A man was injured in a brawl between two groups in Udupi, a coastal town in Karnataka. The incident, which took place on the night of May 18, gained widespread attention after a video went viral on social media today. According to the police, six individuals were involved in the fight. Two have been arrested, while four remain at large.
The altercation reportedly stemmed from a financial dispute. A resident of a nearby high-rise captured the incident on video, showing two Maruti Swift cars involved. One car reversed rapidly, hitting the other on the bonnet and emitting black smoke. Men from both vehicles exited and began fighting. During the confrontation, one car struck a man holding a stick, throwing him to the ground and leaving him injured.
Dr Durgaprasad Hegde, an orthopaedic surgeon, shared the video on X, expressing concern over the situation. “Very bad state of affairs. Gang war in Udupi. The incident happened recently late at night, two groups fought on the Udupi-Manipal highway near Kunjibettu. Where is the younger generation heading? Stringent action should be taken against all these culprits,” he commented.
Very bad state of affairs
Gang War at Udupi
Incident happened recently late night, 2 groups fought on Udupi Manipal Highway near Kunjibettu
The video went viral just days after at least 86 individuals, including Telugu actor Hema, tested positive for drug consumption following a police raid on a rave party at a farmhouse in Bengaluru earlier this week.
FIR copies in the matter shine a light on the major rave party bust near Electronics City. According to the FIR, the party was attended by 73 men and 30 women.
The Central Crime Branch (CCB) will issue notices to those whose blood samples tested positive for drugs and will summon them for questioning.
The rave party case, initially handled by the Electronic City police, was transferred to the Hebbagodi police station before being taken over by the CCB. A case has been registered against 104 individuals.
During the raid, the police seized 14.40 grams of MDMA pills, 1.16 grams of MDMA crystals, six grams of hydro cannabis, five grams of cocaine, a Rs 500 note coated with cocaine, six grams of hydro ganja, five mobile phones, two vehicles (a Volkswagen and a Land Rover), and DJ equipment, including sound and lighting systems worth Rs 1.5 crore.
The Lok Sabha elections 2024 have entered their final week. After voting in the sixth phase today, the last phase of voting is slated to take place on 1st June. In the seventh phase, voting will also take place in Varanasi, where PM Modi is a Lok Sabha candidate. Continuing a series of interviews during these elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sat for an exclusive interview with DD News on Saturday (25th May).
During the interaction, PM Modi said, “I hope that some hardworking people from the opposition will be elected and reach Parliament so that they can criticise the government with data and hard work. This will lead to the development of the country.” PM Modi asserted, “For me, the 140 crore people of my country are a manifestation of God.”
During the interview, PM Modi described the Calcutta High Court’s recent decision on OBC reservations as an eye-opener for the country.
In the ongoing elections, PM Modi has attended more than 350 rallies, public meetings, and roadshows, and remained the busiest throughout the entire election.
According to the Prime Minister, elections are a big celebration of democracy and an opportunity to inculcate the values of democracy in the minds of future generations. The government and political parties should be accountable to the public. During elections, they should present their vision and plans before the country. Misleading the public by making conflicting statements within a month is not right, the Prime Minister asserted.
(Video Courtesy – Narendra Modi YouTube channel)
PM Modi said, ‘I consider elections as a campaign for public welfare. For me, there are two forms of God, Sakaar (one with physical manifestation) and Nirakaar (formless). The manifested form is the 140 crore citizens of my country. For me, elections are like worshipping God. It is a continuous process that intensifies during elections.’
Calcutta High Court’s decision on OBC reservations is an eye-opener for the country
Responding to a query regarding Muslim reservation, PM Modi asserted, “People say that Narendra Modi is against reservation for Muslims. However, the reality is that our Constitution says this. From Babasaheb Ambedkar to all intellectuals, they have said the same thing. I also say the same. I oppose giving reservations based on religion because the Constitution considers everyone equal. Therefore, if someone says that they belong to a particular religion and should receive reservations, that will not happen.”
Referring to the Calcutta High Court’s recent decision where it cancelled OBC certificates issued by the West Bengal government since 2010, PM Modi said that this decision is an eye-opener for the country as to how you (the opposition) are snatching away the rights of OBCs. By the way, Delhi’s Shahi Pariwar (a dig at the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty) did not accept OBCs since the time of Jawaharlal Nehru. This continued until the government of VP Singh. These people have always hated OBCs. They have always been enemies of OBCs. But when the OBC reservation started, they created the Karnataka model to loot the rights of OBCs by including Muslims in it. Mamata Banerjee is accused of doing the same thing, which the court took notice of and cancelled it.
