Asia Press Agency

Tag: anurag thakur

  • Tragic Death Sparks Tensions on Punjab-Haryana Border

    Tragic Death Sparks Tensions on Punjab-Haryana Border

    The resumption of protests on the Punjab-Haryana border took a tragic turn as a 21-year-old farmer, identified as Subhkaran Singh, succumbed to a head injury, reigniting tensions in the region. Opposition parties, notably the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Congress, have launched scathing criticisms against the Central government, accusing it of neglecting the demands of the farmers. Meanwhile, the BJP-ruled Haryana government extended the ban on mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts until February 23 in response to the ongoing protests. Despite the escalating tensions, Union Minister Anurag Thakur reiterated the government’s willingness to engage in discussions with the farmers, recognizing them as the nation’s ‘Annadatas’.

     

    Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher announced the suspension of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march for two days, indicating a temporary halt in the protest activities. The decision comes as farmer unions deliberate on the next course of action, with further updates expected by Friday evening.

     

    Farmer leaders condemned the alleged use of force by Central and Haryana security personnel against protesters at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders. Reports surfaced of security personnel entering the protest camp in Punjab territory and deploying tear gas shells, resulting in injuries to nearly 100 farmers.

     

    Last week, the farmers temporarily halted their protest and engaged in discussions near the Shambhu border. However, talks with government ministers failed to yield significant progress, prompting the farmers to resume their march on Wednesday.

     

    Central to the farmers’ demands is the enactment of legislation guaranteeing minimum prices for 23 crops, aimed at stabilizing their income. Additionally, they seek the fulfillment of promises made by the government, including loan waivers and withdrawal of legal cases stemming from previous protests.

     

    Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur reiterated the government’s commitment to doubling farmers’ income, citing measures such as doubling the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and increasing procurement. Thakur highlighted the significant investments made by the government in agricultural procurement over the past decade.

     

    The Haryana government extended the suspension of mobile internet and bulk SMS services in seven districts, including Ambala, Kurukshetra, and Hisar, until Friday, citing concerns over security and public safety.

     

    Clashes between protesting farmers and Haryana police at the Data Singh-Khanauri border resulted in injuries to at least 12 police personnel, according to reports from the Haryana administration.

     

    NCP founder Sharad Pawar criticized the government’s handling of farmer issues, highlighting the disparity between Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurances and the realities faced by farmers, including growing debt and suicides.

     

    Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered the formation of a committee to address the concerns of farmers protesting against local authorities in Gautam Buddh Nagar, emphasizing the government’s commitment to resolving grievances through dialogue and mediation.

     

    The developments surrounding the farmers’ protests underscore the deep-rooted challenges facing agricultural communities and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to address their grievances and ensure their well-being.

     

    As tensions persist and protests continue, the plight of farmers remains a pressing issue, demanding attention and concerted efforts from all stakeholders to achieve meaningful resolutions and address systemic concerns within the agricultural sector.

  • Concerns Over Monopolistic Control of Ad-Tech Giants

    Concerns Over Monopolistic Control of Ad-Tech Giants

    The monopolistic dominance of ad-tech giants like Google and Facebook has become a growing concern for governments worldwide, including India. During the Digital News Publishers Association of India (DNPA) Conclave and Awards 2024, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, expressed apprehension over the revenue-sharing model between digital news publishers and Big Tech, emphasizing that it heavily favors the latter and poses challenges for the government.

     

    Chandrasekhar acknowledged India’s remarkable transformation in the digital and tech space, highlighting the country’s evolution from being perceived as a hub for cost-effective back offices to becoming a significant partner in shaping the future. However, he raised concerns about the imbalance between content creators and platforms responsible for monetizing their content. In his view, a few major tech companies control the monetization gateways, creating asymmetries that need to be addressed through legislation or regulation.

