For Pakistan, Modi’s silence signals a lull before the storm
India on Saturday banned all direct and indirect imports from Pakistan. It also banned entry of all Pakistan-flagged ships to its ports. Even mail and posts from Pakistan have been stopped. A day earlier, Indian Air Force jets conducted a flypast and landing drill on Ganga Expressway near Shahjahanpur, UP, while the Indian Navy conducted exercises in the Arabian sea. Army troop movements continue on the border of Rajasthan and J&K. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed rallies in Kerala and Amravati (Andhra Pradesh) but he did not mention Pakistan. It was Nara Lokesh, AP CM Chandrababu Naidu’s son, who told the rally that India has “a huge NaMo missile” and Pakistan will be taught a lesson. Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership is presently on tenterhooks, and keeping a careful watch on Indian activity. People living on the Pakistan side of LoC and international bordere have been asked to stock food and water for a month. On Saturday, Pakistan tested its Abdali ballistic missile with a range of 450 km. Pakistan’s ministers are a confused lot. They do not know what to say and what to do to prevent Indian attack. While some ministers are threatening nuclear attacks, others are sending messages of peace. The ground reality is: both the Pakistani leaders and army know the might and capability of Indian army and they are scared. They are also foxed by Modi’s studied silence. For them, Modi’s silence signals a lull before the storm.
Muslims denounce Pakistan : How Asim Munir’s gambit failed
Renowned lyricist Javed Akhtar has said, India should now attack Pakistan and show no mercy. He described Pakistani Army Chief Gen Asim Munir as insane. “No mercy should be shown to him”, he said, adding, “the time has come to teach Pakistan a lesson it will remember forever.” Throughout India, after Friday prayers, lakhs of Muslims came out of mosques to denounce the Pahalgam killings. Hurriyat Conference chief Mir Waiz Omer Farooq, while addressing the Friday congregation at Srinagar Jama Masjid, wept. He said, “the brutal attack in Pahalgam is a blot on humanity and a sin in the eyes of Islam…Such killers must be hunted and killed”. It was Gen. Asim Munir’s plan to provoke confrontation between Hindus and Muslims in India. The killers deliberately asked the names and religion of the victims, before they were shot. Some of the killers forced victims to read the ‘kalma’ (Islamic verse) to check whether they were Muslims or not. They did not touch women because they wanted to convey their message to the world through them. This heinous act was part of a well-planned conspiracy. But the Hindus and Muslims of India foiled this plot. Voices are emanating from mosques in India against Pakistan and leaders like Omar Abdullah, Asaduddin Owaisi and Umar Farooq are denouncing Pakistan. The message has gone to the whole world. This is India’s first victory in the ongoing battle.
Classic : How Modi silenced Rahul on Adani issue
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday, took a dig at Congress-led INDIA bloc while inaugurating the deepwater Adani sea port in Vizhinjam. Present on the dais were Kerala CM P. Vijayan, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, other CPI-M and Congress leaders and Adani group chairman Gautam Adani. Modi said, “I would like to say to our CM (Vijayan), a strong pillar of INDI alliance and Shashi Tharoor sitting here..Today’s event here will give sleepless nights to many people.” Chief Minister Vijayan praised Adani group for building this sea port. Modi said, Left leaders and Congress MP praising an industrialist depicts the picture of a New India. Modi then turned towards Gautam Adani and said that the people of Gujarat would feel unhappy because he has not built a similar port in Gujarat. Gautam Adani’s son Karan Adani, MD of Adani Ports and SEZ, told India TV correspondent Nirnay Kapoor that after Vizhinjam port becomes fully operational, transportation costs of goods being exported by and imported to India will be reduced by 30 to 40 per cent. Everybody knows whom Modi was targeting. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had been speaking ad nauseam against Adani for the last 10 years. He had been alleging that Modi gave away ports, airports and power projects to his friend Adani. Rahul had gone to the extent of alleging that Adani did not work at all, but only took advantage of his friendship with Modi. Gautam Adani never spoke a word against Rahul Gandhi. Modi also remained silent. Congress media cell tried its best to tarnish Modi’s image because of Adani. Today, Modi squared up the account. He showed to the world that a Left Front government not only worked with Adani to build a new India, but its chief minister also praised Adani. Modi showed he had nothing to hide. The deepwater sea port that Modi inaugurated at Vizhinjam is a world class port. It is nothing short of a miracle and a big milestone for India’s infrastructure. Not only Kerala, but the whole of India will benefit from this port.
