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Rajasthan government to review reservations to 14 Muslim communities under OBC category: Social justice minister

OpIndia Staff
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Rajasthan government to review reservations to 14 Muslim communities under OBC category: Social justice minister

The Rajasthan government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), will soon reevaluate the reservation provided to 14 Muslim communities classified under the Other Backward Caste (OBC) category, according to the state’s social justice and empowerment minister, Avinash Gehlot, on Saturday.

“The Congress government provided reservations to these 14 Muslim communities under the OBC category between 1997 and 2013 as part of their appeasement politics. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar stated in the constitution that reservations cannot be granted to a specific community based on religion. We have all the relevant circulars, and thus we will review this,” Gehlot said while addressing reporters in Jaipur.

The BJP has highlighted the issue of reservations given to Muslims during the ongoing general elections, arguing that these reservations were unlawfully granted at the expense of deserving Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other OBCs.

On Wednesday, the Calcutta High Court revoked the OBC certificates of 77 communities in West Bengal, 75 of which were Muslim communities. The court found the classification process by the West Bengal government illegitimate, stating that labelling these communities as OBCs for electoral gains undermined democracy and the Constitution, leaving them vulnerable to political manipulation and denying other rights.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a rally in Dwarka, Uttar Pradesh, called the court’s decision a “tight slap” to the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. He criticized the West Bengal government for issuing unwarranted OBC certificates to Muslims for vote-bank politics, describing it as an extreme form of appeasement.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated on Thursday that the Banerjee-led government had granted OBC status to around 118 Muslim communities without proper procedures or surveys. The high court, recognizing this issue, cancelled the certificates issued between 2010 and 2024. He welcomed the verdict, accusing Banerjee of prioritizing Muslim reservations over deserving OBCs to maintain her vote bank.

Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma commented on Thursday that the verdict ended Banerjee’s appeasement politics, as the Constitution does not allow religion-based reservations.

Gehlot claimed that his department had received numerous complaints about such “religion-based reservations” in recent months. He announced the formation of a high-level committee to review these complaints.

Rajasthan currently provides 64% reservation: 21% for OBCs, 16% for SCs, 12% for STs, 10% for Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), and 5% for Most Backward Classes (MBC). According to the Rajasthan Social Justice and Empowerment Department (SJED), 82 communities fall under the OBC category, with around 29 being Muslim communities.

In response to Gehlot’s statement, Congress spokesperson Swarnim Chaturvedi argued that the decision was politically motivated. He pointed out that it was the BJP government that approved reservations for these Muslim communities under OBC between 1997 and 2013, and the Congress government merely continued this practice based on the Mandal Commission report of 1990.

Violence in Pakistan: Mob tortures man, goes on rampage over alleged desecration of Quran in Sargodha

OpIndia Staff
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Violence in Pakistan: Mob tortures man, goes on rampage over alleged desecration of Quran in Sargodha

On the morning of 25th May, a vengeful crowd in the Mujahid Colony area of Sargodha in Pakistan attacked and vandalized a man’s house in retaliation for an alleged blasphemy incident. Angry individuals broke into the man’s home, trashed his possessions and set fire to the shoe factory that was located there. Furthermore, they destroyed nearby electrical installations and set fire to tyres. However, the situation began to calm down after the Regional Police Officer (RPO), Sargodha District Police Officer (DPO) and a significant police contingent arrived at the scene. Two families from the Christian community were also rescued from the rabid throng by the authorities.

The police transported the injured victim and other wounded persons to a hospital in an ambulance before apprehending multiple culprits. The extremists also used stones to attack the police party, according to RPO Shariq Kamal, but they were eventually driven out. He declared that those who disrupted law and order would face harsh consequences and that the incident was under investigation. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) voiced concerns about the situation in Sargodha and urged the district government and Punjab Police to quickly restore order and prosecute those responsible.

Officials said that the vandalism was carried out by unidentified individuals after the discovery of burnt pages of the Quran which triggered the violent reaction. Asad Ejaz Malhi, the Sargodha DPO also confirmed that the disturbance was caused by suspected desecration of the Quran, but he insisted that a sizable police presence was present and no casualties were reported. “When police arrived, the mob had gathered outside the houses. Officers cordoned off the area and safely evacuated all residents. The police peacefully dispersed the crowd,” he stated and added, “Additional police units were stationed throughout the city to ensure the safety of the Christian community.”

