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Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) is promoting its Digital India campaign with full gusto- in all the wrong ways.

While, Bhartiya Janata Party, has been notorious for a couple of things, the most ridiculous of them all is the BJP IT Cell. The party is known to have a large social media team that works on sites like WhatsApp, Twitter, and Facebook to spread misinformation, slander, and rumors.

BJP seems to have it all figured out: the fastest way to get to the public now is to use social media. And while they already do have media houses in their pockets, social media is where everyone is. This is why, the large team is known to trend hate hashtags, share doctored videos and photos, create fake news, troll people online and even use bots to spread its propaganda. The IT Cell essentially functions like an army; it is an organized army of trolls, belonging to the party, always ready for an attack.

PM Modi is also infamous for following trolls, fake news, and threatening accounts. Kuldeep Bhandari, a man who proclaims to be a ‘social media activist’ at the BJP IT Cell, tweeted a photo of Trump pointing at Modi with the caption, “Ghar mein ghuskar kaise maarte hain mujhko isi ne sikhaya. (he taught me how to hurt people inside their own homes)” He is, unsurprisingly, followed by the PM.  “Mr. Modi is possibly the only leader in the world, who actually follows handles which give rape threats, death threats, actually put out incitement videos, peddle fake news,” said Swati Chaturvedi, the author of I Am a Troll: Inside the Secret World of the BJP’s Digital Army to CNN.

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(Image Source: Kuldeep Bhandari)

The very head of the BJP IT Cell, Amit Malviya, had a twitter timeline selling pornographic content and tweets providing Hot Sexi Gerls Free before him getting this position with the party.

The IT Cell has always been very active on social media: its WhatsApp forwards remains one of the prime reasons why BJP gathered such mass support. However, it recently keeps coming in the limelight. After the anti-CAA protests countrywide, their presence online has intensified. In what appears to be their panicked and thoughtless reaction, they can be seen attacking and trolling anyone who goes even slightly anti-BJP. While a lot of times these trolls are genuinely far-right Modi-bhakts, it is also found that a lot of times they just happen to be unemployed people working online for a small stipend.

When Amit Shah created a new hotline for people to phone in and show their support of the Citizenship Amendment Act, thousands of tweets popped up sharing the number. These tweets offered ‘free sex’, hot girl pics, free coupons, free Netflix and amazon prime membership, and other such attractive offers to people who called the number. So much so that even the Netflix India official account tweeted and asked people not to fall for the scam and to “use someone else’s Netflix account if you want free membership, like the rest of us.” When the publication Boomlive called the social media head Amit Malviya regarding these activities, he “cut the call hearing our query”, as reported by the site.

After Deepika Padukone was seen at a solidarity protest at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) after the JNU violence orchestrated, allegedly, by ABVP, thousands of trolls lashed out on her, talking about boycotting her then-upcoming movie Chhapaak. Trolls all over India posted photos of them getting their tickets refunded; the catch? They all had the exact same seat number.

Anandi, a student of Kamala Nehru College said, “The cell is the living embodiment of being cheap and the level to which one can fall only to propagate lies and enforce their ideology on the public. False lies, rape threats, trolling, harassment, this is what the cell is synonymous with. When we asked for employment, this is not what we meant.”

The BJP Delhi official twitter handle also trolled Arvind Kejriwal in the light of upcoming Delhi elections and tweeted ‘memes’ on him. These ‘memes’ showed the problems of the city as the ‘art’ and had pictures of the Chief Minister as the ‘artist’. One of the tweets of this series, which ironically are pinned to their twitter page, came under fire for being Islamophobic as it showed a burning bus as the ‘art’ and Kejriwal in the Islamic Hat Taqiyah as the ‘Artist’.