Modi will take action : Timing will be ours, target will be ours
Even as tension continued along the Line of Control post-Pahalgam killings, Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing an event on Thursday, vowed revenge saying, “chun-chun kar jawab dengey”. Shah said, “none of the killers and their handlers will be spared and we will uproot terrorism from every inch of this land”. Meanwhile, Indian Navy conducted a war exercise in Arabian Sea. One thing is crystal clear now. This is the time to take action. This is not the time to show evidence to Pakistan. This is the time to crush the killers and their handlers. The question is: Is Gen. Asim Munir the mastermind behind Pahalgam killings? Were the killings done on his orders? Why did Gen Munir committ this sin? Experts point out that Gen. Munir and his generals had been facing flak for sometime now with Pakistani Taliban committing mayhem on the border with Afghanistan and Balochistan separatists carrying out attacks. More than a thousand Baloch people have been killed by Gen Asim Munir’s army. Yet, the situation in Balochistan is out of control. Some say that Gen Munir wants to downplay rebellion in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa by raising the Kashmir issue. In his speech last week, Gen Munir had described Kashmir as India’s weak vein and he raised the Hindu-Muslim divide issue also. It, therefore, seems logical that Gen Munir, in order to divert attention, ordered the brutal killings of innocent tourists in Pahalgam. By attacking the soul of India, Gen Munir has committed a sin for which he will have to pay a heavy price. Time has come to eliminate those killers and their handlers who shot innocent Indians in cold blood after ascertaining their religion. Prime Minister Modi has already said, none can imagine the type of punishment that will be meted out to the killers and their handlers. The world knows, Modi never flinches when he takes bold decisions.There will be action, at the right time, and decisive.
Pakistan or Jhootistan?
Pakistan’s army is engaged in fake propaganda and has become the laughing stock before the world. On Thursday, Pakistan Air Force released a video of its fighter jets destroying targets, PAF officers working inside a war room, but moments after the video was posted on social media, twitterati pointed out that most of tthe contents were not original. The video had several fake reels. It contained visuals from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and also visuals of S-300 missile defence system and drones that belong to Turkiye. Even some video war games scenes were added to prepare the PAF video. To boost the morale of its troops, Pakistan Army released visuals of its army chief Gen. Asim Munir standing atop a tank at Tilla fire range, addressing his men. Gen Munir had vanished from official view after the National Security Council met. Pakistan army’s desperate measures to keep the morale of its troops high has now become the butt of jokes. A Pakistani digital creator and journalist Aaliya Shah pointed out that Pakistani troops were singing the Bollywood song “Teri Mitti Me Mil Jaawa” from the hit movie “Kesari” to keep their ‘josh’ high. She was telling Pakistani troops to at least sing Pakistani songs at this crucial time. Interestingly, on Thursday, Pakistan government banned all Indian songs from its FM radio stations. The ground reality is: Pakistan army generals have started losing respect of the commoners because of a media report that most of the top generals have sent their family members to London and Dubai to keep them safe. Though this report is yet to be confirmed, one must admit that in matters of humour, Pakistanis are always ahead.
Caste census : How Modi floored the opposition
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a politically significant move, has thrown the opposition into disarray by deciding to include caste enumeration in the forthcoming national census exercise. It is no secret that Modi decided to opt for caste census with the Bihar assembly elections in mind. Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar wanted caste-based census and Wednesday’s CCPA decision is a clear change from BJP’s original stand. By doing this, Modi has shown how his timing is perfect. Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav had been making caste census demand their main issue in the elections. In Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha elections, Akhilesh Yadav floated the PDA (Picchda, Dalit, Alpasankhyak) theory. Rahul Gandhi had been consistently demanding nationwide caste census. But Modi, by deciding in favour of caste census, has taken the wind out of the opposition’s sail. Two points need to be noted: One, I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while making the announcement, pointed out that Congress governments at the Centre over the last several decades never accepted the demand for caste census. Two, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, this will usher in a new age of equality, good governance and social justice. These remarks clearly indicate to what level BJP wants to take the caste census to. It will take three to four years for all data to be collated about castes. But the effect will soon be seen after five months during the Bihar assembly elections. Caste census, the biggest weapon in the armoury of RJD-Congress Mahagathbandhan, will now be projected by the BJP. Two years later, when UP will be going for assembly elections in 2027, the caste census exercise at that time would be a work in progress. BJP would use this issue for electoral gains. My view: Modi is known for taking far-sighted decisions.
Indian attack : Why Pakistan is fearing the inevitable
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday. He requested India to “engage with Pakistan to de-escalate tension” and ensure peace and security in South Asia. Jaishankar told Rubio that the “perpetrators, backers and planners” of Pahalgam killings “must be brought to justice”. Rubio also asked the Pakistani PM to “work with India to de-escalate tensions, re-establish direct communications” and cooperate in the probe into the “unconscionable” terror attack in Pahalgam. Meanwhile, the situation along the border continues to be tense, with Pakistan deploying its armoured and infantry divisions, tanks and air defence systems from Karachi to Gilgit. Pakistani leaders spent sleepless nights on Wednseday expecting an Indian attack. Pakistan fears that India may take back PoK by force. Pakistan Air Force has been kept on high alert. All flights to Gilgit Baltistan have been cancelled by Pakistan. One thing you must have noticed. India has still not said or done anything, yet the army generals and leaders of Pakistan have lost their sleep. Pakistani ministers are having nightmares about Modi. Not a single minister or general from India has spoken, but Pakistani generals and ministers are openly expressing fears about what India may do. This has made India’s work a bit easier. Pakistani leaders and generals have begun realizing the big blunder that was committed by killing innocent tourists in Pahalgam. Except Turkey, not a single country came forward to support. Pakistan knows that if India strikes this time, not a single country will come forward to protect. India has shown all evidences to the world. There is one way out left for Pakistan : Peddling lies to keep the morale of its army and people high.
