- 2 days ago
On 'To The Point', the focus is on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's announcement of 35% reservation for women in government jobs, aimed at empowering women and reshaping Bihar's workforce. This policy applies to all government positions at every level and department, but only for original residents of the state. The decision comes months before the Bihar Assembly elections, with women constituting nearly half of Bihar's 7.64 crore voters. In the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, women outvoted men with a 59.4% turnout compared to 53% among men. The government has also approved the formation of a Bihar Youth Commission to address unemployment concerns. The announcement has sparked debate on whether it's a genuine push for empowerment or a well-timed political strategy, especially given that a similar 35% reservation policy has been in place since 2015. Additionally, the transcript covers a controversy between the Indian government and social media platform X (formerly Twitter) over the blocking of Reuters and over 2000 handles. X claims the government ordered blocking without justification, while the government denies issuing any fresh blocking orders, raising concerns about press freedom and censorship. The upcoming Kaavad Yatra is also discussed, with reports of shops and dhabas along the route being made to display 'I am Hindu' posters, sparking a debate on religious profiling and discrimination. The discussion touches on broader issues of religious identity, caste census, and economic discrimination, with opposing views from BJP and Samajwadi Party spokespersons.
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NewsTranscript
00:00What do you think you're watching To The Point? I'm Preeti Chaudhary. Let me quickly take you through the headlines.
00:08Limited trade deal between India and US likely to be announced tonight. Sources say agri-dairy products not to be part of the deal.
00:20Chief Minister, Nathisha's big Mahila outreach before polls. 35% quota in jobs for women from Bihar.
00:27Women quota applies to all government jobs in Bihar.
00:37Showdown over traders in M&S in Maharashtra's Thane.
00:40Sena Neta joined protest alongside M&S party workers detained in protest.
00:57Mumbai VVIP brat admits to drunk driving. M&S Neta's son admits consuming alcohol before joyride. Regrets, verbal abuse, drunken rage.
01:12Fragic accidents in Tamil Nadu's Kadalur. School, bus and trains collide.
01:17Three students killed. DMK alleges railway gatekeeper did not understand Tamil, site's language barrier.
01:25Students claim there was no gatekeeper present.
01:32Congress plays down Chief Minister Reis Nataka.
01:35Fresh clamour to make DKS new Karnataka Chief Minister.
01:40Congress leadership says,
01:41Just months ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has made a high-stakes political move.
02:04And it's all about Nari and Yuva Shakti.
02:08In a sweeping decision aimed at empowering women and reshaping Bihar's workforce,
02:14the Chief Minister has announced 35% reservation for women,
02:18but only for those who are original residents of the state.
02:23This will apply across all government jobs, at every level and in every department.
02:28The move is part of a larger push to boost female representation in governance
02:34and comes at a time when women are emerging as one of the most influential voting blocs in the state.
02:40The
02:44Bihar Raja's workforce, the
03:10Women constitute nearly half of Bihar's total electorate, which is about 7.64 crore voters.
03:21In fact, during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, women outvoted men with a turnout of 59.4% compared to 53% among men.
03:32Well, that's not all. Nitesh Kumar has also greenlit the formation of a Bihar Youth Commission, aiming to address rising concerns over unemployment.
03:48A clear response to growing opposition pressure, especially with a Bihar bandh looming over voter list revision, set to be led by Rahul Gandhi himself.
03:57Is this a genuine push for empowerment or a well-timed political strategy?
04:03One thing is clear, the battle for Bihar has intensified.
04:08With Rohit Singh in Patna, Bureau Report, India Today.
04:27The election analyst, Sanjay Kumar, co-director, Lok Neeti, CSDS, sophologist.
04:32I want to cut across first to the J.D.U. spokesperson, Mr. Parimal Kumar.
04:36Mr. Parimal Kumar, one would think, great idea to give 35% reservation in government jobs to women.
04:42But the question, Parimal Kumar, is, what is so different?
04:45Because since 2015, the Bihar government had implemented a 35% reservation for women in all government jobs filed through direct recruitment.
04:55What is so different that you are doing now, which is not already in place since 2015?
05:03Actually, Bihar government, this is what government is known for women's empowerment.
05:08Actually, women's empowerment, border of Bihar, is now being recognized not only at the national level, but at international level.
05:18Our leader started citing Ujna for girls and actually, you see, UNO appreciated this particular plan.
05:27No, Parimal Kumar, I want to ask you a simple question.
05:30I understand that Bihar is going towards a push for women empowerment.
05:34The question is very simple.
05:35The announcement that you made of giving 35% reservation to women in 2025, which is, you know, three months before elections, how is it different from what has already been in place 10 years ago in Bihar?
05:49You see, you see, you see, you see, actually, since 2005, in 2006, 50% reservation was given in particular institutions.
05:57In 2007, 50% reservation for women was given in Nagar Palika.
06:03You see, in 2013, the government reserved 33% for work in particularly police constable forces.
06:12In 2016, in 2016, 35% reservation was given to the women, right?
06:19In actually, the new movies to ensure more and more participation of Bihari.
06:25So, what is the difference?
06:26I will ask again, Mr. Parimal Kumar.
06:28What is the difference between 2015 and 2025?
06:33Because you said yourself that in 2015, 35% reservation for women in all government jobs has been given.
06:40So, what is the announcement of today's announcement, it's been 10 years ago?
06:45No, no, actually, this is a special because particularly other 35% of the population previously, girls candidates from other states were also getting particularly job in Bihar.
06:56And this move of the government was exclusively to ensure participation of those particularly girls who are residents of Bihar.
07:04So, this is a special.
07:06This is not particularly.
07:07You know, how is it special?
07:08Because even in 2015, the Bihar government, I'm reading out, you know, from the government portal itself.
07:15The Bihar government in 2015 implemented a 35% reservation for women from Bihar in government jobs.
07:23Filled directory through direct recruitment.
07:26The reservation policy extended the existing 35% quota for women in police recruitment.
07:34What is the difference?
07:35I'm not understanding.
07:36What is the difference?
07:37What is the difference?
07:38The basic difference was for the Bihar quota, domicile type of policy was effective in Bihar.
07:47But for general category, girls candidate, the government announced that 35% of the reservation will be enjoyed only by the Bihari particularly government.
07:56This is the basic thing.
07:56Okay, fair point.
07:57We'll come back to you.
07:58Please stay with me.
