The Emergency, declared on this day in 1975 by former prime minister Indira Gandhi, suspended fundamental rights of citizens and brought press censorship.
Tag: Amit Shah
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Like Lord Shiva drank poison, Modi endured pain of false allegations over 2002 riots: Amit Shah
By ANI
NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the Supreme Court verdict dismissing the plea challenging the clean chit given by SIT to then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi and several others in 2002 riots that took place in the state. He said that the truth had come out, “shining like gold.”
He also said Narendra Modi had endured pain for the last 19 years without speaking a word and followed “Lord Shiva who swallowed poison and held it in his throat.”
Shah sought an apology from people who leveled “politically motivated” allegations against the then Gujarat Chief Minister following the 2002 riots.
“The Supreme Court has dismissed all allegations, it has said why allegations were levelled. You can say in a way that allegations are politically motivated, this has also been proved. It was a battle of 19 years, such a big leader without saying a word, endured pain like Lord Shiva drank poison and continued to fight (sabhi dukhon ko bhagwan Shankar ke vishpan ki tarah gale mein utarkar sehen karkar ladta raha). Now in the end when the truth has come out like glittering gold, it has come out with full shine, then it is natural to feel joyous (anand hi hoga),” the Home Minister said.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court upholds SIT’s clean chit to Narendra Modi
“I have closely seen Modiji enduring this pain, facing the allegations despite being on the side of truth and because the judicial process was underway he did not speak. Only a man with a strong heart can do this. The interview we are doing today, I could have done in 2003 as Gujarat Home Minister and later as party chief. But till the judicial process was completed, Modiji did not say anything so that there was no influence. He endured all this silently,” he added.
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed the plea filed by Zakia Jafri, widow of former Congress MP Ehsan Jafri, challenging the clean chit given by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and several others in 2002 Gujarat riots.
Ehsan Jafri was among 69 people killed during the violence at the Gulberg Society in Ahmedabad on February 28, 2002. A bench headed by Justices AM Khanwilkar said that it finds the appeal as devoid of merit.
“How constitution can be respected in a democracy, Modiji has kept an ideal example before people in politics. When he was questioned, there were no demonstrations,” he said.
The minister said according to the court judgement, the state government made all the efforts to control the Gujarat riots and had taken the right decisions at the right time.
“It (June 24 SC judgement) is very significant. Manner in which an attempt was made to victimise my party’s tallest leader, Court tore it down. I believe this judgement is a matter of pride for all party workers, false allegations against our tallest leader have been dismissed,” he said.
“The court also said that the state government had controlled the situation with less damage. The state government had properly followed the witness protection scheme. The judgement consists of around 300 pages in which the Supreme Court has explained every point. The court has also said that Modiji had held a lot of meetings, made appeals for peace. Today, the truth has won and Modi ji is victorious,” added Amit Shah.
He said wrong allegations had been levelled against a global leader. After 58 pilgrims were burnt alive on the Sabarmati Express train at Gujarat’s Godhra Railway Station on February 27, 2002, riots broke out across the state in which more than 1,000 people were killed. The SIT, appointed by the apex court, conducted the investigation into the case and gave a clean chit to then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, other top politicians and bureaucrats. The Gujarat High Court’s order dated October 5, 2017, also upheld SIT’s clean chit to Modi.
Shah, who handled various portfolios like Home, Law and Excise etc during Modi’s tenure as Gujarat CM, said that the Gujarat government gave its consent for the formation of SIT as there was nothing to hide.
“SIT was not ordered by the court. An NGO demanded SIT and the court, for sake of asking, asked our lawyer and our government said we have nothing to hide then SIT was constituted. We did not have any objection to it. Gujarat government’s consent is on the record. The court also said in its judgment that SIT was demanded by an NGO and the Gujarat government gave the consent,” he said.
“We could have debated this but why? Because we had nothing to hide. Now when the judgment has come, it is clear…the names of a police officer, an NGO, and some political elements also mentioned in the verdict have proven that this troika propagated lies to create sensation and false evidence was presented. They gave wrong statements to SIT which were dismissed as lies in front of the court. The court has said that the government did everything to control riots, the chief minister repeatedly appealed for peace, and riots after the train incident were not orchestrated,” he added.
Earlier in 2019, the Nanavati-Mehta Commission Report on the post-Godhra riots, which was tabled in the Gujarat assembly, gave a clean chit to then Gujarat CM Modi. The report mentioned that the riots were “not organised”.