Why Pakistan’s fake propaganda war failed
In a no-holds-barred propaganda war unleashed against India by Pakistan on social media and mainstream media, false and baseless reports are being spread. Reports were circulated by Pakistani media on Wednesday that Pakistan Air Force jets forced India’s Rafale fighters to leave the LoC. One report even said, a Rafale fighter jet has been downed. Pakistan’s Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari claimed that India tried a midadventure but her country replied forcefully. India immediately described all such reports as fake and baeless. Another lie was spread that India’s Northern Army commander Lt Gen Suchindra Kumar has been removed, whereas the fact is his retirement was due on April 30 and a new incumbent has taken his place. Propaganda is a major tool in modern warfare. Media war begins even before the first gun is fired. Pakistan’s fake propaganda did not cut any ice. Pakistan first tried to provoke Indian Muslims against Hindus, but Indian Muslims openly came out in support of the government and the army, even in Kashmir Valley. Indian Muslims and their leaders showed the mirror to Pakistan. There lies India’s power. Pakistani media then picked up stray remarks of Indian opposition leaders like Siddaramaiah and Mani Shankar Aiyar to bolster its case, but the Congress party emphatically made its stand clear. Pakistan has no fresh firepower left and its propaganda war machine has failed on all fronts.
Modi gives Forces a free hand : Panic in Pakistan
Decks have been cleared for the armed forces to decide on the timing, targets and mode of response to Pakistan post-Pahalgam killings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the armed forces complete operational freedom. On Wednesday, the Cabinet Committee on Security and Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs met to take necessary action. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat met the Prime Minister on Tuesday night and discussed the situation. Late after midnight, Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar, quoting “credible intelligence” said Indian military action was expected anytime within the next 24 to 36 hours. Let me point out one thing here: Nobody should be surprised over Modi giving full freedom to the armed forces to take military action. Modi always walks the talk. He had clearly said, Pakistan will have to pay a big price for the barbaric attack that took place. Remember Modi’s words. He had said, “From the soil of Bihar, I say to the whole world India will identify and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the earth.” It is this courage and conviction that makes Modi different from other leaders. Earlier, prime ministers used to think about the pros and cons of any military action and used to prevaricate. But Modi’s track record is different. He speaks out clearly and asks the army to take the fight into enemy’s territory. The days of providing credible proof to Pakistan are over. The need for diplomatic niceties is no more required. Pakistan will be given a reply in its own language. Modi has said, the enemies of nation will be razed to the ground. The time has now come. Leaders of Pakistan understand this. Pakistan’s political and military leadership knows that they have little time left.
Why is Pakistan desperate and isolated
Pakistan is frantically seeking support from Saudi Arabia, UAE, China, Britain, Turkiye and Azerbaijan, but has managed to get assurances from only two countries : China and Turkiye. Other countries, including the USA, are hedging and unwilling to help. Pakistan’s Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told the Senate that Pakistan will not strike first, but would respond if attacked. There are calls from senators to release former PM Imran Khan from jail and ask him to join the all-party meeting. Nawaz Sharif’s daughter Mariam Nawaz, chief minister of Punjab, said, India may attack anytime, but Pakistanis need not fear because they have nuclear bombs. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s statement that Pakistan had been nurturing terror groups for the US and UK since several decades has caught the government on the wrong foot. Pakistani senators are openly praising Modi’s diplomacy. One senator Raja Nasir Abbas said, the entire world today stands with India and Pakistan stands isolated. Though the ruling alliance is trying to cover up the damage caused by this remark, Pakistani senators have taken Indian military attack as a fait accompli. On Tuesday, some of the senators tried to desperately seek the support of Indian Muslims in their speeches. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi promptly responded saying, Indian Muslims keep Pakistan “on the toe of their shoes”. Owaisi said, Pakistan will have to pay the price for singling out Hindus for killings in Pahalgam and every Indian would support Modi for his action against Pakistan. What Owaisi said reflects the sentiment of Indian Muslims. The two-minute silence observed during Friday prayer at Srinagar Jama Masjid sends a clear message. Maulanas have said, killing people by singling them out for their religion is anti-Islamic. For the first time, Pakistanis are noticing both Hindus and Muslims raising their voice together and demanding action against terrorists. This is a warning for Pakistan.
Congress should learn from Omar and Owaisi
On Tuesday, the Congress party made a blunder by posting a sketch on its official X handle showing a headless man, without arms and legs. On it was written “Zimmedari Ke Samay Gaayab!”. The sketch was aimed at Modi. It was immediately retweeted by former Pakistani minister Fawad Chaudhry and other Pakistanis. BJP denounced Congress for this sketch. By late evening, the Congress Party deleted its tweet. One thing must be crystal clear: India stands united in its battle against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. Both Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge had promised at the all-party meeting that the Congress party would support any action taken against Pakistan. Everybody had praised Congress for its stand. Soon afterwards, some Congress leaders like Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, Maharashtra Congress leader Wadettiwar and Gandhi family son-in-law Robert Vadra made remarks that were picked up by Pakistan. Congress then officially issued a statement saying that what Rahul Gandhi and Kharge said was the official stand of the party. But the sketch posted on Congress party’s X official handle raised a fresh controversy. When BJP raised questions, Congress leaders slyly remarked that the party did not mention Modi’s name in the sketch. This is nothing but doublespeak. Congress is saying something and doing something else. Congress party must understand that Pakistan is taking undue advantage of such remarks. At a time when the entire nation is shocked and angry over the killings of innocent people, what was the need for Congress to go to such an extent? It is also true that some BJP leaders overreacted and described Congress as “Pakistani agents”. Such remarks should be avoided. At a time of crisis, we must remain united. Congress leaders should learn from Omar Abdullah and Asaduddin Owaisi. They should know what to speak when enemies of the nation are active.
