Disinformation Geopolitics Hindus Human Rights Leadership Misinformation Policy

Reject European Centric Narratives on India

Reclaiming Indian heritage, knowledge systems, cultural and spiritual vision based on Hindu way of life represent real India Rohan Giri At the launch of “Narrative ka Mayajal” authored by former Rajya Sabha Member Balbir Punj, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sar Karyavah (General Secretary) Dattatreya Hosabale said “the so-called educated people and media in Bharat have embraced Euro-centric ideas and narratives that got deeply ingrained in our lives, education system, and societal perspective. The narrative cannot transform until we relinquish this colonial mind set.” This view on conversations and public discourse in India held by Hindu centric RSS has kicked off a serious debate in India i.e. Bharat. India narrative and the colonial mindset are interconnected and have a long history dating back to the era of imperialist British rule pre-independence. Understanding this relationship requires examining how colonialism shaped Indian mindset and continues to influence narratives in the country even after 75-years post-independence. Colonial subservient mind-set was conveniently adopted by the elitist few that worked in tandem with their British masters. This mind set always centred on British superiority syndrome and looked down at the Indian way of life or society. After having destroyed rich cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge systems and ethos, British rulers had systematically perpetuated the inferiority complex through education, media, academics, thinking processes and administrative policies. British portrayed themselves as the civilizing force, claiming to bring modernity, progress, and enlightenment to the “backward” and “uncivilized” Indians aggressively peddled by Lord Macaulay’s education doctrine. Such ideas were propagated to justify British rule and retain its control on Indian people, her resources, assets and destroy her culture, heritage and sanatan dharma. Education played a crucial role in shaping the colonial mindset. The British introduced a Western-style of education system that glorified British culture, history and achievements while denigrating Indian heritage and traditions. This led to devaluing indigenous knowledge systems and cultural practices, making many Indians internalize a sense of inferiority and cultural loss. At the book launch, Dattatreya Hosable said before the British came, Indians never underestimated themselves and fought against their enemies with courage and confidence. But the British created a narrative that made us doubt our own abilities. Also, he said they made us hate ourselves; such a narrative was spread by their agents through academia, universities, think tanks, international media and the judiciary. RSS strongly believes that we need to rediscover true India in the term of Atma Nirbhar Bharat, Hosabale stated. At the last year customary Vijayadashami speech, RSS Sarsanghchalak (Head) Dr Mohan Bhagwat had said, “We need a Swa-centric approach towards history of India’s freedom movement.” British had primarily written and controlled the narrative during colonial rule presenting India through Euro-centric lens as it did in Africa and elsewhere. Indigenous perspectives and voices were marginalized and Indian history, culture, and achievements were often misrepresented or ignored. After gaining independence in 1947, India began the process of nation-building and redefining its narrative. However, the colonial legacy continued to have profound impact. The colonial mindset left its mark on the education system, administrative structures and social norms, which required conscious efforts to decolonize and reclaim Bharat’s identity. On the same line, Sah-Sarkaryavah Arun Kumar, at launch of the book, “SWA: Struggle for National Selfhood”, written by J Nand Kumar, convenor of Pragya Pravah had said, “It’s not time for blame. It is the time for introspection and self-correction. Instead of blaming leftists and other historians who distorted history, we must put dedicated efforts to bring out the truth. There is need for a positive and constructive approach.” He had said, “The English-educated Indians who gained control over the institutions post-1911 reduced the idea of independence (Swatantrata) to just self-rule (Swadheenta) and ended up accepting India’s partition.” There is a need to change the fabricated stories that misrepresent India’s picture, culture, identity and rich heritage. RSS call for a positive and constructive approach to bring out the truth reflects the desire to overcome the distorted historical narratives and bridge the gap between the colonial mindset and the essence of India’s identity. Challenging and overcoming the colonial mindset is an ongoing process, and it requires collective effort to promote a more inclusive, diverse, and authentic representation. It is essential to recognize and rectify the impact of colonialism on the Indian narrative and the need for a conscious effort to regain confidence in India’s cultural heritage and true identity. By challenging misrepresentations and embracing a Swa-Centric approach, India can pave the way for a more authentic and inclusive narrative that aligns with its historical, cultural, and spiritual heritage. (Author is Operations Manager at New Delhi based non-partisan think tank, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies)

Disinformation Misinformation

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Academic Research or Hit Job?

