NEW DELHI, Jan 21: Multiple YouTube videos sharing the first episode of the BBC documentary “India: The Modi Question” have been blocked as per the directions issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, sources said on Saturday.
Along with YouTube videos, the Centre has also directed Twitter to block over 50 tweets containing links to the concerned YouTube videos.
Both YouTube and Twitter complied with the government after directions were reportedly issued by Secretary, Information and Broadcasting on Friday using the emergency powers under the IT Rules, 2021.
UK’s National broadcaster British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) aired a two-part series attacking PM Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister during the Gujarat riots of 2002. The documentary sparked outrage and was removed from select platforms.
On Thursday, India denounced the controversial BBC documentary series on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and described it as a “propaganda piece” that is designed to push a discredited narrative.
“We think this is a propaganda piece designed to push a particular discredited narrative. The bias and the lack of objectivity and frankly continuing colonial mindset are blatantly visible,” said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi during a weekly media briefing.
Even though the documentary was not made available in India by BBC in India, some YouTube channels appear to have uploaded it to promote an anti-India agenda.
Sources said that YouTube has also been instructed to block the video if it is again uploaded on its platform. They added Twitter has also been directed to identify and block the tweets containing the link to the video on other platforms.
This decision was made after top government officials from across several ministries examined the documentary and found it to be an attempt to cast aspersions on the authority and credibility of the Supreme Court of India and sow divisions among various Indian communities.
The sources added that the documentary was accordingly found to be undermining sovereignty and integrity of India, and having the potential to adversely impact India’s friendly relations with foreign States. (Agencies)
Govt Blocks YouTube Videos, Tweets Sharing BBC Documentary On PM Modi
J-K LG Sinha condemns twin blasts in Jammu, calls for urgent steps to bring culprits to justice
Jammu, Jan 21 : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday strongly condemned the twin blasts here and called for urgent steps to identify and take action against those responsible.
Seven persons were injured when two blasts rocked busy Transport Nagar Narwal.
“Such dastardly acts highlight the desperation and cowardice of those responsible for the attacks. Take immediate and firm action. No efforts should be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice,” the Lt Governor told the security officials.
An official spokesman said senior police officials briefed Sinha about the blasts and on the state of investigation.
The Lt Governor called for urgent steps to identify and take action against those responsible.
He offered heartfelt sympathies to those injured in the incident and also announced a relief of Rs 50,000 each to them, the spokesman said.
Sinha said the administration would ensure the best possible treatment to the injured and extend every help required by their families. PTI
LG condoles loss of lives in Kathua mishap
JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday expressed his condolences over the loss of lives in the Kathua road accident.
“Anguished by the loss of lives in a tragic road accident in Kathua. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured. Directed district administration to provide the best possible treatment to injured,” tweeted Sinha.
Egypt President To Be Chief Guest At India’s 74th Republic Day Parade
New Delhi, Jan 21: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will be chief guest on India’s 74th Republic Day celebrations, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday.
President el-Sisi is visiting India from January 26-26 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the foreign ministry said.
“This is for the first time that the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt has been invited as Chief Guest on our Republic Day,” the MEA said. A military contingent from Egyptian Army will also participate in the Republic Day parade.
During his visit, President el-Sisi will hold wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Modi and interact with the business community. He will be accompanied by a high-level delegation that will include five ministers and senior officials.
The 68-year-old leader is scheduled to arrive in New Delhi on January 24 and his vist is expected to deepen the “time-tested” partnership between the two countries.
President Sisi has previously visited India in October 2015 to participate in the third India Africa Forum Summit and in September 2016 on a State Visit.
India and Egypt are celebrating 75 years of establishment of diplomatic relations this year. Egypt has also been invited as a ‘Guest Country’ during India’s Presidency of G-20 in 2022-23.
“President Sisi will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on 25 January 2023 and President Smt. Droupadi Murmu will host a State Banquet in honour of the visiting dignitary the same evening. President Sisi will have a bilateral meeting and delegation-level talks with the Prime Minister on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest,” the MEA said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will call on President Sisi and the visiting dignitary will also interact with Indian business community at a business event on the same day, the MEA said.
India and Egypt enjoy warm and friendly relations marked by civilizational, cultural and economic linkages and deep-rooted people-to-people ties. The multifaceted relationship is based on shared cultural values, commitment to foster economic growth, collaboration in the fields of defence and security and convergence on regional and global issues. The two countries work closely at multilateral and international platforms.
Bilateral trade between India and Egypt achieved a record high of USD 7.26 billion in FY 2021-22. The trade was fairly balanced, with USD 3.74 billion Indian exports to Egypt and USD 3.52 billion imports from Egypt to India. More than 50 Indian companies have invested around USD 3.15 billion in diverse sectors of Egyptian economy, including chemicals, energy, textile, garment, agri-business, retail, etc. (Agencies)
Wrestlers call off protest, WFI chief Brij Bhushan to step aside till probe is completed
Thakur also said that WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh would step aside till the probe ends.
“The committee will see all the day-to-day workings till the investigation completes, and till then Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh will step aside and cooperate with the investigation,” he said.
Further addressing the mediapersons, Thakur said that the players kept their demands and a detailed discussion about it took place. “We had issued a notice to the Wrestling Federation of India when the allegations were levelled and asked them to respond within 72 hours, and they did. Similarly, we seek their timely support and cooperation so that the matter can be resolved soon,” he added.
