18-year history of the ranking, there has been a consistent trend towards increased travel freedom, with the average number of destinations accessible to travelers visa-free almost doubling from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2023.
Nevertheless, the disparity in global mobility between the highest and lowest rankings on the index has reached its widest point. Singapore, holding the top position, enjoys visa-free access to 165 more destinations compared to Afghanistan, which is at the bottom of the ranking.
According to Christian H. Kaelin, the Chairman of Henley and Partners and the creator of the passport index concept, only eight countries globally have experienced a reduction in visa-free access over the past decade. In contrast, many other countries have achieved more success in providing their citizens with increased travel freedom.
“The UAE has added an impressive 107 destinations to its visa-free score since 2013, resulting in a massive leap of 44 places in the ranking over the past 10 years from 56th to 12th position. This is almost double the next biggest climber, Colombia, which has enjoyed a jump of 28 places in the ranking to sit in 37th spot,” Kaelin added.
Ukraine and China have also emerged as two of the top 10 countries with the most notable improvements in their rankings over the past decade.
“Far more than just a travel document that defines our freedom of movement, a strong passport also provides significant financial freedoms in terms of international investment and business opportunities. Global connectivity and access have become indispensable features of wealth creation and preservation, and its value will only grow as geopolitical volatility and regional instability increase.”
“Most Open” Countries
In terms of the “most open” countries, the top 20 consists primarily of small island nations and African states, with the exception of Cambodia.
A total of 12 countries are considered completely open, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to all 198 passports worldwide (excluding their own). These countries include Burundi, Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Maldives, Micronesia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Timor-Leste, and Tuvalu.
The Henley Openness Index’s lowest rankings are held by four countries that score zero, offering no visa-free access to any passport. These countries are Afghanistan, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, and Turkmenistan. Following the four countries at the bottom of the Henley Openness Index, there are five additional countries that grant visa-free access to fewer than five other nationalities. These countries are Libya, Bhutan, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, and India, according to the report.
Following an extensive questioning session that lasted until 3 AM on Tuesday, 18 July 2023, Tamil Nadu’s Higher Education Minister K Ponmudi was subsequently summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) once again on the same evening. On 17 July 2023, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated raids on K Ponmudi, Tamil Nadu’s higher education minister, and his son Gautham Sigamani, who is an Member of Parliament from the Kallakurichi constituency.
ED has conducted search operations under PMLA, 2002 on 17/07/2023 at seven locations connected to K. Ponmudy, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) and a serving Minister of Higher Education in the Government of Tamil Nadu, and his son, Gautam Sigamani, MP.
The raids were conducted at seven different locations, including Chennai. According to the ED, the searches conducted on Tuesday yielded significant findings. Incriminating documents were discovered, along with a sum of ₹81.7 lakhs in cash and British pounds. Of the seized amount, ₹13 lakhs were confiscated, and fixed deposits totaling ₹41.9 crores were frozen by the ED.
During the searches, various incriminating documents, cash amounting to Rs. 81.7 lakh, foreign currency (British pounds) equivalent to approx. Rs. 13 lakhs was seized and Fixed Deposits of Rs.41.9 Crore have been freezed.
The ED stated that its investigation, in this case, centers around the alleged illegal issuance of red sand mining licenses at five different locations during the tenure of Ponmudi, who served as the Minister for Mines from 2007 to 2011. According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Ponmudi is alleged to have unlawfully granted red sand mining licenses to his son, relatives, and individuals acting as benami holders. The ED further claims that a substantial sum of hawala funds derived from this mining enterprise was utilized to acquire overseas companies. The agency stated that the profits obtained from the illegal mining operations were deposited in benami accounts and subsequently subjected to layering through numerous transactions and accounts.
The ED revealed that two foreign entities, PT Excel Mengindo in Indonesia and Universal Business Ventures FZE in the UAE, were acquired as part of the alleged illicit activities. The Indonesian company was initially bought for a nominal sum of ₹41.57 lakhs and subsequently sold for over ₹100 crore in 2022. The ED suspects that a significant amount of cash was transferred through hawala channels and utilized in the acquisition of these overseas entities.
Following the arrest of Minister V Senthil Balaji by the Enforcement Directorate, K Ponmudi becomes the second minister in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) cabinet to face questioning. In a statement from the government, it was conveyed that the Chief Minister M K Stalin assured Ponmudi of the party’s moral, political, and legal support to resist and challenge the alleged political victimization by the Union Bharatiya Janata Party government.
Ponmudi has previously faced charges of land grabbing and corruption. Recently, he was acquitted in a case involving the alleged illegal acquisition of government land during his ministerial tenure from 1996 to 2001.