Ashoka University paper deviously questions Indian electoral outcomes in the guise of research with very little basis or evidence Vinod Kumar Shukla It took over four years for Ashoka University to come up with 50-page research paper ‘Democratic Backsliding in the World’s Largest Democracy’ by Sabyasachi Das which terms 2019 Lok Sabha polls outcome as electoral fraud. The paper lacks objectivity when it outlines that polls were manipulated in closely contested constituencies. Manipulations at the time of voter registration, voting and counting are other findings that this paper boasts of. Insinuations that Muslims were deliberately de-franchised by removing their names from voter lists too figured in the report as one of the tools of manipulation. The research paper suggests that manipulation has its impact on nine to 18 seats with victory margin of three to seven per cent. Even if one were to believe that the data and findings were on dot, the outcomes would not have been tilted or would have remained unaffected as BJP had won 303 seats out of 543. BJP would have still formed the government even if it had lost all 18 seats as the paper claims. Another twisted argument claims that BJP won a disproportionately higher number of closely contested seats where it was in power. State cadre officers’ credentials have also been questioned in the report, They have been squarely held responsible for votes manipulation by charging that observers from state services of BJP-ruled states were in large numbers. Now, the interpretation that all state level officers resorted to manipulating outcomes to ensure a BJP victory was neither backed with evidence nor data or facts. This conclusion is more imaginary rather than being a fact. It’s libellous too. Let’s do a fact check on closely contested 98 seats with less than five per cent victory margins of which BJP had won 43 seats (roughly 44 per cent). Out of these seats, the BJP won 22 in states that it was in power. The paper in guise of research ignores the fact that BJP won equal number of seats from opposition parties ruled states. Ashoka University paper does not have any plausible explanation to insidious job in the name academic research. Contrary to what Ashoka University academic claims, 2019 elections were not at all closely contested as BJP led by its mascot Narendra Modi had secured over 50 per cent votes share in 224 seats. This constitutes about 75 per cent seats that BJP garnered. Why does Ashoka University paper set aside a glaring fact that BJP bagged more seats in Uttar Pradesh in 2014 Lok Sabha polls at 71 when SP was in power. This is against 62 seats won in 2019 when it was in the saddle. In 2019, there was a Congress government in Madhya Pradesh but BJP had won 28 seats out of 29; it had won all seats in Rajasthan while nine out of 11 in Chhattisgarh. Karnataka too was ruled by the opposition when BJP and its ally had won 26 seats out of 28 seats. West Bengal, Odisha and Telangana were such states where BJP did well despite opposition governments. The Quint was quoted in the Ashoka University paper to point out variance in votes polled through Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and votes counted. The paper claims that there was variance in 373 seats but was able to provide examples of 11 seats where it purportedly found discrepancies. Of these, five were won by the BJP and six by others. Actually the author needs basic lessons in politics and election dynamics as closely contested seats won by any political party by no means suggest manipulation. They have won with organisational strength, social engineering, compatibility of alliance partners, campaign strategy, strength of economic and development agenda, star campaigners and benefits provided to people by the government. In closely contested elections, taking voters to booths on polling day matters the most and BJP is good at it. Election management in BJP is done with such precision that it goes for person to person, door to door contact with volunteers or party people marked to each voter or the family. So, BJP predictions on victory or outcomes made periodically is based on its extensive campaign machinery inputs and not conjecture, predictions made by media outlets or hear say. Asoka University paper also talks about deletion of Muslim votes from electoral lists thereby questioning the very basic electoral credential in India that has been hailed as ‘biggest festival of democracy’ by international agencies as well. The report commits another big blunder by completely ignoring notices given to parties like Samajwadi Party of Akhilesh Yadav to provide proof in support of his allegations on deletion of muslims names from the electoral lists. Actually, the case of Muslim vote banks is the other way round as Bangladeshi and Rohingya infiltrators are illegally getting inducted into voter lists not only changing demographies but are a threat to democracy. So, Ashoka University report is not academic work but a hit job done on behalf of certain political parties. Report findings or observations in such cases are predetermined and arguments, data points or methodology is designed to such false narratives. Such reports are later amplified by leaders like Arvind Kejriwal and Mamata Banerjee to drive their own nefarious agenda. They have always been questioning Election Commission of India, Electronic Voting Machines and voter verified paper audit trail (VV PAT) whenever they lost elections or people rejected them. If non-BJP parties were to be elected, then these very parties hail such ‘electoral outcomes’ as ‘victory to democracy’. As if in second thought, Ashoka University meanwhile distanced itself from findings in the paper commission by the institution. But question remains, who assigned the project? Who funded it? The university must come clean as it puts a big question mark on credibility of constitutional bodies of the country like Election Commission of India. Ashoka University in any case is known in academic circles for debunking alternative socio-economic

Disinformation Geopolitics Hindus Misinformation Security

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Trudeau goes Khalistan, Pakistan way!