Unconfirmed social media footage showed many people including youngsters destroying furniture while a crowd surrounded a man who was covered in blood. A large fire outside a house was captured on another video. However, Malhi alleged that no one was hurt and dismissed them as “fake videos” and he argued, “The police are maintaining law and order.” His claim was refuted by a family member of a wounded person who revealed that his uncle was in severe condition at a local hospital.

Malhi stated that the suspect was in jail and an investigation was ongoing, but he was unable to verify whether the claimed desecration had actually taken place. A resident of Sargodha named Mohsin Malhi reported that the suspect set fire to two of his homes and a factory. A district peace committee made up of representatives from the Muslim and minority communities as well as religious scholars would assess the situation and make a statement, according to Malhi. A declaration from the Christian community is also anticipated.

The instance brought up memories of a similar attack that happened in Jaranwala in August of last year when Islamists torched numerous homes and churches as they rampaged through a neighbourhood that was predominately Christian over blasphemy charges.

‘Won’t comment on Swati Maliwal issue as it’s sub-judice’: Arvind Kejriwal’s embarrassing evasion raises deeper questions about alleged assault inside his residence

Jinit Jain
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‘Won’t comment on Swati Maliwal issue as it’s sub-judice’: Arvind Kejriwal’s embarrassing evasion raises deeper questions about alleged assault inside his residence

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who stole the thunder of competing INDI leaders after the Supreme Court made an exception to grant him bail earlier this month and then with the sordid saga of an alleged assault of his party’s Rajya Sabha MP inside his residence, was recently left red-faced in an interview with India TV where he dodged questions on the grave allegations levelled by his party colleague Swati Maliwal against his aide Bibhav Kumar. 

The AAP supremo, who had long projected an image of an intrepid politician who never feared fielding tough questions from journalists, came out as a vulnerable leader holding too many secrets close to his chest as he refused to present his side of the story in the Swati Maliwal assault case even though he kept iterating that there were two versions of the case. 

When India TV journalist Peenaz Tyagi asked what happened on the fateful day when Swati visited his residence, Kejriwal, who has been flagrantly flouting bail conditions set by the Supreme Court for the interim relief granted to him in the Delhi liquor scam, said since the matter is sub-judice, he wouldn’t like to comment on the matter. 

“The police have two versions of the incident, one is from Swati Ji and the other is from Bibhav. The police will be conducting an impartial probe into the matter and the truth will prevail,” Kejriwal blathered without addressing the question asked of him.

When Ms Tyagi pressed with a more pointed question highlighting how AAP leader Sanjay Singh had already admitted in a press conference that what happened with Swati Maliwal was wrong, Kejriwal went into a defensive mode, saying he wouldn’t want to comment on the matter since it is in the court.

“I don’t want to comment on the matter since it is sub-judice. I will wait for the court’s order… have trust in court, whatever it will say, we will accept it,” Kejriwal said. 

Further, when asked why Bibhav was still accompanying him despite Sanjay Singh’s assertion that Swati Maliwal was wronged, Kejriwal trotted out the same refrain that he was going to wait for the court order before speaking up on the matter. 

The circumspection is a far cry from the usually dauntless demeanour of Kejriwal, who gained notoriety for having a loose tongue and making declarations without weighing his words and their repercussions. Consequently, Kejriwal had to tender apologies in many cases for his indiscreet comments and, at times, for malicious allegations against his political opponents. 

Through his political speeches after coming out on bail, Kejriwal has also demonstrated that he cares two hoots about the bail conditions set out by the top court. The BJP has repeatedly accused Kejriwal of violating bail conditions, one of which includes restrictions on speaking about the Delhi Liquor case. Kejriwal has claimed that he and other AAP leaders are being framed in the case and that if the voters vote for him, he will not have to go to jail on June 2, the day when his interim relief ends. 

Clearly, Kejriwal is inconsistent in the manner he treats sub-judice matters. When it comes to his involvement in the Delhi liquor case, Kejriwal has been forthcoming in warding off allegations and proclaiming his innocence while being tight-lipped in the Swati Maliwal assault case. 

