India News

Modi’s brushes with poll code of conduct: SC to hear plea against release of his biopic

Published

8 years ago

April 4, 2019

It is practically a blitz against norms of fair play, pushing the limits of model code of conduct in 2019 Lok Sabha election campaign, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is right at its centre.

It includes some real issues, some that are not quite so – starting from questions about Indian Air Force’s strike at Balakot in retaliation against the Pulwama terror attack and the demonstration of a claimed anti-satellite missile technology, to PM Modi and BJP leaders in top government offices invoking armed forces, employing the Hindu-Muslim tirade, using official machinery in election campaign, projecting Modi on airline boarding cards and tea cups in trains, and mass communication means to project Modi at election time.

The eponymous biopic on Modi, ‘PM Narendra Modi’ and NaMo TV are part of this series.

After the Election Commission reportedly found nothing wrong with the release of the Modi biopic, the Supreme Court, approached by the Congress, today (Thursday, April 4) said that it will hear the plea seeking a stay on the release of a biopic on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 8, Monday.

A bench of Justice SA Bobde, Justice S Abdul Nazeer and Justice Indira Banerjee agreed to hear the plea by Aman Panwar, one of the Congress spokesman, contending that the release of Modi biopic ahead of the election would disturb the level playing field.

Mentioning the matter for an urgent hearing, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi told the court that the release of the film produced by three members of the ruling party in the midst of the election would disturb level playing field which is so essential for the purity of election and democracy.

Senior advocate AM Singhvi, appearing for petitioner advocate Aman Panwar, spokesperson of the Congress, said two high courts have refused to interfere with the release of the movie starring Vivek Oberoi.

He submitted that the release of the movie may affect free and fair election as mandated in the Constitution. Singhvi said the movie was slated to be released on April 5 but there were some media reports which said the release has been deferred by a few days.

According to media reports, the movie’s release has been postponed by a week to April 12, though the producers have not said anything officially. The producers’ links with BJP have been reported earlier by The Wire.

The Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court had on Wednesday rejected a plea seeking a ban on the release of the movie, ‘PM Narendra Modi’. The Bombay High Court had also on Monday disposed of a plea seeking deferment of the release of the biopic, saying the Election Commission will deal with the issue.

The film covers Modi’s life from cradle-to-2014 film. Directed by Omung Kumar, it traces Modi’s evolution through various phases of his life, including his enrolment in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), his stint as chief minister of Gujarat, and his elevation to a national role in 2014. The trailer suggests a heavily partisan portrait.

Also Read: Election Commission asks Information & Broadcasting Ministry for details of NaMo TV

Actor Vivek Oberoi, who plays the role of Modi, defended the biopic in an interview to NDTV. “Why are such senior and famous lawyers like Abhishek Singhvi ji and Kapil Sibal ji wasting time on filing a PIL on such a modest film? Don’t know if they are scared of the film or of Chowkidar’s danda,” Oberoi said.

A sting operation claimed Oberoi was among the actors willing to participate in political propaganda for money.

Modi biopic, said reports, was rushed into production in late January. The poster was launched by Devendra Fadnavis, BJP leader and Maharashtra Chief Minister, in Mumbai, and the production has been wrapped up in record time.

At the movie’s trailer launch in Mumbai two weeks ago, Oberoi was asked about the timing of the release. “Modi hai to mumkin hai,” replied the actor, who came dressed as his character to the event.

Trailers of the movie with Oberoi as Modi are being streamed on several TV channels. The two-and-half minute trailer had over a million views shortly after it emerged online, reports said.

Oberoi, a Modi fan, denied that the film’s release violates the code of conduct for the April-May national election, by glorifying PM Modi. “We are not projecting Modi ji as larger than life… he already is larger than life,” he said according to an NDTV report.

Web Serial

Another Modi celebration, a ten-part web series directed by Umesh Shukla, has been partially released on Eros Now. Five of the 10 episodes that comprise Modi: Journey of a Common Man were released on the streaming platform on Wednesday. The series stars Faisal Khan, Ashish Sharma and Mahesh Thakur as Modi at different ages. The episodes that are out cover Modi’s childhood and his experiences during the Emergency between 1975 and 1977.

NaMo TV

Acting on the premise – it cannot be dignified with the term ‘principle’ – that if you can get away with it, there’s nothing wrong with it (or, that if you aren’t caught, you haven’t done anything wrong), NaMo TV has been running merrily on all DTH platforms like Tata Sky, Tata Sky, Dish TV, Airtel, Siti Network, among others.