Latest reshuffle in his council of ministers may not have addressed concerns on Canadian soil becoming fulcrum of anti-India elements Rohan Giri Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has recently reshuffled his council of ministers ahead of the upcoming general elections. This reshuffle involved making change of portfolios and work responsibilities of ministers along with four Indo-Canadians. As Canada reconfigured its leadership, discerning and assessing its implications for the country’s partners like India becomes pertinent. Evolving political dynamics in Canada and resulting strategic adjustments warrant careful consideration in the global arena. In specific, four Indo-Canadian ministers’ responsibilities were changed or promoted: Anita Anand, Kamal Khera, Harjit Sajjan, and Arif Virani. Notably, Anita Anand was promoted as President of Treasury Board, transitioning from her previous role as the Minister of National Defense. Similarly, Kamal Khera moved from a senior portfolio to become Minister for Diversity, Inclusion, and Persons with Disabilities. Harjit Sajjan, having served as International Development Minister, now holds the position of Minister for Emergency Preparedness. Arif Virani, another Indian-Canadian and the representative of Parkdale-High Park in Toronto made his cabinet debut as the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Understanding their influence and engagement within the sizeable Indo-Canadian community and Indian affairs becomes crucial owing to the significant role overseas Indians play in influencing New Delhi’s relations with Ottawa. Professor-turned-politician Anita Anand is particularly vocal about her Indian heritage taking immense pride in her grandfather, freedom fighter VA Sundaram, who worked alongside Mahatma Gandhi during the freedom struggle. Anand’s involvement extended to assisting the panel in investigating tragic 1985 Air India Kanishka bombing. On 35th anniversary of the bombing, she tweeted, “The victims of the bombing of Air India 182 and their families are in my thoughts today and always. I am privileged to know some of you and honour the memories of your loved ones with you.” Anita Anand also held a position on advisory board of the Canada India Foundation, an organisation established in 2007 to bolster bilateral ties. During the cabinet transition, Kamalpreet Khera, representative for Brampton West in the House of Commons has taken on significant role of Minister for Diversity, Inclusion, and Persons with Disabilities. Khera’s Indo-Canadian background goes back to her ancestors from Ropar in Punjab. She is known to have close ties with Navdeep Bains, a former Canadian politician who served as Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry during 2015 – 21. There have been reports pointing to strong links Navdeep Bains has with Khalistani movement. Bains has allegedly been groomed by World Sikh Organization (WSO), a pro-Khalistan hard line organisation accused of radicalizing Sikh community and fostering divisions apart from piloting anti-India propaganda. Relationship between Navdeep Bains and Kamalpreet Khera is said to be more than just acquaintanceship. Bains is regarded as mentor and guide to Khera. Indian authorities have expressed their concern to the Canadian government multiple times regarding separatist activities on the latter’s soil. Prime Minister Trudeau’s cabinet reshuffle also sparked reports on Harjit Sajjan, his association with Khalistani elements and his tacit support for their radical activities. Hitherto Punjab Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh had publicly ostracised Sajjan as a “Khalistani supporter”. Singh had been a proponent of imposing sanctions on Canada for its ‘open and covert’ support to Khalistani terrorists. Captain Singh had called for global pressure on Canada to prevent the use of its soil for perpetrating terror against India, particularly the Sikh community targeted by Khalistani terrorists. Reports pointed to Harjit Sajjan’s parents, Kundan Singh Sajjan and Vidya Kaur Sajjan’s long term membership of WSO. Another notable Indo-Canadian that figured in the latest cabinet reshuffle is Arif Virani, who spent 15 years as human rights and constitutional lawyer before entering politics. Virani is vocal about purported Islamophobia and remained deeply committed to the trumped up issue. Since his initial election, he consistently advocated against Islamophobia, both on the ground and within the Parliament. Notably, he sought inputs from Muslim groups on how to tackle online hate faced by Muslims before Liberals introduced Bill C-36 in June 2021. Primary objective of this bill was to combat online hate with focus on addressing Islamophobia that Virani thinks is prevalent. Arif Virani was involved in a study on M-103, a non-binding motion in the 42nd Canadian Parliament urging the government to condemn Islamophobia and all forms of systemic racism and religious discrimination. Additionally, he is associated with the Aga Khan Foundation of Canada, an organisation working in various countries. The foundation faced accusations of involvement in money laundering Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to include Khalistani and Pakistani jihadist elements in his council of ministers may not go well with New Delhi. Comprehensive research conducted by veteran journalist Terry Milewski titled, “Khalistan: A Project of Pakistan” unequivocally demonstrates that the Khalistan movement poses not only a threat to India but also significant concern for Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s undeniable link with anti-India elements underscore the risk it poses to bilateral relations and global security environment. (Author is operations manager at Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, non-partisan think tank based in New Delhi)

Security

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Seema Haider, ISI deep cover asset?

