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Ajay Singh, man who coined BJP’s Ab ki Baar Modi Sarkar slogan, picks controlling stake in NDTV

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Ajay Singh

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Though sources in the channel denied reports of the SpiceJet owner buying a 40 per cent stake, speculation rife that the Roys will lose editorial control

In a development that, if true, could significantly change the narrative of the news reportage at NDTV – one of the few television news platforms critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government’s policies – SpiceJet owner and BJP ‘insider’ Ajay Singh has reportedly picked up a 40 per cent state in the channel.

On Friday, a report in The Indian Express claimed that Singh – a man credited with coining the BJP’s popular 2014 poll slogan Ab Ki Baar Modi Sarkar – “will have controlling stake in NDTV of around 40 per cent and the promoters Prannoy and Radhika Roy will hold around 20 per cent in the company.”

Given the channel’s poor financial health amid a rising debt burden – estimated to be at around Rs 400 crore – and an ongoing CBI investigation against its founders Prannoy and Radhika Roy and promoter firm RRPR Holding Pvt Ltd for allegedly concealing a share transaction, The Indian Express report has evoked wide interest among mediapersons as well as those who follow NDTV closely.

Prannoy Roy

However, while the channel’s managing editor and director of strategy, Suparna Singh has denied the report through a tweet on Friday afternoon, sources in NDTV too claimed that “not even a single sentence of the (Indian Express) report is true.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_raw_html]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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Yet, despite the official denial by the channel – though the Roys were yet to comment on the purported development – there’s some reason to explore whether NDTV was preparing to transfer a significant chunk of its ownership and editorial control to Singh, who is also the co-founder and owner of SpiceJet airline.

Since Modi’s anointment as Prime Minister in 2014, NDTV – especially its prime time slot on the Hindi channel NDTVIndia that is anchored by Ravish Kumar – has often been criticised and hailed in equal measure for putting the Centre on the mat over its policies and perceived support to communal and Hindutva fringe elements. NDTV’s English and Hindi channels have both been critical of Modi’s demonetisation policy, his government’s failure in improving the country’s economy and reining in gau rakshaks and lynch mobs. A few months back, senior journalist Nidhi Razdan, the popular anchor of the English channel’s – NDTV24X7 – Left, Right & Centre show had asked BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra to leave her show when he alleged that the channel was “pursuing an agenda” against him and his party.

Trolls on Twitter – most of whom are admirers of Modi and his government and some who are even followed by the Prime Minister on Twitter – have frequently singled out NDTV, its promoters and anchors like Ravish and Nidhi, for criticising the Centre on key policy issues and have on most occasions hurled abuses at them and issued various threats.

Given this turbulent relationship between the Modi sarkar and the channel, its promoters and anchors, and the fact that a majority of the mainstream news channels are currently viewed as those that look at the Centre ‘more favourably’, it had often been speculated in the media that it was only a matter of time before NDTV have to pick one of at least four options. These were: to shut down, face greater CBI scrutiny, change its editorial narrative or let someone more favourably inclined towards the Modi government to take control of the channel.

It is in this backdrop that The Indian Express report about Ajay Singh taking over the editorial control of the channel through a purported Rs 600 crore deal seems to be gaining traction among media persons, NDTV fans and critics alike.

If Singh takes over the stakes in NDTV – something sources close to him say is going to happen – the company’s channels will, in all likelihood, not take a divergent or critical view of the Centre’s policy or political initiatives, particularly if rumours of Prannoy and Radhika Roy willing to sign over their editorial control of the group to the SpiceJet owner are proved to be true.

Singh’s association with the BJP is a well established fact. As The Indian Express report points out: “Singh served as OSD (officer on special duty) to (the late former Union minister) Pramod Mahajan during the first NDA government. It was in this period that he played an active role in the launch of DD Sports and was also behind the planning of DD News. Singh played a role in 2014 Lok Sabha campaign of the BJP as part of the core advertising/campaigning team.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Minor student dies in Bihar after getting allegedly beaten up over homework, accused absconding

As per the reports, one of Aditya’s friends has alleged that they found his body in a swollen state and even added that the beating spate continued for two days for reportedly not doing his homework.

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A harrowing story has come to light from Bihar where a 7-year-old boy, identified as Aditya Yadav, was found dead inside the hostel of his residential school. The victim’s friends have claimed that the boy was brutally beaten with a wooden stick for failing to complete his homework.

As per the reports, the incident transpired in Bihar’s Saharsa district where Aditya was studying. The victim was in the KG class in the residential school.

It was reported that the friend of the victim found the lying dead in the hostel. After they took the boy to Sujeet Kumar, the prime accused, he asked the students to leave the body at the hospital.

Subsequently, Kumar informed his parents that their child fainted inside the school but before the father could reach to see his son, he was declared dead.

As per the reports, one of Aditya’s friends has alleged that they found his body in a swollen state and even added that the beating spate continued for two days for reportedly not doing his homework.

However, the doctor that declared Aditya dead, said there were no injury marks on his body. He further said that the cause of the boy’s death can be determined only after the autopsy.

