Prakash Raj slaps legal notice on Pratap Simha over defamatory post

News Network
November 23, 2017

Bengaluru, Nov 23: Multi-lingual actor and activist Prakash Raj has slapped a legal notice on BJP leader and Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha for making defamatory statements against him on social media. The actor has also launched a campaign on social media with hashtag #TrollVandalism.

The artist termed the BJP leader as an important head of troll vandalism and added: "Simha posted statements terming me as a villain in real life and claimed I was running behind a dancer when my wife was grieving the death of our five-year-son. He stated that I change my name and identity according to my convenience. These posts have deeply hurt me. I decided to slap a legal notice on him as there should be an end to such trolls," Raj told reporters on Thursday.

"Simha is a serial offender. He even made derogatory remarks when late H S Mahadeva Prasad's wife Geetha contested for by-election to Gundlupet Assembly constituency. His statements were responsible for the defeat of his party's candidate," he said.

Prakash Raj clarified that he didn't want any money from the saffronist MP as compensation.

"He should apologise in public for his posts. He should confess that he committed a mistake and remove posts from all his social media accounts," he said.

"I will resort to criminal action against Simha if he doesn't respond to my notice," the actor stated.

To a question, Raj clarified: "It's a notice by an individual against an individual. I am not targeting any political party, group or leader."

"People like Simha can't get away with such acts. Somebody should bell the cat and I've decided to bell it," he added.

The actor stated that trolling was common in all political parties and groups. Trolling influenced, instigated and provocated innocent people, and a movement was needed against such activities.

Regarding his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the actor said:"I've questioned Modi for being silent on his supporters indulging in troll vandalism."

On controversy surrounding Hindi movie Padmavati, he said: "Everybody has a right to protest, but I am concerned about the way in which protests are being organised. Statements like cutting the nose, beheading artistes and chopping of a finger for pointing at Modi are terrifying."

"About four states have banned release and screening of Padmavati before the Supreme Court can take a call on the issue. Even challenging the Supreme Court is a dangerous development," he said.

Prakash Raj said he wasn't terrorized by such trolls, but wanted to be a voice for those who were victims of troll vandalism.

Comments

Althaf
 - 
Thursday, 23 Nov 2017

Paper Simha... Should be punished by law.

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News Network
July 16,2020

Byndoor, Jul 16: Byndoor Police Station in Kundapur taluk of Udupi District, has been sealed for the second time in a month, after three personnel including an ASI were tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday.

All the three including a lady Home Guard have been admitted to the designated Covid Hospital.

Last month the Station was sealed after staff had tested positive.

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News Network
April 7,2020

Udupi, Apr 7: The district administrations of Udupi and Uttara Kannada districts have appealed to the state government to request Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to allow COVID-19 tests at Manipal’s Kasturba Hospital.

Kasturba Hospital was granted approval by the ICMR to conduct tests on samples to detect the novel coronavirus on March 24, however it rescinded it later.

Udupi district Deputy Commissioner (DC) G Jagadeesha stated that the Council did not provide any reason for the cancellation of approval; his office has requested the Chief Secretary to pressurise the Council in granting approval again.

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News Network
January 10,2020

Bengaluru, Jan 10: Education technology company Byju’s is learnt to have raised $200 million in a funding round from Tiger Global Management, which has valued the Bengaluru-based start-up at around $8 billion, making it the third-largest unicorn (start-up valued over $1 billion) in the country.

With this, the Byju Raveendran-founded company has seen over 50 per cent jump in its valuation in just around nine months. In March 2019, Byju’s was valued $5.4 billion, when it raised around $31 million from General Atlantic, and Chinese investment giant Tencent.

At the current valuation, Byju’s has now replaced home-grown cab-hailing major Ola as the third-largest unicorn, next only to Paytm and OYO, which are valued around $16 billion and $10 billion, respectively.

Byju’s confirmed the transaction through a press statement, though the company declined to share any specific details of the deal. Tiger Global could not be immediately reached for its comments.

“We are happy to partner with a strong investor like Tiger Global Management. They share our sense of purpose and this partnership will advance our long-term vision of creating an impact by changing the way students learn,” said Raveendran. “This partnership is both a validation of the impact created by us so far and a vote of confidence for our long-term vision.”

This is Tiger Global’s first investment in the edutech space in India after Vendantu, an online tutoring platform, where it, along with WestBridge Capital, led a $42-million round in August.

An early backer of India’s internet growth story, the New York-headquartered Tiger Global has been a prolific investor in the Indian start-up space. Its portfolio in the country ranges from consumer focused e-commerce companies that are vital for the growth of the sector, such as Flipkart, Delhivery, Grofers, Quikr and PolicyBazaar, to mention a few.

After tasting success with Flipkart, one of its earliest investments, where it had pumped in around $1 billion, the PE major is now doubling down its focus on the Indian start-up space, under its new investment head Scott Shleifer.

Shleifer, who set up international private equity practice for Tiger Global, is said to be as aggressive deal maker like his predecessor Lee Fixel, who left the investment firm in March. Since then, Tiger has also invested in a host of technology-focused companies in diverse sectors including Ninjacart, CRED, NoBroker and Facilio to mention a few.

“Byju’s has emerged as the leader in the Indian education-tech sector. They are pioneering technology shaping the future of learning for millions of school students in India,” Shleifer was quoted in the press statement issued by the edutech firm.

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