His uncharacteristic restraint over the Swati Maliwal assault case evokes suspicion over whether there is more than what meets the eye in the case, perhaps which is related to the cause of the altercation inside his house on the fateful day of May 13 than the altercation itself. What is that Kejriwal and the AAP leadership want to hide from the general public? The timing of the incident is also crucial, given that it took place days before Delhi, a supposed AAP bastion, was to go to polls.

His uncharacteristic restraint over the Swati Maliwal assault case evokes suspicion over whether there is more than what meets the eye in the case, perhaps which is related to the cause of the altercation inside his house on the fateful day of May 13 than the altercation itself. With rumours rife that Kejriwal has a knack for dictatorial tendencies, one cannot be sure what exactly transpired in his house that day, which led to an ugly fallout between the Delhi CM and one of his oldest lieutenants. 

‘Mamata has turned Jhargram into Sandeshkhali’: TMC goons pelt stones at BJP candidate, injures two CISF jawans

OpIndia Staff
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‘Mamata has turned Jhargram into Sandeshkhali’: TMC goons pelt stones at BJP candidate, injures two CISF jawans

Amid the 6th phase of Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal on Saturday (25th May), the convoy of BJP candidate (Jhargram constituency) Pranat Tudu came under attack from Trinamool Congress (TMC) goons.

The incident took place in the Garbeta area, which falls in the Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal. In a video that has now surfaced on social media, the BJP candidate and his security personnel could be seen running for cover.

Pranat Tudu had visited Garbeta following complaints by BJP agents that they were not being allowed inside some polling stations. However, he soon came attacked by TMC goons.

Two security personnel escorting the BJP candidate sustained injuries and were later hospitalised. Following the incident, a large team of police was deployed in the area to prevent any law and order situation. Earlier in the day,

While speaking about the matter, Pranat Tudu said, “All of a sudden, TMC goons who had blocked the roads started hurling bricks at my car.”

“When my security personnel tried to intervene, they were injured. Two CISF jawans accompanying me received head injuries and had to be hospitalised,” he added.

The BJP Jhargram candidate also lamented, “Didimoni (Mamata Banerjee) has turned Jhargram into Sandeshkhali.” The village of Sandeshkhali has become synonymous to the unspeakable atrocities committed against women by Trinamool Congress goons.

BJP candidate gheraoed by TMC goons

Earlier in the day, chaos broke out in the Ghatal constituency after BJP’s agent was not allowed to enter the polling station by Trinamool Congress (TMC) goons.

On learning about the matter, BJP candidate (Ghatal Lok Sabha constituency) Hiranmoy Chatterjee reached the polling station. His convoy was stopped by TMC goons, who prevented him from entering the Keshpur area by setting fire in the middle of the road.

The TMC goons also gheraoed the vehicle of the BJP candidate and endangered his life. This was despite the fact that 919 companies of central forces were deployed to maintain the law and order situation in West Bengal during the elections.

An angry Hiranmoy Chatterjee lashed out at the security forces for not taking action against the TMC ‘goons ‘lungi army’ who surrounded him on all sides.

“Officer-in-Charge of Keshpur Amit Mukherjee and Officer-in-Charge of Anandpur Sunny carried out bombing throughout the night, ransacked houses, and thrashed our workers. They even took away our polling agents,” he stated.

“I will do as much as I can throughout the day. If you want to save democracy, then, you have to fight alone. Let the people of Bengal see. Those who sit in AC rooms in Kolkata and talk big must come and visit Keshpur,” the BJP candidate further emphasised.

After the mob of Trinamool Congress goons prevented him from reaching the polling station, he lamented, “Mamata Banerjee has transformed Keshpur into Pakistan.”

Arvind Kejriwal ignored concerns about party’s fundraising activities from Khalistani sympathisers outside India: Former AAP leader and Lal Bahadur Shastri’s grandson

OpIndia Staff
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Arvind Kejriwal ignored concerns about party’s fundraising activities from Khalistani sympathisers outside India: Former AAP leader and Lal Bahadur Shastri’s grandson

On Friday (24th May), Ex-AAP legislator and grandson of former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri, Adarsh Shastri launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party and its National Convener Arvind Kejriwal. Shashtri, who is currently with Congress, made a shocking revelation stating that Kejriwal ignored about party’s fundraising activities from Khalistani sympathisers abroad when he told him about it. 

