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The Deshbhakt’s Akash Banerjee Labels Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi As “Hindu Don” – Would He Call Kasab A “Muslim Terrorist”?

October 23, 2024
The Commune

In the video titled “How Lawrence Bishnoi Plans to Become No.1 Criminal of India & A ‘Hindu’ Don”, leftist YouTuber Akash Banerjee on his channel The Deshbhakt, delves into the rise of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, exploring his criminal empire, fan following, and the sociopolitical implications of his growing influence. The speaker paints a deeply concerning picture of how Bishnoi’s rise as a “Hindu Don” represents a broader degradation in India’s social, political, and moral fabric, where he claims criminals are glorified, law enforcement is questioned, and national security is undermined.

The video begins by discussing the unprecedented media coverage and fan following that Lawrence Bishnoi has garnered. Banerjee highlights how Bishnoi, involved in high-profile crimes such as the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, has become a figure of interest not only in India but also internationally. Banerjee contrasts Bishnoi’s newfound popularity with that of celebrities and politicians, emphasizing how the gangster’s name has eclipsed even mainstream figures in headlines and social media.

Banerjee explains that despite being imprisoned since 2014, Bishnoi’s criminal network has expanded significantly. The speaker draws a parallel between Bishnoi’s operations and those of infamous underworld kingpin Dawood Ibrahim, noting that Bishnoi controls over 700 shooters and runs a vast extortion and murder racket, both nationally and internationally. This growth, according to Banerjee, is emblematic of how ineffective the government has been in curbing Bishnoi’s activities, implying that either the state is complicit or incapable of stopping him.

Bishnoi’s personal ambitions are discussed in detail. Banerjee says Bishnoi considers himself the successor to Dawood Ibrahim and has fashioned himself as a “Hindu Don,” targeting high-profile figures like Salman Khan, ostensibly to protect Hindu interests. He says, “It is not a secret that Lawrence considers himself a successor of D Company. He considers himself a Hindu Don. Targeting Salman Khan is a time pass for Lawrence.”

In his X post, he writes, “Sources in the NIA say that #LawrenceBishnoi identifies himself as a #HinduDon – a warrior for the ‘Hindu cause‘. “

We wonder who or what these sources are who are whispering such information to – of all people, Akash Banerjee!

However, Banerjee argues that this façade of religious protection is merely a cover for Bishnoi’s true motives—clout, money, and power. He underscores that Bishnoi is exploiting communal sentiments and using violence to silence dissent, appealing to the “Godse-worshiping fringe” who see him as a protector of Hindus in an increasingly polarized India.

Banerjee repeatedly uses the term Hindu Don throughout the video when he speaks about Bishnoi.

Banerjee then questions how society has come to revere someone like Bishnoi, especially in Gandhi’s land, where values like non-violence and satyagraha were once celebrated. Meh!

He laments that modern India seems to have abandoned these ideals in favor of those who wield guns and instill fear. The glorification of such criminals, Banerjee argues, reflects a societal shift where hard-core criminals command more respect than intellectuals or professionals from prestigious institutions like IIT or IIM.

Bishnoi’s journey into crime, as narrated by Banerjee, is also telling of how deeply entrenched crime is in student politics and broader Indian society. Despite coming from a wealthy background, Bishnoi’s involvement in student politics at DAV College in Chandigarh marks his first steps toward becoming a criminal. His anger and desire for control led him to form the Student Organization of Punjab University (SOPU), but when his political ambitions were thwarted, Bishnoi turned to violence. This, Banerjee explains, is where his transformation into a gangster begins, culminating in the creation of a vast criminal empire.

One of the most troubling aspects of Bishnoi’s rise, according to Banerjee, is how he operates his network from within jail. Despite being incarcerated for a decade, Bishnoi has been allegedly able to orchestrate murders, extortion, and other criminal activities, raising serious concerns about the Indian prison system’s ability to contain high-profile criminals. Banerjee suggests that this failure is either a sign of “state complicity” or a reflection of how deeply infiltrated law enforcement agencies have become by corrupt elements.

Bishnoi’s ability to evade significant legal consequences further fuels suspicions of state involvement. Banerjee points to alleged instances where the Union Home Ministry reportedly blocked Bishnoi’s transfer from Sabarmati jail, and how the Mumbai police reportedly struggled to even question him. This protection, according to Banerjee, raises alarming questions about whether elements of the government are using criminals like Bishnoi to carry out covert operations, much like how intelligence agencies have historically employed gangsters for extrajudicial killings. – This is the Canadian PM’s stand on the “extrajudicial killings” allegations that Trudeau has been making against India.

Banerjee repeatedly touches on the Hindu aspect of Bishnoi and seems to wantonly keep proving that Hindus approve of a criminal like him. Banerjee alleges that a significant part of Bishnoi’s strategy is his careful crafting of optics. Banerjee claims Bishnoi presents himself as a protector of Hindus, a defender against Khalistanis, and a vigilante hero in the eyes of many.

Akash Banerjee’s Hypocrisy

While painting Lawrence Bishnoi as a Hindu don all through the video, we must point out that Banerjee has never once mentioned Dawood Ibrahim or for that matter terrorists like Ajmal Kasab as “Muslim don” ever. Is it because according to people like him “terrorism has no religion” but it does when the person in question is a Hindu? This selective labeling is extremely problematic. It’s not just about calling out crime but about how crime is framed, and it speaks to a deeper, anti-Hindu bias that seems to be all too common today, especially among the likes of Banerjee. Associating Hinduism with criminality, while conveniently sidestepping the religious identity of other criminals, is a vicious double standard. It’s a calculated move, where Hindus are made the face of criminal activity while shielding others from similar scrutiny.

