Month: July 2023

LS Passes Revamp Age-Based Certification

LS Passes Bill To Curb Film Piracy, Revamp Age-Based Certification

By LokMarg

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed a Bill to curb the menace of film piracy, revamp age-based certification given by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) as well as uniformity in the categorisation of films and content across platforms.

The Cinematograph (Amendment ) Bill 2023 was passed in the Lok Sabha with a voice vote despite protests by the members of the Opposition parties over the ongoing Manipur ethnic violence. The Bill was passed by the Rajya Sabha on July 27.

CBFC Denies Refusing Certification To ’72 Hoorain’ Trailer


Speaking on the Bill, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur said “We (the government) will do the work of stopping piracy through this Bill.”

“Piracy is like cancer and we are trying to uproot it through this Bill,” Thakur said in support of the Bill, which has provisions to curb transmission of pirated film content on the internet as well as to classify films on the basis of age group, instead of the current practice of ‘U’, ‘A’, and ‘UA’.

“U” is for unrestricted public exhibition and “A” is restricted to adult audiences, while “UA” is for unrestricted public exhibition subject to parental guidance for children below the age of 12 and “S” for special category audiences such as doctors and scientists.

The Bill seeks amendment to the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The amendments will address the issue of unauthorised recording and exhibition of films.

The draft Act constitutes the Board of Film Certification for certifying films for exhibition.  Such certifications may be subject to modifications and deletions. The Board may also refuse the exhibition of films.

The Bill adds certain additional certificate categories based on age. Under the Act, the film may be certified for exhibition without restriction (‘U’); without restriction, but subject to guidance of parents or guardians for children below 12 years of age (‘UA’); only to adults (‘A’); or only to members of any profession or class of persons (‘S’).

The Bill substitutes the UA category with the following three categories to also indicate age-appropriateness UA 7+, UA 13+, or UA 16+.  The age endorsement within the UA category by the Board will inform guidance of parents or guardians, and will not be enforceable by any other persons other than parents or guardians.

Films with an ‘A’ or ‘S’ certificate will require a separate certificate for exhibition on television, or any other media prescribed by the central government. The Board may direct the applicant to carry appropriate deletions or modifications for the separate certificate.

The Bill prohibits carrying out or abetting the unauthorised recording and unauthorised exhibition of films.  Attempting an unauthorised recording will also be an offence.

An unauthorised recording means making or transmitting an infringing copy of a film at a licensed place for film exhibition without the owner’s authorisation.  An unauthorised exhibition means the public exhibition of an infringing copy of the film for profit at a location not licensed to exhibit films or in a manner that infringes upon the copyright law.

Certain exemptions under the Copyright Act, 1957 will also apply to the above offences.  The 1957 Act allows limited use of copyrighted content without owner’s authorisation in specified cases such as private or personal use, reporting of current affairs, or review or critique of that work.

The offences will be punishable with imprisonment between three months and three years, and a fine between three lakh rupees and 5 per cent of the audited gross production cost.

Under the Act, the certificate issued by the Board is valid for 10 years. The Bill provides that the certificates will be perpetually valid.

The Act empowers the central government to examine and make orders in relation to films that have been certified or are pending certification. The Board is required to dispose matters in conformance to the order. (ANI)

RS Adjourned As Oppo Protests

RS Adjourned As Oppo Protests Govt’s Move For discussion Manipur

By LokMarg

Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2:30 PM shortly after a discussion on the Manipur issue began in the House.

Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2:30 PM today shortly after Opposition MPs objected to Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar’s short-duration discussion on issues connected with Manipur.
Earlier in the day, Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 12 pm soon after the Upper House convened for the day, amidst a ruckus over a discussion on the ongoing Manipur issue.

Soon after the House assembled for the day and papers were laid on the table, the Opposition started raising the issue requesting the chair to consider it.

Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Piyush Goyal said, “The opposition is against a discussion on Manipur.

For nine days, the government kept up with its promise to speak on Manipur but it has not been possible from the opposition’s side. If they are ready, we can hold a discussion at 2 pm.

”The Lok Sabha was also adjourned till 2 pm today Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi earlier today said that bill to replace the ordinance on control of services in Delhi is not listed in today’s business and the matter will not be taken up in the Parliament.”We will inform you when it (Delhi Ordinance Bill) will be introduced. It is not mentioned in the List of Businesses today,” Joshi told reporters before the Parliament convened for the day.