In an exclusive interview with news agency IANS, Former AAP legislator Shashtri said, ”When I was an MLA, I also managed overseas work for the Aam Aadmi Party. While visiting Gurdwaras in Canada and Germany, I was disturbed to see that we were seeking funds from Gurdwaras which had photos of Bhindranwale and Operation Bluestar terrorists. I along with Kumar Vishwas discussed it with the Chief Minister but it was ignored. What this could mean, you can interpret for yourself.” 

Speaking with IANS, Shashtri also slammed Kejriwal stating, “Kejriwal exhibits megalomaniac symptoms, more than often. He thinks meeting party legislators or public representatives is below his dignity.” 

(Video Courtesy – IANS TV YouTube Channel)

He also slammed the Delhi government over the brazen assault of the party’s serving Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal inside the Chief Minister’s residence. Criticising AAP, he said a party that once boasted about women’s empowerment has stooped to a level, where women are harassed and tormented at the highest level.

Further in the interview, he came down heavily on the Delhi Chief Minister for first maintaining a deafening silence over the Swati Maliwal assault case and later deploying the party’s ‘troll army’ to back the CM’s aide Bibhav Kumar rather than ensuring justice for Maliwal.

He said, “It’s beyond comprehension how Swati Maliwal was punched and thrashed inside the Chief Minister’s residence. And, more baffling is Arvind Kejriwal’s silence on the issue and AAP brass rallying behind CM’s aide rather than seeking justice for the woman MP.” 

According to the Former AAP legislator, Kejriwal’s PA Bibhav Kumar was not a commoner, rather he wielded immense influence in the CM’s office. 

He added, “Bibhav served as the gatekeeper of CM house, he decided who would meet Kejriwal, what would be the agenda of discussion, and more,” however, he noted that he did not know him personally.

He was also asked whether Sunita Kejriwal’s ‘uncomforting equations’ with Maliwal led to the Rajya Sabha MP’s assault inside the CM’s house. In reply, Shashtri said that he did not know about any resentment between the two but Kejriwal must be aware of the incident that happened inside his residence. 

Furthermore, he blamed the Kejriwal government for not doing enough for the security of women in the capital. He pointed out that the party had failed to utilise the Nirbhaya Fund.

Blaming Kejriwal for the ‘exodus of top leaders and founding members’ from the party, the Former AAP MLA added, “The one reason why founding members parted ways with the AAP is because of Kejriwal’s double standards and doublespeak on multiple issues.”

Pakistan: Sindhi journalist Nasrullah Gadani murdered, World Sindhi Congress condemns pattern of violence against journalists in Sindh

ANI
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Pakistan: Sindhi journalist Nasrullah Gadani murdered, World Sindhi Congress condemns pattern of violence against journalists in Sindh

 The World Sindhi Congress (WSC) has expressed sorrow and outrage over the murder of a Sindhi journalist, Nasrullah Gadani, bringing the total number of media workers reported killed nationwide in 2024 to five, according to Voice of America (VOA).

Gadani, who was attacked and shot three days ago in Ghotki, Sindh, succumbed to his injuries in a hospital in Karachi today. Nasrullah Gadani was respected for his commitment to truth and justice.

Despite enduring a life of poverty, he refused to be co-opted by the system, choosing instead to highlight the injustices faced by the Sindhi people.

Gadani’s courageous reporting often targeted the abuses of power by feudal and politicians, who, under the protection of the Pakistan army, have perpetuated widespread suffering in Sindh. His fearless dedication to exposing these atrocities ultimately cost him his life.

Activists and colleagues said the slain journalist had consistently highlighted the civic issues plaguing impoverished Sindh in his reporting. Gadani also was critical of the powerful feudal lords in the region, which led to his repeated detention by the police, as noted by Pakistani journalist Hamid Mir in this social media post on X, formerly Twitter.

