Thursday, July 20, 2023

Twitter's fault.

"A video showing two women being paraded naked by a mob in the northeastern state of Manipur, hit by violent ethnic clashes, has sparked outrage in India." BBC. "Deadly violence has plunged Manipur, a scenic Indian state bordering Myanmar, into turmoil for more than two months." BBC on 12 July 2023. "They were sparked by an affirmative action controversy which saw Kukis protest against a demand seeking tribal status for the Meities. The violence has left more than 130 people dead, and nearly 60,000 have become refugees in their own land." During these months of violence, while people were dying, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was visiting the US. "The White House is pulling out all stops to welcome Mr Modi - it's a state visit, the highest level of diplomatic protocol the US accords to visiting leaders." BBC. He was smiling happily with President Joe Biden. In his speech to the joint houses of the US Congress he said, "Throughout history, one thing has been clear, democracy is the spirit that supports equality and dignity." ET. What dignity for 60,000 refugees? "Today in modern India, women are leading us to a better future." What better future for the women wrestlers who have been sexually assaulted and molested by BJP MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh? Not a word from Mr Modi. Instead the wrestlers were beaten up by Delhi Police and have been banned from protesting. Singh is out on bail within two days. HT. After the US, Mr Modi visited Egypt where he was conferred Egypt's highest honor and visited the Great Pyramid at Giza. India Today. Manipur was still burning. Then Mr Modi visited France. "Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was treated to one of France's most spectacular accolades on Friday (14 July) as guest of honor at the Bastille Day military parade." Reuters. On the way back from France, Mr Modi visited the UAE. "Amid those shares, a video showing Burj Khalifa has gone viral. The clip shows the world's tallest building lighting up with the Indian tricolor to mark the visit of PM Modi." HT. Instead, so as not to spoil Mr Modi's mood during his foreign travels, "Internet services across all platforms have been banned in the state (Manipur) since May 3." TOI. The two women were paraded naked on 4 May after circulation of fake news about a rape, which had actually happened in Delhi. "One of the women, aged 21 was gang-raped. When her brother, a 19-year old attempted to intervene, he was killed." India Today. So, what did Mr Modi say in Parliament about the video? He is filled with pain and anger. Against whom? Enraged by the failure to cover up Manipur violence the government will punish Twitter. NDTV. "The incident might be from Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh or Manipur, the culprit must not go scot-free in any corner of the country," he said. Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh are ruled by the Congress and Manipur by the BJP. Rape, murder, refugees, he is thinking of general election in May next year (wikipedia). Pain and anger. Not for the raped. Or the dead.       

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