English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

BJP leaders jump to defence of Postcard news founder arrested for peddling fake news

Published

8 years ago

on

BJP leaders jump to defence of Postcard news founder arrested for peddling fake news

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Several BJP leaders have come out in defence of Mahesh Vikram Hegde, co-founder and editor of right-wing propaganda website Postcard News which has been shown to regularly put up fake news propagating Hindutva agenda and Islamophobia.

Meanwhile, the BJP president Amit Shah went to campaign with a list of 23 BJP and RSS workers killed in Karnataka, falsely accusing ‘jehadis’ of being behind the murders.

Hegde was arrested by Karnataka police on Thursday, March 29, for spreading fake news likely to fan communal hatred, Alt News reported.

Hegde was taken into custody after he posted on social media that Jain monk Upadhyaya Mayank Sagar Ji Maharaj was attacked by some Muslim youth. However, Jain monk was actually injured in a road accident.

The news of attack on Jain muni by Muslim youth was shared by several serial peddlers of fake news. Mahesh Vikram Hegde, the founder of fake news site PostCard News, and Gaurav Pradhan, who has been caught spreading fake news on several occasions, also put out this claim on their Twitter accounts, reported Alt News.

Both Mahesh Vikram Hegde and Gaurav Pradhan are followed by Prime Minister Modi on Twitter, Alt News pointed out.

BJP leaders jump to defence of Postcard news founder arrested for peddling fake news

Dhruv Rathee said, “The whole BJP IT Cell and even ministers have come out in support of Fake News Mastermind.”[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Tejasvi Surya, General Secretary – BJP Youth Wing, Karnataka chimed in: “Appeared & argued on behalf of Mahesh Hegde. Police sought 14 days custody. Judge rejected & gave one day judicial custody. He will be produced b4 court on Saturday & hopefully will #ReleaseMaheshHegde. 3rd rate political vendetta of Siddaramaiah Govt. We’ll fight till end!”[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Bharatiya Janata Party Member of Parliament Pratap Simha was one of the first leaders from the Party to tweet in support of fake news peddler Mahesh Hegde.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]JTNDYmxvY2txdW90ZSUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIydHdpdHRlci10d2VldCUyMiUyMGRhdGEtbGFuZyUzRCUyMmVuJTIyJTNFJTNDcCUyMGxhbmclM0QlMjJlbiUyMiUyMGRpciUzRCUyMmx0ciUyMiUzRVRvZGF5JTIwbW9ybmluZyUyMENvd2FyZCUyMENvbmdyZXNzJTIwR292dCUyMCUyOEthcm5hdGFrYSUyOSUyMGFycmVzdGVkJTIwJTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnR3aXR0ZXIuY29tJTJGbXZtZWV0JTNGcmVmX3NyYyUzRHR3c3JjJTI1NUV0ZnclMjIlM0UlNDBtdm1lZXQlM0MlMkZhJTNFJTIwTWFoZXNoJTIwVmlrcmFtJTIwSGVnZGUlMjB1bmRlciUyMHVuY29ubmVjdGVkJTIwSVQlMjBhY3QlMjA2NiUyQyUyMHRoYXQlMjB0b28lMjBieSUyMHVzaW5nJTIwQ0NCJTIxJTIwU2hhbWUlMjBvbiUyMHlvdSUyMCUzQ2ElMjBocmVmJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ0d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRklOQ0thcm5hdGFrYSUzRnJlZl9zcmMlM0R0d3NyYyUyNTVFdGZ3JTIyJTNFJTQwSU5DS2FybmF0YWthJTNDJTJGYSUzRS4lMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdC5jbyUyRlNaR1VKS3NmemklMjIlM0VwaWMudHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZTWkdVSktzZnppJTNDJTJGYSUzRSUzQyUyRnAlM0UlMjZtZGFzaCUzQiUyMFByYXRhcCUyMFNpbWhhJTIwJTI4JTQwbWVwcmF0YXAlMjklMjAlM0NhJTIwaHJlZiUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGdHdpdHRlci5jb20lMkZtZXByYXRhcCUyRnN0YXR1cyUyRjk3OTMyNzQzNjUwNzYzOTgwOSUzRnJlZl9zcmMlM0R0d3NyYyUyNTVFdGZ3JTIyJTNFTWFyY2glMjAyOSUyQyUyMDIwMTglM0MlMkZhJTNFJTNDJTJGYmxvY2txdW90ZSUzRSUwQSUzQ3NjcmlwdCUyMGFzeW5jJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZwbGF0Zm9ybS50d2l0dGVyLmNvbSUyRndpZGdldHMuanMlMjIlMjBjaGFyc2V0JTNEJTIydXRmLTglMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZzY3JpcHQlM0UlMEE=[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Union Minister Anantkumar Hegde followed: “Shame on the state government led by @siddaramaiah which is behaving in dictatorial terms in arresting @mvmeet. Ensure to follow the true democratic spirit in fighting us rather than doing a coward act. #ReleaseMaheshHegde”[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Founder of Alt News Pratik Sinha tweeted about the hashtag used by Anantkumar Hegde saying, “Fervent appeals to trend #ReleaseMaheshHegde on BJP WhatsApp Groups in support of @postcard_news founder @mvmeet.”[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]BJP MP from East Delhi and BJP National Secretary Mahesh Girri was among those who tweeted in his support, slamming the Siddaramaiah Govt and the Congress party.[/vc_column_text][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][vc_column_text]Soon, right-wing social media users joined the chorus, tweeting away furiously in Mahesh Hegde’s defence and accusing Karnataka Government of indulging in petty politics. Most of these tweets had the common hashtags #ReleaseMaheshHegde and #ISupportMaheshHegde, suggesting a synchronised social media campaign in favour of the arrested fake news website founder. Pro-BJP Facebook pages and WhatsApp groups also appealed for trending #ReleaseMaheshHegde on social media.