The WSC has condemned the murder as part of a disturbing pattern of violence against journalists in Sindh. The organization voiced deep concerns about the likelihood of justice being served in this case, given the region’s history of impunity.

The news of Gadani’s death sparked outrage among journalists and civil society members, leading to a protest demonstration demanding justice for the slain reporter.

The WSC emphasised the critical role of the Sindhi community, political activists, human rights defenders, and civil society organizations in continuing the fight for justice for Nasrullah Gadani and other victims of such violence.

In a statement, the WSC offered condolences to Gadani’s family and friends. “The organisation pledged to honour his legacy by advocating for his case and the broader issues of lawlessness in Sindh at international platforms, including the United Nations”, the WSC statement said.

The murder of Nasrullah Gadani is a reminder of the dangers faced by journalists in Sindh and underscores the need for systemic reforms to protect those who speak truth to power.

The WSC’s call for justice resonates as a clarion call for action against the entrenched impunity that endangers the lives of those who dare to challenge it.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, a leading independent rights watchdog, said it was “deeply concerned” by the situation facing journalists in the country. It urged the Sindh government to investigate Gadani’s killing and hold the perpetrators to account.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

EC releases the absolute number of voters for all completed phases, says it could always be calculated & reiterates that nobody can change data of votes

OpIndia Staff
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EC releases the absolute number of voters for all completed phases, says it could always be calculated & reiterates that nobody can change data of votes

Amid the demands of left-wing activists for the publication of Form 17C data, which records the voter turnout in each polling booth, the Election Commission of India on Saturday published the absolute number of voters for all the constituencies that went to vote in the first 5 phases of the General Elections. This comes a day after the Supreme Court of India refused to direct the ECI to publish the number of votes cast in the ongoing Lok Sabha Elections within 48 hours of polling.

In a press release dated 25 May, the ECI said that it feels duly strengthened by the Supreme Court’s observations and verdict on the process of release of turnout data. “This brings upon the Commission, a higher responsibility to serve the cause of electoral democracy with undeterred resolution,” ECI stated.

The Commission has therefore decided to further expand the format of release of turnout data to include the absolute number of voters in every parliamentary constituency. Till now, ECI was publishing the percentage of voting in each constituency, and activists and some political parties were demanding that ECI should publish the absolute numbers of votes too.

However, as the number of registered voters in each constituency is already in the public domain, it was anyway easy to calculate the number of votes from number of total voters and the polling percentage. Still, ECI has decided to publish the absolute numbers too.

In the press release, the ECI stressed that any alteration in the number of votes polled is not possible. It said, “The process of collection and storage of votes polled is rigorous, transparent and participative. The Commission and its officials across the states have been disseminating voter turnout data in the best possible manner, taking into account statutory considerations. The whole exercise of release of turnout data from the date of commencement of polls on 19th April 2024 has been accurate, consistent and in accordance with election laws and without any discrepancy whatsoever.”

The commission also explained the detailed process of recording and release of turnout data, and how Form 17C is used and kept in custody, which is already in public domain and explained to political parties.

This is the detailed procedure which ensures that the Form 17C data can’t be altered:

  • Final List of electors is given to candidates after the list of contesting candidates is finalized.
  • Authorized agents of all candidates will be having form 17C across 543 PCs, distinctively for each of approximately 10.5 lakh polling stations.
  • The total number of votes polled in a constituency, as recorded in Form 17C, can never be changed even by anyone’s hypothetical mischief, as it is available with all contesting candidates.
  • Agents of candidates are always allowed to accompany EVM and statutory papers, including form 17C from the polling station to storage in a strong room as per Rule 49 V (2) of the Conduct of Election Rules 1961.
  • The candidate or his agents bring the copy of the form 17C to the counting centre and compare it with the result in each round.

Again Responding to allegations of delay in publishing turnout data, ECI said that there has been no delay in the release of voter turnout data which is released via ECI’s Voter Turnout app. The app starts publishing turnout data in 9.30 am on the poll day, and updates the same every 2 hours. The data is continuous updated, even after voting is over and polling parties start reaching the election office.