Modi’s promise : End of game for terrorists and their perpetrators
All eyes are now on the Indian armed forces, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to avenge the killings of Hindu tourists Pahalgam, while addressing a rally in Bihar. Modi said, “the enemies of nation have shown the audacity to attack the very soul of India..Those who plotted this attack will be given the punishment that they would not even have imagined.. From Kargil to Kanyamurai, the grief of Indian people is the same, the anger is the same.” Modi did not name Pakistan, but his hint was quite clear. What Modi said in Bihar reflected the voice and sentiment of the entire nation. People are angry and they want Pakistan to be taught a lesson. This was the reason why Modi used the phrase “mitti mey milaa dengey” (we will raze them to dust) in his speech. Modi always walks the talk. He does what he says, and he says what he intends to do. The Pakistani army establishment is worried and is fearing a war. Some war experts and retired generals say, India must not resort to a knee-jerk reaction. But the people are crying for revenge. They want a fight to the finish against terrorism on the western front. Today, the entire nation stand behind Modi and there is full outbreak of anger towards Pakistan. The time is right to strike when the iron is hot. Pakistan has realized this and is fearing something big is going to happen.
Pakistan army cowering in fear
In Islamabad, after a National Security Committee meeting presided over by PM Shahbaz Sharif and attended by Army Chief Gen Asim Munir and other generals, the deputy PM, Defence Minister, Law Minister and Information Minister addressed a press conference to say that Pakistan does not support terrorism. Meanwhile, Pakistani army has begun troop movement near the borders in Rajasthan and Kashmir and tanks and heavy weapons are being shifted from Afghan border to the Indian border. Pakistani fighter jets were seen flying along with cargo planes to transport troops and weapons to the Indian border. The ground reality is that the military powers of India and Pakistan need no comparison. India has defeated Pakistan in three wars, and the Pakistan armed forces, out of fear, is sending its troops and fighter planes here and there. Pakistani Navy has been asked to be prepared for surface firing. Very soon, Pakistan is going to say that it has nuclear bombs. I remember Pakistani journalist the late Tareq Fatah saying in ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ that Pakistani nuclear bombs contain nothing but ‘falooda’ (vermicelli syrup) because the army generals were engaged in corruption and the army has lost its fighting power. I also remember former Army Chief Gen. Qamar Bajwa saying that his army has no capability left to fight an all-out war beyond three days. PoK activist Amjad Ayub Mirza was saying on Thursday that many of the Pakistani fighter jets are lying in poor condition because of lack of spare parts, and Pakistani tanks do not have enough diesel for going on long distance attacks. Pakistan wants to show to the world that Kashmir is no more under India’s control, but the world is watching that nothing is under control in Pakistan – neighther PoK, nor Baluchistan, nor Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa. If Pakistan carries out any misadventure, it will have to fight on four fronts.
Is Gen. Asim Munir the real butcher of Pahalgam?
Former Pakistani army major Adil Raja has claimed that the killings of Hindu terrorists in Pahalgam were carried out on the directions of Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir. Adil Raja says, the people of Pakistan are not happy with their Army Chief and to curb the growing voices of dissent, Gen. Munir chose the old formula to carry out a big terror attack in Kashmir to save his chair. There is another video viral on social media which shows Pakistani army officers moving among the people and quoting Quran and Hadees to tell them that they should not worry because army would soon capture Kashmir and the Indian PM will be captured. One thing is clear: the killings in Pahalgam were carried out by ascertaining the religious identities of the victims. This is a purely Pakistani conspiracy and the planning was approved by Pakistani Army Chief Gen Asim Munir. At a public event this week, Gen. Munir had described Hindus and Muslims as two different nations. He spewed venom against Hindus and it was not a mere coincidence that the Pahalgam killings took place soon afterwards. It was all part of a big conspiracy. The former Pakistani army major Adil Raja has exposed Gen. Munir before the world. Pakistan has been training and exporting terrorists to Kashmir, and the PoK so-called Prime Minister has admitted this. Now, Pakistan is fearing retribution from India. If India attacks Pakistan, the overall situation in Pakistan will deteriorate to an unimaginable level. The common Pakistani is bewildered. That is the reason why an army officer is going to the people and quoting Quran and Hadees to boost their morale. The people and army of Pakistan realize it clearly that they lost three wars with India in the past.
Modi’s plan is ready: Decisive assault this time
Soon after the Cabinet Committee on Security decided on suspension of World Bank-backed Indus Waters Tready, closing of Integrated Check Post at Attari border, expulsion of Pakistani air, navy and army attaches from Delhi, expulsion of all Pakistani nationals visiting India and reduction in strength of High Commission from 55 to 30, the speculations are now about what further actions India will take. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said, India will take action against those who planned this terror attack. The plans are ready, the targets are clear and the wait is only for the right time to strike. I do not have an iota of doubt that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already prepared his action plan. The action will be decisive this time. It will be of a magnitude that will strike fear in the minds of terror masterminds. Modi is not the type of leader who thinks about the reactions that could take place because of his action. Modi is not made of the mettle in which he would tolerate an attack on the nation. Pakistan will have to pay a big price for this horrendous terror attack. For Modi, India’s pride is supreme. This action will be watched in the coming days. The entire nation and the world will see.
