English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Demonetisation hasn’t ended terrorism or black money, has it?

Published

on

Demonetisation hasn’t ended terrorism or black money, has it?

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Unlike in the US, India’s TV media is busy playing cheerleader for the government

Ranjona Banerji
Look at the way I’ve been treated lately, especially by the media. No politician in history, and I say this with great surety, has been treated worse or more unfairly,” said US President Donald Trump in a speech this week.

Forget the media, the internet took him on with great delight almost immediately. The assassination of Julius Caesar, Nelson Mandela’s 27 years in jail, Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, John F Kennedy’s assassination were amongst the many examples provided of politicians who had perhaps been treated a little bit worse than Trump. And even with the “great surety” of historical proof.

But it is also true that the bulk of the American media has been unrelenting in its coverage of Trump and his presidency. He has not been cut any slack and his decisions have been held up to scrutiny. And to be fair to the media, Trump and his administration have helped. From day one, when Trump boasted that his inauguration ceremony attracted more crowds than any other and Trump aide Kellyanne Conway made that remarkable defence of “alternative facts”, Trump and the media have been at loggerheads.

Other elements of society and commentators have not been far behind. America’s comedians, talk show hosts and actors have been outstanding. Alec Baldwin’s impressions of Trump and Melissa McCarthy’s take on White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, both for SaturdayNight Live, are already classic cult stuff. The more Trump rants and raves against them, the more they continue.

More seriously, the distress with Trump’s arbitrary sackings of people in important positions, his open conflict of interest, his dependence on extreme “alt-right” advisors like Steve Bannon and some members of his family, his ignorance about protocol, American history, constitutional procedure and his disdain for democracy, his connections to Russia, is palpable and real. The many problems with Trump are clear to his own party, not just the opposition. The checks and balances of the American system are straining hard to keep the ship from tilting.

How long has Trump been in office? Not even six months.

By comparison, the Indian media look like novices and invertebrates since the Modi government came to power at the Centre, three years ago in May 2014. Forget the embarrassing gushing by TV anchors during Modi’s NRI function at Madison Square Garden. Forget even the cringe-worthy spectacle of journalists falling over each other trying to get selfies with Modi during a carefully crafted Diwali event. Let’s excuse all that as a ‘honeymoon’ period, quite common in the early days of a political tenure.

Let’s instead look at the media and the last seven months. On November 8, the prime minister announced that over 85 per cent of Indian currency was being taken out of the market in order to flush out black money, clean the economy, stop terrorism and stop counterfeiting. The result of this “demonetisation” exercise was chaos. Some of the chaos was covered by our brave news channels; some woke up to the chaos after people started dying in queues.

The government then changed the gateposts and claimed that the exercise had been done to make India into a “digitised” society and reduce our dependency on cash. Even then, the media continued with ATM queues, without taking up the government’s changing claims and the success rate of any of them. The rules were changed constantly and consistently from November to March, many without much media debate.

In March, after the UP elections, demonetisation was declared a success and over. Till date, there are no figures on how much black money was caught, how much terrorism was stopped, how much counterfeiting was countered and how digitised India had become. All figures available point to the fact that several industries shut down, there have been severe job losses, terrorist incursions from Pakistan continued, politicians and businessmen have been caught hoarding new currency notes and that digitisation has started moving backwards.

The effects of this disastrous move continue to be felt but are covered only by newspapers and news websites. Television news – which drives the agenda in the Indian media – has left the story alone. The past month it has concentrated on triple talaq and its terrible effects on women and on how the opposition and/or liberals have responded to terrorist attacks and Pakistan. Any media worth its salt questions the government in charge on relentless terrorist attacks. But not ours: ours goes back to anyone who is not currently responsible and then puts them through the wringer on some manufactured idea of “nationalism”.

Some of the rightwing media in America is looking to make a scapegoat out of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and anyone else for the mess Trump is in. Is anyone taking them seriously except diehard Trump supporters? What misery for India when the bulk of the media acts like a government cheerleader.

Even now, looking for ways in which to “celebrate” three years of the Modi government, some media outlets have decided instead to look at three years of the “failed opposition”.

What a tragic testament to the loss of integrity and ethics in Indian journalism.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

Published

on

Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

Continue Reading

India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

Published

on

Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

Published

on

Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com