Leaders from 26 parties gathered for the second day to strategise a united front against the BJP in the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The alliance introduced a new name, ‘I.N.D.I.A,’ and several leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Uddhav Thackeray, and Arvind Kejriwal, spoke at the meeting.
#WATCH | In the last 9 years, PM Modi could have done a lot of things but he destroyed all the sectors. We have gathered here not for ourselves but to save the country from hatred…, says AAP supremo and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/gqqhuJnZBX
Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the Congress is not driven by power or the desire for the post of prime minister, and announced that the next opposition meeting will be held in Mumbai, with dates to be announced soon. Rahul Gandhi characterised it as a “fight between Narendra Modi and India,” while praising the alliance’s new name.
#WATCH | This fight is not between 2 political formations but fight is to defend the idea of India. If you will see history, you will find that nobody has been able to fight the idea of India. It's a fight between the idea of India and Narendra Modi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi pic.twitter.com/SLSXCjMYPI
Sonia Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, M K Stalin, Nitish Kumar, Arvind Kejriwal, Hemant Soren, and Lalu Prasad were among the notable leaders in attendance.
The opposition leaders adopted the slogan “Jeetega Bharat,” meaning “India will win”, with the belief that the meeting would significantly impact the Indian political landscape. The alliance has not yet revealed its prime ministerial candidate or finalised the seat-sharing arrangement.
The opposition meeting coincided with the NDA meeting held on 18 July 2023 in Delhi. As per the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), certain parties among the 38 total parties have departed from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) but have now rejoined the alliance with the aim of bolstering India.
Chirag Paswan, President of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas Paswan) and his uncle Pashupati Paras also attended the meeting.
"Thank you respected PM Modi for this affection and respect", Chirag Paswan on NDA meet
The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) represented by Praful Patel and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar were also in attendance at the meeting. Praful Patel said that the NCP was an integral part of the NDA.
#WATCH | NCP leader (Ajit Pawar faction) Praful Patel speaks on the NDA meeting in Delhi, says, "I and Ajit Pawar were present at the NDA meeting today along with 38 political parties. NCP is an integral part of NDA. In future, NCP will work with the NDA" pic.twitter.com/u53OFbAMjQ
In a thread that went viral on Twitter, a list of organizations and individuals connected to George Soros provides an overview of his significant financial resources. While not comprehensive, it highlights the potential concern of interference in India’s elections by global elites.
This selected list of #GeorgeSoros linked organisations and people will give you a sense of the deep pockets of George Soros. This list is not exhaustive but will give a sense of the serious election meddling threat India faces from global elites. 1/10#ElectionIntegritypic.twitter.com/LBx8gLZQ2c
1.Human Rights organisations such as Amnesty & Human Rights Watch have received 100s of millions of dollars from Soros (Open Society Foundation). 2.Wikimedia Foundation: Soros invested $2 mn to the Wikimedia Endowment in 2018. Wikipedia is known for their pro-left and 2/10 pic.twitter.com/E8Cm3j6OHS
In 2018, Soros made a $2 million investment in the Wikimedia Endowment, which supports the Wikimedia Foundation. Wikipedia has been criticized for alleged left-leaning bias and an anti-Hindu editorial perspective.
The US Centre for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has been highly critical of the Modi government. Interestingly, while the commission includes members representing various religions, the “Hindu” commissioners associated with Soros have been identified as left-leaning individuals with anti-Hindu sentiments. It raises questions about whether this connection is merely coincidental.
anti-Hindu editorial bias. 3.USCIRF: US Centre for International Religious Freedom has been extremely critical of Modi govt. Interestingly they have commissioners from other religions that are religious. But their “Hindu” commissioners are anti-Hindu leftists linked 3/10 pic.twitter.com/1jcydh2AYJ
Alt News, an organization initially certified by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), is supported by the Poynter Institute, which receives funding from Soros’ Open Society Foundation (OSF) and Omidyar Network.
This certification has been utilized to establish fact-checkers with an anti-Hindu leftist bias while restricting the opportunities for others to participate in this space.
linked with Soros. Coincidence? 4.Alt News: was initially certified by International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) which in turn is supported by the Poynter Institute, funded by Soros' OSF. This certification was used to establish anti-Hindu leftist “fact checkers” and to 4/10 pic.twitter.com/2gtzMFCDeE
It has also been alleged that Soros provides funding to the Evangelical Trust Association of North India (ETANI), a Christian missionary group. ETANI has been associated with propagating narratives of religious persecution in India.
deny others the space. 5.Evangelical Trust Association of North India (ETANI) – This Christian missionary group receives funding from Soros. They are linked with propaganda of religious persecution in India. 5/10 pic.twitter.com/ORaz6a9F92
Chitrangada Choudhury is an Open Society Fellow and one of approximately 700 individuals from India believed to have received funding from Soros. She is also a core member of PARI, an NGO linked to Soros that promotes literature focusing on alleged atrocities in rural India.