It is satisfying that now discussion is happening on the issue of development: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “I have fought and campaigned in many elections. Earlier, issues like caste and community used to dominate during elections, but my experience from Gujarat has shown that I compelled all parties to focus on development. It is a matter of happiness for me that people have started talking about development. The expectations of the people have increased.”
He added, “Previously, people only hoped for temporary measures like mud-filled roads during floods; that was the extent of their aspirations. But now they demand four-lane roads. This represents a significant change.”
I don’t form opinions through newspapers: PM Modi
Further, in the interview with senior DD journalist Ashok Srivastava, PM Modi said, “I have plenty of resources for information. I don’t form opinions based on newspapers. I don’t follow the tradition of filtering out critical views because of which I get to know all kinds of feedback.”
He pointed out that there had been a tradition that whenever the CAG report pointed out something positive, no discussions were held regarding its findings and it would be ignored. But when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, he would give directions to address the shortcomings found in the CAG report. “I am someone who listens to criticisms. In the five-year term, after three years, there were no complaints left. The opposition had nothing left to say because I would also accommodate their problems as well. I would listen to their problems and resolve them,” the Prime Minister added.
Sound Criticism of the government is necessary
Replying to the people who ‘criticise’ him, PM Modi said, “Criticism requires hard work. I have said that 4 crore homes were built, which requires hard work to criticise, something which the opposition fails to do. (Objective) Criticism is essential to run an effective government, but nowadays people do not work hard enough. If my claim of 4 crore homes is to be criticised, then the opposition should thoroughly investigate it. Whether everyone received a home or not, whether anyone had to pay money, what process was followed, what problems arose – if the opposition criticises in this manner, it will be beneficial. The shortcomings that are identified should be addressed, but the opposition is not putting in much effort. I hope that hardworking individuals from the opposition are elected to parliament. Even criticisms should contribute to the enrichment and betterment of the country.”
PM Modi reiterated the same in an interview with News18 where he opined that he missed a strong opposition during ten years of his government which pained his heart.
The nation wants a strong and stable government
PM Modi pointed out that there have been different styles of functioning as far as coalition governments are concerned. PM Modi noted that though Atal Ji’s government was also a coalition, everyone’s responsibilities were defined. Manmohan Singh also ran a coalition government, but there was also a super PM in it. Each ministry considered itself a separate government. The concept of a super PM led to complications. This time too, the I.N.D.I. alliance is preparing for five years with five PMs. These people have done this before, with a scattered system. They are bringing the same concept again. If this is the mindset, how will the country run?, the Prime Minister said.
PM Modi added that when the people of India elected a new government in 2014, not only there was anger towards the old government but also he had a track record in Gujarat. He said that the BJP had clearly stated that we would form the government under the leadership of Modi. The public had a clear vision which is why they chose us. In 2019, they saw the track record of the past five years. The people saw that a stable government was good for the country. In this way, the people of the country are providing a stable and strong government.
The Left government of Kerala initiated strict action against Dr Rema M, a college principal who spoke out against the goons of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), a left-wing student organisation. She was removed from her position and was subjected to a probe after her retirement under the claims of criticising the government. Furthermore, she was also transferred. She had accused the SFI thugs of being involved in illegal activities including organised crime and drug addiction on the college campus after which they held her hostage on the college campus for hours. However, rather than starting legal action against the SFI members, the government targeted the principal and now the Kerala High Court has reprimanded it for the same.
The Kerala High Court condemned the state government led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) for “misusing power” and for supporting the party’s student wing (SFI) in their attempt “to prevent a college teacher from obtaining pensionary benefits,” reported Onmanorama. Judges A Muhamed Mustaque and Shoba Annamma Eapen of the High Court have annulled the two departmental inquiries against the former principal of Kasaragod Government College, who had been critical of the SFI for engaging in unlawful activities on campus. She retired on 31st March 2023. The ruling was posted on the court’s website on 21st May this year after the order was delivered a month ago on 9th April.
Dr Rema was first dismissed from her position as principal in charge by Kerala’s Minister for Higher Education, R Bindu. She was then shifted by the Directorate of Collegiate Education to Government Arts and Science College, Koduvally, which is 200 kilometres away in the Kozhikode district. The development transpired following an interview she did for an internet portal in which she accused SFI workers and some students of abusing narcotics, having “immoral physical relationships” and committing atrocities on campus.