07:59And I want to now bring in Amitabh Tiwari, election analyst and Sanjay Kumar, co-director, Lok Neeti CSDS.
08:04Amitabh Tiwari, to bring you in on this, the last election in Bihar very clearly, you know, was won on the basis of the woman vote.
08:13It had become a template on how women emerged as a vote bank.
08:17This time around, you have Nitish Kumar once again banking on the woman factor.
08:22What remains the same?
08:24What has changed according to you?
08:25Now, see, essentially, Yuva, Mahila, Kisaan are important cohorts in any election.
08:35Now, as you've mentioned, according to many surveys now, Tejasvi is leading in the chief ministerial race.
08:41But if you see the demography, he is leading amongst the youth.
08:45Whereas the NDA or the Nitish Kumar is leading amongst women is largely because of the schemes and improved law and order, which is now under question.
08:53Cycle distribution and improvement in gross enrollment ratio, prohibition, et cetera, et cetera.
08:59And now this reservation.
09:00So we have to understand that why this woman vote block is important because they also turn up in higher numbers.
09:06In this election, what has happened is this.
09:09In the budget, we have not seen any cash income distribution scheme for women.
09:14So now BJP is in power in Maharashtra and Delhi, which has a per capita income of more than five times of Bihar.
09:22But it does not have a similar scheme in Bihar.
09:26So BJP is worried about holding on to this woman vote bank, given the context that the RJD has announced that they will be giving rupees 2500 as cash income support to women when they if they come to power.
09:43So now this vote block has to be kept intact for that this scheme.
09:49And I was not aware of this.
09:50And you mentioned this is perhaps an old wine in a new bottle sort of wherein or a new wine in an old bottle sort of wherein it was already in existence.
10:02But it has not been implemented well because there are not 35 percent women in government jobs out of the 24 lakh government jobs which have there in Bihar.
10:13And now with some tweaking, this scheme has again been brought to light.
10:18So the fight is for the woman voter with incidents of law and order deterioration recently.
10:28And with this fact that they do not have any cash income support in Bihar, which is the poorest state, which has the lowest per capita income.
10:38The JDU or the NDA is trying to come up with schemes so that they hold on to this vote block.
10:46And in 2020, by the CSDS, MGB was ahead in amongst males, but NDA was ahead amongst females.
10:56And that is what had led them to win.
10:58I want to bring in Sanjay Kumar into this as well because Sanjay Kumar, the last Bihar elections in 2020 had become a template.
11:05A, for many sophologists who admitted that they went wrong, miscalculated, you know, the women vote which propelled the win of Nitish Kumar was concerned, number one.
11:17Number two, it also became an election where suddenly there was so much talk of Nari Shakti, women empowerment, you know, a vote bank which doesn't quite adhere to the normal benchmarks of regular voting, does, you know, works on very different parameters.
11:33Do you think this is once again a play on that in Bihar?
11:38Preeti, if you look at the last few assembly election and the Lok Sabha election, this is a segment of the voter which every political party is trying to mobilize.
11:48So, what BJP is doing or the ruling party, the ruling coalition has made an announcement, this is nothing but an effort to try and keep the women voters intact.
11:58We have seen in the past election that women vote is tilted in favor of the ruling alliance, which is the NDA.
12:03So, the fear is that maybe because of the, you know, deteriorating law and order situation as the perception goes because of, you know, few incidents here and there in capital town.
12:15So, the idea is to keep, try and keep the women vote intact.
12:19If possible, try and increase their support base among the women voters.
12:24So, it is a key issue.
12:26It was a key issue for NDA alliance in the previous election.
12:29It is going to be a key factor in the forthcoming elections as well.
12:33I want to go to Professor Anwar Pasha, spokesperson RJD, who is joining us right now.
12:39Professor Anwar Pasha, whichever way you look at it, you know, data is something that you always hark back when it comes down to politics and elections.
12:46Let's go by the data which we've discussed before you came in from 2020, where a sizable chunk of the women vote clearly went for the NDA.
12:54And most of it propelled by Nitish Kumar, the JDU at that point of time.
12:59And with the play now, the same push coming in by the incumbent government, could it be cause for concern from the RJD?
13:07So, this is a decision taken out of desperation because the situation of the law and order is very worst in this state in Bihar.
13:22Every day, murders of at least half a dozen people are getting murdered.
13:30Rape cases are, I think, in the last 20 years, it is a record that so many cases of the rape have come out.
13:40Murders are taking place.
13:41So, government is desperate.
13:43People want a change.
13:44People have made up their mind for the change.
13:46So, there is going to be a change.
13:48So, this decision is out of desperation.
13:50And if people are asking, why now?
13:54The timing is also very important.
13:56At the eve of the election, you are making such announcements.
14:00Who will believe it?
14:02If it's so sincere, why didn't you announce it earlier?
14:05Why didn't you implement it earlier?
14:07Who has stopped you from it?
14:09So, you could have done it, be it Youth Commission, be it quota for the women and other things for the farmers as well.
14:16So, all these things are not going to convince the people.
14:19People want a change.
14:21They are fed up with this government for the last 20 years.
14:24Now, they want a change.
14:26And there is going to be a change of the regime.
14:28We are sure about it.
14:29People have made up their mind.
14:31These gimmicks are not going to work at all.
14:33Okay.
14:36I will go back to Parimal Kumar from the JDU.
14:39Parimal Kumar, we discussed the fact that clearly it's an old scheme which is being regurgitated to, you know, present as a new scheme.
14:48Because if you look at the fine print in 2016, I'm not, you know, that's really not the part of debate.
14:53But we can go down to the breakup of how many from general category, how many from EBC, how many from OBC, how many from SC actually had a stake in the 35% reservation which was announced by Nitish Kumar in 2016.
15:06So, you know, it's a little bit of more frills, but that's what it is.
15:11Away from that, the RJD, the principal opposition says this is nothing but a jumla.
15:17The timing of it, it's a time where the state is returning to what you proverbially had called Jungle Raj when there was the RJD.
15:25The same kind of crime is taking place.
15:26This is a face saver.
15:29When you will go through the comparative data, you will find that actually during RJD government, there was organized crime.
15:36You can say that the RJD was conducting a state-sponsored rape, a state-sponsored murder, a state-sponsored patrolling kidnapping and ransom connection.
15:48These were the characteristics of RJD and RJD is still having the same character.