By midnight on the poll day, the Voter turnout app shows best estimated “Close of Poll (COP)” data in percentage form. Different media organisations pick up data at different points in time as per their convenience to report. After the arrival of the poll parties, depending on geographical and weather conditions, the data of voters attains finality on P+1 or P+2 or P+3 or more days, depending upon arrival of parties and number of repolls, if any, the press release stated.

ECI said that issue of press note with the voting data is just an additional measure while full data is always available 24×7 on the Voter turnout App. Notably, as the press notes are issued a later date, activists and opposition parties are alleging delay in publication of turnout data, despite the fact that the data is readily available on the app. Moreover, the turnout percentage shown in the app can be used to calculate the actual numbers of votes polled.

The press release said, “The Commission has issued 13 press notes on voter turnout for five phases. Any alleged delay in the issue of press notes of phase 1 does not mean that data was not available in the public domain all the time through voter turnout app.” The ECI also said that it has added some features to the turnout app, like aggregate phase wise turnout figure, constituency wise elector data, releasing Voter turnout data at around 2345 hours also on poll day, and issuing third press note of each phase on P+4 day when repolls, if any have also been concluded.  

At the end of the press release, the ECI annexures giving percentage and actual number of votes polled in 428 Lok Sabha constituencies where voting has been concluded in the first 5 phases from 19 April to 20 May.

Bareilly: Attempt to rape minor Dalit girl after kidnapping her at gun point; Rashid and his father arrested, two other accused absconding

OpIndia Staff
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Bareilly: Attempt to rape minor Dalit girl after kidnapping her at gun point; Rashid and his father arrested, two other accused absconding

A case of Dalit oppression has come to light from Bareilly district of Uttar Pradesh. In this case, four accused from the Muslim community have been accused of kidnapping and attempting to rape a minor Dalit girl. The kidnapping of the girl was apparently done at gunpoint. The family members who went to rescue the victim were subjected to caste based abuses and were given death threats by the accused. The incident took place on Monday (May 20, 2024). Police have arrested 2 accused in the case and search is on for the absconding accused. The matter is under investigation.

This incident took place in Deoraniyan police station area of ​​Bareilly. On Wednesday (May 22, 2024), the victim’s father lodged a complaint in the police station in this regard. In his complaint, he told that there was a program at his house on 20th May. The same night, their 16-year-old daughter was going to her uncle’s house at around 11:30 PM, when the victim met Rashid on the way. He showed a gun to the minor, and took her with him to a garden. Here, the accused molested the minor, and even tried to rape her. It is alleged that Rashid had also called his accomplices Ashfaq and Ishaq’s son Nanne to the spot.

All these accused allegedly tried to take the victim to some other place from there. It is further stated in the complaint that Rashid’s father Nanhe also reached the spot. He started asking the accused to take the victim somewhere far away as soon as possible. Meanwhile, after the victim didn’t reach her home for a long time, her family members, and the relatives who had come to the program, started searching for her. Some people went towards the forest while searching. Before the accused could succeed in taking the victim somewhere else, the girl’s family reached there.

The accused became enraged after seeing the victim’s family members. The accused used Casteist abuses against the victim’s family members and threatened that if any action is taken, they will kill them. The victim’s family members took the help of ‘dial 112’ service of Police and somehow rescued the minor. Seeing the police being called, the accused fled from the spot. While leaving, Rashid showed the gun to the victim’s father and said, “If you open your mouth anywhere, we will kill you.”

The complainant said he is scared and demanded strict action against the accused. Based on the complaint, the police have registered an FIR under sections 363, 354 (b), 504 and 506 of the IPC along with POCSO and SC/ST Act. Rashid, Ashfaq, Nanhe and Nanne have been named in the FIR.

On Friday (May 24, 2024), the patrolling police force received information about the presence of the accused at one place. They raided the place and arrested Rashid and his father Nanhe. Both have been sent to judicial custody. The search is on for other absconding accused. OpIndia has the FIR copy.

Gujarat: Woman impregnated, assaulted and abandoned by Hussain after she refused to convert to Islam, extorted lakhs from her, his father also molested her

OpIndia Staff
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Gujarat: Woman impregnated, assaulted and abandoned by Hussain after she refused to convert to Islam, extorted lakhs from her, his father also molested her

A Sikh woman from Anjar in Kutch has accused a Muslim youth from Jamnagar of impregnating her in the name of marriage before abandoning her. She also charged that he tortured her both physically and mentally as well as forced her to convert to Islam. A First Information Report was registered after she submitted a complaint at the Anjar police station and further investigation is underway. The accused has been identified as Hussain Baloch.