Unravelling Seema’s suspicious shades through a probe may throw light on this much publicised cross border love story Rohan Giri & Resham Natt India and Pakistan are hogging headlines yet again. Surprisingly enough, this time, it’s not over Kashmir or terror modules that routinely try to cross over into India to create unrest. Blooming bond of togetherness between two distant lovers living in two conflicting nations has occupied media outlets overtime. Seema Haider and Sachin Meena reportedly found true love while playing PUBG at a time when the whole world was trapped within confines of their homes during Covid- 19 Pandemic. Mesmerized and charmed by the way Sachin conversed, his accent, and way of playing, the couple soon began engaging in long talks via voice calls and video calls, which helped them discover, in early January, that they were meant to be together, leading them to hatch a perfect plan to be together in one nation, which was India. Indians have however been pondering over two questions that in animated discussions that surround ethicality and security. These two prominent issues have attracted a great deal of attention to three very intriguing aspects, (A) Illegal arrival of Seema Haider with assistance from her lover, Sachin Meena, who is a resident of India in the Rabupura district of Uttar Pradesh, all the way from Nepal via Dubai without proper documents. (B) The discovery of her possible links to Intelligence services after she was adamant and expressed wish to stay in India and not be deported back and lastly (C) Over her decision to take her children to other side of the border against wishes of her so-called divorced husband, Ghulam Haider. But who is this fearless woman that dared to walk onto the most dangerous path in her quest to be united with her loved one? Cross border love, prime mover? Seema Ghulam Haider (once a famous tik tok star and popularly known as Seema Haider, Seema Rind and Seema Jhakrani) is a Pakistani citizen with roots in the Baloch Community, born on January 1, 2002 (as per her passport) who has spurred a discussion over her entry in India to meet her lover, along with her four children. Earlier, she was married to Ghulam Haider, a Pakistani resident of Garhi Khairo Taluka of Jacobabad district in the Sindh Province, who currently resides in Saudi Arabia as a labourer. However, it is hard to comment on their current relationship and it is uncertain whether she is already divorced (a year ago using the conventional way of Triple Talaq on call), as she has stated in press interviews, or whether she is yet to divorce him (as stated by Ghulam himself that he hasn’t and will not give her a divorce). Though Ghulam Haider presented some shocking revelations, denying and refuting Seema’s claims of marriage being that of a forced union and a simple one involving the signing of some papers in the court since she was already in love with someone in the village and that relationship was never recognized. Though Seema claimed that her married life was certainly tough with rough patches, Ghulam has been in total agreement that their marriage was certainly a lovey dovey affair and that there was not even a single trace of domestic violence. “Hindustan Zindabad, tha, hai aur Hamesha rahega,” is what Seema Haider has been saying at more than one or more forums. Seema claims that her profound love for Indian culture and traditions convinced her to change religion and gave her a new reason and hope to stay in India. Her four children, Farhan Ali, Farwa, Fariha Batool have also converted and expressed their happiness over the decision. The four children have also changed names to Raj, Priyanka, Munni, and Pari respectively. But what is concerning here is that (A) Seema’s way of conversing nowhere reflects the Urdu accent though she claims that there have been significant changes in the way she speaks ever since she began staying with Sachin. (B) Seema’s over-exaggerated yet outpouring love for India and its culture as portrayed in her videos showing her without hijab, wearing a Radhe Radhe strap around her neck, vermilion on her forehead, the auspicious marriage thread around her neck, taking blessings from the elders in the good old Indian tradition of touching feet, engaging in Hindu prayers, worshiping the Tulsi plant and adopting a vegetarian lifestyle has consequently hinted at her ill motives. This has sparked debate on her possible involvement with the Pakistan’s dirty tricks department, ISI and its agents. Hhow can someone so quickly get so attached, connected and become a ‘bhakt’ of a particular religion is the moot question? This suspicious involvement with ISI was reported after media investigations found her family including Seema’s brother Asif and her uncle Ghulam Akbar serving in the Pakistan Army and with linkages to spy agency, ISI. One may be convinced that Seema who reportedly studied only till fifth grade has fluent yet evidently polished English -speaking skills, in-depth knowledge on computers usage, gaming and social media applications like Tik Tok and Instagram. This is quite surprising and very intriguing since she interacted with many users from Uttar Pradesh during PUBG. Seema didn’t come with her children, plain and simple love bird. She also carried baggage full of questions, suspicion, and allegations that would put her in a tough spot, raising questions on her past which will decide her fate. Seema’s journey to India not only threatened her life, jeopardized her survival and opened up upon her possible deportation to Pakistan. Ripples in Pakistan Seema Haider seems to have taken the 2001 Bollywood Blockbuster movie, Gadar too seriously! The Seema Haider case (booked under sections pertaining to the Foreigners Act and The Passport (Entry into India) Act for her illegal entry into the country) has sparked a devastating chain reaction sending shockwaves through Hindu minorities in Pakistan’s Sindh region. This appalling incident has set a vile horde of Muslim extremists hell-bent on terrorizing

Disinformation Hindus Human Rights Misinformation Security

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Factsheet : Manipur’s Recent Incident