“If she had raised unsubstantiated allegations against members of the SFI unit, the real aggrieved parties are the members of the SFI unit and not the government,” the verdict declared, lambasting the government for defending SFI and citing service rules that shield the government from embarrassing remarks made by employees. “The government cannot assume that these are unsubstantiated allegations without conducting an inquiry by an independent authority or determining at a litigatory forum.”
An inquiry commission had been established by the government, comprising Deputy Director of Collegiate Education Sunil John J, Professor Geetha E and senior clerk Shyamlal I S as members. The committee was formed in response to a complaint brought out by Kasaragod Government College’s SFI unit secretary, Akshay M K. The panel did not look into the accusations made against the SFI and instead, it proposed that Dr. Rema be transferred to another college. “It appears that it was a one-sided inquiry to indict the petitioner rather than addressing disciplinary issues within the college,” the court pronounced.
Background of the case
SFI members brought up the issue of contaminated drinking water with Dr. Rema on 20th February of last year. On the same day, she gave the college superintendent instructions to fix the water filter. However, SFI leaders visited her chamber the next day and demanded an explanation regarding the filter’s repair. On 22nd February, SFI members reported that the responsible principal was abusing pupils verbally to the media. The next day, Dr Rema was detained by around sixty SFI students from 10.30 am until 2 pm. The order stated that she could not even use the restroom. It revealed that the cops had liberated her after she had been heckled by female students.
She was relieved of her duties as principal in charge by Minister Bindu on 23rd February and SFI announced that Dr Rema would not be permitted to set foot on campus. She unveiled spotting people using drugs and having sexual encounters on campus to an internet portal the next day. She additionally stated that SFI students were committing crimes and indulging in illicit conduct. She received a show-cause notice from the government claiming that her interview damaged the college’s reputation. Her daughter was enrolled in the same college, she retorted and asserted that she did not hold grudges against the entire student body.
The government formed the three-person inquiry committee because they were not satisfied with the response which filed a report on 15th June 2023, suggesting that Dr. Rema be brought to task for breaching Rules 61 and 62 of the Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1960. It was put forward that she be moved to another college to preserve the pleasant atmosphere that Kasaragod College offers for learning. Sudhir K, the Director of Collegiate Education, assigned Government Arts and Science College, Koduvally to her on July 9, 2023.
The legal battle
Dr Rema challenged the order with the Kerala Administrative Tribunal. She was scheduled to retire on 31st March 2024, therefore the tribunal ordered the government to reconsider sending her to a nearby college. As a result, the government moved her to the Govinda Pai Memorial Government College in Manjeshwar, to the Department of Statistics. However, the tribunal did not challenge the decision to remove her from her key position and hence she went to the High Court.
The Directorate of Collegiate Education’s intention to apply Rules 62 and 63 of the Service Conduct Rules was overturned by the court on the grounds that Dr Rema “spoke against the SFI unit and its member” and “not against the government or the relationship between the government and the students.” Employees are instructed by Rule 62 of the Service Conduct Rules not to express anything that could damage the public-government relationship. Moreover, Rule 63 requires staff members to have the government review their comments before they are made public if there is any uncertainty.
The judges observed that during the interview Dr Rema mentioned objectionable behaviours of former students who frequently attended college for illegal purposes, in addition to her criticism of SFI members. The ruling highlighted, “The petitioner is a free citizen of this country. She cannot surrender her constitutional right of free speech and expression.” However, the government served Dr Rema another charge notice on 24th March for turning down a student’s admission request in August 2022, after the bench on 22nd March 2024 reserved the matter for decision.
The student’s admission was refused by Dr Rema due to her failure to bring her father. On 23rd August 2022, the student brought a complaint to the registrar of Kannur University and in response, Dr Rema explained that the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) had decided to require the father’s participation in the Anti-Ragging and Anti-Dowry Forums, where parents must sign at the time of admission.
The University Syndicate proposed criminal charges against Dr. Rema on 19th October last year and alleged that she “exceeded her authority by insisting on the presence of a parent or parents during admission”. However, the High Court had previously determined that the initial investigation into Dr Rema “was launched to impede her from receiving pensionary benefits as soon as she retired.” The court’s view was strengthened by the second memo. “We cannot overlook the fact that the present charge memo issued on the eve of retirement is nothing but a continuation of the earlier charge memo to harass the petitioner for extraneous reasons,” the order concluded.
