Hilarious ‘iPhone Scam’ – That Has Left Right-Wingers Sleepless; Anil Deshmukh Orders Probe

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February 23, 2021

This is one very interesting scam that has snatched the iPhone dreams of right-wingers on Twitter. One guy named Neel Patel emerged on Twitter in December 2019, Hindutva dogma in one hand and attractive schemes in the other. This was an exciting cocktail of Hindutva and hoax. All the blind rightwing influencers on Twitter took to Patel as demi god because some of them received the iPhone from him, one of them even asked for iPad and got fulfilled his wish, bargain was very money-spinning for Patel. Few influencers were trapped by few iPhones and he used them for advertising his offers, with in no time he could accumulate huge money. All eyes were on businessman Hiteshkumar Gordhanbhai Patel, alias Neel Patel, the founder of Squeaks, a social media platform apparently conceived for rightwing voices. Users alleged that Squeaks and its sister venture, NaaradPay, an online payment company, had swindled users of crores of rupees through a supposed scheme providing Apple iPhones for cheap.

Overnight he became a blue eyed boy of the Modi-loving clan, and Patel was declared as Hindu-nationalist digital personality. He was followed by film director Vivek Agnihotri, IPL founder and escapee Lalit Modi, and BJP national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain. His followers are so-called buyers of iPhone and did not check the credentials of Patel because he was Hindu nationalist and Modi supporter. When this man made tall claims those claims were rewetted and endorsed by many that made many gullible to such offers.

Patel had a beautiful script in the background to influence and fool his prey and his worshipers that he was a Kentucky-based entrepreneur who drove cabs in the US until 2012. His life changed, when he won a lottery worth $350 million that year. He began dealing in Bitcoin and Ethereum and operating on a forex trading website called Penny Robot. He had 300 employees in his companies.

Patel had claimed to have received orders for 8,000 iPhones. When the phones did not arrive, people began applying for refunds. Naturally, even that took weeks. Finally FIR was registered against him.

Twitter has reportedly suspended account of Neel Patel (@nto1927) and his associated handles @SqueaksMedia and @NaaradPay.

Journalist Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) tweeted, “.@MumbaiPolice that they should investigate IT cell “influencers”, @BJP4India members, so called RW journalists all begging for cash & freebies in the #IPhoneScam What’s app chats are proof the same lot part of the celebrity tweets @AnilDeshmukhNCP.”

The iphone scam is being perpetrated by scamsters in foreign countries & most of the beneficiaries are right wing influencers.@bainjal we have ordered a comprehensive enquiry & entrusted it to IGP Maharashtra Cyber for further lawful action. https://t.co/cc6qQGLjut

— ANIL DESHMUKH (@AnilDeshmukhNCP) February 21, 2021

In reply Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh tweeted that, “The iPhone scam is being perpetrated by scamsters in foreign countries & most of the beneficiaries are right wing influencers. We have ordered a comprehensive enquiry & entrusted it to IGP Maharashtra Cyber for further lawful action.”

Nishant Singh (@nishant_india) tweeted, “Understand the methodology: If he collects money for 100 iPhones, he delivers iPhone to 20-30 people while prioritizing deliveries to Twitter influencers. The remaining 70 folks – who are probably not influencers – would get completely duped. Nothing ever reaches to them.”

He would later ask the influencers to make a tweet that they have received their gifts (iPhones) to bring in more victims.

That way some keep singing praises of him while others cuss him.

— Nishant (@nishant_india) February 16, 2021

Nishant Singh has uploaded a video on YouTube and made a detailed explainer on this whole scam and what he has dug on Neel Patel, a US-based businessman.

BJP Should Take Advantage Of Lacking Successor To Jayalalitha And Karunanidhi

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Vaidehi Taman

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February 23, 2021

With the demise of M. Karunanidhi and Jayalalitha, BJP got some upper hand in Tamil Nadu, above all Shashikala may split DMK votes. Meanwhile, this is one state where people do not vote for issues, but for the people. People who vote AIADMK earlier voted for MGR and Jaya, while people who vote for DMK voted for Karunanidhi. Modi is the most popular face in BJP but he is a North Indian, that disqualifies him at the outset. Besides, both Karunanidhi and Jaya were experts in developing a cult of personality. These people are revered as Gods but BJP has no such personality in state-level politics. Even as Tamil Nadu continues to be tough terrain for the BJP with the party struggling to mark its presence at the grassroots, the party’s visibility in the media has increased manifold in the past few years. There is no single popular political Tamil TV debate show that goes without a BJP representative these days. Also, several big controversies in the recent past either revolved around BJP or it was the party itself that created it. The national party has also started investing more resources in their campaigns, which may be much more than what DMK and AIADMK have done on social media. BJP has been on a recruitment spree in the state since 2014. In the past years, it has brought to its fold celebrities, bureaucrats, politicians from other parties, and even some individuals with criminal backgrounds. The actor-turned-politician Khushbu’s joining BJP was a significant event. BJP has created some space for themselves and mainly all the veteran politicians are dead so there is no one as strong as them to give a tough fight to BJP in the present time.

