PM Modi’s Mission Shakti Address Not a Violation of MCC, Says EC
An anti-satellite weapon A-SAT, successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit
The Election Commission of India on Friday, 29 March, ruled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mission Shakti address was not a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
The decision was taken by a committee of officers who found that “the MCC provision regarding misuse of official mass media” is not applicable in this case.
“It is clear that Doordarshan has only used the feed provided by ANI. The All India Radio has taken audio output as broadcast by Doordarshan News for dissemination over All India Radio network,” the statement from the EC read.
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Here’s how India’s A-SAT missile works:
- The US has said it has taken note of India’s anti-satellite missile test, but expressed concern over the issue of space debris
- PM Modi asserted that ‘Mission Shakti’ is not against any nation and does not violate any international treaties or laws
- Congress President Rahul Gandhi lauded the DRDO while wishing PM Modi ‘Happy World Theatre Day’
- Congress, while congratulating ISRO, DRDO and the government, credited former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi for the development of India’s Space Programme
- Opposition leaders Akhilesh Yadav, Mayawati and Mamata Banerjee accused Modi of ‘publicity mongering’ over DRDO’s achievements
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PM Modi Held National Security Council Earlier Today
Earlier today, PM Modi chaired the National Security Council meet. The minister of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) was present in the the meet, along with NSA Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale.
Omar Abdullah Takes a Jibe at PM's Announcement
Former J&K CM and NC leader Omar Abdullah took a jibe at PM Modi before his announcement.
PM Modi Addresses the Nation
Anti-Satellite Weapon A-SAT, Successfully Targeted a Live Satellite: PM Modi
An anti-satellite weapon A-SAT, successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit, announces PM Modi.
“'Mission Shakti' operation was a difficult target to achieve which was completed successfully within three minutes of launch,” he said.
PM Modi asserted that the use of the anti-satellite weapon is not against any nation and meets all international standards.
“A-SAT missile will give new strength to India's space programme. I assure the international community that our capability won't be used against anyone but is purely India's defence initiative for its security. We're against arms raised in space. This test won't breach any international law or treaties,” he said.
Nitin Gadkari Congratulates Scientists Behind 'Mission Shakti'
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari congratulated PM Modi over the success of Mission Shakti.
“Congratulations to all the scientists for carrying out "Mission Shakti" successfully. India is moving fast towards becoming a world leader, and under PM Modi's leadership, it is on its way to not only become a 'super economic power', but also a 'super science power',” he said.
Testament to Jawaharlal Nehru's Belief in Scientific Thought: Shama Mohamed
Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed said that Mission Shakti is testament to Jawaharlal Nehru's belief in scientific thought.
This is a Fantastic Capability: Former DRDO Chief
Former DRDO Chief and NITI Aayog member Dr VK Saraswat told ANI that anti-satellite weapon A-SAT is a fantastic achievement.
“This is a fantastic capability to have and it gives us a deterrence in case our adversaries try to militarise the space or try to prevent us from using our existing space capabilities,” he said.
Congress Congratulates ISRO & Government, Credits Nehru, Indira for Space Programme
The Congress took to Twitter to congratulate ISRO, DRDO and the government and credited Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi for India’s Space Programme.
'Historic Day,' Says Ravi Shankar Prasad on Mission Shakti
Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad congratulated the scientists behind Mission Shakti and said that this is a historic day for India.
“It's a historic day, India has emerged as a big space power for which all the scientists and the Prime Minister, in particular, deserve full praise. I compliment the scientists and the Prime Minister,” he said.
Mission Not Targeted at Any Nation: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement saying Mission Shakti was not targeted at any particular nation.
“The test isn't directed against any country. India’s space capabilities don't threaten any country nor are they directed against anyone. At the same time, the government is committed to ensuring country’s national security interests and is alert to threats from emerging technologies.
The capability achieved through the Anti-Satellite missile test provides credible deterrence against threats to our growing space-based assets from long range missiles, and proliferation in the types and numbers of missiles,” the statement read.
Rahul Gandhi Congratulates DRDO, Wishes PM 'Happy World Theatre Day'
Congress President rahul gandhi, while congratulating the DRDO for Mission Shakti wished ‘Happy World Theatre Day’ to PM Modi.
'We Have Mastered Anti-Satellite Capability': DRDO Chairman
DRDO chairman G Satheesh Reddy told ANI that with Mission Shakti, India can hit satellites at long ranges.
“We have mastered anti-satellite capability and we have today shown that we can hit satellites at long ranges with a few centimetres accuracy,” he said.