He further stated that a no-confidence motion will be brought within ten working days from the day it was tabled in the Lok Sabha. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal also said Bill will not be introduced in Parliament today.

“We have been asking for their (Opposition) demand since the first day, they wanted a discussion on Manipur and when we agreed to it, now they changed their demand and want the Prime Minister to speak on this issue. They are trying to politicise this issue. They have brought the no-confidence motion, we will have discussions on the same whenever Speaker decides,” Meghwal said.

Earlier today, Aam Admi Party issued a three-line whip for all its Rajya Sabha MPs to be present in the House from July 31 to August 4 to support the party’s stand on the bill to replace the ordinance on control of services in Delhi when it is brought up in the House by the government in the monsoon session of Parliament. (ANI)

Can Rice Export Ban Bring Down Prices?

By Kunal Bose

India will go to the polls between April and May 2024 to elect members of the 18th Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government headed by Narendra Modi of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has to contend with anti-incumbency issue and more frighteningly the near whole host of opposition parties coming together under the acronym INDIA (Indian National Developmental Alliance) as it fights the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Odisha based Biju Janata Dal led by Naveen Patnaik is not, however, part of either of the two alliances, all its energies being directed at economic and social development of the resources rich coastal state. While Patnaik has never looked beyond the state boundaries for a national political role, Telengana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and his party Bharat Rashtra Samithi though among the firsts to take the initiative to unite the opposition parties has stayed away from INDIA in view of the Congress being seen as his principal opponent in his home turf rather than BJP. Unlike Patnaik, Rao’s prime ministerial ambition has never been in doubt.

In a country like India or Bangladesh with countless number of poor people, food price inflation is highly dreaded by the incumbent party (or an alliance of parties) in power. Major price rises of food items, cereals, pulses, edible oils, dairy products et al have continued to push consumer price index and consumer food price index to levels to make the central bank (that is, the Reserve Bank) pursue tight monetary policy by keeping interest rates high.

This year the progress of the southwest monsoon – heavy rains and floods in some states and deficit in precipitation in some others – on which the fate of kharif crops, principally the staple in India rice, depends has remained the cause of concern. Unsure about the production of kharif rice but greatly worried about enragement of voters by high food prices, New Delhi put a ban on the export of non-basmati white rice effective July 20 in an attempt to ensure adequate domestic availability at reasonable prices.

Export ban move by the world’s largest exporter of the commodity has been triggered by over 30 per cent rise in its prices since October 2022. But no one is sure as to what extent the ban will help in driving down rice prices. Ahead of the recent ban on white rice, the government last year banned the export of broken rice and also imposed a supplemental tariff of 20 per cent on non-basmati rice exports. Incidentally, the duty did not in any way leave an impact on global demand for Indian rice. Proving the point, India’s rice exports in the calendar year 2022 were an impressive 22.3 million tonnes, accounting for around 40 per cent of global trade by volume. Indian rice is exported to over 140 countries, including many poor countries such as in Africa and nearer home Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation, the global rice price index was up 14 per cent in the year to June. Referring to the steep rise in FAO index, now at its highest since the 2008 food crisis, The Economist says, what has happened “is mostly because of climate related supply concerns that have also pushed up the prices of other foods. Rice is especially vulnerable to El Nino, the weather pattern that brings hotter temperatures and drier conditions to Asia.”

ALSO READ: Can A United Opposition Defeat Modi?

Take China, soil moisture in the country’s rice growing centres has hit the lowest point in over a decade, thanks to scanty rainfall and heat wave. Anticipating tight supply on weather driven setback in production, the major rice consuming countries from China to Indonesia started stocking up early. Vietnam and Thailand are stretched to the maximum to meet import demand. India being such a major supplier of white rice constituting nearly half of its total exports, including the long-grained fragrant Basmati grain, its export ban decision could only fan price rises in the world market.

