Guwahati:

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday said the state’s flood situation was ”under control” but everything depends on the weather conditions during the next few days. The affected people are being provided relief and plans are being drawn up for their rehabilitation along with the repair of damaged infrastructure, he said.

”The situation is under control but everything depends on the weather. If there is no further rain in Arunachal Pradesh and South Tibets, the situation will improve, but it might worsen if there is more rainfall”, Mr Sarma told reporters after reviewing the flood situation in the severely affected river island district Majuli.

The situation is manageable now but if it starts raining again, water from the Brahmaputra river and its tributaries will re-enter the affected villages since the embankments that were breached are still open, the Chief Minister said. ”As of now, I am hoping the weather will improve and the situation will be better with no more rainfall in Arunachal Pradesh and Upper Assam,” he said.

An update on #AssamFloods

Situation is under control, and if there are no further rains in Arunachal and South Tibet, things will improve

Be it funds or the support of NDRF & Armed Forces, Govt of India is standing completely with the people of Assam pic.twitter.com/koSqPcFYYO

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) July 4, 2024

The central leadership is ”all along with us and an active partner in handling the situation in the state”, Mr Sarma said. ”Be it funds or the support of NDRF and armed forces, the Government of India is standing completely with the people of Assam”, he added.

Mr Sarma said that many people are facing hardships due to floods and he interacted with many families to assure them that they will be provided with timely relief as per the norms. ”Those who have lost their homes will be provided with houses and those who have suffered any other kind of loss will also be compensated,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister visited various areas of Guwahati city which have been inundated due to rising waters of the Brahmaputra.
He directed the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) to take measures to drain out water accumulated there.

He said that appropriate steps will be taken to solve the flood problem in these areas. He directed the Water Resources Department and the GMDA to address the issues that cause flooding in the area, including the construction of sluice gates. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Guwahati:

Assam’s flood situation has turned critical following heavy rainfall in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters in Guwahati on Monday.

“Since last evening, the flood situation has turned critical in Upper Assam. The Brahmaputra and all its tributaries are flowing above the danger level,” Mr Sarma said.

Even in Kaziranga National Park, 95 out of a total 233 forest check posts are submerged. The animals have started moving from the reserve forest to nearby hills.

The Brahmaputra and all its tributaries are flowing above the danger level. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rainfall for the next two to three days, Mr Sarma said.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah called me and assured of all help to deal with the situation,” the Chief Minister said.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the army will be on standby to deal with any emergency, he said.

All ministers, MLAs and officials have been asked to closely monitor the situation, he added.

Officials said 2.7 lakh people in 14 districts, including Brahmaputra and Barak Valleys, have been affected by the floods.

Guwahati:

Assam’s flood situation has turned critical following heavy rainfall in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Monday.

The Brahmaputra and all its tributaries are flowing above the danger level, Mr Sarma said at a press conference here.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy rainfall for the next two to three days, he said.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah called me and assured of all help to deal with the situation,” the Assam CM said.

The NDRF and Army will be on standby to deal with any emergency, he said.

“All ministers, MLAs and officials have been asked to closely monitor the situation,” he added.

Altogether 2,70,628 people in 14 districts, including Brahmaputra and Barak valleys, are reeling under the deluge, officials said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has responded to BJP jibes about his trembling hands and close aide VK Pandian’s efforts to hide it from public view, with his trademark calmness.

“I believe the BJP, which is known to make non-issues into issues, are discussing my hands. This will certainly not work,” said the 77-year-old, who, amid simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha elections in the state, has been increasingly targetted by the BJP over his health.

Earlier today, Mr Pandian was caught on camera trying to hide Mr Patnaik’s trembling hands while he was delivering a speech.

The first off the block was Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who hinted that it an effort by Mr Pandian to capture power in the state.

Mr Sarma posted the video on X, formerly Twitter, with a lengthy caption.

“This is a deeply distressing video. Shri VK Pandian ji is even controlling the hand movements of Shri Naveen Babu. I shudder to imagine the level of control a retired ex bureaucrat from Tamil Nadu is currently exercising over the future of Odisha! BJP is determined is give back the reins of Odisha to the people of the State,” the caption read.

This is a deeply distressing video. Shri VK Pandian ji is even controlling the hand movements of Shri Naveen Babu. I shudder to imagine the level of control a retired ex bureaucrat from Tamil Nadu is currently exercising over the future of Odisha!

BJP is determined is give back… pic.twitter.com/6PEAt7F9iM

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) May 28, 2024

Last week, Union home minister and the BJP’s chief strategist Amit Shah had put the spotlight on the health of the five-time Chief Minister.