The channel covering Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speeches and election rallies, went on air last week after election dates were announced. Soon after its launch, PM Modi posted a tweet urging people to watch his interaction with chowkidars live on NaMoTV. Modi’s official app owned by BJP, the NaMo app reportedly has an option called NaMo TV, on which the Prime Minister’s past and live speeches can be listened to.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, asked about NaMo TV, told NDTV: “Let the appropriate authorities answer. Let the Information and Broadcasting and EC (Election Commission) comment on it. You and I should not get into it.”

The Election Commission has asked for a report on NaMo TV from the Information and Broadcasting ministry after the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) alleged that the ruling party has sneaked in the channel to push its campaign, in a serious violation of the code of conduct in place for the April-May national election.

It now emerges that the channel that has been on air for a week now never applied for a broadcast licence, said a report by news portal ThePrint.

It also does not have a compulsory security clearance and this makes the enterprise illegal under broadcast laws, said the report.

It is possibly a first in the history of broadcasting in India that a channel had gone on air without any permission from the government or even applying for it, said the report quoting an official in the Information and Broadcasting ministry.

“There have been instances of cable operators airing Pakistani or Chinese channels without permission in some places but this is possibly the first time when an Indian television channel, possibly owned by a politician or a political party, has gone on air without any permission,” the I&B ministry official told ThePrint.

The channel also does not feature on the list of permitted channels, issued by the I&B, as of 31 March.

Interestingly, sources from the same ministry, I&B, told NDTV that NaMo TV “is an ‘advertising platform’ that does not need the government’s approval.

The ministry, which is preparing its reply for the Election Commision, told NDTV that NaMo TV “is not a normal channel”. “It is a kind of advertising platform launched by the service provider, currently being run on some DTH platforms,” reported NDTV quoting sources who said no approval is required to run such platforms.

Tata Sky said NaMo TV is “not a Hindi news service” but a special service via internet that does not need a government licence.

Tata Sky had earlier tweeted that NaMo TV is a “Hindi news service which provides the latest breaking news on national politics”

“NaMo TV is not a Hindi News service. If someone in the frontline at Tata Sky has tweeted or said that it is a news service, it is a mistake,” Harit Nagpal, the CEO of Tata Sky, told NDTV. He said NaMo TV “does not fall into any genre” and the feed is “coming from the BJP via Internet”.

“Special services do not need a license,” he added.

The channel was quietly launched on March 31 (Sunday), and has been promoted by the BJP as well as related accounts.

Tata Sky had also revealed in tweets that the controversial channel “is added to all subscribers as a launch offer” and there is “no option to delete the individual channel”.

Misuse of DD

The EC has also learnt to have written separately to Doordarshan for telecasting live the ‘Main bhi chowkidar’ programme of Mr. Modi on March 31 evening for one hour.

The Congress had written to ECI against the BJP’s alleged “misuse” of Doordarshan in broadcasting certain speeches by PM Modi.

The Congress has called for a level playing field for all parties in election campaigning.

Modi’s ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ programme was being broadcast live on DD News and its YouTube channel, and the said programme was even being promoted on social media handles of DD News, the Congress memorandum said.

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Four militants killed as rival Naga groups clash in Manipur village

Four militants were killed in a gunfight between suspected rival Naga groups at Taodaijang village in Manipur’s Noney district on Wednesday.

Published

9 hours ago

November 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

At least four militants were killed in a gunfight between suspected rival Naga militant groups in Manipur’s Noney district on Wednesday, November 4.

The exchange of fire took place at Taodaijang village in the Khoupum area of the Naga-majority district. According to officials, the cadres involved were suspected to belong to rival Naga militant outfits, including the Zeliangrong United Front-Jenchui (ZUF-J) and the Zeliangrong United Front-Kamson (ZUF-K).

Initial reports indicated that the gunfight continued for several hours, leaving three cadres of ZUF-J and one cadre of ZUF-K dead.

The bodies of the deceased militants were subsequently recovered by local residents.

Residents appeal to armed groups to stop firing

Following the gunfight, local residents, including women, reached the spot in an attempt to prevent further violence between the rival groups.

They also used a public address system to appeal to the armed cadres to stop firing and prevent the situation from escalating further.

Further details about the circumstances surrounding the clash were awaited.

Manipur government reviews security situation

In a separate development, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh directed senior security officials to identify active armed groups suspected of involvement in recent incidents of violence in the state.

The directive excluded groups engaged in peace talks with the state government.

The Chief Minister issued the instructions during a review meeting on the state’s law and order situation on Tuesday night.