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(Image Source: BJP Delhi)

“BJP IT Cell is clearly very ignorant considering the issues that come under the jurisdiction of the central government. BJP’s twitter account trolled Kejriwal for Delhi’s rising traffic problem while completely neglecting the fact that Delhi traffic comes under the central government’s jurisdiction and they chose to stick to this even after some people pointed it out. I mean that’s just stupid and a very condescending move on their part,” said Suhani, a student from SGTB Khalsa College.

So, not only are their actions morally incorrect, but also illogical and ill-informed. But it is not as if people aren’t standing up to this virus-like ecosystem.

Amit Malviya was in the news again for saying the Shaheen Bagh protesters were all paid Rs 500-700 by the Congress party to protest. For this statement, two women of Shaheen Bagh filed a legal notice under Section 500 of the IPC (Defamation) and demanded an apology and Rs 1 crore in damages from the social media head.

A trick learned from stan twitter, the best way to engage with these trolls is to not engage. Accounts like these thrive on visibility, and the more engagement they get, the more are their ideas promoted. Report and Block: that is the only way their impact can cease. And when science has developed antiviral medicines for actual overpowering viruses, what are a group of sheep-like humans in a virus-like colony.

Featured Image Credits: Dhruv Rathee

Satviki Sanjay

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On Monday, 9 September, 2019, the Delhi University Teachers’ Association (DUTA) corresponded to the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal regarding the issuance of salaries for the employees of the 28 colleges that are either fully or partially funded by the Delhi government.

The complaint is lodged with regard to the payment of due salaries owing to the stoppage of grants by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) relaxation. Where the formation of governing bodies prompted a deadlock between the University and the city government, the accusations from both ends claim to have delayed the process further.

Although, earlier in June Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia directed the Education Secretary, Sandeep Kumar to ensure the release of funds for three months to the 28 colleges, the employees of the 28 partially or fully funded colleges, under the Delhi government are constantly being subjected to delayed payments of salaries and other remunerations due to prolonged stoppage of grants by the AAP dispensation, said according to a letter by DUTA.

“You would agree that this action of denial of salaries to the teaching and non-teaching staff of these colleges amounts to a violation of basic human rights. Your reasons, whatsoever they may be, do not warrant such an assault on the living conditions of the employees,” it said.

It further quoted, “The government must also immediately release funds for the additional posts that are to be created for the teaching and non-teaching staff in the wake of the EWS reservations. ”

With these delays affecting the teachers of the institution directly, the futility in their responses have apparently affected the students of the varsity as well.

The necessary increment in the number of students across all disciplines under EWS have resuscitated all the aforementioned colleges with additional funds for salaries and infrastructural development to add for the proper functioning of the colleges with regard to academic and administrative responsibilities, says the association. While, some of the new courses that are incepted after receiving the necessary approvals designated in the administration, most of them are devoid of funds and appointment of teachers required for continuation of these courses.

“They (DU) are not forming governing bodies. They are deliberately not doing it because they want to do wrong appointments. They should bring governing bodies and let those bodies decide. How can we give funds when they are not bringing governing bodies?” says Deputy CM Manish Sisodia in response to this issue.

Where the University claims to have formed a committee to look into the issue, it has further speculated the matter and has stated some names to the government concerning the issue.

Where the twelve colleges that are fully-funded by the Delhi government includes Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education & Sports Science, Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Shaheed Raj Guru College, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, Acharya Narendra Dev College, Bhagini Nivedita College, Keshav Maha Vidyalaya, Maharaja Agrasen College, Aditi Mahavidyalaya, Mahirishi Balmiki College of Education and Bhaskara Charya College of Applied Science

The sixteen partially-funded colleges are namely, Shivaji College, Motilal Nehru CollegeLaxmi Bai College, Shaheed Bhagat Singh College, Maitreyi College, SPM College for Women, Satyawati College, Vivekananda College, Rajdhani College, Kamala Nehru College, Gargi College, Swami Shardhanand College, Kalindi College, Bharti College, Sri Aurobindo College, and Delhi College of Arts and Commerce.