Mr Patnaik, he said, should retire due to his “advanced age and health issues”. The BJP, he added, would replace him with a younger son of the soil if voted to power.

Mr Patnaik’s response was acerbic. “There is a limit to the lies the BJP can tell. As you can see, I am in very good health, and I have been campaigning for around a month all over the state,” he told news agency ANI.

That Mr Pandian is a bugbear for the BJP was evident by Mr Shah’s attack on him. Hitting out at the bureaucrat-turned-politician without naming him, Mr Shah said a “Tamil babu” is ruling the roost in Odisha and people will vote for the BJP to free the state from “babu raj”.

Recently, Mr Pandian had listed nine “self goals” of the BJP, which he claimed would ensure that the state stays in the hands of the ruling Biju Janata Dal.

Bokaro, Jharkhand:

Underscoring the BJPs pledge to push for resolution of the Gyanvapi and the Krishna Janmabhoomi cases, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said if his party fulfils its campaign pitch of ‘ab ki baar, 400 paar’ (400-plus seats) in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, it will construct temples at the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura and the mosque in Varanasi.

Addressing a public meeting in Jharkhand’s Bokaro in favour of BJP candidate Dhullo Mahto on Wednesday, the Assam CM listed the accomplishments of the party when it won 300-plus seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

“After securing 300 seats (in 2019), Prime Minister Narendra Modi ensured that the Ram Mandir came up in Ayodhya, winning the hearts of Hindus. We freed Ram Lalla from the makeshift tent and helped him return to take his throne. We organised a grand ‘Pran Pratishtha’ of Ram Lalla in Ayodhya. When you gave us 300 seats, PM Modi abrogated Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, in a move aimed at restoration of peace in the erstwhile state. He also used the mandate to provide permanent Indian residency or citizenship to minority Hindus (from Muslim-majority Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh through the CAA),” Mr Sarma said.

Urging people to vote the BJP-led NDA back to power at the Centre on June 4, the Assam CM said, “Give 400 seats to Modi-ji, we will raise temples at the birthplace of Lord Krishna in Mathura and the Gyanvapi mosque in Kashi (Varanasi).”

“Our work is still incomplete. Still today, at Krishna Janambhoomi, there is a Shahi Eidgah. In place of a Gyanvapi Mandir, there is a Gyanvapi Masjid. Modi-ji ko 400 seat dijiye, hame Krishna ka janabhoomi bhi banana hai aur Gyanvapi Mandir bhi banana hai (give 400 seats to PM Modi as we have to accomplish our unfinished tasks of building temples at Krishna Janmabhoomi and at the Gyanvapi mosque.”

Invoking Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Assam CM said, “There are two parts of Kashmir, one that is with Pakistan and the other one that is with India. Give Modi-ji 400 seats and see how we bring Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir back to India. He will also make India a ‘Vishwaguru’ and the world’s best economy.”
Taking a jibe at the Congress, JMM, and INDIA bloc, Mr Sarma claimed that the Opposition doesn’t have any problem with Prime Minister Narendra Modi returning to office for a third term but they cannot see the NDA winning 400 seats. “The Congress, JMM, and INDIA bloc ask us why PM Modi wants 400 seats. They don’t have any problem if we get 300 seats, and they don’t have any problem if Narendra Modi becomes PM again. Their problem is why Modi-ji wants 400 seats. All they want is to ensure that PM Modi doesn’t get 400 seats.”

Mr Sarma also took a dig at the JMM, claiming that the Opposition-ruled Jharkhand was in a mess. “The JMM leaders, while holding rallies and addressing the people, seldom chant ‘Jai Shree Ram’.
They say ‘Assalam Walekum.’ In India, you cannot practise the politics of insulting the Hindus,” Mr Sarma said.

The Assam CM also spoke at length about the benefits the people of Jharkhand received derived under PM Modi, saying, “Modi-ji has always worked for the upliftment of the poor in Jharkhand. After becoming PM, he constructed 16 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana, he provided free health treatment to 1 crore people through the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat, gave domestic cylinders to 37 lakh women under Ujjwala and tap water connections to 21 lakh families. And, mind you, all this work was done despite there being a single-engine government in the state. Once a double-engine government is formed here, the work will be doubled and tripled and our Jharkhand will also become a developed state.”

Speaking to reporters after addressing the rally, the Assam CM took a swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying, “I want to ask Rahul Gandhi: how many backward, tribal and Dalit people were made industrialists by Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi? Narendra Modi made an Adivasi the country’s President.”

