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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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Agencies
July 30,2020

Mumbai, Jul 30: Counterfeiting incidents have increased 24 per cent in the country in 2019 over the previous year, creating an over Rs 1 lakh crore hole in the economy, according to a report.

The report also said counterfeiters are having a free run due to the pandemic-driven disruptions to organised supply chains and the resultant spike in consumer demand.

According to the report by ASPA, a self-regulated industry body of anti-counterfeiting and traceability solutions providers, counterfeiting has risen steadily in the last few years, and exploiting the pandemic as a cover for their activities.

Between February and April 2020, over 150 incidents of counterfeiting cases were reported, mostly about fake PPE kits, sanitisers and masks taking advantage of the high demand for these products, it noted.

"There was a 24 per cent increase in counterfeiting in 2019 over 2018, leading to the loss of more than Rs 1 lakh crore to the overall economy," said Nakul Pasricha, president of Authentication Solution Providers Association.

The association works with global authorities like the International Hologram Manufacturers Association, Counterfeit Intelligence Bureau of the Interpol, and domestic industry lobbies like Ficci, he said.

Counterfeiting is a universal issue and is 3.3 per cent of global trade, according to the OECD data, impacting social and economic development across the world.

The report lists the currency, FMCG, alcohol, pharma, documents, agriculture, infrastructure, automotive, tobacco, lifestyle and apparel, as the 10 sectors impacted most by counterfeiting.

Among these, currency, alcohol and FMCG continue to be the top three sectors with the highest counterfeiting in the last two years. The FMCG sector is most vulnerable, as counterfeit incidents rose 63 per cent between 2018 (79) and 2019 when the reported cases jumped to 129.

Within the states, the fakers have a free run in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, Punjab, Jharkhand, Delhi, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand, calling for urgent actions to frame anti-counterfeiting policy measures.

According to the report, UP continues to be on top followed by Bihar, Rajasthan, and together these three states represent almost 45 per cent of all counterfeiting reported in the last two years.

What is more alarming is that counterfeiting is not limited to high-end luxury items today, as common everyday items as fake cumin seeds, mustard cooking oil, ghee, hair oils, soaps, baby care vaccines and medicines are aplenty in the markets.

"There is an urgent need for building and nurturing authentication ecosystems in the country with the active involvement and active participation of all stakeholders," said Pasricha.

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News Network
January 2,2020

Tumakuru, Jan 2: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid respects to the 'Gadduge' (final resting place) of Shivakumara Swamiji at Siddaganga Math, a prominent Lingayat seminary here, and said the Swamiji's work would continue to inspire everyone.

The Swamiji, who was known as the 'Walking God' among his countless followers, had passed away last year at the age of 111. The Prime Minister, who arrived at the Yelahanka Airbase in Bengaluru, went directly to Tumakuru, where the Math is located, by a chopper along with Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi and former Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda among others. Modi, after offering respects to the 'Gadduge', planted Bilva plant (Aegle marmelos) on the premises of the Math and also laid the foundation for the construction of a museum dedicated to Swamiji here before addressing the gathering, largely comprising students. Speaking on the occasion, Modi said he was feeling blessed to begin 2020 from the sacred land of Siddaganga, but at the same time was feeling the "vacuum" in the absence of Shivakumara Swamiji. "It is rare see the number of people swamiji had inspired during his life time. I'm really fortunate to lay the foundation for the museum in swamiji's memory. Through this museum, his works will continue to inspire generations," he said. Also, Prime Minister remembered Vishwesha Theertha of Udupi's Pejawar Math who passed away recently. Yediyurappa and the present pontiff of the Math Siddalinga Swamiji were among the others present. Known as "trivida dasohi" for his triple sacraments - food, shelter and education - among his followers, Shivakumara swamiji was considered as the incarnation of Basavanna, the 12th-century social reformer, as he accepted all irrespective of their religion or caste. There has been a growing clamour from people of different walks of life, including politicians, for conferring "Bharat Ratna" on the late Swamiji.

After the Swamiji's demise, the then Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had written to Modi urging him to confer the country's highest civilian order on the late seer.

Opposition Congress on Thursday questioned the Prime Minister about not conferring the"Bharat Ratna" on Shivakumara Swamiji.

Questioning Modi as to why he did not visit Tumakuru when Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math passed away, the principal opposition party in the state assembly in a tweet also sought to know why the seer was not conferred with the Bharat Ratna yet, while pointing out that former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written a letter in this regard in January 2018.

The present seer of the seminary Siddalinga Swamiji presented Modi a silver statue of Shivakumara Swamiji as a memento.

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News Network
February 7,2020

Chamarajanagar, Feb 7: Health authorities in Karnataka have constituted a mobile team of doctors to monitor villages sharing a border with Kerala districts.

Strong vigil is being maintained by the health authorities in Karnataka after three confirmed cases of Coronavirus was detected in Kerala.

Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja on Wednesday had informed that three positive cases of Coronavirus were found in the state and other suspects were being monitored in isolation.

The virus originated in Wuhan in December and has since then spread to various parts around the world.

China has imposed quarantine and travel restrictions, affecting the movement of 56 million people in more than a dozen cities, amid fears that the transmission rate will accelerate. 

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