The Tamils consider Sri Lanka to be their existential enemy. It doesn’t matter what government is present in Sri Lanka, any friendly overture to Sri Lanka will be seen as anti-Tamil. BJP being a national party cannot afford not to engage with Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka expertly plays the China card whenever the Central government tries to get tough on its human rights violations or on the issue of Tamil fishermen being harassed by the SL Navy. Meanwhile, we cannot ignore the fact that the Dravidian movement has four major qualms. One is atheism, the second one is Socialism, the third is resistance to Hindi, fourth opposition to Brahmins. The BJP is a party that represents the exact antithesis of the politics the state is used to since the Congress party lost power half a century ago in TN. In the Northern and Western parts of India, the Hindus tend to see Muslims and Christians as ‘outsiders’. This politics of ‘us and them’ works well in states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, etc. but we can’t say this will work in Tamil Nadu too. Historically the south has not faced much religious violence except during the age of Tipu Sultan. Issues like Ram Temple, Conversions, Beef politics, etc will not work here.

Also read: Why Indian mainstream Media divided into pro-Modi and anti-Modi groups?

In the Cauvery issue, there was a biased stand favouring Karnataka because they had an opportunity to win in the Karnataka Assembly polls. They filed affidavits in Supreme Court hurting the lower riparian State’s rights. Moreover, the Central government is expected to be neutral to the States. But it is practical that they support Karnataka, hence TN opposes BJP. Brilliant anti-BJP propaganda by all parties in TN both in mainstream and social media (it includes false narratives and half baked facts with no counter-strategy from BJP. Some facts are valid as in case of NEET issue). TN media is also ideologically Left and Dravidian school. Media is not professional and ethical in Tamil Nadu.

The most famous Tamil-speaking BJP Leaders in Tamil Nadu are Subramanian Swamy and that is not entirely for good reasons. After him, there are Radhakrishnan and Tamilisai Soundararajan. Above all Nirmala Sitharaman is one of the senior-most Tamil speaking leaders. But I don’t think she will enter state politics in Tamil Nadu. The leaders like Pon Radhakrishnan who was the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Shipping between May 2014 and May 2019. Earlier, he served in the Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways in the NDA government. Tamilisai Soundararajan current Governor of Telangana and Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry. She was the National Secretary and Tamil Nadu State Unit President of the BJP prior to this appointment. Both these leaders made a mockery of themselves in the media. The interviews they give are just horrible. They bring down the already bad image of the BJP in Tamil Nadu. I believe state Politicians of BJP should be as much representative of Tamil Nadu as they are representative of BJP. For now, they are just representatives of the BJP in Tamil Nadu.

Officially BJP is not a Hindutva party, they are a secular party. But there is no denying the fact that the policies of BJP are pro Hindu / Hindutva. At the grassroots level, BJP is still portrayed as a Hindutva Party. Tamil Nadu in-spite of being a Hindu majority, doesn’t support Hindutva Ideologies. There is no way Hindutva BJP would come to power in Tamil Nadu. Since there is no prominent communal tension, there have been a few, but they are way too far between that did not cause the Hindus to unite with a Hindu Identity in Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu voters don’t believe in a political party that seemingly divides people based on religion.

Also read: A Fan Gives Divine Status To Politicians In India

A single statement made regarding the language issue will make or break BJP’s political ambition in the state. Tamil Identity of Tamil people is one that has the power to bring all Tamils together, a single mistake here will prove to be fatal for BJP. We live in a country where our language (Tamil) is not the majority. Tamil people believe that any move to impose another Language (Hindi in this context) will affect the local language. BJP has to come out and make a statement about why Hindi is recently slowly creeping and finding its way into Central government establishments and Banks in Tamil Nadu. It is believed that removing Tamil in the above-mentioned areas is the first step towards the forceful imposition of Tamil. Tamil people expect BJP to clearly mention that Hindi is not the National Language, not in Tamil Nadu, but in states where Hindi is the major Language. Getting politics at the grassroots level is more important than writing an impressive election manifesto. BJP must capitalize on the ‘Corrupt party’ image of DMK and AIADMK. DMK’s involvement in the 2G scam and the AIADMK’s ex-leaders asset case is to be taken advantage of. If BJP is not involved in any major corruption scams in the current tenure in Centre, it will help BJP a lot in this strategy. BJP should take advantage of the lack of a good political heir to Jayalalitha and Karunanidhi in AIADMK and DMK respectively. One major similarity among almost all Major Political Leaders in Tamil Nadu is that almost all of them were great orators, Annadurai, Karunanidhi was exceptional orators Jayalalitha was not as good as these two but was good in her own right. What MGR lacked in his oratory skills made for with his popularity. One thing none of the four lacked was an unmatched charisma. Such a personality is missing in both the Dravidian Parties. With nepotism running in DMK I don’t see them roping in a new politician to become the face of DMK. But AIADMK might do it. But BJP must act fast to make sure that they find such a person. If BJP succeeds in touching the pulse of TN State, there are definite chances to grab a lot of seats.

Illegal Immigrants – Not Feeling Safe In Mumbai Since Bangladeshi Office-Bearer Of BJP Got Arrested

By

Akshay Redij

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February 21, 2021

Rubel Jonu Sheikh, head of the BJP’s North Mumbai minority cell is arrested, the Mumbai police found that the 24 North Parganas address and school details in West Bengal furnished by him were fake. He had been living in Mumbai illegally since 2011 and had procured fake identity cards such as PAN and Aadhaar card with the help of his fake documents. He has also obtained Indian citizenship by using fake documents, and not only that he made his space in Indian politics by joining Bharatiya Janata Party. With his arrest, many illegal migrants left Mumbai and headed towards north India and Delhi.