The claim that freedom of expression (FOE) was being stifled was a common narrative in many of these tweets, reported AltNews. Some of them also resorted to whataboutery.

Rahul Raj @bhaksala, Priti Gandhi @MrsGandhi, Sriram @srirambjp, #GauravPradhan @DrGPradhan, Ajay Pratap Singh Sengar @sengarajay235, Ashu @muglikar, Connected MRI @ExSecular were among them, writing about freedom of expression.

All the above accounts are followed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Twitter, said Alt News. Sonam Mahajan, who Alt News has exposed on multiple occasions for spreading fake news on social media too tweeted in support of Hegde.

Postcard News has often been promoted by prominent BJP leaders and ministers in Modi government, Kiren Rijiju and Piyush Goyal among those who have shared articles posted on the website.

Communal tension being a dominant theme in BJP election propaganda, it was no surprise that arrest of Hegde sparked such outrage among the party leaders and followers.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

India News

Harivansh set to be elected Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairperson unopposed

Harivansh is set to be elected unopposed as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman after no opposition nominations were filed before the deadline.

Published

12 mins ago

on

April 17, 2026

By

Former Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh is set to be re-elected to the same post unopposed in the election due to be held later today.
The date has been fixed by the Chairman under the relevant rules governing the conduct of business in the Upper House.
According to sources, the deadline for submitting motions for the election was 12 noon on April 16. A total of five notices were received within the stipulated time, all proposing Harivansh for the post.

Multiple nominations, single candidate
The motions were submitted by members across parties, including Jagat Prakash Nadda, Nitin Nabin, Nirmala Sitharaman, Sanjay Kumar Jha, and Jayant Chaudhary, each backed by seconding members.
All five motions explicitly state that Harivansh be chosen as the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

No opposition nomination filed

Notably, no motion was submitted by the Opposition before the deadline. This effectively clears the path for a unanimous election, as there is no contest for the position.
As per parliamentary procedure, motions will be taken up one by one. Once any one motion is adopted by the House, the remaining motions will not be put to vote.