15:53You see, in the recent patrolling happenings, you see, actually Nitish Kumar implemented through a vision of Yelikar.
16:02Actually, every political party gets funds through electoral bond and RJD collected 46 crore rupees from liquor-producing factories, companies.
16:16Actually, they are mostly located in West Bengal, etc.
16:19So, actually, RJD, people of Bihar are afraid of RJD, any move conducted by RJD, you know.
16:32And then you will particularly compare different type of crime in Bihar, you will find that there has been marked reduction in rape, 78% reduction in rape, almost 68% reduction in the patty.
16:48Actually, 70% reduction in kidnapping.
16:51All these, in Bihar, Nitish Kumar is ruling the state, which is known as Suhsastan because law and order condition is much better as compared to that of RJD department.
17:04Okay. All right.
17:05You know, but really, okay.
17:05And you see, during RJD department, no FR was being lodged.
17:09But now, in every case, we, our police person lodged FR.
17:13Okay, I'll go, the RJD spokesperson wants to come in and say something and then I want to bring in Amitabh Tiwari and Sanjay Kumar ji.
17:19Go ahead.
17:20Can we get...
17:20The report of NCRB, the report of NCRB, it speaks to the situation of Bihar.
17:26Bihar talks...
17:27No, no, no.
17:27You see now, the condition, no, no, no, why you are saying it?
17:30Let's go one by one, sir.
17:31You see, in terms of NCRB, I've been sent that, which is referred to Bharatai Sakita.
17:37Let's go one by one, nobody can hear anyone.
17:39Can I just get the RJD spokesperson?
17:41This is the situation today, this is not my data, this is the data of the government, NCRB data, just go through this data, it tells the story, what is happening in Bihar, is there any government in Bihar, there is complete breakdown.
17:56Okay, the JDU spokesperson, Mr. Kumar wants to come in, come in and reply to your rebuttal.
18:02Mr. Kumar, you want to come in?
18:04Can I get Mr. Kumar, JDU spokesperson, please?
18:07Mr. Kumar, you see, the condition of RJD is quite different.
18:12Actually, they are...
18:13But he's quoting the NCRB data, sir.
18:15The NCRB data is not RJD's data.
18:17Mr. Kumar, we are quoting, I am already quoting NCRB data, NCRB data is already in my hand.
18:22So there are two sets of NCRB data.
18:24Mr. Kumar, actually, the condition is much better in Bihar as compared to that of national average, even from Kirra.
18:30We are conducting large-scale expenditure on the training facility in Biharhood's first rank in terms of total expenditure to provide training facility to the police personnel.
18:40Okay, one second.
18:41I want to go back to Amitabh Tiwari.
18:42I'll come back to you.
18:43We can have this...
18:44We can pick and choose our NCRB data, but ultimately it comes down to the women vote and Amitabh Tiwari.
18:49The fact is, in politics, in elections, many would suggest you can cash a check once.
18:55But it seems, in Bihar right now, the second time coming, where Nitish Kumar is concerned, banking on the women vote, once again playing on the insecurities of what was, at one point of time, considered to be an unsafe government under RJD.
19:14Essentially, of course, the recent law and order incidents have sort of nullified the good work done by Nitish Kumar on the law and order front.
19:24So, now we see even the RJD coming up very aggressively and trying to shrug off the stigma of the alleged Jangal Raj on them.
19:33So, we will have to see whether the voters, the women voters still identify the RJD rule with Jangal Raj or they consider that the law and order is equally bad under Nitish Kumar.
19:46And again, I come back to the point.
19:48And since it is the poorest of the state and since there is no cash income support announced by the government in the budget, like in Maharashtra or Delhi,
20:00and the Mahagadbandan has announced a cash income toll, there will be a confusion or question mark amongst the minds of the voters because the Congress party has already implemented this in Telangana and Karnatapa to a certain extent as well.
20:17So, they have a delivery also with them.
20:19Now, the youth is also fairly important because amongst the youth now, unemployment is a big issue and wherever they just be is leading in surveys is largely amongst the youth.
20:31So, that's why we have also seen this youth commission because now the NDA realizes that there is unemployment is going to be a very big issue.
20:41And in the past 20 years, not sizable investments in terms of industries, etc. have come to Bihar.
20:50Correct.
20:51Now, just one data point will highlight how Bihar remains the same despite changing a lot.
20:58Correct.
20:58The per capita income of Bihar, when Rabdi left power in 2004-05, was one third of national average.
21:07Even today, it is one third of national average.
21:10Correct.
21:11So, the state is in a stress and the opposition needs to exploit that stress if they need to come back to power.
21:18And again, emotional issues always play a role.
21:21So, women are seen to vote on emotional issues and they are an emotional voter rather than ruled by caste consideration.
21:30So, we will have to see whether this 35% of a new scheme, which is an old scheme converted into a new scheme, holds promise or something else.
21:39But Sanjay Ji, it's not just one scheme.
21:41It's a cumulative of, you know, schemes, efforts, which go into make a formidable challenge.
21:47And this is just one of the very many schemes.
21:50I'm sure there are going to be direct cash transfers that would be coming in sooner than later.
21:55Multiple other schemes announced by other political parties, you know, adding to what Amitabh Tiwari said.
22:01But would you reckon Bihar is the same playground that it was in 2020 or do you think things have changed this time?
22:10You are saying comparing Bihar from 2020 till 2025?
22:14Yes, 2025 in terms of the women vote.
22:17I don't think much has changed between 2020 and 2025.
22:21But yes, I think if you wanted me to compare from 2005 till 2025, then yes, there is certainly some changes.
22:30But I think from 2020 to 2025, last five years, there is hardly any change.
22:36So you'd see the same amount of affinity that Nitish Kumar will enjoy when it comes down to the women vote bank?
22:41No, because it was a very vague term, change.
22:45Oh, if we look at the legitimacy of Chief Minister, his popularity, it has certainly come down.
22:52Yes, law and order situation, there is a lot of discussion about law and order situation.
22:57But that is precisely because some incidents has taken place during last couple of months.
23:02Suppose those incidents had not taken place, the law and order would have also looked more or less the same as it was in 2020.
23:09If you talk about Bijlipani, Sadak, etc.
23:12I don't think that there is much change.
23:14I keep going to Bihar at least twice or thrice in a year and I see the roads are more or less the same.
23:20So, very little, I would say, yes, there have been development between 2005 and 2015 or 2000, but 2025, last five years, I don't see any big change.
