I stand by my tweets, 100% sure there were no Pro-Pakistan slogans: Mohammed Zubair
Bengaluru: Mohammed Zubair, Co-Founder of AltNews, has emphatically refuted allegations of disseminating false claims related to the alleged raising of 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans in Vidhana Soudha.
Despite calls from Right-Wing trolls for his arrest, Zubair remains steadfast in his earlier statements, asserting that no pro-Pakistan slogans were indeed raised during the incident. His response further shed light on a broader pattern of misinformation in Karnataka, showcasing instances where baseless narratives have influenced political discourse.
“The Home Minister has also given a statement confirming that Pro-Pakistan sloganeering were raised. Many want @BlrCityPolice to arrest me for my tweet. But 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐦𝐲 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬. 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝟏𝟎𝟎% 𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨-𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 '𝐍𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐫 𝐒𝐚𝐚𝐛 𝐙𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐝'.” Zubair wrote in his tweet.
“We've seen a pattern in the X thread below of how Right Wing and the media have been accusing opponents and their supporters of raising Pro-Pakistan slogans during celebrations. Even in this case, The FALSE claim was started by Kannada News channels which were denied by many reporters present on the ground, including @smitaprakash's colleague. She and many other RW trolls want @BlrCityPolice to arrest me for starting facts.” He added.
1. Hanuman Flag Incident (January): In January, a narrative accusing the Congress of being anti-Hindu gained traction, alleging that the police, under state government orders, removed a Hanuman flag from a flag post in Keragodu village, Mandya. The reality, however, was that the flag post was on government land, where only the national and Karnataka flags were permitted. Despite the misrepresentation, the false propaganda persisted on television for an extended period, leaving the Congress in Karnataka struggling to counter the narrative effectively.
2. Temple Funds Allegations (February): Post the budget, the BJP and certain media outlets targeted the Congress government, falsely claiming that funds from Hindu temples were being diverted to support non-Hindu religious institutions. The misinformation persisted for several days, leaving the Congress at a loss on how to counter these baseless allegations effectively.
3. Endowment Amendment Bill (February): Following the Endowment Amendment Bill, the BJP and media alleged that the Siddaramaiah government imposed a 10% tax (Jaziya) on Hindu temples. Contrary to the claims, the bill was first amended in 2011 under Yeddyurappa's government. Despite the Akhila Karnataka Archakas (Priests) Association supporting the bill for the upliftment of smaller temples, the false narrative prevailed, branding Congress as anti-Hindu.
In the latest incident, three individuals were arrested for allegedly raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans in Vidhana Soudha. Zubair has categorically rejected any involvement in initiating false claims, pointing out a distinct pattern where misinformation has been circulated with significant consequences. He highlighted that misinformation, often amplified by both local and national media, has played a role in shaping political narratives.
“And now after Arresting 3 congress supporters for raising Pro Pakistan Slogans, They have now arrested a BJP supporter for shouting 'Pakistan Zindabad' by mistake in Mandya in 2022. Even in this case it was very clear that the BJP supporter said Zindabad instead of Murdabad by mistake.
“This is how, BJP with the help of Local and National Media is winning the Propaganda war and Congress in Karnataka is still clueless on how to counter it.” He further added.
Karnataka Police has arrested 3 individuals for allegedly raising 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogans in Vidhana Soudha. The Home Minister has also given a statement confirming that Pro-Pakistan sloganeering were raised.
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) March 5, 2024
Many want @BlrCityPolice to arrest me for my tweet. But 𝐈… https://t.co/7dk9qUFGHt
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Delhi records high of 32.7 deg C; AQI remains 'moderate'
New Delhi (PTI): The maximum temperature in Delhi settled at 32.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 1.3 notches below the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department.
The minimum temperature was recorded at 20.1 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 1.3 notches below the average for the season, while the relative humidity stood at 46 per cent at 5.30 pm, the IMD said.
The weather department has forecast a partly cloudy sky for Monday with the maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover around 34 and 19 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The air quality remained 'moderate' at 4 pm, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 134, a slight drop from Saturday’s 137, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.
According to the CPCB, an AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