OpIndia has a copy of the FIR. She stated in the complaint that she was introduced to the Muslim male by a known Muslim couple after which he promised her marriage and she moved to live with him along with her son at his residence. However, he forced her to have an abortion twice and she was later tortured there. Furthermore, a video of her recounting her experience became viral on social media.

According to the information, the victim who is originally from Punjab’s Hoshiarpur has been living in Gujarat. She is a divorcee and has a 10-year-old son from her husband. The marriage ended due to some disagreements. She and her son stayed together alone. Her brother is in the construction business, who builds and sells houses while she used to put them on rent.

A Muslim young man named Sameer and his spouse came to stay in one of these houses in June 2021 which she used to frequent to collect rent. The two reportedly pressured her to get married in the Muslim community, but she was not ready. A few months later, in September he summoned her claiming that her aunt’s son Hussain, a native of Jamnagar, wanted to meet her. She informed that she yielded to his persuasion after refusing earlier and met the Muslim youth.

She unveiled that she was told to get married to him at the house but she turned down the proposal citing religious differences and returned from there. However, after a few days, Hussain contacted her and started talking to her. He wanted to begin a romantic relationship but she rejected him. He even sent her his pictures and called her repeatedly in order to push her to tie the knot with him. According to the complaint, the female succumbed to his pressure and travelled to Jamnagar in November 2021. She went to his house to meet his family where she spent the night and disclosed that the offender had sexual intercourse with her despite her protests.

Forced to embrace Islam, Hussian taught her son to offer namaz

She stayed at Hussain’s house for two days and came back to her place. Afterwards, she discussed the marriage proposal with her family who expressed their opposition and warned that they would end all connections with her if she tied the knot with the perpetrator. However, she then took her son and went to his place but to her shock he claimed that the Nikah (Islamic wedding ceremony) could not take place until she became a Muslim because they belonged to separate religions.

An argument broke out between the couple after she refused to comply. Meanwhile, she, her son and Hussain had already started living in a new rented house in Jamnagar. However, he regularly compelled her to change her religion even there, based on the complaint. She highlighted that the culprit was also directing her son to offer namaz and thrashed him when he resisted. He also fought with her and beat her brutally. In the meantime, Hussain’s father Akbar was also supposed to come to live with him and he found a new house and shifted there.

She got pregnant and had abortions 

The female stated that she got pregnant and Hussain gave her medicines to abort the baby. She then conceived again and he did the same. Afterwards, Hussain, his brother Feroze and his wife brought her to the hospital after she became pregnant for the third time to discuss abortion but she rejected and came back home. She also accused Akbar of molesting her, in the complaint along with the physical and psychological abuse she endured at the hands of Hussain. He beat her whenever she raised the matter of marriage and ordered her to kill the baby in her womb first.

Distraught, she eventually moved back to her home and threatened to file a police complaint after which he came to live with her. Meanwhile, she gave birth to a son in July of last year. She once more brought up marriage and he barked, “You didn’t listen to me and didn’t get an abortion,” and left her. She also spoke to her family but even they didn’t support her after which she registered a complaint on 9th May.

She voiced that Hussain’s family beat and tortured and threatened to kill her if she notified the authorities. She also mentioned that he had also extorted 9-10 lakh from her. She even alleged that he had seduced other Hindu girls as well.

Anjar police registered a case, LCB is investigating 

The Anjar police have filed cases against six people including Hussain, his brother and father, Sameer and his wife and Feroze under Sections 376(2)(n), 328, 354, 323, and 114 of the Indian Penal Code as well as Section 83 of the Juvenile Justice Act in response to the victim’s allegation. According to reports, after the matter came to light, Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi has also taken cognizance and transferred the case to the Local Crime Branch (LCB). Currently, the police are investigating the matter.