Rubina Pasha, a migrant domestic worker said, “Many people from my basti are silently going to Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, as we fear arrest while cops are doing combing operation.”

Sheikh, in his documents, had claimed to be a resident of Malapota gram panchayat in West Bengal’s 24 North Parganas district, and his school’s name was shown as Bolganda Adarsh High School in Nadia district. However, when a team from Mumbai Police went to Malapota gram panchayat to inquire about him they found that panchayat does not have any resident named Rubel Jonu Sheikh. The verification of his documents at the Nadia district collector’s office revealed that the school-leaving certificate which Sheikh called his own was issued in the name of some other person.

Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh broke the news to the media stating that the office-bearer of the BJP is a Bangladeshi and had been staying in the country with fake documents. Taking a dig at the BJP, Deshmukh wondered how the party made him an office-bearer without checking his documents or verifying his credentials. Deshmukh had ordered an investigation into the matter.

In reply, BJP asked the MVA government to find out similar cases in the NCP, Congress. BJP vice president Chitra Wagh said her party would not defend any wrongdoing, if any, on the part of Shaikh but added the MVA government must show “similar enthusiasm” to find out similar cases in the NCP, Congress, and other parties. The 24-year-old Sheikh was arrested by Mumbai Police in a crackdown on illegal immigrants and was booked under sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Passport Act, and the Foreigners Act.

Uddhav Thackeray – Most Efficient Working CM Of Maharashtra

By

Vaidehi Taman

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February 21, 2021

Uddhav being the first time Chief Minister of Maharashtra looks enthusiastic and very active in his role. However, controversies kept cropping up every now and then but he maintained his demure. Maharashtra is one of the most advanced and progressive states in India, it has its challenging vision for its development. Uddhav is here to bring that change, his Government has appointed a panel to extend relief to farmers with loans amounting to Rs 2 lakh. The second tunnel boring machine (TBM) for the underground metro stretch is flagged off. Uddhav has announced an allotment of Rs 20 crore for Raigad – the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the development work has already begun. Metro projects are launched in Nashik, Thane after they were launched in Pune and Nagpur. A special grant of Rs 100 crore for the development of Pathri (birthplace of Sai Baba) was announced, but a controversy erupted over CM Uddhav’s reported comment calling it Sai Baba’s birthplace, still he ignored the unnecessary attacks and carried out his mission. ‘Shiv Bhojan’ scheme is providing subsidized meals at Rs 10 in various parts of the state. The Maharashtra government also announced lots of funding towards the growth and advancement works of state municipal hospitals. One of the straight examples is Wadia Maternity and Children’s hospital that could resume its operations and also directed the BMC to release its share of Rs 22 crore.

Also read: “CM Clearly Says, Aurangabad Is Sambhajinagar And Will Remain So”: Sanjay Raut

Works worth Rs 2,031 crore in Aurangabad will be completed in one to three years. The development projects include an ambitious water supply scheme of Rs 1,680 crore, the Balasaheb Thackeray memorial worth Rs 25 crore, a safari park worth Rs 174 crore, and the construction of 23 roads worth Rs 152 crore. He assured the citizens that all the promises related to water supply, road works would be fulfilled. For several years, people have been assured that the water woes of Aurangabad will be resolved but nothing much was done. The Thackeray government is making every effort to generate employment. Maharashtra with a geographical area of 9.4% of India constitutes about 10.2% of the total workers of the country. Employment in the state has changed remarkably since Maha Vikas Aghadi took over to govern the state. Greater employment being generated by various training and skilled programs. The employment scenario of Maharashtra with respect to the classification of the workforce according to location, employment in different activities, gender, and levels of education suggests that employment generation in non-agricultural activities especially in rural areas will provide a lot of respite to the rural population and lead to exclusive progress of the state. Maharashtra is the third largest state with a total geographical area of 308’000 sq. km. which is 9.4% of India and the second largest in terms of population. The state has 35 districts with 535 towns and 43,663 villages. It is divided into six revenue divisions, first one is Amravati Division, Aurangabad and the second division is Konkan Division, Nashik Division, Nagpur Division, and Pune Division. The total population of the state in 2010-11 is 11,23,72,972 with 6,15,45,441 as rural population and 5,08,27,531 as urban population. Population density is 365 persons per sq. km. Such a huge state needs a steady pace for overall development.