Asked what then Gujarat CM Modi could have done at that time, the Home Minister said Modi had done everything and there was no delay about any action on the part of the Gujarat government and police had also resorted to firing to control the situation.
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Those who do not want to see India safe attempt cyber attacks: Union Home Minister Amit Shah
By PTI
NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said those who do not want to see India safe attempt various types of cyber attacks and some countries have even created cyber armies.
Addressing a conference on ‘cyber safety and national security’, Shah, however, said the central government is fully alert to deal with any such threats and is also upgrading itself to prevent all kinds of cyber attacks.
“The cyber security is also linked with the national security in a way. Those who do not want to see our country safe, also attempt various types of cyber attacks. Some nations have even created cyber armies,” he said.
The home minister said many new dimensions of cyber frauds will be seen in the coming days and the country has to make many preparations in terms of cyber space security. He said that cyber security is integral to national security and the Narendra Modi government is committed to making it robust.
“We all know how important is cyber security and how it can contribute for the development of India. India’s progress is not possible without cyber security. Cyber security is integral to the national security and the Modi government is committed to making it robust,” he said.
The home minister said that everyone knows that the misuse of cyber space is not new and various kinds of cyber crimes are seen very often that include malware attacks, phishing, attacks on critical infrastructure, data theft, online economic frauds, child pornography among others.
Such crimes are expected to increase in the coming days, he said. He said the questions of privacy of citizens are already there and everyone has to be more careful in the context of critical information security.
“Both data and information are going to become a huge economic force in the coming days, so we have to prepare ourselves for the security of data and information. Shah also cited the data on the increasing number of cyber crimes being reported in the country,” he said.
“In 2012, a total of 3,377 cyber crimes were reported and it has gone up to 50,000 in 2020. The number of cyber crimes which were not reported could be in lakhs. We are resolved to create the most secured cyber atmosphere in the world,” he said.
The home minister said the Ministry of Home Affairs has launched a cyber crimes reporting portal about three years ago and so far, 11 lakh different kinds of cyber crimes have been reported there. Besides, he said, there were over two lakh social media complaints which were registered on the portal.
“This is going to increase in the coming days, because currently, 80 crore Indians are active online. This is a big number and as the prices of data go down, there will be more users,” he said. Shah said the government wants to progress in digitisation but at the same time, ensure a secured cyber place in India.
He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision is to make every Indian technologically empowered and due to digitisation, there has been empowerment and technological advancement. The home minister said because of technology, 130 crore people in the country are getting benefits through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.
“For a country like India, this is a big revolution. Before 2014, we just could not think about it as there there were 60 crore families in the country who did not have any bank account. Forget about transferring benefits digitally, they did not even have a bank account,” he said.
Shah said for getting benefits, people had to run from pillar to post and also face corruption. But now, by clicking a button, the prime minister can transfer Rs 6,000 each to 13 crore families which is a big development and at the same time, a challenge too. “There is a big challenge before us to protect the country from cyber frauds and other cyber challenges,” he said.
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Bengal: BJP MP writes to Amit Shah, demands deployment of central forces in violence-hit Howrah
By PTI
KOLKATA: BJP MP from West Bengal, Saumitra Khan, on Saturday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding immediate deployment of central forces in violence-hit Howrah district which had witnessed arson over controversial remarks made by two saffron party leaders against Prophet Mohammad.
Khan alleged that the state government has “failed” to maintain law and order in the trouble-torn areas and “allowed the violence to spiral for vested political interests”.
“For the last two days, we have seen that the state government has completely failed to maintain law and order in Howrah district. It allowed the protestors to let loose to wreak havoc. I have written a letter to Amit Shah Ji and requested him to send central forces so that they can be deployed in the troubled areas,” Khan said.
He accused the ruling TMC of indulging in “cheap politics” and “allowing the violence to continue for vested political interest”.
Senior BJP leader and co-in-charge of West Bengal, Amit Malviya, said if the state government cannot act, the chief minister should allow the governor to deploy the Army.
“Mamata Banerjee, Home Minister of Bengal, has once again failed to manage law & order in the state. Her administration has remained a mute spectator to the rampaging rioters as they burn and vandalise property. If she is unable to act, she should urge the Governor do (to) deploy Army,” he said on Twitter.
Reacting to the BJP’s allegations, senior TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said, “The state government has effectively tackled the situation. The BJP is trying to spread violence in the state. They are also trying to vitiate the atmosphere of Bengal and the country through their politics of hatred.”