Likely to be elected by voice vote
In line with established practice, the first motion — expected to be moved by Nadda — may be adopted through a voice vote. Following this, the Chairman will formally declare Harivansh as elected Deputy Chairman.
After the declaration, Harivansh will be escorted to the Chair by members from both the Treasury and Opposition benches, adhering to parliamentary convention.

Continue Reading

India News

Amit Shah counters delimitation concerns, says southern states to gain Lok Sabha seats

Amit Shah assures Parliament that southern states will gain Lok Sabha seats after delimitation, countering opposition criticism during the women’s reservation debate.

Published

11 hours ago

on

April 16, 2026

By

Amit Shah

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday addressed concerns over the proposed delimitation exercise, asserting in the Lok Sabha that southern states will not lose representation but instead see an increase in their number of seats.

His remarks came during a heated debate linked to the implementation of women’s reservation, where opposition parties have raised fears that population-based delimitation could reduce the political weight of southern states.

Shah rejected these claims, calling them misleading, and said the proposed framework ensures fairness while expanding the overall strength of the Lok Sabha.

Seat count to rise with expansion of Lok Sabha

The government has indicated that the total number of Lok Sabha seats could increase significantly as part of the delimitation process. In this expanded House, the combined representation of southern states is expected to rise from 129 seats at present to around 195 seats.

Shah emphasised that no state will lose seats in absolute terms, and the exercise is designed to reflect population changes while maintaining balance across regions.

State-wise projections shared in Parliament

During his address, Shah also provided indicative figures for individual southern states, suggesting notable increases in representation. According to the projections:

  • Tamil Nadu could see its seats rise substantially
  • Kerala, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh are also expected to gain additional seats
  • Karnataka’s representation may increase as well

These figures were presented to counter the argument that delimitation would disproportionately favour northern states.

Political debate intensifies over linkage with women’s quota

The delimitation exercise has been closely linked to the rollout of women’s reservation, which proposes one-third seats for women in Parliament and state assemblies.

Opposition leaders have questioned this linkage, arguing that tying reservation to delimitation could delay its implementation and raise federal concerns. Some leaders have also warned that the move could impact national unity if apprehensions among states are not addressed.

The government, however, maintains that the reforms are necessary to ensure equitable representation and to align the electoral system with demographic realities.

Centre dismisses ‘false narrative’ on southern states

Shah reiterated that concerns about southern states losing influence are unfounded. He said the delimitation process will increase representation across regions and described the criticism as a “false narrative” aimed at creating confusion.

The issue is expected to remain a key flashpoint as Parliament continues discussions on the women’s reservation framework and related legislative changes.

Continue Reading

India News

PM Modi assures no discrimination in women’s quota, delimitation debate intensifies in Parliament

PM Narendra Modi has assured that women’s reservation will be implemented without discrimination, amid a heated debate over delimitation in Parliament.

Published

18 hours ago

on

April 16, 2026

By

PM modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured that there will be no discrimination in the implementation of women’s reservation, as Parliament witnessed a sharp debate over the proposed linkage between the quota and delimitation exercise.

During the ongoing special session, the government reiterated its commitment to ensuring fair representation while addressing concerns raised by opposition parties regarding the timing and structure of the legislation.

The proposed framework aims to reserve 33 percent of seats for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. However, its implementation is tied to a fresh delimitation exercise, which is expected after the next census.

Opposition questions timing and intent

Opposition leaders have raised concerns that linking the women’s quota to delimitation could delay its implementation. They argue that the process of redrawing constituencies may push the actual rollout further into the future.

The issue has triggered a broader political confrontation, with multiple parties questioning whether the move could alter representation across states.

Some critics have also alleged that the delimitation exercise could disproportionately benefit certain regions based on population, a charge the government has rejected.

Government reiterates commitment to fair implementation

Responding to these concerns, the Centre has maintained that the reforms are necessary to ensure accurate and updated representation based on population data.

Leaders from the ruling side have repeatedly emphasized that the process will be carried out transparently and without bias. The assurance that there will be “no discrimination” is aimed at addressing fears among states and opposition parties.

The debate marks a key moment in Parliament, with both sides engaging in intense exchanges over one of the most significant electoral reforms in recent years.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com