Things are certainly not hunky dory for Ghosh in the state where he would like to be seen as the leader. According to a report in The Telegraph, the BJP’s national leadership has now allowed that the photo of leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, who came to the saffron fold from the TMC, will now be used on party posters alongside that of Dilip Ghosh. This is an obvious and public endorsement of Adhikari as a party leader. The Ghosh camp loyalists say news reports are not happy about the ‘elevation’ of a ‘new comer’ to the party, over the ‘old-timer’. 

How to stay in the spotlight Ghosh style?

Ghosh knows how to stay in the news. While he has little to offer by way of political discourse, he knows that making openly communal and sexist statements will get him media coverage and that in turn will be noticed by the party leadership at the centre. It is crucial for him to stay in the news after the massive loss that the party faced in the Bengal polls. Ironically, those posters had Ghosh’s pictures on them along with the party bigwigs. He now makes news more when he spews vile sexist remarks rather than on any policy matters.

The most recent has been his attack on the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) Member of Parliament Nusrat Jahan who has communally trolled after she announced the end of her relationship with partner Nikhil Jain. She had issued a public statement that she need not file for a divorce in India, as the marriage had not been registered under the Special Marriage Act. She has since been on the receiving end of communal attacks for applying sindoor, now accused of ‘fooling Hindu voters’ from trolls, and even right wing aligned ‘influencers’ on social media

However it has been Dilip Ghosh’s statement that needs to be called out for multiple reasons. According to multiple media reports Dilip Ghosh who is a Member of Parliament from Medinipur, took personal jibes at fellow Parliamentarian TMC MP Nusrat Jahan. He reportedly said, “Nusrat Jahan is a woman MP. She has shamed the Indian culture by applying sindoor, addressing a man as her husband and inviting the CM to her ‘boubhat’ (reception) and now she says she is not married,” media reports quoted Dilip Ghosh. He then added tha as saying. He also reportedly said the “TMC should suspend Nusrat Jahan” or she should “resign” herself.

Ghosh seems to have been keeping a close track on the personal life of Nusrat Jahan for some reason. Before his comments on her applying sindoor, he had reportedly called her a fraud. According to a report in India Today he had said, “What a fraud. A person who was given a ticket by TMC, took oath, now says she was not even married. However, she wore sindoor, dragged a rath, conducted pujas, and won the election.” That was all in June.

Remember Dilip ‘Bermuda’ Ghosh from May?

In May this year Dilip Ghosh made the headlines when reported a video grab of him suggesting though not naming anyone, that West Bengal Chief Minister should wear ‘bermuda shorts’ to show “her injured leg”. This had enraged many in the then poll-bound state as word spread that Ghosh had reportedly used words to suggest that the CM had been showing her injured leg. He was purportedly heard saying, “….She is wearing saree with one leg covered but kept another kept open for viewing. Haven’t seen anyone draping a saree in such a way. If she has to display her leg for viewing, she can very well wear bermuda shorts. That will help to have a better view.” Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee drew flak, West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh justified his comment and said that a woman in a saree flaunting her leg is not a reflection of the Bengali culture.

Ghosh then went on to justify his “bermuda” comment and told the media, “Being a woman chief minister we certainly expect from her some decency that goes well with the culture and tradition of Bengal, and with the values of a Bengali woman.” He reportedly added, “Here we can see a saree-clad woman who is flaunting her leg frequently. Do you consider this as a reflection of the culture of Bengal?” 

Election Commission had barred him for hate speech

In April, the Election Commission (EC) had barred the Bengal BJP chief from campaigning for 24 hours. Ghosh, a known serial hate offender with a history of making communally charged and misogynistic statements, had reportedly openly threatened a repeat of Sitalkuchi firing and said, “If someone crosses his limits then you have seen what happened in Sitalkuchi. There will be Sitalkuchi in several places.”

What happened in Sitalkuchi?

On April 10, during phase four of the Assembly elections, five people were killed in two separate incidents in Sitalkuchi in Cooch Behar district. While four people were killed when paramilitary forces opened fire at polling booth number 126 in Amtali, another young man was killed at booth number 85 in Panthauli, also in Sitalkuchi. Following the violence, the Election Commission suspended voting in the area, and also banned entry of political leaders for 72 hours in Cooch Behar district that comprises nine Assembly constituencies.