23:33No big change which the government can say, this is one big achievement of the government during last five years.
23:38All right, you know, I want to give 30 seconds to all our panelists to conclude.
23:43Parimal Kumar, 30 seconds on why this could possibly be a game changer, which is what you started off with.
23:49Actually, Vijay Suman is doing welfare programs.
23:53The government is implementing welfare programs for every section of the society, in respect of caste, in respect of religion.
24:00With our crime, particularly, is a principle, zero tolerance against crime.
24:04As far as the question of crime, it is concerned, I should make it clear that actually, you see, there are two types of crimes.
24:11One type of crime is associated in Jandar IPC, which is known as Bharatiya Dhan Sarita right now, and the psychiatry state legislative law.
24:20So, actually, Vijay Suman is not only known for particularly welfare, he is also known for several social reform,
24:29like Sarab Bandhi, type of patrulline, not the government.
24:34Suppose, I am giving the example, if you will go to other states, to take a drink is allowed.
24:40All right, sir, 30 seconds, done.
24:41In Bihar, you will see, there is complete demand on patrulline intoxicants.
24:46All right, I want to bring in Professor Anwar Pasha.
24:48Why do you think this is what you call a jumla or what your leader called a lollipop?
24:53Yeah, it's lollipop, it's a jumla, and they are desperate because of the popularity of our leader.
25:00All surveys have shown that our leader is the most popular leader in Bihar.
25:04Youth are behind us.
25:06And even for the women, we have announced so many schemes.
25:09So, that has also gone well.
25:11So, people trust Tejasui Adhoji.
25:13And certainly, in 2020 also, we emerged as one of the largest party, political party.
25:20We are almost, we are winning the election.
25:22But just in the end, something happened.
25:25Some, I think, the government, the central government and the state governments, they used their pressure.
25:33Well, data would tell otherwise.
25:34One of the things that happened was that the women didn't come in together for you and went to the other party.
25:39But I want to bring in Amitabh Tiwari.
25:42Amitabh Tiwari, to sum it up, how do you think this particular old scheme, new scheme, other schemes will impact when it comes down to the women vote?
25:52So, see, essentially, the women vote has shied away from Mahagadbandan.
25:57And that is one of the structural challenges it faces is largely because of Jhengal Raj or the alleged Jhengal Raj stigma.
26:03Now, the recent law and order deterioration and the aggressive posturing which Mahagadbandan has taken with regards to the law and order,
26:11that the law and order under Nitish, if not deteriorated, is perhaps the same, is trying to shrug off that image.
26:18Unless it is able to do that, it will not be able to attract a significant number of women voters.
26:24So, that's a golden opportunity which they have.
26:27If they are able to do it, along with the 2500 rupees scheme, the propagation of that,
26:32then we could see the election becoming up.
26:35Because even last time, the difference was just 12,000 votes.
26:39Sanjay Kumar, you want to weigh in on that?
26:42Preeti, I think let's forget about the new scheme, old scheme, new scheme or old scheme.
26:48I think the 2025 assembly election is heading for an interesting finish.
26:52It is going to be a closed election, both parties and a new entrant.
26:56All parties are putting in a lot of effort.
26:58So, I think we are heading for interesting elections to witness.
27:02Well, you know, and we are there to cover it.
27:04But I appreciate all four gentlemen for joining us.
27:06We are going to let it be at that.
27:08But I want to quickly dip into news break that is just about coming in.
27:11Alright, the latest news break is pitching a government versus Twitter battle once again.
27:18The government of India versus social media platform X once again, an eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation practically.
27:26X says government had ordered blocking of Reuters and over 2000 handles and expressed concerns over press freedom and freedom of expression in India.
27:37The government's statement on X censorship claim says the government has not issued any fresh blocking orders on 3rd July 2025
27:46and has no intentions to block any prominent international news channel including Reuters and Reuters World.
27:53The moment Reuters and Reuters World were blocked on X platform in India,
27:57immediately the government wrote to X to unblock them.
28:00The government continuously engaged and vigorously pursued with X from late night of 5th July 2025.
28:07X has necessarily exploited, unnecessarily exploited technicalities involved around the process and did not unblock the URLs.
28:16However, after a lot of follow-ups on hourly basis, X has finally unblocked Reuters and other URLs after 9pm on 6th July 2025.
28:26They took more than 25 hours to unblock Reuters.
28:30Earlier on, I just want to take you back in the controversy, viewers.
28:33The social media platform X had said on July 3rd, 2025, the Indian government ordered X to block 2,355 accounts in India,
28:43including international news outlets like Reuters and Reuters World.
28:47Under Section 69A of the new IT Act, non-compliance risked criminal liability.
28:55The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology had demanded immediate action within one hour without providing justification
29:03and required the accounts to remain unblocked, to remain blocked until further notice.
29:10After public outcry, the government of India requested X then to unblock Reuters and Reuters World.
29:17We are deeply concerned about the ongoing press censorship in India due to these blocking orders.
29:23This was the social media post that X made a short while back.
29:28Let me, all of these viewers would need to be read in context of the IT Act and Aishwarya Paliwal is going to weigh in more on that.
29:36Aishwarya, would you give our viewers context?
29:39Well, let me tell you one thing, Preeti.
29:42We have seen how the government has time and again asked X, not just X, even YouTube and other social media platforms to take down content that they believe is not correct.
29:50But with regards to Reuters, we have seen that no such content was posted because of which it is what the government is saying is exactly something that has happened.
29:58They are saying that he did not give out any orders.
30:00In fact, there was a technicality, a technical glitch.
30:03And that is what we also saw on that day also.
30:05Immediately after it was flagged off to the government that the Reuters handle is being blocked in India, they had reached out late at night at about 12.
30:12They had reached out to X and told them that because of some technicality, Reuters is not available in India.
30:18Now, X has come out and said that they are now looking at all the legal options available.
30:22We love to see whether X drags the government of India and Mighty, that's the ministry that looks at social media platforms, whether X will be dragging them to the court.
30:29But now we are seeing one statement.
30:31First time that the social media platform X and the government of India are butting heads on this.
30:37What is interesting is what seems to be at least a first that X has elucidated that not just Reuters world, over 2200 accounts were asked by the government to by the government of India to be blocked.
30:51And only two hours time was given for the same where action, legal action would be pursued otherwise.
