Fact Check: “Cong wants GST levied on worship articles” claims doctored video of Supriya Shrinate’s
Mangaluru: A WhatsApp forwarded chat attached with a trimmed video from a press conference conducted by National Spokesperson of the Congress party, Supriya Shrinate on October 17 is going viral across the messaging platform. The viral Whatsapp message originally written in Kannada claims that the ‘Congress wants tax to be levied on Hindu worship items (i.e. Pooja samagri)....In reality the Congress is plotting to oppress the Hindu faith..”
The text attached along the clipping further claimed that the Congress is more cruel than the British and Mughal empire. Electing Congress to power is like laying the foundation for creating another Pakistan. “A true self-respecting Hindu will not vote for Congress. People are not understanding this reality in the rush of fortunes. By the time we understand, we won't be there.! Get rid of Congress first. Save the country and religion. Share this to all. Jai Hind,” the message further read.
Meanwhile, upon running a scan on the internet, we found that the claims made in the viral WhatsApp message were deceptive, purported to seem like the Congress demanding a tax on the Hindu worship articles. The video of Supriya’s press conference was originally posted on October 17 and was about the Congress party slamming the union government for imposing a 18% GST (Goods Service tax) on the Worship article, ‘Gangaajal.’
During the press conference, Supriya alleged that the BJP Government had imposed an 18% tax on ‘Gangaajal’, but reversed its decisions after facing strong backlash from the Congress.
While, in the viral trimmed video attached with the message, Supriya was seen displaying the worship articles and saying that “There is no tax levied on worship articles including, Rudraksh Mala, Yagnopavit, Honey with no branding, Raksha sutra or Kalava, Vibhuti, wick used in diyas, wooden khadau and Charanamrit. Everything else is marked with GST.”In reality, Supriya shows a purported letter of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs which did not include ‘Gangaajal’ as an item which is exempt from GST but listed 10 all such items including rudraksha mala, yagnopavit, vibhuti, roli, chandan tika and wooden khadau on which there was no tax. The part where Supriya shows the letter and questions the government has been trimmed and was cut short to allegedly show that the Congress was demanding an tax on Worship articles.
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Hubballi: Gym trainer assaulted; police say clash due to personal reasons
Hubballi: A gym trainer was allegedly assaulted by a group of people following accusations of sexual assault and ‘love jihad’, even as both families involved in the case traded serious allegations.
According to police, a group of individuals went to the residence of Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijayanagar, and questioned him over his friendship with a woman he had met at a gym. The situation escalated into a clash, during which he was allegedly dragged away and assaulted. He sustained minor injuries and was admitted to KIMS hospital.
N. Shashikumar said that after this incident, members from Sameer’s side went to the woman’s house, leading to another clash in which one person was injured. “It was wrong for groups to go near houses. We will take necessary legal action,” he said, adding that the incident appears to have arisen from personal reasons. Police have taken some individuals into custody and are investigating the matter.
Sameer Mulla was reportedly thrashed by a group of Sangh Parivar activists and later handed over to police at the Old Hubballi Police Station after relatives of the woman and members of Hindu organisations gathered at his residence in Rajnagar.
The woman’s family alleged assault and threats from Sameer’s relatives at their Vikas Nagar residence.
Meanwhile, Sameer’s family denied the allegations and accused the woman’s relatives and others of assaulting and kidnapping him. His sister said the two had been in a relationship for three years and that the allegations were baseless.
Police said statements from both sides have been recorded, and a detailed investigation is underway. Sameer remains hospitalised, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on findings.
In a video statement shared on social media, the 20-year-old woman alleged that Sameer had given her an intoxicant, recorded videos without her consent, and sexually assaulted her. She lodged a complaint alleging rape and blackmail, which police are investigating.
In another video, Sameer denied the allegations, claiming the video was recorded with consent and that the accusations were made under pressure.
Former Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) chairman Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a serious matter and urged police to take strict action.
Police said the case involves multiple complaints from both sides, and further investigation is underway.