However Ghosh continues to go unnoticed by NCW

Ghosh has so far not been pulled up for his blatantly sexist remarks either by his party, nor it seems by the National Commission for Women (NCW) chairperson Rekha Sharma. In May, she was in Bengal to “probe incidents of violence, including alleged atrocities against women, and met governor Jagdeep Dhankhar,” reported the Times of India. The NCW had taken suo motu cognizance of the incidents and even constituted a fact-finding committee. The team met families of the alleged rape and murder victim in West Midnapore. The commission told the media: “the NCW team was informed by victims that they were physica assaulted, and their homes vandalised and set ablaze by TMC  goons. The women expressed that they are not being provided any protection from the state administration. The victims of violence expressed concern about the safety of their daughters. The NCW team found that the Bengal police were not taking effective steps to provide security.” 

It is not known yet if the commission has taken notice of known political leaders such as Ghosh making sexist remarks and thus far getting away with it. It is after all when they see the big leaders get away, that the goons on the roads feel ‘empowered’ to continue their goondaism.

Related:

10 most hate-driven statements by Indian politicians
BJP MP Dilip Ghosh asks why Shaheen Bagh protestors aren’t dying
50 lakh Muslim infiltrators will be chased out of the country: BJP’s Dilip Ghosh
BJP’s Dilip Ghosh calls intellectuals “Spineless devils”, “parasites”

The post How does Dilip Ghosh get away with so much misogyny? appeared first on SabrangIndia.

A concerned citizen filed an FIR against Sudarshan News Editor-in-Chief Suresh Chavhanke on Thursday, August 27, for inciting hatred between religious communities, doing acts prejudicial to national integration as well issuing statements conducive to public mischief.

Chavhanke, the Chairman and Managing Director of the news channel posted a video on Tuesday night, August 25 wherein he talked about ‘Muslim infiltration’ in the highest posts of civil services – a common concept propagated by hate-mongers in the country. He also termed the rising number of Muslims IAS officers as a form of ‘jihad.’

#सावधान
लोकतंत्र के सबसे महत्वपूर्ण स्तंभ कार्यपालिका के सबसे बड़े पदों पर मुस्लिम घुसपैठ का पर्दाफ़ाश.

#UPSC_Jihad #नौकरशाही_जिहाद

देश को झकझोर देने वाली इस सीरीज़ का लगातार प्रसारण प्रतिदिन. शुक्रवार 28 अगस्त रात 8 बजे से सिर्फ सुदर्शन न्यूज़ पर.@narendramodi @RSSorg pic.twitter.com/B103VYjlmt

— Suresh Chavhanke “Sudarshan News” (@SureshChavhanke) August 25, 2020

Chavhanke is now facing charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act since his tweet falls squarely in the ‘hate-speech’ category. He is also charged under Section 153(B) of the IPC for making criminal statements that question the credentials every Muslim officer in the Indian Civil Services and damage national integration and foster ill- will.

Even the IPS Association condemned the baseless statement made by Chavhanke.

A news story targeting candidates in civil services on the basis of religion is being promoted by Sudarshan TV.

We condemn the communal and irresponsible piece of journalism.

— IPS Association (@IPS_Association) August 27, 2020

Moreover, he has also received criticism from people on Twitter.

If it wasn’t enough that Muslims were blamed for the Covid-19 outbreak, now they are being blamed for clearing Civil Services exams. This is a direct result of the sustained hate campaign unleashed by the BJP against Muslims. This man has to be arrested! pic.twitter.com/jAwuiL6mfv

— Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) August 27, 2020

According to The New Indian Express, many police and civil services officers, retired and serving, have demanded action against Chavhanke for his brazen claims. 

However, many of Chavhanke’s followers have also come to his defense questioning why a reporter should be suspended for raising such questions.

So @SureshChavhanke doesn’t have the right to decide what story he will cover? What’s wrong with this story? He is only exercising his #FoE, why are the libt@rds so triggered? https://t.co/Y7vK8ee1zf

— Shefali Vaidya. (@ShefVaidya) August 27, 2020

Just because @SureshChavhanke resonates the fear in hearts of millions of Indians about induction of radical xlamists funded by zakat in large numbers in UPSC ..Moment he released the first promo on UPSC jihad
Cabal is asking to suspend his handle
But #BharatWithSureshChavhanke pic.twitter.com/oT3TSkDG2Q

— Ritu (सत्यसाधक) #EqualRightsForHindus (@RituRathaur) August 27, 2020

Chavhanke is known to have published such derogatory and venomous comments targeting the religious minorities in the past. He has also been previously arrested by the Lucknow police for inciting communal hatred. He has also broadcasted such claims on his news channel. The tweet in question has already been widely retweeted and shared. 