Putting an end to violence, abuse is prerequisite to finding lasting solution to multi-tribe diverse Manipur state On recent undignified assault on Manipuri women and unrelenting ethnic clashes, Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi stated that perpetrators of these crimes will not be spared or forgiven. An incident, where two Manipuri women of the Kuki tribe were paraded naked in broad daylight, went viral on social media, exacerbating the on-going turbulence in the region. While there have been significant on-going efforts from the government and civil society to stop these ethnic clashes in last few months, the event triggered widening gap between Hindus and Christians in the region. Historical background Continued violence in Manipur, a north-eastern state in India, has resulted in significant loss of life and property in over two months. This situation has highlighted the delicate social fabric and presence of non-state actors with divisive agendas. For several decades, ethnic clashes among various tribes and religious differences between Hindus, Christians, and Muslims have contributed to the state’s instability. This instability has been exacerbated by factors like infiltration and spread of drug mafias, illegal crossings from across the Myanmar border, circulation of fake currencies and activities of Islamist groups and Church proselytisers. It is important to note that Manipur became a state in India on September 21, 1949 following the signing of Manipur Merger Agreement between the Governor General of India and Maharaja of Manipur. In subsequent years, Indian Government granted Scheduled Tribe status to the Kukis, a large number of converted Christians, while the indigenous Naga tribe also saw significant conversions to Christianity through proselytization efforts. As a result, more than 90 per cent of Nagas are now Christians. On the other hand, Meitei tribe who practise Hinduism was not awarded Scheduled Tribe status and has since struggled to preserve its culture, traditions, customs and beliefs amidst rapid pace of religious conversions. Religious demography of Manipur over the years has been shown in Fig. 1. Fig.1. Religious demography of Manipur, Source: Census 1951-2011; CIHS Analytics. Christian population in Manipur consisting mainly of the Kukis, Nagas, and Meiteis (who are predominantly Hindus) is roughly equal in numbers across the state. The Meiteis have been protesting against their exclusion from Scheduled Tribe status, but these efforts have often faced violence and opposition from Christians affiliated with various denominations. In March this year, Manipur High Court ordered the state government to include Meiteis in the list of Scheduled Tribes within four weeks. This directive of the High Court was fiercely opposed by several tribal organisations including the All India Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM). These bodies argued that inclusion of Meiteis would be unfair to other tribes, disrupt the state’s social fabric and their own economic and cultural systems. Conversely, the Meiteis firmly believe that without obtaining Scheduled Tribe status and other constitutional protections, they might face ethnic cleansing within a few decades. Inclusion in the scheduled list of tribes would grant the Meiteis access to educational institutions such as schools, colleges, and universities, as well as provide them with socio-economic benefits available to tribal populations from both state and central governments. The Meiteis, also known as Manipuris, reside in resource-rich and fertile valley situated in the heart of Manipur, as depicted in Fig. 2. Towards north of the valley, the Nagas are predominantly concentrated, while the Kukis inhabit the hills in both the northern and southern parts of the state. According to recorded history, the Nagas and Meiteis have been inhabitants of the region for a longer period compared to the Kukis, who are considered migrants and share close connections with the Chins of Myanmar and the Mizos of Mizoram. Timeline May 4th: The incident took place in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district. May 18th: Zero FIR registered at Kangpokpi police station which was later transferred to Thoubal police station where the incident exactly took place. As per the police statement, the FIR was registered against unknown miscreants regarding abduction and gang rape, leading to subsequent investigation. May 27th and May 28th: Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande visited Manipur to assess on-ground situation in the state (and region). He interacted with Governor Anusuiya Uikey, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh to discuss internal security situation in the state. May 30th: Home Minister Amit Shah visited Manipur and interacted with civil society organisations, defence personnel, civil servants, and prominent personalities to discuss and address the many ethnic issues in the region. First week of July: As per Manipur Police, a total of 129 nakas / checkpoints were installed in different regions of the state to ensure law and order is maintained. Over 650 people have been detained in relation to the case till now. July 19th: The video clip of these two women paraded naked in the Manipur district of Kangpokpi went viral on social media. July 22nd: Six persons (05 main accused and 01 juvenile) were arrested so far. Over 60,000 security personnel have been deployed in various regions of the state to ensure law and order is maintained. This includes armed forces, paramilitary forces, and police. Aftermath of the incident While most of the media coverage highlighted ethnic conflicts between the Meiteis and the Kukis to be the root cause of the incident, it is also crucial to look into other factors as well.

Business Cyber Security Security Technology

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Chinese Loan Apps: A Debt Trap to Death Trap