Proof of Pakistan’s hand in Pahalgam
Pakistan has attempted to distance itself from Pahalgam attack with its Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claiming that his country “has nothing to do” with the massacre and it was a “homegrown uprising against India’s Hindutva regime”. Pakistan may deny a hundred times, but the entire world knows that Pakistan has been sheltering terror groups and providing them monetary and weapons support. It is Pakistan which asks these terrorists to cross the border and carry out attacks. Till now, Indian has not even named Pakistan, and already Pakistan has started offering clarifications. It reflects Pakistan’s guilty conscience. Pakistan knows that India can enter its territory and strike at terror hideouts. Neither the US, nor Saudi Arabia or Putin’s Russia will come to Pakistan’s help. This is because Pakistan is exposed before the world for nurturing terrorists of different brands. Already, digital evidence of the attackers in Pahalgam in contact with their sponsors sitting in Pakistan are available. The videos of targetted killings of Hindu tourists, using sophisticated weapons and firing point-blank at victims, can unnerve even a mind made of steel. Terrorists cannot do this without getting army training in Pakistan. They were using latest communication devices including bodycams. The support came from Pakistan army and its spy agency ISI. It was a planned, professional job and there is no scope for any doubt. The attackers selected the spot where there was no police deployment ever. They knew it takes at least 20 minutes to reach the hilly meadow and the killers knew they could easily finish their job and hide in the forests. India’s stand is quite clear. It was a targetted killings of Hindus and the main conspirator was Pakistan army and its ISI.
Robert Vadra’s political immaturity
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra has waded into controversy by seeking to link the Pahalgam massacre with forces trying to create Hindu-Muslim divide in India. In an interview, Robert Vadra, a businessman, said: “If you dissect this terrorist act that took place, if terrorists are looking at people’s identity, why are they doing this? Because there’s a divide that has come about in our country with (sic) Hindus and Muslims, and also Christians. Looking at identities and then killing somebody, that’s a message to the PM, because Muslims are feeling weakened. The minorities are feeling weakened.” BJP immediately reacted describing this remark as shocking and shameless. At a time when the entire nation, including all political parties stand united, Robert Vadras has made a ridiculous statement. Is he trying to justify the terror act? Does he want to give the attackers an excuse? What evidence does he have about Muslims in India being persecuted because of which terrorists made target killings of Hindus? I consider this as a sign of political immaturity. It is a childish remark. Robert Vadra should listen to Kashmiri Muslims, and to the reactions of Kashmiri Muslim youth who died while trying to save Hindu tourists in Pahalgam. He should see visuals of Kashmiri Muslims staging protests condemning the terror attack and keeping shops and markets closed to mourn the dead.
Waqf Bill passed: Why Modi is unique compared to other leaders
The Waqf Amendment Bill was passed by Lok Sabha after a marathon 12-hour debate with 288 votes in favour and 232 against. All amendments brought by opposition MPs were rejected by voice vote. The Bill will now be passed in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. In the Lok Sabha, the bill was passed with support from BJP’s allies like Janata Dal-United, Telugu Desam Party and some smaller parties. The Bill, if enacted, will be a landmark one, which will reduce corruption in Waqf Boards. Opposition parties and several Muslim organizations opposed this bill alleging that this was an attempt to control Waqf Boards. For the last several weeks, a campaign was launched even in remote villages, and Muslims were told that the government wants to occupy their Waqf properties including mosques and graveyards. However, in the Lok Sabha, not a single opposition leader could not show a single provision to prove that the government would occupy Waqf properties. The entire focus of the debate was on who is the ‘thekedar’ (sole representative) of Muslims. The argument was given that Congress, Trinamool Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Samajwadi Party can advocate the cause of Muslims, but how can BJP speak about welfare of Muslims? The argument given was, BJP does not have a single Muslim MP. How does it claim the right to speak about welfare of Muslims? The arguments given during the debate were, BJP governments stop Muslims from offering namaaz on roads, and the Centre abolished Triple Talaq. Hence the deduction made was that something was fishy in this Waqf bill too. The thrust of the arguments by opposition was that BJP governments should confine themselves to holding Maha Kumbh mela and build corridors around Kashi Vishwanath temple and Mahakal temple in Ujjain, but BJP should not speak about Muslims, because the sole contract (thekedari) for speaking about Muslim welfare lies with opposition leaders. The truth is that, no other previous government at the Centre before Narendra Modi had dared to tinker with laws relating to Muslims. Past governments at the Centre were literally afraid of angering the self-appointed ‘contractors’ (thekedars) of Muslim votes. Governments in the past feared losing Muslim vote bank if they tinkered with the community’s laws. It was Narendra Modi who changed the narrative. Modi was threatened that if Waqf bill was brought, his allies like JD(U) and TDP would leave the alliance and his government would collapse. But Modi is made of a different mettle. He does not fear such threats. He stood his ground. It is this quality that makes Modi stand apart from other leaders.