Also read: Train the youth as per the demand of employment: CM Thackeray

Mumbai roads were one of the most challenging issues; there was a lot of criticism about potholes and road repair work. Since last year the roads are getting better, the potholes are getting filled, the bridges are getting repaired, the greenery is getting restored. From health care to transportation and infrastructure, BMC has shown its remarkable speed under the Thackeray government. As an opposition, BJP plays a repulsive game, its only objective is to disrupt the government. Their leaders are pressurized by ED, there are raids and summons. Some BJP loyal influencers and TV channels were assigned to humiliate and attack CM Thackeray and his Maha Vikas Aghadi government. All that was not easy for CM, he had to walk his path against all the odds thrown at him. But still, he believes that there should be healthy competition between states in offering facilities and not in competition between states in concessions inland or electricity rates to attract investment. From major infrastructure projects such as the Metro network to growth incentives in overall areas, Mumbai’s Development Plan to policy initiatives, to rural development Chief Minister of Maharashtra is doing his best. Soon after taking over as the Chief Minister, Uddhav was faced with the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mumbai being one of the most thickly inhabited cities in the world was the hardest hit due to an overnight knee-jerk lockdown by PM Narendra Modi. Uddhav has managed the lockdown very well considering his inexperience at state-level administration. Making available the necessities, facilitating the orderly exit of migrants from the state, and allowing people to move out to villages from cities have been excellent moves. This was followed by rigorous testing unmindful of the criticism of Maharashtra having the highest number of cases in India. Even the BJP couldn’t find much fault except blaming Uddhav for not opening temples when bars are already open which does not carry much weight as the temples are already accessible throughout the state except in some pockets. The BJP and its notorious IT cell have misjudged the capabilities of CM Thackeray but those attacks just boomeranged and continue to do so. One cannot ignore the fact that he has proven himself to be the most efficient CM of the state.

Municipal Commissioner Issues Strict Directives; Citizens Flouting Rules For Home Isolation, Weddings And Public Gatherings Will Be Prosecuted

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 19, 2021

Although the spread of COVID-19 in Mumbai is under control, there has been a surge in the number of cases over the past few days. Hence all MCGM machineries need to be extra vigilant. In view of the rising number of cases in the city, the hands of those who are advised for home quarantine shall be stamped while those breaking rules shall be prosecuted.

An action shall also be initiated against organisers and managements/establishments flouting rules laid down for organising weddings, 300 marshals to be deployed in suburban trains to take action against citizens travelling without masks. The number of marshals to be deployed across Mumbai will be doubled. Buildings with more than 5 COVID-19 patients to be sealed and more such directives were issued today by Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal.

The threat of COVID-19 is still not over yet with the new strain of the virus spreading in some parts of the World. While the vaccination drive is in full swing across Mumbai and Maharashtra, and since the number of COVID-19 cases has been on the rise for the past few days, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has instructed all to take precautions.

Looking at the rise in COVID19 cases, BMC has issued guidelines for citizens
Buildings with more than 5 COVID-19 patients will be sealed
Stamping of Hands for positive patients advised Home Quarantine
300 marshals will be appointed to take action against passengers travelling without a mask in suburban railways
The number of marshals will be doubled to take action against citizens without masks, with an aim to catch 25,000 offenders every day
Orders to raid marriage halls, clubs, restaurants, etc. to check COVID appropriate behaviour
Passengers coming to Mumbai from Brazil will be put in compulsory Institutional Quarantine
The number of tests will be increased in wards having a rising number of cases

In this regard, Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal dated 18th February 2021 held a meeting with all Additional Municipal Commissioners, Zonal Joint Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, Assistant Commissioners of all Ward Offices along with concerned officers via video conferencing. Municipal Commissioner Chahal reviewed the situation and gave necessary directives to all concerned.

Municipal Commissioner Chahal said that in comparison to June-July 2020, the spread of coronavirus in the city is still under control. However, with the number of cases on the rise, the system needs to be vigilant. As public life returns to normalcy, it becomes all the more important for citizens to follow all COVID-prevention norms; especially since the threat of coronavirus is not over yet. It is pertinent to take stringent action against offenders to limit the spread of the virus. In line with the above, Municipal Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal has given the following directives:

1. All asymptomatic patients being treated at home (home quarantine) to be stamped as earlier. Also, their information should be communicated to their respective societies. Ward War Rooms are instructed to closely monitor the patients. They should be contacted via landline telephone 5 to 6 times a day to ensure that they are at home. Close contacts should be isolated after taking complete information of the patient. If the asymptomatic patient steps out of the house or walks around in any public space before their Home Quarantine period is over, societies are requested to cooperate with MCGM and inform their respective Ward War Rooms. Ward War Rooms are instructed to take legal action against such patients. In addition, these patients will then be subjected to compulsory institutional quarantine.

2. Residential buildings with more than 5 COVID-19 patients will be sealed.

3. Use of mask is mandatory in wedding ceremonies, gymkhanas/clubs, nightclubs, restaurants, cinema halls, all religious places, playgrounds and gardens, public places, shopping malls as well as all private offices. If it is found that masks are not being used and more than 50 people are found gathered at the same time, then the concerned persons will be fined. Establishments and managements will also be prosecuted.

4. Regular inspection of halls, marriage halls shall be done. At least 5 such places should be raided and inspected every day. If a violation of any rule is found, legal action should be taken against the organizers of the wedding/parents of the bridegroom as well as the concerned management.

5. In order to take action against those who do not use masks properly and spit in public places, the number of 2,400 marshals currently working in Mumbai should be doubled to 4,800. It is necessary to put up a deterrent on those who are roaming without a mask. In view of this, punitive action should be aimed against about 25,000 citizens every day against the current average of 12,500 citizens.

6. In order to take action against unmasked travellers on the Western, Central, and Harbour Suburban Railway services in Mumbai, a total of 300 marshals will be deployed (100 marshals on each line).

7. The Mumbai police are now being empowered to take action against unmasked citizens. The police can also act as marshals by imposing fines on the violators.

8. MCGM teachers will be deployed at all buildings, offices, hospitals, etc. managed by MCGM with powers to take punitive action against those roaming without masks.

