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US Embassy In India Announces Programme Featuring Divisive YouTuber ‘The DeshBhakt’ Akash Banerjee, Had Earlier Engaged With RJ Sayema; New Modus Operandi To Subvert Indian Politics?

July 18, 2024
The Commune

A post from the official handles of the US Embassy in India caused quite a stir in social media circles. The reason: they made an announcement about a programme titled “Influence to Impact“. The post read, “Are you a social media influencer or a content creator curious about impactful content that drives real change? Here’s your chance to learn from the best! Join us at American Center New Delhi for “Influence to Impact” with @TheDeshBhakt Akash Banerjee.”

The post also had a registration link which was not working when we tried to register. The event is expected to be held on 25 July 2024 between 6 and 8 PM at the American Center New Delhi.

Who Is “Deshbhakt” Akash Banerjee?

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 EC

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! 

It is noteworthy that the US Embassy in India had nominated divisive figures like RJ Sayema in the past as their “Equality Ambassador“

 

 

RJ Sayema is a very well-known RJ for Radio Mirchi who indulges heavily in mocking Hindu festivals/rituals, and practices and speaking anti-national words. Sayema, a Muslim herself, who has never been seen wearing a Hijab, did not consider the Hijab regressive and did not open her mouth to support the triple talaq abolition by the Modi government. Instead, we went on and on about women’s empowerment giving sermons on her social media handles. In fact, she calls wearing hijab, a choice.

 

 

 

Sayema is known to post defending Islamist fundamentalists. During the CAA “protests“, RJ Sayema, along with urban naxals like Swara Bhaskar and The Wire journo Arfa Khanum, was accused of inciting people instead of promoting calm, contributing to the unrest that led to the deaths of 60 people in the Delhi riots.

It is perplexing why the US Embassy in India will choose to engage with anti-national and divisive “influencer” in the name of creating impact regarding “Active citizenship”. Critics argue whether this a sign of “active interference” in Indian affairs and meddling with the politics of the land?

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