Meghna Bali, South Asia Bureau Chief and Correspondent of Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) News on 24th May accused a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party of bribing the police and polling authorities in the Sambhal constituency of Uttar Pradesh which went to the polls on 7th May in the ongoing Lok Sabha election. She claimed that the video was taken a few days before 7th May. However the fact is that the video is old and not related to the ongoing general election, the proof of which is present in the video itself.
The ‘journalist’ asserted, “The ABC has obtained and verified a video showing a BJP worker named Bhuvnesh Kumar Varshney plotting to bribe police and polling officials in UP’s Sambhal constituency before the May 7 poll. Watch the full video below with captions.”
She then alleged that the media house also verified that Bhuvnesh Kumar Varshney had been apprehended and booked under section 151 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and added, “Many described the action as not harsh enough.”
The Sambhal police countered the accusation and informed that it was old footage as the person was wearing winter clothing but the election was conducted during the height of the summer season. The election in Sambhal took place on 7th May, and the highest temperature on that day was 42° C. In the video, while one person is wearing a sweater, the other person is in a coat, clearly indicating it is not from the current season when most of the country is facing heatwave.
The police said, “This appears to be an old video timed way before Model Code of Conduct was enforced, as the person in the video can be clearly seen wearing winter clothes whereas the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in district Sambhal took place during peak summer on 7th of May. From the video the location is unclear. Still taking cognisance of the video the person was identified and arrested on 01.05.2024 and due legal action was taken against him by police.” It further urged her not to disseminate false information based on unconfirmed details.
The ABC has independently verified the authenticity of this video. We spoke to victims and eyewitnesses who describe what happened across villages in Sambhal on May 7. The details are near identical in both instances. We have confirmed Mr Varshney was booked under s151 crpc…
However, Meghna Bali argued the validity of this footage had been independently confirmed by ABC News and claimed, “We spoke to victims and eyewitnesses who describe what happened across villages in Sambhal on May 7. The details are nearly identical in both instances. We have confirmed Mr Varshney was booked under section 151 of the CrPC several days before the poll.”
ABC News and its anti-India bias
Avani Dias, the South Asia Bureau Chief for ABC News accused the Modi government of not extending her visa due to which she had to leave the country immediately. She further voiced that the Indian government intended not to permit her accreditation to report on the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The ‘journalist’ stated that she returned to Australia after her visa was renewed for a two-month term at the last moment.
However, her lies were busted by India Today’s Geeta Mohan who revealed that the Australian journalist’s charges were false, deceptive and mischievous. She disclosed that the latter flouted visa regulations while pursuing her professional endeavours. She pointed out that despite this, she had received word that her visa would be extended so she could cover the general election.
Her prior visa was granted an extension through the end of June, with a validity date of 20th April. Her application for a visa extension was approved on 18th April 18, the day she paid the visa fee. However, Geeta Mohan unveiled that Avni Dias chose to depart India on 20th April when her visa was still valid and her request for an extension was accepted. It also turned out that her claim that she had not been given permission to cover elections was untrue.
Moreover, “The Australia Today” reported that she came back to Australia because of a new employment opportunity which she received in June of last year and her wedding which took place last December. Her return had nothing to do with India, the Lok Sabha poll or the Modi government.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) allegedly called her to inform her that her visa extension was denied, according to a controversial story that her employer ABC News published. According to the publication, the “journalist” was notified by MEA about her propaganda-filled YouTube video, which implied that India had a hand in the murder of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a resident of Canada and it had crossed a line. The purpose of the 29-minute film, “Sikhs, Spies and Murder: Investigating India’s alleged hit on foreign soil” was to defame India internationally and paint it as a party to extraterritorial assassinations that take place in other nations.
Notably, the Australian Hindu Media severely criticized ABC News’s South Asia Bureau Chief in March of this year for trying to deny the involvement of radical Khalistanis and implying that Hindus were responsible for the destruction of Brisbane’s Shree Laxmi Narayan Temple. She also made an effort to portray the Ram Mandir Pran Prathistha celebration as a “Hindu supremacist” event earlier in January. Furthermore, Avani Dias opportunistically avoided discussing the history of Ram Mandir and how Islamic conqueror Babur destroyed it in 1526. The contentious ‘journalist’ even asserted that the rebuilding of the Ram Mandir is a component of the Hindu nationalist movement, which seeks to undermine the “secular ethos” of this country.