Protests erupted in several parts of Howrah on Friday over controversial remarks by suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal on Prophet Mohammad.
Protesters clashed with police personnel in Dhulagarh, Panchla and Uluberia areas when law enforcers tried to end a blockade on a national highway stretch. They set police vehicles on fire and damaged public property during the agitations.
Internet services have been suspended across the district till June 13, and prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC have been imposed in several areas such as Uluberia, Domjur and Panchla till June 15.
Commuters had to face problems as roads and railway tracks were blocked by protesters in the district. Several local and express trains were cancelled due to the violence.
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BJP to play big role in Punjab politics, will emerge as largest party in state in 2024 Lok Sabha polls: Amit Shah
By PTI
CHANDIGARH: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will play a big role in the politics of Punjab and will emerge as the largest party in the state in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls.
He was addressing state BJP leaders, including core group members, office-bearers and district presidents.
“BJP will play a big role in the state politics…Whosoever wants to join hands with us will have to be a small partner and we will also welcome those who want to come into the BJP fold,” he said.
Shah also recalled the historic sacrifices of the people of Punjab for the protection of religion and rights of the people.
“I want to assure the people of Punjab that the Centre and the country stand with every citizen of Punjab and this crisis situation in Punjab will not be allowed to worsen,” he said.
Shah also hit out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab and said that in just three months, its face of “deceit and deception has been exposed”.
“One shudders to think what will it (AAP) do in five years,” he said as he was apparently hitting out at the AAP government over the law and order situation.
Shah assured his party workers that the BJP will emerge as the largest political party during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls as people are “dissatisfied” with the AAP and they are waiting to root them out in the next elections.
Shah, while putting all political rumours to rest, said the BJP will contest elections on its own and whosoever wanted to join it will have to contest on its ‘lotus’ symbol.
“We are here to win and bring prosperity to the state,” he said.
Punjab BJP chief Ashwani Sharma said the party is committed to safeguarding the interest of Punjab and will not allow anyone to disturb peace.
Sharma said the BJP will contest the June 23 Sangrur Lok Sabha bypoll in alliance with the Amarinder Singh-led Punjab Lok Congress and the Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa-led Shiromani Akali Dal (Sanyukt).
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Moose Wala’s parents likely to meet Amit Shah in Chandigarh
By PTI
CHANDIGARH: The parents of slain singer Sidhu Moosewala are likely to meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah here on Saturday, BJP sources said.
Shah will arrive here and meet the Punjab BJP leaders.
Later, he will inaugurate the ‘Khelo India Youth Games’ in Haryana’s Panchkula.
Moosewala’s parents left for Chandigarh from their residence in Punjab’s Mansa district.
Moosewala’s family had earlier written a letter to Shah seeking a probe by central agencies into the brutal murder of the famous Punjabi singer, according to Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann visited Moosewala’s home on Friday and assured his family that his killers would soon be put behind bars.
Moosewala was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Mansa on May 29.
According to the autopsy report, Moosewala’s body bore 19 bullet injury marks.
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Rs 2.5 lakh crore given to Telangana no discrimination ever done: Amit Shah
By Express News Service
NEW DELHI/HYDERABAD: Denying that the Centre has accorded “step-motherly” treatment to Telangana, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that the Narendra Modi-led BJP government has “religiously pursued policies to strengthen Centre-State relations”.
Presiding over the Telangana Formation Day celebrations, organised for the first time by the Ministry of Culture in Delhi, the Home Minister refuted allegations that the State has been ignored.“The Modi government believes that the country’s development can take place only when the States are developed,” Shah said.
Claiming that the Central government “does not distinguish between States ruled by the BJP and other parties”, the Home Minister said that the Centre has disbursed Rs 2.52 lakh crore for different development schemes for Telangana between 2014 and 2022.
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Amit Shah asks KCR to reveal facts on Central funds
By Express News Service
NEW DELHI/HYDERABAD: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday refuted allegations that Telangana has been ignored while allocating funds for various schemes.Speaking at the Telangana Formation Day celebrations organised by the Ministry of Culture in Delhi, he said: “Money has been given to Telangana under different heads. If I continue to list out the number of funds released to Telangana, the next general elections might arrive.”
He also provided a break-up of the funds given by the Centre for some of the important schemes. He listed the corresponding schemes and projects for which the Centre provided financial assistance in various forms.