30:59So it's a very strong statement coming in from the social media platform X.
31:04The government has of course given its response.
31:07But all of this, Aishwarya, will also need to be read in the context of the IT Act.
31:13When we speak about the IT Act, it gives the government the leeway that the government has the right if they come across some kind of content which they read and they think is not in the favor of our country, can lead to security breach.
31:27Then that gives government the handle that they can actually write to social media platforms.
31:32We have seen the government looking at Rule 69.
31:34That is the most crucial rule.
31:36In the IT Act, the government often invokes the Rule 69 Act, and with regards to that, a request is sent to social media platforms.
31:44So let me also tell you, Piti, the number that X has given on a daily basis, there is something or the other that the government speaks to X about.
31:50Because there are these kind of handles, you have also seen, coming out and putting out information which is not correct.
31:56Untrue information is something that the government flags off.
31:58That's what the government is saying in the state.
32:00Are we looking at this battle only intensifying now?
32:04Oh yes, definitely, because the government has been very, very swift, Piti, and coming out and giving a response.
32:12Whether it will be X that will take the government to court, then what we will see the government extensively pointing towards is the Rule 69.
32:19That's something that the government will be speaking about, and it's not just in India.
32:22Across the world, we have seen how the government, they have these kind of rules which will give them the advantage of asking social media platforms to take down content that the government believes is not correct for the citizens.
32:32So that's exactly what X also said, that the law is stringent and they are trying to explore legal options on how to pursue it.
32:41But X has come out with a strong statement suggesting that the government of India is trying to curb freedom of expression.
32:48Of course, India are now turning out and giving a befitting response, suggesting very clearly that they had no idea that there were certain handles like Reuters and Reuters World that were blocked.
32:58And they asked X to unblock them.
33:03Kamar Yatra is set to begin from the 11th July.
33:07Amidst the festive fervour, there is an undercurrent of tension.
33:12And the undercurrent running through the Kamar Yatra route.
33:16From forcing Dhabha owners to display their names and of those working in their establishment.
33:24To self-styled vigilante groups conducting rampant religious profiling.
33:29The ugly face of communal profiling visible with I am a Hindu, may Hindu who posters plastered in shops, food carts and Dhabha's along the Yatra route from Barely to Kachla Badainu.
33:48Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, after conducting an aerial survey from Ghaziabad to Bijanur, has issued strict instructions.
33:59Those defiling the Kavad Yatra, including acts like spitting in food, will face the harshest punishment according to him.
34:08The Samajwadi party calling this hate-mongering.
34:16In Muzaffarnagar, non-vegetarian Dhabha's along the Kamar Yatra route are being shut down.
34:22Many calling this discrimination.
34:25The religious festival once again mired in a political, religious, communal and a constitutional storm.
34:32The Kamar Yatra 2025 is not just a religious pilgrimage.
34:42It is fast becoming a test of state capacity, communal harmony and constitutional responsibility.
34:51Where does vigilance end and profiling begin?
34:55Bureau Report, India Today.
34:56I want to cut across right now to Ghansham Tiwari, spokesperson Samajwadi party, Dr. Kaushal Kant Mishra, spokesperson BJP.
35:06Dr. Kaushal Kant Mishra, we are at a place where in Barely, about 35 kilometers, as per our reporters on ground,
35:17there are carts, dhabas that have been made to plaster posters which say, I'm a Hindu, I'm a Hindu.
35:26Would you think it's correct?
35:29What is the problem in that?
35:32You see nothing wrong in that?
35:34Nothing wrong.
35:35If the same constitution gives permission to count the caste, then why not to paste the caste on the face of every sops?
35:48What is the problem in asking, saying, I am Hindu?
35:53We say, I'm Hindu, Tanman, Hindu, Jiwan, Hindu is the only one for me.
35:59We are the ones that tell us, so what is the problem in it?
36:01Dr. Kaushal Kant Mishra, for somebody who is a doctor, I'll ask you one question.
36:06You do remember during the Holocaust, the Jews were made to wear a star?
36:10Was there anything wrong in that?
36:12If there is something going against them, anybody, then it is wrong.
36:18Just expressing my name that I am Hindu.
36:20You don't think this would lead to economic discrimination?
36:23If the halal economy has not lead yet any economic discrimination to any community,
36:29then I don't think there is any economic discrimination.
36:32Only during this period, when the certain religious group is taking their own possession,
36:39Kavan Yatra is going on, I don't see.
36:41It should be the responsibility of the fellow citizen in the name of Bhai Chara,
36:46that they should say that I am Muslim, and I am Christian, and I am Sikh.
36:52What is the problem in that?
36:53Let them choose which stop they want to go.
36:57What is the problem in that?
36:58I think it is Bhai Chara.
37:00It's depending on which glass you are looking.
37:02If we are whole countries looking, whole halal economy with a secular glass,
37:09why not to see this as a secular glass?
37:11And if the caste census,
37:13Jati Jan Garnana,
37:14Poochna,
37:15Jatiyo ka number Poochna galat nahi hai,
37:18to Jati ko likkar ke batane mein kya dikket hai.
37:21Mujha nahi lagta is mein kuch bhi galat hai.
37:23Legally,
37:24constitutionally.
37:24You don't think there is anything constitutionally wrong,
37:28when it comes down to economic discrimination, sir?
37:31Because this directly is leading to economic discrimination,
37:34which as per,
37:35and we have this conversation about the constitution,
37:39various amendments,
37:40various paragraphs,
37:41and we can go to 15A of the Indian constitution,
37:44which says no individual will be discriminated on economic grounds.
37:48Preeti,
37:49it was a very true thing,
37:50but I will tell you,
37:51if this country,
37:52until now,
37:53Aajadi ke 75 sal tak,
37:55halal economy ko apne serp pe bithai,
37:56ghoom raha tha,
37:57tab agar constitutional validation raha hai uska,
38:00to isko kya problem hai?