9. In order to monitor all places of worship, women marshals will also be deployed along with male marshals. Roaming without a mask, gathering of more than 50 people at a time or any such violation will lead to punitive action.

10. Action will also be taken against those found in playgrounds and parks without masks.

11. In Municipal wards with the rising number of COVID-19 cases, action should be taken on the lines of Mission Zero. Area mapping should be done in order to test a maximum number of people in such wards. In addition, at least 15 close contacts per COVID-positive patient should be tracked and kept in isolation.

12. In slums, narrow settlements, densely populated areas, health check-up camps should be organized with the help of NGOs to identify suspects. In addition, the patient search should be continued through mobile clinics with an emphasis on testing.

13. COVID Care Centre 1 (CCC1) for High-Risk Contacts and COVID Care Centre 2 (CCC2) for Asymptomatic patients – at least one of either centers shall be kept functional in each ward.

14. Municipal Commissioner also mentioned that there should be adequate availability of regular and oxygen beds at Jumbo COVID Centres.

15. Disaster Management Department should update information on COVID-19 patients, availability of beds, and other necessary information from all government and private hospitals within the MCGM jurisdiction by collecting it every hour through the dashboard.

16. As per guidelines issued by the Central Government, all passengers coming to India from Brazil will have to undergo mandatory Institutional Quarantine. In line with the Government of India directives, MCGM has decided to keep all passengers coming to Mumbai from Brazil under mandatory seven-day institutional quarantine. The implementation for the same has already begun.

Journalist Priya Ramani Released In Defamation Case, Shocked MJ Akbar

By

Vaidehi Taman

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February 18, 2021

Noting that a woman has the right to put her grievance even after decades, the Delhi court Wednesday acquitted journalist Priya Ramani in the criminal defamation case filed by former union minister and journalist MJ Akbar. He shocked many people with his unpredictable approach first joining the BJP was a real shocker for some older people who have seen his firebrand secular writing in Sunday Magazine which was a sensation those days. After the Gujarat riots, he wrote in 2002: “In Hitler’s case, the enemy was the Jew; in Modi’s case the enemy is Muslim. Such a politician is not a fool; in fact, he may have a high degree of intellect. But it is intellect unleavened by reason, and untendered by humanism.” That MJ Akbar who wrote about the Moradabad riots in 1980 Eid the day of Death, lashing out fearlessly at congress party’s criminal neglect in providing protection to minorities. That was the time he was young and idealist now he is a highly seasoned influential journalist who acquired worldly wisdom along the way if you can’t beat them join them. Worldly conventional wisdom has paid off. He became an honourable Minister in BJP. Why would he spend his precious time below poverty line illiterate people, when he can shine among movers and shakers?

Another shocker came with the acquisition of sexual assault. Ramani, the first woman to accuse MJ Akbar of sexual harassment during the #MeToo campaign, in an article in 2017 and a tweet in 2018, had alleged that the former Minister of State for External Affairs had sexually harassed her during a job interview in 1994. Over 20 women accused Akbar of sexual harassment during the time they had worked with him as journalists. He has, however, termed the allegations “false, fabricated and deeply distressing” while stressing that he was taking appropriate legal action against them. Akbar, had told a Delhi court through his lawyers that Ramani “deliberately, intentionally, maliciously” destroyed evidence by deleting the Twitter account. There could be some truth in the allegations, against the Minister. He has been a celebrated editor, a well-known journalist, and is quite well regarded for his writing. He has written quite a few books. I have had an opportunity to read, Kashmir, Behind the Vale (1991), The Shades of Sword (1994), Blood Brothers (2006), and Nehru: The Making of India (1994), of the many books penned by MJ Akbar. These are really good books and written in well-crafted English.

Due to his writings, Akbar had and still has a huge fan following. The admiration and adulation, the writer has received, and the desire of the people in power, to cultivate an editor of such stature makes MJ Akbar, a man of power in his own right, even without being a central government minister. Many aspiring journalists would have come to him to learn the craft of good journalism, from a master. Slowly this power starts breeding a sense of entitlement, including expectations of sexual favors. So, I do believe there could be a strong possibility of some truth being there in the allegations being labelled against MJ Akbar.

Instead of resigning from the post and then clearing his name as a private citizen, he has chosen to brazen it out, by filing a defamation suit against Priya Ramani. It is a criminal defamation suit. That he has denied the allegations is understandable. But what beats common sense is the fact that the Modi government has bought Akbar’s theory of a conspiracy against the present government of labelling such allegations just before the forthcoming general elections. But then Modi is so much at loss to understand, that how could a people, who supported him that big in 2014, turn against his government so much in just a few years, that he is willing to buy the conspiracy theory.

There is some sensitivity still left and MJ resigned from the government and is to clear his name as a private citizen. Because both PM Narendra Modi and late Sushma Swaraj were just ready to make a scathing attack on the Congress party, that Congress Ministers are so corrupt, dishonest, and pervert, Congress party has no honourable people among them. But the accusations of sexual harassment and molestation against their own, BJP sitting Minister of State for External Affairs not gone well with the party. As soon as they realised this, that Akbar is one of our own they lost their voice, and they maintained silence. Well, there is a justice system and one has to pay for its Karma.

