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

Published

9 years ago

March 30, 2018

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.

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:BJP Fake News Narendra Modi

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Delhi Police offers 11-person limit for CJP’s Connaught Place protest

Delhi Police has offered to facilitate a group of 11 people at Central Park in Connaught Place for the Cockroach Janata Party’s October 16 protest, while warning that violations of prohibitory orders could invite legal action.

Published

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October 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

Delhi Police has proposed allowing a group of 11 people to carry the national flag and sing the national anthem at Central Park in Connaught Place on October 16, ahead of a protest called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) over alleged electoral fraud.

The police said it could facilitate the group at a suitable place in the park, while appealing to the public not to join the proposed gathering in large numbers. The offer comes amid prohibitory orders in Connaught Place and adjoining areas under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke has called on people to assemble at Central Park at 5 pm on Friday with the national flag. The proposed demonstration, named “Lehra Do Tiranga”, follows the detention of CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka during an earlier protest.

Why Delhi Police proposed limiting the gathering

In its statement, Delhi Police cited the prevailing security and law-and-order situation in the area. It also referred to information from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) that Central Park would remain closed on October 16 and 17 for administrative reasons.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Neha Yadav said the NDMC had informed the police about the closure and had asked that no gathering be allowed near the park.

The police also cited representations from trader and market associations in Connaught Place and surrounding areas. According to the police, the associations had raised concerns about unlawful assemblies and their impact on businesses, particularly during the festive season.

Police warned that violations of Section 163 BNSS would invite appropriate legal action. It also stressed that the national flag must be displayed and carried, and the national anthem sung, in the prescribed manner with due respect and dignity.

Delhi High Court declines to stop CJP protest

The proposed gathering reached the Delhi High Court after a vendor sought intervention over concerns about disruption to businesses and public movement in Connaught Place.

On Thursday, the court declined to restrain the CJP from holding the protest. It recorded the police’s assurance that all possible measures under the law would be taken to regulate the gathering and maintain peace.

The petition was filed by a vendor at Palika Bazar in Connaught Place, who raised concerns about the potential impact of the demonstration on traders and others working in the area.

Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for the authorities, told the court that steps had already been taken to regulate the proposed protest.

CJP’s protest call follows detention of party members

Dipke’s October 16 protest call follows earlier demonstrations over alleged electoral fraud. CJP members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are in jail on trespass charges after raising the national flag at Jantar Mantar earlier this week, according to the report.

The party has been protesting over alleged electoral fraud and has raised questions about the Election Commission.

Dipke has urged people to gather at Central Park with the national flag, arguing that raising the Tricolour should not be treated as a crime.

The police’s proposal to facilitate a group of 11 people came as the authorities sought to prevent a larger gathering at the site. The CJP’s response to the police’s offer was still awaited in the report published on October 15.

India News

Actor Imran Khan asked to leave India after CJP protest

Actor Imran Khan has been asked to leave India by October 28, days after participating in a protest called by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Mumbai.

Published

2 hours ago

October 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

Actor Imran Khan, nephew of Bollywood star Aamir Khan, has been asked to leave India by the Mumbai Police, days after participating in a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) in Mumbai.

According to the notice, the actor has been given until October 28 to leave the country. The development follows his participation in the demonstration, which brought the actor into the spotlight over his involvement in a political protest.

Imran Khan is believed to hold US citizenship and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card rather than full Indian citizenship, according to the report.

What led to the notice against Imran Khan?

The notice came days after Imran Khan joined a protest called by the CJP in Mumbai. The group, described as a satirical political organisation, had called for the demonstration.

The actor’s participation was followed by action from the authorities, with the Mumbai Police directing him to leave India by the specified deadline.

The notice does not, by itself, mean that the actor has already left the country or has been deported. October 28 is the deadline mentioned for his departure.

Imran Khan and his citizenship status

Imran Khan is known for his work in Hindi films, including Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na and Delhi Belly. He is also the nephew of actor Aamir Khan.

The report states that Imran Khan is believed to be a US citizen and hold an OCI card. OCI status does not confer Indian citizenship, although it provides eligible foreign citizens of Indian origin with specified privileges under Indian law.

The notice directing the actor to leave India follows his participation in the Mumbai protest. The reported development has brought attention to the intersection of immigration rules and the participation of foreign nationals in political demonstrations.

India News

Election Commission orders voter roll revision in 17 states, UTs

The Election Commission has ordered a Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls in 17 states and Union Territories. Draft rolls are scheduled for November 12, with final rolls due on January 4, 2027.

Published

3 hours ago

October 15, 2026

APNLive Desk

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in 17 states and Union Territories, with the exercise aimed at facilitating voter registration and including eligible electors who may have been left out during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

The order was issued on Thursday, October 15, amid continuing political controversy over the SIR process and concerns raised by opposition parties regarding the exclusion of names from electoral rolls.

Under the announced schedule, January 1, 2027, will be the qualifying date for the revision. The draft electoral rolls are scheduled to be published on November 12, while the final rolls are due on January 4, 2027. Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, two states included in the exercise, are scheduled to go to the polls by February 2027.

Which states and Union Territories are covered?

The Special Summary Revision will cover the following 17 states and Union Territories:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Assam
Bihar
Chhattisgarh
Goa
Gujarat
Kerala
Lakshadweep
Madhya Pradesh
Manipur
Puducherry
Punjab
Rajasthan
Tamil Nadu
Uttar Pradesh
Uttarakhand
West Bengal

The Election Commission’s order follows earlier instructions issued to state election officials on September 29 to undertake a special drive to enrol eligible voters who had been left out, along with young and first-time electors.

Why has the Election Commission ordered the revision?

The announcement comes amid protests and political disagreements over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have raised concerns about names being excluded during the exercise.

Another point of contention has been an additional declaration required from applicants submitting Form 6 for voter enrolment while the SIR was underway. The declaration required applicants to map their parents to the last SIR, which was conducted around 20 years ago.

The Election Commission had clarified on October 7 that the additional declaration applied only in states and Union Territories where the SIR was being conducted. It said the regular forms prescribed under the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960, would apply outside the SIR period.

The latest SSR order refers to applications for inclusion through Form 6 but does not mention the additional declaration.

What happens in states not covered by the current schedule?

The Election Commission has said that the schedule for the Special Summary Revision will be announced later in states and Union Territories where the SIR is ongoing or has recently been completed.

These include Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, the National Capital Territory of Delhi, Odisha, Sikkim, Tripura and Telangana.

For Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, where the SIR has not yet started, the schedule for electoral roll revision will be announced in due course, taking local weather conditions into account.

The Election Commission’s latest order sets out a separate timeline for the 17 states and Union Territories covered by the current SSR exercise, while leaving the schedules for the other regions to be announced later.