173

#FakeNews: SC Issues Notice to Twitter, Centre in PIL Seeking Mechanism to Check Fake News

The Supreme Court on February 12 issued a notice to Twitter and the Centre, in a petition to check fake news and incendiary messages on social media. The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Vinit Goenka in May 2020. It is seeking a direction to the Centre to devise a mechanism to check fake news and instigative messages on social media.

"The said platform (Twitter) is being used to call upon separatist, creating panic in some sections of the society, challenging the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of India", the plea said, as quoted by legal news website LiveLaw.

The PIL alleged that Twitter "knowingly promotes" messages that are against the law of the land.

152

#IndoChinaDisengagement: China Withdraws Tanks, Armoured Vehicles From Pangong Lake

The tanks and infantry combat vehicles of both India and China have started disengaging from the banks of Pangong Lake as part of the disengagement process between the two countries there.

Sources said that under the first phase of disengagement, the Indian tanks are being moved back towards Nyoma and adjoining areas while the Chinese are taking them back beyond Sirijap and Moldo garrison.

"The movement of tanks and infantry combat vehicles from forward positions to rear locations started last evening itself. The disengagement from the two banks of the Pangong Lake is aimed to be completed within seven days," sources told India Today TV.

132

#FarmBills: PM Modi Says Farm Laws Will Create New Options Without Hampering Old, 'MSP Still There, Mandis Haven't Shut'

Minutes after his speech heralded a stronger, more pivotal role for India in the post-Covid world order, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tore into the Opposition in his reply to the motion of thanks on the President's address in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, as he alleged that their continuous disruptions in the Parliament over the farm laws was a 'well-thought-out strategy'.

"Those who are disrupting the House are doing so as per a well-planned strategy. They are unable to digest that people are seeing through the truth. Through their games, the trust of the people can never be won," he said.

He said that the central government and the Parliament have great respect for the farmers who are voicing their views on the three farm bills and that is why top most ministers have been talking to them. Replying in Lok Sabha to the discussion on the motion of thanks to the President's address to the joint sitting of Parliament, Modi again allayed apprehensions on the farm laws, saying neither any agriculture 'mandi' (market) has shut down after the three laws were enacted nor has the MSP stopped, rather the MSP has only increased which no one can deny.

112

#PMModi Gives Teary Farewell to Ghulam Nabi Azad: ‘Will Never Forget His Response When Gujaratis Were Stuck in Kashmir’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday became emotional as he bid farewell to Congress Rajya Sabha MP Ghulam Nabi Azad on Tuesday. Calling Azad a "true friend," Modi said the Congress leader had "has set very high standards as MP and Opposition leader." "Posts come, high office comes, power comes and how to handle these, one must learn from Ghulam Nabi Azad Ji. I would consider him a true friend," PM Modi said.

"Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad has distinguished himself in Parliament. He not only worries about his party but also had a similar passion towards the smooth running of the House and towards India’s development. His work will inspire generations of MPs to come," Modi said in his address today.

Recalling his association with Ghulam Nabi Azad, the prime minister said, "I will never forget Shri Azad’s efforts and Shri Pranab Mukherjee’s efforts when people from Gujarat were stuck in Kashmir due to a terror attack. Ghulam Nabi Ji was constantly following up, he sounded as concerned as if those stuck were his own family members."

62

PM Modi Questions Congress's ‘U-turn’ on Farm Laws; Quotes Former PM Manmohan Singh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday defended government’s policies of the farm laws and referred to his predecessor Manmohan Singh on the reforms required in the agricultural sector. He urged the farmers to call off the protests and join the talks with the centre.

Reiterating the government’s stand on minimum support price (MSP), PM Modi in reply to a debate on the President’s Budget session speech said, “MSP tha, MSP hai aur MSP rahega (MSP was there, MSP is there, MSP will continue). Affordable ration for the poor will continue. Mandis will be modernised. No one should spread misinformation.”

He further added, “We need to move forward, not backward. We need to give these reforms a chance.”

He questioned the opposition’s silence on the core issues of the farmers’ protest. He said that the number of marginal farmers with small landholdings had increased since 1971 from 51 per cent to 68 per cent.