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Support builds up for Sushma, I&B Minister says ‘ignore trolls’
New Delhi, July 3 (IANS) Union Minister Rajnath Singh’s bold decision to back his Cabinet colleague Sushma Swaraj, who was battling trolls alone with help from the opposition but none from own party, on Tuesday drew more support from NDA leaders.
Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, however, made clear that “ignoring the trolls” is better than a “draconian law” that restricts freedom of speech.
“The trolling going on against Sushma Swaraj is very unfortunate. She was not even in the country when this decision was taken and has nothing to do with it. Besides, there is nothing wrong in the decision,” Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari told reporters.
Swaraj was viciously trolled for pulling up a passport officer accused of harassing an inter-faith couple in Lucknow during application process.
“The way it is going on is very unfortunate. The country is not liking the way Sushma is being trolled. People should take the responsibility to not troll like this on social media,” said Gadkari a day after Home Minister Rajnath Singh condemned the abusive trolling against Swaraj.
Singh had on Monday said it is “absolutely wrong” to troll Swaraj. He became the first Minister in the Narendra Modi government to speak against the right-wing trolls who had launched a massive campaign against External Affairs Minister Swaraj in the past few days.
Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) President and Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan, too, came forward in support. “I strongly condemn the shameful trolling campaign against Sushma Swaraj. She is a very senior parliamentarian and we must respect each other,” he tweeted.
However, I&B Minister Rathore had a piece of advice for Swaraj.
“Everyone needs to self-regulate themselves and also if somebody is mocking you, has a difference of opinion, I think one of the best ways is to ignore that person rather then come up with a draconian law which restricts freedom of speech,” Rathore said.
He said the law may restrict the miniscule number of people who are into trolling and mocking but it would affect a larger population who would like to use social media for their freedom of expression.
“As it grows, I think people will be more aware of what language to be used. If we bring down the position of any constitutional authority then we are weakening our constitutional institutions ourselves. We are not into restricting whatever freedom is there on social media,” he said.
On Saturday, Swaraj had initiated a Twitter poll asking her 11.8 million followers if they approve of such trolling. Some 124,305 Twitter users took part in the poll that was online for 24 hours. About 57 per cent respondents backed her but a shocking 43 per cent supported her trolls.
After the poll, Swaraj tweeted on Sunday: “In a democracy difference of opinion is but natural. Pls do criticise but not in foul language. Criticism in decent language is always more effective.” Her husband, in an emotional response to a troll, said it had caused “unbearable pain”.
The Congress was quick to respond to her statement, saying: “No matter what the situation or reason, nothing calls for threats of violence, disrespect and abuse. Sushma Swaraj ji, we applaud your decision to call out the heinous trolls of your own party.”
–IANS
mgu/nir
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.
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