Rohan Chinese loan apps, which offer quick loans with minimal paperwork, have become increasingly popular among Indian borrowers. However, these apps have also been associated with incidents involving threats to borrowers and compromising their privacy. One distressing case occurred in Bangalore involving Tejas, a 22-year-old engineering student. Tejas faced severe torture from an agent due to his loan from a Chinese app named Slice and Kiss, which ultimately led to his tragic suicide. The questionable practices employed by these apps consistently undermine the privacy and security of citizens, while their excessively high-interest rates and lack of regulatory oversight present substantial challenges to the Indian economy. This analysis sheds light on the various aspects of this phenomenon, highlighting the challenges posed by Chinese lending apps in India and emphasizing their potential risks. Perilous for Indian Citizens Chinese lending apps expose borrowers’ personal and financial information to significant risks, potentially leading to severe breaches of privacy. These apps often impose exorbitant interest rates and concealed fees, trapping users in a cycle of debt. Many borrowers, often in urgent need of funds, remain unaware of the predatory lending practices employed, ultimately landing themselves in financial distress. Moreover, these apps are associated with unethical and aggressive debt-collection tactics. Borrowers who fail to make timely payments or encounter financial hardships often face harassment, intimidation, and public humiliation from collection agencies. Such practices can have profound psychological and emotional consequences, driving vulnerable individuals to despair and, tragically, even suicide. Furthermore, inadequate regulatory oversight and accountability for these apps amplify their risks. With inadequate scrutiny, these apps operate with impunity, exploiting the financial vulnerabilities of Indian citizens without facing appropriate consequences. Numerous reports have surfaced regarding representatives of these applications resorting to intimidation, harassment, and threats towards borrowers. Particularly during the Covid-19 lockdown, borrowers facing financial difficulties due to the pandemic have reported terrifying experiences, alleging they were subjected to coercive tactics regarding their debts. These threats often take the form of deceitful letters resembling official documents or the harassment of borrowers’ relatives. These networks facilitating fraudulent instant loans extend beyond Indian citizens, as Chinese youths and students have fallen victim to this practice. China witnessed a wave of incidents related to “loans for nudes,” where numerous cases emerged involving young female college students being coerced into providing explicit photos as collateral to ensure repayment to loan sharks. These instances shed light on China’s pervasive underground banking scandal, exposing the murky realm of loan sharks. The cases exemplify China’s growing consumerism, underdeveloped financial system, and lack of a comprehensive student loan program. The Chinese Underground Banking Scandal The Chinese Underground Banking Scandal sheds light on a disturbing reality that lies beneath the veneer of the financial system. This issue revolves around illicit financial operations conducted outside the purview of established banking institutions, operating clandestinely and evading regulatory oversight. An essential aspect of this scandal is the pervasive presence of underground banks operating as unlicensed and unregulated financial intermediaries. These clandestine institutions play a significant role in facilitating a wide range of illicit activities, such as money laundering, human trafficking, capital flight, tax evasion, and the financing of unlawful transactions. The scandal’s dark reality is characterized by exploiting economic loopholes and manipulating financial regulations. With inadequate regulation and enforcement, underground financial networks flourish, enabling criminals to clandestinely transfer substantial amounts of money across borders, obscuring these funds’ origins and actual purposes. Moreover, the Underground Banking Scandal carries global implications, involving transnational networks engaged in illicit financial transactions. These networks contribute to the challenges faced by international efforts to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, and other forms of transnational crimes. It is important to note that not all Chinese loan applications are directly involved with underground banking, and vice versa. However, an interconnectedness can occur when funds originating from loan applications enter the underground banking system. In such cases, underground banking networks may exploit or utilize loan application activities for illicit purposes, including money flows, money laundering, cross-border transactions, and regulatory challenges. Data Privacy and Security Concerns The rapid proliferation of Chinese loan applications in India has prompted severe data privacy and security concerns. These apps often demand extensive access to personal information, posing threats to users. The loan apps often necessitate comprehensive access to users’ personal information, such as complete names, addresses, phone numbers, social media profiles, bank account details, and even access to the user’s smartphone contacts. The sheer volume and sensitivity of the data collected endanger individuals’ privacy and raise the possibility of it being abused for unauthorised objectives. There have been reports and allegations that certain Chinese lending applications have been involved in misusing and manipulating user data. Data breaches and unlawful sharing of personal information with third parties have been reported. Such activities violate users’ privacy and raise the risk of identity theft, financial fraud, and other forms of cybercrime. As Chinese lending apps are international, cross-border data transfers are possible. User data acquired by these apps in India may be transferred and stored on servers outside India, often in China. This adds to the difficulties of data protection because different jurisdictions may have different data privacy laws and regulations. The Chinese government’s vast access and control over data raise concerns regarding the privacy and security of user data obtained by Chinese loan apps. Users could be subjected to unlawful access or surveillance by foreign entities. The data privacy and security concerns stemming from these loan apps in India are significant issue that demands immediate attention. The Indian government has been actively enhancing data protection and privacy laws to safeguard user information from unauthorized access or misuse. The Personal Data Protection Bill, currently under review, seeks to establish comprehensive regulations and mechanisms for protecting personal data, including stringent obligations on data handling, storage, and consent. Indian Government Actions Recognizing the potential risks involved with Chinese loan apps, authorities have taken steps to protect customers, maintain financial stability, and limit the illegal operations of these platforms. The Indian government has banned 138 betting applications

Disinformation Fact Sheet Hindus Human Rights Misinformation

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Manipur’s unrelenting violence

Stakeholders’ consultation, inclusive development strategies, building cohesive communities under rule of law is the only way out. Recent unrelenting violence, loss of lives and property in India’s north eastern state of Manipur has brought to fore the fragile fabric, non-state actors that are at work with divisive agendas. Over the last few decades, ethnic clashes among many tribes and differences between Hindus, Christians and Muslims have created instability in the state.

Disinformation Hindus Misinformation Security

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Bad actors, bad for the world