     

    The minister referenced the pre-consultation draft of the Digital India Act as a step towards rectifying these imbalances. He emphasized the importance of ensuring fair revenue sharing between big tech companies and content creators, indicating that the government aims to legislate or regulate this aspect in the future. Chandrasekhar expressed optimism that addressing these concerns would be a priority for the government, particularly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assumed third term.

     

    Joining the discussion, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur echoed Chandrasekhar’s sentiments, emphasizing the government’s commitment to addressing digital advertising issues. Thakur highlighted the need to prevent revenue loss and combat challenges such as fake news, paid news, and clickbait content, which can undermine the credibility of the news media.

     

    S. Krishnan, Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY), delved into the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and underscored the necessity of updating laws to address new challenges. He emphasized the importance of categorizing internet intermediaries and implementing different regulatory regimes for them to ensure accountability and transparency in the digital ecosystem.

     

    The DNPA, representing India’s top 18 publishers from both print and electronic media, serves as a significant industry group advocating for the interests of digital news publishers. The discussions at the DNPA Conclave shed light on the pressing issues facing the digital news publishing landscape in India and the government’s efforts to address them through legislative and regulatory measures.

     

    In recent years, concerns about the dominance of tech giants in various sectors, including advertising and digital publishing, have garnered attention globally. These companies wield significant influence over online platforms and advertising revenue, raising questions about competition, data privacy, and the concentration of power. Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly scrutinizing their practices and exploring ways to promote fair competition and protect consumer interests.

     

    In India, where the digital ecosystem is rapidly evolving, policymakers are grappling with the complex challenges posed by the growing influence of Big Tech. By engaging in discussions with industry stakeholders and proposing legislative frameworks like the Digital India Act, the government aims to create a level playing field and foster a more equitable digital environment for content creators, publishers, and consumers alike.

  • Anurag Thakur Commends “HanuMan”: A Cinematic Ode

    Anurag Thakur Commends “HanuMan”: A Cinematic Ode

    Union Minister for Sports and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Anurag Thakur recently met with the team of the successful Telugu-language movie “HanuMan” and commended the film for its portrayal of Sanatan Dharma. Thakur took to the microblogging site X to express his appreciation for the movie, describing it as a “cinematic masterpiece” with captivating scenes depicting the essence of Sanatan Dharma. He specifically praised the use of CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) and VFX (Visual Effects) in the film, referring to them as the icing on the cake.

     

    In his post, Anurag Thakur wrote, “#HANUMAN the film is a cinematic masterpiece with captivating scenes depicting our sanatan dharm! The CGI and VFX in the movie were the icing on the cake. I commend the makers of the film; their hard work was clearly visible. Well done @PrasanthVarma, @tejasajja123, @Niran_Reddy and the whole team for making this fantastic movie!”

     

    Thakur’s emphasis on “our Sanatan Dharm” in the context of a Telugu movie like “HanuMan” is noteworthy, especially in light of the recent debate sparked by Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin. Stalin had called for the eradication of ‘Sanatana Dharma,’ stating that it was “against social justice and equality.” His remarks drew sharp criticism from the BJP, with comparisons made to Hitler’s views about Jews.

     

    “HanuMan,” directed by Prashanth Varma, is an Indian Telugu-language superhero film that has gained significant attention and success. Produced by Primeshow Entertainment, the film features actors like Teja Sajja, Amrita Iyer, Varalakshmi Sarathkumar, Raj Deepak Shetty, and Vinay Rai in lead roles. The story is set in the fictional village of Anjanadri and is considered the inaugural film of the Prasanth Varma Cinematic Universe (PVCU), with more projects planned for the future, including “Adhira.”

     

    The movie, released on January 12, 2024, has achieved considerable success at the box office, crossing the milestone of ₹100 crore in worldwide earnings. The announcement of the film’s success came from the makers on Tuesday. “HanuMan” is presented by RKD Studios, and PrimeShow Entertainment serves as the producer, with Venkat Kumar Jetty as the Line Producer and Kushal Reddy as the associate producer.

