In a press conference at the BJP headquarters, senior leader Ravi Shankar Prasad rejected the Opposition's demand for a Joint Parliamentary Committee probe into the allegations against Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch. Prasad accused the Congress, Hindenburg Research, and the "toolkit gang" of being part of a conspiracy to damage India's stock market and investments. He also alleged that the main investor behind Hindenburg Research was "India hater" George Soros. Prasad's remarks come a day after the BJP accused the Congress of colluding with foreign forces to destabilise the Indian economy.
Background:
George Soros is a Hungarian-American billionaire investor and philanthropist known for his support of liberal causes. He is the founder and chairman of the Open Society Foundations, an international grantmaking network that promotes democracy and human rights worldwide.
Allegations against Soros:
On January 24, 2023, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad accused George Soros of being the "main investor" behind Hindenburg Research, a short-selling firm that had published a report alleging financial irregularities at the Adani Group, a conglomerate owned by Indian billionaire Gautam Adani. Prasad claimed that Soros was part of a conspiracy to damage India's stock market and investments.
BJP's Claims:
The BJP has alleged that Soros, known for his criticism of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is working with the Congress party and the "toolkit gang" (a term used by the BJP to refer to opposition groups) to destabilize the Indian economy. They have accused Soros of using his wealth and influence to influence Indian politics and policies.
Soros's Response:
George Soros has denied the allegations and called them "absurd." In a statement, he said, "I have never met or spoken to anyone from the Adani Group, and I have no connection to Hindenburg Research." He added that he has "great respect" for the people of India and that his work has always been motivated by a desire to promote open and democratic societies.
FAQs:
Who is George Soros?
What are the allegations against Soros?
Has Soros responded to the allegations?
What evidence is there to support the allegations?
What are the implications of these allegations?
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a charge sheet against former Telecom Minister and DMK leader A Raja for allegedly amassing assets worth Rs 5.53 crore during his tenure as Union minister. The agency has alleged that a close associate of Raja received a payment of Rs 4.56 crore from a real estate company as commission for a land deal, which was actually a quid pro quo for giving the company special status as an infrastructure company. Despite being acquitted in the 2G spectrum allocation case, the charge sheet alleges that Raja's assets were disproportionate to his known sources of income. Stay informed on this developing story with our award-winning journalism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the 'Jal Shakti Abhiyan' campaign on World Water Day, along with signing a historic agreement to implement the Ken Betwa Link Project. This project, part of Former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's vision, aims to transfer water from surplus areas to drought-prone regions through interlinking of rivers. The campaign, to be implemented from March to November 2021, will engage citizens in water conservation efforts and hold discussions at the grassroots level for sustainable water management.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has denied the appeal of a doctor accused in the castration case of Dera Sacha Sauda followers, upholding the two crucial bail conditions imposed on him. These conditions require the doctor to surrender his passport and seek prior approval before travelling abroad. The case involves allegations of illegal castration surgeries on Dera Sacha Sauda followers for financial gain, with the doctor facing charges alongside Dr M P Singh and Dera leader Gurmeet Ram Rahim. The court, while rejecting the doctor's petition, stated that the gravity of the charges warranted the continuation of the bail conditions.
A popular subreddit focused on Michigan has banned direct links to X content in response to multiple requests from users concerned about Elon Musk's use of a gesture that some consider to be a Nazi salute. The ban originally began among sports Reddit groups after Musk's actions during Donald Trump's inauguration events, and has since spread to non-sports forums. However, the group's moderators have clarified that members can still share screenshots of X content. This decision comes amidst ongoing discussions about the use of this salute and its potentially offensive connotations.
In a public rally, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath challenges Delhi CM Kejriwal and his ministers to take a bath in the highly polluted Yamuna river, highlighting the poor condition of the river. Adityanath and his ministers have taken a holy dip in the clean waters of Triveni Sangam at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Adityanath also takes a dig at Kejriwal's unfulfilled promise to clean the river, criticizing Delhi's poor infrastructure and presence of Bangladeshi infiltrators in the city. In a quick response, Kejriwal suggests Adityanath to focus on improving education in UP instead of taking a dip in Yamuna.
As India celebrates the 128th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, also known as Parakram Diwas, we remember his unwavering dedication to the fight for India's independence through his famous quotes, speeches, and slogans that continue to inspire generations. His beliefs in the destiny of India, the value of freedom, and the need for both military and spiritual training for a true soldier, serve as reminders of his enduring legacy. As we pay homage to this iconic figure, let's strive to build a new India based on principles of social justice and economic equality, in line with Netaji's vision.
Congress party unveiled their new campaign song, "Har Jarurat Hogi Puri, Dilli Mein Congress Hai Jaruri," as they seek to promote their vision for Delhi and criticize the incumbent AAP government. The 2.48 minute anthem addresses local issues and makes promises for the city's improvement, while also accusing AAP of broken promises and neglecting pressing issues. Party leaders believe the anthem reflects the growing frustration of Delhi residents and showcases Congress as the party with solutions for the city's problems.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced the notification for the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025, with 979 positions available for candidates. Unlike previous years, the notification was released in January instead of February. Details and application process can be found on the official UPSC website. Comparatively, the number of vacancies this year has decreased from last year's 1,056 for CSE and 150 for the Indian Forest Service (IFoS).
In a recent case, the Kerala High Court clarified that blanket allegations of cruelty made by a married woman against her in-laws are not enough to trigger criminal charges under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, the court also stated that these allegations cannot be automatically dismissed as a rule, and each case should be evaluated individually. This ruling by the High Court will have a significant impact on future cases involving allegations of domestic violence in India.
The Union Cabinet has approved an increase in the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of raw jute for the 2025-26 marketing season, providing a 66.8% return over the average cost of production. This move aims to benefit jute farmers and promote sustainable agricultural practices. In addition, the Cabinet also approved the continuation of the National Health Mission (NHM) for another five years.