“I wish to tell Rahul Gandhi: just saying that he is not against the Hindus won’t work. He will have to become a Hindu lover as India is a Hindu civilisation… For 5000 years, the Hindus have nurtured and built India,” he added.

Mr Sarma targeted Congress for not obeying the Constitution, saying, “What is the need to change the Constitution? The Congress never followed what BR Ambedkar wrote in our Constitution. Once we come back with 400 seats, PM Modi will ensure full compliance with what is enshrined in the Constitution.”

Claiming that inflation was lowest in BJP-ruled states, he added, “In BJP-ruled states, the cost of petrol-diesel is the lowest. Today, in BJP-ruled states, inflation is the lowest. We also have the maximum number of welfare schemes. Our mothers get Rs 1200 monthly, and the government employees get 50 per cent DA.”

Notably, the JMM is part of the INDIA bloc and is contesting elections in alliance with the Congress in Jharkhand and Odisha. Bokaro will go to the polls in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 25.

In 2019, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 12 seats in Jharkhand, with the former alone winning 11. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress got one seat each.

The general elections are being held in seven phases and the counting is scheduled for June 4.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

A photo of Rahul Gandhi, an Indian politician and leader of the Congress party, holding a book with a red cover is going viral on social media. The accompanying claim suggests that Gandhi is holding a copy of the ‘original Chinese constitution,’ which is said to have a ‘red cover,’ in contrast to the ‘original Indian constitution,’ which supposedly has a ‘blue cover.’

The claim was first posted (archived here) by BJP leader and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on May 17. Taking to X, he stated, ‘The original copy of the Constitution of India has a blue cover. The original Chinese constitution has a red cover. Is Rahul carrying a Chinese Constitution? We need to verify.’ 

Sarma seemed to further justify his statement when he posted (archived here) again on X on May 18, saying, “Rahul is displaying a red Chinese constitution to the people attending his meetings. Our constitution, which is blue, includes a chapter called the Directive Principles of State Policy. This chapter makes it a sacred duty to enact a Uniform Civil Code in our country. Rahul is now opposing this. That’s why I am sure that the constitution in his hand must be a Chinese one.”

Sarma’s first post included two distinct images: one of the Chinese constitution with a red cover and another of the Indian constitution with a blue cover. Other social media users subsequently picked up and reshared this post. Archived versions of such posts can be viewed here, here, here, and here.

Screenshot of the viral social media posts. (Source: X/Modified by Logically Facts)

What are the facts?

The exact image of Gandhi with the red-covered book was found on the Press Trust of India (PTI) website (archive link) with the caption, “Congress leader Rahul Gandhi addresses during a public meeting for Lok Sabha polls, in Gadwal, Telangana, Sunday, May 5, 2024. (PTI Photo).”

Rahul Gandhi’s image on the PTI Photos website. (Source: PTI Photos/Modified by Logically Facts)

Drawing from this, we were able to access a video from the same event in Gadwal, where Gandhi delivered his speech. He posted a livestream on YouTube (archived here) titled “Lok Sabha 2024 Campaign | Public Meeting | Gadwal, Telangana,” on May 5, 2024. At the 29:17 mark, the cover of the book he was holding, clearly marked with the words “The Constitution of India,” is visible.

While holding the book, Gandhi stated in Hindi, “…if the poor, OBCs, Dalits, and tribes in the country have gained anything, it is because of this book, our constitution. If you have employment, daily wages, public sectors, and reservations, it’s all because of this book. Before its existence, India had no rights for you all. This book protects the rights of all sections of people: the OBC, minorities, tribes, and general castes. And the BJP wants to tear this book. This book is the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi, B.R. Ambedkar, and Jawaharlal Nehru…” The reference here clearly refers to the Constitution of India.

The Telangana Youth Congress also posted (archived version) a similar photo of Gandhi holding the red-covered copy of the Indian constitution on April 29, 2024.

Constitution of India with a red cover

In our search for a red-covered Indian constitution book, we found a specific edition by Gopal Sankaranarayanan titled ‘Constitution of India (Coat Pocket Edition),’ published by Eastern Book Company (EBC). This book is available on the EBC Webstore, an online law bookstore, and the Amazon online shopping platform. We observed that this EBC edition matches the copy Gandhi was holding in the viral image.

Other leaders with the red cover copy

This isn’t the first time a politician has been seen holding this copy. Previously, Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and former President of India Ram Nath Kovind were seen with a copy of the book.

On October 23, 2023, the online legal research database SCC Online (archive link) (published by EBC) posted an image of Shah receiving a copy and wrote, “EBC Directors, Mr. Sumain Malik, and Mr. Sumeet Malik, present a copy of the Coat Pocket Constitution to Mr. Amit Shah, Minister of Home Affairs of India.”

