Mersal row: BJP’s Raja drags Vijay’s Christian identity to justify GST!

News Network
October 24, 2017

Oct 24: Adding fuel to fire over the Mersal movie controversy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader H Raja has dragged the religion of Tamil actor Vijay. Taking to Twitter, the politician shared a picture of the popular actor’s voter ID showing his full name as Joseph Vijay.

The BJP leader posted the voter ID of the actor with caption – “Truth is bitter”. However, he did not explain which truth is bitter for him.

This is not the first time that Raja raked up the religion of the actor over the issue. He had earlier written, “Joseph Vijay’s hatred for Modi is Mersal”.

He had also raised questions over a dialogue in the movie that said hospitals must be built before temples. Raja claimed that as many as 17,500 churches, 9,700 mosques and 370 temples were constructed in the last 20 years. “Out of these what should be avoided to build hospitals?” he asked. However, he did not provide any proof for his claim.

The BJP has been on an offensive against the movie, directed by Atlee Kumar, since its release on October 18 in theatres. Tamil Nadu BJP chief Tamilisai Soundararajan had demanded removal of the dialogues relating to GST, digital payments and temples from the movie as they allegedly spread a wrong message.

There was also a war of words between senior BJP leader GVL Narsimha Rao and Bollywood actor-producer Farhan Akhtar. Speaking on the issue, Rao had told a television channel that “most of our film stars have very low general knowledge”.

Reacting to this, Farhan Akhtar expressed his anger on Twitter, saying “how dare you, sir?? And to all the film people in his ranks.. here’s what he thinks of you”.

The movie and the actors, meanwhile, also got the backing of Tamil superstar Rajinikanth, who has been hinting on making a foray in politics. He had extended his support to the movie team on Twitter and lauded them for addressing “important topic”. "Important topic addressed... Well done!!! Congratulations team Mersal," Rajinikanth tweeted.

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi and senior party leader P Chidambaram had also hit out at the BJP for demanding cuts in "Mersal".

"Mr Modi, Cinema is a deep expression of Tamil culture and language. Don't try to demon-etise Tamil pride by interfering in Mersal," Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet which was retweeted by Chidambaram.

The makers of the film have, however, said that if needed they would delete scenes that have caused “misunderstanding”.

Claiming that the BJP leaders have accepted their explanation, Sri Thenandal Films head Murali Ramaswamy said, "From their perspective, their opposition is just. If opinions (expressed in the movie) that may lead to misunderstanding need to be removed, we are ready for that too."

Comments

Zain
 - 
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2017

Usully I dont watch Tamil movies, but Mersal definatly I'l be watching, not for entertainment but for its success. #MersaltowardsSuccess#

 

Tony
 - 
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2017

BJP once again proves that they can live only by spewing communal hatred venom and cannot take criticism of any kind. The increasing publicity of the issue will only backfire on them.

Christy
 - 
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2017

I am a keralite and i must say the bjp is again using religion to divide people and spew hate. Why? because none of what Raja said is relevant, let me explain. 'joseph vijay' is acting as a hindu doctor in the film and that jab about 'not temples but more hospital' is directed to some govt.s in north who are building statues and temples with state money. And a movie doesnt have to be based on facts or truth, the movie can transmit any message and its up to the viewers to decide if what said in the film is right or wrong. BJP should dictating people. And BJP won't come in power in kerala, not in a million years. Period.

Bhatt
 - 
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2017

Movies are either for entertainment or information but not political propaganda. Movie with political agenda is fair game for criticism

Mohammed
 - 
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2017

Congrats to Vijay and #Mersal Team, but my doubt is this 150cr included GST or not? : D

Truth
 - 
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2017

BJP do not have separate attitude for Tamilnadu. The only thing required is that they should be told to not to disturb converts in tamilnadu.

Rahul
 - 
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2017

BJP interferes into the freedom of expression. Artists have the freedom to speak social issues, if they are factually incorrect, let the politicians campaign against. They cant re-censor the film which has certified by the central censor board. There is nothing wrong on the dialogues on GST, demonetisation, inefficient hospitals etc.. all are facts, some may be stretched a bit.. 

BJP's attitude in TN triggers people's anger further.

Unknown
 - 
Tuesday, 24 Oct 2017

Political party donations to have 28% GST. How much money BJP have received as political donations ? BJP, do you dare to pay GST on the receipts of the earnings ?