Whatever happens to global rice prices, Indian wheat and rice stocks in the central pool are well above the mandatory norm. According to the food ministry, the country with combined wheat (31.2 million tonnes) and rice (26.7 million tonnes) stocks of 57.9 million tonnes in June is in a “comfortable position” to meet its requirements of food grains. In any case, under New Delhi’s Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, 80 crore poor people are to get free food grains till 2023 end. The states also support the poor with free or highly subsidised food ration. Without this kind of support the poor who lost their livelihood due to near total shutdown of economic activities during Covid 19 would have perished. Many economists have for long recommended that instead of letting food grains rot in covered godowns with many requiring immediate repair, these should be given away to the poor free of cost.

While it is too early to make a forecast of this year’s kharif rice crop even though the sown area so far is up over 2 per cent on 2022, the country has the comfort of a record food grain harvest of 330.5 million tonnes during the 2022-23 season, including rice production of 135.5 million tonnes, up 6 million tonnes over last time.

A good harvest followed by adequate procurement is considered to be an insurance against food price inflation, providing food security for the masses. But as it has turned out, food in India continues to become more and more expensive. FMCG companies with large portfolios of food products buy large quantities of wheat, corn, sugar, spices, etcetera, for processing and they are always among the best watchers of future behaviour of food prices.

Talking about the likely trend in food prices, Nestle India chairman Suresh Narayan said the other day: “Headline inflation has been under control, but food inflation will continue to wobble for a while not just because of expectations on crops but also climate. The kind of rains we are seeing, what impact this will have on winter crops is anybody’s guess. So food inflation will stay, it’s not something we can wish away quickly.” Other FMCG groups such as Hindustan Unilever and ITC are also bracing themselves to face further food inflation that may dent demand and their profit margins.

Centre's Ordinance bill

Owaisi Opposes Introduction Of Delhi Ordinance Bill In Parliament

By LokMarg

As the Bill to replace the Centre’s Ordinance on control of services in Delhi is likely to be tabled in Parliament this week, AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Monday moved a notice to Lok Sabha General Secretary opposing the introduction of the bill, saying that “it violates the principle of federalism, which is part of the basic structure of the Constitution”.

In his notice, the Lok Sabha MP said, “I give notice of my intention to oppose the introduction of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023 under Rule 72 of the Rule of Procedure on the following grounds, as it violated Article 123 and the Bill also violates the principle of federalism which is part of the basic structure of the Constitution.”
Earlier on Friday, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal informed Lok Sabha that the bill is in the government’s business for next week. Rajya Sabha was informed of the government business for this week by Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan.

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, replaces the Ordinance, which was promulgated in May this year.

The government is now pushing for its legislative business in the ongoing Monsoon session, which has been disrupted, owing to a “logjam” over the Manipur issue, since it began.

A copy of the contentious Bill has been circulated to all MPs, sources said on Monday.

The Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Bill, 2023, seeks to replace the ordinance brought by the Centre in May which excluded ‘services’ from the legislative competence of the Delhi legislative assembly. The ordinance was brought days after the Supreme Court judgement on the control of services in Delhi.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been seeking opposition parties’ support against the  Ordinance.

Members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance will oppose the Bill in Parliament, while the government has expressed confidence in getting the bill passed. (ANI)

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‘Misery Caused By Delhi Floods Was A Photo Opportunity For Many’

By LokMarg

Anjali, secretary of the All India Students Association (AISA), Delhi University, recounts her experience after visiting the flood-affected labourers families in Yamuna floodplains:

Our party, the CPI-ML (Liberation) and its students’ wing, AISA, have been continuously working among the working people of Delhi. For, we believe in the solidarity and struggle of the working class people. From my experience on the ground, I can say the Indian State and the Union government led by the BJP have no regard for the people who actually build and run the city with their hard labour and sweat.

This time also, when people’s homes were flooded, the people got nothing, other than empty promises, from both Narendra Modi and Arvind Kejriwal. Hence, as students, committed to the cause of a just society, we thought it was imperative to go and stand with the working people who have been worst affected by the inundation and mass displacement.

A team of 20 activists visited Ambedkar Basti, Wazirabad and Dhobi Ghat on 14 July where poor workers reside in temporary settlements in extremely difficult conditions. Even a cursory look at the settlement proved that these people have been compulsively ignored — way before the floods came. Ambedkar Basti and Dhobi Ghat had predominantly migrant Dalit and Muslim population.

We saw people waiting on their terrace with no expectation, and, absolutely no hope, with their homes half-submerged with water-level up to four feet. Rains and poor drainage have been catastrophic for the residents there and it is symptomatic of the inhuman living conditions that the labour population is subjected to. The people didn’t want to leave their homes and go anywhere even though they had no water, food or shelter.