On Friday (24th May), UK-based Financial Times published an article claiming that Arvind Kejriwal’s release from jail has ‘shaken up election campaigning'”.. Incidentally, the article is titled (archived), ‘Bailed India opposition leader’s return shakes up election campaign’. It attempts to influence voters in favour of the AAP leader who is out on conditional Interim bail in a corruption case, as it was published a day before Delhi went for voting in the sixth phase.
According to FT, Arvind Kejriwal’s release from jail has invigorated the opposition alliance against PM Modi-led NDA as the opposition hopes for a shock upset. It claims that Kejriwal’s rallies and campaigning have made things challenging for the incumbent PM Narendra Modi. FT states, “The dramatic release of one of India’s top opposition leaders has shaken up the final stretch of the country’s election campaign, giving a much-needed boost to Narendra Modi’s rivals in their quest to unseat the prime minister next month.”
However, it is pertinent to note that the Aam Aadmi Party is contesting only 22 out of 543 Lok Sabha seats. Additionally, except for four seats in Delhi where it is directly contesting against the BJP, AAP is competing against its I.N.D.I. alliance partner, Congress in the other seats it is contesting. These remaining seats include 13 in Punjab, where both alliance partners are engaged in ugly verbal spats and serious allegations against each other. The BJP has a strong presence only in limited pockets of Punjab, leaving Congress and AAP in direct competition. Any gains for AAP or Congress would come at the expense of its I.N.D.I. Alliance partner. In this political context, Kejriwal’s purported influence, if any, on voters could ‘shake the election campaign’ not for the opposition bloc, but against a key ally of the I.N.D.I. Alliance, Congress.
Nonetheless, AAP, which has been embroiled in corruption allegations in Liquor Policy is currently at the center of a storm over allegations of assault on their own woman MP Swati Maliwal inside the residence of Delhi CM and AAP Supremo Arvind Kejriwal. Lately, AAP has in fact become a liability for I.N.D.I. Alliance. It has courted back-to-back major controversies on two major poll planks – corruption and women’s safety, making it difficult for the alliance by shifting vicarious liability for AAP’s misdeeds onto its alliance partners and stroking controversies that overshadow the alliance’s election pitch. It is important to note that after changing its strategies, the I.N.D.I. Alliance had started to hold joint rallies but on account of AAP’s controversies, Congress didn’t extend an invite to its alliance partner Arvind Kejriwal to address Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Delhi jointly.
Meanwhile, the FT article mentioned that the AAP Supremo and Delhi CM, Arvind Kejriwal, is out on bail in the Liquor Policy scam case adding that he has denied the allegations. However, the British media outlet failed to include several scathing remarks from various courts in the case which has severely dented the image of the “Kattar Imandar Party” and its Chief.
Claiming that Kejriwal’s release has helped the I.N.D.I. Alliance, the article further states, “While the BJP remained the favourite, analysts said Kejriwal’s release had helped invigorate the multi-party opposition alliance known as INDIA — which includes AAP, the Indian National Congress and dozens of regional parties — as they hope for a shock upset.”
Apart from presenting Kejriwal’s release and campaigning as some sort of game-changer for the opposition’s efforts, it accuses PM Modi of using “divisive rhetoric towards Muslims”.
In a bid to paint PM Modi’s campaigning in a bad light and peddling anti-Muslim tropes against PM Modi and the BJP, Financial Times added, “On the campaign trail, Modi has hailed what he calls a “wave of support” for the BJP, playing up his development record and doubling down on divisive rhetoric towards India’s Muslim minority.”
To rally public perception in favour of Kejriwal, the article quotes Kejriwal who plays the victim for giving good governance to the Delhi residents. It added, ‘Why am I at fault? Because I built good schools and good hospitals for your kids?’ Kejriwal told the rally.
“His message has resonated with voters such as Mohammad Abid, 52, the owner of an auto parts shop. ‘People are fed up of the last 10 years of the Modi government,’ said Abid. ‘The whole country wants to see a change’,” the FT added.
According to the FT article, while people on the ground admit that several issues are troubling them and after his release, Kejriwal has shaken the election campaigning, people have been ‘disgruntledly admitting’ that a third term for the Modi government is inevitable.
Earlier this week, the Financial Times targeted Adani for an alleged ‘coal scam,’ which was soon picked up by senior Congress leader and former president Rahul Gandhi to attack the Modi government. In an attempt to corner the Modi government, he referenced the Financial Times report, which accused the Adani Group of selling low-grade coal as high-value fuel. However, it later emerged that the transaction took place during the UPA era, undermining Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to target the Modi government and casting his own party’s previous government in a negative light by leveling corruption allegations against them.
