Political tensions rise in Maharashtra over Shivaji Jayanti celebrations
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government, backed by the NDA at the Centre, has planned large-scale celebrations for the 395th birth anniversary of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on February 19. The move is seen as an attempt to consolidate Maratha votes ahead of upcoming elections.
The BJP, which had earlier launched the campaign ‘Lenge Chhatrapati Shivaji Ka Ashirwad, Denge Modi Ko Saath’ after its split from Shiv Sena in 2014, is now organising ‘Jai Shivaji – Jai Bharat’ padayatra across the state. The main event in Pune will be attended by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, who has invited Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to join him at Shaniwar Wada.
A letter from the Union ministry has directed district collectors and sports department officers to ensure full participation of government officials, MPs, and MLAs. The event will begin at 7:30 am with a virtual address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, followed by a 6km-long padayatra starting at 8 am. MYBharat volunteers, NSS, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan units, and students have also been asked to participate, with an 11-page SOP issued for the event’s execution and promotion.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP has announced ‘Swarajya Week’ from February 19-27. A grand rally from Dadar to Chembur will be led by party leaders, while Pawar will visit Shivneri Fort, state president Sunil Tatkare will be at Padmadurg Fort, and minister Aditi Tatkare will be at Raigad Fort.
The exclusion of Eknath Shinde’s Shiv Sena from the BJP’s plans has raised political eyebrows, with shifting alliances adding to the ongoing power struggle over Shivaji Maharaj’s legacy.
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Deepfake video of Nirmala Sitharaman used to dupe Belagavi man in Rs 7.9 lakh scam
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): A 76-year-old man in Belagavi city was allegedly cheated of Rs 7.9 lakh in an online investment scam that used an AI-generated deepfake video misusing the name of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to lure investors, police said on Wednesday.
An online fraud case was registered at the cybercrime police station on May 1, they said.
According to Belagavi Police Commissioner Bhushan Gulabrao Borase, the victim, Prakash Gubbi, a senior citizen, stated in his complaint that in November last year, he came across a video on YouTube in which Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman appeared to endorse an investment scheme.
The video also mentioned a link in its description for making investments.
The victim clicked on the link, entered his details, and was later contacted on social media by a person identifying himself as Adarsh Anand, who persuaded him to invest, the officer told reporters.
Citing the complaint, the officer said the victim initially invested a small amount, after which the application began showing profits of USD 65,000.
When he attempted to withdraw the amount, the accused demanded a “customs duty” payment of Rs 4.2 lakh, claiming it was required to process the withdrawal.
The victim paid the amount, after which he was asked to pay an additional Rs 2 lakh. It was at this stage that he realised he had been cheated. In total, he lost around Rs 7.9 lakh in the fraud, the officer added.
A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act, and police are investigating the matter, police said.
The commissioner cautioned the public not to trust such videos, stating that the finance minister does not endorse any such schemes.
He warned that such content is created using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology.
He further advised the public to remain vigilant, avoid offers that appear too good to be true on the internet, and invest only through legitimate, registered agencies or trusted channels.
Deepfake technology enables the creation of realistic videos, audio recordings, and images that can mislead viewers by superimposing one person’s likeness onto another, altering their words and actions. This can present a false narrative or spread misinformation.