Anjali says Centre and Delhi governments were busy shifting blame while the poor suffered

Even when we reached, they misunderstood us as people from the government and we were told, “Bohot log photo khich ke chale gaye, tum bhi photo aur vedio banane aaye ho kya?” (A lot of people have come here to take pictures and videos, are you also one of them?) After explaining who we were, they welcomed us and showed us around. Almost everything around was damaged by the flood.

ALSO READ: ‘Daily Wagers Were The Worst Affected By Floods’

The people staying in these places are daily-wage workers, rickshaw-pullers, domestic-helpers, electricians, construction workers etc. Hence, for them, not being able to get out of their homes meant hunger and deprivation for their families. The stagnant water had caused severe diarrhoea, dengue, skin-infections, etc. Not able to get out also meant not being able to afford medicines to treat these diseases. The flood had damaged not just their homes, but also what was inside: their modest belongings like beds, tables, fridge, ration, documents, even the books of children — leaving people worse-off than before.

We decided to start with relief work by making a list of all that seemed necessary, like drinking water, food, medicines, sanitary pads and diapers. We appealed for funds from the citizens of Delhi, who helped the working people in whatever capacity they could.

From 15th July releif work began in Working class areas of Delhi, the same people who were first skeptical at our visit said “Aap log pehle hain jo madad karne vapis aaye” (you’re the first ones who came back to help). This communicated the anger and frustration of the people from both the union and the state government. We distributed releif kits to Over 500 families. We also intend to conduct a survey in these areas for children who lost their education material.

Distribution of relief kits to the flood victims

Kejriwal claimed that his government had set up relief camps at various places in Delhi, but the reality is that these places had no water or food; at some places the stale food caused poisoning. The CPI-ML wrote to the Delhi chief minister and Lt Governor about the condition of people. But, the Union and state governments were busy shifting blame on each other; the victims were left to fend for themselves.

The larger problem behind all this is fake promises made by the BJP and AAP — ‘Jahan jhuggi vahan makaan’. A lot of these settlements are on Yamuna floodplains, which the government says, are ‘illegal’. However, the fact is, the people have been forced to live here for decades; they are constantly pushed out to the peripheries through illegal demolitions, rising rent, cost of living and the ghettoisation of the working class in our metros. Indeed, it is a continuous and tragic narrative, and there seems no end to this brazen injustice.

As told to Amit Sengupta

Jaipur to Mumbai RPF

RPF Constable Shoots Dead 4 People On Jaipur-Mumbai Express Train

By LokMarg

Four persons onboard a moving train from Jaipur to Mumbai were shot dead by a Railway Protection Force (RPF) jawan in Maharashtra on Monday morning, officials said.

According to Western Railways, the constable identified as  CT Chetan, opened fire and shot at four passengers, including an RPF assistant sub-inspector (ASI) inside the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Express Train after it crossed Palghar Station in Maharashtra.

As per information from Western Railways, the accused constable has been detained along with his weapon.

RPF officials said that the incident took place in the B5 coach of the Jaipur-Mumbai Central Superfast Express (Train number 12956).

According to a statement by the RPF, “It was reported on train no 12956 at 5.23 on 31.7.23 that there had been a firing in B5 coach. It was confirmed that CT Chetan on escort duty, had fired on the escort in charge ASI Tika Ram. The train has arrived at BVI and, as per advance information, casualties of 3 civilians have also been reported, in addition to ASI. Sr DSC BCT is on the way to the site.”

“The constable has been caught by police and DCP North Government Railway Police has been informed. A detailed report to follow,” the RPF statement added. (ANI)

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Remo D'Souza Saroj Khan

Remo Recalls What Saroj Once Told Him

By LokMarg

Actor and dancer Nora Fatehi and choreographer Remo D’Souza opened up about their interest in working on biopics. Remo recalled working with late choreographer Saroj Khan. They also talked about judging the hip-hop-based reality show, ‘Hip-Hop India’ and said that it is different from other reality series.