Satellite Shot Down Today was Launched on 24 January: ANI
The satellite which was hit today was a micro satellite launched by the ISRO on 24 January this year, ANI reported quoting government sources.
PM Modi Calls Scientists to Congratulate Them
PM Narendra Modi called up the entire team of scientists which worked on the A-SAT programme and congratulated them for their hard work.
Govt Doesn't Need EC Permission for Matters of National Security: Report
The government does not need to take permission from the Election Commission (EC) for announcing matters related to national security elections even when the code of conduct is in force, NDTV reported quoting EC sources.
PM Diverted Country from Real Issues By Pointing Towards the Sky: Akhilesh yadav
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav said that PM Modi has diverted India’s attention from real issues with the Mission Shakti announcement.
Congratulate DRDO, But PM Used Achievement For Electoral Gains: Mayawati
BSP Chief Mayawati congratulated DRDO on Mission Shakti while saying that PM Modi had used India’s achievement for electoral gains.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal Congratulates DRDO
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal congratulated DRDO on ‘Mission Shakti’
DRDO's Achievement is Publicity Mongering for Modi: Mamata
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that DRDO’s achievements are being used for publicity mongering by PM Modi.
Arun Jaitley Congratulates Scientists Over Mission Shakti
Union Minister Arun Jaitley while congratulating scientists over Mission Shakti said that while India was capable of this technology in 2012, the previous government did not permit its use.
He also said that the former government did not deserve any credit for it as the process was initiated after 2014 when the Modi government came to power.
Ahmed Patel Credits Congress for Mission Shakti
Congress leader Ahmed Patel said that the UPA government was the one that initiated the A-SAT program.
“The UPA government had initiated the A-SAT program which has reached fruition today. I congratulate our space scientists and the visionary leadership of Dr Manmohan Singh,” he said.
Scientists Should Have Announced It, We Will Complain to EC: Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the announcement should have been made by the scientists.
“It is a political announcement, scientists should have announced it, it's their credit. Only one satellite was destroyed, that wasn't necessary, it was lying there since long, it's the prerogative of scientists, when to do it. We will complain to the EC,” Banerjee said.
UPA Govt Didn't Give Clearance in 2012: Ex-DRDO Chief
Former DRDO chief VK Saraswat said they didn’t get a positive response from the UPA government in 2012, or else they would have done the launch in 2014-2015.
“When proposal was put up by Dr Satheesh Reddy & NSA Ajit Doval to PM Modi, he had the courage and based on that he gave a go ahead. If the clearances were given in 2012-13, I’m quite certain that the launch would have happened in 2014-15,” Saraswat told ANI.
Pak Urges No Militarisation of Space
Hours after India shot down a satellite, Pakistan has said that there should be no miliarisation of space.
In a statement, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister aid, “Space is the common heritage of mankind and every nation has the responsibility to avoid actions which can lead to the militarization of this arena.”
"We hope that countries which have in the past strongly condemned demonstration of similar capabilities by others will be prepared to work towards developing international instruments to prevent military threats relating to outer space," it said.
Dynasts, Weakened and Ruined the Nation: Amit Shah
BJP party President Amit Shah hit back at the Congress President and said that the ‘dynasts’ have weakened the nation.
Hope Nations Will Uphold Peace in Space: China
China on Wednesday reacted guardedly to India's anti-satellite missile test and expressed hope that all countries will uphold peace and tranquillity in the outer space.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, in a written response to a question on India successfully test-firing an anti-satellite missile, said: “We have noticed reports and hope that each country will uphold peace and tranquillity in outer space.”
China conducted such a test in January 2007 when its anti-satellite missile destroyed a defunct weather satellite.
We Are Against the Weaponisation of Outer Space: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that India has no intention of entering into an arms race in outer space.
“We have always maintained that space must be used only for peaceful purposes. We are against the weaponisation of Outer Space and support international efforts to reinforce the safety and security of space based assets,” the MEA said.
DRDO Chief Congratulates India, Says 'Great Achievement'
DRDO Chief Satheesh Reddy has called the testing of the anti-satellite weaponry a ‘great achievement for India’.
Speaking to PTI, Reddy said, “Technology used for anti-satellite missile test has been completely developed indigenously.”
PM Modi Congratulates Scientists on Mission Shakti
Interacting with the scientists involved in Mission Shakti, PM Modi congratulated them and said we have proven that we are no less than anyone else.
CPI(M) Writes to EC, Says PM's Address Violation of MCC
CPI(M) has written to the Election Commission over Modi's address to the nation today on Mission Shakti stating, “This announcement comes in the midst of the ongoing election campaign where the PM himself is a candidate. This is clearly a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.”