Upcoming Hindi movie Hamare Baarah’s makers have filed a complaint at Versova Police Station in Mumbai after the cast and crew of the movie have been constantly receiving death and rape threats online from Islamists.
About the complaint, the film’s producers’ team said, “Not only us but our family members and friends are also receiving death threats. But the police have assured us that you are in Maharashtra, nothing wrong will happen to you.”
The film, which is set for release on June 7, presents a bold narrative and sheds light on the challenges endured by Muslim women as they are relegated to the stature of inferior beings and treated similarly to baby-making machines in their households. However, it has miffed the extremists who have retorted to issuing threats of beheadings to intimidate the film’s director Kamal Chandra and actors Annu Kapoor and Aditi Dhiman.
The followers of radical Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan which was founded by the late Khadim Hussain Rizvi and Indian extremist Mufti Salman Azhari are using social media, particularly Instagram, to threaten the filmmakers with death. Videos depicting brutal beheadings akin to those carried out by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) accompanied by Islamic hymns and verses were shared to warn the artists.
The radicals even posted footage of actual beheadings with ISIS flags and “Allah hu Akbar” to instill fear in the hearts of the cast and crew and warned that the director would meet the same fate if the movie was released. The pictures of the makers of the film have been edited to use in such clips. Cyberattacks have also been threatened against Zee Music for the movie trailer. The film producer’s phone number, email address, IP address, MAC address and tower details have all been leaked by these radicals on Instagram.
“Hamare Baarah” venture featuring a stellar cast including Annu Kapoor, Ashwini Kalsekar, and Manoj Joshi in prominent roles is set to release on 7th June next month. It recently premiered at the prestigious 77th Cannes Film Festival. It was initially called “Hum Do Humare Baraah” but the name was changed as per a directive by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
In the latest development in the Pune Porsche hit-and-run case, in which a teenager, in an inebriated state, had rammed his luxury car into a bike and killed two persons in East Avenue, Kalyani Nagar, Pune on the morning of May 19th, the grandfather SK Agarwal has been arrested.
According to reports, the teen’s grandfather was arrested for ‘forcing’ the driver to ‘accept’ he was driving the Porsche during the accident.
Media reports have quoted sources as saying that after the accident, the grandfather locked the driver and urged him to take the blame instead of the minor. He also told him that the family would ensure that he is released scot-free in the case.
Meanwhile, the investigation was transferred from the Yerawada police station to the Crime Branch late on Friday (May 24). All the six accused arrested in the case including the teen’s father, Vishal Agarwal, were remanded to judicial custody by a local court.
It may be recalled that the Pune teen’s grandfather’s link with the underworld had come to the fore earlier.
OpIndia reported that Surendra Kumar Agarwal, the grandfather of the accused who started the family’s construction business, is facing trial for contracting the gangster Chhota Rajan’s shooter in 2009 to kill Shiv Sena’s Ajay Bhosale. Reports suggested that SK Agarwal was booked by the Pune police for hiring a mercenary from Chhota Rajan’s gang to kill the Shiv Sena corporator.
Surendra Kumar Agarwal had ironically, stood surety for the bail of his accused grandson. He also assured the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) that the minor would mend his ways. This means that it was on his assurance that the court granted bail to the 17-year-old.
The juvenile justice board gave the boy, who was intoxicated at the time of the accident, bail in exchange for a Rs 7,500 surety and his grandfather’s promise to keep him away from bad company.
Later on Wednesday (22nd May), the Juvenile Justice Board, however, cancelled the bail granted to the teenage driver and sent him to the Children Observation Centre. As per the order, the teen has been sent to remand home for 15 days, that is, till 5th June.
Two days after the Calcutta High Court struck down the inclusion of 77 classes (mostly belonging to the Muslim community) in the OBC category in West Bengal, the BJP-led-Rajasthan government is mulling to review the OBC reservation granted to Muslims in the State.
While speaking about the matter on Friday (24th May), Rajasthan’s Cabinet Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Avinash Gehlot informed, “As part of its appeasement politics, Congress gave reservation to 14 Muslims castes under OBC category between 1997 and 2013.”
“We have all those circulars, and in due time, the department and the government will review it,” he emphasised. Gehlot added that providing reservation to any class based on religion is against Constitutional principles.
He said, “We have received lots of complaints about it. The department is verifying the complaints.”
The Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment also informed that a high-level committee would be formed after elections to review the OBC reservation granted to 14 Muslim classes in Rajasthan.
PM Modi hit out at Congress over Muslim reservation
It must be mentioned that Rajasthan has 21% reservation for Other Backward Classes in government jobs. In April this year, PM Modi hit out at the Opposition Congress party for reducing quotas for SCs, STs and OBCs and granting reservations to Muslims during an election rally in Tonk-Sawai Madhopur Lok Sabha constituency.
“I want to ask Congress, will it announce that it won’t reduce the reservation for Dalits, tribals and the backward and distribute it to Muslims? Promise this to the nation,” he had added.
The Calcutta High Court verdict on Muslim OBC reservation
In a landmark judgment on Wednesday (22nd May), the Calcutta High Court cancelled Other Backward Class (OBC) certificates issued to 77 groups by the Left and Trinamool Congress governments between 5th March 2010 and 11th May 2012.
The development came as a shocker for the incumbent government ahead of the upcoming 6th phase of Lok Sabha elections in the State.
The West Bengal government, run by the Left and TMC, came under scanner for its “unconstitutional” categorisation of classes solely based on religion, as laid down by the Supreme Court in the landmark Indra Sawhney case of 1992 (wherein the Judiciary upheld the validity of 27% OBC reservation).
The Calcutta High Court also noted that the West Bengal government committed “fraud on the Constitutional power of the State” by enacting the West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012 and excluding the role of Commission in the identification of new OBCs.
“The Commission’s reports are not in accordance with the Constitutional value of the impartial and secular reservation. Although the reports of the Commission are prepared to show that it has not made a religion-specific reservation, it appears otherwise to this Court,” the Judges noted.
The Calcutta High Court also came down heavily on the West Bengal government for treatment of Muslims as a ‘political commodity’ and exploiting them for electoral gains.
It is interesting to note that while most classes belonging to the Muslim community were included in the OBC category under the Left regime, it was the Mamata Banerjee-led-TMC government that issued the most number of OBC certificates to Mulims after coming to power in 2011.
Recently, Bihar’s Gaya Police confirmed that they arrested an accused in connection with a viral video in which several miscreants were seen burning a Hindu religious flag. The incident took place in a village that falls under the jurisdiction of Mufassil Police Station, reportedly in the first week of May.
On 23rd May, the official handle of Gaya Police responded to an X-user who requested action in this matter and the immediate arrest of the accused.
इस संबंध में फतेहपुर थाना कांड संख्या 292/24 दर्ज कर, उक्त आरोपी को गिरफ्तार कर थानास्तर से अग्रतर कार्रवाई की जा रही है ।
— GAYA POLICE (गया (बिहार) पुलिस ) (@GAYAPOLICEBIHAR) May 23, 2024
Responding to the post, Gaya Police replied, “In this regard, Fatehpur Police Station Case No. 292/24 has been registered and the said accused has been arrested and further action is being taken at the police station level.”
According to a report in a Hindi daily, Hindustan, the Mufassil Police station registered an FIR against four accused on 6th May for burning a Hindu religious flag which had Lord Hanuman’s image on it. The FIR was registered for hurting Hindu religious sentiments.
After registering an FIR, the police carried out raids to apprehend the accused, but all of them absconded.
Bringing the case into light, an X user Vanar Sena shared the video where the miscreants were seen burning the Hindu religious flag. Sharing details about the incident and the accused, Vanar Sena wrote, “Neeraj Jatav, Ps: Mufassil, Gaya (Bihar) @bihar_police Sir, this Neeraj wants to create riots by burning the flag of Balaji, the idol of crores of Hindus, and making it viral on social media. @GAYAPOLICEBIHAR is requested to register a case as soon as possible and arrest this person. I am saying whatever I want to do on the call.”
The Mufassil Police took cognisance of the incident after the video went viral. Regarding the viral video, SSP Ashish Bharti stated that Mufassil police station received information that a video was going viral on social media in which some anti-social elements were seen burning the flag of a particular religion. The video was investigated conventionally and technically as soon as the information was received.
After investigation, it was found that the video was from a village under the Mufassil police station. With the help of local watchmen and public representatives, all the people seen in the video were identified, he added.
The senior Police official further stated that the houses of all the accused were raided. But all the accused were found absconding from their house. He said that considering the seriousness of this matter, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, Wazirganj and Police Station Head, Mufassil Police Station was directed for further investigation and necessary action.