No vacancy at the top : Modi will continue to lead
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Monday put a stop to all speculations in social media about the possibility of “retirement” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, while reacting to Modi’s visit to RSS headquarters in Nagpur on Sunday, had said that Modi was “retiring” as PM in September this year and the RSS wants a change in leadership. Raut went to the extent of saying that Modi’s successor would be a Marathi from Maharashtra. Responding to this, senior RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi said, “no such discussion took place, nor was there any thinking over this issue, the entire topic is baseless”. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis also scotched all such speculations saying , “the nation wants Modi to become the Prime Minister again in 2029 and there is no question of choosing a successor now”. It is a fact that there is no dearth of people who want to remove Modi from the post of Prime Minister. Those who could not defeat him in three consecutive Lok Sabha elections, sometimes placed bets on China or the US. They also placed bets on farmers or Muslims expecting that he would be removed from power. Some worthies even expressed hope that Modi would retire voluntarily and go to the Himalayas to “meditate”. Nobody can stop daydreamers. During elections, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal had said that Modi was seeking votes in order to make Amit Shah the PM. The voters kicked out AAP from power. For the last few weeks, there have been speculations in social media about a “rift” between RSS leadership and the Prime Minister. There were speculations that the RSS leadership was unhappy with Modi. There is a proverb in Hindi, “Sau Sunar Ki, Ek Luhar Ki” (literally meaning, A single blow of a blacksmith is equal to a hundred blows of a goldsmith). By visiting the RSS headquarters in Nagpur on Sunday, Modi, in a single stroke, put at rest all such speculations. Today a fresh speculation was floated. If some people have this wishful thinking about removing Modi, nobody can stop them. The reality is: Narendra Modi will complete his tenure easily, and if he gets the electoral mandate again, he will again become the PM in 2029. There is neither any alternative nor any successor or Number Two. I would rather say, there is nobody from Number 1 to 10, who can replace Modi. All speculations about Modi “retiring” and choosing a successor, are baseless. It is Modi who will decide, till what time he would continue to lead the BJP. Judging by the toil that he is putting in, there seems to be no chance for anybody else in the next five to ten years. To put it bluntly, there is no vacancy at the top. Modi has always proved speculators and guessers wrong, time and again. This time too, they would be proved wrong again.
RSS :Controversy over Aurangzeb’s tomb is unnecessary
Senior RSS leader Bhaiyyaji Joshi said on Monday that the recent controversy relating to the demand for removal of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s grave was “unnecessary”. Joshi said, “Aurangzeb died here. His tomb has been there for several centuries and shall continue to remain so. It won’t make any difference. There is no need to waste time on this. There is no point in making it a political issue”. Bhaiyyaji Joshi’s remarks came a day after Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray said, Aurangzeb’s grave should remain where it is, but all structures erected around the grave must be removed. Raj Thackeray even suggested placing a notice board near the grave on which it must be written, “Here lies a man who tried to destroy Marathas”. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said, Aurangzeb’s tomb is an ASI protected site, and the grave shall remain there. “But nobody will be allowed to glorify Aurangzeb”, he added. The most interesting remark came from Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi. It was Azmi’s remark, several weeks ago, praising Aurangzeb as a “justice loving emperor” that fuelled the controversy. On Monday, Abu Azmi said, he did not commit any sin. The fact is: by glorifying Aurangzeb, Azmi has hurt himself. He was suspended for the session in the Assembly and is facing several cases in court. He forgot that the people of Maharashtra will never tolerate anyone who praises the Mughal ruler who fought against Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The sentiments of Maharashtrians for Shivaji should not be challenged.
Will Nepal become a Hindu state with a King?
Nepal is on the boil after pro-monarchist agitators turned violent following clashes with security forces in Kathmandu. Surprisingly, a former Maoist, Durga Prasai is leading the agitation. The former King of Nepal Gyanendra Shah has supported the agitation. Several leaders and journalists have also joined the movement. The chief of Nepal Bachau Mahasangram and Rashtriya Prajatantra Party leader Ms. Rama Singh alleged that Maoists, by giving false promises, ended monarchy and have brought the nation to economic disaster in the last 17 years. At least 100 protesters have been detained by police. Agitators alleged that they were staging a protest when police, from the roof of a high-rise building, fired tear gas shells. Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli’s government has decided to act tough and has blamed the former King for inciting protests. Oli alleged that ex-King Gyanendra Shah was inciting people to indulge in violence. The ground reality is quite different. There have been 14 governments in Nepal during the last 17 years. K P Sharma Oli became Prime Minister four times, while former Maoist leader Pushpa Dahal Kamal Prachandra and Sher Bahadur Deuba, each became PM twice. For 17 years, no single party got majority, and after every elections, governments were formed through coalitions. Those who came to power used power to misappropriate money from the exchequer. The people of Nepal are now dejected. They are demanding a return to the old system of monarchical democracy. 81 per cent of the population in Nepal is Hindu. Nepal was a Hindu state 17 years ago. The pro-monarchy protesters are also demanding that Nepal be again declared a Hindu state.
Trump expose : US funded move to destabilize Modi
US President Donald Trump has stirred a hornets’ nest by questioning former Biden administration’s move to provide $21 million to India for the ostensible reason of enhancing “voter turnout”. Addressing a summit in Miami on Thursday, Trump said, “Why do we need to spend $21 million on voter turnout in India? I guess they were trying to get somebody else elected. We have got to tell the Indian Government… This is a total breakthrough.”