Our Take: While the FIR statement claims that the accused “is seeking to paint Muslims with the brush of communalism and is encouraging hatred and inciting feelings of hate against Muslims” the tweet also has a damaging effect on image of India’s civil servants.

IPS and IAS officers are dedicated to betterment of the country. By questioning the recruitment process of such officers Chavhanke is indirectly naming these officers as terrorists. This is why so many police officers and civil servants have raised objections to the promotional video. It raises doubts about the functioning of the government which could have far-reaching effects in future. 

In the first place, communalists are eager to term any activity as ‘jihad’ (terrorism) as long as Muslims are involved in it. However, tainting the image of public servants without any substantial evidence also serves as irresponsible and unethical journalism.

At a time when religious violence is becoming increasingly common, statements like these can severely damage the secular fabric of your country. Chavhanke, in making such claims, not only violates the ethics of journalism but also rejects the fundamental duty of every citizen to “promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India transcending religious, linguistic and regional or sectional diversities; to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.”

Related:

Who is protecting, encouraging and funding hate speech maker Suresh Chavhanke?  

RSS backed Sudarshan TV ordered to pay Rs. 50 lakh for airing fake news

Hate Watch: Bengal in turmoil as Instigators like Deepak Sharma wave their Social Media driven wand, again

UP Police Registers FIR Against Sudharshan Channel

Opinion: When a Hindu got caught in the Bulandshahr cow slaughter crossfire

Bulandshahr violence: Fake news peddler Suresh Chavhanke attacks Muslims

The post ‘UPSC Jihad’ in civil service recruitment: Suresh Chavhanke appeared first on SabrangIndia.

“Islam says a mosque will always be a mosque. It can’t be broken to build something else. We believe it was, and always will be a mosque. Mosque wasn’t built after demolishing the temple but now maybe the temple will be demolished to build a mosque,” Sajid Rashidi said. He also said that Prime Minister Modi had violated the Constitution by attending the Ram temple event.

The Supreme Court verdict in the Ayodhya land dispute case was in favour of the Hindu parties and which was largely accepted by various Muslim organizations.

Yet, Rashidi, who is a known face on television debates, has given this inflammatory statement revealing the ugly face of communal politics. Rashidi is termed by many as BJP stooge who is called on television debates where he makes absurd statements, giving right wing members on the debate panel a chance to engage in Muslim bashing. During the campaigns for Delhi elections he is known to have been a supporter of BJP. His Twitter account is accessible to only approved users but there are screenshots of his tweets put together by another user proving that he has connections with the BJP.

During 2015 Delhi Elections, He had campained for BJP on ground with other fake Maulanas. here are few of his tweets. pic.twitter.com/O9ObHng2QV

— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) February 14, 2018

The Babri Masjid debate has always brought out the worst in Indian politics and this statement from Rashidi appears to be part of the bigger communal game.

Clearly, this seems like another political ploy to satisfy the Hindutva-wadis’ claims that Muslims will rise up against the construction of the Ram Temple. It’s natural that Muslim sentiments may have been hurt by the apex court judgment and the beginning of the construction of the temple with such pomp and show. But, the voice of people like Rashidi is not representative of all of Muslims, most of whom wish to live in peace and not be used as pawns in a communal game.

Related:

Babri Masjid demolition vs pulling down of statues of racists in the US

Indian-Americans protest communalism in NYC

Several ‘secular’ people applauded the Babri demolition: Ravi Gupta

The post Demolish temple to build mosque: Sajid Rashidi stokes controversy appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Maulana Batin the Shehr Mufti of Banaras has issued a strong appeal fr calm while also making available a helpine phone number to ensure that rumours are dispelled. Bascally he has told his followers not to let emotion govern their actions. Similarly the prominent Shankracharya Swaroopanand Saraswati has clearly deleneated the religious and secular by stating that no government or state should concern itself with building a Mosque or Temple or Gurudwara as these are religious acts that should be left to the communities concerned.

Maulana Batin’s statement can be read here:

Swami Swaroopanand’s statement can be read bwlow. he has made a strong argument for separating religious business and the state arguing that the building of temples, mosques gurudwaras and churches was not the business of the state. He has also cautioned stating that the failures of the central government on the socio-economic front is the reason the ‘Ram Manditr’ issue has been raised, so suddenly. Significantly the polls in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are also round the corner: in both states the ruling BJP is facing anti-incumbency of a strong kind.

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