QWrap: Hidden Numbers on Electoral Bonds; More CWG Wins for India

Here are top 5 stories of the day.

Sushil Kumar wins gold at CWG 2018, yet again.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@manojjoshimedia)

1. Secret Policing? The Quint Finds Hidden Numbers on Electoral Bonds

In a major exposé, an investigation by The Quint revealed that electoral bonds have hidden alphanumeric numbers printed on them to track down the link between donors and political parties.

This apparent outmaneuvering by the government poses a critical question – in the name of more ‘transparency’ in political funding, following the introduction of electoral bonds, are we being subjected to an unprecedented secret surveillance?

Electoral bonds were promised to be anonymous as no one other than the donor themselves is supposed to know which political party they are contributing to.

(Read the full story here)

2. Chennai a Sea of Black to Protest PM Modi’s Visit; Vaiko Detained

As protests across Chennai came to a head over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, the police on Thursday, 12 April, detained several protesters in the city’s Saidapet locality, where they were raising slogans of ‘Go Back Modi.’

MDMK chief Vaiko was among the several protesters who were detained in the city

Prime Minister Modi was in the city to inaugurate the Defence Expo 2018 in Mahabalipuram near Chennai. Upon his arrival, Modi was greeted by a swarm of protests organised by the Opposition parties and fringe groups to demand the constitution of the Cauvery Management Board.

Around 1,650 workers from various parties protested with black flags and balloons outside the Chennai airport as the PM landed in the city.

(Read the full story here)

3. Cauvery Protests in Chennai During CSK’s IPL Match Were Shameful

Dear 'knowledgeable' people of Chennai, you were anything but that, as your team Chennai Super Kings returned home after a two-year suspension.

Not an ideal homecoming? More like a disgusting precedent.

And throwing shoes at players when the game was in progress? Really?

Let CSK fans wear their jerseys with pride. Let the whistles thunder across. Let the flags fly high. Let the games go on. But also, make the politicians pay the price – in a peaceful manner, of course.

(Watch the full video here)

4. Unnao Rape: FIR Filed Against BJP MLA, Case Transferred to CBI

As the pressure mounted on the BJP-led Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh, an FIR was finally registered against Unnao BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar, who has been accused of raping an 18-year-old girl. Further, the case has been transferred to the CBI for investigation.

The Congress questioned why the accused was not held yet. They attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his alleged silence over the Unnao rape case.

The Allahabad High Court is expected to pass some orders in the case on Friday, 13 March.

(Get live updates here)

5. CWG 2018: Wrestler Aware Wins Gold, Babita Clinches Silver

The 21st Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast has entered it's final leg. On Day 8, India's first medal, once again, came from the shooting arena. Tejaswini Sawant bagged the silver in the women's 50m rifle prone event after shooting 618.9 points.

But the main attraction of the day for India were the wrestlers, who didn't disappoint. All four wrestlers in action won medals, with Sushil Kumar and Rahul Aware bagging gold.

Female grapplers Babita Kumari and Kiran had to settle for silver and bronze in their respective events.

(Read full story here)