Reading out the order, the court said that there are social stigmas attached to the allegations. Society must understand the impact of sexual abuse and harassment on its victims, and added, “A woman has right to put her grievance even after decades”. The court further informed the parties that an appeal can be filed in case of any grievance and asked Ramani to furnish a bail bond in case an appeal is preferred. In its verdict, the Delhi court observed that even a man of social status can be a sexual harasser. “Sexual abuse takes away dignity and self-confidence,” it said, and asserted that the “right of reputation can’t be protected at the cost of the right to dignity.” The court also referred to ancient texts and Mahabharata while reading out its order. The court recorded that Ramani’s disclosure was in the interest of helping those facing sexual harassment at the workplace. The Delhi court, hearing the criminal defamation case, however, rejected the defense of the accused regarding a particular portion in the Vogue article. It contended that the allegations were malicious and defamatory publication by design. Reading out the order, the court stated that MJ Akbar was defamed after the publication of tweets. The court further stated that Akbar is a man of reputation and that the content is not disputed by Priya Ramani. The court noted the submissions made by Priya Ramani and reiterated the defense taken by her. It is further contended that the tweet on resignation was untrue. “On perusal and joint reading… the court is of the view that content is defamatory,” the court said. Let’s hope the other women who feel vulnerable and intimidated can rise too.

Chembur Once Again On BMC Radar; M West Ward Records 25 New COVID-19 Cases Daily

By

Hema Singh

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February 16, 2021

Mumbai’s Chembur area is once again on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) radar owing to the sudden spike in daily COVID-19 cases. Reportedly, at the start of the global pandemic, the M-West ward was one of the worst-affected wards in the city.

The civic body of the city on Monday stated Chembur is reporting the highest number of daily cases, which is a matter of concern, and there are chances that the BMC is likely to impose local lockdown measures.

As per the BMC date, a week ago, the ward was recording less than 15 new cases daily, which has now increased to more than 25 cases. The daily Covid-19 growth rate of the ward is 0.28%, higher than the city’s average growth rate of 0.14%.

Also read: Are We Prepared For Another Lockdown?

To contain the spread of the virus the BMC has warned residents to either follow the guidelines or be ready to face yet another lockdown. The civic body has started issuing stringent guidelines to residential societies in the ward with the subject line— ‘Appeal/Instructions to all societies to follow strict covid guidelines’.

“Your society will restrict the entry of outsiders to a minimum including maids/milkman etc; measures like thermal screening to be strictly implemented; positive cases, if any in society, to follow strict quarantine guidelines by the family for 14 days; others in the family to get tested compulsorily as high-risk contacts and any other symptomatic person in society to get checked for Covid through MCGM,” read the BMC statement.

Afternoon Voice spoke to several residents of the Chembur area, and asked are they prepared for another lockdown? Here’s what they had to say:

Gaurav Singh an MBA student from Chembur told Afternoon Voice, “If the cases are rising then the government should impose another lockdown in the area. When asked is what kind of problem people will face if the lockdown will be reimposed.”

“I don’t think so people will face major problems because everyone is mentally prepared how to deal with the lockdown. Initially, it was a new concept (lockdown) for all of us but now It won’t be as stringent as it was imposed at the beginning of the pandemic,” added Singh.

Disha Goraksha a law student from Tilak Nagar said, “I think everyone is prepared for another lockdown if the government will impose. There is a surge in the number of cases in Chembur, and for our own safety lockdown is a must is what I feel. Now everything is available online from groceries to essentials so nothing much to worry about. And several people are working from home since the beginning of the pandemic. So, I think another lockdown may not hamper our life, as we all have been to this situation earlier.”

A local BJP worker of Chembur Bhanudas Yashwant Tulsulkar said, “Chembur area is divided into two parts. In the first part, you will find all the upper class and business people while the second part (Siddharth colony, Lal Dongar, P L Lokhande Marg) belongs to the people who earn on a daily basis (Laborer, vendors, drivers). The people from the second section of the area haven’t overcome the previous lockdown phase. And if the government is planning re-impose another lockdown then there are fewer chances that this section (second part) will survive in the coming future. So, I don’t think it’s a wise decision by the BMC.”

Doctor Ayesha Ramnani who is an owner of Gurunanak Dental Clinic, in Chembur said, “The thought of another lockdown gives a chill, the almost same time during the last year we got to know about this dreadful disease and just a month back the news of vaccine gave us all hope that covid is gone for good now but again COVID and Lockdown I really don’t think we are ready for it again on both grounds mentally and financially.”

“I am a dentist by profession and yes COVID has hampered my practice a lot during this last year, this new year gave me hope for my clinic would get back on track but again a lockdown I don’t know if I am prepared for that again. I feel rather than imposing a complete lockdown in Chembur the BMC should put restrictions on public gatherings, strict checking if people are not wearing masks. These are just a suggestion rest whatever is the decision we have to follow, irrespective of the fact that are we prepared or not,” added Ramnani.

Akshay Gupta an entrepreneur from the Deonar area told AV, “I think another lockdown will lead to nothing but the destruction of livelihoods. India has built up herd immunity at large and the number of spikes currently being questioned is not as substantial as it may sound. There is a sudden spike in cases because people have started to put their guard down considering covid is gone. However, instead of lockdowns, raising awareness, enforcing strict rules, and ensuring people adhere to the same would be the correct way forward. There is a lion in the house, locking down and hiding will be a temporary fix – Fencing the boundaries will ensure the lion doesn’t enter again.”

