Himachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Commissioner Maneesh Garg has announced that in the upcoming byelections, voters will have ink put on their middle finger instead of their forefinger to prevent confusion with the ink still on from the Lok Sabha elections. This decision has been made to ensure fair and accurate polling. In light of recent debates about "love jihad", Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker has spoken out against trolling for interfaith marriages, predicting a similar backlash for Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal's upcoming interfaith wedding.
Himachal Pradesh Byelections: Ink on Middle Fingers to Prevent Confusion
Himachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Commissioner Maneesh Garg has announced a unique measure to prevent confusion during the upcoming byelections. Voters will now have indelible ink applied to their middle finger instead of their forefinger, the usual practice.
This decision stems from the fact that the Lok Sabha elections were held recently, and some voters may still have ink on their forefingers. To avoid any potential confusion or allegations of illegal voting, the Election Commission has opted for a different finger to mark voters.
Background of Interfaith Marriages in India
The announcement of Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha's upcoming interfaith marriage with Muslim actor Zaheer Iqbal has sparked debates about "love jihad," a term often used by right-wing groups to allege that Muslim men are marrying Hindu women to convert them to Islam.
Swara Bhasker's Response
Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker has condemned trolling and backlash against interfaith marriages, predicting that Sinha and Iqbal will also face similar challenges. Bhasker, who herself is married to a Muslim man, has been vocal about her support for interfaith relationships.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Why is ink being applied to the middle finger in Himachal Pradesh byelections? Answer: To prevent confusion with the ink still present on the forefinger from the Lok Sabha elections.
2. What is "love jihad"? Answer: A term used by right-wing groups to allege that Muslim men are marrying Hindu women to convert them to Islam.
3. Why is Swara Bhasker speaking out against trolling of interfaith marriages? Answer: Because she herself is married to a Muslim man and believes in the right to marry across religious lines.
4. When is Sonakshi Sinha's wedding with Zaheer Iqbal? Answer: The wedding date has not yet been announced.
5. Is it legal to marry across religious lines in India? Answer: Yes, it is legal to marry across religious lines in India under the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
BR Patil, Congress MLA from Karnataka's Aland, has claimed that there was an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to steal votes leading up to the 2023 elections in the state. This allegation, backed by evidence of over 6,000 voter deletions, has been supported by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who has accused the BJP of systematically deleting the names of Congress voters. The BJP has denied these allegations, calling it a ploy by the Congress to discredit them and gain political mileage. However, Gandhi has hinted at more significant revelations to come.
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, slammed the Karnataka government for the deteriorating state of Bengaluru's infrastructure, which has resulted in an IT company moving out of the city. He criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for their negligence and corruption. Kumaraswamy appealed to the industries not to leave Bengaluru and promised to rebuild the city. He also called out the government for their failure in utilizing taxpayers' money for development and demanded answers for the same.
In a press conference, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi unveiled evidence showing a widespread conspiracy to delete voters from electoral rolls in India. He presented examples and detailed data indicating that the alleged operations were carried out through automated systems and coordinated at a centralized level. Gandhi claimed that these tactics were used to manipulate elections in several states, and also accused the Election Commission of facilitating this voter deletion.
During a press conference, Rahul Gandhi accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of aiding the suppression of votes belonging to marginalized communities like Dalits and minorities. The Election Commission denied the allegations, stating that no vote can be deleted online without proper procedures and investigation. However, the poll body did acknowledge failed attempts to delete votes in Karnataka's Aland constituency in 2023 and an FIR has been filed to investigate. The Congress leader claimed that the Election Commission is purposely obstructing investigations to hide the truth about these deletions.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi once again stirred up controversy by accusing the BJP and Election Commission of systematic voter fraud through manipulation of electoral rolls. In response, BJP MP Anurag Thakur fired back, accusing Gandhi of spreading baseless allegations and undermining democracy. The Election Commission has dismissed all of Gandhi's claims, citing that no voter's name can be deleted through online means without proper procedure.
Congress Leader Rahul Gandhi is set to address a press conference on Thursday, where he is expected to present evidence of alleged vote theft in Indian elections. Gandhi has been vocal about the issue in previous speeches, accusing the government of using unfair means to form their power. He also claimed that the Election Commission is working in collaboration with the ruling party. The Congress promised to provide proof to back their claims and expose corruption in the Mahadevapura Assembly segment in Karnataka.
The centre has directed the removal of 138 YouTube videos and 83 Instagram posts related to Adani, citing a Delhi court order. The move comes amid ongoing disputes over the Adani Group's involvement in various projects. This action has been met with criticism, with some questioning the government's interference in online content.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi revealed that the party has uncovered over 6,000 voter deletions in Aland constituency, Karnataka, ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections. According to their investigation, these deletions were not random or accidental but specifically targeted booths where the party was performing strongly. The deletions were carried out through fake applications and mobile numbers from outside Karnataka, raising concerns of an organized effort to manipulate the election process. Congress is calling for a thorough investigation to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of protecting those involved in "vote chori" (vote stealing) and undermining democracy. He cited recent instances of voter deletions in Karnataka's Aland and fraudulent additions in Maharashtra's Rajura as evidence of systematic targeting of Congress voters. Speaking at a press conference, Gandhi urged for a fair and transparent election process to uphold the principles of democracy.
Congress MP and leader of opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, held a news conference and claimed that the Chief Election Commissioner is protecting those who are destroying the Constitution and democracy in India. He also alleged that a group of people is systematically cutting the votes of minority groups who vote for the Congress party. In response, politicians from different parties have dismissed his accusations and stated that he is making these statements out of desperation and frustration.