He also asked security agencies, including the Army and central paramilitary forces, to submit a detailed report on the involvement of the suspected groups.

The Chief Minister said the state Cabinet could consider declaring such groups unlawful if their involvement in violence against innocent civilians was established.

He also emphasised that necessary action would be initiated against groups continuing to perpetrate violence against civilians.

India News

Agnipath scheme gets 2-year extension for Agniveers, tenure may rise to 6 years

The Centre has introduced a two-year extension for the remaining 75% of Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme, creating another opportunity for them to seek enrolment in the regular armed forces.

Published

12 hours ago

November 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

The Centre has introduced a significant change to the Agnipath recruitment scheme, offering a two-year extension to Agniveers who were earlier expected to leave the armed forces after completing their initial four-year service.

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General NS Raja Subramani announced the decision on Wednesday following a Union Cabinet meeting. Under the revised arrangement, the 75% of Agniveers who were not initially selected for absorption into the regular armed forces will be offered an additional two-year engagement period.

The development creates another opportunity for these personnel to continue serving in the armed forces beyond their original four-year tenure.

What changes under the revised Agnipath scheme?

Under the original Agnipath framework, Agniveers were recruited for a four-year service period, including training. At the end of this tenure, up to 25% of each batch could be selected for permanent enrolment into the regular armed forces, while the remaining 75% were expected to return to civilian life.

The revised arrangement introduces an additional two-year engagement for the latter group. This means their potential service period could increase from four to six years.

The extension also creates another opportunity for Agniveers to seek enrolment into the regular armed forces after completing the additional two years.

What happens after the additional two years?

According to General NS Raja Subramani, Agniveers completing the extended engagement period and willing to continue serving will be considered for enrolment in the regular armed forces.

Their selection will be based on objective criteria.

This creates an additional pathway for those who are not absorbed into the regular forces after their initial four-year tenure. However, the revised arrangement does not mean that every Agniveer will automatically receive permanent enrolment.

Why has the decision been taken now?

The announcement comes as the first batch of Agniveers recruited under the scheme approaches the completion of its initial four-year service period.

The Agnipath scheme was introduced on June 14, 2022, to recruit personnel into the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force for a fixed four-year engagement.

General Raja Subramani said the scheme had been undergoing periodic reviews, with the performance of Agniveers being continuously evaluated. He also indicated that feedback on their performance had been very positive.

The latest Cabinet decision creates an additional route for retaining personnel beyond the initial engagement period.

What was the original Agnipath arrangement?

Under the original framework, the armed forces could retain up to 25% of Agniveers in the regular cadre after their four-year service period, subject to selection.

The remaining 75% were to complete their engagement and transition to civilian life.

With the latest revision, this group will receive an additional two-year engagement opportunity before being considered for enrolment into the regular armed forces under the prescribed selection criteria.

The change therefore modifies the earlier arrangement by providing an additional opportunity for Agniveers to continue their military careers.

India News

Hardeep Singh Puri set to win Rajya Sabha bypoll unopposed

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is set to be elected unopposed to the Rajya Sabha from Madhya Pradesh after the returning officer rejected the nomination papers of two independent candidates.

Published

17 hours ago

November 4, 2026

APNLive Desk

Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri is set to enter the Rajya Sabha unopposed from Madhya Pradesh after the nomination papers of two independent candidates were rejected during scrutiny on Tuesday.

The two candidates whose nominations were rejected were Kante Sayanna and Rajkumar Lohani, the latter being backed by the Congress. Their rejection leaves Puri as the only candidate in the contest for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat.

According to an official, the result will be announced on November 5, which is also the last date for withdrawal of nominations.

The Returning Officer, Umesh Sharma, examined the nomination papers on the last day of scrutiny and rejected the two independent candidates’ applications.

Objections raised against Hardeep Puri’s nomination

The nomination papers submitted by Puri also faced objections from the two independent candidates and Congress leader Hemant Katare.

They questioned the validity and completeness of Puri’s affidavit filed in Form 26, raising concerns over whether the mandatory details had been properly furnished.

However, after examining the objections, Returning Officer Umesh Sharma concluded that Puri had not violated any requirements under the Representation of the People Act.

Sharma stated in his order that no defect had been found in Puri’s nomination papers that could justify their rejection.

Following the decision, Katare and Congress MLA Atif Aqeel announced that they would approach the court against the order.

Calling the decision an attack on Indian democracy, the Congress leaders said in a statement that Puri’s nomination should have been rejected despite what they described as significant errors.