38:02Mujhe samasya yeh batayye na,
38:03yeh joh double standard hai na,
38:05ki hum agar hindu lik raha hai,
38:07then it becomes constitutional issue,
38:09agar woh halal lik karke chal raha hai,
38:11halal pooch karke kha raha hai,
38:13halal chadar khari da raha hai,
38:15halal dhuai khari da raha hai,
38:16So, Dr. Kushal Khanth Mishra,
38:18as I bring in the Samajwadi Party spokesperson,
38:21it's not a conversation between you and I,
38:23but I would reckon,
38:24then,
38:25by the virtue of what you're saying,
38:27practically everyone in this country,
38:29should roam around with a name tag,
38:30which would say,
38:31I'm a Hindu,
38:32or I'm a Muslim,
38:33or I'm a Christian,
38:34and it's all okay,
38:36so if you,
38:36if Dr. Kushal Khanth Mishra,
38:38walks into a five star hotel,
38:40leave alone,
38:40even a Haldi Ram,
38:41during Navratra,
38:42and he's eating a Navratra thali,
38:45he'd want to be served by somebody,
38:47who wears a name tag,
38:48which says,
38:48I'm a Hindu,
38:49or I'm a Christian,
38:50I'm a Muslim,
38:51so if it's either of the other two,
38:53then you would not be served by them,
38:54correct?
38:54It's a question sir,
39:03it's a question,
39:04I asked you a question,
39:05so by the virtue of that fact,
39:06everyone should roam around,
39:08with a name tag,
39:09which says,
39:10I'm a Hindu,
39:11I'm a Muslim,
39:12when Dr. Kushal Khanth Mishra,
39:14eats at a restaurant,
39:15he's very careful,
39:16on the person who serves him,
39:18says,
39:19I'm a Muslim,
39:20so can I serve you,
39:22or I'm a Hindu,
39:23therefore I can serve you,
39:24Preeti,
39:25it's not about,
39:26Kaushal Khanth Mishra,
39:27it's about,
39:29who is fasting,
39:29Kaushal Khanth Mishra,
39:30is saying this,
39:31so therefore I'm,
39:31I'm asking Kaushal Khanth Mishra sir,
39:34Preeti,
39:35I think,
39:37Preeti Chaudhary,
39:38if,
39:39it's written,
39:39Preeti Chaudhary,
39:40it doesn't matter sir,
39:40you can call me anything,
39:42no, no, no,
39:42I'm okay with it,
39:43it's not about me and you,
39:46it's about,
39:47who is fasting,
39:48who is going for,
39:49let me ask,
39:50let me,
39:50let me ask you a question again,
39:52so you're saying,
39:53during Navratra,
39:54those who,
39:54there are a lot of people,
39:55who fast sir,
39:56there are a lot of people,
39:57in my family,
39:58who fast for Navratra,
39:59you also fast for Navratra,
40:01now I'll ask you a question,
40:02a lot of us,
40:03step out to eat a Navratra Thali,
40:05you're saying,
40:05only during fasting,
40:06right,
40:07so a lot of people,
40:08will go out and eat a Thali,
40:10in say a Haldirab,
40:11you,
40:12by the virtue of what you said,
40:14you are suggesting,
40:14each person should ask,
40:16or there should be name tags,
40:17no need to ask,
40:18in Haldiram,
40:19everybody has got their name tag,
40:21they don't,
40:22how do you know,
40:23who's cooked your food,
40:24how do you know,
40:24who's cooked your food,
40:26do you know it,
40:27so,
40:28we can ask,
40:28I know,
40:29Haldiram people,
40:30don't have name tags,
40:31I don't know,
40:32it's not about an X, Y,
40:33and Z,
40:33but there are various other restaurants,
40:35Preeti,
40:35Preeti,
40:36if I am fasting,
40:37and if I have some doubt,
40:38I may ask,
40:39what is problem in that,
40:41there's no problem,
40:41I don't see any problem,
40:42I don't see any problem,
40:43if I feel,
40:44that I am served something,
40:46which is not,
40:46not religious,
40:48then I have full right to ask,
40:49what is the problem in that,
40:51Sir,
40:51the fact is,
40:52the problem is that,
40:53Dr. Kant Mishra,
40:55the problem is that,
40:55you don't see a problem in that,
40:57but that's okay,
40:58that's fine,
40:58you know,
40:59it's for me,
41:00it's for,
41:00all right,
41:01I want to bring it,
41:01because,
41:02Preeti,
41:02Preeti,
41:02just 10 seconds,
41:03of course,
41:04make your point,
41:04if,
41:05if,
41:05if the whole country,
41:07is counting,
41:08how,
41:08which caste you belong to,
41:11which religion you belong to,
41:13and everybody is writing,
41:14I am Jat,
41:15I am Yadav,
41:16I am Brahman,
41:17I am Thakur,
41:18it is pasted on everything,
41:20then what is harm,
41:21what is it pasted on,
41:22I am not understanding sir,
41:23one second,
41:24you know,
41:24it's not a conversation between you and I,
41:26because you are making a completely bizarre analogy,
41:28which we will touch on upon,
41:29I would reckon,
41:30I would think the reason,
41:31the caste census is being demanded,
41:33and asked for is,
41:34that various castes,
41:35that have fallen off the economic ladder,
41:38get equal representation,
41:39I would think that's what it is for,
41:41it's for inclusivity,
41:42not to discriminate,
41:44I want to,
41:44but,
41:44that's a conversation for another day,
41:46I want to bring in,
41:47sir,
41:48allow me to bring in,
41:49allow me to bring in your counterpart,
41:50the debate is not between you and I,
41:52I would like to bring in,
41:53Ghansham Tiwari,
41:54spokesperson,
41:54Samajwadi Party,
41:55Ghansham Tiwari,
41:56like Dr. Kaushal Kanth said,
41:59what is the problem in this,
42:01there is absolutely no problem,
42:03as per the incumbent government,
42:04and Dr. Kaushal Kanth Mishra,
42:06and he said there is no problem,
42:07you know,
42:08if somebody wants to,
42:09put their identity,
42:11wear it on their sleeves,
42:13and offer it,
42:14why not?