Meanwhile, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar on Tuesday said that a lockdown may have to be imposed in Mumbai in view of the rise in Covid-19 cases “if people don’t follow rules”.

On Monday, the city of Mumbai recorded 493 COVID-19 cases along with three deaths. The coronavirus caseload in Mumbai has now reached 3,14,569, while the overall death toll stands at 11,420.

Disha, Shantanu, Nikita Who Is Next? Licypriya Kangujam?

By

Vaidehi Taman

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February 16, 2021

The Delhi Police claimed that Nikita Jacob, her associate Shantanu and Disha Ravi, who were arrested on Sunday, created the toolkit doc on farmers’ protest which was shared by climate activist Greta Thunberg on social media. Disha then sent the ‘toolkit’ to Thunberg via Telegram app. addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Prem Nath, Joint CP (Cyber Cell), alleged that their aim was to tarnish the image of India. The police claimed Disha, who was arrested by the force on Saturday from Bengaluru, sent the ‘toolkit’ to teen climate activist Greta Thunberg via the Telegram app. Nath also claimed that Disha deleted a WhatsApp group she created to spread the ‘toolkit’. Disha sent the toolkit to Greta Thunberg through the Telegram app. How much to believe in the entire police statement that time will tell, but one thing is sure that the tweet by these girls has created discomfort for the government. Agitated farmers wanted their voices to be heard and many think tanks and environmental activists supported their agitation. These young activists have their own opening and they are not influenced by anyone or anything. This generation knows exactly what they want and how they have to go about it, these global kids might have joined the stream in support of farmers, but they are not trouble for the country for sure.

Remember Licypriya Kangujam, the 8-year-old environmental activist from Manipur, became news after she turned down PM Modi’s offer to be part of the #SheInspiresUs initiative for Women’s Day. Licypriya had become a ‘Twitter liberal hero’ when she turned down PM Modi’s offer to be part of the #SheInspiresUs Initiative for Women’s Day. She became news after claims of going to represent India as a speaker addressing the UN in the 6th session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva last year. Well, the story behind Licypriya’s climate change movement isn’t that sweet. Licypriya is the daughter of Dr. Kangujam Karnajit, a self-proclaimed youth leader from Manipur and founder of Club 25 International, Manipur unit. Earlier, police had arrested Kangujam on the charges of fraud, assault, and breach of trust. An investigation of this case in May 2015 showed that Kangujam had conned the state and foreign dignitaries by using the UNESCO flag on his car. He had allegedly duped foreign delegates by promising travel allowances reimbursement, collected funds for the Nepal earthquake, and also tried to implicate a cabinet minister who had sexual harassment charges against him.

Also read: Once India Was Largest Democracy

Licypriya Kangujam began raising her voice to combat climate change and disaster risk reduction when she was seven. In June 2019, she protested in front of the Parliament House addressing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to enact the climate change law in India. She is one of the youngest climate activists globally and has addressed world leaders at the United Nations Climate Conference 2019 (COP25) in Madrid, Spain asking them to take immediate climate actions. Licypriya has been campaigning for climate action in India since 2018, to pass new laws to curb India’s high pollution levels, and to make climate-change literacy mandatory in schools. She has been regarded as India’s Greta Thunberg, though she does not like the usage of this term.

Licypriya started advocating against climate change in July 2018. On 21 June 2019 inspired by the climate activist Greta Thunberg, Licypriya started spending a week outside the Indian parliament House to draw the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pass a climate change law in India. On 31 August 2019, Licypriya received the “World Children Peace Prize 2019” handed over by Mr.Charles Allen, Director of Partnerships of Global Peace Index – Institute of Economics & Peace (IEP), Australia in an event organized by the Regional Alliance of Fostering Youth and Ministry of Youth Sports and Community Empowerment, Government of Maldives.

Also read: The Greta Effect On Farmer’s Agitation India

These young activists are here to bring change by saying no to conditioning and slavery. Well with their arrest what is going to change and who would benefit? The newspapers and TV channels get matters for sensationalism. They improve their TRP to get advertisements. The police get publicity and brownie points in their career if not bribes and bata. Those who don’t like them will enjoy his predicament; the advocates get fees and publicity. The overseas initiators sit safely in their cozy rooms and enjoy their handiwork but the person who made the post has to go from pillar to post for relief. In the meanwhile, they have to suffer mental and perhaps physical injury. Their parents have to weep pitifully and helplessly. Nobody thinks of the consequences or can even imagine or understand. Can’t the investigator quietly meet the person and get whatever information they need and take away any material that is relevant and tell that person to keep quiet until they are cleared? So much hype, suffocation, arrests, press conferences, why do we need all this? Even after arresting these young activists the voices around are going to stop?

Once India Was Largest Democracy

By

Vaidehi Taman

-

February 15, 2021

There were constant hard-hitting headlines about Disha on almost all Indian news channels. Disha’s arrest marks the first in the case registered by the Delhi police over some ‘toolkit.’ Disha Ravi assumed to be an Editor of the Toolkit Google Doc and key conspirator in document’s formulation & dissemination. She started WhatsApp Group & collaborated to make the Toolkit doc. She worked closely with those farmers’ supporters to draft the Doc In this process, police believe that they all collaborated with the pro-Khalistani Poetic Justice Foundation to spread disaffection against the Indian State. She was the one who shared the Toolkit Doc with Greta Thunberg. Later, she asked Greta to remove the main Doc after its incriminating details accidentally got into the public domain. This is many times more than the 2 lines editing that she claims. This particular tool kit has bothered many entities those who are ruling party supporters.