It is however paradoxical that in a recent tweet by the Delhi CM on the account of Teachers’ Day, he claims to be indebted to the teachers for their contribution in building the society, the DUTA probe sends his words otherwise.

Feature Image Credits: DU Beat Archives

Faizan Salik

[email protected]

 

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced his plan to incorporate the Deshbhakti Curriculum in schools from 2020.

On Wednesday, 14th August, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced the introduction of a “Deshbhakti Curriculum” in Delhi government schools, from next year. The main motive behind this decision is to induce patriotism among young students, and to make them feel proud and responsible for the country.

The announcement came during the launch event of “Constitution at 70” campaign where the Deputy CM and Education Minister Manish Sisodiya was also present. While addressing the crowd at the event, Kejriwal said that the aim of  ‘Deshbhakti Curriculum’ is to make every citizen proud of their country, aware of their duty and responsibility towards the nation, and instill a sense of passion to make sacrifices for the nation.

“When our children grow older and start working, and at any point if they accept a bribe, then they must feel from within that they are betraying ‘Bharat Mata’. When they jump a traffic light, they must feel they’ve wronged their country,” said Kejriwal during the event.

On Thursday , 15th August, he also quoted a tweet by Manish Sisodiya referring to the Curriculum in which he wrote, “We want that every child, after completing his education, becomes a good person, is capable of taking care of his family and becomes a true patriot.”

“Constitution at 70” campaign is a Delhi government initiative to make sure the future generations understand the values of Indian Constitution. It will encompass students studying in Class 6 to 11 and will continue till 26th November 2019, the date which marks 70th Year of inception of Indian Constitution. The three-month course will focus on the principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity, said Meghnad S., a constitution expert who also hosts the show Consti-tuition on Newslaundry.

The decision to induct a Deshbhakti curriculum came just two days before Independence day, and is being looked as a step to neutralise Aam Aadmi Party’s image in current political ecosystem marred by nationalism. The NCT of Delhi will tentatively have assembly elections next year as well.

Feature Image Credits: Twitter

Priyanshu

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The AAP-led Delhi Assembly session, which began on June 28th and has been extended till July 3rd, has unanimously passed a resolution for 85% reservation for city students in government-funded University of Delhi colleges, with all the MLAs committed to bringing this issue to the fore.

The Assembly has also adopted a resolution which seeks to amend the Delhi University Act (1992) which currently allows no other university in Delhi to give affiliation to colleges. Both the resolutions have been passed in light of the struggles endured by the 2 lakh plus students in the city in getting admission in higher education institutions.

Resolution for 85% reservation for Delhi students

On Thursday, the Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia lobbied for the students who had passed Class 12th from the capital and said they should be given a quota in 28 colleges which are fully and partially funded by the Delhi government. “Many of these students are struggling to get admission in higher education institutions. The money of taxpayers from Delhi is being used to fund these colleges. And it is our responsibility to safeguard the interest of Delhi students. We will meet the HRD minister, L-G and DU Vice-Chancellor to raise this demand,” he said, delineating on the drawback suffered by the city students.

In conversation with a popular national daily, advisor to Sisodia, Atishi Marlena, said, “Out of 63 DU colleges, the Delhi government funds 28 colleges, partially or fully. Around 2.5 lakh students pass out from Delhi schools every year and only 28,000 of them are able to secure a seat in DU colleges.”

The colleges which come under funding by the government are as follows:

Image Credits: University of Delhi
Image Credits: University of Delhi

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Sisodia emphasised on the efforts made to execute the reservation policy, informing that the government had written several letters to the Union HRD Minister which could not materialise, as the University is centrally funded by the University Grants Commission. Both the resolutions have now been passed by the Assembly as a consensual decision, and it has been clarified that the Delhi government does not endorse regionalism through this decision. “If this administration cannot give 85% reservation, it can at least give relaxation of 5-10% in the cut-off marks to Delhi students,” he added.