42:15Good evening,
42:16Priti,
42:16to you,
42:17the viewers and fellow co-panelists,
42:18there are three important things,
42:19and all of them are bizarre,
42:21one is the photograph,
42:22that you continue to show,
42:24if I ever write a book,
42:25called Legendary Fools,
42:26this photograph,
42:27will be on its cover,
42:29that a chief minister,
42:30is taking an aerial route,
42:31to look at the,
42:32Kaamad Yatra,
42:34this is a chief minister,
42:35whose government,
42:36showered petals,
42:37in Prayagaraj,
42:39when the stampede happened,
42:40and they could not even,
42:41tell how many people died,
42:43while the stampede happened,
42:44when people,
42:45dead bodies were still lying there,
42:46they showered petals,
42:48this is a chief minister,
42:48who came to power,
42:49saying,
42:49but let's come to the second,
42:53bizarre part,
42:54which is the argument,
42:54that you are having,
42:55with Kaushal Kant Mishra,
42:56if Kaushal Kant Mishra,
42:58extends that argument,
42:59the way BJP,
43:00is trying to extend it,
43:02they are saying,
43:02not only that,
43:03you as an individual,
43:04have to say your religion,
43:06your enterprise,
43:07also has to have a religion,
43:09so if you are a Muslim,
43:09running a dhaba,
43:11the religion of your enterprise,
43:13is Muslim,
43:14if Haldiram is acquired,
43:15by a private equity company,
43:16based in Saudi Arabia,
43:18then Haldiram's enterprise,
43:19becomes Muslim,
43:21similarly,
43:21if that logic,
43:22is to be extended,
43:23then RSS,
43:25has a,
43:25has a,
43:26will also have a counter identity,
43:28it's Hindu,
43:29BJP is Hindu,
43:30the moment you say,
43:31that BJP is Hindu,
43:32RSS is Hindu,
43:33the next level comes,
43:34what is its caste,
43:35is RSS a Dalit Hindu,
43:37is RSS a Pichada Hindu,
43:39or is RSS a Brahman Hindu,
43:40is BJP a Brahman Hindu,
43:42this is what is going to play out,
43:44the model of BJP,
43:45this is the third bizarre part,
43:46the model of BJP is,
43:48Ameeron ke liye,
43:49for their crony capitals,
43:51dhan dhanne ka prasad hai,
43:52aur garibiyon ke liye,
43:54nafrat ki politics hai,
43:55aur har baat pe jihad hai,
43:57they will ensure,
43:58that the poor will face,
44:00the titles of jihad,
44:01the way they eat,
44:02the way they dress,
44:04the way they open their shops,
44:06who they go out,
44:07how do they live their lives,
44:08what's there in their tiffin box,
44:10who's in their kitchen,
44:11none of them will have the audacity,
44:14audacity to go out,
44:15and ask a Taj hotel,
44:17by the way Taj,
44:18is it Hindu or Muslim,
44:20by the logic of BJP,
44:22and bizarre logic,
44:22we don't know,
44:24final point is,
44:25and I repeat this on your debate,
44:27that there's a 53 year old man,
44:28who's gone missing,
44:30and I appeal to your viewers,
44:31to help us find him,
44:32his name is Kiran Rijiju,
44:34he happens to be the minority,
44:35of West Minister of India,
44:36he should have a voice,
44:38but that voice is missing,
44:39he has started believing,
44:41that his chair is for him,
44:43to vomit,
44:44so that eggs are formed,
44:45but the chair is a position,
44:47of responsibility and courage,
44:48if he cannot,
44:49show responsibility or courage,
44:52he should not wait,
44:53wait for eggs to happen,
44:54he should just,
44:55get out of the chair,
44:56and let somebody else,
44:57who has,
44:57Kiran Rijijiju,
44:58if you are listening,
44:59your team is listening,
45:01get out of your chair,
45:02resign,
45:03if you don't have a voice,
45:04this bizarre model,
45:05of untouchability,
45:07has been there,
45:07in the Hindu religion,
45:09is being continuously championed,
45:11by RSS in the last year,
45:13and now they want,
45:13to extend it to Muslims,
45:15they would extend it to Sikhs,
45:16they would extend it to Christians,
45:18and they will label,
45:19your clothes,
45:19as Hindu,
45:20or Muslim,
45:21they will label,
45:21your enterprise,
45:22as Hindu or Muslim,
45:22and they will ensure,
45:24that while the,
45:24the Ameeron ke liya,
45:26jo dhan dhan dhani ka prasad hai,
45:27every poor man is,
45:29with a jihad model,
45:29that BJP has constructed,
45:31around them.
45:31Dr. Kaushal Kant Mishra,
45:32wants to reply,
45:33come in for a rebuttal,
45:35go ahead Dr. Mishra.
45:37Priti,
45:37I have never said,
45:38that enterprises,
45:39had any religion,
45:41or any dhan,
45:42so,
45:43Mr. Ghantham,
45:44Tivari is,
45:45taking me out,
45:46the wrong way,
45:48okay,
45:49it's person,
45:50because you are not,
45:51going to ask,
45:52for counting the,
45:53what is the name,
45:54of any stall,
45:55or shopkeepers,
45:56you are,
45:56you are champion,
45:57of caste based senses,
45:59and you are asking,
46:01the individuals caste,
46:02then why not,
46:04everybody should,
46:05if I am,
46:07asked by government,
46:09this is my caste,
46:11okay,
46:12then why not to,
46:13live with that caste,
46:14we are living with that caste,
46:15Kaushal Khan,
46:16you are talking about,
46:18the census,
46:19that is,
46:19it is,
46:19it is,
46:20it is,
46:20it is,
46:21it is,
46:21it is,
46:21it is,
46:22it is,
46:22it is,
46:22what is the problem,
46:23how are you mixing,
46:27the census,
46:28then,
46:29the entire,
46:3033 kilometers,
46:31Priti,
46:32Priti,
46:32I am talking about,
46:34the root of the,
46:34Kaavad Yatra,
46:35how are you mixing,
46:36a census,
46:37which is being conducted,
46:38which anyway,
46:39the religious,
46:40in the same way,
46:40in the same way,
46:41as you are mixing,
46:42posting,
46:42Hindu is communal,
46:44in the same way,
46:46it's discriminatory sir,
46:48why,
46:49you are not coming to Halal,
46:51why,
46:52till the time,
46:53in 75 years,
46:54why nobody has questioned Halal,
46:56why does SP keep mum,
46:57why Congress keep mum,
46:59why Indi Katwandan keep mum,
47:01we don't have any answer,
47:02nah,
47:03now,
47:03if the Hindu is saying,
47:04I am Hindu,
47:05all right,
47:06Dr. Kaushal Khan,
47:06it's not an argument between you and I,
47:08but it's a huge,
47:09you are conveying apple to oranges,
47:11we can get into it,
47:11but okay,
47:12I will go back to you,
47:13make your point,
47:15because,
47:16the Samajwadi party spokesperson,
47:17also wants to come in for him,
47:18now,
47:18PDA,
47:20the champion Samajwadi party,
47:22is now,
47:23in Uttar Pradesh,
47:25in which,
47:25you are 15-16 lakh rupees,
47:27if you are brahmad,
47:27if you are a chhatri,
47:29if you are a chhatri,
47:30if you are a chhatri,
47:30if you are a chhatri,
47:31if you belong to 10-12 lakh rupees,
47:33if you belong to the OBC category,
47:35and if you belong to 8-10 lakh,
47:36CST category,
47:37Sir, what's the connection?