At his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, Trump said, “Why are we giving $21 million to India? They got a lot more money. They are one of the highest taxing countries in the world in terms of us; we can hardly get in there because their tariffs are so high. I have a lot of respect for India and their Prime Minister, but giving $21 million for voter turnout? In India? What about voter turnout here?”
Let us try to interpret the message that Trump was trying to convey. He wants to tell that the money that was funnelled through United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was used to defeat Narendra Modi and his party BJP in last year’s Lok Sabha elections.
Trump’s remarks came a few days after the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by billionaire Elon Musk, stopped USAID funding to different countries to the tune of $ 486 million. DOGE released a list of funds that were channelled through USAID to different countries of the world for various purposes. Out of this, $21 million was earmarked for boosting “voter turnout” in India.
DOGE also said, $29 million was earmarked for “strengthening the political landscape in Bangladesh”, where former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was unseated after a violent nationwide agitation led by students and backed by the main opposition BNP and Islamic fundamentalist party Jamaat-e-Islami. At that time, there were allegations that the US “deep state” was involved in ousting Sheikh Hasina from power.
Trump’s remarks had a political fallout in India. It is known to all that much of the USAID funds are channelized through outfits floated by another billionaire George Soros. Soros is on record of having said that that he wanted to encourage moves to unseat Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The USAID money that was earmarked was to persuade Dalit and OBC voters in India to come out and take part in voting. At around the same time, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised his demand for a nationwide caste census. Rahul Gandhi went to the US where he said, “democracy has been under attack in India, and it has been very badly weakened.” At that time Rahul Gandhi had met several top officials of the Biden administration and US lawmakers.
After Trump’s remarks, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said that Trump has confirmed that $21 million was given to influence voters’ turnout in India. “We have all along been alleging that Rahul Gandhi was trying to weaken Indian democracy and what Congress has done is a matter of disgrace for the country “, he said.
Congress described Trump’s claim as “nonsensical”. In a hard-hitting post on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh demanded a white paper from Modi government about USAID support given to various government organizations and NGOs in India.
What Trump has said leaves no scope for doubt. The fact is, USAID funds came from America to India in the name of increasing voters’ turnout, but they were used to destabilize Modi government. I salute the sagacity of the voters of India who were not influenced by this campaign funded by the US. The people of India voted Modi to power for the third time.
It is an open secret that Rahul Gandhi and his party benefited and Congress tally in Lok Sabha increased. What Trump has revealed is a clear admission that the US government has been bringing about changes in governments in other countries by funnelling money. The same was sought to be done in India, but that move failed. What happened in our neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan in recent months is known to all.
Trump has put a full stop to this game. The US President does not want to spend his government’s money on destabilizing governments in other countries. This is a 360-degree turn in US policy. You can see its effects in Ukraine.
Former President Biden’s administration was providing massive support to Ukraine in its war with Russia. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was getting military and monetary support from the US in his war against Russia. The US gave $300 billion support to Ukraine, but now Trump has taken a U-turn and has opted to cut a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Why is opposition peeved over Trump praising Modi
At around 2.30 am IST, when most of the people in India were sleeping, US President Donald Trump was praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the White House after official level discussion. The warmth with which Trump greeted Modi, the US President pushing the chair for the Indian PM to sit on and sign, and the effusive praise for Modi was a sight to watch.
Replying to a question at the joint press conference, Trump said, “he (Modi) is a tougher negotiator than me and he is a much better negotiator. There is not even a contest.”
Welcoming Modi with a warm hug, Trump said, “We missed you a lot”. The US President also said: “He (Modi) is doing a really great job in India. Everybody talks about him. He is doing a really fantastic job. He’s a great leader”. While presenting a book “Our Journey Together” to Modi, Trump wrote: “Mr. Prime Minister, you are GREAT”.
Naturally, such words of praise coming from the President of the world’s most powerful nation for Modi, has caused a lot of heartburn to political rivals in India.
The joint statement issued after Modi’s official meeting with Trump, named Pakistan on the issue of cross-border terrorism. “The leaders called on Pakistan to expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks, and ensure that its territory is not used to carry out cross-border terrorist attacks”, the statement said.
Peeved over this, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry described the India-US joint statement as “one-sided, misleading and against diplomatic norms”. Trump announced that the 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Tahawwur Rana would be extradited to India, describing him as and “evil” and “a very violent man”. Trump added, “there are more to follow and we have quite a few requests. We work with India on crime, and we want to make things better for India.”
On Bangladesh, when a reporter sought Trump’s views on whether the Biden government carried out a regime change in Bangladesh, Trump denied that the US “deep state” played any role. Trump said: “There was no role for our deep state. This is something that the Prime Minister has been working on for a long time, frankly I have been reading about it. I will leave Bangladesh to the Prime Minister.”
Trump’s remark about Bangladesh is quite important. In the recent past, during his election campaign, the US President had raised concerns over the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh by Islamic jihadis. Trump, at that time, had issued a warning to Islamic jihadis active in Bangladesh.
