News18 Daybreak | PM Modi Blames Cong for Coining 'Hindu Terror' and Other Stories You Need to Watch Out For

What to Watch Out For

Election season come and fiery exchanges between rival parties become a commonplace phenomenon. The latest in the series is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dismissal of Congress over its use of the term–“Hindu terror”.

In his maiden election rally in Maharashtra for the upcoming polls, Modi slammed the party for “coining” the term ‘Hindu terror’.

“The Congress attempted to defame the crores of Indians by using the term ‘Hindu terror’,” he said. Modi’s tirade is the latest in the political slugfest triggered by the acquittal of the Samjhauta train blast accused Swami Aseemanand.

The terror tag: Alluding to the acquittals in the blast case granted last month, Modi in a rally in Wardha in Vidarbha region said that Congress’ conspiracy had been exposed.

“How can the Congress be forgiven for insulting the Hindus in front of the world? Weren’t you hurt when you heard the word ‘Hindu terror’?’ he said.

This isn’t the first time that the BJP has pulled up the Congress for using the term. Earlier, BJP president Amit Shah had hit out at Congress for using the term in connection with the Samjhauta blast case.

"Rahul (Gandhi) Baba's party attempted to link the Hindu community with terrorism. It was a bid to defame Hindus everywhere," Shah had said.

The retort: The Congress, however, hit back at PM Modi and accused him of lying. Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said that the term had actually been defined by senior BJP leader RK Singh during his tenure as the Union Home Secretary.

 “Terrorism does not have any religion or caste and it needs to be fought,” Tewari said.

In the line of Fire: The prime minister also kicked up another row as he demanded an explanation from Congress over Omar Abdullah's 'Kashmir PM' remark, the National Conference (NC) vice-president on Monday during a rally address in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district. “The Congress and the NCP can stoop to the lowest level for the sake of vote-bank politics,” Modi said during his rally speech in Hyderabad.

Adbullah fought fire with fire and in a sardonic tweet said, “"I'm humbled by the attention PM Modi pays to my speeches & very grateful to the social media cell of the BJP for highlighting my speech today, especially by WhatsApp'ing it to journalists. Your reach is far greater than mine.”

What You May Have Missed

NASA calls India’s satellite destruction ‘terrible thing’, says space debris endangered ISS Astronauts

The head of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Monday branded India's destruction of one of its satellites a "terrible thing" that had created 400 pieces of orbital debris and led to new dangers for astronauts aboard the International Space Station. “That is a terrible, terrible thing to create an event that sends debris at an apogee that goes above the International Space Station," Jim Bridenstine said, adding: "That kind of activity is not compatible with the future of human spaceflight." Bridenstine was addressing NASA employees five days after India shot down a low-orbiting satellite in a missile test, known as Mission Shakti, to prove it was among the world's advanced space powers.

Hizbul Militant who targeted CRPF convoy in Banihal confesses he was asked over phone to press button

The suspected suicide bomber, who was arrested on Monday for trying to target a CRPF convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway two days ago, has said that he was asked over phone to explode the paramilitary vehicle. Owais Amin Rather was arrested by a joint search party of police and the Army after a Santro exploded near Banihal slightly damaging a CRPF vehicle. "I was asked on phone to explode the convoy. My task was to drive the car and press the switch. I pressed the button while I was in the car. I was alone when I did it," he was quoted as saying by ANI. The purported attack comes right on the heels of the Pulwama terror attack in which a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber claimed the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.

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Tej Pratap Yadav launches his own outfit ‘Lalu Rabri Morcha’, it may fight on 20 seats in Bihar

The feud in Lalu Prasad’s family has boiled over again with elder son Tej Pratap Yadav on Monday saying he would launch his own political outfit ‘Lalu Rabri Morcha’. According to sources, the new outfit may contest the Lok Sabha election on 20 seats in Bihar. Tej Pratap, who had last week resigned as the mentor of the RJD’s youth wing, confirmed that his decision was prompted by strain in ties with younger brother and RJD chief Tejashwi Yadav. ‘I will float the Lalu Rabri Morcha,” he told reporters in Patna on Monday. Attacking Tejashwi, Tej Pratap said his brother was surrounded by sycophants that had turned his brother against him.

No official pages taken down, says Congress after Facebook removed nearly 700 pages linked to party

 Facebook has removed 712 accounts and 390 pages in India and Pakistan because of "inauthentic behaviour" and spamming, it said on Monday, much of it linked to the Congress party days before elections and Pakistan's military.

Facebook has faced increasing pressure from authorities around the world to ensure its platform is not abused for political gains or to spread misinformation, especially ahead of elections.

Among the most significant removals, Facebook said it took down 549 accounts and 138 pages linked to the Congress for "coordinated inauthentic behaviour".

Facebook said it also banned some accounts linked to an Indian company "associated with" a mobile app promoted by the BJP.

Nitish Kumar asks BJP to clarify on Shahnawaz Hussain’s ticket rant

In an interview with Network18 Editor-in-Chief Rahul Joshi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar hit out at ally BJP spokesperson Shahwaz Hussain’s over his comments claiming that he was denied a ticket at the CM’s behest. Hussain on March 23 had tweeted saying that he will not be contesting the elections from Bhagalpur as Kumar’s party, the Janata Dal(United) had claimed his seat as a party of their seat share agreement in the state. Kumar in the interview, however, retorted saying that “I got him the seat from Bhagalpur and he won with JD(U) support the first time. His statement is highly irresponsible. Not only should he retract it, I strongly urge the BJP to issue a clarification.”

Kumar also commented on speculations of an internal rift between the party and Prashant Kishor, which arose after the latter opted out of the Lok Sabha race. Kumar however downplayed the rumours. “Prashant Kishor is still in the party and a campaigner for us. He and I share good relations. I trust him a lot. His being no. 2 or no. 3 is a matter of analysis but if he has any illusions it’s a different matter,” he said.

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