'Banning China's apps done to show India's strength': Ramdas Athawale on 'digital strike'

As Central government on Wednesday banned 118 Chinese apps amid India-China border standoff, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said on Thursday that third round of Chinese apps ban is done to show India's strength and teach a lesson to China.

Central government's ban of additional 118 Chinese apps comes in view of fresh border standoff with China in Ladakh with Armies of two South Asian powers. Indian Army stated that it pre-empted movement of Chinese troops on sourn bank of Pangong Tso lake in Ladakh and thwarted attempts by China to unilaterally change facts on ground.  Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday revealed that China once again engd in provocative action on August 31 even as ground commanders of two nations were trying to deescalate situation. However, Indian Army yet again foiled attempt to unilaterally change status quo.

Third 'digital strike'

Among 118 banned apps is popular gaming platform PUBG and VooV Meeting app. Earlier on June 29, government had banned 59 Chinese apps, including popular apps such as TikTok, UC Browser, WeChat and Bigo Live. Centre maintained that Chinese apps were prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of country.  ban was in light of standoff with Chinese troops in Galwan valley in Eastern Ladakh. government n banned 47 more Chinese apps that were clones and variants of ones banned earlier, followed by latest ban of 118 apps.

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US openly backed India's move to ban 118 apps having Chinese origins or linked with China as Communist regime of China has repeatedly threatened sovereignty of several countries which are neighbours of China eir by land or sea. 

While speaking with ANI, Ramdas Athawale also spoke about shortened hours of Monsoon session of Parliament in view of COVID-19.  

"Having social distancing is important. And hence decision was taken to have four hours in Rajya Sabha and four hours in Lok Sabha," Athawale said.

Union Minister, who is a leader of backward classes, expressed happiness on former Bihar Chief Minister joining hands with NDA ahead of Bihar assembly elections.

"Jitan Ram is from Dalit community. He is a very big leader of our community. His decision to join NDA is a great one. We welcome him," he said. 

Speaking about row over Facebook being biased towards Central government, Athawale said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's work is liked and revered by everyone which is why re is publicity through Facebook. 

"Congress keeps complaining that BJP is progressing due to Social Media. Facebook has all rights to take news to people," he added while targeting Congress which had earlier alleged that Facebook is colluding with Centre.

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