6.Chitrangada Choudhury: Open Society Fellow. By some estimates there have been about 700 such people from India funded by Soros. She is core member of another Soros linked NGO PARI that peddles atrocity literature from rural India. 6/10 pic.twitter.com/L0JGe4UdiF
She is also said to have written for The Wire, The Guardian, The Caravan, Mint, Indian Express, the Hindustan Times, and Turkey’s TRT.
29. Chitrangdha Choudhary, journalist has contributed to The Wire, The Guardian, The Caravan, Mint, Indian Express, the Hindustan Times, Turkey' TRT. She also sits on the editorial board of pro-Islamist new portal, Article 14.https://t.co/cSIfah3htspic.twitter.com/2JmtQx8D6I
— Stop Hindu Hate Advocacy Network (SHHAN) (@HinduHate) February 18, 2023
Pratap Bhanu Mehta and Amartya Sen are associated with Namati, an NGO in India that focuses on “environmental justice.” Namati receives funding from Soros.
7.Pratap Bhanu Mehta & Amartya Sen: Linked with Soros funded NGO Namati that works for ‘environmental justice’ in India. 8.Harsh Mander : Headed OSF in India.He was a very powerful member of NAC chaired by Sonia Gandhi during UPA days. Known for his anti-Hindu policies 7/10 pic.twitter.com/1UBC8KM4ZC
The Centre for Policy Research (CPR) is an Indian think tank that primarily focuses on public policy. It receives funding from Namati, an organization associated with Amartya Sen, which, in turn, has received funds from the Open Society Foundation. Several individuals affiliated with CPR, including Pratap Bhanu Mehta, have been known for their criticism of the BJP government. The current President of CPR, Yamini Aiyar, has also expressed controversial views regarding the Indian government.
The Centre for Policy Research recently had its FCRA licence suspended because of violation of funding norms.
Harsh Mander, who previously led the Open Society Foundation (OSF) in India, held a prominent position as a member of the National Advisory Council (NAC) chaired by Sonia Gandhi during the UPA government. Mander has been associated with policies and activism that are perceived as anti-Hindu, and he has also been involved in promoting the conversion of Hindus.
Soros emerged as the top donor to the Democratic Party during the recent US mid-term elections, which included support for President Biden. Also, Amrit Singh, the daughter of Manmohan Singh, is employed directly by Soros in New York.
and activism. He also promotes conversion of Hindus. 9.Bribing politicians : Soros was the highest donor to Biden’s democratic party in the recent US mid-term elections. Amrit Singh, daughter of Manmohan Singh works directly for Soros in New York.8/10 pic.twitter.com/xO2eMIt9Oc
The Dismantling Global Hindutva Conference, characterized by its divisive rhetoric, witnessed the involvement of several Western universities that receive substantial funding from Soros.
11.Dismantling Global Hindutva Conference : This hate-mongering event had participation from many western Universities that receive fabulous funding from Soros. Harvard, arguably the main anti-Hindu influence centre included.
The Madras High Court has granted anticipatory bail to SG Suryah, member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tamil Nadu who also functions as the party’s State Secretary. The case was related to a report published on the online portal The Commune, where Suryah served as a Director. The report discussed the actions of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department in the Chidambaram Dikshitars issue.
— PuthiyathalaimuraiTV (@PTTVOnlineNews) July 17, 2023
SG Suryah was granted bail by Justice G. Chandrasekharan with the condition that he must appear before the investigating officer twice daily until further instructions are given.
Anticipatory Bail Issued
Chidambaram Town police issued a summons to SG Suryah earlier this month in connection to an FIR registered over the publication of the report in The Commune Mag regarding the events that took place during the Aani Thirumanjanam festival at the Nataraja Temple in Chidambaram. Kaushik Subramanian, also associated with The Commune, was also issued summons to participate in the investigation on 4 July 2023.
It has been revealed that the complaint against The Commune was lodged by Sheikh Sirajuddin, a local staff member of the revenue department and the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) of Chidambaram. Sirajuddin stated in his complaint that he overheard discussions at two different bus stands regarding the news of alleged misconduct towards the Dikshitars by officials of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department. He expressed concerns that The Commune’s reports could lead to law and order issues in the Chidambaram area.
Sirajuddin further alleged that The Commune’s reports, which supported the Dikshitars and opposed the state government, were aimed at instigating law and order problems and spreading rumors against the government. The complaint by Sirajuddin was filed on 29 June 2023.
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