Similarly, The Statesman published a report on July 26, 2017, featuring a photo of Modi presenting a similar copy of the constitution to the then-president Ram Nath Kovind.

On July 15, 2021, Draupadi Murmu (archive link), President of India, posted an image showing Kovind receiving a copy from Shri Mangubhai Chhaganbhai Patel, Governor of Madhya Pradesh.

Blue cover version of Indian constitution

A Times of India report from January 30, 2024, titled “How they made sure India’s Constitution lasts for ages,” included the image now used in viral posts to depict the ‘original blue-covered Constitution.’ According to the report, the original handwritten copies of the Constitution of India are preserved inside the Parliament Library in display cases.

Constitution controversy

Gandhi initially asked all party candidates to carry a copy of the constitution during nominations and public meetings, and he started doing the same himself. BJP president JP Nadda even accused Gandhi of only carrying a copy of the constitution but not reading it.

On May 17, 2024, Gandhi brought up this issue at a rally with Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav. Here, Gandhi criticized Modi for allegedly attempting to undermine citizens’ constitutional values and rights. This was followed by Sarma questioning whether Gandhi was carrying a ‘red-covered Chinese constitution.’

The verdict

In the viral image, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is seen holding a coat pocket version of the Constitution of India by Gopal Sankaranarayanan (published by EBC). Therefore, the claim that Gandhi was carrying a copy of the Chinese constitution is false.

(This story was originally published by Logically Facts, and republished by NDTV as part of the Shakti Collective.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Puri (Odisha):

The allegations and counter allegations between the Aam Aadmi Party and its Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal over the alleged assault, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the people have enough political intelligence to see black and white clearly.

“Arvind Kejriwal contested the Goa and Punjab elections with the money earned from the liquor scam. This is out in the open now. A day before yesterday, Sanjay Singh said that Swati Maliwal was assaulted. Now, whom are we supposed to listen to, Sanjay Singh or Atishi? First, Arvind Kejriwal should clarify who is speaking on his behalf. The people have enough political intelligence to see black and white clearly,” he said.

Personal aide of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Bibhav Kumar, was arrested on Saturday in connection with the alleged assault case of Swati Maliwal.

Bibhav Kumar emailed Delhi Police stating that he was ready to cooperate in the ongoing probe into Maliwal’s assault claim while adding that they should also take cognizance of his complaint.

Bibhav lodged a counter-complaint with the police, accusing Maliwal of gaining ‘unauthorized entry’ into the CM’s Civil Lines residence and ‘verbally abusing’ him.

Meanwhile, the details of Ms Maliwal’s medico-legal case report surfaced on Saturday, mentioning bruises over her left leg and her right cheek.

The report was filed after Ms Maliwal underwent a detailed medical examination on the night of May 16. The examination was carried out at the Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre at AIIMS, Delhi.

Earlier, the Delhi Police filed an FIR on Maliwal’s complaint against the CM’s former aide, alleging that he ‘slapped’ her “atleast seven to eight times” while she “continued screaming” and “brutally dragged” her while “kicking” her in her “chest, stomach and pelvis area.”

On Saturday the AAP posted a set of videos on its X account saying “This video exposes the truth behind Swati Maliwal’s allegations.” The voice-over in the video released by the AAP accuses Maliwal of staging a drama.

The voiceover on the video says “Swati Maliwal can be seen being taken out by the security staff of CM’s residence and neither she is limping nor any head injuries can be seen. Her clothes are also not torn which she claimed in her complaint. In the second video, which is of four days after the incident she can be seen staging a drama and she even started limping after the FIR got registered. A wheelchair is also brought for her. What kind of a game is this?”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Guwahati:

Assam MLA Mrinal Saikia has urged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to ask his cabinet colleague, Jayanta Mallabaruah, to keep his mouth shut as “his style of talking” is damaging the party’s chances in the Lok Sabha polls, bringing to fore the rift fight between the old guard within the BJP and those who switched from the Congress.

The election for 14 Lok Sabha seats in Assam was conducted in 3 phases. The first phase of polling was held on April 19, followed by April 26, and May 7. The votes will be counted on June 4.

“Respected HCM @himantabisw sir, pl tell @jayanta_malla to keep his mouth shut about party affairs. He should realise by now that his style of talking has already spoiled thousands of @bjp4assam votes in this #election2024,” Mr Saikia, Khumtai MLA, posted on X.

MLA Saikia made the statement in the context of Mr Mallabaruah’s – who crossed over from the Congress in 2015 – remarks against some BJP old guards.