Websites like Hindu Profiles that peddle hate, target individuals and organizations Hitler style should be regulated, taken down Prachi Mishra A dubious website christened as ‘Hindutva Profiles’ has targeted India’s 148 key social and political leaders for attacks by hatemongers and Hinduphobes. Yoga guru Ramadev, retired major general G.D. Bakshi to Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur figure prominently on the website’s ‘hit list’. These socio-political leaders have been targeted by anti-India, anti-RSS, and anti-Hindu agencies with global linkages that are running the website. Apart from issuing a ‘hit list’, Hindutva Profiles has taken recourse to spread of false propaganda against these leaders. The website claimed that RSS founders and key leaders of Hindutva forces sought inspiration from Nazi Germany and Mussolini’s fascist regime. But, the list in itself resembles a hit list as was common in Hitler’s regime. During Nazi Germany, the term ‘hit list’ typically referred to lists compiled by Nazi regime to target individuals or groups considered enemies or threats to their ideology. Nazi German lists were primarily used to identify and track political opponents, dissidents, Jews, and persecuted groups. The Nazi regime employed a systematic approach to identifying, locating, and persecuting those individuals and groups they deemed undesirable. Additionally, the Nazis created lists to target political opponents, such as members of resistance groups, communists, socialists, trade unionists, and other dissidents. These individuals were often arrested, imprisoned, and subjected to torture or execution. Use of hit lists was part of Nazis broader system of persecution, which included propaganda, surveillance, imprisonment, forced labour and genocide. And, by targeting RSS and BJP leaders, the website precisely serves the same purpose. Fig.1. Logo of website, Hindutva Profiles and its malignant tagline. Source: Hindutva Profiles Fig.2. Misinformation spread about Hindutva and its origins. Nazi-RSS-Mussolini connect has been falsely interpreted here. Source: Hindutva Profiles. The advent of technology has revolutionised our communication and information-sharing processes. While technology has brought significant advancements, it has also presented challenges in addressing rise of anti-Hindu sentiments and online hate speech. One disturbing manifestation of this issue is the existence of such websites that gained notoriety for promoting anti-Hindu sentiments and even managing and circulating this D-Day list. The website also has a page dedicated to the genesis of RSS and its affiliates. The information presented on the page is not only factually manipulated but laden with misinformation. If corrective measures were not rolled out in time, these individuals could be at threat from terrorist organisations and anti-India, anti-Hindu forces. To combat online hate speech, it is imperative for internet users, communities, and online platforms to come together. Reporting mechanisms, both within the websites and through external channels, are essential in flagging and addressing offensive content. Hindutva profiles just one among several such hate mongers. Hence, governments and legal entities should play a key role in implementing and enforcing laws that regulate hate speech on internet, ensuring that those who propagate hate are held accountable for their actions. To ensure security and safety of individuals, governments all over the world and their relevant agencies should filter content and impose a blanket ban on such websites. Fight against anti-Hindu sentiment and online hate speech requires a multifaceted approach. Online platforms must take responsibility for monitoring and removing hate speech, take measures to prevent their platforms from becoming breeding grounds for discrimination and persecution. (author is contributing research consultant, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies, New Delhi based non-partisan think tank)

Disinformation Hindus Human Rights Misinformation

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Daily Mail Goes Bonkers on Leicester Violence!

An article titled ‘Violent ethnic clashes in Leicester last year’ by Abul Taher & Nicholas Pyke propagates agenda based myths far from reality First, the article heavily relies on unidentified “UK security sources” without providing specific names or verifiable evidence to support the writers’ claims. Lack of transparency in sourcing the write up raises questions on credibility and reliability of the information presented. The write up attempts to establish a false link between Indian political activists associated with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and ethnic clashes in Leicester. However, the writers have no evidence whatsoever to establish a direct causal link between political activists in India and violent and murderous rioters. It’s grossly misleading to attribute the entire chain of incidents to a specific political party or its members. The writers audaciously misquote Charlotte Littlewood, a research associate at the Henry Jackson Society, a think tank that did a detailed study on the Leicester violence. Littlewood clarified the context and nuances of her statements. As per her tweet, she did not believe that attacks on Hindu homes should be dismissed as mere “spin.” She expressed concern about Hindus safety in the UK who face unjust blame for political events abroad. Littlewood stated that while she found links between those who led the Muslim onslaught and criminal groups in Pakistan, she did not find any evidence of BJP / RSS links with Hindu activists that resisted the violence. She mentioned that she had not seen the evidence presented by The Daily Mail regarding BJP involvement between the cricket match and marches. Littlewood acknowledged presence of individuals linked to Pakistan in the clashes and highlighted potentially problematic nature of evidence suggesting BJP involvement, as it would demonstrate disregard for peace and security in UK. She did not believe that BJP “escalated” the situation. She asserted that her comment was paraphrased and tensions were primarily local, with foreign influence becoming apparent after the initial Hindu march, exacerbating anti-Hindu and anti-Muslim sentiments, particularly online, as per findings of a report conducted by the US-based Network Contagion Research Institute. She reportedly said that the article appeared one-sided and would contribute to perception of a violent UK Hindu nationalist threat. The referenced study by Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) sheds light on significant impact of malicious narratives propagated through social media and digital platforms, highlighting their purported role in instigating the unrest. The study identified false reports and conspiracy theories fueling ethnic hatred towards the Hindu community, perpetuating Hinduphobic sentiments and intentions. Influencers such as Majid Freeman, known for his vocal support of slain ISIS fighters and Al Qaeda utilized social media platforms to propagate and amplify these false theories that directly impacted unrest in Leicester. Linguistic analysis done by NCRI revealed a significant disparity in mentions of words “Hindu” and “Muslim” on Twitter, with “Hindu” being mentioned over 40 per cent more frequently. The Hindu community was predominantly portrayed as conspirators and aggressors involved in a supposed global project seeking supremacy and dominance. NCRI’s AI models identified that over 70 per cent of incitements to violence were targeted against the Hindu community while only 30 per cent were against Muslims. These patterns of reciprocal escalation are likely to continue unless social media platforms take proactive measures to address the misuse of their products, which contributes to on-street violence and aggression against vulnerable communities. The Daily Mail’s article heavily relies on unidentified “UK security sources” and lacks transparency, casting doubts on its credibility. The article showcases chronic bias against Hindu community and reflects the institutional prejudice of The Daily Mail. Additionally, the misquotations and misrepresentations of Charlotte Littlewood’s statements further undermine accuracy of the article. This baseless reporting perpetuates unfounded allegations and contributes to misinformation, potentially causing harm and perpetuating negative stereotypes about the Hindu community.