It was also reported that the prime accused, Sujeet Kumar is absconding and the father of the victim told the media that when he reached the private nursing home, his son had died and Sujeet Kumar wasn’t there.

The father also filed a complaint in which he alleged that his son was beaten to death. The father spoke to the media and claimed that they first took his son to a local doctor who referred him to a Saharsa. He further claimed that his son died during treatment.

The autopsy report of the victim is awaited and the police will act accordingly after that, said reports.

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India News

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav shares video of cop thrashing ice-cream vendor | WATCH

The vendor, in fear, can be seen continuing on as the unruly policeman returned back to the other side of the road. The video also shows several people complacently witnessing the assault by the policeman.

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Former CM and Samajwadi chief Akhilesh Yadav shared a video of a policeman thrashing an ice cream vendor. Yadav in his tweet questioned the state of UP as he questioned the UP administration for their brutality.

Samajwadi Chief in his tweet also wrote and took a dig at the BJP by questioning if this is what they meant when they said that UP has worked for ease of doing business.

In the video, a policeman can be seen intercepting an ice cream vendor who was returning to his home. After stopping the ice cream vendor, the policeman out of the blue slapped the vendor without saying anything twice.

The vendor, in fear, can be seen continuing on as the unruly policeman returned back to the other side of the road. The video also shows several people complacently witnessing the assault by the policeman.

Watch video here:

The Samajwadi Party leader has been actively sharing videos from Uttar Pradesh in a bid to slam the UP government over their alleged inadequacy to govern. Yadav has, of late, increased the staunch attack on the Yogi government ahead of the Lok Sabha Election due in 2024.

Twitter reactions

After the video went viral, many users came forward to add their take on the incident as one user wrote and said that everyone is a goon nowadays, implying that the state of UP has boiled down to rule of goons.

One user wrote and highlighted how the policeman beat up the vendor, but didn’t say a word to the people in the car. The user further questioned if the police only show authority to the poor and not the rich. The user also alleged the UP police of torturing, killing and bullying the poor.

One user also wrote and slammed the government for being high on power and further accused the government and administration of using bulldozers on the public which is condemnable.

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India News

Bank holidays April 2023: Banks to be closed for 15 days next month, check state-wise bank holiday list here

With the new financial year starting on April 1, major changes are anticipated as these changes are connected to money and banks.

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Bank holidays April 2023

April is just a few weeks ago and with the new financial year starting on April 1, major changes are anticipated as these changes are connected to money and banks.

As per the Reserve Bank of India’s calendar, all public and private banks will remain shut for 15 days in April 2023 for multiple festivals and occasions including Mahavir Jayanti, Good Friday, Tamil New Year’s Day, Biju festival, Bengali New Year’s Day, Ramazan Eid, Himachal Day, Jumat-ul-Vida, and others.

Read Also: Video of people saving man after coming in contact with live wire in Uttar Pradesh goes viral | Watch

State-wise bank holidays list for April 2023

DateOccasionRegion, Nation Specific
April 1On the occasion of banks’ closing of accountsBanks will remain closed across India except in Aizawl, Shimla, Chandigarh, and Shillong
April 2SundayAcross India
April 4Mahavir JayantiAhmedabad, Aizawl, Belapur, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Jaipur, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Raipur, and Ranchi
April 5Babu Jagjivan Ram’s birthdayHyderabad
April 7Good FridayBanks will be closed in Aizawl, Belapur, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Gangtok, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Imphal, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Panaji, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi, Shillong, and Thiruvananthapuram
April 8Second SaturdayAcross India
April 9SundayAcross India
April 14Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti, Bohag Bihu, Cheiraoba, Vaisakhi, Baisakhi, Tamil New Year’s Day, Maha Bisubha Sankranti, Biju Festival, Buisu Festival celebrationsAgartala, Ahmedabad, Belapur, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Gangtok, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jaipur, Jammu, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Panaji, Patna, Ranchi, Srinagar, and Thiruvananthapuram
April 15Vishu, Bohag Bihu, Himachal Day, Bengali New Year’s Day (Nababarsha)Agartala, Guwahati, Kochi, Kolkata, Shimla, and Thiruvananthapuram
April 16SundayAcross India
April 18Shab-l-QadrJammu and Srinagar
April 21Id-Ul-Fitr (Ramzan Eid), Garia Puja, Jumat-ul-VidaAgartala, Jammu, Kochi, Srinagar, and Thiruvananthapuram
April 22Eid-Ul-Fitr, fourth SaturdayBelapur, Bhopal, Chennai, Dehradun, Guwahati, Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jaipur, Jammu, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Panaji, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi, Shillong and Srinagar for Eid and across India for fourth Saturday
April 23SundayAcross India
April 30SundayAcross India

Delhi excise policy scam: BRS leader K Kavitha submits all phones ahead of third round of questioning

BJP’s row with Congress over UK remarks continues, Sambit Patra says Rahul Gandhi doing what Mir Zafar did

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