YouTube blocks Vartha Bharati Channel's Debate Video on Manipur Violence
Mangaluru: YouTube has blocked a video of the debate conducted by Vartha Bharati channel on the sexual assault of two women in Manipur, citing it as unsuitable for its viewers. The discussion, part of the program 'The Big Debate,' titled 'Naked Parade of Women in Manipur; Nation Stunned,' was aired live on Vartha Bharati's YouTube channel at 8 pm on Thursday. Within an hour, the video garnered over 8,000 views, but on Friday, it was marked as 'private (blocked),' denying further access to viewers.
The Central Government issued an order on Thursday to social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram, to remove all provocative posts, including videos, related to the Manipur incident.
However, Vartha Bharati's debate video did not contain any video clips or photos related to the Manipur incident. It only featured images of the accused, without showing any pictures or videos of the victims of the assault. Additionally, debates on the violence and sexual attack on women in Manipur were conducted and posted on several other YouTube channels, not just Vartha Bharati's.
Vartha Bharati had approached the BJP with a request to send a representative to speak on the program, but the party's media in charge declined, stating that Prime Minister Modi had already addressed the country on the issue and condemned the incident in Manipur, and declined to participate in the program.
Consequently, the debate proceeded with speakers from the Congress, the JD(S), and two social activists, with senior journalist Manjula Mastikatte anchoring the program.
YouTube has said that while the content doesn't necessarily break any of their Community Guidelines, it may not be appropriate for all its viewers. Vartha Bharati had appealed to YouTube to lift the blockade on their debate video, but the request was rejected by the video streaming platform.
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Karnataka offers extensive incentives in its proposed IT policy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka has proposed a new Information Technology Policy for 2025–2030, offering extensive financial and non-financial incentives aimed at accelerating investments, strengthening innovation and expanding the state's tech footprint beyond Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Cabinet gave its nod to the policy 2025–2030 with an outlay of Rs 445.50 crore on Thursday after the Finance Department accorded its approval.
The policy introduces 16 incentives across five enabler categories, nine of which are entirely new, with a distinctive push to support companies setting up or expanding in emerging cities.
Alongside financial support, the government is also offering labour-law relaxations, round-the-clock operational permissions and industry-ready human capital programmes to make Karnataka a globally competitive 'AI-native' destination.
According to the policy, units located outside Bengaluru will gain access to a wide suite of benefits, including research and development and IP creation incentives, internship reimbursements, talent relocation support and recruitment assistance.
The benefits also include EPF reimbursement, faculty development support, rental assistance, certification subsidies, electricity tariff rebates, property tax reimbursement, telecom infrastructure support, and assistance for events and conferences.
Bengaluru Urban will receive a focused set of six research and development and talent-oriented incentives, while Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) operating in the state will be brought under the incentive net.
Incentive caps and eligibility thresholds have been raised, and the policy prioritises growth-focused investments for both new and expanding units.
Beyond incentives, the government focuses on infrastructure and innovation interventions.
A flagship proposal in the policy is the creation of Techniverse -- integrated, technology-enabled enclaves developed through a public-private partnership model inside future Global Innovation Districts.
These campuses will offer plug-and-play facilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cybersecurity labs, advanced testbeds, experience centres, and disaster-resistant command centres.
There will also be a Statewide Digital Hub Grid and a Global Test Bed Infrastructure Network, linking public and private research and development, and innovation facilities across Karnataka.
The government has proposed a Women Global Tech Missions Fellowship for 1,000 mid-career women technologists, an IT Talent Return Programme to absorb experienced professionals returning from abroad, and broad-based skill and faculty development reimbursements.
Shared corporate transport routes in Bengaluru and tier-two cities will be designed with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation and other transport entities to support worker mobility.
The government said the policy is the outcome of an extensive research and consultation process involving TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, HP, Google, Accenture and NASSCOM, along with sector experts and stakeholder groups.
It estimates an outlay of Rs 967.12 crore over five years, comprising Rs 754.62 crore for incentives and Rs 212.50 crore for interventions such as Techniverse campuses, digital grid development, global outreach missions and talent programmes.