“This should put to rest all disinformation that injustice has been done to Telangana,” Shah said, adding that this amount “could have gone over `3 lakh crore” but the TRS government of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao “did not cooperate with the Centre”.Taking on Rao, Shah “requested” the Chief Minister to “at least some times, reveal the truth to the people of Telangana and provide them the real picture”.Earlier in his speech, the Home Minister reminded the audience that the BJP had always supported the creation of Telangana which was formed when A B Vajpayee was the prime minister.
Interestingly, Shah also recalled the contribution of Communist and Congress leaders who fought for freedom of India as well as liberation of Nizam-ruled Hyderabad State. “Ramji Gond, Komaram Bheem, Swami Ramananda Tirtha, Pandi Narendra, Suravaram Pratapa Reddy, Dasaradhi Rangacharya, Govind Bhai, and former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao all these people played important role in freeing Telangana from Nizam,” he said.
Stating that BJP will officially celebrate Telangna Liberation Day after coming to power, he said: “Had Sardar Patel not carried out “Police Action” against Nizam, the map of India would have been different.”Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism G Kishan Reddy slammed Chandrasekar Rao for not supporting Centrally-sponsored development programmes.
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Congress did nothing for OBCs, says Amit Shah
Express News Service
AHMEDABAD: Trying to strengthen the BJP’s OBC vote bank ahead of the Gujarat Assembly election, Union home minister Amit Shah on Sunday reiterated that the Central government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave constitutional recognition to the backward classes commission, which the Congress “failed” to do during its 70 years of rule.
Attending a function in Godhra, Shah said the grand old party ruled the country for 70 years but “did nothing for the OBCs”. “The National Commission on Backward Classes (NCBC) has been given constitutional recognition by the Narendra Modi government. We have given reservation to OBCs in the central medical quota and included 27 ministers from the OBC community in the Cabinet to promote backward classes,” the senior BJP leader further said.
Shah, who also holds the cooperative portfolio at the Centre, alleged that previous Congress governments failed to create an environment conducive for the sector. He further said the Centre has come up with a plan to computerise all cooperatives and connect them directly to NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development), for which Rs 6500 crore has been provisioned. Shah was addressing a large gathering of milk producers in Panchmahal district after remotely inaugurating two plants set up by the Godhra-based Panchamrut Dairy.
Listing out the steps taken by the Modi government for the cooperative sector, Shah said the cooperative ministry was formed to give priority to the sector. “PM Modi increased the budget for cooperatives seven times, removed some taxes in the sugar sector, reduced the MAT (minimum alternate tax) to 15 from 18 per cent, and surcharge to 7 from 12 per cent on cooperative organisations,” he further said.
Shah also inaugurated several projects related to the state police department. Launching a broadside on the Congress, Shah alleged that Congress worked to create communal riots in the state.
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HC rejects transit pre-arrest bail plea of filmmaker booked for sharing Amit Shah’s photo with arrested IAS officer
By PTI
MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Tuesday rejected the transit pre-arrest bail plea filed by filmmaker Avinash Das, who was booked by the Gujarat Police for sharing a photo of Union Home Minister Amit Shah with Jharkhand cadre IAS officer Pooja Singhal, who was recently arrested by the ED in a money laundering case.
A vacation bench of Justice Bharati Dangre rejected Das’ transit anticipatory bail plea, filed through advocate Adil Khatri, and directed the filmmaker to “approach the appropriate forum for relief”.
Justice Dangre said that Ahmedabad, where the FIR against Das was registered, was not too far from Mumbai.
Das should approach the court concerned in Ahmedabad for protection from arrest or any other relief pertaining to the case, the judge said.
The Enforcement Directorate earlier this month arrested Jharkhand mining secretary Singhal in a case of money laundering involving alleged diversion of MGNREGA funds, and also seized over Rs 18 crore in cash from the house of a chartered accountant, allegedly linked to Singhal.
An official from Ahmedabad Police’s Detection of Crime Branch last week said Das (46) shared the photo on his Twitter handle on May 8.
The photo showed Shah and Singhal at a public event five years ago, but Das tweeted it to mislead people and defame the minister’s reputation, the official had said.
In the FIR registered by the Ahmedabad police, Das has also been booked under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act and the IT Act, for allegedly insulting the national flag by posting on March 17 a morphed picture of a woman wearing a tricolour on his Facebook account.
Das had directed the 2017 film ‘Anaarkali of Aarah’, starring Swara Bhaskar, Sanjay Mishra and Pankaj Tripathi.