In court, the Public Prosecutor alleged that Disha was part of a larger conspiracy against the Indian government, with links to Khalistani separatists. Disha denied being part of any conspiracy, and that she doesn’t know any such group. “I was just supporting farmers,” she said, as she broke down, “I supported farmers because they are our future and we all need to eat.” She added that she didn’t create the toolkit, and just made two edits to it. In a statement, Delhi police said that Disha was “one of the Editors of the Toolkit Google Doc and a key conspirator in the document’s formulation and dissemination.” Though the ‘toolkit’ shared by Greta has triggered a big row, it is to be noted that ‘toolkits’ are documents, that contain basic information on any issue, tweet suggestions, and information on what hashtags to use and whom to tag on social media, and are a regular inventory while organising protests online. Various forms of toolkits are also used by social media teams of political parties as well when they need to plan a particular social media campaign. The police’s contention is that in this case, the document was made with an intention to malign India.

Disha Ravi is a co-founder of the ‘Fridays For Future’ campaign, which was inspired by Greta Thunberg’s protest for the environment. She was arrested under the FIR filed by the cyber-crime unit of the Delhi police on February 4 against the creators of the “toolkit” on farmers’ protest under charges of sedition, criminal conspiracy, and promoting hatred. Currently, Disha Ravi, who graduated from Mount Carmel College in Bengaluru, is currently working as a culinary experience manager with a company that produces plant-based food. After 22-year-old Disha Ravi’s arrest, two more activists are wanted by the police in the case involving a “toolkit” shared by climate campaigner Greta Thunberg in support of the farmer protests. Warrants are out against activists Nikita Jacob and Shantanu and they face charges that are not bailable. Disha Ravi, a climate activist, has been accused of sedition and is in police custody.

The police claim according to their investigations, the organisation behind the “toolkit” shared by Greta Thunberg – Poetic Justice – had contacted Nikita Jacob to organise a “tweetstorm” ahead of the Republic Day protest by farmers. The organisation is a Khalistani group, the police say. The new warrants have emerged at a time outrage is spiraling over the arrest of Disha Ravi, a Bengaluru college graduate, and climate activist, on conspiracy and sedition charges.

The protestors are Deeply saddened by the conduct of the duty magistrate…who remanded a young woman to five days in police custody, without first ensuring that she was being represented by counsel. Magistrates must take their duties of remand seriously and ensure that the mandate of Article 22 of the constitution is scrupulously followed. If the accused was not being represented by counsel at the time of the hearing, the magistrate should have waited till her counsel arrived or, in the alternate, provided her with legal aid. Several opposition parties and activists have condemned the arrest and the manner in which it was done. “Completely atrocious! This is unwarranted harassment and intimidation. Thousands of farmers have been protesting since November on highways outside Delhi against three central laws. On January 26 Republic Day, a tractor rally dissolved into chaos and clashes when the protesters broke through barricades and even stormed the Red Fort. On February 3, Greta Thunberg had tweeted a “toolkit” to show support for the farmers’ Republic Day protest. She later deleted the tweet, posting an updated one. The police say the “toolkit” was aimed at waging a cultural war against the government and creating divisions among various groups. The government also hit out at “sensationalist social media hashtags and comments” by celebrities following posts from Greta Thunberg and pop singer Rihanna, who also tweeted in support of the farmer protests.

Colleges Reopens Across India

By

Afternoon Voice

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February 15, 2021

Rural parts of Maharashtra’s Thane district, February 15, after being shut for nearly 11 months in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Collector Rajesh Narvekar in an order issued on February 14 allowed the reopening of colleges only in rural areas of the district. The order said only 50 per cent attendance will be allowed in a day and the educational institutions will have to strictly follow all COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Action will be taken against colleges that are found to be violating the regulations and not holding sessions as specified in the order, the collector said. With regard to colleges falling under urban limits, directions of the municipal corporation concerned will be applicable, he said. On Sunday, Thane reported 354 new cases of COVID-19, taking the tally in the district to 2, 57,745. So far, 6,202 people have died of the viral infection in the district, as per official figures.

As part of its phased reopening amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Delhi University will also be allowing research scholars and faculty members to access four more libraries across its campuses. After allowing access to the central library last week, the varsity reopened the Central Science Library, Ratan Tata Library, South Delhi Campus Library, and Faculty of Law Library for PhD and MPhil scholars and faculty members on Monday. It announced that users will have to make prior registration to use the library facilities from 10 am to 4 pm on weekdays.

“Library facilities under Delhi University Library System (DULS) will be made operational in phases. In the first phase, only bona fide faculty members, PhD/MPhil scholars will be allowed to use library reading room facilities. The reading room facilities would be limited from 10 am to 4 pm during the weekdays i.e. Monday to Friday,” the university said in a notice.

As part of its eighth and ninth phase of reopening, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has allowed final-year PhD students to return to the campus. While the “9B students” (day-scholars), who have to submit their theses on or before June 30, are allowed to enter the campus from Monday, PhD scholars residing in the hostels will be allowed to return from February 22, a notification dated February 12 said. The university has also allowed the reopening of the library canteen with immediate effect.