DRDO Achievement Pride for Nation, Let Us Not Play Politics on It: Ram Madhav
With the Opposition accusing Prime Minister Modi of trying to get electoral mileage by announcing amid the poll process the successful testing of India's anti-satellite missile ability, the BJP Wednesday cautioned political parties against playing "politics on the issue".
Terming DRDO scientists achievement as a "pride" of the nation, BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav said "let us not play politics" on the issue.
ED Has Directed a Committee of Officers to Look Into PM's Address
The Election Commission of India has said that a Committee of Officers are examining the matter related to PM Modi’s address to the nation.
“Matter related to address of the Prime Minister to the Nation on electronic media today afternoon has been brought to the notice of ECI. The Commission has directed a Committee of Officers to examine the matter immediately in the light of Model Code of Conduct,” the ECI has said.
Priyanka Congratulates DRDO
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra congratulated the DRDO scientists for Mission Shakti adding that the institution was founded by Nehru.
“I am very, very proud of DRDO, one of India’s great institutions founded by Pandit Nehru in 1950," Gandhi said in Amethi.
'Mission Shakti Will Strengthen India's Defence Capability,' Say Industry
Industry and experts said 'Mission Shakti', under which India demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite, has dramatically strengthened the country's strategic defence power.
"This success speaks laurels for our scientific community which have done the nation proud and enhanced our strategic defence capability," PTI reported quoting Ficci President Sandip Somany.
He added that the emergence of India as a major defence and space power while keeping in place its commitments to non-proliferation of weapons in space and not against any nation, speaks volumes of its stature as a responsible world power in the comity of nations.
"This demonstration is significant in that the technology is indigenous. For decades, India has been denied foreign technology under nuclear and missile control regimes, forcing the country to research and develop the technology at home," Dr. Chaitanya Giri, Fellow, Space Studies, Gateway House said.
RSS Lauds Scientists, Centre for Success of 'Mission Shakti
Stating that India has become a "space super power", the RSS complimented the scientists and the government for the successful demonstration of anti-satellite missile capability.
"On the significant occasion of India's becoming a space super power after the successful Mission Shakti : testing of Anti-Satellite weapon A-SAT, we salute and compliment our scientists as well as the central leadership on behalf of the people of India," the RSS tweeted from its official handle.
Will Cooperate With India in Space Tech: US on Mission Shakti
The US has said it has taken note of India's anti-satellite missile test, but expressed concern over the issue of space debris.
"Our strong strategic partnership with India, we will continue to pursue shared interests in space and scientific and technical cooperation, including collaboration on safety and security in space,” a State Department spokesperson told PTI.
However, the spokesperson, expressed concern over the issue of space debris.
“The issue of space debris is an important concern for the U.S. government. We took note of Indian government statements that the test was designed to address space debris issues,” the spokesperson said.
EC Panel Likely to Give Report on PM’s Mission Shakti Speech Today
A committee of the Election Commission examining the matter related to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on Wednesday "in light of the Model Code of Conduct" is expected to submit a report on Thursday, 28 March, sources cited by NDTV said.
The EC may also take a decision on the report on Thursday itself.
Modi's Address Gross Misuse of Power & Machinery: Mayawati
BSP President Mayawati lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for “gross misuse of power and machinery” in addressing the nation without prior permission of the Election Commission and hoped that the poll body will act in an exemplary manner.
She was referring to Modi's address to the nation on Wednesday announcing India's successful test of an anti-satellite missile that put the country in an exclusive club of space super powers.
“The EC has formed a committee to examine the content of PM's address yesterday but the real issue is why & how the PM addressed the country without its prior permission. It is the gross misuse of power & machinery for the electoral benefits. EC must act in an exemplary manner," the BSP leader tweeted.
DRDO Could’ve Announced Mission Shakti: Ex-CEC SY Quraishi
Former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi on 28 March told The Indian Express that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on Mission Shakti could have been made by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Quraishi also said that in his experience, the PMO would ask the EC for permission before making important announcements.
PM Modi’s Mission Shakti Address Not a Violation of MCC, Says EC
The Election Commission of India on Friday, 29 March, ruled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Mission Shakti address was not a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.
The decision was taken by a committee of officers who found that “the MCC provision regarding misuse of official mass media” is not applicable in this case.
“It is clear that Doordarshan has only used the feed provided by ANI. The All India Radio has taken audio output as broadcast by Doordarshan News for dissemination over All India Radio network,” the statement from the EC read.