Tough questions will be asked, we dare you Prime Minister, arrest us: Congress leaders slam govt
New Delhi, May 16: Congress leaders on Sunday slammed the police action against some people for allegedly putting up posters critical of the prime minister and dared the government to arrest them for raising questions on the export of COVID vaccines.
Led by Rahul Gandhi, Congress leaders changed their profile pictures on Twitter with the poster asking why COVID vaccines were sent abroad.
The opposition party said tough questions will be asked from the prime minister if people don't get vaccines, medicines and oxygen.
"Arrest me too," said Gandhi in a tweet while a picture of the poster "Modi ji, why did you send our children's vaccines abroad".
The challenge was posed after a few people were arrested by Delhi police for putting up posters in the national capital on the vaccine issue.
The Delhi Police also registered a number of FIRs and arrested people for pasting posters critical of the prime minister.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh dared the prime minister and home minister to arrest him, saying he was putting up such posters on his compound wall.
"Putting up critical posters against PM is now a crime? Is India run by the Modi Penal Code now? Is the Delhi Police so jobless in the middle of a raging pandemic," he asked.
"I am putting up posters on my compound wall tomorrow. Come get me," Ramesh dared.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said at a press conference that questions will be asked from the prime minister if people don't get vaccines, medicines and oxygen they desperately need to fight COVID.
"I dare you to arrest me. Where is my vaccine, where is my oxygen? We will continue to ask you questions," he said while alleging that people are being "arrested for asking questions".
Khera said most of the deaths could have been avoided and people are dying not because of COVID, but due to the mismanagement in handling the pandemic.
He alleged that the government had created man-made shortages and there was chaos all around.
"The Government of India did not manage the crisis well," he said.
The Congress leader alleged that when it came to negotiating with vaccine manufacturers or putting in place the vaccine policy, everything was "centralised and individualised".
"PM Modi wanted to be known as a vaccine guru, but now the entire world and every Indian is asking tough questions," he said.
"You can't have centralised decision-making and decentralised responsibility," he said.
"What we witnessed is image management, which is the most unfortunate aspect of this government. It is fatal for the country," he felt.
On the Centre issuing guidelines in rural areas, Khera said they have come much after the virus has already spread in villages.
"We also get to know the under-preparedness of the government, as the entire preparedness was vested with the Centre under NDMA," he said.
He said India has successfully implemented immunisation drives in the past and diseases like polio have been eradicated.
"India has achieved immunisation in the past, provided there is a political will. The political will is not there under PM Modi," he alleged.
Arrest me too.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 16, 2021
मुझे भी गिरफ़्तार करो। pic.twitter.com/eZWp2NYysZ
I dare u Mr Prime Minister!Arrest Me. Now that was one of its kind press conference exposing this Government which is always in Sleep Mode when it comes to governance. I salute @Pawankhera sir @INCIndia pic.twitter.com/1y7WzUwyJS
— Zaid Kidwai (@ZaidKidwai) May 16, 2021
Putting up critical posters against PM is now a crime? Is India run by the Modi Penal Code now? Is the Delhi Police so jobless in the middle of a raging pandemic??
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 15, 2021
I am putting up posters on my compound wall tomorrow. Come get me.@DelhiPolice @AmitShah https://t.co/cFH8Tdh93p
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KSCA expresses disappointment over missing IPL playoffs, says it was ready to host matches in B’luru
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has issued a clarification stating that it was fully prepared to host the IPL playoffs and final matches in Bengaluru but the fixtures were allotted to other venues.
In a media note, KSCA said it was disappointed with the decision. The association stated that its president, former India cricketer Venkatesh Prasad, had been in touch with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and had formally conveyed the association’s readiness and interest in hosting the matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
KSCA said the IPL matches held in Bengaluru this season were appreciated for smooth conduct, crowd management and overall experience for spectators. It said this reflected its ability to handle high-profile matches.
The association also stated that it had sent a detailed communication to the BCCI explaining its preparedness and the operational arrangements followed during the current IPL season. According to KSCA, these systems have been in place since the start of the Indian Premier League in 2008 and were followed consistently, including during previous playoff matches hosted in Bengaluru.
The clarification added that the communication sent to the BCCI was only meant to provide factual and operational details and to bring clarity on logistical and stakeholder-related requirements involved in hosting such matches.
KSCA said that although it had shown willingness and preparedness, the BCCI has decided to allocate the playoff matches to other venues. It added that the reasons for this decision have not been formally shared with the association, but it respects the authority of the board in taking such decisions.
The association further said it remains ready to host matches of national and international importance and will continue to cooperate with the BCCI, franchises, government authorities and other stakeholders for conducting cricket events.
The statement was issued by KSCA official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya, who also thanked the media and cricket fans for their continued support.