Disinformation Hindus Misinformation

720

Freedom goes hyperbole!

Not just freedom to write and report by media professionals, globally threat to live freely and practice one’s Dharma is under attack K.A.Badarinath “Freedom is the goal of the universe. Nor love nor hate nor pleasure nor pain nor death nor life nor religion nor irreligion: not this, not this, not this.” This was one of the most comprehensive definitions to freedom provided by revered Swami Vivekananda, India’s greatest monk, Hindu philosopher in a letter to one Church sister Mary Hale on June 26, 1895. Freedom to write, think, interpret and see life as such is the essence of human life. And, this freedom is all the more significant in the context of press globally that routinely is at the receiving end for having spoken the truth or exposed inhumanity. From Syria, Russia, United States, United Kingdom to European geographies, freedom to responsibly write has been constantly under attack with no reprieve for reporters of media outlets, be it print, broadcasting corporations, radio or digital networks. In the name of region, religion, caste, creed, sex and otherwise, violence in all shades and hues is perpetuated without reprieve. It happens more so in the trumped up liberal societies internationally. Discussing freedom on international press freedom day becomes also pertinent as on this very day United Nations took upon itself 30 years back to protect freedom for media to report fearlessly on happenings across the globe. Well, in these thirty years, globalization and corporatization of media that was hitherto a commitment and conviction to societies and communities has made discharging this responsibility all the more difficult. Cutting edge technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics has given a new dimension to media that’s real time, hard to regulate and many a time sans responsibility. Discussing freedom makes sense when it’s exercised with responsibility. Political establishments, security agencies and terror groups have many a time seen free media as biggest hindrance to achieving their ulterior goals. For instance, Neither President Xi Jinping of China nor his Chinese Communist Party been a great votary of press freedom. Given a single party rule, the rigour of communist regimes made periodic attempts to even restrict human thinking, behaviour, families or even procreation. Same is the case with another military style communist regime led by President Kim Jong Un. These two are classic cases of turning respective communist parties into family enterprise or solo. Even in the most celebrated liberal democracies, freedom to live on one’s terms is skewed. Otherwise, there’s no plausible explanation for hatred heaped on minority Hindus either in US, UK, Canada, Australia or elsewhere. Constantly being targeted either in Columbia, California or elsewhere like Leicester in UK does not guarantee any freedom to even live, practice one’s ‘Dharma’. In countries run by religious fascism of extreme variety exemplified by Taliban in Afghanistan, military establishment in Pakistan, grooming gangs of UK and IS run Caliphate in Syria, threats to freedom is too grave to even discuss, decipher or interpret in saner terms. Gone are the days that hailed liberty, democracy and freedom centric slogans in these very countries. Constant threats to life, living spaces and eking out an earning honourably has become the basic issue in most of these ‘liberal minded’ societies that lecture the globe on freedom of every variety beginning with media to religion. A quick look in the mirror would reflect realities of life in these touted liberal democracies that time and again taken upon them to ostracise others on these very issues. Periodic reports dished out by USCIRF including latest speaks about non-availability of religious freedom in India. While credibility of this report or the team that trashes India needs to be called out, does this organization even recognize what’s happening in its own back yard? Gun running and violence related crimes due to factors like skin colour, religious faith or even the physical build of an individual is something the ‘most liberal democratic’ leadership in US refuses to even recognize. As per a last week’s BBC report that quoted not for profit organization, the Gun Violence Archive, there have been 160 mass shootings in United States so far in 2023. This report also puts the figures for mass shootings at 600 in each of the three preceding years. While freedom to live fearlessly is under threat, press and media freedom is a wee-bit complicated in both UK and US where lobbies, technology companies and access to information highway determine as to what messages are delivered to readers or narratives woven in conversations that are completely slanted and uni-focal. Freedom to live and report is definitely under threat. Threat perceptions have undergone a sea change. There’s no way any group, community or Dharmic people that can live unhindered. This may have to be recognized by all stakeholders. A global consensus on achieving freedom on different planes must be achieved. Lip service to freedom is like lip syncing in music. It’s not real. (author is Director & Chief Executive at non-partisan think tank, Centre for Integrated and Holistic Studies based in New Delhi)

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