Congress leader slams detention of two journalists from MP over publication of 'fake news'
Bhopal (PTI): Former Union minister and senior Congress leader Arun Yadav has criticised the Rajasthan police's detention of two journalists from Madhya Pradesh over alleged publication of fake news, calling it an "attack on democracy".
The Rajasthan police on Friday detained Anand Pandey and Harish Divekar from Bhopal for allegedly publishing a series of fake and defamatory reports against Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari on their news portal, 'The Sutra', last month and for demanding Rs 5 crore for their removal.
The complainant claimed that the duo contacted acquaintances of the deputy chief minister, demanding several crores of rupees to delete the false reports and to refrain from publishing such content in the future.
They also allegedly threatened to damage her political and social image if the demand was not met, Jaipur police said in a statement.
Congress leader Yadav, in a post on X, said, "When journalists who tell the truth are in jail while those who spread lies roam free, then understand that democracy is in danger."
He claimed that the detention of Pandey and Divekar was a "direct attack on democracy".
"The Sutra's tagline 'we fear only god' scares the BJP government the most, because true journalists do not compromise with power," he wrote in the post.
According to the Rajasthan police, the same misleading content was also circulated on another affiliated web portal called 'The Capital'.
Technical examination and witness statements confirmed that the reports were not fact-based.
Based on the evidence collected, Pandey and Divekar were detained from Bhopal on Friday and were brought to Jaipur for further questioning.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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