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News Network
April 4,2020

Mangaluru, Apr 4: Dakshina Kannada district deputy commissioner (DC) Sindhu B Rupesh in an official reminder has ordered milk unions to disburse about 5,000 litres of milk to residents of notified and non-notified slums, construction labourers and migrant labourers and their families in shelters in the district.

A decision regarding the free distribution of milk to such needy families was taken in a meeting by the chief minister on April 1.

The DC has ordered cooperative milk unions in the district to distribute milk to such families from April 4 till April 14.

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M.V. Mallya
February 1,2020

Mangaluru, Feb 1: Rotary Club of Mangalore city team represented by Rtn. Dr. Ranjan Rao and Rtn. Sumith Rao duo bagged the 14th Annual prestigious Rotary Quiz Trophy by securing 380 points. The Rotary Club of Vijayanagar Mysore represented by  Rtn. H.M. Harish secured 370 points and was declared runners up.

Rotary Club of Mangaluru central as a part of Rotary movement awareness campaign conducted their 14th Annual “Dist. Level Inter Club Rotary Quiz”  contest on Friday 31.01.2020 at Hotel Ocean Pearl Hall, Mangaluru. The Quiz was based exclusively on Rotary related affairs, matters and issues.

Chamarajnagar City based Eminent Pediatrician and Rotary past Dist. Governor Rtn. Dr.R. Nagarajun  graced the occasion as Chief Guest, in is address he lauded the  invaluable contributions of Dr. Rai to the Rotary Movement and congratulated on his achievements.  Later he awarded the Rotary Glittering Trophy, Certificates and Cash prizes of R.3,000 to the Winners and Runners up and congratulated them on their unique achievements.

13 Teams from Mangaluru, Bykampady, Panamburu, Deralaktte, Puttur, Mysore, participated in this contest. Rtn. Dr. Devdas Rai was the Quiz Master and officiated the closely contested  quiz contest. Asst. Governor Zone-2  Rtn. Geethanand Pai was the guest of honour he released the weekly club news bulletin “Centor”. Club President Rtn. Dr. Jayaprakash Poonja presided over the function. Secretary Rtn. K.M. Hegde presented the monthly report. Rtn. Prakash Chandra proposed the vote of thanks.  The event was sponsored by Chairman and Managing Director of Athena Hospital Rtn. Raviraj Shettiyan and Eminent Chartered Accountant C.A. Nithin Shetty.

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News Network
January 9,2020

Srinagar, Jan 9: Envoys from 15 countries including the United States were shown around Srinagar on Thursday, the first visit by New Delhi-based diplomats since the government stripped Kashmir of its semi-autonomous status and began a harsh crackdown five months ago.

The diplomats were driven by Indian authorities in a motorcade amid tight security from the airport to the military headquarters in Srinagar, where they were briefed on the security situation, an army officer said. He spoke on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak to reporters.

They also held discussions with civil society members and some Kashmiri politicians, said Raveesh Kumar, spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The objective of the visit, organized by the Union government, was for the envoys to see first-hand “how things have progressed and how normalcy has been restored to a large extent'' in Kashmir since August, Kumar told reporters in New Delhi.

In October, a group of European Parliament members had visited the region, which is claimed by both India and Pakistan.

The delegation that visited Kashmir on Thursday included US ambassador to India Kenneth Juster and diplomats from Bangladesh, Vietnam, Norway, the Maldives, South Korea, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Argentina, the Philippines, Fiji, Uzbekistan, Peru and Togo.

Offices, shops and businesses were open in Srinagar on the cold winter day, but the diplomats did not stop to talk to people as they moved to different venues of their meetings.

They were to fly to Jammu, the winter capital of Kashmir, later Thursday and return to New Delhi on Friday.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh pointed out the oddity of taking foreign diplomats to the troubled state but not allowing allowing Indian political leaders to freely visit it.

The National Conference said it was "disappointed" with the way the government brought envoys from various countries to "endorse" its "claims of normalcy" in the union territory. The party alleged that it was no more than a "guided tour" with access limited to "handpicked individuals who toe the government line".

“The NC wishes to ask these envoys that if the situation in Jammu & Kashmir is "normal", then why are scores of people, including three former chief ministers, under detention for almost 160 days and why have the people been denied access to the internet for over 5 months?" a statement issued by the party said.

Kumar dismissed as unfounded criticism of the visit, and said more such visits to Kashmir by New Delhi-based diplomats are likely in the near future.

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