The decision will tacitly impact thousands of outstation candidates who aspire to enrol in the University every year. “Trying to ghettoise DU is another belligerent move by the Delhi government, which will not only affect the outstation students but the entire education system. DU is a central university, so it is almost impossible that it will ever turn into a reality. Moreover, a university like DU which has been the home of young and intellectual minds from all over the nation for more than 100 years must not select talent on the basis of domicile now. AAP must realise that the ability to accommodate so much diversity is the biggest strength of DU and that makes DU what it is today,” says Mandeep Singh, a second-year student at the University of Delhi. Probing the duality of the issue, the implementation will grant preference to students from the city, thus proving advantageous to them. Siddhi Jain, a third-year student at the University says, “The issue of reservation of local students in a central varsity is a contentious one, especially given how popular the University of Delhi is. As a Delhi student, I feel there should be a certain quota of reservation for domiciles of Delhi, even if it is not as high as 85%. In general, I strongly advocate betterment of universities, state or central, in all regions of India,  to (i) prevent so much competition due to flocking of all states’ students to DU, and (ii) give some relief in terms of different moderation policies of different boards.”

“The idea is appealing, but I don’t exactly support it. It is sort of undemocratic because every institution cannot be made exclusive like that. Moreover, DU is a renowned and sought after University. In this case, I feel Ambedkar University can be expanded,” says Sukanya Khar, a Delhi-domicile candidate studying in the varsity.

The response from the educationists has also been majorly sceptical, who have brought the underlining issues to the fore. Saikat Ghosh, a member of the Delhi University Teachers’ Association, believes that the resolution passed would negate the accessibility of the central University. He says, “The suggestion is preposterous. DU is a central University meant to be open to all students of the nation regardless of region or state domicile. The argument that 28 colleges of DU are funded by Delhi residents is also a fallacious half-truth. Not all Delhi tax-payers have Delhi state domicile. Additionally, most of the Delhi government’s revenue is through indirect taxes which non-Delhiites also contribute majorly to. The resolution passed in the Delhi Assembly is a ridiculous gimmick.”

Resolution for amending the Delhi University Act (1992)

The Section 5, Sub-section 2 of the Act has been proposed to be changed. It currently states:

“5. (2) Notwithstanding anything in any other law for the time being in force, no educational institution within the afore-mentioned limits shall be associated in any way with or be admitted to any privileges of any other University incorporated by law in India, and any such privileges granted by any such other University to any educational institution within those limits prior to the commencement of this Act shall be deemed to b withdrawn on the commencement of this Act:

Provided that the Central Government may order in writing, direct that the provisions of this sub-section shall now apply in the case of any institution specified in order.

Provided further that provisions of this sub-section shall not apply in the case of any educational institution affiliated to the Indraprastha Vishwavidyalaya incorporated under the Indraprastha Vishwavidyalaya Act, 1998.”

The House has voted to add a second provision to this Act, which shall read:

“Provided further that provisions of this sub-section shall not apply in the case of any educational institution affiliated to the State Universities in Delhi, which are presently existing or may be set-up in the future.”

By adopting this resolution, the government plans to increase the number of higher education institutions in Delhi in order to meet the requirement of the student populace. The road to this can be paved by amending the Delhi University Act (1992), which will grant more options to those pursuing higher education.

In the past, efforts have been made by Congress and top leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s Delhi unit to demand a certain preference for the city students. BJP MLA Manjinder Singh Sirsa is a strong advocate of this issue and expressed the urgency to address it. “This is an important issue and all MLAs should demand reservation for city students cutting across their political and ideological differences. The Delhi government can also set up a college which is only for Delhi students,” he said at the Assembly.

Currently this resolution has only been passed in the Delhi legislative assembly and has no explicit legal backing. It needs to be approved by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development and then passed as a law to be legally implemented.

 

Feature Image Credits: The Financial Express

Saumya Kalia
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