The newly appointed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had also condemned atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s interim goernment headed by Mohammed Yunus had promised to keep the Islamic jihadis on leash, which it has not done. On the contrary, violence against Hindus has increased in Bangladesh. Now, Trump has clearly indicated that he considers Modi “capable of handling Bangladesh”.
On deportation of illegal Indian migrants by the US, Modi clearly said at the joint press conference that India had no objection if Indian nationals who have illegally entered the US are deported. Modi described illegal human trafficking as a global problem in which poor and middle class Indians shell out big money to human trafficking gangs to enter America. Modi said, such gangs must be smashed.
At the joint press conference, one question was asked about Gautam Adani, Rahul Gandhi’s pet issue. When an American journalist asked Modi whether he had discussed with Trump the issue of a US Federal Court indicting Gautam Adani, Modi replied that as a Prime Minister, for him every Indian is part of his family, but “when two heads of government meet, they do not discuss issue relating to individuals.”
The problem is, whenever Modi wins laurels outside India, some of our own people here get peeved. For Rahul Gandhi, the ghost of Gautam Adani was the only issue that he noticed during Modi’s US trip. I think Modi gave a stinging reply on the Adani issue. Why should two heads of governments discuss Adani at their meeting when there are other more pressing issues on the table?
Rahul Gandhi and his followers did not notice the warmth with which Trump welcomed Modi, praised him as a “tough and better negotiator” and wrote about Modi, “you are great” on a book. If the US President writes and says good things about our Prime Minister, should we be happy or peeved? What Trump said about Modi is an honour for India. It is a fact that both Modi and Trump have pressing domestic issues on their hands, which are more important. Both leaders have been re-elected by the people. Both leaders have promised economic progress for their people. Both aim to take their nations to the pinnacle of prosperity. There will be negotiations and bargaining during talks and such issues are not sorted out in a day’s meeting. India-US relations are stronger than before. We should trust Modi. He is capable of dealing with Trump.
Deepfake : Merchants of loot
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing an august gathering of titans from the IT industry at the AI Action Summit in Paris as co-host, highlighted the immense potential of artificial intelligence for transforming lives, but at the same time cautioned about the inherent risks involved.
Modi said AI can transform the lives of millions through improvement in health, education and agriculture. At the same time, he said, “we must address concerns related to cybersecurity, disinformation and deepfakes, and we must also ensure that technology is rooted in local ecosystems for it to be effective and useful.”
Prime Minister Modi is right. There are immense possibilities with AI, and at the same time, AI has some major negative side-effects. AI is being misused to make deepfake videos to misguide people by superimposing images and voices of celebrities. The aim of such people engaged in nefarious activities is to market spurious products and services and mint money using the face and voice of celebrities.
I am myself a victim of deepfakes. I had to obtain court orders to remove my deepfake videos from all social media platforms. In some videos, I was shown selling medicines to cure diabetes, and in some others, I was shown giving investment advice to people.
By the time these deepfake videos are removed from the social media ecosystem, the harm is done and millions of people get duped. Every now and them, new deepfake videos superimposing my images and voice emerge on social media. Even today, I got two such deepfake videos deleted.
Artificial Intelligence is also misused to make deepfake videos to malign political rivals too and mislead gullible viewers. This is not a problem in India alone. Almost every major country is a victim of deepfake videos. I hope, the Paris AI Action Summit will evolve a solution soon to tackle the scourge of AI-generated deepfake videos.
If Modi’s holy dip was for votes , why Kejriwal and Rahul didn’t go to Sangam?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela on Wednesday. He stayed for only two hours at the Maha Kumbh, performed prayers for Maa Ganga as per Vedic rites and returned to Delhi quickly, in order to avoid any inconvenience to lakhs of devotees who had gone to Prayagraj.
On his return, Modi went on X tweeting, “I feel unlimited peace and satisfaction on getting the blessings of Maa Ganga, I prayed for the welfare, prosperity, happiness and better health of my countrymen”.
Politicians from opposition parties took a dig at Modi for taking a holy dip. Congress, Samajwadi Party and Shiv Sena (Uddhav) connected Modi’s holy dip with the Delhi assembly elections. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, Modi could have chosen some other day, but since there was polling in Delhi, Modi wanted Delhi voters to look at his images on television.
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole said, Modi is a master in event management and this was the reason why he chose Delhi polling day for taking a holy dip. UP Congress chief Ajay Rai said, Modi did not perform the holy dip fully and there was no point in taking half a dip.
I do not find anything wrong in Prime Minister Modi offering prayers to the Sun God and Maa Ganga while taking a holy dip at Sangam. If political leaders think that taking a holy dip will bring in votes in Delhi elections, then who stopped Arvind Kejriwal and Rahul Gandhi from doing so? They could also have taken a holy dip. The Maha Kumbh is open to all.
One leader commented that Modi had taken a holy dip in order to “wash off his sins”. Did he want to say that millions of Indians who took a holy dip at Sangam had committed sins? Does he want to say that all the sadhus, Shankaracharyas and ascetics who have taken a holy dip were washing off their sins?
I think those who use such language do not understand the true meaning of Indian culture and Sanatan dharma, nor are they away of its true legacy. These leaders do not understand the sentiments and faith of millions of Indians. But since some leaders have this habit of taking digs at Modi, they leave no opportunity. Comments of such people should be ignored.