     

    Anurag Thakur’s positive remarks about “HanuMan” reflect the intersection of politics, culture, and entertainment. The appreciation from a prominent political figure adds to the film’s recognition and highlights the impact of cinema in showcasing cultural and spiritual themes to a broader audience. As discussions around the portrayal of Sanatan Dharma in various forms of media continue, “HanuMan” stands out as a cinematic creation that has resonated with audiences and garnered support from influential figures like Anurag Thakur.

  • BJP Celebrates PM Modi’s Success at G20 Summit

    BJP Celebrates PM Modi’s Success at G20 Summit

    The Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday gave Prime Minister Narendra Modi a rousing welcome to the party’s Delhi headquarters. The JP Nadda-led party passed a resolution congratulating him for the ‘success of G20 Summit’.

     

    The BJP parliamentary board passed the resolution hailing Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the “historic and unprecedented” success of the G20 Summit.

     

    “G20 Summit monumental chapter in India’s diplomacy, transformative moment in how India is perceived on the global stage,” the BJP resolution read.

     

    “India’s G20 presidency will always be celebrated as ‘People’s G20,’ a truly people-driven endeavor. G20 Summit brought the world together on a wide range of issues, be it economics, geopolitics, technology, and more,” it added.

     

    “We, BJP karyakartas, extend our deepest appreciation and warm congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for the successful G20 Summit held in New Delhi on 9-10th September 2023,” the resolution read.

     

    “As representatives of the people, we stand resolute in our belief that under PM Modi’s leadership, India will persistently chart a course marked by growth, cooperation, and global leadership, crafting a legacy that future generations will look upon with hope and positivity,” it said.

     

    Over 60 cities played host to 200 meetings, with a staggering participation of 1.5 crore people, ensuring that the voices of “our people reverberated in these pivotal discussions, infusing them with grassroots perspectives and aspirations,” it said.

     

    Union Cabinet passes resolution congratulating PM Modi
    The Union Cabinet passed a resolution congratulating and thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi on behalf of the entire country for making the G20 Summit a huge success, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said.

     

    Briefing media after a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Modi, Thakur said the resolution related to the G20 Summit was moved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and was passed unanimously.

     

    “The G20 Summit in Delhi was held successfully under the leadership of PM Modi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh moved a resolution congratulating the prime minister on behalf of the entire country for the success of the summit. The successful hosting of G20 Summit is a symbol of Prime Minister’s efficient leadership and strong will and it is being talked about in the entire world,” he said.

  • Sisodia accused in liquor scam but Kejriwal is kingpin, says Anurag Thakur

    Sisodia accused in liquor scam but Kejriwal is kingpin, says Anurag Thakur

    Union Minister Anurag Thakur hit back at Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and said the AAP minister might be the number one accused in the Excise policy scam but the kingpin is Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

     

    Anurag Thakur on Saturday took a dig at Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia stating that he might have changed his name to “Money Shh”, alleging that he is good at taking money and keeping quiet about it. Thakur was addressing a press conference a day after CBI conducted raids at Sisodia’s official residence in connection with alleged violations in the now withdrawn Delhi Excise Policy of the Aam Admi Party government.

     

    Anurag Thakur also slammed the AAP government over the liquor policy and said, “Ye revdi ki sarkaar bhi hai aur bevdi ki bhi, Today’s press conference clearly showed how the colour on his face was gone after his scam. He couldn’t even answer any questions”.

     


     

    “Manish Ji, if your liquor policy was right, why did you take it back? It’s like ‘chor ki daadhi mei tinka’. why is there a soft corner for liquor businessmen? I challenge Arvind Kejriwal to come in front of the nation and answer me within 24 hours,” Thakur said.

     

    Soon after Thakur’s Press conference, Sisodia held a conference and rejected all allegations of a scam in the Delhi excise policy, terming it the best excise policy in the country, and declared himself as Kattar Imaandar.