‘If Congress comes to power in the Centre, we will open the India-Pakistan border’: Former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi

OpIndia Staff
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‘If Congress comes to power in the Centre, we will open the India-Pakistan border’: Former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi

On Saturday (25th May), Congress candidate from Jalandhar and Former Punjab CM Charanjit Singh Channi courted a fresh controversy while addressing a press conference at his residence in Jalandhar. He said that if Congress comes to power at the Centre, they will open the India-Pakistan border. The development comes days after he received a warning from the Election Commission of India for his objectionable remarks made earlier this month. 

Speaking with reporters on Saturday, Channi said, “After our government is formed at the national level, we will open Punjab’s Wagah Border. This will allow people from Pakistan to come to Punjab for medical treatment. This will promote medical tourism in Jalandhar.” During the press conference, he also claimed that PM Modi’s rally in Jalandhar, Punjab, was a flop show. 

Notably, over the last decade, India has followed a consistent policy that terror and talks can’t continue, that is, Pakistan would have to put an end to terrorism to resume bilateral discussions with India. Incidentally, it was Pakistan that suspended bilateral imports of essential items like medicines from India after New Delhi abrogated Article 370 in August 2019.

Congress will start sending messages of friendship to Pakistan if they form government at the national level: PM Modi

It is pertinent to note that a day earlier, PM Modi held a rally in Punjab’s Gurdaspur and Jalandhar. Addressing the election rallies, PM Modi launched a scathing attack on the Congress party and charged it with “speaking the language of Pakistan”. He asserted that Congress will start sending messages of friendship with Pakistan which has been notorious for sponsoring terrorism against India. PM Modi added that several Congress leaders have been making the atmosphere for the same. 

Slamming the I.N.D.I. alliance and its strategy concerning National Security, PM Modi said, “These I.N.D.I. alliance people are a great danger to the security of the country. They are talking about reintroducing Article 370 in Kashmir. They want terrorism back in Kashmir. They want to hand over Kashmir to separatists again. They will send messages of friendship to Pakistan again. They will send roses to Pakistan. Pakistan will carry out bomb blasts.” 

He added, “There will be terrorist attacks on the country. Congress will say, we have to talk no matter what. For this, Congress has already started creating an atmosphere. Their leaders are saying, Pakistan has an atomic bomb. Their people are saying, we’ll have to live in fear of Pakistan. These I.N.D.I. alliance people are speaking Pakistan’s language.” 

Incidentally, several Pakistani individuals including Former Minister in Imran Khan’s cabinet, Fawad Chaudhry had earlier made tweets in support of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. 

Responding to the same, PM Modi said, “The interesting thing is that Congress is dying here and Pakistan is crying. You must have heard that now Pakistani leaders are praying for Congress. Pakistan is eager to make ‘Shehzada’ (Rahul Gandhi) prime minister. You must have seen it yesterday. We already know that Congress likes Pakistan. The alliance between the two has been completely exposed,” in an election rally in Gujarat’s Anand on 2nd May.

ECI warns Former Punjab CM over his remarks on Poonch terror attack describing it as ‘Stuntbaazi’

Meanwhile, the recent controversial remarks by Former Punjab CM Chani come two days after the Election Commission of India issued him a stern warning for violating the Model Code of Conduct. An official of the poll body said that the Election Commission has issued a strict warning to the Congress candidate from Jalandhar Charanjit Singh Channi for violating the Model Code of Conduct.

The EC advised and warned Channi against repeating such violations in the future and emphasised the importance of adhering to the MCC guidelines in letter and spirit, the spokesperson of the poll body said. 

The warning came after the commission found his response “unsatisfactory” and deemed his earlier remarks a violation of the MCC clause which provides – “Criticism of other political parties, when made, shall be confined to their policies and programme, record and work… Criticism of other parties or their workers based on unverified allegations or distortion shall be avoided.”

The development pertains to his remarks made on 5th May when he alleged that the recent terror attack on an Indian Air Force (IAF) convoy was a “Stuntbazi” by the BJP. Claiming that these were not terror attacks, the Congress leader had described it as “Stuntbaazi” alleging that the BJP orchestrated such incidents to sway elections. He further alleged that such attacks are premeditated and executed to bolster the electoral prospects of the BJP. 

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