The Kolkata police have announced the imposition of section 144 in the entire city, prompting BJP to allege that it has been imposed to target PM Modi’s planned roadshow in 28 May. However, the police denied the accusation claiming that Section 144 is regularly imposed and renewed in the area.
In the order issued on 22 May by Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Jain, the police have imposed section 144 of the IPC prohibiting any unlawful assembly of five or more persons for 60 days from 28 May 2024 to 26 July 2024 in the Metropolitan area of Kolkata along with parts of South 24 Parganas district that falls under Kolkata Police jurisdiction.
The notification states that the restrictions have been imposed based on “information received from credible sources that violent demonstrations are likely to take place resulting in large-scale disturbances of the public tranquillity and breach of the peace.”
The commissioner said that he is of the opinion that there is sufficient cause for not allowing any rallies/ meetings /processions/ dharnas/ demonstrations for next 2 months in the Town of Kolkata, so as to ensure immediate prevention of breach of peace, disturbances of the public tranquillity in the said Area in view of die larger public interest.
The order stated, “In exercise of the power conferred by Sub-Section(1) of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Act 2 of 1974) read with the Sub-Section(3) of the said Section, I, Vineet Kumar Goyal, Commissioner of Police, Kolkata being an Executive Magistrate for the Metropolitan area of Kolkata as well as in the district of South 24 Parganas (within the limits of the suburbs of Kolkata falling under Kolkata police jurisdiction) do hereby prohibit for a period of 60 (Sixty) days from 28.05.2024 to 26.07.2024 or until further order, any unlawful assembly of 05 or more persons, carrying of lathi, any lethal or other dangerous weapons or doing of any act which is likely to cause breach of the peace and disturbances of the public tranquillity and disruption of vehicular traffic within the said area in the town of Kolkata.”
After the Kolkata Police issued the order, the BJP accused the Trinamool Congress govt of targeting PM Modi’s roadshow in Kolkata on 28 May, the day Section 144 begins in the city. Party’s IT cell head Amit Malviya said, “A scared Mamata Banerjee has ordered Kolkata Police to impose Section 144 for a period of 60 days starting from 28th May 2024 to 26th July 2024. The greater Kolkata region is to poll on 1st Jun and Prime Minister Modi is to hold a roadshow in the city on 28th May. Aware of her slipping political capital in the Kolkata region, Mamata Banerjee is doing what she does best – hiding behind Kolkata Police! Read this move as a sign of her nervousness and shape of things to come.”
A scared Mamata Banerjee has ordered Kolkata Police to impose Section 144 for a period of 60 days starting from 28th May 2024 to 26th July 2024. The greater Kolkata region is to poll on 1st Jun and Prime Minister Modi is to hold a roadshow in the city on 28th May. Aware of her… pic.twitter.com/vP8HKhaEEl
— Amit Malviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@amitmalviya) May 24, 2024
West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumder made similar accusations, saying that the move shows TMC is fearful of losing the polls. He posted on X, “The CM, sensing the will of the masses after 5 phases of election, is now fearful. In a desperate move, she has ordered police to implement Article 144 in Kolkata to stop Modiji’s road-show. Let TMC know: No evil tactics can stop the BJP.”
However, Kolkata Police responded to Sukanta Majumder’s tweet claiming that imposing section 144 in the area is done on a regular basis and there is nothing new in it. The official ? handle of Kolkata Police posted, “Kolkata Police issues 144 Cr PC order in vicinity of Dalhousie and Victoria house on regular basis. This is nothing new and copies of previous orders being attached. So please refrain from spreading misleading information,” quoting Majumder’s tweet.
Kolkata Police issues 144 Cr PC order in vicinity of Dalhousie and Victoria house on regular basis. This is nothing new and copies of previous orders being attached. So please refrain from spreading misleading information. https://t.co/UdpHbUCAClpic.twitter.com/JL7SgBtDDD
Kolkata Police also attached similar orders issued on 22 March and 25 January this year imposing restrictions under section 144 in the entire Kolkata metropolitan area along with South 24 Parganas.
Kolkata Police also posted the same response responding to a tweet by ANI on the new order, asking to “refrain from spreading misleading information.”
The police response suggests that section 144 is continuously imposed in Kolkata which is renewed every 2 months. The 22 March order imposed the restrictions from 29 March to 27 May, and the recent order imposed it from 28 May. Similarly, the January order was for the period 29 January to 28 March, which shows that section 144 is in force continuously in the city, which being renewed every two months.