Akash Banerjee’s brand of selective outrage and sensationalism fosters this hypocrisy. By repeatedly pushing narratives that demonize Hindus while protecting others, he contributes to the rising wave of Hindu-bashing. This is plain agenda-driven targeting that subtly chips away at the image of Hindus while pretending to be neutral.

A Look At Who Akash Banerjee Is, What He Does, Who He Spends Time With

We all know YouTuber Akash Banerjee runs a channel on the platform titled The Deshbhakt. His only claim to fame is peddling false narratives and disseminating fake news to his followers.

On The Election Commission

In March 2024, he peddled half-truths about the Election Commission. We debunked his false narratives here.

He made allegations of bias among the recent Election Commissioners when historical figures such as TN Seshan and MS Gill, both former CECs, had political affiliations, joining Congress post-tenure. Navin Chawla, another CEC, was also associated with Congress, a fact supported by instances of alleged partiality. He also made allegations of unfair appointments of ECs and CECs wherein, historically, 20 out of 25 CECs were appointed by Congress Prime Ministers. The established process and criteria for appointing ECs and CECs are transparent and governed by constitutional provisions. The assertion overlooks that the President’s appointment of commissioners has always been based on government recommendations, with senior commissioners traditionally becoming CECs. He made allegations of interference in EC appointments by the government but forgot the fact that the present law involves the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, and a Union Cabinet Minister, ensuring broader political representation. Previously, appointments did not involve opposition input, which has now been included. He also alleged that the electoral bonds were a scam.

On Gyanvapi Temple

He also made elaborate videos to spread lies and further the leftist narrative surrounding the Gyanvapi temple in Kashi.

He first claimed that the history of Gyanvapi was complicated with differing views on what existed before the mosque when in reality, historical records and archaeological evidence strongly support that a Hindu temple, specifically the Kashi Vishwanath temple, existed at the site before the mosque was built during Aurangzeb’s rule.

He portrayed Hindu beliefs and historical facts about the Kashi Vishwanath temple as mere assumptions or popular beliefs when there was substantial historical documentation and scholarly consensus affirming the temple’s existence before its destruction by Aurangzeb. Banerjee claimed that the structure near the mosque could have been a Deen-e-Ilahi center, representing Akbar’s synthetic religion when there is no credible historical evidence to support this claim, which diverts from the established fact of the site’s significance to Hindu worship. He also went on to blame Hindu organizations for escalating tensions and altering worship practices at the site.

He even went on to assert that historical narratives, such as temples being built on Buddhist structures, are equivalent to the mosque-temple disputes.

Silent On Modi Govt Positives

Banerjee was among those who used the “Vishwaguru” jibe against PM Modi and India who went on mute when India used its power to ensure Navy veterans returned home safely from Qatar.

Banerjee posted a video in October 2023 where he said, “8 Indian Navy Veterans just got the death sentence in #Qatar. Govt KNEW about this case for the last one year & yet couldn’t get relief. How did our relations with a once friendly nation go SO BAD & our diplomatic might so ineffective beyond soundbytes?” He deleted this post and made the said video private!

He then came up with a follow-up video where if one reads between the lines, it is not necessarily that he praised the Modi government for the diplomatic victory. He blamed the Nupur Sharma episode and India’s relations with Israel for the strained relationship with Qatar! 

Engagement With US Embassy

He was invited by the U.S. Embassy in India who were promoting a programme called “Influence to Impact.” This event, aimed at social media influencers and content creators, offered an opportunity to learn “how to create impactful content that drives real change”. The event took place on 25 July 2024 at the American Center in New Delhi.

Peddling Fake News On Netaji SC Bose

He spread misleading narratives about Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the Azad Hind Fauj and the national anthem. In a video, he inaccurately linked Netaji’s rejection of a temple event to his secular views against Hindutva. He also suggested that “Tipu Sultan’s rebellion” inspired the Fauj’s tiger emblem. The YouTuber also claimed that Bose introduced Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore‘s “Bharoto Bhagyo Bidhata” as the Azad Hind Fauj’s anthem. These distortions are part of a broader pattern of leftist narratives that aim to present Bose as a secular figure opposed to Hindutva. He went a step ahead to contort the reality of Zaman Kiyani, Netaji’s close aide who betrayed his ideals by aligning with Pakistan’s anti-India efforts after partition. Banerjee desperately promotes Kiyani’s value for Netaji, perhaps to whitewash the Hindu-hating realities of a man who orchestrated the 1948 Kashmir raid for Liaqat Ali Khan.

Calls Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina A Dictator (Tana Shah)

In a video titled “Bangladesh Student Protests | What Is ‘Dictator’ Sheikh Hasina Afraid Of?,” Akash Banerjee portrays Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as a dictator, repeatedly calling her “Tana Shah.” He criticizes Hasina for allegedly suppressing student protests through violence, internet blackouts, and curfews, accusing her of using a quota system to favor her loyalists and control government institutions. Banerjee’s narrative frames Hasina’s government as authoritarian, while comparing her rule to what he sees as dictatorship in India. His involvement in a U.S. Embassy event raises questions about foreign influence in shaping public opinion on Bangladesh.

Akash Banerjee peddles nothing but fake news, anti-Hindu propaganda on his YouTube channel. By portraying a criminal Lawrence Bishnoi as a Hindu first rather than as a criminal, he has accomplished what his paymasters have instructed him to do – show the Hindu as the villain, no matter what.

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