“While there are people who have been at the party for the last 50 years, however, they hardly gave time to the party. Therefore, your contribution to the party will determine the amount of dedication and commitment you have for the party,” Mr Mallabaruah had earlier told the press.

Adding to the debate, Rajen Gohain, former Union Minister of State for Railways and former MP of Nagaon, said that there is resentment and it will hurt party’s chances in the polls.

“Party workers are being neglected and this will hurt the party in this election across the country. In the party there is resentment,” Mr Gohain told the press.

“No one becomes leader sans party worker and workers should not be ignored. It is the workers who get us introduced to the people. Old party workers if ignored have its consequences. I wish the party well; however, if there is damage it will only be because of the leaders who are ignoring the old workers in the party. Because of these people’s mistakes, BJP’s position will be bad one day,” he added.

Intervening in the row, Chief Minister Himanta Sarma said the party is strong enough to take action against any leader.

“On the voting day, speaking against the party and giving certificates as old and new time is unnecessary. Our state party president will forward the comments to the national president, and he will take appropriate action. It will be decided if such a comment from a person who can speak against Prime minister Narendra Modi on voting is acceptable. How the party will decide, and I believe our party is so strong to take decisions against any person,” said Mr Sarma.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma spoke of a fresh to-do list if the NDA gets 400 seats in the ongoing general election. Countering the Opposition allegations of a change in Constitution, Mr Sarma said today that the focus would be on making Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir a part of India. His list also has two building projects — temples at Krishna Janambhoomi in Mathura and in Varanasi’s Gyanvapi. “You think Hindus would be satisfied with Ram Janmabhoomi alone,” he questioned.

As for Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, Mr Sarma, speaking at a rally in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh, said it was a natural progression of the party’s plans.

“When we crossed 300 (seats) we scrapped Article 370, built the Ayodhya temple. Once we cross 400, we will ensure that Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir merges with India,” he said.

“The real game will start after crossing 400. For the last few days, slogans of freedom are being raised in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Crossing 400 means return of PoK to India,” he added.   

“Agitation is taking place every day in PoK and people are protesting against Pakistan, holding the Indian flag,” he added.

Mr Sarma said during Congress rule, no discussion was held in Parliament regarding Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

“When the Congress government was in power, we were told that one Kashmir is in India and the other in Pakistan. It was never discussed in our Parliament that Pakistan has ‘Occupied Kashmir,’ it is actually ours,” he added.

The issue of protests in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir was highlighted by foreign minister S Jaishankar also.

People in PoK must be comparing their situation with those living in Jammu and Kashmir, in view of the progress there, he had said yesterday. The BJP has ascribed the high turnout in the election for the Srinagar Lok Sabha seat to the scrapping of Article 370.

From 14 per cent polling in 2019, the figure this time rose to 38 per cent, the highest since 1989.

During the election season, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma has been sharing posts highlighting the developmental achievements of the BJP government on social media.

On April 25, he took his X handle to share a 27-second video supposedly to show the contrasting visuals of development during the BJP rule and poor infrastructure from his predecessor’s time. The viral clip in the initial few seconds shows cars on potholes-ridden roads. The caption of this part of the video reads, “Assam roads then”. The other portion of the video clip shows swanky roads, highways and bridges with the caption ” Assam roads now”. Posting the video, the Chief Minister wrote, “Assam’s roads – Before and after Modi Government”.

Assam’s roads – Before and after Modi Government pic.twitter.com/baIwad7Vxc

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) April 25, 2024

Fact Check

At first, we found that in the reply section of Himanta Biswa Sharma’s post, some users have claimed that the road shown in the viral video is not from the pre-BJP era.

Following these suspicions, Newschecker tried to search for the date of the registration of those cars seen in the first part of the video. After investigation, it was found that some portions of Himanta Biswa Sarma’s viral video were altered, resulting in a mirrored reflection of the car number plates.

The first vehicle under investigation, an orange car, bore the licence plate number ‘AS01DT6808’. The registration date of the car seen in the video is August 2, 2018.

The licence plate numbers of the second and the third cars are ‘AS01JC4711’ and “AS01EP3464”. Registration dates are respectively February 14, 2018 and December 1, 2020.

At the five-second mark of the video, a Hyundai Grand i10 Nios car is clearly visible. Notably, this model was initially introduced in the Indian market in 2019.

The BJP got its first government in Assam headed by Sarbananda Sonowal in 2016.

Conclusion

The portion of the viral video that shows poor road conditions is from the BJP regime in Assam.

Result: Partly False

(This story was originally published by Newschecker, and republished by NDTV as part of the Shakti Collective.)