47:38What's the question?
47:40What's the question of Hindus,
47:41who have tried to talk about it,
47:42in the work of the people,
47:43in the work of the people,
47:44in the work of the people,
47:45these are all champions,
47:46these are all the political parties,
47:47right?
47:48One second.
47:49Okay, so Dr. Kaushal Kanth,
47:51Mishra,
47:51you are saying,
47:52we should not have a caste census,
47:53because your own government,
47:54has announced it.
47:55No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
47:56Are you opposing the caste census?
47:58No, no, no, no, no.
47:59So, you are saying,
48:00the government has demanded,
48:01the government has fallen to the demand,
48:02of the opposition.
48:04I am saying,
48:04those who are champions of caste-based census,
48:07why they are hiding now?
48:09Isn't the government a champion?
48:10I want to ask you,
48:12Dr. Kaushal Kanth,
48:12Mishra,
48:13isn't the government of India,
48:14champion of the caste-based census?
48:15Now, it is decision of government.
48:18They have asked that,
48:19they want a caste census,
48:21aren't they the champions of it?
48:23Should the credit of a caste census,
48:25what is the problem in that?
48:26Let me ask you a question.
48:26That's what I am saying,
48:27now, Preeti.
48:28Preeti, what is the problem in that?
48:29Should the credit of the caste census,
48:31go to the government,
48:32or should it go to the opposition?
48:34Whosoever is central government,
48:35because census is a right of home ministry,
48:37of central government of India.
48:38So, who has announced it?
48:39You are saying,
48:40the credit should go to the center?
48:42Yes.
48:42And why are you criticizing it?
48:43I am not criticizing,
48:44I am saying,
48:45everybody should press their caste-based.
48:45Okay, I want to go back to,
48:46you are derailing the conversation,
48:50I am saying,
48:51I want to go back to the Samajwadi party leader,
48:54Ghanshah Mthewari,
48:55Ghanshah Mthewari,
48:55you do not speak of,
48:57what caste she belong to,
48:58the spokesperson said,
48:59where the halal industry is concerned,
49:01yet you will raise questions,
49:03on those who want to buy,
49:05only from a particular community,
49:07especially during the time of Kauravad.
49:10Riti,
49:11there is absolutely,
49:12you have absolutely no chance,
49:14to engage in a rational debate,
49:16in a platform of absurd and bizarre.
49:19What BJP is doing,
49:20the model is absolutely clear,
49:22to disrupt the lives of the poor,
49:24so that,
49:24in Bihar,
49:26ensure that they keep thinking,
49:27whether they will be able to vote for or not,
49:28because of documents,
49:29in their home,
49:30home native place,
49:32let them keep thinking,
49:33whether they could eat at a dhaba or not,
49:35whether they can work at a certain place or not,
49:37and this whole halal business,
49:39where BJP itself had ministers,
49:41and MPs,
49:42and candidates,
49:43who were part of this business,
49:44at a global scale,
49:45that aside,
49:47halal is a thing,
49:49you are equating a thing,
49:51with people,
49:52now you want people,
49:53to carry their religion,
49:54on their sleeve,
49:55they want people,
49:56to carry their caste,
49:57on their sleeve,
49:58you want people,
49:59to tag their enterprise,
50:01with the religion,
50:03and caste they come from,
50:04this will ensure,
50:05that at least the poor,
50:06will always live in anarchy,
50:08and fear,
50:09and the rich,
50:10that BJP serves,
50:10who pay BJP,
50:1113,000 crores of Chanda,
50:13in last 10 years,
50:14who pay through electoral bonds,
50:15and different ways,
50:16the Prime Minister,
50:17today does not,
50:18does not represent the poor,
50:20he travels on a,
50:218 crore car,
50:228,000 crore plane,
50:24has all kinds of dresses,
50:26not because he represents the poor,
50:27so this model,
50:28is a way to keep India poor,
50:31keep the poor,
50:31dependent on,
50:32the free and arch,
50:33that BJP offers,
50:35and the,
50:36last 30 seconds sir,
50:3730 seconds Kaushal,
50:39Dr. Mishra,
50:40go ahead,
50:40make your point.
50:42Priti,
50:42article 25-26,
50:44right of religious freedom,
50:45PUCL versus Government of India,
50:49as fundamental,
50:49food choice is fundamental,
50:51right,
50:52FSSI Act,
50:532006,
50:54right to information act,
50:55everything gives us,
50:56a constitutional right,
50:57to know,
50:58what we are eating,
50:59where we are eating,
51:00what we want to eat,
51:01and this all is constitutional,
51:03right,
51:03so,
51:04and,
51:04and till the time,
51:06nobody has,
51:07spoken anything about,
51:09halal economy,
51:10and it's not about,
51:10halal food,
51:11it's about halal product,
51:13my question is,
51:14unanswered yet,
51:14after 75 years of,
51:16independence of country.
51:18Okay,
51:1930 seconds,
51:20the Samajwadi Party,
51:22spokesperson,
51:22Ghansham Tiwari,
51:23make your point sir.
51:24In any normal,
51:25constitutional democracy,
51:27as we have been used to in India,
51:29a man like,
51:30Chief Minister Aditya Nath,
51:31would resign on this issue,
51:32a man like,
51:33Kiran Rajiju,
51:34would not go missing,
51:35will not be,
51:36be blamed for,
51:37warming his chair,
51:38but either find his voice,
51:40or resign,
51:41and the Prime Minister,
51:42will,
51:42will be back in India,
51:43answer this question in parliament,
51:45but this is a government of bizarre,
51:47bizarre as I said.
51:48Okay.
51:48So,
51:49we expect nothing from this government,
51:51expect more disharmony from the government.
51:53Okay,
51:53I'm gonna,
51:53I'm gonna leave it at that,
51:54and I'm gonna just let our viewers decide,
51:56on which side of,
51:58sadly,
51:58this communal divide,
51:59that they stand on.
52:01Thank you for joining us.
52:13Yes.