In the press conference, Thakur was accompanied by wrestlers Sakshee Malikkh, Bajrang Punia, Vinesh Phogat, Ravi Dahiya and several others.
Extending gratitude for the government’s concern, Ace India wrestler Bajrang Punia said, “The Union Sports Minister listened to our demands and has assured us that a proper investigation will be done. I thank him and we are hopeful that a fair probe will be done, hence we are calling off the protest.”
Hence, the protest, which began on Wednesday at the Jantar Mantar in the national capital, was finally called off with the Sports Minister announcing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh to set aside till the investigation against the levelled allegations completes.
The protest by wrestlers, including Olympic and Commonwealth Games (CWG) medalists, was underway in Delhi, as women wrestlers levelled serious charges of sexual harassment by the president and coaches of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) and of mismanagement in the functioning of the federation.
However, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh refuted the allegations and claimed he would expose the ‘political conspiracy’ in a press conference in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda yesterday.
42 Pakistani journalists killed in 4 years: Pak Minister tells Senate
Pakistan Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi on Friday informed the Senate that 42 journalists have been killed in the country over the past four years, Pakistan-based Dawn newspaper reported.
According to data from the Information Ministry, 15 of the journalists were from Punjab, 11 were from Sindh, 13 from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and three from Balochistan. The journalists were either shot dead, targeted or killed by terrorists.
The data shows that seven suspects were arrested in Punjab out of which two are currently out on bail. Five out of the seven arrested are standing trial while eight suspects are on the run. One accused has been released by the court.
Four suspects have been arrested in Sindh while seven are facing trial. Two suspects in KP were acquitted, four are facing trial and one suspect is on the run. Two suspects in Balochistan escaped, one is facing trial, one suspect was sentenced and another is facing an investigation.
Mumbai: Man arrested ahead of PM Modi’s rally for posing as soldier from Guards Regiment of Army
Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally here, Mumbai Police arrested a man for entering the rally posing as an Army soldier, informed police officials on Saturday.
The 35-year-old man from Navi Mumbai was arrested by the Mumbai Police, 90 minutes before PM Narendra Modi was to reach Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC), informed Mumbai Police officials. The accused tried to enter the high-security VVIP area by claiming himself to be a Naik from the “Guards Regiment” of the Army.
The accused has been identified as Rameshwar Mishra, a science graduate who was stopped by the Mumbai Crime Branch officials on suspicion around 3 pm.
The Mumbai Police registered a case under sections 171, 465, 468, and 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The accused was produced in Bandra court on Friday and was sent to police custody till January 24.
Earlier on January 19, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated, dedicated, and laid the foundation stone of multiple development initiatives in Mumbai. The PM inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of projects worth around Rs 38,800 crore in Mumbai.
In an effort to strengthen health care infrastructure in Mumbai, Prime Minister inaugurated 20 Hinduhridaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana. The novel initiative provides essential medical services like health checkups, medicines, investigations, and diagnostics completely free, to the people.
Addressing a gathering, PM Modi highlighted that this is the first instance when the world is showing faith in the resolve of India. The Prime Minister said that as Indians are eagerly awaiting a developed India, the same optimism for India can be seen in the world.
Moderate Snowfall In Kashmir Upper Reaches
The upper reaches of Kashmir received the first snowfall of the season on Thursday, resulting in a chill in the plains which received moderate rainfall.
An official of the local MeT department said there was significant snowfall in many areas of Kashmir, including the famous ski-resort Gulmarg, popular tourist destination Sonamarg and areas near Line of Control like Gurez and Karnah during the interv…
Light snowfall was also received at Zojila on Srinagar-Leh highway, connecting Ladakh region with Kashmir. However, the Srinagar-Leh and Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open for vehicular traffic. The early snowfall brought cheer to tourist…
Srinagar city and other areas of the Valley received moderate rainfall since the early hours of Thursday, bringing down the temperature by several degrees. As a cold breeze from the snow-clad mountains plummeted temperature, people were forced to put.
Traffic Halted On Jammu-Srinagar National Highway Due To Shooting Stones
JAMMU, Jan 21: Authorities on Saturday suspended the traffic movement on Jammu-Srinagar national highway in view of shooting stones at Panthyal, officials said.
“Traffic movement stopped from both ends on Jammu Srinagar NHW in view of road blocked at Panthyal due to continuous shooting stones,” said an official of Traffic Police.
The Srinagar-Jammu highway is the only major surface link connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.
5 dead, 15 injured as mini bus falls into gorge in J&K’s Kathua
The accident took place in Kathua’s Sila village of Billawar in the evening when the driver lost control of the private bus while negotiating a blind curve, police said. Five people, including a woman, were killed and 15 others sustained injuries after a mini bus skidded off the road and plunged into a deep gorge in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, police said.
The accident took place at Sila village of Billawar in the evening when the driver lost control of the private bus while negotiating a blind curve, they said.
According to the police, the bus was on its way to Dhanu Parole village from Mondli village.
Four people, including a 60-year-old woman, were found dead at the spot by rescuers, while 16 others were rushed to a hospital where one of them succumbed to injuries, they said.