During an exclusive conversation with ANI, Remo and Nora opened up about their interest in doing biopics. While talking about working on a biopic on Helen, Nora said, “Of course, I would love to do it.”
Remo recalled working with Saroj Khan and said, “She once told me that ‘if a biopic is made on me, you will do it’ while we were both working together. Sadly, she is no longer with us, but I vividly recall working with her, and it was an opportunity to observe her working style and learn. It is a huge opportunity for me because she mentioned that I would make a biopic about her.”

While talking about the show, both Nora and Remo said that it is going to be different from other reality series.

Remo explained, “In other shows, we are interested to know about the background of the contestants but on this, we just focus on their talent and not on any stories. So, in other shows, if we focus on their stories and performance, here we keep aside the all stories and just focus on their talent.”

Asked whether they are planning to promote it on ‘Bigg Boss OTT 2’, Remo said it may be possible, “you never know,” he replied.

Nora further shared her excitement about her upcoming Telugu film and said, “I am very excited and it is really a big opportunity.”

‘Hip-Hop India’ streams on Amazon miniTV. (ANI)

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy: War Is Gradually Returning To Russia

By LokMarg

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday warned that the war is “gradually returning” to Russia, adding that it is an “inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process.” He stressed that Ukraine is “getting stronger.”

Zelenskyy’s remarks come after Russia brought down three Ukrainian drones. According to the statement released by the Ukraine President’s office, Zelenskyy said, “Russian aggression has gone bankrupt on the battlefield. Today is the 522nd day of the so-called “special military operation,” which the Russian leadership expected to last for a week or two. Ukraine is getting stronger.”
“Gradually, the war is returning to the territory of Russia – to its symbolic centers and military bases, and this is an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process,” he added.

He spoke about his visit to Prykarpattia’s Ivano-Frankivsk, according to the statement released by Ukraine President’s office. Zelenskyy stated that he held a meeting of the Congress of local and regional authorities of Ukraine in Ivano-Frankivsk. He warned that Russia can still attack Ukraine’s energy sector and critical facilities during winter.

“But we must be aware that, just as last year, Russian terrorists can still attack our energy sector and critical facilities this winter. Today we discussed with the communities the current state of preparation for all possible scenarios,” Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyy noted that during his visit to Ivano-Frankivsk, they discussed budgetary issues and the issue of urgent reconstruction, including the energy sector and various systems of ensuring life in the communities.

On Sunday, Russia said it had brought down three Ukrainian drones that were attempting to attack Moscow. It is the second reported attack in Moscow in a week, CNN reported.

The Russian Defence Ministry said three drones were intercepted. It, however, said that a business and shopping development in Moscow’s west was hit.

No casualties were reported in the drone attack. However, the fifth and sixth floors of a 50-storey building were damaged, CNN reported citing TASS news agency.

Earlier, Ukrainian Minister Mykhailo Fedorov had said there would be more drone strikes to come as Ukraine ramps up a counteroffensive aimed at pushing Russian troops out of Ukrainian territory, according to CNN.

Ukraine earlier claimed responsibility for a strike on Monday that struck two non-residential buildings. Russia termed the incident a “terrorist attack.” On Friday, Russia said it shot down a Ukrainian missile over the Taganrog. However, Ukraine did not issue any statement regarding Russia’s claim. (ANI)

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National Democratic Alliance (NDA) 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

LS 2024: Modi To Hold Meetings With NDA MPs From Tomorrow

By LokMarg

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to hold meetings with groups of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) MPs between July 31 and August 10 as the alliance gears up for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Earlier on Tuesday, BJP leaders held a meeting in the national capital in which 10 groups of NDA MPs were formed to deliberate on programmes for the 2024 general election, party sources said.
The groups have been formed as part of efforts to bring more synergy to the poll efforts of NDA constituents.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold Cluster -1 meetings with groups of NDA MPs from West Uttar Pradesh, Bundelkhand and Brij region on Monday at 6 PM at Maharashtra Sadan. BJP National President JP Nadda, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit shah will also be present at the meeting, a source told ANI.

The Cluster -2 meetings with groups of NDA MPs from West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha are scheduled at 7 PM on Monday at the Parliament Annexe building. Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh will be present at the meeting.

“Ten groups of MPs have been formed. PM Modi is to chair the meetings of each group,” a source told ANI. Meetings on the first day will have MPs from Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Odisha, the source added.

The BJP will also celebrate the 25th anniversary of the NDA, with the ruling alliance seeking to set the narrative for the 2024 poll battle.

Sources said Union ministers Nitin Gadkari, Amit Shah, and Rajnath Singh, along with BJP chief JP Nadda have been given the responsibility of coordinating with the NDA leaders.

Four leaders including Bhupendra Yadav, Sarbananda Sonowal, Tarun Chugh, and Rituraj, have been given the responsibility for the NDA programmes. Four more leaders including Prahlad Patel, Arjun Ram Meghwal, and V. Muraleedharan are also associated with them. There will also be another team of ministers and MPs who will be assisting in these tasks.

Apart from the Parliament, programmes will also be held in different state bhavans in the national capital like that of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.

This is the first time that the leaders of the alliance will have region-wise deliberations. The BJP is working on a plan to secure a 50 per cent vote share in the Lok Sabha election along with allies, sources said.

The BJP leadership has identified 160 relatively weak constituencies and the party is putting up extra efforts to turn around its prospects in those constituencies.

With the opposition putting up a united front, the NDA led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), held a mega meeting on July 18. The BJP-led NDA has 38 parties under its fold. (ANI)

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Pakistan Amit Shah Modi 2024 Lok Sabha polls

Shah Slams UPA’s Meek Response To Terror Attacks

By LokMarg

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that when Pakistan attacked Indian soldiers in Uri and Pulwama in 2019, they forgot that Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister who replied suitably with a surgical strike unlike the meek response from “Mauni Baba” during UPA’s term.

“At Uri and Pulwama they (Pakistanis) had attacked the Army and CRPF, but they forgot that the UPA government is not in power, it is the BJP government in power. And not Mauni Baba Manmohan Singh, but Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister,” Amit Shah said.
“In 15 days, our jawans conducted surgical strikes and air strikes, entered Pakistan’s home and eliminated the terrorists and tore apart their hideouts of these terrorists,” he added.

Attacking the Congress during the Booth President Sammelan, Amit Shah said that during the Congress-led UPA government, Pakistan used to conduct terrorist activities in the country by the government did not respond adequately.

“Earlier during the government of Sonia-Manmohan in 2004-14, Alia, Malia, Jamalia used to come from Pakistan, fire and bomb us and go. But the central government did not even respond,” Amit Shah said.

Speaking about the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Amit Shah accused the Congress leadership in Madhya Pradesh of not listening to the voice of the people from the state about Kashmir.

“Tell me, is Kashmir ours or not? Article 370 should have gone or not? Sreeman Bantadhar, you and Kamal Nath, listen to the people of Madhya Pradesh,” Amir Shah said while attacking the state Congress leaders.

Accusing Congress of keeping Article 370 in place for this long, Shah said, “The Congress has been nourishing Article 370 like a baby for the last 70 years. Madhya Pradesh, for the second time, formed the Bharatiya Janata Party government and on 5th August 2019, Modi ji abrogated Article 370 and integrated Kashmir with the rest of India.”

Taking a veiled dig at the newly minted INDIA alliance of the opposition parties, Shah asked, “Can anyone vote for those who opposed the abrogation of Article 370, even if they change their name?”

The Union Home Minister also slammed the Congress party for stalling the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple for so many years saying that “Ram Lalla” used to stay “under the tent” for so many years.

“In Ayodhya, Ram Lalla used to be under the tent for so many years. For 550 years so many people died, but the Mandir for Ram Janmabhoomi was not built. The Congress party was stalling it forever. One morning, the decision of the court came and PM Modi performed the bhumi poojan of Ram Mandir,” Amit Shah said.

Addressing ‘Booth Sammelan’ in Indore, Union Home Minister Amit Shah thanked the people of Madhya Pradesh for supporting them.

“I want to thank the people of MP from the bottom of my heart. I thank the people of MP for giving us their blessings and showering us with votes in the 2014 and 2019 elections,” he said.

In the 2018 assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, Congress emerged as the single largest party with 114 seats and BJP got 109 seats.

However, in 2020, the Congress government lost the majority followed by the resignations of some MLAs. After this, BJP formed the government in the state and Shivraj Singh Chouhan was reinstated as the Chief Minister.

Madhya Pradesh will go to polls in the latter half of this year. The Madhya Pradesh elections are expected to set the tone for the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha polls. (ANI)

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